Milligan College
Encyclopedia
Milligan College is a Christian
liberal arts
college
founded in 1866 and located immediately outside of Elizabethton
in Carter County, Tennessee
, United States
. The school has a student population of just over 1,100 students as well as a 181 acre (0.73248166 km²) campus that is located just minutes from downtown Johnson City
. The school is consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country and well-known for its core humanities program. Milligan was named a "College of Distinction" in 2011 .
Milligan College is historically related to the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
, and the a cappella Churches of Christ, with about 35 percent of the student body hailing from these religious groups. While the college maintains close ties with the churches which founded it, the school welcomes students from all backgrounds. Diversity has become a core value of the school and, as a result, the student body has become much more diverse in recent years. The college offers over 30 undergraduate programs of study and three graduate programs.
). Hopwood continued to serve the school as president until 1903 when he left to found Virginia Christian College (now Lynchburg College
) in Lynchburg, Virginia. He returned for an interim presidency in 1915-1917.
Dr. Henry Derthick's presidency is perhaps the most defining administration in early the history of the college. He served from 1917 to 1940 and during this tenure the college grew and gained a reputation for excellence in the region. Derthick succeeded in bringing the college through the Great Depression.
In 1943, Milligan became the only college in the nation to completely turn its facilities over to the Naval training programs. The V-12 Navy College Training Program
program utilized the college's campus from 1943 to 1945.
The school resumed its civilian education programs in 1945, though facing a significant financial crisis. The board of trustees called Dr. Dean E. Walker, a Disciples of Christ minister and educator, then professor at the seminary of Butler University
(now Christian Theological Seminary
), to become the college's president. Walker's administration was marked by rapid growth, securing financial stability for the college, and the realization of regional acceditation for the college's academic programs through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
. During Walker's tenure he also led the way in establishing Emmanuel School of Religion
, a graduate theological seminary now located adjacent to the college's campus near Johnson City
, and loosely associated with the College.
Since the 1960s Milligan has grown in stature in the region and has become one of the premiere private, church-related liberal arts colleges in the South. The school was named a "College of Distinction" in 2011 . The college's education programs are among its most popular and well respected in the region. The business and communications programs are also popular with students.
Donald Jeanes (Milligan Class of 1968), a minister and educator of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, became the fourteenth president of the college in 1997. He is a graduate of the college, holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from neighboring Emmanuel School of Religion, and was granted an honorary doctoral degree by Milligan College. Jeanes announced his retirement effective July 15, 2011. On March 18, 2011, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Bill Greer as the 15th president; Dr. Greer will assume leadership of the college beginning July 15, 2011. Greer's appointment marks the first time in the college's existence that anyone other than a minister will have served as president. Greer is an economist, scholar, and business leader who holds a Ph.D. in Business and Economics from the University of Tennessee
and has taught at the college for almost 20 years.
The college's vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant leadership. The college's motto, found on its seal, is "Ago Deo Fideo Et Amore," meaning "Go with God in faith and love."
The core curriculum, based on an interdisciplinary humanities program and religion courses, educates students to view and engage the world in an open and constructive way, to lead and to serve. The college offers over 30 programs of study on the undergraduate level and three on the graduate level.
As a church-related liberal arts college, Milligan remains closely aligned with the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, a capella churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the three religious bodies that have traditionally supported the school. A strong campus ministry program and culture of service exist on campus. Alcohol and tobacco use are prohibited on campus.
Milligan has remodeled the cafeteria to create a more informal and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The dining hall is open all day to accommodate diverse student schedules.
In recent years, the college has made a commitment to better stewardship of the environment, focusing on reduced consumption of non-renewable products, recycling, and renewable sources of energy. The new fitness center was the first green building in Carter County, Tennessee.
Click here to view a list of Milligan's distinguished alumni.
Christian
A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, an Abrahamic, monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth as recorded in the Canonical gospels and the letters of the New Testament...
liberal arts
Liberal arts
The term liberal arts refers to those subjects which in classical antiquity were considered essential for a free citizen to study. Grammar, Rhetoric and Logic were the core liberal arts. In medieval times these subjects were extended to include mathematics, geometry, music and astronomy...
college
College
A college is an educational institution or a constituent part of an educational institution. Usage varies in English-speaking nations...
founded in 1866 and located immediately outside of Elizabethton
Elizabethton, Tennessee
Elizabethton is the county seat of Carter County, Tennessee, United States. Elizabethton is also the historical site both of the first independent American government located west of both the Eastern Continental Divide and the original thirteen British American colonies.Elizabethton is also the...
in Carter County, Tennessee
Carter County, Tennessee
Carter County is a county located in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of 2010, the population was 57,424. Its county seat is Elizabethton.Carter County is part of the Johnson City Metropolitan Statistical Area, which is a component of the Johnson City–Kingsport–Bristol, TN-VA Combined...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The school has a student population of just over 1,100 students as well as a 181 acre (0.73248166 km²) campus that is located just minutes from downtown Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
. The school is consistently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country and well-known for its core humanities program. Milligan was named a "College of Distinction" in 2011 .
