By Hazel Scott/ASU
Nearly 160 years after Alabama State University was founded in Marion, Alabama, the University has returned to its birthplace in a historic way.
On Thursday, July 16, Alabama State University and Callan JMB Inc., a leading integrative logistics company, signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at the newly launched Atlas Complex on the campus of the former Judson College, marking the beginning of a partnership expected to reshape workforce development, pharmaceutical manufacturing, applied research and economic growth throughout Alabama's Black Belt.
The agreement establishes Alabama State University as the educational partner for the Atlas Complex, where students and faculty will collaborate with industry leaders in biotechnology, regulatory compliance, pharmaceutical manufacturing, health care logistics and supply chain management. The University will also maintain an office at the complex.
The redevelopment of the historic Judson College campus is one of the most ambitious economic development projects in Alabama. Although Judson College—the nation's fifth-oldest women's college—closed in 2021 after years of financial struggles, its 150-acre campus is being transformed into the Atlas Complex, a center dedicated to pharmaceutical manufacturing, medical logistics and cold-chain infrastructure.
Construction is scheduled to begin Aug. 1 and is expected to take approximately nine months, although officials estimate it will take several years before the campus reaches full operation.
When completed, the project is projected to generate more than $430 million in annual revenue, create hundreds of high-quality jobs and establish Marion as a growing hub for pharmaceutical production and health care logistics.
A Homecoming for Alabama State University
Marion City Clerk Laura Hinton, an Alabama State University alumna, opened the ceremony and reminded attendees that the University's roots began in Marion in 1867 through the vision and effort of nine formerly enslaved men, now known as ASU’s founders.
"Today, history is coming full circle," Hinton said. "In 1867, the Marion Nine formed what is now Alabama State University. That legacy has returned to our community once again. Alabama State University, we welcome you home."
The theme of "coming home" resonated throughout the ceremony, especially as the University prepares to celebrate another anniversary of its founding.
Giving New Life to Marion
Marion Mayor Dexter Hinton called the partnership transformational for the city.
"Local people have been hired to help with all types of construction," Hinton said. "We know that economics is important in any type of involvement. This partnership will bring strength to our community. It will improve the footprint of Marion."
Hinton said the project builds on Marion's rich educational and civil rights history while creating new economic opportunities for Perry County and the Black Belt.
"In the past 10 years, the focus has been to improve economics," he said. "This partnership continues to build on the history of Marion. We're looking at improving the Black Belt region. As dollars come in, we'll be able to do more for the city."
Calling the project "groundbreaking," Hinton noted Marion's historical significance as the hometown of Coretta Scott King and the location of Lincoln Normal School, where Mrs. King and the wife of Ambassador Andrew Young were both educated.
Hinton’s message to Alabama State University students was simple but impactful: "Never give up."
Building a Workforce for the Future
Wayne Williams, CEO of Callan JMB, described Alabama State University as the cornerstone of the Atlas Complex.
"ASU will be the main pillar of this project," Williams said. "The University will help educate young men and women in manufacturing, logistics and auditing—those things that are key to our health care system and protecting our loved ones."
Students will work alongside companies utilizing advanced manufacturing technologies from Asia, India and South Korea, while gaining experience in one of the nation's fastest-growing industries.
Williams acknowledged that competing against countries with lower labor costs requires innovation.
"One way to compete is to stay in front with state-of-the-art technology," he said. "It may cost more in the beginning, but it will be very cost-effective over time, and that's how we compete."
Williams said the partnership between Callan JMB and Alabama State University began during the COVID-19 pandemic when ASU President, Dr. Quinton T. Ross Jr., sought ways to keep the campus open safely while many universities closed.
"We worked with ASU to keep the campus open so students could continue experiencing college life," Williams said. "We provided state-of-the-art testing, nurses and disinfecting facilities, including using drones to spray disinfectant inside the football stadium."
"Yes, it was a business opportunity," Williams added, "but we became friends."
He credited Ross's leadership with laying the foundation for Thursday's historic agreement.
"I could not do this without the University behind us," Williams said.
