The sky was a brilliant blue and the sun a fiery blaze as the 166th academic session of Judson College in Marion was inaugurated on Rose Sunday, Sept. 7.
Judson students dressed in their finest — most wearing Judson’s traditional white gloves — gathered on Sunday morning for the festivities. Sophomores and freshmen lined the walk in front of Jewett Hall and respectfully lifted the traditional ivy chain for upperclassmen to pass under.
The clicking of heels could be heard as the smiling seniors, adorned in their academic regalia and each sporting a single red rose pinned to her left shoulder led the way to Siloam Baptist Church with the underclassmen following.
Like soldiers called to arms, the Judson students marched in rows of two the three blocks to the grand stairway of Siloam, located on the main street of Marion.
Members at Siloam graciously move their morning worship to an earlier hour every Rose Sunday so that Judson College can use the sanctuary at 11 a.m.
Rose Sunday was first observed in 1915, but has its origin in a practice dating back to Judson’s first president, Milo P. Jewett, who served from 1839 until 1855. Jewett gathered students every Sunday morning to walk with him to Siloam. Siloam ordained Jewett to the ministry in 1842, and he also served as senior editor of The Alabama Baptist newspaper.
Guests at this year’s worship service included Marion Mayor Edward Daniel and his wife, Viola; Judson President David Potts and his wife. Beth; trustees; faculty; alumnae; parents; students and cadets from Marion Military Institute.
Potts began his message recounting the history of Siloam Baptist Church, which he called a “remarkable place.” Siloam gave birth to Judson as well as Howard College, now Samford University. It also was the site of the founding of the Southern Baptist Domestic Mission Board (now North American Mission Board) in 1845.
Potts entertained attendees with some of the 18th-century rules of the college.
Students could only leave campus with a teacher and could only spend 50 cents each from pocket money on their monthly shopping trips to Marion. All purchases had to be approved by the teacher. Parental permission was required to attend parties, to receive visitors, to present gifts to students or faculty or to have “dental operations.” Two offenses were serious enough to warrant expulsion: dipping snuff and communicating with unmarried gentlemen.
Potts then spoke about the power of perseverance, using Paul’s word in Galatians 6: “Be not weary in well-doing.” He commended the individuals who contributed to a young Judson College after its founding in 1838, including Gen. Edwin D. King, Julia Tarrant Barron and Milo Parker Jewett.
Potts spoke of the fire that consumed Jewett Hall in 1888. Jewett was rebuilt but was destroyed by lightning in 1947. Judson’s alumnae and friends rallied in both cases. “[They] would not let the ‘dream’ die,” Potts said.
Judson College will dedicate a fully renovated Jewett Hall Oct. 15. The renovated hall will include the Harrison Center for Academic Excellence with new classrooms and offices, computer and educational laboratories and conference rooms.
“Blessed perseverance has brought us to this day,” Potts concluded. “If the people of another time had yielded, we would not be here today. Stay the course even in the face of adversity. The vision of trustees, the generosity of the Harrisons and a host of others, the commitment of faculty, but most importantly the goodness of God brings us to this moment. Thanks be to God.”
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