Judson College moves forward with plans for academic center

Judson College marked another chapter in its history Nov. 29 with ground breaking for the new Harrison Center for Academic Excellence and renovations to Jewett Hall.
   
Roy Barnett, chairman of the Judson College Board of Trustees, said the center will house classes for three of Judson’s five academic divisions — education, humanities and social sciences — and 10 of the 19 majors — business, elementary education, secondary education, criminal justice, religious studies, English, management information systems, ministry studies, foreign language and psychology — that are offered by the college.
   
“This is a special day in the life of Judson College,” Barnett said. “The completion of the Harrison Center and the renovation of the flagship building on campus will complete the improvements to all academic space at the college.
   
“The quality of Judson’s facilities will complement the abilities of her outstanding faculty and administration,” Barnett added. “This will enhance an already exceptional educational experience for young women here at Judson College.”
  
The James I. Harrison Family Foundation has funded the establishment of The Harrison Center for Academic Excellence and the renovation of Jewett Hall.
   
The Harrison Center will be dedicated to the memory of James I. Harrison Sr., Emma Lou Harrison Barnett, Marguerite Harrison Richardson and Aubrey Bomar Harrison and in honor of Charles Leslie Harrison.
   
“The Harrison family has been an integral part of the Marion community and our college,” said Judson President David E. Potts. “Jim Harrison’s decision to provide this extraordinary gift and academic improvements allows the Board of Trustees to place the keystone on a decade-long project to improve dramatically all academic space and technology on this 163-year-old campus.”
   
Barnett said the building will transform a “dated complex into the foremost academic space on the campus and among the finest in the state.”
   
The center will include:
   
–Multipurpose laboratories for specialized training in areas such as reading and writing instruction; 
   
–A “worldwide classroom” that incorporates interactive communication using Internet access and video conferencing with master teachers in their classroom settings; 
   
–A wet lab area for demonstrating elementary science and chemistry experiments; 
   
–Opportunities for students to learn how to utilize multimedia learning equipment such as CD-ROMs, lasers and interactive television screens; 
   
–Facilities necessary to increase the scope of in-service seminars; 
   
–Facilities providing Judson students the opportunity to strengthen their involvement in the college’s “Reading Initiative Program” and to become a literacy demonstration site for the Perry County area;
   
–A human development laboratory that will provide space for psychology students to gain one-on-one experience in the areas of testing, counseling and observation; 
   
–A language laboratory that will include equipment for teleconference language instruction with other universities and an interactive classroom where foreign language students can practice and write in their languages interactively while conducting foreign language labs via computer programs. (JC)