Jerry D. Blakemore serves as General Counsel for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Prior to his current position, which began January 2017, Mr. Blakemore served as Vice President and General Counsel at Southern Illinois University from July, 2004 through March, 2011 and as Vice President and General Counsel at Northern Illinois University from April, 2011 to December 2016. He has more than 25 years’ experience in higher education administration, policy development and the provision of legal services, including 10 years as a member of the Illinois Board of Higher Education.
Mr. Blakemore is a graduate of Princeton University from which he received his B. A. Degree in Political Science. He was the 1976 recipient of the Princeton University Frederick Douglas Service Award for his community service. He is a graduate of the John Marshall Law School in Chicago, Illinois and is licensed to practice law before the United States Supreme Court, the Illinois Supreme Court, as well as various Federal District and Appellate Courts.
Mr. Blakemore is currently Chair of the NACUA Board Advisory Council on Diversity and Inclusiveness and a member of the Finance Committee. Previous service in NACUA includes serving as an at-large member of the Board of Directors during 2010-2013 and as Secretary during 2013-2016. He also was Chair of the NACUA Advisory Group on Compliance Initiatives.
He has served as a speaker, moderator, or discussion group leader at over 30 NACUA conferences since joining the Association in 2004. In addition, he was one of two higher education lawyers who served on the U.S. Department of Education’s Violence Against Women Act Negotiated Rule Marking.
Jerry has been praised for his leadership in NACUA and his willingness to take on duties whenever the Association has a need. He is a thoughtful and encouraging colleague who has mentored many members. He sets the bar high and encourages others to strive to meet him there.
NACUA is pleased to recognize Jerry D. Blakemore as a recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for his outstanding and exemplary service to the Association.