Barbarajean “BJ” Schaefer Blodgett ’72

Barbarajean “BJ” Schaefer Blodgett ’72 has earned the respect and admiration of her classmates and the Laurentian community thanks to her devotion to her alma mater.  A fine arts major during her time at St. Lawrence, BJ was inducted into both Omicron Delta Kappa and Phi Beta Kappa, while serving on the Thelomathesian Society.  She was also a sister of Kappa Kappa Gamma and served campus as a Resident Assistant.

BJ spent her entire 36-year career in the classroom as an award-winning art teacher in the Watertown School District.  She was a dedicated mentor and role model for her students, playing a leadership role in the school theatre program and countless school activities.  BJ devoted her life to leveling the playing field for all children.  She not only engaged students in the curriculum - she engaged them in life.  Her commitment to Northern New York and her passion for education led to her becoming an active supporter and advocate for the Northern New York Community Foundation, where she facilitated the establishment of scholarships.  BJ served on the Governor Roswell P. Flower Monument Committee, combining both her artistic abilities with her community relationships to help raise over $100,000 to restore a 1903 Augustus Saint-Gaudens public sculpture in Watertown.  She also served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Roswell P. Flower Library, was president of the Jefferson County chapter of the American Association of University Women (AAUW), and was Educational Foundation Chair of the New York State AAUW.

BJ’s passion for St. Lawrence is unmatched, with no request for her time ever being turned down.  She has been a lead voice for St. Lawrence’s Class of 1972 for 50 years.  She has loyally served as the 1972 class reporter since the spring of 1983 bringing news from her classmates to the Laurentian community.  BJ has been a Reunion Committee leader mainstay to ensure her class generates both excitement and gifts for their milestone celebrations.  She is a former member of the Alumni Executive Council, and has also served her alma mater as a former event volunteer and admissions volunteer.  She has shown unwavering loyalty to the St. Lawrence Fund, supported various Alumni Council endowments, and joined the G. Atwood Manley Society, remembering the University in her estate plans.