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Dockery elected board chairman of Christian education council

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WASHINGTON (BP)–Union University President David S. Dockery was elected chairman of the board of directors for the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities Jan. 30 in Washington, D.C.

CCCU is an international higher education association of intentionally Christian colleges and universities. Dockery is the first president of a Southern Baptist college or university to serve as CCCU board chairman.

Based in the nation’s capital, the CCCU has 104 member institutions in North America and 68 affiliates in 24 countries. Members include such schools as Wheaton College, Biola University, Gordon College, Azusa Pacific University and Taylor University.

“This is a great honor for Union University,” said Dockery, who will serve a two-year term. “I am pleased to represent Union in this significant way and to help give guidance and direction to Christian education in this country and around the world in the coming days.”

Duane Litfin, president of Wheaton College, said the CCCU “has had a series of effective chairs, and David Dockery will undoubtedly continue this tradition.”

“David is a gracious but strong leader. He is articulate, even-handed, theologically astute and is well-respected by those he must lead,” Litfin said. “I think David is the perfect chair for this next stretch of the CCCU’s history and he will have the board’s and the staff’s full support.”

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Jon Wallace, president of Azusa Pacific University who was elected secretary/treasurer for the CCCU board, said Dockery was selected because of his ability to lead with the highest standard of excellence.

“I know as a fellow board member, I have the utmost confidence in both his wisdom and his leadership ability,” Wallace said.

Union Provost Carla Sanderson said Dockery’s election is especially significant because of what is on the CCCU horizon, including the International Forum on Christian Higher Education in 2006.

“It is a wonderful opportunity,” Sanderson said. “It’s not just any old board election. They went after Dr. Dockery at, I think, the most crucial time in the life of the council. They’ve gone after one they believe in.”

Jay Kesler, president emeritus at Taylor University, described Dockery’s election as “a wonderful breath of fresh air” for the CCCU.

“The appearance of David Dockery on the scene as CCCU chairman is one of the most welcomed events of the last several years,” Kesler said. “He brings vision and academic leadership that we all need as we lead our schools.”
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