Blazier to headline Women of Vision April Event

Carson-Newman University’s Women of Vision is hosting its annual Spring Gathering, April 12 at 11 a.m. Open to the public, the event and luncheon will be held in the Small Dining Room of Stokely Memorial Cafeteria on campus. Registration is free with donations accepted. Donations go toward Women of Vision campus projects. Space for the event is limited.

This year’s keynote speaker is former Kingsport mayor and 1957 C-N alumna, the Honorable Jeanette Blazier. A natural leader, Blazier embodies the ideals of Truth, Beauty and Goodness, the same tenets shared by the Women of Vision organization and the University.

As a Carson-Newman student from Hamblen County, Blazier loved being involved on campus. From being associate editor of the annual staff, to being president of the Calliopean Literary Society and captain of the cheerleading squad, the biology major seemed poised for big things.

Upon graduating, she married fellow classmate Kent Blazier and began a life journey that took her from teaching high school biology in Memphis and Greenville, South Carolina, to raising a family. But all the while, Carson-Newman remained close to her heart.

Taking an active role, she served as president of C-N’s Alumni Association – the first woman to do so. Her leadership was noticed and led to her being asked to serve as a member of Carson-Newman’s Board of Trustees by then-president, Dr. Cordell Maddox. This preceded her serving as chair of the board, again, the first woman to serve in such a role.

“I’ve been blessed to have many leadership opportunities throughout my life,” said Blazier. “But, I felt like I was up for the challenge, and I was treated very respectfully. It was certainly a great, great honor.”

Blazier’s service on the Board of Trustees touches six decades and as many presidents. Her involvement in many key university initiatives included the decision to build the Student Activities Center and later name it after C-N’s 20^th president, Dr. J. Cordell Maddox.

Her love for helping others and developing solutions earned her multiple honors over the years. In May 2024, she was awarded the prestigious Robert Reedy Bryan Award by the University. The following December, C-N’s Board of Trustees also took time to recognize Blazier’s years of contributions, bestowing upon her the title “trustee emeritus.” The honor makes her one of only a few individuals in the University’s history to receive the distinction.

Reflecting on her love for her alma mater, Blazier noted, “Carson-Newman helped mold me. It gave me such a great foundation, and I will be eternally grateful for that.”

To register for the Women of Vision Spring Gathering and luncheon, visit: 48kw.drordi.com/wov25