AAJ Engages with Southeastern Seminary and the new ‘Judson College’ President Daniel Akin
It was just three weeks ago when all of our Judson College alumnae were surprised by the announcement that Southeastern Seminary in Wake Forest, North Carolina, renamed its undergraduate program “Judson College” after Adoniram Judson and his legacy in the mission field.
“As the texts were going back and forth between our AAJ board members that evening, I was actually attending an event at Southern Seminary in Louisville, KY, and so I began asking about Southeastern Seminary and their undergraduate programs,” said Laurie Gruenloh, AAJ Vice President. “As I learned even more details from their website, I began to ponder what we could do to forge a positive link between our 183-year-old legacy and their Judson College focus. Since then, we have begun very positive communication with both Dr. Daniel Akin and Dean Seth Bible.”
Dr. Akin stated in his email response, “The fact is our goal is to emphasize and promote the Judson name, drawing attention not only to Adoniram, but also Ann, Sarah and Emily. We wish to recognize and honor the contributions of these wives to the success of the mission in Burma as well. What they did was indeed significant. Linking the historical legacies would be a wonderful thing to do.”
During a recent board meeting, AAJ directors and advisors explored several ideas to establish this connection while upholding the significant relevance of our Judson College legacy being cultivated through work on the Judson Legacy Project. We have plans to set-up a zoom meeting with Judson College’s Dean in the near future to begin exploring opportunities together.
“With our challenges (of the Judson College in Marion, AL) in recent years, I’m thankful that the legacy of the Judsons will be acknowledged at another Christian college. I am confident that our Judson College alumnae exhibit the values and integrity of Christian women in their communities around the world. This is another opportunity to extend and expand the legacy of the Judsons and of the women inspired by their service.”
To familiarize yourself more with Southeastern Seminary’s perspective on the Judsons, Dr. Akin published a book earlier this year entitled Ten Women Who Changed the World including chapters on Ann and Sarah Judson and is sending a copy to AAJ. He also has chapel messages preached on their lives available at DanielAkin.com.
