Blackwell Establishes Strategic Communication Scholarship
JONESBORO — Eric V. Blackwell has made a generous contribution to Arkansas State University to establish the Eric Blackwell Strategic Communication Scholarship. Blackwell, a 2001 journalism graduate, is currently the manager of special events at Texas Children’s Hospital in Houston where he manages the special events team in the office of philanthropy, working to raise millions of dollars yearly for the hospital.
“I received a world-class education at Arkansas State that prepared me for life and a career,” said Blackwell. “I was lucky to be able to afford an education at A-State, but I know not everyone has that opportunity. My hope is this scholarship gives A-State students the same opportunities I had to excel in the classroom and beyond without worrying about finances.”
The Arkansas State University strategic communications program prepares students to use advertising, public relations, social media and organizational communication to build mutually beneficial relationships between an organization and its key stakeholders.
“Over the course of my career, I have used the skills I learned at A-State to advance the mission of the organization for which I work. Without this knowledge and educational foundation, I would certainly not be where I am today,” Blackwell said.
Prior to his work at Texas Children’s Hospital, Blackwell served as the senior director of development at Emory University, and worked in senior leadership roles on both of Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaigns.
While a student at A-State, Blackwell was active on campus as a member of Sigma Pi, cheerleader, band member, orientation leader, member of PRSSA, a member of the Student Government Association and Presidential Ambassador. He was also a Distinguished Service Award winner.
Still committed to A-State and the Red Wolves, Blackwell is a 1924 Sustaining Life Member of the A-State Alumni Association and serves on the Alumni Association board. He is passionate about Arkansas State and committed to seeing the school’s influence reach beyond the state of Arkansas.
Students graduating from the strategic communication program will know and understand how to use advertising, public relations, social media, branding, crisis communication, media relations, research methods and evaluation tools to help organizations communicate and build relationships with their publics. They will also be prepared to work for advertising and public relations agencies, both big and small companies, governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations such as universities, hospitals, museums and non-governmental organizations.
