Claire Kinnaird Keel said even though it’s been four years since Judson College closed its doors, the Judson spirit is still very much alive.
Alumnae gathered Sept. 13-14 at nearby Siloam Baptist Church in Marion to continue the Judson traditions of J-Day and Rose Sunday.
“We’ve learned since we started producing our own reunions that the Judson spirit wasn’t in the buildings or the grounds — it was in the hearts of those Judson students and professors who were on that campus,” said Keel, president of the Judson College Alumnae Association. “Wherever those hearts and souls are, that Judson spirit is there.”
As part of the J-Day activities on Sept. 13, alumnae inducted the graduating class of 1975 into the Golden Club to honor their 50-year reunion. They also honored alumna Beatrice Robbins Morris from the class of 1951, who traveled from Louisiana to celebrate 74 years since her graduation from Judson.
Grateful for ‘gifts’
The day also featured a fashion show called Hats, Hose, Heels and Gloves: Judson Fashion Under the Dome, produced by alumna Deborah Law Vogelgesang, who graduated in 1971.
“She’s a collector of antique clothing,” Keel said. “We used Judson alumnae as models and traced the years of what someone might have worn to a Rose Sunday in the ’60s, or a president’s reception in the ’70s.”
Then some of the alumnae present revived traditional outfits Sept. 14 to commemorate Rose Sunday, the traditional day when Judson students would walk across the street from campus to Siloam Baptist for worship. As part of Rose Sunday, which started in 1913, freshmen would weave live ivy into a chain that underclassmen would hold for the Judson president and seniors to walk through.
“It was required that the girls wore hats, hose, heels and gloves to Rose Sunday for years,” Keel said. “I graduated in 1981, and by then, hats were gone but hose and heels were still required, and underclassmen had to wear gloves still to hold the ivy chain.”
But Keel and the others decided to bring back the full attire, hats and all. Those who were able met in the street outside Jewett Hall on the former Judson campus to walk to Siloam Baptist, then met others who were waiting there for prayer. They then processed in and joined the worship service.
She said it’s a blessing for Siloam Baptist to let them continue traditions like these.
“Siloam gives us that gift each year of Rose Sunday, which is one of our most cherished traditions,” she said. “Siloam is now the only home we have. We thank God for giving us the gift of Judson College and thank Siloam for giving us the gift of Rose Sunday and being a part of our Judson legacy. And we give thanks for our continuing and lasting Judson sisterhood.”
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