The University That Grew Alongside Her: Dr. Michele Blackwell

Campus looked a lot different 20 years ago. When Dr. Michele Blackwell was a student, there was no Health Professions building or St. Francis Hall. Instead, there was a campus with a nursing building, science building and art building with an administration building located off campus.

Blackwell began as a student in 1994, completing prerequisite courses before starting the Associate of Science in Nursing (ASN) program in fall 1995. After graduating, she returned to earn her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and later enrolled in the Master of Science in Nursing Education (MSN) program in 2006

“I was really impressed by most of my professors,” Blackwell said. “We all knew they cared about us, and we wanted to do well so we wouldn't disappoint them.”

She specifically recalls Dr. Francine Thomas encouraging her during her MSN education to consider joining the faculty.

Even as an ASN student, I felt the call to teach.”

Blackwell began teaching as an adjunct in 2007 and transitioned to a full-time faculty position in 2008, marking 19 years since she answered the call to educate.

“My professors' examples are what I strive for now,” she said. “I was extremely fortunate that a bunch of them were still teaching here when I started.”

After being part of the FranU community for nearly two decades, she has watched the University grow from three buildings to a campus with spaces designed to support its expanding academic programs and student community.

Over the years, the University has transformed its campus, establishing the Biological Learning and Research Building, bringing the administration building onto campus, renovating the Health Professions Building, which celebrated its completion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony last semester, and most recently adding the Portiuncula.

However, it was St. Francis Hall that Blackwell recalls being particularly special. After years of planning for a more unified campus, the vision began to take shape.

I still get chills when I walk into St. Francis Hall,” Blackwell stated. “We had been dreaming of that since I was a student.”

Her connection to the project came full circle when she was invited to be Master of Ceremonies for the St. Francis Hall groundbreaking.

Fun fact: The building holds a small piece of Blackwell’s own handiwork. Its display case houses several historic items, including a crocheted St. Francis, St. Clare and wolf made by Blackwell and nursing colleague Emily Richard. It’s also home to the pink scrubs worn when she was a student.

Now serving as retention coordinator and faculty member for Transition to Professional Nursing Practice, Blackwell remains close to the University that shaped her.

She describes it as a privilege to live out the Franciscan mission each day, drawing on the same values that informed her own education.

This is my home,” Blackwell said. “My only nursing education experience has been through the lens of our Franciscan values. I was educated and formed here as a nurse and as a nurse educator.”

She closed with a reflection on what continues to make her work meaningful.

“It is such an honor to walk this journey with our students, and to see them fulfil their calling as nurses.”