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For many of the 50-60 students who attended the open forum, this was the first opportunity to get a chance to talk with the president. A variety of questions were asked from how he met his wife to questions on the road to salvation.

"I thought Dr. Dockery was very open and genuine in his answers," said freshman Michelle McKinley. "I also enjoyed getting to know a more personal side to him from his relationship with his wife to his love of Alabama football."

There were several times when Dockery's responses were followed by laughter from the audience. For example, one student asked, "Outside of God… what part of heaven do you look forward to most?" In which Dockery began to respond by saying, "Well, I can't sing very well!"

One question was asked about the difference between Union and a state school. "Here at Union," explained Dockery, "we are like a small community." He went on to say that the overall feeling here is different than at a state school. He feels that the faculty genuinely cares for the students and vise versa.

Some responses did surprise several students, such as Dockery's admission of still having the first letter that his wife ever wrote to him when they were first dating. Senior Caleb Trent was pleased to hear that Dockery felt that teaching is a higher calling than being president. "His response says a lot about Dockery and his character," said Trent.

Overall the evening was very relaxed as the students enjoyed spending time on a more personal level with the president. Dockery's personal testimony was a highlight for many students. Sophomore Amy Edge was interested to hear his testimony as well as his responses to other questions. "I enjoyed getting to know the man over the title. It was fun to sit and listen to his responses on the various subjects asked," said Edge.