Judson grads challenged to further their causes

A capacity crowd packed Judson College’s Alumnae Auditorium June 25 for the college’s 167th annual commencement.
   
President David Potts presided and awarded diplomas to the graduating seniors. He also conferred honorary degrees on Judson alumna Bobbie L. Walden of Gadsden, a retired educator and former president of Civitan International, and Joe Godfrey, pastor of First Baptist Church, Pleasant Grove, and former president of the Alabama Baptist State Convention. 
   
Potts also gave an honorary degree to Sen. Ann Bedsole, R-Mobile, who served as commencement speaker. Bedsole, a Selma native, was the first Republican woman elected to the Alabama House of Representatives in 1978 and the first woman elected to the Alabama Senate in 1982. 
   
Bedsole said her favorite Bible story is about the persistent widow who brought her case daily to an uncaring judge (Luke 18:1–5). “Women can be persistent. It’s our gift,” she said.
   
She suggested some of the graduates consider a career in politics. “Margaret Thatcher, my favorite politician, once said that men enter politics to further their careers, and a woman enters politics to further her cause,” Bedsole noted. 
   
“Women are nurturers and naturally diplomatic. Women make wonderful politicians, and we need a lot more of them,” she said.
   
Another highlight of graduation was the significant milestone seniors celebrated when they used the Milo Parker Jewett Silver Service on its 150th birthday. Every year, the silver service is used as the spouse of Judson’s president hosts the graduating seniors to tea in the President’s House. The story of the set is told while the refreshments are served.
   
Also during the day’s festivities, three students shared the Scholarship Award for having the highest grade point averages in their class: Connie Hudman of Clanton, Laura Jones of Huntsville and Ashley Upton of Albertville.
   
Sara Kiser of the business administration department received the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching. (JC)