Judson holds 180th Commencement

Judson College held its 180th commencement on June 23, 2018. Families and friends of graduates gathered in historic Alumnae Auditorium for the conferring of Associate Degrees in Nursing and Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Social Work degrees.

Commencement 2018

The commencement speaker was Dr. David Wilson, President of Morgan State University in Baltimore, Md. Wilson’s address centered on the transformative, transferrable power of education for graduates and for people in their spheres of influence. Using his own story of his experience as a first-generation college student from a sharecropping farm in rural Marengo County, Wilson, who now holds four degrees from Tuskegee and Harvard universities, stressed graduates’ responsibility to transfer the “magic of education” to others. “Just as [education] has changed your life,” Wilson said to graduates, “it has empowered you to become a change agent in the lives of others and the world. You are now prepared to transform your community, your city, your state, your country, and your world. You are prepared, by your own words and deeds, to become a model touched by the magic of education, a model of excellence to your family in your profession, in your leadership in the community, and in your personal example.”

Wilson received an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters during the ceremony in recognition of his devotion and service to higher education, of his commitment to “raising awareness of the beauty, challenges, and potential of the Black Belt region of Alabama”, and of the “vision and leadership skills he has applied not only to earning his own degrees but to showing others a path to education and a life of meaningful service.”

Rosalie Hall Hunt, missionary, historian, and author, received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in recognition of her “distinct virtues of heart, mind, and conduct that are practically applied to daily living and demonstrated in a spirit of love for and helpfulness to other[s]”. Hunt’s faithful friendship to Judson College was also celebrated; her ground-breaking biographies Bless God and Take Courage: The Judson History and Legacy (2005) and The Extraordinary Story of Ann Hasseltine Judson: A Life Beyond Boundaries (2018) revived and preserved the story of Ann Judson, the woman for whom Judson College is named.

Dr. Laura Schrock Crawford, Assistant Professor of English, received the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in Classroom Teaching, an annual faculty award determined by vote of graduating seniors. The award was established in 1982 by Howard and Martha Holley and Mildred and Annie Ruby Holley to recognize excellence in classroom teaching at Judson.

Several special student awards were presented to the following:

Courtney Tillman, social work major from Flat Rock, Ala., received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Student Award, in recognition for her “nobility of character as expressed through spiritual qualities in daily living”. Tillman’s receipt of the Sullivan award honored her consistency in “following Christ’s call to love God and her neighbor with her whole being.” Her “sincere concern for others” was visible throughout her time at Judson. Her desire to serve others responsibly and ethically was reflected in her rigorous academic work in Judson’s Bachelor of Social Work program, but she also eagerly applied new skills and concepts outside the classroom. She served and mentored other Judson students as a student leader and resident assistant in Julia Barron Hall, and she passionately mentored local high school students, who recognized her as the Francis Marion High School Class of 2018’s “Advocate of the Year”. Tillman, who received Judson’s 2018 Outstanding Social Work Student Award earlier this year, was also named to the Judson College Dean’s and President’s Scholars lists. Tillman will begin her Master of Social Work degree at the University of Alabama this fall.

Lillie Hobson, history and criminal justice major from Kinsey, Ala., received the J.C. Faulkner Award, given to honor an “outstanding student and…enthusiastic supporter of Judson College.” Throughout her time at Judson, Hobson distinguished herself in academics, athletics, and student leadership with her commitment to excellence and concern for others. Hobson participated in regional and national conferences in her academic disciplines, and her session-winning research at a regional Phi Alpha Theta conference in 2017 was published in The Alexandrian, a peer-reviewed journal produced by Troy University. She received the Outstanding Student in History Award at the College’s Honors Convocation earlier this year and was named to the Judson College Dean’s and President’s Scholars lists. Hobson lent her athletic abilities to the Judson College Eagles softball team as catcher and third baseman, receiving the Mary Whitfield Lee Award in recognition of her leadership on and off the field. Hobson contributed much to Judson College’s student life in her roles as resident assistant, Honor Council President, Senior Class Vice-President, and as a member of the College chapter of Phi Alpha Theta history honor society. Hobson will attend the Mississippi College School of Law this fall.

Lauren Hurt of Huntsville, Ala., received the Bible Award, an annual award presented to the senior exhibiting the most “outstanding Christian spirit” and rendering “Christian service to her college” during her tenure as a Judson student. Since Hurt’s arrival as a freshman, her involvement in student community Bible studies, mentoring groups, and Campus Ministries Leadership Council illustrated her desire to share Christ’s love with others through service and discipleship. Her heartfelt ministry to others extended beyond Judson’s campus in her active involvement in missions opportunities in Miami, New York, China, Phoenix, and Pigeon Forge. Hurt further exemplified her commitment to follow Christ’s call to selfless service as she supported her College as a resident assistant, a Student Ambassador, and a class officer. Hurt was named Outstanding Student in Business at the College’s Honors Convocation this spring and was named to the Dean’s and President’s Scholars lists. Hurt will continue her ministry to college students this fall at Auburn University as an intern with Navigators EDGE Corps.

