DALLAS, May 9, 2008 – Dr. David S. Dockery, president of Union University in Jackson, Tenn., will speak at Dallas Theological Seminary’s commencement ceremony Saturday. Union is still recovering from a tornado that hit the campus Feb. 5 and made national news.

The tornado left more than 50 students hospitalized and nine seriously hurt. No one died, but 13 students were temporarily trapped in the rubble.

School officials have praised Dockery for his leadership during the recovery.

“Dr. David Dockery is an exemplary leader in the Christian community,” said Dr. Mark Bailey, president of Dallas Seminary. “Not only is he a scholar and educational leader, but a pastor who has led Union University through some very difficult days. We are honored to have him with us this year.”

A Distinguished Alumnus of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Dockery is the author or editor of more than twenty-five books. A much sought-after speaker on issues of culture and higher education, he will address DTS’ graduating class of 386, including 269 men and 117 women. Eighteen graduates are from other countries.

A two-hour ceremony at 10 a.m. Saturday at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano will cap the graduation activities.

Dallas Theological Seminary, one of the largest non-denominational seminaries in the world, serves its students through five extension sites and a growing variety of online classes. The 84-year-old seminary has 12,000 alumni serving in 96 countries.

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