Milligan College is historically related to the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
The Christian Church is a Mainline Protestant denomination in North America. It is often referred to as The Christian Church, The Disciples of Christ, or more simply as The Disciples...
, and the a cappella Churches of Christ, with about 35 percent of the student body hailing from these religious groups. While the college maintains close ties with the churches which founded it, the school welcomes students from all backgrounds. Diversity has become a core value of the school and, as a result, the student body has become much more diverse in recent years. The college offers over 30 undergraduate programs of study and three graduate programs.
History
The school began as an endeavor of the Rev. Wilson G. Barker, a Disciples of Christ minister, and the Buffalo Creek Christian Church, a congregation of the Disciples of Christ located on Buffalo Creek in Carter County, Tennessee. While it began as a private secondary school known as the Buffalo Male and Female Institute, the institution was elevated to the collegiate level in 1881 with the arrival of the Rev. Dr. Josephus Hopwood and his wife Sarah LaRue Hopwood. Hopwood, a Disciples of Christ minister and educator, came to the school with the understanding that it would become a liberal arts college to train leaders for Disciples of Christ churches and the communities of Appalachia. The name was changed to Milligan College in 1881 in honor of the Professor Robert Milligan, president and professor of Biblical Studies at the College of the Bible, Kentucky University (now Lexington Theological SeminaryLexington Theological Seminary
Lexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the seminary is related to the Christian Church , it is intentionally ecumenical with almost 50 percent of its enrollment coming from other denominations...
). Hopwood continued to serve the school as president until 1903 when he left to found Virginia Christian College (now Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College
Lynchburg College is a private college in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA, related by covenant to the Christian Church with approximately 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students. The Princeton Review lists it as one of the 368 best colleges in the nation...
) in Lynchburg, Virginia. He returned for an interim presidency in 1915-1917.
Dr. Henry Derthick's presidency is perhaps the most defining administration in early the history of the college. He served from 1917 to 1940 and during this tenure the college grew and gained a reputation for excellence in the region. Derthick succeeded in bringing the college through the Great Depression.
In 1943, Milligan became the only college in the nation to completely turn its facilities over to the Naval training programs. The V-12 Navy College Training Program
V-12 Navy College Training Program
The V-12 Navy College Training Program was designed to supplement the force of commissioned officers in the United States Navy during World War II...
program utilized the college's campus from 1943 to 1945.
The school resumed its civilian education programs in 1945, though facing a significant financial crisis. The board of trustees called Dr. Dean E. Walker, a Disciples of Christ minister and educator, then professor at the seminary of Butler University
Butler University
Butler University is a private university located in Indianapolis, Indiana. Founded in 1855 and named after founder Ovid Butler, the university offers 60 degree programs to 4,400 students through six colleges: business, communication, education, liberal Arts and sciences, pharmacy and health...
(now Christian Theological Seminary
Christian Theological Seminary
Christian Theological Seminary is an ecumenical seminary related to the Christian Church . It is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and provides eight degree-level education courses...
), to become the college's president. Walker's administration was marked by rapid growth, securing financial stability for the college, and the realization of regional acceditation for the college's academic programs through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools
The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools is one of the six regional accreditation organizations recognized by the United States Department of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation...
. During Walker's tenure he also led the way in establishing Emmanuel School of Religion
Emmanuel School of Religion
Emmanuel Christian Seminary is a graduate theological seminary near Johnson City, Tennessee. It was founded in 1965 by church leaders and scholars within the Christian Church and Churches of Christ and the Christian Church who recognized a need for a seminary deeply rooted in the heritage of the...
, a graduate theological seminary now located adjacent to the college's campus near Johnson City
Johnson City, Tennessee
Johnson City is a city in Carter, Sullivan, and Washington counties in the U.S. state of Tennessee, with most of the city being in Washington County...
, and loosely associated with the College.
Since the 1960s Milligan has grown in stature in the region and has become one of the premiere private, church-related liberal arts colleges in the South. The school was named a "College of Distinction" in 2011 . The college's education programs are among its most popular and well respected in the region. The business and communications programs are also popular with students.
