Judson College (Alabama)
Encyclopedia
Judson College, originally named Judson Female Institute, was founded by members of the Siloam Baptist Church
in 1838 in Marion
, Alabama
. It is the fifth oldest women's college
in the United States
. It was named after Ann Hasseltine Judson
, the first female foreign missionary
from the United States. It has been affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention throughout its history.
and pre-professional programs.
The principal building of the campus is Jewett Hall, which exists now in its third incarnation. The first Jewett Hall, built in 1840, was a four-story Greek revival building named after Dr. Milo P. Jewett, first president of the college. It was destroyed by fire in 1888. The rebuilding of Jewett Hall was begun that same year. In 1947 the dome
was hit by a lightning
strike and fire again consumed the building. Again, rebuilding efforts commenced almost immediately with funds raised from the sale of bricks from the rubble.
Other notable buildings on campus include A. Howard Bean Hall, a former Carnegie library
which now houses the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame as well as classrooms, Alumnae Auditorium, and the Women's Missionary Union residence hall.
Judson College participates in joint social and civic events with Marion Military Institute
, also located in Marion.
Judson College students participate in big sister/little sister activities. In the Spring semester of their freshman year, freshman students will receive a big sister from the sophomore class. Throughout the sophomore year, students will go through several secret tradition ceremonies. The big sister leads the little sister through these ceremonies and provides for them the materials and things they need to pass on the traditions to later classes.
Every April, Judson hold its J-Day. J-Day is a homecoming event, and alumni come from all over the country to celebrate and hold reunions.
Siloam Baptist Church
The Siloam Baptist Church congregation was established in 1822. The current brick Greek Revival building was completed in in 1848.It is considered by Baptists in the state as one of the most important mother churches of many Alabama Baptist institutions and churches...
in 1838 in Marion
Marion, Alabama
Marion is the county seat of Perry County, Alabama. As of the 2000 census, the population of the city is 3,511. First called Muckle Ridge, the city was renamed after a hero of the American Revolution, Francis Marion.-Geography:...
, Alabama
Alabama
Alabama is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Tennessee to the north, Georgia to the east, Florida and the Gulf of Mexico to the south, and Mississippi to the west. Alabama ranks 30th in total land area and ranks second in the size of its inland...
. It is the fifth oldest women's college
Women's Colleges in the Southern United States
Women's colleges in the Southern United States refers to undergraduate, bachelor's degree-granting institutions, often liberal arts colleges, whose student populations consist exclusively or almost exclusively of women. Salem College is the oldest female educational institution in the South and...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. It was named after Ann Hasseltine Judson
Ann Hasseltine Judson
Ann Hasseltine Judson was one of the first female American foreign missionaries. She attended the Bradford Academy and during a revival there read Strictures on the Modern System of Female Education by Hannah More, which led her to "seek a life of 'usefulness'". Born in Bradford, Massachusetts,...
, the first female foreign missionary
Missionary
A missionary is a member of a religious group sent into an area to do evangelism or ministries of service, such as education, literacy, social justice, health care and economic development. The word "mission" originates from 1598 when the Jesuits sent members abroad, derived from the Latin...
from the United States. It has been affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention throughout its history.
Description
Current enrollment at Judson is approximately 300. The college offers Bachelor's degrees in both liberal artsLiberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
and pre-professional programs.
The principal building of the campus is Jewett Hall, which exists now in its third incarnation. The first Jewett Hall, built in 1840, was a four-story Greek revival building named after Dr. Milo P. Jewett, first president of the college. It was destroyed by fire in 1888. The rebuilding of Jewett Hall was begun that same year. In 1947 the dome
Dome
A dome is a structural element of architecture that resembles the hollow upper half of a sphere. Dome structures made of various materials have a long architectural lineage extending into prehistory....
was hit by a lightning
Lightning
Lightning is an atmospheric electrostatic discharge accompanied by thunder, which typically occurs during thunderstorms, and sometimes during volcanic eruptions or dust storms...
strike and fire again consumed the building. Again, rebuilding efforts commenced almost immediately with funds raised from the sale of bricks from the rubble.
Other notable buildings on campus include A. Howard Bean Hall, a former Carnegie library
Carnegie library
A Carnegie library is a library built with money donated by Scottish-American businessman and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. 2,509 Carnegie libraries were built between 1883 and 1929, including some belonging to public and university library systems...
which now houses the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame as well as classrooms, Alumnae Auditorium, and the Women's Missionary Union residence hall.
Judson College participates in joint social and civic events with Marion Military Institute
Marion Military Institute
Marion Military Institute, often abbreviated with the initialism MMI, is the official state military college of Alabama. Founded in Marion in 1842, it continues at its original location.-History:...
, also located in Marion.
Judson College students participate in big sister/little sister activities. In the Spring semester of their freshman year, freshman students will receive a big sister from the sophomore class. Throughout the sophomore year, students will go through several secret tradition ceremonies. The big sister leads the little sister through these ceremonies and provides for them the materials and things they need to pass on the traditions to later classes.
Every April, Judson hold its J-Day. J-Day is a homecoming event, and alumni come from all over the country to celebrate and hold reunions.
Notable alumni
- Caroline DormonCaroline DormonCaroline Coroneos Dormon was a botanist, horticulturist, ornithologist, historian, archeologist, preservationist, naturalist, conservationist, and author from Louisiana. She was born in modest circumstances at Briarwood, the family home in northern Natchitoches Parish, to James L. Dormon and the...
(1888–1971), botanist, naturalistNatural historyNatural history is the scientific research of plants or animals, leaning more towards observational rather than experimental methods of study, and encompasses more research published in magazines than in academic journals. Grouped among the natural sciences, natural history is the systematic study...
, preservationistPreservationistPreservationist is generally understood to mean historic preservationist: one who advocates to preserve architecturally or historically significant buildings, structures, objects or sites from demolition or degradation...
, and authorAuthorAn author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:... - Ada Jack Carver SnellAda Jack Carver SnellAda Jack Carver Snell was an American short story writer originally from the historic city of Natchitoches, Louisiana.-Background:...
(1890–1972), short-story writer and mother of LifeLife (magazine)Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine reporter, David SnellDavid Snell (journalist)David Snell was a reporter and cartoonist for the defunct Life Magazine and several other publications during his career as a journalist.-Early years, family, education:...
.