Judson University issued the following announcement on Oct. 22
Judson University welcomed Dr. David Rendall ‘95 to celebrate the 58th annual Founders’ Day on October 22. Throughout the day’s celebration, leadership of the University honored those who helped to establish Judson College in 1963.
Judson began as an undergraduate college in 1913 as part of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary. The university was named for Adoniram Judson, the first Protestant missionary sent from North America to preach in Burma. Judson established its Elgin location in 1963 and was renamed a university in 2007.
Judson’s Founders’ Day events began with a breakfast meeting of the Fox Valley Spiritual Council, which discussed the upcoming Love Elgin events that will be held on campus November 13-14. Following the breakfast, Judson’s guests and trustees attended the Founders’ Day chapel.
The chapel presentation from Rendall illuminated the story of David and Goliath found in 1 Samuel, which tells how David, a small boy armed only with a slingshot and stone slew Goliath, a giant who was much stronger and more prepared for battle. For Rendall, this biblical story of how a seemingly weak person triumphed unexpectedly over an opponent who was much larger, more prepared, and guaranteed to win the fight mirrors his own story of growing up as a tall, thin boy who was picked on by peers.
Rendall recounted how he was disciplined and criticized as an eight-year-old student for talking, not staying still, and not following directions by teachers and administrators in his Christian school. Those labels continued throughout his school years. Then, as a college sophomore at Judson, a resident life staff member called Rendall into student leadership and said that these very traits that Rendall and others had seen as weaknesses were strengths and marks of leadership. This perspective changed Rendall’s view of himself.
Rendall reminded students that God has prepared them with unique gifts and uses these gifts to further His plans for their lives. Today, Rendall said those very traits that he was told were weaknesses are now the strengths that have helped him build a successful career as a professional inspirational speaker, entrepreneur, author, and stand-up comic.
“Too often we look at others and see their weaknesses. God sees strength where everyone else sees weakness,” Rendall said. Go to Judson’s Facebook page or Judson's YouTube page to see a full recording of Judson’s Founders’ Day Chapel.
Golden Eagle Award Recognizes Tena Robotham
Following Chapel, Founders’ Day guests attended a private luncheon and heard Judson President Gene Crume share ways that Judson celebrated Founders’ Day and Baptist heritage week. Crume also recognized the work of Mrs. Tena Robotham, assistant secretary to the Judson Board of Trustees, with the Golden Eagle Award for her years of faithful service to Judson.
Tena graduated from what was then Judson College in 1978 with a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Human Relations. True to her desire to serve the Judson community, Tena began working full-time the day after she graduated. During her first season on Judson’s staff, Tena worked in the Development Office as secretary to the Vice President for Development, Donor Secretary, and Alumni Coordinator. She left for a year and then returned to serve as Executive Secretary to the Academic Dean for four years before leaving again.
During these years away from Judson, Tena served 10 years at Northern Baptist Seminary as Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Operations and as the Human Resource Director. She also was Assistant Director at Beary Special Creations at First Baptist Church of Elgin. Tena also volunteered for the Alumni Association first as a Board member and then as Secretary, Vice President, and President.
In 2009, Tena returned to Judson as Executive Assistant to the President. In this role, Tena served as Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees, a cabinet member for 10 years, and as supervisor for Human Resources and Payroll for two years. In June of this year, Tena’s role in the President’s Office changed to the Assistant Secretary to the Board of Trustees, which allows her more time with her family.
“Judson has been very blessed by the many ways that Tena’s commitment to serving students and serving the mission of Judson University have led her back to campus in many roles over the years,” said President Crume. “We are honored to recognize Tena’s years of dedicated service by giving her this year’s Gold Eagle Award.”
The Founders’ Day celebration ended with a ribbon-cutting for the Eagle Walk, a new trail located on 14 acres of woods near Judson’s Creekside building. Students in Judson’s Business Project Management class created the Eagle Walk and worked with Judson’s Plant Operations team to create the trail, which features a few walking paths, signs of scripture and inspirational quotes, and outdoor classroom space.
See the photo album from the day's events here.
Original source can be found here.
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