BOARD ELECTS NEW COLLEGE PRESIDENT posted 2/19/05
Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking to take office July 1

Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking was elected as the next president of Adrian College at the Board of Trustees meeting today (Saturday).

Dr. Docking will succeed Dr. Stanley P. Caine, who will retire June 30. Dr. Docking is currently Vice President and Special Assistant to the President at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penn.

“The board is thrilled to welcome Dr. Docking to Adrian College,” said Gary Valade, chairman of the board. “He brings with him great leadership qualities, a wealth of relevant experience, and a challenging vision for the College and its liberal arts mission, as well as tremendous energy and the support of a wonderful family.”

When Dr. Docking begins on July 1, he will be Adrian’s 17th president.

“I am grateful to Adrian College for giving me this opportunity, and am honored and humbled to serve this venerable institution,” Dr. Docking said. “These are exciting times at Adrian, and the future is bright. I certainly have much to learn in the coming months from the people at this outstanding college, but I remain convinced that small, selective liberal arts colleges like Adrian offer the best education available to today’s high school graduates. I look forward with great anticipation to beginning the work required to help Adrian reach the next level of academic excellence.”

Dr. Docking was recommended to the board by the Presidential Search Committee, which began meeting regularly in August. The committee was assisted by Academic Search Consultation Service of Washington, D.C.

“The committee was pleased with the excellent pool of candidates that it was able to attract, and is delighted that its top candidate accepted the position,” said David Hickman, committee chair. “We are certain that his background, vision and energy is what Adrian College needs to become an even stronger liberal arts college in the future.”

Dr. Docking earned a doctorate in social ethics from Boston University, a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University.

He and his wife Elizabeth grew up in Michigan. They have four children, ages 17, 15, 13 and 9.

Adrian College, located in southeast Michigan, is a private liberal arts college related to The United Methodist Church. Established in 1859, it has a long tradition of providing educational opportunities to students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Media coverage of the announcement:

Stories from interviews:
Toledo Blade
Lansing State Journal
The State News [Michigan State University student newspaper]
Daily Telegram, Adrian [subscription]
Observer Reporter [Washington, Pa.]
College World [Adrian College student newspaper]
Michigan Christian Advocate

Associated Press stories:
WLNS, Channel 6, Lansing
WOOD, Channel 8, Grand Rapids & Kalamazoo
WTVG, Channel 13, Toledo
WNWO, Channel 24, Toledo
WFRV.com, Green Bay, Channel 5, CBS
Detroit Free Press
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Livingston County Press
Jackson Citizen Patriot
Kalamazoo Gazette
Bay City Times
Battle Creek Enquirer
Monroe Evening News
Herald Palladium (St. Joseph, Mich.)
Ann Arbor News
Tecumseh Herald

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