4/18/2012 - Shumaker Receives Alumnae Award at Judson College

By Michael J. Brooks

Anne Williamson Shumaker of Centre received the 2012 Alumnae Loyalty Award at Judson College's annual alumnae weekend, known as "J-Day," April 13-14.

Judson president Dr. David Potts praised Shumaker's service to the college when she stepped down from her two years of service as president of the Alumnae Association in 2010.  "By word and deed, Ann has faithfully encouraged alumnae to apprise prospective Judson students of the benefits of Christian higher education especially for women," Potts said.  "She promoted giving to her alma mater in the face of the 'Great Recession' and she has traveled many miles to nurture the fellowship between and among alumnae chapters. We're so very grateful for her leadership and devotion!"

Shumaker has been an ardent supporter of Judson College since her graduation in 1966. She's served on the alumnae executive board in various capacities and on the college board of trustees since 1990.  "Judson is one of my passions!" she said.

Shumaker first came to Judson as a 15-year-old. "The college used to host the 'queen's court' for the Girls Auxiliary (Southern Baptist mission group for girls), so I came for a visit. Then I applied for a freshman scholarship, which I received," she said.

Shumaker said her time at Judson was also a momentous time. She remembers the campus on "lock down" after the shooting of Jimmie Lee Jackson in Marion on Feb. 18, 1965. It was Jackson's death on Feb. 26 that inspired the Selma-to-Montgomery voting rights march.

At Judson, Shumaker sang in the A Capella choir, the Judson / MMI chorus and in the sanctuary choir at Siloam Baptist Church. She also took piano and music theory classes.  "It was fun to go on choir tours," she said. "I met so many people at so many different locations."  Shumaker majored in biology and Spanish and earned her A.B. degree at Judson.

After graduation, Shumaker earned her master's degree in education and biology from Jacksonville State University. She married attorney Al Shumaker in 1966 and moved to Centre.  Shumaker taught grades 1-12 and community college adult education in her teaching career, though her longest tenure was at Cherokee County High School where she taught English, Spanish, biology and journalism. She retired from her 31-year teaching career about 12 years ago in order to care for her mother.

Shumaker has been a member of the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce, the Alabama Business and Professional Women's Club, the Alabama State Health Coordinating Council, the Etude Music Club, the Centre Lions Club and the Centre Literary Club among other civic activities.

Shumaker is active in the Cherokee County Republican Executive Committee and has served on the Alabama Republican Executive Committee. She was elected a delegate to the two Reagan conventions in Detroit and Dallas and the two Bush "41" conventions in New Orleans and Houston. Her service to the GOP is unique since her husband Al is active in the Democrat Party!

Shumaker continues her work as columnist for The Cherokee County Herald, a job she's had since 1968 and for The Gadsden Times, a job she's had since 1987. She's also active in the First Baptist Church of Centre where she's had many responsibilities over the years.

"I enjoyed serving as alumnae president and meeting so many of my Judson sisters I'd not met before," she said. "It was an honor to serve, and I trust it was a way to help the college, too."

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