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Would-be ACU student awarded Honorary Alumnus

Rachel Marie Blasingame always wanted to be an Abilene Christian University student, but a tragic car accident kept her from her dream. On June 9, she was named an Honorary ACU Alumnus.

An Honorary Alumnus certificate and 2008 class ring were presented to Guy ('79) and Julie (Grasham '80) Blasingame by Dr. Gary McCaleb, vice president of the university, on behalf of their daughter.

"We were very surprised," said Guy Blasingame, "We were humbled and honored to have Rachel recognized, this being the year that she would have graduated. We are very appreciative that our daughter's memory was honored in this way."

Blasingame, a straight-A student as well as a member of the National Honor Society, had always planned to attend ACU upon her graduation from high school. Tragically, her life was cut short by a car accident in 2003. She was known for her giving spirit, and volunteered with the Special Olympics, in homeless shelters and in children's libraries, said McCaleb. 

In support of the university their daughter loved, the Blasingame family has coordinated an annual golf tournament to raise money through sponsors and a silent auction to provide scholarships for students at ACU. They have also held benefit concerts and dinners which contributed to the Blasingame Scholarship fund.

"Events like this remind us of the special relationship of alumni and friends to ACU," said McCaleb. "In this case, it was all about the story of a young lady who grew up dreaming of coming to Abilene Christian. While it was a dream never realized, family and friends have come together to celebrate her life and to use it as an opportunity to help other students attend the college she loved so much. In a sense, it is keeping the spirit of Rachel Blasingame's dream alive."

The presentation of the Honorary Alumnus certificate and class ring was a surprise to the Blasingame family, and was presented by McCaleb at the conclusion of the golf tournament and silent auction.