Judson College at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary: A History of Great Commission Service
Introduction
Judson College, formerly known as "The College at Southeastern," is a Southern Baptist Christian college situated in Wake Forest, North Carolina. Affiliated with the Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary (Southern Baptist Convention), Judson College has a rich history rooted in equipping students for Christian service. The institution's journey began as an undergraduate school of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary in 1994, building upon the seminary's legacy that commenced in 1950. The college embodies a commitment to the Great Commission, preparing students to impact the church, nations, and every facet of society for Christ.
Early Beginnings and Growth
The roots of Judson College trace back to 1832 when Baptists in North Carolina acquired Dr. Calvin Jones' 615-acre plantation to establish a teaching facility for young ministers. In 1950, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary opened with a mandate to train students to serve churches along the east coast of the United States. From 1951 to 1956, Appleby Hall housed the new Seminary. The Wake Forest Baptist Church was organized in 1835, occupying the church building within the campus enclosure. Another historic landmark, the stone wall now surrounding the central campus, was begun about 1885 by Wake Forest College President Charles E. Taylor and “Dr. Tom” Jeffries.
The undergraduate program was officially established in October 1994 as Southeastern Baptist Theological College. Initially, it offered a two-year Bachelor of Arts in Biblical Studies, designed for college juniors and seniors who had completed the Associates of Divinity under the seminary. In 1998, trustees approved a four-year Bachelor of Arts program, adding a major in history of ideas, marking the beginning of curriculum expansion.
Academic Development and Innovation
Judson College distinguishes itself by providing students with a conservative biblical and theological education alongside professional training within a vibrant Christian community. It combines a strong biblical and theological foundation with flexibility in academic pursuits. The History of Ideas Program engages students to research and read classical works that have shaped history from a Christian perspective. Through ministry, mission, and marketplace training, Judson College equips students to discern their calling in community and to live on mission. Judson College’s rigorous core curriculum, including its Great Books component, prepares students to think, read, speak, and research biblically and critically as they advance the cause of Christ.
In 2007, the college expanded its reach by offering its first online courses through distance learning, impacting a global student population. This development broadened access to theological education and allowed students from diverse backgrounds to participate in the college's programs.
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Dr. Bruce R. Ashford was installed as dean of the College at Southeastern in January 2009. Dr. Judson College is marked by Ashford's and Dew's vision to give greater flexibility to students' academic pursuits.
The House System
In 2016, the College introduced the House System, comprising five Houses. The Houses are named after missionaries George Liele, Andrew Fuller, Francis Schaeffer, Adoniram Judson, and David Brainerd. The House System, each year, has multiple competitions throughout the semester and these competitions ultimately determine which House wins the annual House Cup, which is awarded in the last month of the semester. In the five year history of the House System, the Judson House has won the most House Cups with three with Schaeffer House and Liele House tied for second most at one House Cup each. This initiative fostered intentional Christ-centered community and provided a vibrant undergraduate residence life.
Expansion of Ministry Training
In 2017, the first field minister program was established to train and equip incarcerated men and women with a fully accredited bachelor’s degree. In February, these newly enrolled students attended their first convocation at North Carolina Correctional Institution for Women - less than 20 miles from Southeastern’s Wake Forest campus. Later in August, Southeastern launched a sister program in Florida at Lowell Correctional Institute in Marion County, the largest women’s prison in the state of Florida, the only Florida prison with inmates on death row. This program exemplifies the college's commitment to extending its educational resources to underserved populations and equipping individuals for ministry within their communities.
Renaming to Judson College
On Tuesday, October 15, Southeastern Seminary’s board of trustees unanimously voted to approve that The College at Southeastern be renamed as Judson College. This fall Southeastern celebrated the renaming of its undergraduate program to Judson College, an announcement made in October following a unanimous vote by the Southeastern board of trustees. Following the announcement, Southeastern and Judson students, family, faculty, and staff gathered on the quad for a celebration lunch and the unveiling of the official Judson sign outside Appleby Hall, the primary building for undergraduate studies.
The renaming to Judson College signifies a renewed commitment to the Great Commission and honors the legacy of Adoniram Judson, the first appointed Baptist missionary to leave the United States. Judson embraced the call to take the gospel across cultures and continents at a time when few others in America were engaged in international missions. As a pastor, church planter, missionary, and translator, Judson represents the kind of convictional and missional spirit we train our students to embody as they advance the cause of Christ - even in careers and locations with little gospel witness.
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“Adoniram Judson did not ask the question, ‘Should I go?’ He asked the question, ‘Why should I stay?’” Akin said. The college’s new name was announced in chapel following the annual fall meeting of the board of trustees and Southeastern Society.
Recent Developments
As God calls increasing numbers of students to study at Southeastern Seminary and Judson College, Southeastern continues to update and expand its campus buildings. Due to the overwhelming generosity of Southeastern donors, this year Southeastern began a major renovation project on the Ledford Student Center, a central hub for student activity and community. Construction work began during the summer term, and by the fall semester the first half of the expansions were completed with a renovated kitchen and cafeteria as well as an expanded dining space.
During the May and December graduations, a total of 539 students graduated as Southeastern or Judson alumni. In January Southeastern celebrated the 20-year anniversary of President Danny and Mrs. Charlotte Akin, honoring their faithful Great Commission service to the school. During the trustees’ spring meeting, the Charlotte Akin Student Aid Fund was established in Mrs. Akin’s honor, supplying financial assistance to full-time students who have received care from the Baptist Children’s Homes (BCH) of North Carolina, South Carolina, or Georgia - a cause that is dear to Mrs. During Southeastern’s alumni and friends luncheon at the SBC annual meeting, students and faculty shared testimonies of the impact that Dr.
As an expression of the Great Commission vision that the Akins have championed over the past 20 years, Global Missions Week in February was one of the highlights of the year for the Southeastern community. Each year, this week is a clear reminder of why ministry preparation, theological equipping, and church engagement are so vital. So that the lost may know the good news and salvation found in Jesus Christ, Southeastern students seek to go.
This year the Southeastern family celebrated these blessings, it also grieved and honored the memory and homegoing of one of its beloved college professors Adrianne Miles, professor of English and linguistics. Southeastern is deeply grateful for its faculty and the many ways in which they serve and support the institution, as teachers, mentors, and department heads. Kelly D. Benjamin Quinn, associate professor of theology and history of ideas, was named director of the L.
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Mission and Vision
Judson College has a clear mission: to equip students to give their lives for the cause of Christ, in the Church, among the nations, and in every aspect of society. As The College has grown, it has remained committed to providing students a conservative biblical and theological foundation for life, work, further study, and future ministry. In addition to offering a strong biblical and theological foundation, The College offers students flexibility in their academic pursuits and trains students in critical thinking and reading skills through its History of Ideas core. The College also provides rigorous training for vocational and non-vocational ministry through its practicums and internships, five-year programs, and academic partnerships.
As we reflect on three decades of Judson College’s history, we celebrate God’s blessings on the institution - how he has grown an undergraduate extension of the seminary into an accredited four-year confessional college that seeks to equip students in a variety of ministry contexts, from the workplace to the mission field to church service.
Southeastern remains committed to God’s word, his church, and to the final marching orders of King Jesus to “go and make disciples of all nations.” This mission shapes every student’s journey at Southeastern Seminary and Judson College - from the start of ministry preparation in the classroom to gospel proclamation on the mission field.
tags: #Judson #College #at #Southeastern #Baptist #Theological
