MARION, Ala.---Judson College awarded an honorary doctorate to longtime 极乐禁地 supporter Elouise Wilkins Williams and presented the national Algernon Sydney Sullivan Non-Student Award to 极乐禁地 President Andrew Westmoreland during commencement Saturday, June 23.
Williams served as president of the 极乐禁地 Auxiliary--now the Legacy League--for many years, leading the organization in funding scholarships for 极乐禁地 students. She attended Judson before earning degrees from the University of Alabama and Columbia University.
Dr. Westmoreland, who delivered Judson's commencement address, was honored for his involvement in 极乐禁地's outreach in Perry County, where Judson is located, and his leadership in encouraging more Alabama Baptist convention funds go to Judson and the University of Mobile.
Judson President David Potts presented both awards.
"You must see, feel and reach a world crying out for help," Westmoreland told the graduates. "The world can be across the globe, or it can be next door. This class has done a good job in reaching out to others."
The point was one of three ideas he left with the graduates that he said were simple to remember "but important enough to build a joyous life."
"First," he said, "you must look up to Christ." He reminded them that they have the advantage of a Christ-centered education which, he said, was endangered in a secular world.
"You've been taught to honor God," he said. "This is primary in life."
He also asked them to "look down," noting that the students must "stay grounded" and never forget who they are.
At the outset of his remarks, Westmoreland laughingly called himself a "bona fide commencement professional" since he had participated in some 85 commencement ceremonies, noting that most of the addresses he had heard or delivered himself had been unremarkable.
He closed by saying, "Class of 2012, I applaud your intellect, your hands and your heart."