Judson College: A Legacy of Women's Education in Alabama
Judson College, a private women's college in Marion, Alabama, played a significant role in the history of women's education in the South. Founded in 1838, it stood as the fifth-oldest women's college in the nation. For 183 years, the women of Judson College significantly impacted the world outside Judson’s halls. Although Judson College closed in 2021 due to financial difficulties, its legacy endures through its alumnae and its contributions to education and society.
The Founding and Early Years
In 1838, at a time when formal education for women was rare, several people garnered support for a school for young women in Marion, Alabama. Businesswoman Julia Tarrant Barron and General Edwin Davis King, with the support of other members of Siloam Baptist Church, enlisted the help of Dr. Milo Parker Jewett. Jewett was a recent graduate of Dartmouth College and Andover Theological Seminary, who had come to Alabama with the goal of establishing a school for young women that would provide them with the same quality of education that young men received at Harvard and Yale. Education, they believed, should provide young women with opportunities to discover and develop their God-given intelligence and talents, and then to feel a deep responsibility to make choices that would glorify God and benefit society. Jewett became the first president of Judson and later of Vassar College.
Judson first held classes on January 7, 1839. The nine students who attended met in a home rented by Julia Barron. Barron also gave the new school a nearby piece of land where Judson has stood since 1840 when a grand, four-story building was constructed. The first Jewett Hall, built in 1840, was a four-story Greek Revival building named after Milo P. Jewett.
Growth and Challenges
Judson survived the Civil War, Reconstruction, a smallpox outbreak, and the loss of its main building to fire in 1888. Construction of a new and impressive Jewett Hall, named after the first President, began in 1889. A time of growth and expansion followed, and, in 1904, The Judson Female Institute changed its name to Judson College.
Judson students, faculty, and staff members demonstrated both their patriotism and benevolence during World War I and World War II. In 1914, Judson students contributed their Christmas money to funds raised by College employees to benefit people suffering in war-torn Belgium. On December 8, 1941, Judson students listening to a radio in the college chapel heard President Franklin D. Roosevelt announce that war had been forced on America by the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor.
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In 1947, Judson suffered the loss of its second Jewett Hall to fire, after the dome was hit by a lightning strike. With only 50 days to erect temporary housing, faithful students returned to campus. As then JC President Dr. Riddle stated, “Judson has no sons, only daughters; but they are lovely.” The third magnificent Jewett Hall was erected, and by the mid to late 20th century, academics were at an all-time high with many Judson students graduating with full degrees in only three years and receiving acceptance to medical and law schools and other graduate programs with ease.
In 2005, Judson established its Office of Faith-Based Service and Learning to further reflect its students’ commitment to serve the people in their community and the world.
Financial Struggles and Closure
In December 2020, financial difficulties resulting from declining enrollment, the recession of 2008, and the COVID-19 pandemic came to a head, beginning a months-long period of uncertainty for the Judson community. In 2020 the college experienced severe financial challenges due to declining enrollment and COVID-19. In December, the college's president issued an urgent plea for $500,000 in donations to prevent the college from closing immediately. Although the college launched multi-million-dollar emergency fundraising efforts over the next few months, the funds needed for the college’s continued operation ultimately failed to materialize. Although it had raised $1.3 million, enrollment dropped from 145 in the fall of 2020 to 80 for the fall of 2021.
On May 6, 2021, the Judson College Board of Trustees voted to close the college and begin Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings.
Campus and Notable Buildings
The principal building of the campus at the time of the school's closure was Jewett Hall, the third of this name. The rebuilding of Jewett Hall was begun that same year after the first one burned down. In 1947 the dome was hit by a lightning strike and fire consumed the building. Rebuilding efforts began almost immediately, and funds were raised by the sale of bricks from the rubble. Other notable buildings on campus include A. Judson College participated in joint social and civic events with Marion Military Institute, also located in Marion.
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