The theme of the Blackburn Institute’s 2024 Annual Symposium, “30 years of Fellowship: Building the Bonds of Ethical Leadership,” will highlight the work of Dr. John L. Blackburn against the backdrop of desegregation at The University of Alabama, the creation of the Blackburn Institute, and our efforts to change the state in the present and into the future. Attendees will hear from speakers and panelists sharing the challenges of the past and working to affect positive change in the state of Alabama
The event held Friday, August 23 and Saturday, August 24 will take place at Bryant Conference Center in Tuscaloosa and will end with the 30th Anniversary Black-Tie Optional Gala to celebrate the Institute during this milestone year. We encourage you to advantage this anniversary to reengage with the Blackburn community.
Gloria and John L. Blackburn Academic Symposium
Friday, August 25, 2024, 5 – 6:30 p.m. CT
Bryant Conference Center, Sellers Auditorium
Sarah Patterson served as the head coach for The University of Alabama Gymnastics team for 36 years, winning 6 NCAA Championships and 8 SEC titles. Patterson, who coached with her husband David for their entire careers, also won 29 NCAA regional championships and recorded more than 1,000 wins. She coached teams to an NCAA best 22 top 3 finishes at the National Championships. Patterson was the first coach in SEC history, regardless of sport, to win NCAA titles in four different decades, winning in 1988, 1991, 1996, 2002, 2011 and 2012.
The Pattersons began coaching at Alabama in the fall of 1978 and quickly turned around a program that had been through four years (and four coaches) without a winning season. They built a program that excelled at the highest levels in all areas, leading the Crimson Tide to championship performances in the gym and the classroom while making a difference in the Tuscaloosa community.
Individually, Alabama gymnasts earned 289 All-America honors and 24 individual NCAA championships under the Pattersons. Eight times a member of the Crimson Tide earned the Honda Award, presented annually to the nation’s top gymnast. Alabama gymnasts earned 21 NCAA postgraduate scholarships, which leads the nation by a healthy margin, as well as 189 Scholastic All-America and 262 SEC Academic Honor Roll accolades.
Patterson was named National Coach of the Year four times, SEC Coach of the Year four times, and in 2003 was inducted into the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame. She served as the senior women’s administrator at UA from 1985-1996 and the associate athletics director for community and university relations from 1996-2014. Patterson also completed stints on the SEC Executive Committee, the NCAA Women’s Gymnastics Committee and the NCAA Recruiting Committee during her storied career.
During her tenure, Patterson developed a national reputation for her marketing prowess. One of her favorite memories is from a 1997 meet against rival Georgia, which became Alabama Gymnastics first sell out with over 15,000 fans, and there were ticket scalpers on the steps of Coleman Coliseum. Alabama went on to achieve 11 sell outs during Patterson’s career.
In addition to her coaching duties, Sarah Patterson was the driving force behind the creation of the Power of Pink initiative in 2004. The local effort partners with Alabama Gymnastics to raise awareness in the fight against breast cancer and has contributed $2.1 million to the DCH Breast Cancer Fund to help women in need prevent, detect, and treat breast cancer. These efforts from Patterson have exploded into a nationwide cause with college and professional sports teams conducting similar efforts in their communities.
In 2013, The University of Alabama dedicated the Sarah Patterson Champions Plaza in Patterson’s honor. The Plaza sits in front of Coleman Coliseum, the home of Alabama gymnastics, honoring championship teams at the University.
Patterson retired from coaching in 2014. After recovering from two knee replacement surgeries, she found new ways to serve her community. Patterson, a longtime United Way advocate, served as the 2017 United Way of West Alabama fundraising campaign chair, raising a record setting amount of over 2 million dollars. At the request of Mayor Walt Maddox, she serves on the Elevate Tuscaloosa board, along with serving 8 years on the board for Tuscaloosa Tourism and Sports.
In 2022, Sarah and her husband David were named the West Alabama United Way Family of the Year. In 2023 Sarah was named to the prestigious Alabama Academy of Honor. The Academy of Honor was created by the state of Alabama “to bestow honor and recognition upon living Alabamians for their outstanding accomplishments and service.” There is a maximum of 100 living Alabamians in the Academy along with living former Governors.
In addition to serving her community she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and scrapbooking.
In 2023, Senator Katie Boyd Britt (2001 Blackburn class) was sworn in as Alabama’s first elected female Senator, the youngest Republican woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate, and the only current Republican mom of school-aged kids serving in the Senate. She is proud to champion hardworking families as she fights to grow opportunity and preserve the American Dream for generations to come.
In the 118th Congress, Senator Britt serves on the Committee on Appropriations, where she is ranking member of the Homeland Security subcommittee; the Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs; and the Committee on Rules and Administration. Her committee portfolio strongly positions her to fight effectively for Alabama’s people, interests, and values as she continues to identify and achieve tangible, meaningful solutions to the pressing challenges facing Alabama and America.
The proud daughter of two small business owners in Enterprise, Alabama, the foundational values of faith, family, and freedom were instilled in Senator Britt from an early age. Most recently, Senator Britt worked to grow good-paying jobs and opportunity for all Alabamians as President and CEO of Alabama’s business council. A practicing attorney by trade, Senator Britt is a graduate of the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama School of Law. She previously served as the chief of staff to Alabama’s then-senior U.S. Senator and has served on numerous boards and committees. She now resides in Montgomery with her husband, Wesley, and their two children.
Please view the 2024 Annual Symposium schedule for registered attendees.
Blackburn Society members, Advisory Board members, Fellows, and students may register for Annual Symposium. This year, registration covers both days of the in-person event. Please see the registration timelines for each group below.
Registration has now closed for Blackburn Society, Advisory Board members, and Fellows.
| Registration Type | Registration Deadline | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | July 31 | Free |
| Late | August 15 |
| Registration Type | Registration Deadline | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| Regular | August 15 | Free |
| Late | August 25 | $50 |
Saturday, August 24, 2024, 6 p.m., Bryant Conference Center
Join Blackburn Society and Advisory Board members, Fellows and students at the Capstone for a night you won’t forget.
This event will include
Please see the Black Tie Optional Dress Guidelines. Mr. Burch Formal Wear in Tuscaloosa will give a $50 discount if you mention “Blackburn Institute Gala.” Rentals with the discount will be $130 – $220. Reserve your tux at lease a week prior to the event
