Judson U president gives upbeat financial report

ELGIN — Judson University president Jerry B. Cain on Friday delivered a Founder's Day message at the Elgin school aimed at assuring students, staff and alumni that Judson is weathering the financial storm arising from the nationwide recession.

"We are coming out of the recession with amazing strength," Cain said.

He thanked those in the Elgin community for helping Judson "inch it through" the second half of "shared sacrifice."

Cain indicated that staff did not take pay raises the first year of the economic downturn and the administration rejected pay raises the second year.

Of equal importance, Cain said, not one job has been lost at Judson over the two-year span.

"We have lived 'Spartanly' at Judson," Cain said, noting that no student has had their financial aid diminished over the two-year period.

That revelation prompted vigorous applause from the Founder's Day luncheon crowd that also applauded at Cain's announcement that Judson also has not cut retirement contributions or insurance coverage.

"We find ourselves on the edge of this recovery in a very strong position," Cain stated. "In two years, you will be amazed at the good things that are happening (at Judson).

The luncheon also featured a presentation by Dick Helm, retired NBA coach and former Judson coach and athletic director.

From 1972-1975, Helm served as the athletic director, head basketball coach and chairman of the Academic Affairs committees at Judson. For 15 years, he coached in the NBA as an assistant coach for Lenny Wilkens, with stops at Seattle, Cleveland, Atlanta, Toronto and New York.

Helm said he was pleased to read Judson's current mission statement that included a reference to graduates considering themselves "ambassadors for Christ."