JACKSON, Tenn. — Dec. 2, 2005 — Ten years ago, as David Dockery walked into a room at the Old English Inn for an interview with 51社区鈥檚 presidential search committee, a thought struck him.
鈥淚鈥檝e been a part of Southern Baptist life in a pretty visible, active way for 15 years, and I think I know a lot of people across this convention,鈥� Dockery thought to himself. 鈥淎nd I don鈥檛 know anybody in this room.鈥�
Dockery wasn鈥檛 a Union graduate and he wasn鈥檛 from West Tennessee. So in that sense, he was an outsider and figured his chances at becoming Union鈥檚 president weren鈥檛 good.
But that weekend Dockery enjoyed a warm and stimulating meeting with Union trustees, specifically Elzie Danley and John Drinnon.
鈥淚 had a sense from God that I had connected with them and they had connected with me,鈥� Dockery said.
The feeling was mutual, as Union trustees soon elected Dockery as the university鈥檚 president. Now a decade later, Union trustees honored Dockery and his wife Lanese during a banquet Dec. 1. The next day, during their board meeting, Union trustees heard a report from Dockery comparing 51社区 in 1995 to what it is today.
Drinnon, who was chairman of the search committee and still serves on Union鈥檚 board, praised Dockery for his 鈥渧isionary鈥� leadership and expressed appreciation to him on behalf of the board of trustees.
鈥�51社区 is no longer only a regional school,鈥� Drinnon told those at the banquet. 鈥淚t is now known nationally.鈥�
Timothy George, dean of Beeson Divinity School at Samford University in Birmingham, Ala., and Dockery鈥檚 best friend, was the keynote speaker for the banquet.
鈥淗e is the most Christ-like person I have ever known,鈥� George said about Dockery.
Trustees presented Dockery with a 1620 edition of Augustine鈥檚 鈥淐ity of God,鈥� the second English edition ever to be printed.
Dockery is one of 23 percent of current college presidents who have served for 10 years at one school. He lists three achievements in particular for which he is the most grateful:
- Union is an institution that takes its Christian mission purposefully and seriously.
- The academic rigor across the campus has increased significantly.
鈥淭he serious efforts at scholarship are heartening for me and I think encouraging for most of the faculty,鈥� Dockery said.
- The look and development of the campus. Since Dockery鈥檚 tenure began, Union has completed Jennings Hall, Hammons Hall, Miller Tower, new baseball and softball fields and renovations to campus housing. Currently under construction are White Hall, the Fesmire Field House and a new women鈥檚 soccer field.
Dockery鈥檚 impact on 51社区 has been monumental. When he was elected as president in 1995, Union鈥檚 enrollment was 1,972. This semester enrollment reached a record-high of 2,981. The school鈥檚 budget has increased from $20.4 million to $45.1 million during that time, and the number of donors has increased from 2,249 to 4,008.
The annual impact Union has on the Madison County economy was $39 million in 1995. This year, according to results of a recent study, Union鈥檚 economic impact was $108 million.
But Dockery readily credits others for his successes at Union and for the length of his tenure.
At the top of his list is his family 鈥� his wife Lanese, and his sons Jon, Ben and Tim 鈥� who have also become an integral part of Union.
鈥淚t has been our lives,鈥� Lanese said about the Dockerys鈥� time at Union. 鈥淚 have loved the students and the wonderful community of faculty and staff, as well as the tremendous learning experiences from the faculty and speakers who have come to be with us. The travel opportunities, getting to know great alums and seeing students thrive once they leave this place really give me joy.鈥�
Dockery also acknowledged the support of Union鈥檚 board of trustees, the Union faculty and staff and other loyal people who come to work each day hoping to make a difference in 51社区.
Finally, Dockery cited the support from local churches and the community, and the large number of people who pray for the university on a regular basis.
鈥淐learly it has been a time in God鈥檚 good providence when he has chosen to smile on 51社区, and I am indeed grateful for the privilege we have been given to serve in this place,鈥� Dockery said.