Judson College receives historic gift of $9 million

Judson College in Marion was poised to receive a Christmas present potentially $9 million in scope last month from the estate of Marian Acree Tucker of Dadeville — the largest bequest ever given to the college by an individual donor. 
  
“This gift from Mrs. Tucker is an enormous milestone for Judson College,” said Judson President David Potts. “It is the first time we’ve received a gift that equals or exceeds the annual operating budget of the institution. These funds will make a favorable impact on the important mission of Judson College.”
  
Tucker died in May 2003 at age 96.
  
Potts said the funds, which began coming in during December, will be applied to the investments of the college including the Marian Acree Tucker Scholarship, which was begun in 1979. Tucker established the scholarship, which gives preference to young women from Tallapoosa County. Thirty-two students were helped in the first dozen years of the scholarship, and many more have been since.
  
Tucker also gave funds for the 1994 construction of the Tucker Hall annex to Alumnae Auditorium. Tucker Hall houses the division of fine and performing arts at Judson. The harpsichord used by music students is another Tucker gift.
  
Tucker majored in piano at the college and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in music and a bachelor’s degree in art. She did additional study at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. At Judson, she played tennis, field hockey and ran track and served as class treasurer and as president of the Glee Club. She was a member of the board of advisors from 1974 until 1978 and a member of the board of trustees from 1978 until 1985. She was granted the doctor of humane letters degree by the college in 1990.  
  
In an article published in The Cameo, the former alumnae magazine of Judson, Tucker told about her initial contact with the college. “My daddy told me he’d sent my grades to Judson where my two cousins and a friend were going,” she wrote. “He knew if he put me on the train with them, I wouldn’t come back! I loved it from the minute I got there.”
  
Tucker was married to the late Robert Tucker and worked as a teacher and with her husband at the Tucker Insurance Agency in Dadeville. Following his death in 1955, she assumed management and superintended investments in insurance, real estate and timber.
  
“Marian Tucker was among the most devoted alumnae of Judson College,” Potts said. “She cared deeply about two institutions — the college and First Baptist Church in Dadeville. We’re grateful for the progress her gift will allow in this place for the work of Christian higher education.” (JC)