The Rev. Henry Cox of Bay Minette received an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree at Judson College's summer commencement on Saturday.

Cox retired last year after 25 years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bay Minette. He is immediate past president of the Alabama Baptist Convention and a Judson trustee.

Cox earned a bachelor of Arts degree at Samford University and a bachelor of divinity and doctor of ministry degrees at the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. He served seven churches as pastor during his career and retired in 2006 after 25 years as pastor of the First Baptist Church of Bay Minette.

Cox served his denominational in a number of capacities including as moderator of the Judson and Baldwin Baptist Associations, a member of the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions, chair of the Committee on Boards and Commissions and as second vice-president, first vice-president and president of the Alabama Baptist Convention. He served and supported local ministerial associations throughout his ministry. He was elected state president for the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary Alumni Association, to the Board of Governors of Judson College and as a trustee of the college.

His civic activities include service as chaplain of the Montgomery County Youth Detention Facility, chaplain of Goodwill Inc. in Montgomery and as an officer in the Headland and Bay Minette Kiwanis clubs.

He has been unflagging in his duties as a pastor and proclaimer of God's word, according to a resolution read during the ceremony.

In an era marked by denominational conflict in other state conventions, Cox was a peacemaker as a convention officer in Alabama. He earned the respect of his fellow pastors in the Alabama Baptist Convention for his sincere interest in them, his dedication to fairness for all and his commitment to kingdom ministries and the Cooperative Program.

The graduation platform party stands in front of a portrait of Samuel Sterling Sherman, the first president of Howard College, now Samford University, and the second president of Judson College. From left are Judson College president David Potts, Jan Davis, trustee chair, Judi Favor of Birmingham and Henry Cox.