Adrian College lost an icon on April 20, 2002, when President Emeritus John Harper Dawson passed away. The following eulogy was given by current Adrian College President Stanley P. Caine at the memorial service on April 27.

In his biography of Ray Herrick, John Dawson describes his first meeting with Ray Herrick and his son, Ken. It took place early in 1955, soon after he assumed the Adrian College presidency. Ray Herrick, he writes, asked him, "Mr. President, what do you know about running a college?" Dr. Dawson, with characteristic bluntness, responded, "Nothing, Mr. Herrick, but I'm learning fast!"

In the years to come, John Dawson, with the invaluable help of the Herrick family, would lead a transformation of Adrian College.

It would become accredited, a more impressive physical plant would be built, a more comprehensive curriculum would be developed and the size of the student body and faculty would greatly increase.

Adrian College became a stronger and more significant place, regionally and nationally, under his leadership. It was hard and sometimes frustrating work, not a challenge for the faint-hearted, but well within the capacities of a strong man with a dream and a deep love for his alma mater.

Perhaps, however, the uniqueness of John Dawson's character and leadership is better expressed in another way. When I talk with alumni of the Dawson era about their president, they speak of his common touch. They relate with amazement that he knew their names and often a great deal more than that about them. They tell of returning to the campus years after graduation and being greeted by name. Several very successful alumni have described to me greater obligations, how he personally decided they deserved a chance to pursue college in spite of an indifferent high school record. Generations of athletes express appreciation for his loyalty to the Bulldogs and his personal concern for their welfare.

It was often in the context of athletics that the strength of John Dawson's personality was revealed. As many of you know, he had a special interest in officiating. He was not reluctant to comment publicly, during games, about the judgment of referees. If there are referees in heaven-and I suggest that this is a proposition that Dr. Dawson would have dearly loved to debate-then they must be aware by now that they have acquired an advisor able and willing to help them improve.

I met John Dawson soon after I came to Adrian in 1989. He was gracious and eager to help me succeed. In the ensuing years, he often stopped by the office, sometimes with his walking stick, to have a conversation that usually began, "How's it going, Chief?" Early in my tenure, I felt privileged to feel that I had a very special friend in John Dawson.

As I became better acquainted with many who had been associated with him in various ways through the years, I found that they too considered his friendship to be special. John Dawson was a generous man who loved humanity. He was intensely proud of his family. He enjoyed the camaraderie and the commitment to service of Rotary International, which he joined in 1944. He led and contributed to many charitable causes. He made a host of friends.

And so we mourn the passing of a uniquely gifted and giving man. He will be sorely missed by all of those who understand how profoundly he impacted their lives. But his legacy lives on at this strong college on this lovely campus that has served generations of students so well. It also lives in the hearts and minds of countless alumni who looked up to him and learned valuable lessons from him. His reach even extends to the Dawson scholars who are ushers today, many of whom will be graduated from Adrian College tomorrow. Although they may not have had the privilege of knowing him, they understand in a unique way that their destinies are tied to the remarkable man whose life we celebrate today.

Hail and farewell, John; all of us are in your debt.