Judson College is an evangelical Christian liberal arts college located in Elgin, Illinois It was founded in 1963. Judson was formed out of the liberal arts component of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. When the seminary moved from Chicago to Lombard, IL it was decided to make the college separate from the seminary. Judson College was named after Adoniram Judson, the first American Baptist missionary to foreign shores.
Academics
Judson College has about 50 in the traditonal undergraduate program, with the most popular being Architecture, followed by Education. In the adult undergraduate program, an accelerated program consisting of night and weekend classes, there are about 5 majors offered. Students who choose the Architecture major at Judson enter a 6 year program which includes four years to receive a Bachelor of Arts in Architectural Studies, a year long internship at an architecture firm, and then a Master of Architecture degree. In June 2005 Judson College began its Masters of Education Program.
Judson is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. The Master of Architecture degree is accredited by The National Architectural Accreditation Board (NAAB). The Master of Education program is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Fox River Campus
Judson's 84-acre campus is located on the banks of the Fox River, about 40 miles west of Chicago.
Campus Facilities
There are 15 buildings on the Judson College campus. The four residence halls are Wilson Hall, Ohio Hall, Volkman Hall, and Lindner Center. Volkman Hall and Lindner Center also house classrooms, offices and conference rooms. The other buildings on campus are the Harm Weber Administration Building, Campus Apartments, Math and Science Building, Herrick Chapel, Benjamin P. Browne Library, Fine Arts Building, Lindner Campus Commons, Barton House, Lindner Fitness Center, Plant Operations, and Creekside South.
Wilson Hall
Wilson Hall is an all male dorm located in the center of campus. Generally freshmen occupy this dorm, however many residents choose to remain in Wilson Hall for their entire career at Judson, citing that they enjoy the "location, close-knit community, and laid back atmosphere in Wilson." In recent years, Wilson Hall residents and seventh floor Lindner residents have developed a fierce rivalry.
Ohio Hall
Ohio Hall is located directly across from Wilson Hall. Ohio is the freshmen female dorm on campus. because of limited space, upperclassmen female students who wish to remain in Ohio Hall either must purchase a single room, or work as a Resident Assistant in Ohio Hall.
Volkman Hall
Volkman Hall is located in the southwest corner of the campus. Volkman was the first residence hall to be built, and was constructed in 1963. The first floor of Volkman contains classrooms and faculty offices, primarily for the Division of Education. The JSO also has their offices in Volkman. the second and third floor of Volkman consists of apartment-style rooms. These are designed for 4-6 students. Both male and female students live in Volkman. Married students who wish to live on campus may rent a room in Volkman Hall.
Lindner Center
Lindner Center is the largest building on Judson's campus, and is visible from Illinois Route 31 and Interstate 90. Judson College purchased a former Ramada Inn, and converted it into the Lindner Center. Lindner Center has seven floors and multiple uses.
- The first floor of Lindner Center houses the Office of Registration and Records, the Business Division faculty offices, four regular classrooms, and a computer lab.
- The second floor is the Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Formally known as the AIM department. This includes the offices for faculty and staff of the adult undergrate program and the Masters of Education program. There is also a computer lab and testing facility called the Customized Learning Center (CLC) on the second floor.
- The third floor is the most recently renovated floor. Since Janurary 2004, it has held the faculty offices of the Social Science, Communication Arts, and Christian Religion and Philosophy Divisions. 3rd floor also contains two computer labs, each containing about 20 computers. The main computer lab on 3rd floor is made up of Mac G5 computers and is used primarily by the Communications Arts Division for classes such as Video Production.
- The fourth floor of Lindner Center is currently used only for storage. Students, staff, and faculty are generally not allowed onto this floor for security reasons. The administration has discussed using the 4th floor as an additional floor of dorms, as offices, classrooms, or even leasing the space to other schools or businesses. No decision has yet been reached on the future use of this floor.
- The fifth floor is used for female residents and there are generally three for each room. About a quarter of the floor is a lobby which is open to all students. This lobby has a kitchen, a billiards table, several chairs and couches, a television, and multiple tables for studying.
- The sixth floor also has female students, as well as the Resident Directors apartment.
- The seventh floor houses male students. In recent years seventh floor residents have developed a fierce rivalry with Wilson Hall residents.
