Federation of Illinois Independent Colleges and Universities

Judson graduates to university level (Daily Herald)

	Released: 8/29/2007
	Daily Herald \| Judson graduates to university level Judson graduates to university level Fireworks, ribbon cutting mark change in school's name, mission By Emily Krone \| Daily Herald Staff Published: 8/29/2007 12:18 AM Elgin became a university town Tuesday as Judson College officially switched its name to Judson University. A fireworks display at midnight and a ribbon cutting ceremony later in the morning marked the occasion. Trustees, alumni, students and state and local officials converged on the Christian university, some wearing shirts emblazoned with the school's new logo and name. "This is a high, high moment for us," Judson President Jerry Cain said. "It only happens once in a lifetime." As part of the festivities, which coincided with the first day of classes, Cain and Lt. Gov. Patrick Quinn signed the Illinois Sustainable University Compact, which sets out 12 sustainability objectives for Illinois campuses. The objectives include using renewable energy, incorporating green building practices in campus construction, developing sustainable transportation options and improving water conservation. Before signing the compact, Cain noted that as a religious institution, Judson has a duty to act in an environmentally responsible fashion. "The Earth is the Lord's," Cain said, "and thus we are stewards of what he has given us." Judson already is a leader in green initiatives, Cain said. Chief among those is the new Harm A. Weber Academic Center, which university officials tout as one of the "greenest" buildings in North America. The Weber Center, which will hold the architecture department, is just one recent development that makes Judson's switch from college to university timely and appropriate, members of the Judson community said. "It just seemed like the right time," said Tricia Gard, who works in Judson's business office. "There have been so many advances, it just seems like we were bursting at the seams and ready to move on." Traditionally, universities and colleges have been distinguished by whether they offer graduate degrees. Universities had them, colleges did not. Judson offers four graduate degrees in architecture, education and organizational leadership programs. Recently, the line between universities and colleges has blurred. There are colleges that offer graduate programs and universities that do not. Judson officials said the name change would help distinguish the university from two-year community colleges, many of which have dropped the "college" from their name. It also will help clarify the institution's mission for international students, many of whom associate "college" with the preparatory schools they attend before going to "university," Judson officials have said. Judson Junior David Thanepohn said there was one aspect of campus life that the name change will complicate, rather than clarify. "It's going to be hard to remember to go to the right Web site," he said.