Dr. James Blassingame, Vice President at Large

Motto: "I see every challenge as an opportunity to prove what God can do."

• Native of Seneca SC. "Baby" son of Luther and the late Juanita Blassingame
• Married to Shirley M. Blassingame
• Father of three children, 5 grandchildren one daughter-in-law
• Bachelor of Arts Degree, Morris College, Sumter SC and Bachelor of Divinity Degree, Morris School of Religion, Sumter SC. He also completed 30 hours of doctoral studies at Erskine Theological Seminary Due West, SC, Continuing Education at Princeton Theological Seminary, Princeton, NJ and a nine month internship in clinical Pastoral Education (CPE) with the SC Department of Corrections, where he provided pastoral care to inmates in maximum security prison including three months on Death Row
• Pastor Mount Zion Missionary Baptist Church, Sumter SC since 1984. Through the grace of God and the ardent cooperation of the congregation, a new sanctuary costing almost one half million dollars was dedicated in 1991. A twenty year mortgage was liquidated in nine years.
• Vice-President at Large, Baptist Educational and Missionary Convention of SC
• Immediate Past Moderator, Sumter Baptist Missionary & Education Association Inc.
• Secretary, Morris College Board of Trustees
• First Assistant Secretary, National Baptist Convention USA Inc.
• Field Education Supervisor, Princeton NJ
• Member of the following boards: Tuomey Healthcare System, SC Community Bank Sumter Advisory Board, Sumter YMCA Touchdown Club, and Sumter Senior Services Inc.
• Life Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
• Subscribing life member, NAACP
• In grateful acknowledgement and appreciation of his many contributions made to the church, community and his alma mater, Morris College conferred upon him the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Divinity on May 13, 2000
• Received the Marnie L. Duckett Founder's Day Award At Benedict College, March 11, 2006
• Received the SC Chapters of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Living Legend Award celebrating 100 years of Alpha for Outstanding Leadership and Services in Alpha Phi Alpha on November 18, 2006