Judson College (Alabama)

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Judson College, founded in 1838 in Marion, Alabama, (as Judson Female Institute), is one of the oldest women's colleges in the United States.

The college was founded by members of the Siloam Baptist Church of Marion and named after Ann Hasseltine Judson, the first female foreign missionary from the United States. The college, which changed its name to "Judson College" in 1903 remains affiliated with the Alabama Baptist Convention.

Current enrollment at Judson is approximately 300. The college offers Bachelor's degrees in both liberal arts and pre-professional programs.

The principal building of the campus is Jewett Hall, which exists now in its third incarnation. The first Jewett Hall, built in (1840), was a four-story Greek revival building named after Dr. Milo P. Jewett, first president of the college. It was destroyed by fire in 1888. The rebuilding of Jewett Hall was begun that same year. In 1947 the dome was hit by a lightning strike and fire again consumed the building. Again, rebuilding efforts commenced almost immediately with funds raised from the sale of bricks from the rubble.

Other notable buildings on campus include A. Howard Bean Hall, a former Carnegie library which now houses the Alabama Women's Hall of Fame as well as classrooms, Alumnae Auditorium, and the Women's Missionary Union residence hall.

Judson College participates in joint social and civic events with Marion Military Institute, also located in Marion.

Among the alumnae of Judson College is the Louisiana botanist, naturalist, preservationist, and author Caroline Dormon.

[edit] References

Frances Dew Hamilton and Elizabeth Crabtree Wells. Daughters of the Dream.
Emmie Frances Polhill Wolfer. Emmie Frances, Judson College, and Her "Wolfer Girls".
Judson College Alumnae Association. The Story of Judson College in Needlepoint.
Nancy Anderson, editor. They Call Me Kay: A Courtship in Letters.