Family, students and friends filled Alumnae Auditorium on the campus of Judson College in Marion on June 26 for the college’s 173rd annual commencement.
President David E. Potts presided and awarded diplomas to the graduating seniors.
Potts noted that the class of 2011 had distinguished itself in and out of the classroom.
“This is a small class in comparison to others we’ve had but a great class,” Potts said. “We applaud the application and stewardship of their minds. They did well academically but they were also active in serving others. More than 85 percent of them participated in faith-based service and learning in this community and in the world.”
Former Alabama Gov. Albert P. Brewer was commencement speaker.
Following his service to Morgan County in the Alabama House of Representatives and as speaker of the House, Brewer was elected Alabama’s 21st lieutenant governor in 1966 and became governor in 1968 following the death of Gov. Lurleen Wallace. He is now professor of law emeritus at the Cumberland School of Law at Samford University in Birmingham.
Before his address, Potts bestowed an honorary doctorate on Brewer, noting that he has “demonstrated throughout his life an exemplary commitment both to his Christian faith and to public service.”
Brewer brought laughter to the crowd when he described the commencement address as the “ultimate and final ordeal” inflicted by “sadistic” academic institutions on their graduates.
“I’ve always had respect and admiration for Judson College,” Brewer said. “Graduates have distinguished themselves in many ways and in many places.
“Judson is among the 200 oldest colleges in America,” he said. “It’s true that most of the colleges in our nation founded as Christian institutions have deviated from their roots, but Judson has remained true to her Christian mission.”
Brewer said he first learned of Judson as a boy at First Baptist Church, Decatur.
“The late Emmie Frances (Polhill) Wolfer was in our church,” he said. “She was (an) alum and a big supporter of Judson.”
Her generosity made it possible for scores of young women to attend Judson.”
Brewer told the graduates that their degrees certified them as “efficient in a discipline, that you can recognize and solve problems, that you have leadership skills and that you have proper emphasis on your spiritual life.”
Brewer said the graduates would leave something of themselves at the college.
“You have added another layer to the rich culture of Judson but what of the future?” he asked.
Brewer suggested that the service learning graduates had rendered while in college was a good foundation for life and actually a “saving account” that they could draw on by continuing to help others in the name of Christ.
After conferring degrees, Potts presented the national Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-student Award to alumna Eugenia Anderson, of Birmingham, and the student award to Ashley Wigley Smith, of Hattiesburg, Miss.
Melia Ann Graff, of Panama City, Fla., received the J.C. Faulkner Award, and both Jodie Breedlove, of Robertsdale, and Laura Hyer, of Marion Junction, received the Bible Award for outstanding Christian service.
Laura Ruth Noble, of Huntsville, won the Scholarship Award for having the highest academic average in her class — 3.9 of 4.0.
English professor Stacey Parham was awarded the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching. (JC)
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