Judson College May Be Used for New State Health School as Supporters Ask Alumni to Help Push for Judson Campus Use
By Sheila Duncan
Reporter
Judson College, which has been closed since 2021, might soon have students on campus again—at least temporarily. State officials are considering using the historic campus as a temporary home for the new Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences.
The new school will be based in Demopolis but is still in the early stages. Although land has been secured there, construction on the permanent campus hasn’t started yet.
With plans to begin classes as early as this fall, state leaders are searching for a temporary site where students can live and study.
Judson’s campus in Marion is one of two locations being considered. The other is the University of West Alabama in Livingston, which is slightly closer to Demopolis. Claire Kinnaird Keel, president of the Judson College Alumnae Association, shared this news in a recent letter.
Keel and Judson Foundation president Joan Newman are asking alumnae to contact lawmakers and speak up in favor of using the Judson campus.
“Bringing life back to the campus would be great for both the school and the town of Marion,” Keel wrote. She also noted that improvements would be made to the campus during its use.
Supporters believe even temporary use would help Marion, which has felt the economic impact since Judson closed.
Although the campus has been maintained, it hasn’t had students in almost four years. A recent fire in the campus library—started by someone in a mental health crisis—brought new attention to the unused property.
The Alabama School of Healthcare Sciences is a top priority for lawmakers and Governor Kay Ivey as they work to address healthcare worker shortages. State Finance Director Bill Poole, who is from nearby Marengo County, is expected to help decide where students will stay.
Keel called the decision “very time sensitive” and encouraged alumnae, especially those from Perry and Marengo counties, to contact their representatives.
If the temporary use goes well, there’s hope the state might consider keeping the school in Marion permanently instead of building in Demopolis.
Judson College, founded in 1838, was one of the oldest women’s colleges in the U.S. It closed in 2021 due to financial issues made worse by falling enrollment and the COVID-19 pandemic.
