Spider Spotlight
A Q&A with LouEllen Blackwelder
Director of Operations/Special Projects Robins School of Business Dean's Office
By Phillip Gravely
Writer/Editor, University Communications
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LouEllen Blackwelder says she does "anything but teach" in her job at the business school.
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Where are you from originally?
Charlotte, North Carolina
What brought you to Richmond?
My father's company transferred us to Richmond when I was 16 years old.
What brought you to the University of Richmond and when did you come?
I came to the Robins School seven years ago when Central Fidelity Bank merged with Wachovia. I was offered a job with Wachovia in Winston-Salem, but I didn't want to leave Richmond.
On an average day, what does your job entail?
The greatest thing about my job is that every day is a little different from the one before. When people ask what I do at the business school, I respond, "anything but teach." I could be moving bookcases and file cabinets in the morning and writing copy for a brochure in the afternoon. A lot of my time is spent on special projects, working with our Executive Advisory Board, chairing the committee for our new addition or creating a temporary trading floor for faculty and students to use while we are in the planning stages for the real thing. This is a great job.
What does the new liberal arts category
mean for the business school?
This is truly an honor. The University of Richmond is one of two universities in this category that have a business school (Washington & Lee is the other). This distinction, along with having a leadership school and a law school, puts Richmond in a category of its own. With a core education in liberal arts and sciences and subsequent business education, our students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to make a meaningful contribution to their employers and their communities. A Richmond education is an extraordinary model of a liberal arts education.
What's the most challenging part of your job?
There aren't enough hours in the day.
What's the most rewarding part of your job?
Working with my staff. I received some priceless advice early in my career as a manager. "Always hire someone smarter than you are." I am surrounded by talented, independent and creative problem-solvers. They keep this place running and make my job a lot easier. It is also rewarding for me whenever a member of my staff gets promoted. Several staffers started their careers under my supervision, and their hard work and talents have propelled them into even more demanding positions within the Robins School.
What do you like to do in your free time?
Play golf, read and work in the yard.
Do you have a favorite movie? Why?
Shawshank Redemption, because I think it says a lot about survival and relationship building-that people from very different backgrounds will find some common thread to develop a friendship.
If you could choose your dream job, what would it be?
I would like to manage a resort-definitely in warm weather-something like the Sanctuary at Kiawah Island.
What is something your colleagues may not know about you?
I have a B.A. in theatrical design and technology.
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