Leonard Blackham named to Horne Music Hall of Fame
12-22-2016
EPHRAIM — Leonard Blackham of Moroni, former Utah commissioner of agriculture and Utah state senator, was recently named to the Horne School of Music Hall of Fame at Snow College.
A plaque was presented to Blackham on Saturday, Dec. 3 during the music school’s Holiday Spectacular at the Eccles Center for the Performing Arts, a building Blackham helped get funded.
Blackham took over his family turkey operation in 1970 and built it from 36,000 to 360,000 birds per year. He served for several years on the board of directors of Moroni Feed Co., including time as chairman of the board
He served four years as a county commissioner before being elected to the Utah State Senate. He was then appointed commissioner of agriculture, a post he held for nine years.
According to a citation read at the Holiday Spectacular, during his time as state senator, Blackham worked to get funding for restoration of the Noyes Building and construction of what became the Eccles Center.
In accepting the award, Blackham recalled inviting then Gov. Michael Leavitt to the college. As Leavitt strode into the Activities Center, instrumental groups struck up a chorus of “Hail to the Chief.” After that, Leavitt became a supporter of a fine arts facility at Snow, Blackham said.
Blackham currently serves on the Snow College Foundation Board and Snow Business Department Advisory Board. He and his wife, Laura, formerly served on the Fine Arts Department Advisory Board.
