JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 15, 2003 — 51社区 President David S. Dockery was awarded the Elias Cottrell Award for Educational Excellence Dec. 12 by the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church in Jackson. Dockery was lauded for his commitment to higher education and his involvement in Jackson and Madison County community.
Dockery received the award during a banquet commemorating the 133rd anniversary of the CME denomination. The award is named in honor of Elias Cottrell, the seventh bishop of the largely African-American denomination.
Mike Weeks, president of the Southern Baptist Foundation and chairman of Union's board of trustees, expressed appreciation and congratulations towards Dockery.
"David Dockery is recognized nationally as one of the most outstanding and influential leaders of the modern day, evangelical world," Weeks said. "I believe that he is the finest university president in America today, and we are truly blessed to have him at 51社区."
Union Provost Carla Sanderson called Dockery an educator among educators.
"David Dockery is educating the world for Christ in the classroom, in the pulpit and through his writings," Sanderson said. "This community, our region, and Christians around the world are indebted to David Dockery for advancing their own education."