Service/Mission/Leadership Blog

     Now that things are moving again here at Judson, I feel like I need to slow down and think about everything that has gone on the week and a half we’ve all been back. My classes are going very well. Chemistry, medical terminology, and math are going to require a pretty good bit of studying, but I enjoy learning about the sciences. I’m taking Sociology online, and it seems pretty easy so far. All I have to do is e-mail my professor an essay based on the reading assignments every other week. My Western World Literature class is fabulous! I just love reading ancient Egyptian poetry, epic stories about heroes and monsters, and any other type of classic literature.  Even though I do enjoy my classes, the highlight of my first week back at Judson has definitely been Marion Matters.

Marion Matters is a campus-wide community service blitz that the office of service-based learning organizes for the first Friday of every fall term. Our community service coordinator spends tons of time calling different organizations in Marion and asking if there is anything we Judson girls can do for them.  By the Wednesday or Thursday before Marion Matters is scheduled to take place, sign up sheets are placed in our dining hall with descriptions of the different projects. Last week there were a total of fifteen projects to choose from. Some of the options included visiting the nursing home and just spending time with some of the residents, reading to preschoolers at Marion Academy, painting for a local church, and building homes with a new self-help housing project in Marion. There were plenty more to choose from, and there’s always something for everyone! 

The group I worked with went to Perry Lakes Park, located just a few miles away from campus. The park has several walking trails, about 600 acres of forest, and four lakes that were formed when the Cahaba River changed its channel over 150 years ago. It’s truly a beautiful place for residents of Marion and students of Judson to enjoy God’s wonderful creation, and Judson girls have been keeping the park running for years. During Marion Matters, Dr. Wilson, the biology professor for the college, led my group in mulching different areas of the park, cleaning up litter, and we even got an informational tour along the way. Some of the girls in the group climbed the 100 ft. birding tower for the first time, and they literally got a bird’s eye view of Perry Lakes.

 The summer was great, but it sure is great to be back at Judson! It’s amazing how this small college has become like home for me in just one short academic year. I just began my sophomore year here at Judson, and I’m already excited about what this year has in store. It feels so strange to see how much I’ve grown since I started out as a freshman. I remember the beginning of my time in college just like it was yesterday, and sometimes it’s still strange to think about how I ended up at Judson College. A small liberal arts college for women was not exactly at the top of my list of schools to check into during my college search, but I’m so happy to be here now! I learned about Judson through a member of my church and immediately fell in love with the Christian atmosphere, small class sizes, commitment to missions and service, and the science department. I am majoring in biology with a minor in chemistry. My original plan was to graduate from Judson in a few years and head off to medical school, but now I’m exploring my options as a science major and just seeing where God takes me. 

I am originally from the small town of Thomasville, AL located about an hour south of Judson’s campus. I love being close enough to have an easy drive home on holidays, but I’m much too involved here at school to go home much.  Judson has really helped me to come out of my shell, and there is always something to do! I enjoy being an ambassador, or “Lady in Red,” as we like to call ourselves, singing alto in the choir, serving as a sophomore Honor Council representative, spending time with my wonderful Judson sisters, and staying involved with campus ministries.

I know this year is going to be fantastic and full of new experiences, and I can’t wait to see what God has planned for me during the rest of my time at Judson!