Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking spoke to FOX News Digital about why he defended the activist and former university’s selection. University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines He attended as a commencement speaker amid backlash from both graduates and students.
“I think higher education leaders need to stand firm right now and not give in to those who are trying to crush free inquiry,” Docking told Fox News Digital.
Mr. Gaines is Gaines for Girls with Riley Gaines The former Division I athlete, who competed against transgender swimmer Leah Thomas, held a graduation ceremony at Adrian College in Michigan on Sunday.
Gaines has been fiercely critical of trans athletes who participate in women’s sports, and sparked a backlash from both the student body and alumni when she discovered she had been requested to speak at commencement.
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Former college swimmer Riley Gaines is sworn in during a hearing of the House Oversight Subcommittee on Health and Financial Services on December 5, 2023, at the Capitol in Washington, DC. (Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
“Free inquiries have been sidelined.”
Docking said the issue of trans-athletes in sports is “concerning” to Adrian College, given Adrian College’s large athlete population, and that the college “strongly believes in Title IX” and that She told Fox News Digital that she respects the efforts of women pouring in their work.
“To think that these women, here and elsewhere, could come out on their first day on the team and be told you don’t have a spot on this team… two or three transgender athletes. It’s their fault they’re taking your position.” They’re bigger, stronger, faster, have better lung capacity than you, so you’re out – that doesn’t seem right to me. ” he said.
“We made the decision to bring her on board to bring this issue to the forefront,” Docking told FOX News Digital.
He further explained that Adrian College had previously invited a transgender person to speak on campus in April 2022 on behalf of transgender rights.
“So we went through it on both sides,” Docking said. “I think free inquiry has been sidelined in the very institutions that should be embracing it, primarily higher education.”
Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking is credited with doubling enrollment since he began working at Adrian College. He is also credited with tripling the university’s endowment. (Google Maps)
Students “should try”
First reported by Michigan Advance When they asked how Gaines was chosen to give the commencement speech, Docking said, “The choice was entirely his own because he believed the issue of transgender women in athletics was important.” It was a thing,” he said.
“She seems to be at the center of the vortex because of her swimming career at Kentucky, but when she realized she was competing against a transgender athlete, she was willing to go public and say, ‘This is for me. “And by speaking out, she became the face of that point of view and seemed like the most logical person to bring in to talk about this.” ,” Docking told the Michigan Advance.
In an interview with the Michigan Advance, Docking added that he “does not support” Gaines’ views on the trans athlete issue when he invited Adrian to speak.
“Secondly, I think sometimes on college campuses we discuss topics like this, and sometimes topics like this are presented,” he said.
Docking objected to the idea that Gaines’ opinions were too polarizing to speak at Adrian’s spring commencement.
“My feeling about the amount of tuition that people pay to go to college, whether here or elsewhere, is that from the day they arrive at college until they get into college, they are challenged and given thoughtful topics and consideration.” They should expect to be presented with things to do, the day they leave,” Docking told the Michigan Advance. “I don’t think a commencement address is a time where the focus should necessarily be on making everyone comfortable. Making people feel uncomfortable during a commencement address is something that universities should not do and is extremely important.” I think it matches.”
Adrian College President Jeffrey Docking defends his choice of activist and former University of Kentucky swimmer Riley Gaines as commencement speaker amid backlash from both alumni and students, Fox News told Digital. (Adrian University)
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“A symbol of divisive, extremist hate.”
Adrian College students and alumni have since spoken out against Gaines, with some starting a petition to revoke her attendance at the college.
“As alumni, this is an embarrassing and hurtful decision to lift this divisive and radical symbol of hatred with the loudest megaphone and onto the highest stage of our academic year, graduation. As a donor, this is a shameful and hurtful decision. It’s a bad investment decision,” R. Cole told the Michigan Advance.
Leanne McKee, a trans woman and Adrian College graduate, said Gaines “has no message to send other than he hates trans people.”
“That’s her message,” McKee said. She further explained: “Will she give an uplifting speech? Can she do all the things that are expected of a commencement speaker? She can do it, but any faculty member who is already there can do it. They don’t need to bring in people who are controversial. ”
A group called Safe Space, an LGBTQ+ student organization at Adrian College, launched a petition that gathered more than 400 signatures on the first day. The petition currently has more than 1,600 signatures, according to Michigan Advance.
“According to the Human Rights Campaign, 4 out of 10 LGBT students report being bullied at school (Human Rights Campaign). By inviting someone with controversial views on inclusivity, we risks further marginalizing these students and creating an environment that does not respect their individual “identity,” the petition states. “We urge Adrian College administrators to reconsider their selection of speakers for this year’s commencement ceremony. Let’s make it a celebration.”
President Joe Biden and former Kentucky Wildcats swimmer Riley Gaines (Getty Images)
Docking told FOX News Digital that he hopes students “take courage back” from Gaines’ speech.
“So these are obviously young people – 22, 23, 24 years old – who have a lot of life ahead of them. They’re going to face a lot of very difficult problems throughout their lives.” Ta. “And I think it’s important for them to critically think through their position on those things and do what she did, which is to speak out.”
Gaines sent a statement to Fox News Digital saying, “It is so refreshing to see a university stand up for freedom of speech and expression.”
“My message to the graduates will be about the virtue of courage, the importance of faith, and the fundamental value of freedom,” Gaines told FOX News Digital. “These are the qualities and principles we all must cultivate and live by. My presence is not to polarize, but rather to encourage, inspire and celebrate our graduates. Docking The President has a firm commitment to upholding the mission of the University.” A statement of commitment to the pursuit of truth and dignity for all people. ”
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Docking, co-author of the book “Higher Education Crisis: A Plan to Save America’s Small Liberal Arts Colleges,” has strengthened the school’s athletics program and doubled enrollment since he began working at Adrian College. It is believed that
He is also credited with tripling the university’s endowment.
