After nearly a year of negotiations, the keys to Judson College’s campus were handed over officially in recent days and the public announcement came from the steps of Jewett Hall at noon April 21.
Callan JMB, a logistics company out of Texas specializing in providing space for developing and storing pharmaceuticals, medical supplies, and other resources, will operate out of the campus under the name Atlas Complex.
Plans for community immersion
Wayne Williams, CEO of Callan JMB, said the campus was purchased by him and his brother-in-law as a private entity for an undisclosed price and will lease it to Callan.
“We already feel like part of the family [here in Marion],” Williams said, noting families from India and Korea will relocate to the area as the work is brought back to the U.S.
“My wife and I, (she’s the managing director of the company), already see how those families are going to be all about the area … family rooted, history rooted. What I see is folks in Marion intermingling with these folks from India and (together developing the community).
“Our plan is that all the greenery on the campus will be edible,” he added. “Not only will it provide beauty but we will be able to provide salads from it.
“The concept of what we are doing came easy because I was in the military,” Williams said. “There are always challenges with what to do with your loved ones. While the employee is working, their spouse and kids will be involved in activities around the campus and town.”
Judson president ‘relieved’
Judson president Daphne Robinson acknowledged a range of emotions from sadness as an alumna to relieved as the president who watched the buildings sit there and not be used for nearly five years.
“We are pleased with how everything turned out,” she said, noting the proceeds from the sale were added to the Judson Foundation fund, which will eventually be used to support whatever the new version of Judson College becomes.
“We want to continue to educate young Christian women,” Robinson said. “We are working to determine how that will look going forward.”
The college remains open legally and technically, but it’s in a holding pattern at the moment. Selling the campus allows Robinson and other leaders more freedom to make decisions about next steps.
“Judson’s still there, it’s just in a different capacity now,” Robinson said. “It’s a reminder to me that God is not through with Judson. He has a different plan and reveals it to us as we are ready for it. God still has His hand on Judson and is preparing us for what He’s got next for it.”
Preserving the legacy
Williams also indicated Atlas Complex leaders will work to preserve the legacy of Judson College.
John Nicholson, pastor of Siloam Baptist Church in Marion, said, “We are incredibly appreciative of someone who has that sense of the importance of what the Judson legacy means here. And with the opportunity for new jobs and a renewed energy in the community overall, this is a moment of generational importance and hope-building for an area that has been in decline since the 1970s.
“It means restored hope for this community and really for the entire region,” he said.
Regarding the potential connections to the faith community, Nicholson noted, “One of the heartbeats of our church has been the missional heartbeat. As he mentioned companies from Korea and India and bringing people here, there’s opportunity for us to extend the gospel beyond the borders of Marion by our very presence and faithfulness here, so we are excited.
“We want to be a worthy partner … to help meet the needs of families and meet the needs they may have as the community they are building here. … We also are excited to see new families who might be part of our congregation.”
‘Proof in the pudding’
Nicholson’s wife, Vanessa, who serves with nearby Marion Military Institute, echoed the excitement about all the possibilities but said she needs to see the results before determining her impressions. “I’m that person who needs to see the proof in the pudding.”
Donald Bennett, president of Main Street Marion and chair of the Perry County Airport Industrial Authority, said the proof is working itself out in front of his eyes.
A part of the community since 2013, Bennett said, “We’ve been working on putting Marion on the map since 2017 … and everything we’ve envisioned we are now seeing.”
His wife, Donna, who serves as secretary of the Main Street Marion board and operates an area bed and breakfast and bookstore, agreed.
‘Marion is back’
“Marion is back,” Donna said. “We are making it a tourist destination.”
Donald Bennett said Atlas Complex “is a major piece” to all the previous investment made in the community.
“We already have an airfield, and we are growing the downtown area. This is going to be a major piece that will tie into all of that,” he said. “What they are doing with the pharmaceutical aspects, redistribution centers and warehousing will help us expand that airfield.
“We also want this to be regional growth and are already working on a walking and biking trail that will help us all grow together,” Bennett said. “The trail will connect Selma to Marion, Marion to Greensboro and on to Newbern.”
Other potential development opportunities include Perry Lakes Park, Barton’s Beach on the Cahaba and more to provide a variety of outdoor activities and destinations, he added.
“People are wanting to come to smaller towns, take part in the history, buy the homes and build new ones,” Bennett said. “Our towns are now working together, partnering, working in tandem.”
EDITOR’S NOTE:
(April 22, 2026, 1 p.m. CT) — Reports of potential legal action have been taken against Callan JMB regarding the purchase of the campus and move to Marion for Atlas Complex, but The Alabama Baptist has not had opportunity to follow up on those reports, which is why no updates are currently included in the coverage. Updates will be provided when available.
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