Jeffrey Docking

Jeffrey R. Docking is president of Adrian College. He has held that position since 2005. He previously worked as a senior administrator and men's ice hockey coach at Washington & Jefferson College.

Early life, education, and early career

Docking grew up in Michigan, including a portion of time beginning in 2nd grade when his family lived in the Michigan State University dormitories while his father completed doctoral studies.^[1] During that time, he became a fan of the Michigan State Spartans men's ice hockey and worked as a stick boy.^[1] Upon completion of his studies, Docking's father became deputy superintendent of the East Lansing Public Schools.^[1]

After attended undergradaute studies at Michigan State University, Docking worked for a short time as a reporter for WFSL-TV in Lansing, Michigan, covering the Michigan State Capitol.^[1][2] He left that position to attend Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, where he earned a M.Div degree.^[1] He then attended Boston University to earn a Ph.D. in social ethics.^[2] To pay the bills during that time, he worked as a residence hall director for the Boston University dormitories.^[1]

He and his wife Elizabeth have four children, two of whom were born during the 6 years that the family lived in the Boston University dormitories.^[1][2]

Career as administrator at Washington & Jefferson College

During his career at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, Docking served as Dean of Students.^[1] He was later taken under the wing of the college President Brian C. Mitchell, who made him the vice president and special assistant to the president.^[1] In that position, he was a member of the "President's Cabinet" and was tasked with improving relations between the City of Washington and the college.^[3]

He also served as coach of the Washington & Jefferson men's ice hockey team for a time, leading the charge to replace the old Washington Park ice rink with a new facility that was supposed to have been supported by municipal bonds from the city of Washington.^[4]

In 2004, he completed a fellowship at Carnegie Mellon University where he shadowed president Jared Cohon for an entire year.^[1]

Career as president of Adrian College

Docking became the 17th president of Adrian College in July 2005^[2] He sought to improve the college's precarious financial situation by doubling the endowment, comparing Adrian College to a "beautiful car that doesn’t have enough gas in the tank," by taking a most business-like approach to higher education.^[1] He proposed to improve the town and gown relationship by holding a "coffee hour" with the president, developing classes for senior citizens, and encouraging student internships in the community.^[1]

Early in his tenure, he introduced mandatory four-year residency for all students "to raise funds," a marked departure from previous policies.^[5]

Within a year of his hiring, the college had begun construction on a $5.5 million Arrington Ice Arena.^[6]

In November 2009, Docking fired longtime Adrian College football coach Jim Lyall after 36 years with the team, 20 of which were as head coach; many considered Lyall to be the "face of the program."^[7] The move resulted nearly a month amid ire from students, alumni, and the local community, who were upset at the decision, the way the firing was carried out, and perceived inconsistencies in Docking's rationale.^[7] After nearly a month of public silence amid ire from students, alumni, and the local community, Docking discussed the firing, saying that while he was not satisfied with the way that he had handled the firing, he believed that in spite of improved play and back-to-back Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association runner-up finishes, the football team had lost its "edge.".^[8]

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