Upcoming Events
Docking Lecture featuring Dr. Larry Sabato
Dr. Larry Sabato, University Professor of Politics at the University of Virginia and director of the University of Virginia Center for Politics, will present the Docking Lecture in Leadership and Public Affairs at Southwestern College at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 9. The lecture will be in Messenger Recital Hall and will feature “Sabato’s Crystal Ball,” a look at the first year of the Obama presidency and a look ahead at upcoming mid-term elections and the 2012 presidential race. The lecture is open to the public.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Dr. Sabato is "probably the most quoted college professor in the land" and his Crystal Ball electoral analysis is the nation's most accurate. In July 2008, Dr. Sabato correctly projected that Barack Obama would win the presidency in a near-landslide. He predicted a 364-174 margin in the Electoral College, just one vote away from the final tally of 365-173, as well as the correct popular vote percentages. He also accurately predicted 99% of Senate, House, and governor winners.
In 2006, Sabato was named the most accurate prognosticator by an unusual combination of news organizations: FOX News, MSNBC, CNBC, and Pew's Project for Excellence in Journalism. Dr. Sabato’s latest book is “The Year of Obama: How Barack Obama Won the White House” (Longman, April 2009).
The Docking Lecture is underwritten by Union State Bank. Southwestern College president Dick Merriman stated, “The Docking family has played an important role in Kansas government, politics, and business for over half a century. We’re grateful for Union State Bank’s help in providing a forum for discussion of the challenges of leadership in public affairs.”
William Docking, CEO of Union State Bank, states “Southwestern is an important educational and cultural asset for Cowley County and for our region. Union State Bank is pleased to support the college and its service to our community.”
In 1956, George Docking was elected governor of Kansas. He served two terms, leaving office in 1961. His son, Robert Docking, was elected governor in 1966 and served four terms, more than any other Kansas governor, leaving office in 1975. Robert Docking’s sons have continued the family’s commitment to public service. William Docking was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents in 1995, and served as its chair. Thomas Docking was lieutenant governor of Kansas from 1983 to 1987, during the governorship of John Carlin. His wife, Jill Docking, ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate in 1996. She was appointed to the Kansas Board of Regents by then-Governor Kathleen Sebelius.
