| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Established | 1859 |
| Endowment | $37.8 million |
| President | Jeffery Docking |
Academic staff | 82 |
| Students | 1500 (all undergraduate) |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Small town, 100 acres (0.4 km²) |
| Colors | Black and Gold |
| Mascot | Bulldogs |
| Website | www.adrian.edu |
Adrian College is a private, co-educational liberal arts college related to the United Methodist Church and located in the city of Adrian in the U.S. state of Michigan.
The school is situated approximately 45 minutes from Ann Arbor and Toledo, Ohio, and 90 minutes from Detroit. The college is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and as of 2007 has an enrollment of approximately 1300 students. Its campus is situated on approximately 100 acres (0.4 km²) and features both newly constructed facilities with modern designs and historic buildings recognized for their past, such as Downs Hall, home of the college's Stubnitz art gallery and theater program. Adrian College is the third college or university to offer women's hockey as a varsity sport in the state of Michigan.
Adrian College athletic teams, nicknamed the Bulldogs, are part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA), and the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) - Division III. Greek life is present on campus, including Phi Kappa Sigma, Alpha Tau Omega, Theta Chi, Sigma Alpha Epsilon and the recent colonization of Tau Kappa Epsilon. There are also three sororities, Alpha Phi, Alpha Sigma Alpha, and Chi Omega.
The college had its origin as a theological institute founded by Wesleyan Methodists at Leoni, Michigan in 1845. This institution merged with Leoni Seminary, another Methodist school, in 1855 to form Michigan Union College. In 1859, that institution closed and its assets were transferred to Adrian to establish Adrian College. The college was chartered by the Michigan Legislature on March 28, 1859, under the first President of the College, abolitionist Asa Mahan. In the early stages of the American Civil War the College volunteered itself as a base for the formation of Michigan regiments for the Union side. The current Valade Hall building sits on the site of the former base camp for these soldiers.[1]
Adrian College has a long history of social activism, which is highlighted in its mission statement. [2]The Statement reads as follows:
Adrian College, a liberal arts College in the United Methodist tradition, is committed to the pursuit of truth and to the dignity of all people. Through active and creative learning in a supportive community, students are challenged to achieve excellence in their academic, personal, and professional lives, and to contribute to a more socially just society.
Adrian College offers over 40 majors and pre-professional programs.
Adrian College athletic teams, nicknamed the Bulldogs, are part of the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association and the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III. The men's NCAA Division III hockey team is a member of the Midwest Collegiate Hockey Association. Adrian College offers the following varsity sports:
Adrian recently expanded its athletic programs, in the 2007-2008 Academic Year NCAA Division III men's and women's ice hockey was added along with mens Division I and Division 3 club hockey, synchronized skating and NCAA Division III men's and women's lacrosse. The Bulldog's lacrosse program, is the first varsity program in MI since the induction of Title IX. Women's bowling was added for the 2008-2009 year.
The men's Division III team received national attention on the eve of Selection Sunday of the 2007-2008 season on ESPN's "The Sports Reporters" as Mitch Albom, columnist from the Detroit Free Press, used his closing remarks to highlight the remarkable ride of the hockey team's season (their first at the NCAA level). The team finished 26-3 and did not make the NCAA Division III Tournament. The 2008 Baseball team won the Mideast Regional championship claiming the first regional title in the program's history and for any team at Adrian College. They are also the first representative team from the MIAA in the national tournament.
Intramurals are also a part of Adrian College and the athletic department. Some of the intramural teams include: Flag Football, Bulldog Run 5K, Bowling League, Texas Hold'em, Disc Golf, Racquetball, 5-on-5 Basketball, Women's 3-on-3 Basketball, Coed Volleyball League, Powder Puff Flag Football, and Coed 1-Pitch Softball.
On June 30, 2005, Stanley P. Caine retired after 16 years as president of Adrian College. The next day, Jeffrey Docking became Adrian College's 17th president, after serving as a Vice President at Washington and Jefferson College in Washington, Pennsylvania. Since arriving at Adrian, Docking has introduced many plans to revitalize Adrian College and its campus, including construction of new buildings, renovation of old ones, and programs related to athletics such as the construction of a new ice arena. Many of these initiatives are grouped under his "Renaissance Project".[3]
Docking's initiatives and related changes, however, have caused some controversy. The decision to introduce mandatory four-year residency for all students "to raise funds" is a departure from previous policies.[4] At a town hall-style meeting between students and administration concerning the drastic changes in housing policy, the Dean of Student Life declared that the new policy was essential because Adrian College had been in imminent danger of closing, thus rendering any Adrian degree "worthless."[5] In contrast, deposits for fall, 2007 exceeded 550 by July, 2007. Freshmen and transfer enrollment will likely exceed 400 for fall, 2009.
Renaissance II has begun with a focus on academic enhancements. An all-college retreat in August, 2008 in Dearborn was used to help set priorities for new inititatives, such as a series of institutes.
Other distinguished alumni include La-Z-Boy CEO Kurt Darrow. [6]