Judson graduates commended for work, challenged to ‘save, savor’ the world

Judson graduates commended for work, challenged to ‘save, savor’ the world

The recent graduates of Judson College in Marion were challenged to "save and savor" the world.

Commencement speaker Dr. Caroline Anderson Reich said, "It’s hard sometimes to work all day but have time to enjoy the sunsets. But God has given us a beautiful world to enjoy."

Speaking June 28 during commencement exercises at Alumnae Auditorium for the 170th graduating class, Reich, a Birmingham radiologist who graduated from Judson summa cum laude with majors in chemistry and mathematics, likened life to the juggler who has glass balls and rubber balls in the air. "The rubber balls can be tasks at work that you don’t get to one day, but they hit the floor and bounce back and you can do it tomorrow," she said. "But the glass balls are things like your family and your health. These take special care."

Reich said the glass balls sometimes collide or break and we must "embrace the unexpected" and improvise, all the while trusting in God’s leadership. "We should rely on God’s Holy Spirit to give us discernment in life," she said.

"Our ability to discern good from evil is limited apart from Him. Trust Him and seek His Kingdom first and He’s promised to help you through the difficult decisions of life."

Following her graduation from Judson, Reich earned her doctor of medicine and doctor of philosophy degrees from Emory University in Atlanta, where she received the Graduate Student Teaching Award for Excellence and the Dean’s Award for Excellence in Service.

She has served on prestigious national committees and task forces for the advancement of medicine and women’s health, published articles and abstracts in leading medical magazines and worked to provide radiological services to rural areas in Alabama.

Judson President David Potts, who presided over graduation and awarded diplomas, said the class of 2008 had distinguished itself in and out of the classroom. "You have served, led, studied and persevered," he said. "You’ve made a difference in this community, and you will make a difference in your world."

Potts presented the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award to Reich and the student award to Rikki Enzor, of Centre.

Clara Tew, of Marion, received the J.C. Faulkner Award, and Katie Brooks, of Covington, Wash., received the Bible Award.

Enzor also received the Scholarship Award for having the highest academic average in the class.
Associate professor of art Ted Whisenhunt won the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching. (JC)