Mr. Burt Jones
Mr. Burt Jones

The Burt Jones Rural Community Experience is a cornerstone of the leadership development curriculum for the Blackburn Institute at The University of Alabama. This 4-day travel experience was redesigned in the 2015-16 academic year, consolidating multiple shorter trips into one longer regional trip that changes locations each fall. One of two travel experiences embedded in the student curriculum, these trips are designed to provide students with opportunities to experience the state of Alabama in all its diversity. Students interact with state and local leaders, explore regional commonalities and differences, place national issues into local context, and learn about the culture of communities to which they may have had little or no prior exposure. These travel experiences have taken the institute’s students to almost every corner of the state, providing them with the breadth of experiential knowledge necessary to take action for a better Alabama.

Rural Travel Locations

Use the map below to explore locations that the Institute has visited on Burt Jones Rural Community Experiences. Mouse over or tap each county to see the major cities/towns we traveled to each year. Our last trip in 2023 included central Alabama’s Shelby and St. Clair counties (travel experience itinerary).


CountyCityYear
BaldwinGulf Shores2009-2010
BarbourEufaula2019-2020
BibbCentreville2009-2010
BlountOneonta2010-2011
BullockUnion Springs2019-2020
ButlerGreenville2022-2023
CalhounAnniston2008-2009
CalhounAnniston2017-2018
ClarkeThomasville2018-2019
CoffeeEnterprise2015-2016
ColbertMuscle Shoals2005-2006
ColbertMuscle Shoals2016-2017
ColbertSheffield2005-2006
ColbertTuscumbia2005-2006
ConecuhEvergreen2022-2023
CovingtonAndalusia 2022-2023
CullmanCullman2012-2013
CullmanHanceville2010-2011
DaleFort Rucker2011-2012
DaleFort Rucker2015-2016
DaleOzark2015-2016
DallasSelma2001-2002
EscambiaAtmore2018-2019
EscambiaBrewton2018-2019
EtowahGadsden2017-2018
FayetteFayette2012-2013
FranklinRussellville2021-2022
HaleGreensboro2005-2006
HaleGreensboro2010-2011
HaleMoundville2008-2009
HoustonDothan2007-2008
HoustonDothan2015-2016
JeffersonBirmingham2001-2002
JeffersonBirmingham2002-2003
JeffersonBirmingham2009-2010
JeffersonBirmingham2012-2013
JeffersonBirmingham2014-2015
LauderdaleFlorence2005-2006
LauderdaleFlorence2012-2013
LauderdaleFlorence2016-2017
LawrenceMoulton2021-2022
LeeAuburn2013-2014
LeeOpelika2013-2014
LimestoneAthens2016-2017
LowndesWhite Hall2022-2023
MaconTuskegee2019-2020
MadisonHuntsville2004-2005
MadisonHuntsville2006-2007
MadisonHuntsville2016-2017
MadisonMadison2010-2011
MarengoDemopolis2004-2005
MarengoDemopolis2014-2015
MobileBayou La Batre2009-2010
MobileCitronelle2007-2008
MobileDauphin Island2009-2010
MobileMobile2003-2004
MobileMobile2014-2015
MobileMount Vernon2007-2008
MonroeMonroeville2018-2019
MontgomeryPike Road2015-2016
MorganDecatur2016-2017
PerryMarion2002-2003
PikeTroy2011-2012
PikeTroy2015-2016
RussellPhenix City2019-2020
ShelbyColumbiana2023-2024
ShelbyMontevallo2023-2024
St. ClairPell City2023-2024
SumterLivingston2003-2004
TalladegaSylacauga2017-2018
TalladegaTalladega2013-2014
TalladegaTalladega2017-2018
TallapoosaAlexander City2006-2007
TuscaloosaNorthport2007-2008
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa2009-2010
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa2013-2014
TuscaloosaTuscaloosa2020-2021
WalkerParrish2011-2012
WilcoxCamden2008-2009
WilcoxGees Bend2008-2009
WinstonDouble Springs2021-2022
WinstonHaleyville2021-2022

Funding

This program is generously funded by an endowment provided by supporters of the Blackburn Institute in the name of Burt Jones, a contemporary of Dr. Blackburn’s and director of Palmer Hall during James Hood’s time as one of the first African American students on campus.