Jordan "Jody" Blanke will be honored with the esteemed Joe and Jean Hendricks Excellence in Teaching Award at Mercer University’s upcoming Atlanta commencement on May 10. As the Ernest L. Baskin Jr. Distinguished Professor of Computer Science and Law in the School of Business, Blanke is recognized for exemplifying the core values that defined Dr. Joseph "Papa Joe" Hendricks and Dr. Jean Hendricks as educators.
“Professor Blanke embodies the core values of the Hendricks Award, as he consistently challenges and inspires students through his teaching,” said School of Business Dean Dr. Julie Petherbridge. She highlighted Blanke’s teaching philosophy focuses on vigorous student engagement through "dynamic classroom interactions, innovative teaching strategies, and reputation for making even the most intricate subjects captivating and relevant."
Throughout his extensive 40-year tenure at Mercer University, Blanke's courses have spanned various fields, with classes covering legal, ethical, and regulatory business environments, big data issues, and technology-related law education. Dr. Petherbridge emphasized Blanke's courses are known for "real-world applications, interactive discussions, and engaging case studies," fostering critical thinking and intellectual curiosity among students.
Blanke’s career trajectory shifted towards education after earning degrees from the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a law degree with distinction from Emory University. Initially a commercial litigator in New York, Blanke later opted for teaching, beginning with an assistant professorship in computer science at St. John’s University in 1983. Eventually, he took a position at Mercer’s College of Arts and Sciences in Atlanta, fully embracing his role as an educator.
Recalling Dr. Jean Hendricks, Blanke noted their recurring conversations. “I generally spoke with her at least weekly for five years. As anyone who knew Jean might guess, I did most of the talking, and she mostly listened,” he said. “One thing I know that I learned from Jean and other great teachers at Mercer is that students are all different, have different backgrounds, and often learn in different ways.”
Blanke joined Mercer’s School of Business when the College of Arts and Sciences closed on the Atlanta campus in 1990. By now, he has taught nearly 400 courses to almost 7,000 students. His accolades include the Larry A. DiMatteo Senior Scholar Award from the Southeastern Academy of Legal Studies in Business in 2023 and multiple distinguished faculty awards at Mercer.
Alumnus Arthur Rincon de Freitas praised Blanke's influence, citing how the focus on ethical considerations in big data classes impacted his own career. “His lessons have influenced my approach to navigating the complexities of data use and reinforced the importance of balancing innovation with responsibility,” he said.
The Hendricks Excellence in Teaching Award also honors the late Dr. Joseph and Dr. Jean Hendricks for their enduring educational contributions at Mercer. As recipients, Blanke joins a lineage of distinguished educators recognized for transformative student engagement and leadership.
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