Marion Williamson Blalock (1947-2023) - Don and Liz Thompson Minority Engineering Program - Purdue University

Marion Williamson Blalock (1947-2023)

Ms. Marion Williamson Blalock, a national leader who devoted over 30 years of her life to recruiting, retaining, and graduating underrepresented (URM) students in the College of Engineering officially retired, in August of 2008. Marion held the position of the Director of the Minority Engineering Program (MEP) from 1974 through 2008. Her contributions to Purdue's College of Engineering span three decades and had a monumental impact on national and local educational programs. She transformed MEP into a national model that has been replicated at major universities throughout the nation. Marion mentored thousands of minority students at Purdue, and across the country, and helped over 2,300 URMs graduate with their engineering degrees. Many of her students have gone on to stellar careers in engineering, education, and business.

She was regarded as instrumental for student success. As a mentor, mother, confidant, businesswoman, and rebuker, Marion invested her life and strength in the students that she served without reservation.

Marion, an alumna of Purdue University, earned her BS in Sociology, and MS in Counseling and Personnel Services. Prior to her appointment as the Director of MEP, she served as the Assistant Dean of Students at Purdue.

Marion Blalock: mentor, motivator for minority engineering students