The American Business Journal: Judson University

Judson University
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admin on 11 December, 2011 06:17:00
 
In the next 18 months, Judson University in the Chicago suburb of Elgin, Ill.,
will be celebrating its Golden Centennial, according to Jerry Cain, President at
Judson University.
Cain has titled the event the Golden Centennial because, while the school was
originally founded in 1913, it split as its own undergraduate
division—becoming Judson University—in 1963. The word
“golden” represents 50 and centennial recognizes the school’s
original 1913 founding. Today, Judson University is looking toward its next 50
years.
School curriculum
Offering 61 programs and 41 majors, Judson University is noted for its
specialization in three areas that stand at the front of the class. Among these
majors is architecture. Judson University’s architecture program is unique
in that it is tied to Judson’s School of Art, Design and Architecture,
while the same major at a similar post-secondary institution is often linked to
a school’s engineering programming.
According to Cain, the architecture department at Judson University is among the
nation’s leaders in offering sustainability architecture, something that
has become very popular in the building designs at Judson University in recent
years. The program is also unique in that Judson is the only evangelical
Christian school offering a master’s of Architecture degree that is fully
accredited by the NAAB.
Another popular major at Judson University is its School of Education, across
various forms of teaching education, including 10 different certifications in
the undergraduate level, and two master’s programs.
“We produce a very good public school teacher,” Cain commented.
Thirdly, another popular area of study at Judson University is its School of
Leadership and Business with majors focusing on business management, to
international business, accounting, and marketing.
According to Cain, art and design majors are popular as well—perhaps not
as popular as architecture, teaching, or business—but offers some of the
most creative minds at the university.
Cain said, “The arts and design division isn’t the biggest, but
it’s one of the strongest.”
Additionally, the school has also beefed up its online presence in recent years,
today offering one major online in Management and Leadership.
Campus life
Away from the classrooms and the textbooks, Judson University emphasizes student
life. Every year, Judson University accommodates a growing number of
international students, this year with 30 internationals students from more than
25 different countries. The portion makes up about four per cent of the student
body on campus.
“We have a lot of history there and it brings a lot of flavour to our
campus,” said Cain.
For student accommodations, Judson University pairs its international students
with an American student, an arrangement which proves to be an exciting learning
experience for each student.
“One of the geographical things here at Judson is that our entryway has 12
flag poles, and there is competition between our international students between
what international flags get flown on those poles,” Cain said.
Campus life is also highlighted by Judson University’s healthy athletic
program, which today offers a variety of sports that encourage student
participation that further the educational experience.
“We don’t separate athletics out and say it’s
non-educational,” Cain explained, feeling that some lessons are best
learned on the field of play, rather than in the classroom. “Some things
are learned better from a coach, like teamwork, self-discipline, and delayed
gratification. Those types of lessons are very teachable from a coach.”
Being a Christian liberal arts university, Judson University also has a rich
history of Christian tradition. Accordingly, one of the most popular scenes on
campus is the Chapel. Worship hour three times a week is very important to the
school.
“We have students who would rather go to Chapel than anywhere else,”
Cain said.
Social activities
Also unique to Judson University is that 60 to 70 per cent of the school’s
student body voluntarily participates in community service activities.
Accordingly, many students are actively involved in commitments that work with
housing programs, while others serve as tutors and mentors at the local YWCA.
Community service is highly valued at Judson University and, as such, students
engage in projects across the Chicago suburbs.
Meanwhile, the residential program at Judson University also encourages student
activity. The school’s four dormitories create a system for social life
and community, including fellowship and social activities. Competitive spirit is
not lost at Judson University either. Across the dormitories, students
participate in intramural activities, as well as other exciting endeavors, like
the homecoming float competition.
“The residential life of the university serves as a very important
function in the socializing of our students,” Cain summarized.
Judson goes green
Opening the new Harm A. Weber Academic Center in 2007, the 88,000 square foot
facility houses the Judson University library, as well as the School of Art,
Design and Architecture. Building to LEED Gold standard, the Weber Academic
Center uses about 50 per cent of the fossil fuels of what a typical building
this size typically consumes.
Cain explained, “The building draws air through natural ventilation and
circulates the air on the fact that heat rises and all of the venting systems
aren’t pushed by fans, but rather are taking advantage of hot air
rising.”
The building also produces a lot of electricity through its photovoltaic cells.
Additionally, the building’s windows are calibrated to not allow direct
sunlight in the summer. During the cooler months, the building is heated through
solar gain.
“It is a lovely environment to study, or read, or do computer work,”
Cain said. “It was a LEED rated building before buildings were even rated.
With an emphasis on creation care, we’ll be bringing other buildings up to
LEED rating.”
With that, six building projects will be a part of Judson University’s
50th birthday celebration.
An expansion of the dining hall will bring the facility up to LEED standard,
likewise for a renovation of the science building that will now include new
laboratories. Additionally, there will be a new rehearsal hall in the music
building, and a new turf track for track and field, lacrosse, and soccer.
Dormitories will be renovated, while Judson University also has expansion plans
to purchase of adjacent buildings to the campus.
“These projects will give us energy for the next few years,” Cain
beamed.
Not only will the school’s facilities be expanding in coming years, but
Judson University also plans to grow its student enrollment, from 1,200 to 2,000
students, over the next 10 years. Judson University hopes its next 50 years will
be as successful as the first.
www.judsonu.edu