Sara Jean Lane of Conyers, Ga., received the Scholarship Award, an annual award presented to a senior with an excellent academic record at Judson. Lane, a triple major in Music, English, and Mathematics, maintained a 4.0 GPA throughout her time at Judson. Lane’s extracurricular involvements were myriad; she was a member of the college’s Intercollegiate Horse Show Association Hunt Seat equestrian team, a class officer, a member of Judson Singers and FAITH Ensemble, as well as a faithful participant in Campus Ministries and Faith-Based Service and Learning activities. Lane’s post-graduation plans include teaching English as a second language in East Asia.

Graduates by degrees and hometowns, including honors earned, are as follows:

Associate Degree in Nursing
Brookwood, AL – Brandice McKay
Carrollton, AL – Cassie Lee Bailey
Centreville, AL – Kassie Simmons Nichols
Hoover, AL – Tiffany Nicole Anderson
Marion Junction, AL – Shondrell Lashay Johnson
New Hope, AL – Cathlen Ann Mason
Selma, AL – Ebonie K. Reese, Youlanda Yevette Rush
Tuscaloosa, AL – Detwonsi V. Fulgham, LaKeitha Tonyetta Pickens, April Burrell Tucker, Kinyetta Williams
Uniontown, AL – Terra Johnson Jackson, Brandi N. Moore, Pamela Williams Smith
Chicago, IL – Angie Kazee-Taylor
Portage, IN – Ruth Mushall

Bachelor of Arts
Brookwood, AL – Bethany Deanne Williams
Centre, AL – Cheyann Nicole McDaniel
Cottonwood, AL – Jessica Emily Faith Thomas, magna cum laude
Dora, AL – Sarah Nicole Green, summa cum laude
Grand Bay, AL – Jordan Elizabeth Ross
Greensboro, AL – Cynthia Ann (Cindy) Bolling
Hanceville, AL – Katie Lynn Owens, cum laude
Hayden, AL – Tiffany Jade Watson
Helena, AL – Anastasia Simone Williams
Hoover, AL – Rachel Alisha Fitts
Kinsey, AL – Lillie Amilea Hobson, summa cum laude
Marion, AL – Toni Ann Kynard
Moody, AL – Madison Elise Casale
New Market, AL – Shana Michelle DuPree
Parish, AL – Katie Marie Speer
Summerdale, AL – Miranda Gayle Brown
Thorsby, AL – Kaitlyn Jane Garrison, cum laude
Toney, AL – Xandria Destinee Keylor
Lady Lake, FL – Pamela Elizabeth “Liz” Alsobrook
Conyers, GA – Sara Jean Lane, summa cum laude
Saltillo, MS – Nicole Lashon Stewart, cum laude
Cayo District, Belize – Karina Elaine Griniage
Myitkina, Kachin, Myanmar – Yaw Nam, summa cum laude; Jaw Seng Zin

Bachelor of Science
Bay Minette, AL – Chloe Wynn Crowder
Brookwood, AL – Bethany Deanne Williams
Centreville, AL – Sara Margaret Alsobrook
Chelsea, AL – Shelia Michelle Palmer
Cottondale, AL – Mercedes Brook Barger
Cullman, AL – Morgann Nicole Stone
Hanceville, AL – Katie Lynn Owens, cum laude, Degree with Distinction in Biology, Thesis: The Effects of Heat Shock and Gal4 on Drosophila Oogenesis
Huntsville, AL – Lauren Elise Hurt, summa cum laude
Mount Olive, AL – DeAnn Paige Hopkins
Muscle Shoals, AL – Anna Catherine Borden
New Market, AL – Shana Michelle DuPree
Opelika, AL – Brittany Tennille Johnson
Reform, AL – Hannah Rebecca Windle
Sylacauga, AL – Alexis Gabrielle Whetstone
Talladega, AL – Candice Dawn Elkins
Wilmer, AL – Sarah Anne Grace Stringfellow
Fleming Island, FL – Cynthia Ann Mosborg
St. Petersburg, FL – Brianna L. Allen
Oxford, MS – Taylor Carol-Ann Tubbs
Elmgrove, LA – McKenzie Brook Wilton, cum laude
Mechanicsburg, PA – Alexandria Huber

Bachelor of Social Work
Cullman, AL – Peyton Olivia Walker
Flat Rock, AL – Courtney Mara Tillman, summa cum laude
Hanceville, AL – Chandra Reneé Barnes, cum laude
Tuscaloosa, AL – Celicia Monique Maynor
Gretna, LA – Noaf Ibrahim Bader