Joan F. Blankmann, 68, of West Springfield, VA, died on December 14, 2013, at INOVA Alexandria Hospital. Joan was a Professor of English as a Second Language at Northern Virginia Community College Alexandria Campus for twelve years after six years at NOVA Annandale. She held a MS in Linguistics from George Mason University.Ms. Blankmann taught a wide variety of courses, concentrating on exit level composition, advanced reading, and oral communication as well as engaging with developmental English and innovative hybrid community learning courses. Beyond that, she mentored students into the Honors program and in achieving competitive recognition for academic excellence.Prof. Blankmann was a leader. As part of the Virginia Community College System initiative to revise the Faculty Evaluation System, she chaired the NVCC component comprising all NOVA campuses. She served as the Alexandria Senator on the College Senate and Steering Committee and chaired the Campus Council, while serving on the Achieving the Dream College Core Team and chairing its Campus Committee. Prof. Blankmann served as the Assistant Dean of the ESL Division and managed the data for the ESL Cluster Assessment Committee. Over the years she presented at several professional conferences and published. She was designated NOVA Alexandria’s ambassador to the Governor’s Awards for Public Service event. Ms. Blankmann demonstrated her personal commitment to serving student needs as a member of the Alexandria Campus CARE Committee, in her work as a member of the Advisory Board of the Women’s Center, and through participation in the Women’s Mentoring Project. She did challenging one-on-one work as a coordinator for Student Success, an Enrollment Manager, and an Outreach Counselor. As Director of Institutional Research for ESL she strove to measure results.Ms. Blankmann is survived by her husband of 46 years, Robert L. Blankmann; daughters, Dearing Blankmann Michael Selden and Meghan Blankmann; and grandchildren, Corday and Avery Selden. She is also survived by her brother, Patrick O. Bohan Dee, and their children, Brent, Erica, Shundiin, Kiyaanii, and Dineh.A Life Celebration service will be held at 3pm on Friday, December 27, 2013, at Cunningham Turch Funeral Home, 811 Cameron St. Alexandria, VA 22314, followed by a visitation from 4-6pm.
811 Cameron Street, Alexandria, VA, USA, 22314
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It is so sad to hear of Joan’s passing. I worked side by side with her for many years at the college and was impressed by her devotion to her work and her students. Her students benefited from her teaching skills and will miss her. She was very supportive when I sought another opportunity and I appreciated her kindnesses. My thoughts are with her family.
I am one of Mrs. Blankmann’s students and I am so shocked by her passing. She has inspired me in so many ways and changed my way of thinking. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. I think about Mrs. Blankmann every single day and will never forget her.