Blakesley, James Flinn, 1924-2016

Person

Staff Only

Dates

Existence: 1924 - 2016

Biographical Information

James Blakesley was a member of the Class of 1950 and also the class president. He was a part of Purdue University for nearly 50 years. His time at Purdue began with undergraduate studies and part-time employment compacted into three years. He spent the bulk of the remaining half-century serving under the basic broad guidelines of President Hovde to apply industrial engineering management concepts to Purdue in a fair and equitable way.

As recorded in the May 21, 1999 Purdue Board of Trustees minutes, President Beering recommended to the Board that James F. Blakesley be designated Emeritus Director of Space Management and Academic Scheduling. Dr. Beering pointed out that Mr. Blakesley had been at Purdue University his entire professional career and had almost single handedly built Purdue's Space Management and Academic Scheduling office into one of the best functioning operations in the United States. He was decades ahead of his colleagues in using computers to assist in matters of class scheduling and in the assignment of space for classrooms, research laboratories, and office functions. His work on preparing statements of need along with planning for new facilities is legend on campus. Jim devoted his entire life to Purdue and brought much distinction upon himself and the University.

James Blakesley officially retired from Purdue on January 4, 1999. The Trustees unanimously approved Blakesley's designation of emeritus status.

James Blakesley gathered and organized the materials found in this collection from his fellow 1950 classmates. Tom Wilhite, who also contributed many items to the collection was the editor of the Debris in 1950.

Found in 8 Collections and/or Records:

James Blakesley Collection on the Class of 1950

Collection — Multiple Containers

Identifier: MSA 28

Scope and Contents The James Blakesley Collection on the Class of 1950 contains memorabilia from the Class of 1950's days at Purdue. Types of material include dance cards, newspaper clippings, event programs and playbills, along with photographs, record albums, and artifacts.

Dates: 1946 - 2007; Majority of material found within 1946 - 1950

Found in: Purdue University Archives and Special Collections / James Blakesley Collection on the Class of 1950