President
Docking Gives ‘State of the College’ posted
3/28/07
 ADRIAN,
Mich. – Adrian College President Jeffrey R. Docking
offered some of his thoughts about Adrian and its future
during “The Renaissance Begins: The 2007 State of
the College Address,” presented today (Wednesday)
in the Adrian Tobias Room on campus.
During
the speech, Docking pointed out the tremendous gains
that Adrian has made, stating that “the greatest
risk brings the greatest reward.”
“Eighteen months ago no one
thought it was possible go from 955 applications to
3,471 applications, but we have done it. Ten months
ago few thought it was possible to raise over $10.2
million for campus improvements, but we have done it,”
Docking said.
“We need to be bold and strong
and incredibly creative in mapping our academic future.
Neither fear of failure, lack of effort, or unwillingness
to imagine new horizons for our College should curtail
the exciting changes we have the opportunity to implement,”
he said.
Docking said he believes Adrian College
needs a J-term (January term), experiential learning
and a greater focus on faculty publication. He praised
the student affairs staff for significant steps forward,
and encouraged creative thinking to change even more.
And he listed several major gifts as part of speaking
openly about the financial state of the college.
The president expressed his opinions
about the importance of higher education, and encouraged
the campus to continue to work together.
“Through education we learn
the oneness of humanity, that differences leading to
prejudice are merely social constructs, and borders
that divide us as people are merely the leftovers of
imperfect governments and ill-conceived wars,”
he said.
Docking was introduced by Gary Valade,
chair of the Adrian College Board of Trustees. During
his address, Docking announced that while Valade will
remain on the board, the May meeting will be his last
as chair.
“Gary is the ultimate unsung
hero at Adrian College – impressed by neither
his title as Chief Financial Officer of Daimler/Chrysler
or his many other personal and professional accomplishments
throughout his life,” Docking said. “Gary
simply comes to campus, wanting to improve Adrian College,
wanting to enhance the educational experience of our
students, wanting to make a positive difference in this
little corner of the world.”
The State of the College is an annual
tradition on the Adrian College campus. However, this
year the public and press were invited.
There has been a whirlwind of
change at Adrian College since its Presidential Inauguration
one year ago. A stadium has been dedicated, an ice arena
is taking shape, and academic programs are set for major
change – all of which are contributing to record-breaking
growth in enrollment.
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