Judson College trustees approve athletic park

The Judson College board of trustees has authorized the construction of the Charles F. Dunkin Athletic Park on the college campus. The athletic park will include an NCAA-competition softball complex, walking trail, parking space and provision for a future soccer field. The park will also include landscaping of crepe myrtle, pine, dogwood and a dozen other native Alabama trees and shrubs.
   
Future plans include the relocation of the equestrian center and construction of additional tennis courts.
   
“The college is profoundly grateful for the benevolence of Charles and Gladys Dunkin in providing the leadership to launch this development of east campus,” said Judson President David Potts. “This new construction and landscaping will do much to complete and beautify the campus and is a source of great encouragement to our student athletes who are currently doing so well in softball and equestrian competitions.”
   
Dunkin, who lives in Birmingham, is secretary of Judson’s board of trustees. A native of Selma, he served in the U.S. Army from 1953 until 1956. After college, Dunkin worked as buyer and merchandise manager for the sporting-goods department of Moore-Handley in Birmingham. 
   
He joined Joe Lewis and Associates in August 1960. In 1967, Dunkin became sales manager of Joe Lewis and Associates and supervised the entire operation prior to his partnership in the formation of Dunkin-Lewis in 1970.  
   
Dunkin-Lewis is among the oldest and largest hunting, fishing and outdoor activities manufacturer’s representative agencies in the country, having grown to serve factories nationwide with 24 associates covering territories in 19 states.
   
Dunkin’s many affiliations include Southeastern Beefmaster Breeders Association (past president), Beefmaster Breeders Universal, Zamora Shrine, Ducks Unlimited and National Wild Turkey Federation. His faith affiliations include the Haggai Institute; Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Vestavia Hills, in Birmingham Baptist Association, where he serves as deacon; and 11 years of service as a Judson trustee.  
   
Judson awarded him the prestigious Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award in 2004.
   
“The new Dunkin Athletic Park is an exciting, fantastic addition to our campus,” said board of trustees Chair Dr. Judi Favor of Birmingham. “It will allow our college to continue to fulfill our mission of helping each student mature not only academically but also physically, socially and, most importantly, spiritually while at Judson. We are forever grateful to Charlie and Gladys Dunkin for their commitment to Christian higher education.” (JC)