Jeffrey Docking

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]

Following undergraduate 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 six years that the family lived in the Boston University dormitories.[1][2]

During his career at Washington & Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania, Docking served as dean of students.[1] President Brian C. Mitchell made him 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 program 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 a year.[1]

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.[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 a mandatory four-year residency for all students "to raise funds," a marked departure from previous policies.[5]