News release Public Information Office   SLU 10880   Hammond, LA 70402   phone: 985-549-2341   fax: 985-549-2061 publicinfo@selu.edu Spring 2004 news releases Public Information home News archive Contact: Rene Abadie Date: 1/27/04   Click on image for publication quality photo SOUTHEASTERN'S BLACKWOOD HONORED -- Southeastern Louisiana University visual arts professor C. Roy Blackwood, right, has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, an international multi-disciplinary organization based in London. He was nominated for the honor by long-time friend and arts patron Majorie Morrison, left. BLACKWOOD ELECTED TO INTERNATIONAL ROYAL SOCIETY       HAMMOND -- Southeastern Louisiana University visual arts professor C. Roy Blackwood has been elected a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce, an international multi-disciplinary organization based in London.       Founded in 1754 by painter and social activist William Shipley, the organization was founded to embolden enterprise, enlarge science, refine arts, improve manufacturing and extend commerce, according to its initial manifesto. Currently the Royal Society is focused on encouraging sustainable economic development and sponsors more than 100 events annually. Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II is patron of the association, and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, serves as president.       Election to the society is based on an individual's level of achievement in their respective areas. The more than 20,000 members who make up the fellowship of the Royal Society include chief executive officers of major companies, innovators and entrepreneurs, artists, journalists and commentators.       An accomplished sculptor specializing in metal foundry pieces and an art historian , Blackwood served as head of the Southeastern Visual Arts Department from 1984 to 2001. He was the first recipient of the university's President's Award for Excellence in Artistic Activity presented in 1985 and is co-founder of Fanfare, Southeastern's fall festival of the arts, sciences and humanities. He is a former president of the National Council of Art Administrators and served as executive vice president of the Hammond Cultural Foundation.        Blackwood was nominated for the honor by arts patron and long-time friend, Marjorie Morrison of Hammond.       Blackwood currently serves as director of educational initiatives at the Lake Pontchartrain Basin Maritime Museum and as Southeastern's liaison with the New Orleans Museum of Art. He received his bachelor's degree from Ft. Hays University in 1970 and Master of Fine Arts degree from the University of Colorado in 1972.