Harm A. Weber Administration Building
The Administration building is named after former President (1969-1992) and current Chancellor, Harm Weber. Every hour the electronic bell system in the building sounds, announcing the time, usually playing hymns or the alma mater. This building is a transformed mansion which part of the private estate when Judson College bought the property. There are three floors, the first containing the President's office, and the Business office. the second floor contains the offices for Advancement and Giving, and the Alumni office. The third floor contains the Communications office.
Campus Apartments
The Campus Apartments have 7 apartments that are rented to faculty and staff. It is located next to Wilson Hall. The Health Office is located in this building.
Math and Science Building
The Math and Science Building is located next to Ohio Hall, across from the Campus Apartments. The Math and Science Building holds the Physics and Chemistry Labs, a computer lab, and several lecture hall-style 30-seat classrooms.
Herrick Chapel
The Herrick Chapel is a 700-seat chapel, with pews on the main floor and balcony. The chapel has a large pipe organ which covers the entire wall behind the stage. In 2005, the chapel was renovated, adding air conditioning, as well as a significantly larger stage. Chapel services normally are from 10:00 to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The College President, Dr. Jerry Cain (1998-Present), has been qouted as claiming that the reason for having chapel at 10:00am is, "This is the time which researchers say most students are most attentive and learn most effectively. We want to devote this time to focusing on God." All full-time traditional undergrad students are required to attend 25 chapel services each semester. According to Judson College, typical chapel content ranges from scriptural exegesis to issue-oriented presentations to mini-concerts by guest artists to student-led praise and worship services.
Benjamin P. Browne Library
The Benjamin P. Browne Library was named after the college's first president Benjamin P. Browne (1963-1967). The library has two floors, a computer lab, and library staff offices. Judson College Technology Services has its office on the second floor.
Fine Arts Building
The Fine Arts Building has two floors, and houses the Music Division, and the Art and Design portions of the Art, Design and Architecture Division. There is an art gallery, the Fine Arts Performance Hall, faculty offices, and studios for Music, Art, and Design students. There is also a computer lab which is predominantly Mac G4 but also has a limited number of Mac G3 computers.
Lindner Campus Commons
The Lindner Campus Commons, generally known as the Commons, is built on a hill. so the lower floor is underground on one side, and at ground level on the other. For this reason, the lower floor is referred to as Lower Commons, and the 2nd floor is referred to as Upper Commons.
Upper Commons
The Upper Commons is the location of the Student Development Office, which includes the Dean of Students, the Career advisor, Directory of Student Life and Leadership, and the International and Intercultural Advisor. It has a "pit" which is a lowered area containing a TV, fireplace, and couches. the fireplace has not been lit in recent years. according to Student Development, this is due to insurance costs which would be associated with that. There are four computers which are available for students to use, as well as about 5 tables and chairs. There is also a billiards and fooseball table.
Lower Commons
The Lower Commons contains the Cafeteria, the Bookstore, and the Campus Post Office (CPO). The cafeteria services are operated by Creative Dining Services under contract with Judson College. The bookstore is operated by Founder's Bookstore under contract with Judson College. The CPO (generally pronounced "see-poe") is where students have their own campus mail boxes, and can also send and receive mail and packages.
Barton House
The Barton House is named after Dr. Amos B. Barton, who served as the second president, from 1967 through 1969. In the past, it has served as a dormitory as well as offices for various staff departments, however it is currently used for the Admissions, Financial Aid, and Student Accounts departments.
Lindner Fitness Center
The Lindner Fitness Center, generally just called the Fitness Center, is in the Eastern corner of the campus and faces the soccer field. The Fitness Center has a gymnasium which has a full basketball court and another smaller basketball court as well. These courts double as volleyball courts and there are space for three of these. around the edge of the gymnasium, raised above the gym floor is a track.
Plant Operations
The Plant Operations building, generally referred to as Plant Ops, is home to the Plant Operations staff, which covers repairs, groundskeeping, and janitorial services, as well as Public Safety. This building was formally the gymnasium, prior to the Lindner Fitness Center being built.
Creekside South
Creekside South is the architecture building. It is located south of Tyler Creek and is slightly removed from the campus in that way. It is accessible by a footbridge across the creek, as well as from Jerusha Street.
Harm A. Weber Academic Center
A new $18 million building housing the departments of art and architecture as well as the college library was recently the subject of an international competition. The winning design by Alan Short, Professor of Architecture at Cambridge University, is currently (2005) under construction. When completed, the building is expected to be one of the most energy-efficient in the United States.