DAVID S. DOCKERY TO BE INAUGURATED AS UNION UNIVERSITY'S 15TH PRESIDENT
JACKSON, Oct. 7-- David S. Dockery will be inaugurated as Union University's 15th president Thursday, October 17, at 10 a.m. in the University's G.M. Savage Memorial Chapel. Highlighting the program is Dockery's inaugural address, titled "Vision and Values: Toward a Great Commandment University."
Dockery, who assumed Union's presidency June 1, was unanimously elected by the University's board of trustees last Dec. 8.
"David Dockery is a scholar and a very committed Christian," John Drinnon, chairman of Union's board of trustees, said. "He is an individual of great vision with a unique grasp of the role of higher education in preparing students for the future. I feel very strongly that Dr. Dockery is God's man for Union University and look forward to his leadership as we move toward the 21st century."
"This is a very significant event in the life of Union University as we inaugurate our 15th president. We invite our friends from across West Tennessee and beyond to join us for this very special event."
Dockery came to Union from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he most recently served as vice president of academic administration and dean of the School of Theology. He holds a Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Arlington, a master of arts from Texas Christian University, masters of divinity from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and Grace Theological Seminary, and a bachelor of science from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
"David Dockery is a top notch evangelical scholar who is fervently committed to the local church," Ken Hemphill, president of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, said. "Building upon the great heritage of Union University, he will capably lead it into the 21st century. He will be very popular with students, faculty and local church leaders."
C.M. Newton, director of athletics at the University of Kentucky and a mentor from Dockery's college career, praised Dockery's accomplishments and looked ahead to his tenure at Union.
"My association with David Dockery began at the University of Alabama, where he served as a student manager on our basketball team," Newton said. "Even then, I noticed his unique gifts of character and ethics, and I knew he had great leadership potential."
"It's been fun for me to witness his accomplishments as a teacher, writer and leader, and I am very happy to see him assume his latest role as president of a fine university. He will be a student-oriented leader who maintains a dedication to academic excellence."
A seasoned educator, Dockery has taught at many leading colleges and seminaries in addition to Southern Seminary, including Criswell College, the Moscow Theological Institute, Samford University's Beeson Divinity School, and the University of Dallas' Anglican School of Theology.
Dockery has authored six books and edited an additional 13 volumes including the Holman Bible Handbook, while contributing works to 16 other books. Almost 150 of Dockery's articles, book reviews and commentaries have appeared in various papers, periodicals, and scholarly journals.
An accomplished editor, he presently serves as a consulting editor for Christianity Today and as associate general editor for Broadman Press' 40-volume New American Commentary series.
An ordained minister, Dockery has served as associate pastor of First Baptist Church, Dallas, as pastor of Metropolitan Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York, and as interim pastor of several churches in Texas, Ohio, and Kentucky.
Carl F.H. Henry, founding editor of Christianity Today and one of the nations's premier evangelical leaders, commended Dockery's leadership in both Christian higher education and the broader evangelical world.
"As a teacher and an administrator, as a preacher and a writer, David Dockery has held high the flag of evangelical Christianity. His leadership of Union University should signal good things for one of the South's time-honored institutions. We wish him well."
"I join with the host of friends from across the land in saluting Union University in the wisdom of selecting David Dockery as president," Jim Henry, former Southern Baptist Convention president and pastor of First Baptist Church, Orlando, Fla., said.
"On this special day that marks the beginning of his leadership, we pray the Lord will grant him wisdom and strength for the challenges of building on the strong foundations of the past while carving out exciting new roads for the future! Knowing Dr. Dockery's unswerving commitment to Jesus Christ and his word, to integrity and excellence, to preparing students to be spiritually, mentally and physically equipped to make a dynamic impact on our needy world, to be God's kind of man and leader, I believe the best is yet to come!"
All inaugural events are open to the public. For additional information, call Union's office of public relations at (901) 661-5216 or (800) 338-6644.
