Judson University 2016 Founders’ Day celebration on Friday, Oct. 21, will commemorate the university’s rich history, humble beginnings and visionary forefathers and leaders.

Judson began as a college in 1913 as the undergraduate arm of Northern Baptist Theological Seminary and 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 became a full-fledged university in 2007.

Buckner International CEO Is Guest Speaker

Founders’ Day festivities will celebrate the university’s rich history and heritage. The opening convocation will begin at 10 a.m. in Herrick Chapel, 1151 N. State St., Elgin, led by guest speaker Buckner International President and CEO, the Rev. Dr. Albert L. Reyes.

Buckner International is a non-profit global ministry that helps vulnerable children, orphans and seniors who are in need around the world. The 137-year-old organization is based in Dallas, Texas.

The Rev. Dr. Reyes is the sixth president and CEO of Buckner International and has worked for the organization since 2007. He previously served as president of Buckner International and of Buckner Children and Family Services. Prior to his service at Buckner, he was president of Baptist University of the Américas in San Antonio.

He has served as pastor of three churches and been involved in numerous roles with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, serving as its president in 2005. He is also the author of “The Jesus Agenda: Becoming an Agent of Redemption” (Believers Press, 2015).

He received a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Angelo State University; and Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. He also earned a Doctor of Philosophy degree from Andrews University and has participated in Executive Education at the Harvard Kennedy School, Harvard University.

He and his wife, Belinda, have three adult children and are active members of Park Cities Baptist Church in Dallas.

Golden Eagle Award Winner

During the Founders’ Day luncheon, the university will honor Education Professor Kristen Stombres as the recipient of this year’s Golden Eagle Award for her dedication and service to the university and the community.

Stombres is a Judson graduate who began her teaching career in District 300, Carpentersville in first and fifth grades. She returned to the Judson Teacher Education program when it had only been on campus for two years. This is her 31st year of service at Judson, where she has taught almost every course that future elementary teachers require.

Stombres is active in the local community in literacy and special education events. She has served as chair of the Parents in Reading Committee for the Illinois Reading Council, member of the Board of Directors for the Northern Illinois Reading Council and is a past-present of College Instructors of Reading Professionals. She has spoken nationally at state and community conferences about literacy and special education.

She has received the Northern Illinois Reading Council-Award for Excellence, CCCU-Outstanding Alumni Award and the Judson Distinguished Alumni Award.

She and her husband, Jim, reside in St. Charles, and are active members of First Baptist Geneva. They have three children and one grandson.

About Judson University

Judson University is a fully accredited, private Christian institution representing the Church at work in higher education. Nestled along the beautiful Fox River in Elgin,  just 40 miles northwest of Chicago, Judson is home to more than 1,200 students from 33 states and 20 countries. Judson offers degrees in more than 65 different majors and minors for traditional, graduate and adult students and ranks consistently among the Top Tier of Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report. Judson has also been recognized as a “Christian College of Distinction.” With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, Judson shapes lives that shape the world.