Diane W. Blackwelder, Assistant Dean of Students

Diane Blackwelder began her duties as an Assistant Dean of Students in the Dean of Students Office on September 9, 2004. As a member of the Student Activities and Organizations staff, she works primarily with the Greek sororities and National Panhellenic Conference. Dean Blackwelder received her bachelor's degree in elementary education from Baker University (Kansas) and a master’s degree in education from the University of Missouri – Kansas City. Dean Blackwelder has served her sorority, Alpha Chi Omega, on a national, regional and local level for many years. She was elected for two terms as a Vice President of the Alpha Chi Omega National Council/Board of Directors, plus served as President of the Alpha Chi Omega Foundation for 4 years. Currently, she serves as the co-advisor of the Purdue Alpha Beta Chapter of Alpha Chi Omega. Dean Blackwelder also served as a member of the National Panhellenic Conference Delegation from 1994-2004; and most recently served as Indiana Area Advisor for the College Panhellenic campuses.

Dean Blackwelder is a volunteer with several local community agencies, including the Tippecanoe Arts Federation Board of Directors, the YWCA Foundation, and Dean’s Advisory Council for the Purdue School of Education. Before coming to Purdue, she served on the Ames Community Foundation, MGMC Auxiliary Board, Ames Alumnae Panhellenic, and as Director of Foundation Development for Youth & Shelter Services in Ames, Iowa. For 18 years, she was an elementary classroom teacher in both public and private schools in Kansas. She held the position of Supervisor of Student Teachers with the College of Education at Iowa State University. Diane and her husband, Murray, reside in Lafayette. They are parents of two grown sons, Brett and Karsten. Her hobbies include travel, shopping, and Boilermaker sports.