New Developments
New Developments

James C. Blair ’51
made a difference
in many lives...

After a distinguished career in law,
UK grad helped scores of students
through his anonymous philanthropy

[Editor’s note: Sadly, we report that James C. Blair ’51 LAW
passed away on July 1, 2015. We offer the following as a tribute to his life and impact on his community and alma mater.]
“I never met anyone quite like Jim Blair,” observes Mike
Richey ’73 ’79 AFE, UK vice president for Development.
“With a degree from the UK College of Law, he launched a
stellar career as an attorney and partner in one of the largest
law firms in the Southeast, and then later became a partner
in one of the country’s leading international law firms in
New York. He successfully arbitrated high-profile cases, and
his achievements made him one of the most distinguished
graduates of the University of Kentucky.”
Richey continues, “But what impressed me most about
Jim was not his many personal and professional accomplishments, but his incredible dedication to helping Kentucky students achieve their dream for a college education.
Jim attended UK on the GI Bill, and he knew firsthand the
difference that tuition assistance could make in a young
person’s life.
“Over the past several years, he anonymously provided
scholarships at UK amounting to well over a million dollars for students from Adair County where he retired in
1987. And through his estate plan, he strengthened the
endowment for these scholarships to continue in perpetuity
at the university.

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“Jim’s Kentucky roots went deep. And his farsighted
vision for his community and its youth will impact the
Commonwealth for generations of students to come.”

Exceptional scholar

Winter 2015

James Clifton Blair was born and reared in Akron, Ohio.
His father had located there from Adair County and was
employed by Firestone Tire and Rubber Co.
Blair attended the public schools of Akron where his
academic and speaking abilities first emerged. He was valedictorian of his 300-member class at Akron Garfield High.
He was chosen as the representative from his high school of
1,800 students to the 1943 American Legion annual Buckeye Boys State. And in 1944, he was selected to represent
his high school by writing and delivering a radio address in
support of a school bond issue.
After graduation, he entered the
U.S. Army in October 1945. He was
deployed to Germany where, as an
Army instructor, he taught basic
radio theory and was in charge of
Blair was an outstanding student,
becoming valedictorian of his high
school class and earning the highest
academic average ever achieved by
a student at the UK College of Law at
the time of his graduation.

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