The Baptist Paper and Local Reports
The undergraduate college at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary has been officially renamed Judson College.
Southeastern trustees formalized the decision during their Oct. 14–15 meeting on the seminary’s campus in Wake Forest, North Carolina.
Danny Akin, president of Southeastern Seminary and its undergraduate division, said the renaming fits the seminary’s vision and mission.
“When we were considering names for the undergraduate program at Southeastern, we wanted a name that represents our Great Commission vision and mission as an institution and one that demonstrates what kind of school Southern Baptists would be sending their children to,” said Akin. “There is no one better to represent our mission and culture than the Baptist missionary Adoniram Judson, who gave his life for the cause of Christ in the church, among the nations and in every aspect of society.”
A spokesperson for Southeastern Seminary said leaders had often discussed the Judson name and returned to those discussions when Judson College in Marion, Alabama closed in 2021.
“Our administration contacted the leadership of the Alabama Baptist State Convention and received their support and affirmation to preserve the Judson’s legacy on our campus,” said Chad Burchett, associate director of marketing and communications at Southeastern Seminary.
According to historian and Judson College alumna Elizabeth Wells, Alabama’s Judson College was actually named in honor of Ann Hasseltine Judson, Adoniram Judson’s wife and one of the first female American international missionaries. The college was founded in 1838 by Alabama Baptist leaders who wanted to offer educational opportunities for women. The college closed in 2021 due to financial pressures.
Daphne Robinson, president of Judson College in Marion, told The Alabama Baptist that she had not been in contact with Southeastern Seminary officials regarding the name change of The College at Southeastern but noted the significance of the Judson name’s legacy.
“It’s an honor to the Judsons that people continue to acknowledge their sacrifice and commitment to missions,” Robinson said.
Akin echoed those sentiments, calling the Judsons “Baptist royalty.”
“Southern Baptists and their missions work are heirs to what Adoniram, Ann, Sarah and Emily Judson did in the country of Burma (modern-day Myanmar),” said Akin. “Judson buried two wives on the missions field, but their legacy and love for the Burmese people drove Adoniram to continue in the ministry. The name Judson has been rightly honored at Judson College in Marion, Alabama, since 1838. Now Southeastern has the honor of carrying on that name and the missional spirit it represents. Our college is a Great Commission school. Judson is a Great Commission name. The two rightly belong together.”
