FUTURE STATE REPRESENTATIVE
Landon Blacknall is prepared to further his education and career in politics
STATISTICS
Name: Landon Kyle Blacknall
College: Thomas Harriot College of Arts and Sciences
Major: Political science, minor in communication
Age: 22
Classification/Year: Senior
Hometown: Charlotte, North Carolina
Hobbies/interests: Politics, sports and reading
Clubs and Organizations: College Democrats at ECU, ECU Men’s Club Rugby
FAVORITES
Favorite hangout: Rafters Social Club
Favorite place on campus: Joyner Library
Favorite place to eat: B’s Barbecue
Favorite class: Politics of social and protest movements in the United States
Professor who influenced you the most: Dr. Peter Francia, political science professor and director of the Center for Survey Research
Favorite TV show: “The Sopranos”
Favorite band/musician: Drake or Jay Z
Favorite movie: “Glory”
Favorite superhero: Christian Bale’s Batman
MOTIVATIONS
Dream job: State representative/professor
Role model: My father, Rodney Blacknall
What is something cool about ECU that you wish you knew during your first year? I wish I would have known how ECU would continue to grow on me and how my love would grow for the city of Greenville.
East Carolina University senior Landon Kyle Blacknall aspires to become a state representative and professor, using his experiences at ECU to continue his education and love of politics.
Blacknall has been awarded six years of funding to pursue his doctoral degree in government and politics at the University of Maryland.
“I am blessed to receive full funding for my program,” he said. “I am very thankful for this opportunity, and it will give me the chance to perform important research, teach and assist professors.”
The Charlotte native, whose hobbies include politics, sports and reading, is a member of the College Democrats at ECU, serving the past three years as president and helping to register voters, campaign for local political candidates and participate in debates. He will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree in political science and a minor in communication.
“If I hadn’t come to ECU, I would have missed out on enlightening experiences and the amazing people I have met,” Blacknall said.
Blacknall credits his father, Rodney, and his elementary school teacher, Jason Weiss, as influential figures who piqued his interest in political science.
Many people in Blacknall’s life, before and while attending ECU, have impacted him and helped him discover his love of politics. His first influential figure was his elementary school history teacher, Jason Weiss, who piqued his interest in history-making political figures, which eventually led to his interest in politics.
A second motivator involved watching “The Chris Matthews Show” on NBC with his father and role model Rodney Blacknall.
“Some of the early political moments that piqued my interest were discussed on that show,” he said.
While at ECU, Blacknall said Dr. Peter Francia, professor of political science and director of ECU’s Center for Survey Research, “boosted” his love for politics.
“His social and protest movements class truly inspired me. Every day, I walked out of that class feeling motivated to make a difference in politics,” Blacknall said. “He also believed in me a great deal, all while pushing me intellectually.”
In addition to his successful academic career, Blacknall made time for other programs. He joined the men’s club rugby team last fall and said he thoroughly enjoyed his time as an ECU rugger.
According to Blacknall, the best life lesson he has learned while at ECU is “to always attempt new things and meet new people regardless of success or rejection.”
Blacknall, center, poses with his fellow graduates.