Welcome to Adrian College!
Great things are happening here. On our campus, in our classrooms, and across our athletic fields, we are pursuing excellence and inspiring change. I would love for you to be a part of our dynamic campus community.
I am a firm believer that small liberal arts colleges like ours offer the best undergraduate education available. At Adrian we are determined to raise that bar even higher. Here, our staff, faculty, and students hold themselves to a greater standard as defined by our Ribbons of Excellence. We are driven to care for humanity and the world; learn throughout a lifetime; think critically; cross boundaries and disciplines; and develop creativity. It is with these core values at the forefront that the Adrian College community achieves excellence in every endeavor. These principles shape our students’ personal and professional success during their undergraduate years, and long after they’ve crossed the stage at Commencement.
Adrian College is firmly rooted in the traditions set forth by our first president, Asa Mahan, over 150 years ago. Today, we continue to strive to embody his vision of education as something accessible to men and women of all races and creeds. It is this foundation that has evolved Adrian College into a place that fosters ingenuity, innovation, and growth.
I invite you to discover what it means to be a Bulldog. Come learn about our small classes, meet our exceptional faculty, and immerse yourself in our ever-growing campus. Adrian College is a place to realize your potential and leave your mark. If you become involved in all that Adrian has to offer, I am convinced that you will not only acquire the knowledge and skills for success well beyond college, but you will also find these next four years to be the most enjoyable and gratifying of your life.
About the President
Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking, 17th president of Adrian College, earned a doctorate in social ethics from Boston University, a master of divinity degree from Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, and a bachelor’s degree from Michigan State University. He became president July 2005. Before coming to Adrian, he held positions at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Penn., most recently as vice president and special assistant to the president, and as vice president of student affairs and dean of student affairs. He also has experience teaching and working in residence life. He and his wife Elizabeth have four children.
Adrian College In the News
Adrian College and President Docking’s plans for it were featured in a Crain’s Detroit Business article on June 2, 2013. The highlight of Adrian College focuses on how much the College has expanded since President Docking took the helm, including its increased tuition rates and improvements to campus buildings and programs. The article can be found here.
On may 5, 2013, Senator Carl Levin delivered the Commencement address to the graduating class. His message to the graduates was to be wary of the fast-paced world they are accustomed to and asked the graduates several questions. He discussed how we can define our lives in the ever-changing world and how to develop skills to adapt to it. Senator Levin wrote about the speech in a guest column for heritage.com; his remarks can be found here.