June 28, 2003
Images and text by Melissa L. Reh

Time Honored Tradition: Graduates circle around the senior oak to sing "Tell Me Why."

This year's Commencement day address was delivered by Mr. Artur Davis, congressman for Alabama's seventh Congressional District. Congressman Davis is a magna cum laude graduate of Harvard University and cum laude graduate of Harvard Law School.


Congressman Artur Davis (center), with President David Potts and Chairman of the Board of Trustees Roy Barnett.

After graduation, Davis served as an attorney and advocate for justice. He received a clerkship with Judge Myron F. Thompson, judge on the federal bench in Alabama. Davis served as an Assistant United States Attorney for the Middle District of Alabama, fighting white-collar criminals, drugs, and violence in the state. From 1998 until his election to the House, Congressman Davis served as a civil rights attorney for the rights of persons unfairly treated in the workplace. He now labors on behalf of the residents of Central and West Alabama suffering from the chronic poverty and absence of opportunity in the region.

Congressman Davis challenged graduates to "negotiate the paths in front of them" not only with their minds, but their hearts.

Dr. David Potts also shared remarks. He noted that students from this year's graduating class had been very active in our community and abroad. Many of this year's graduates received a standing ovation at Carnegie Hall for their performance with the choir. The choir also travelled to the British Isles. Students from this class were also instrumental in founding the Judson College Habitat for Humanity campus chapter, as well as being among the first to help lead the GENEius program on the college's campus, which allows many local schools to give their students an opportunity to get hands-on experiences in the lab unaccessible anywhere else. Potts also stated that several of this year's graduates were "the hands and feet of Christ" both in the states and abroad as missionaries.

Graduate Delendra Peterson, who received a Bachelor of Arts in Music, sang "Life Eternal" by Olive Dungan. She was accompanied by Dr. Betty Campbell, professor of music.

At the 165th commencement of the college, Dr. Judith Roberts, Vice President and Dean of the Faculty presented candidates for the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science. One student graduated summa cum laude (3.9-4.0 Grade Point Average), nine students graduated magna cum laude (3.75-3.89 GPA), and eight graduated cum laude (3.50-3.74 GPA).


Each year at commencement, awards are presented to graduates who have exhibited outstanding characteristics and achievement. The Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award is presented to a senior demonstrating outstanding qualities of love and helpfulness to others. The Judson Bible Award is presented to the graduating senior who has rendered the most outstanding Christian service to the college during her time at Judson. The Judson Scholarship Award is the presentation of a silver cup to the senior who maintained the highest grade point average during her academic career at Judson. The Faulkner Award is presented to a senior who has distinguished herself as an outstanding student and enthusiastic supporter of Judson through active participation in campus activities and demonstrating good sportsmanship, neatness, promptness, and loyal cooperation.

The President also presented the Lula and Alton Holley Award for Excellence in the Classroom to a member of the faculty. This award is voted on by the graduating members of the senior class.

Algernon Sydney Sullivan
Award Recipient:

Dixie Laurel LeeAnn
Mahan
Faulkner
Award Recipient:

Megan Marie Pilarcyk
Judson Bible
Award Recipient:

Joyce Lynette Carson
Judson Scholarship
Award Recipient:

Emily Nicole Miles
Lula and Alton Holley
Award for Excellence
in the Classroom Recipient:

Dr. Delane Tew


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