JACKSON, Tenn. — April 19, 2005 — Presidents of two Southern Baptist institutions are featured in a recent issue of the University of Texas as Arlington鈥檚 alumni magazine.
David S. Dockery, president of 51社区, and Daniel Akin, president of Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, are two of six UTA alumni who serve as presidents of colleges or other educational institutions.
A UTA alumni magazine story in the winter 2005 edition profiled all six individuals. Also included were the leaders at Central Lakes College, Sheldon Jackson College, Sweet Briar College and Midwestern State University.
Dockery graduated from UTA in 1988 with a doctor of philosophy degree in humanities. Akin is a 1989 graduate with a doctor of philosophy degree in history.
In the article, Akin and Dockery talk about their roles as institution presidents and what brought them to their respective positions. The article said Union 鈥渉as been called the most influential evangelical college in the South.鈥�
鈥淭he opportunity to cast an institution-wide vision and serve students in their education preparation 鈥� led me in this direction,鈥� Dockery said. 鈥淭he privilege to lead an institution and to help shape the future of that institution and the students associated with it, recognizing the incredible opportunities that they will have to influence the world for good, is a very exciting thing to think about.鈥�
Dockery has served as Union鈥檚 president for nine years, during which time the university鈥檚 enrollment has increased by two-thirds. Akin, meanwhile, recently finished his first year as SEBTS president.
鈥淭he Lord was leading me in that direction,鈥� Akin said of his current position. 鈥淭his was never on my radar. But I鈥檓 genuinely honored and humbled by it. And I鈥檓 having a great time.鈥