Blair Rudert ’07, A Community Leader and Musician
For Blair Rudert ’07, being a member of Delta Gamma women’s fraternity and playing in the University Band and flute choir in the School of Music were key components of her DePauw experience. Faculty members Craig Paré, Anne Harris, Michael ‘Mac’ Mackenzie and the late Catherine Fruhan were important to her. “They not only provided me with educational guidance,” Blair said, “but were truly a part of what made DePauw feel like home for four years. I am deeply grateful.”
“Though I was a minor in the School of Music I was treated with the same respect and care shown to the full-time School of Music students. Being able to play in flute choir and University Band and take private lessons provided me with balance to my academic work in the college of liberal arts. Delta Gamma not only provided me with friendships but also the opportunity to have leadership experiences on campus. As vice-president of social standards, I was able to meet, network and work with members of the entire Greek community at DePauw. These skills have definitely been useful in my ‘real life.’”
Blair earned a degree in art history with minors in music and classical archaeology from DePauw in 2007. She earned a master’s degree from University of Missouri-St. Louis in 2009 and a graduate certificate in museum studies. She is associate director of alumni and constituent relations for the School of Medicine at Washington University in St. Louis. Blair and her husband Nicolas York (Webster University, Computer Science and a member of the Missouri Army National Guard) are charitable donors at the Washington C. DePauw Annual Society leadership level, and Blair is a class agent volunteer for the Class of 2007. She is a former member of the Washington C. DePauw Society Executive Committee and served as a reunion committee volunteer for her five year and 10-year reunion.
“DePauw gave me so much, and it’s important to me that I give back to provide the same types of transformative and life-changing experiences for current students. College should be a time to explore, learn about the world and figure out who you are and who you want to be. The liberal arts education that is offered at DPU is such a wonderful way to do so,” she said.
“I was fortunate to receive scholarship funds as a student. Additionally, when I look at the most formative experiences of my life so far, many of them took place at DePauw. My first mentors are on faculty and I have created bonds with other alumni that will last for the rest of my life. For these reasons I feel deeply compelled to give back to DePauw because it is a place that provided me with so much. Finally, my parents are extremely philanthropic, so from a young age I have seen the importance of giving back. Now that I have a son I want to show him that it is important to give back and care for the places that you feel provide service and do good in the world.”
Blair still plays the flute regularly and through the 2017-2018 season was Principal Flute with the Alton Symphony Orchestra. She also sings in the choir and plays hand bells and flute at Ladue Chapel Presbyterian Church in St. Louis. Nic and Blair enjoy traveling, playing board games and visiting wineries and craft breweries in St. Louis. They also enjoying visiting museums and attractions with their son.