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…Read complete President’s message
This isn’t some fairy tale but it is the beginning of a story—yours.
Adrian College is more than just four years of your life. Whether that is in the classroom, or on the court, here you will find the foundation for your inspiration and the roots of your future.
Become a part of our story and as your chapter unfolds, you’ll understand that it’s more than just numbers here. Our extraordinary retention, graduation, and placement rates mean when people come here, they stay here. When they leave, their journey has just begun.
Historic doesn’t mean antiquated.
Founded on the philosophy of Asa Mahan, Adrian College retains its identity as a private, co-educational college of liberal arts and sciences related to the United Methodist church. But that doesn’t mean that it hasn’t developed into a recognized leader in the area of education. US News & World Report selected Adrian College as a ‘School to Watch’ and recognized it as the “#1 Up & Coming Baccalaureate College in the Midwest” in 2009 and 2010. In 2012, Adrian College was selected as a ‘Top College in the Midwest’. But our history extends beyond the accolades.
Today’s campus consists of just over 100 acres, over 20 academic and service buildings and 11 residence halls, plus apartments and themed housing. We’ve recognized the fast paced, evolving face of education- while maintaining our identity.
A Modern Liberal Arts Education
A private, co-educational college of liberal arts and sciences related to the United Methodist Church, Adrian College is a traditional four-year residential institution offering a focused undergraduate education with an advanced 4+1 Master’s program. The College offers 40 majors and pre-professional programs, 32 athletic teams and eight institutes dedicated to a diverse and personalized approach to education. Adrian College features state-of-the-art facilities, small class sizes and an innovative approach to the academic and personal growth of its students.
In recent years, the College has experienced momentous growth garnering national recognition. U.S. News & World Report has recognized Adrian College as the ‘#1 Up and Coming Baccalaureate School in the Midwest,’ as well as ranked Adrian College as ‘Regional Top Baccalaureate College in the Midwest’ and a ‘Least Debt Load College.’ Most recently, the College received accolades as a ‘Best Value School.’ Adrian College is located in Southeast Michigan, about 45 minutes from Ann Arbor and Toledo.
Docking Stadium
The Adrian College Bulldogs have the “crown jewel” of Division III football stadiums. Docking Stadium is entering its sixth year of existence on the campus of Adrian College and is a premier facility. The $6.5 million dollar masterpiece was completed in time for the beginning of the 2006 season. The stadium was named for current president Dr. Jeffrey R. Docking on October 12, 2013.
The football team has enjoyed a .700 winning percentage since the stadium opened.
Not only does the football team enjoy this facility, but Adrian College’s soccer and lacrosse teams also play their home games at Docking Stadium.
The stadium seats approximately 3,000 fans with 2,500 chairback seats on the home side and an additional 500 bleacher seats on the visitor side. Features include state-of-the-art FieldTurf, stadium lighting, a fully-wired press box, and an end-zone section for student seating. In addition, there is the James F. Thomas Pavilion which is used for a variety of events including alumni gatherings on football game-days.
The funds for the project were raised through the Adrian College Development Office. Architectural services were provided by Hastings & Chivetta, an industry leader in higher education facilities. The firm designed the Merillat Sport & Fitness Center on campus. Construction management was provided by the Douglas Company.
In the 1950s, the campus had a football stadium. It was located next to Caine Student Center (then called Ridge Gymnasium). It was later razed to make way for new academic buildings. The College entered a cooperative arrangement in the 1960s to use the new high school stadium, which the College helped build.
Arrington Ice Arena
Arrington Ice Arena was officially dedicated and opened for business on October 19, 2007, as the men’s varsity hockey team squared off in its inaugural game against Potsdam State. The Bulldogs christened the new facility with a resounding 9-1 win in front of a packed crowd, who were also in attendance to see Lord Stanley’s Cup on loan from the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto.
The facility is home to Adrian College’s men’s and women’s varsity Division III hockey teams as well as the ACHA Division I and II men’s hockey teams and the synchronized skating team. The arena is named after Dr. Robyn Arrington Jr. and his brother, fellow Adrian alumnus Col. Harold Arrington. The brothers donated $3 million on behalf of their family. The $5.5 million project is also a place where local residents can use the facility for recreational activities. The operating schedule includes open skates for the community, learn-to-skate programs for children and adults and hockey programs for people of various ages and abilities.
The arena consists of a single sheet of ice, 500 chair-back seats, a media press box, a president’s seating area, concession stand, pro shop with skate rental, offices for ice sports coaches and personnel and locker rooms.
Merillat Sport and Fitness Center
Built in 1990, the Merillat Sport and Fitness Center provides educational, recreation and fitness facilities for all Adrian College students, faculty members and staff. The 80,000 square-foot complex includes a multi-sport field house for general recreational use with courts for basketball, volleyball and tennis, surrounded by a one-tenth mile indoor track.
The MSFC also houses a conditioning room, classrooms, a physiology laboratory, and Vivian Wellness Center, as well as a performance gymnasium which seats 1,300 persons and serves as home to the Bulldog acrobatics & tumbling, basketball, volleyball, wrestling teams. Offices of the exercise science/physical education department faculty and athletic department coaches and administrators are also contained in the building.
The Merillat Center is named in honor of Orville and Ruth Merillat, civic and business leaders in the community of Adrian for many years, whose leadership gift to the project provided the impetus for construction.
More Facilities and athletics information
Adrian College Mission Statement
Adrian College, a liberal arts college in the United Methodist tradition, is committed to the pursuit of truth and dignity of all people. Through active and creative learning in a supportive community, undergraduate and graduate students are challenged to achieve excellence in their academic, personal, and professional lives, and to contribute to a more socially just society.
Adrian College, a liberal arts college in the United Methodist tradition, is committed to the pursuit of truth and dignity of all people. Through active and creative learning in a supportive community, undergraduate and graduate students are challenged to achieve excellence in their academic, personal, and professional lives, and to contribute to a more socially just society.
Adrian College, a liberal arts college in the United Methodist tradition, is committed to the pursuit of truth and dignity of all people. Through active and creative learning in a supportive community, undergraduate and graduate students are challenged to achieve excellence in their academic, personal, and professional lives, and to contribute to a more socially just society.
Source: Adrian.edu