Civil rights leader to address Judson University graduates

The first Judson University graduates will receive an inspiring send-off Saturday, when Judson alumnus and civil rights advocate the Rev. Dr. T. DeWitt Smith Jr. delivers the commencement address.

A 1978 Judson graduate, Smith served as pastor of the Progressive Baptist Church in Elgin in the 1980s. Smith and several other Elgin pastors and community leaders were instrumental in advocating civil rights issues that resulted in the hiring of black administrators and counselors in Elgin Area School District U-46.

"In those days, the African-American community in Elgin didn't do a lot of marching," said Bob Gilliam, veteran Elgin council member and retired U-46 administrator.

"Smith did, however, mobilize the black community and made the powers that be sensitive to hiring African-Americans," he said.

In addition to his work in Elgin, Smith has served as pastor of Baptist churches in Atlanta and Akron, Ohio. He now is president of the Progressive National Baptist Convention of Washington, D.C.

Gilliam describes Smith as a "very fiery orator. He has a lot of passion and a lot of commitment when he speaks. He really turns things upside-down."

Founded as a college in 1963, Judson achieved university status in August.

Smith's keynote address is titled "Thank God Dreams Do Come True."

Judson graduation

When: 2 p.m. Saturday

Where: Judson University's Robert D. Lindner Fitness Center, 1161 N. State St., Elgin

Info: www.judsonu.edu