| When David S. Dockery assumed office on June 1, 1996, as Union
University's fifteenth president, the institution embarked on a "fast track" of
program enhancement and development. Yet as Dockery himself points out, the rapid change
of the past 18 months was only possible because of the university's strong traditions and
support. Dockery's presidency brought not only a new chief executive officer, but a
broad reorganization of the institution's management structure. By adding the roles of
Executive Vice President (as chief operating officer) and Provost (chief academic
officer), administrative processes were streamlined. Through the Executive Cabinet
(consisting of vice presidents and deans, chaired by the President), Union's leadership
has been able to develop a cooperative vision and work together on programs to build
toward an even stronger future.
In addition to administrative change, the advancement of four "core values"
for Union has helped the university community focus more clearly on its mission. Those
core values are for Union University to be:
- Excellence-driven
- Christ-centered
- People-focused
- Future-directed
With a reorganized administrative team and an enthusiastic and supportive faculty, the
past 18 months have become a whirlwind of achievement and recognition for Union
University. Here is a partial list of what has taken place at Union in recent months: |
Academic Programs
- Funding for first endowed chair in Union's history: the O.P. and Evelyn Hammons Chair
for Pre-Medical Studies; Dr. Charles Baldwin named as chair's first occupant
- Germantown extension campus created, with nursing program offered Fall 1997; graduate
study in business and education will begin in 1998
- New cohort graduate programs developed in business and education, plus revised masters
program in education
- New majors offered in Sports Medicine, Sports Management (including an internship
partnership with the new West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx, minor league baseball team),
Physics, Political Science, Christian Ethics, and Economics/Finance; five new minors in
business
- Creation of R.G. Lee Center for Christian Ministry, with focus on training for
bi-vocational ministers and other church leaders, including associate of divinity and
diploma programs
- New partnership with Christian university in Spain, ICAS Mare Nostrum, providing for
student and faculty exchange
- New partnership with Hong Kong Baptist University, providing for students to study in
Hong Kong beginning fall 1998
- Approval of Bachelor of Science in Organizational Leadership (BSOL) program for adult
learners, to begin in Jackson in early 1998
- New library automation system installed
- Plans for a new program in Physical Therapy announced, in partnership with West
Tennessee Healthcare
- Process underway for accreditation of Social Work program
- New academic study centers established: Center for Christian Leadership (directed by Dr.
David Gushee); Center for Scientific Research and the Christian Faith (directed by Dr.
Wayne Wofford); Center for International Studies (directed by Dr. Cindy Jayne)
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