Inspirational trailblazer and mentor for minority Engineers for more than 30 years
Marion Williamson Blalock, an impactful pioneer, advocate, mentor and adviser, directed and served the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) from its inception in 1974 to 2008. She created and led recruitment, retention and graduation initiatives that helped more than 2,300 underrepresented minority students earn Purdue Engineering degrees during her tenure and paved the way for later students. Numerous Purdue MEP students have gone on to stellar careers in engineering, education and business. In addition, MEP has become a model for universities across the nation. A Purdue alumna (bachelor’s degree in sociology and psychology in 1969 and master’s degree in counseling and personnel services in 1973), Blalock also served as a National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) advisor and board member.