Investing in Students and Communities
State Sen. Bobby Singleton, who also serves on Alabama State University's Board of Trustees, said the partnership connects economic development with education and workforce training.
"As a legislator, I've always believed one of our greatest responsibilities is creating opportunities for the people we serve," Singleton said. "Economic development is important, but real progress happens when we connect that development to education, workforce training and pathways to meaningful careers."
Singleton described Alabama State University as the ideal partner to prepare the next generation of leaders.
"I can't think of a better institution to partner with than O’ Mother Dear, Alabama State University," he said.
Singleton said the partnership will attract investment, strengthen the local economy and position Marion and Perry County as key contributors to Alabama's growing life sciences industry.
Returning to Where It All Began
For President Quinton T, Ross, Jr., the ceremony represented far more than a business agreement.
"It is a pleasure to be home," he said. "We are fulfilling the dreams that started here in Marion, Alabama. Today, we are building on a partnership that started six years ago during COVID."
Ross said Alabama State's mission extends beyond producing graduates.
"Our mission is not simply to prepare graduates, but to prepare innovators," he said. "We are here to provide our students an opportunity of a lifetime."
As pharmaceutical manufacturing continues expanding nationwide, Ross said Alabama State University is preparing students to meet the industry's growing workforce demands.
"This partnership is more than just us returning home," Ross said. "It's about providing opportunities for our most precious resource—our scholars."
He said Callan JMB has entrusted the University to help lead workforce development, pharmaceutical innovation and supply chain management.
"There is a lot of work to be done," Ross said, "but just to be in the midst of such an innovative partnership is historical for Alabama State University."
Ross explained that the first phase of the agreement will make the campus available for research projects and companies establishing operations at the Atlas Complex. The University will then expand academic programming and curriculum to support the complex's growing industries.
Speaking during Alabama State's birthday week made the occasion especially meaningful.
"You really can't describe the feeling," Ross said. "It's surreal. Here we are on the eve of Alabama State University's birthday back in her birthplace with this major partnership.
I think it speaks to what the Marion Nine dreamed of. Today, we are fulfilling that dream."
Ross encouraged the Hornet family to remember the vision of the University's founders.
"It wasn't by accident that our founders created this institution," he said. "On the eve of her birthday, I think we are fulfilling their dream to continue to be a light in the community."
A National Model
Former State Sen. Gerald Dial, a member of Callan JMB's Board of Directors, said the Atlas Complex will create a one-stop location where international companies can manufacture products, conduct research and distribute pharmaceuticals while housing employees on the redeveloped campus.
"This partnership is the only one in the country where we bring a conglomerate of companies together in one place," Dial said. "It will gain national attention because it's the first one of this caliber."
Dial said Alabama State University students will intern with participating companies and gain international experience before graduation.
"They'll already have a leg up on other graduates because they will have networked with foreign companies," Dial said. "That gives their degree another level of importance."
Building a Legacy
Following remarks from University, community and business leaders, Ross and Williams officially signed the Memorandum of Understanding to enthusiastic applause.
Closing the ceremony, Dr. Tanjula Petty, ASU's vice president for Institutional Effectiveness, Strategic Initiatives and Transformation, focused on one word: transformation.
"Today is a transformational opportunity for our students," Petty said. "This is a game changer."
She said the agreement represents what is possible when higher education, industry and community unite around a shared vision.
"Together, we are investing in people, creating opportunities, advancing innovation and building pathways that will strengthen not only Marion and the state of Alabama, but also our nation's health care infrastructure for generations to come," she said.
Petty said the partnership reflects Alabama State University’s commitment to innovation while honoring its founding in Marion.
"It is especially meaningful that we return to our roots to help shape the future of this community," she said.
She challenged University, business and community leaders to ensure the partnership fulfills its promise.
"The true measure of this agreement will not be found in the signatures on these papers," Petty said. "It will be found in the lives that are changed, the discoveries that are made, the careers that are launched and the communities that are strengthened because of what we began here today. Together we are not building a partnership, we are building a legacy."