Donald Jeanes (Milligan Class of 1968), a minister and educator of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ, became the fourteenth president of the college in 1997. He is a graduate of the college, holds a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) degree from neighboring Emmanuel School of Religion, and was granted an honorary doctoral degree by Milligan College. Jeanes announced his retirement effective July 15, 2011. On March 18, 2011, the Board of Trustees appointed Dr. Bill Greer as the 15th president; Dr. Greer will assume leadership of the college beginning July 15, 2011. Greer's appointment marks the first time in the college's existence that anyone other than a minister will have served as president. Greer is an economist, scholar, and business leader who holds a Ph.D. in Business and Economics from the University of Tennessee
University of Tennessee
The University of Tennessee is a public land-grant university headquartered at Knoxville, Tennessee, United States...
and has taught at the college for almost 20 years.
The college's vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant leadership. The college's motto, found on its seal, is "Ago Deo Fideo Et Amore," meaning "Go with God in faith and love."
The core curriculum, based on an interdisciplinary humanities program and religion courses, educates students to view and engage the world in an open and constructive way, to lead and to serve. The college offers over 30 programs of study on the undergraduate level and three on the graduate level.
Student life
The college believes that a Christian liberal arts education is about more than just academic studies. The school's programs focus on developing the whole person — intellectually, spiritually, socially, and physically. There are many opportunities to do that through activities such as concerts, theatre productions, banquets, pick-up hoops and Ultimate Frisbee, intramurals and athletic events, residence hall activities, and study groups.As a church-related liberal arts college, Milligan remains closely aligned with the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, a capella churches of Christ, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the three religious bodies that have traditionally supported the school. A strong campus ministry program and culture of service exist on campus. Alcohol and tobacco use are prohibited on campus.
Newer buildings
The Elizabeth Leitner Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts, a center for performing arts, opened in January 2008. It features a 300-seat theater, photography labs, and classrooms for use by the fine arts programs at the college.Milligan has remodeled the cafeteria to create a more informal and aesthetically pleasing atmosphere. The dining hall is open all day to accommodate diverse student schedules.
In recent years, the college has made a commitment to better stewardship of the environment, focusing on reduced consumption of non-renewable products, recycling, and renewable sources of energy. The new fitness center was the first green building in Carter County, Tennessee.
Notable alumni
- Charles Buddy BoldingBuddy BoldingBuddy Bolding is an American baseball coach of the Longwood University Lancers baseball team. Longwood is an NCAA Division I Independent competitor.-Coaching career:...
, baseball coach, Class of 1973 - Warren Eugene BrandonWarren Eugene BrandonWarren Eugene Brandon was a California painter and photographer who was born in San Francisco on Nov. 2, 1916. He studied art at Milligan College and also with Jack Davis, Ralph Ledesma, Jack Feldman, Raymond Brose, and Eliot O’hara. In the 1950s and 1960s, he cruised the Pacific Ocean on the...
(1916-1977), painter and photographer - David Davis, Class of 1991, U.S. Congressman from Tennessee District 1
- Del HarrisDel HarrisDelmer William Harris is a basketball coach, currently the head coach for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League. He was an assistant coach for the NBA's New Jersey Nets, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks...
, basketball coach, Class of 1959 - The Rev. Dr. John Preston McConnellJohn Preston McConnellDr. John Preston McConnell was born in Scott County, Virginia. Before serving as Radford University's first president from 1911–1937, McConnell had served for nine years as education and professor of history and economics at Emory and Henry College....
, ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Rev. Dr. McConnell was the founder and first president of Radford UniversityRadford UniversityRadford University is one of Virginia's eight doctoral-degree granting public universities. Originally founded in 1910, Radford offers comprehensive curricula for undergraduates in more than 100 fields, and graduate programs including the M.F.A., M.B.A...
. He also served as pastor of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Radford, Virginia, which is located just across the street from Radford University. - Francis Gary Powers, an American pilot whose U-2Lockheed U-2The Lockheed U-2, nicknamed "Dragon Lady", is a single-engine, very high-altitude reconnaissance aircraft operated by the United States Air Force and previously flown by the Central Intelligence Agency . It provides day and night, very high-altitude , all-weather intelligence gathering...
spy plane was shot down while over the Soviet Union, causing the U-2 Crisis of 1960, Class of 1950 - Sonny SmithSonny SmithCharles H. "Sonny" Smith is a retired American men's college basketball head coach. Originally from Roan Mountain, Tennessee, Smith served as a head coach for twenty-two seasons...
, basketball coach and commentator, Class of 1958 - Alf and Bob TaylorRobert Love TaylorRobert Love Taylor was a U.S. Representative from Tennessee from 1879 to 1881, Governor of Tennessee from 1887 to 1891 and from 1897 to 1899, and subsequently a United States Senator from that state from 1907 until his death. He is notable for winning the governor's office in an election against...
, Tennessee governors and congressional Representatives - Duard B. Walker, National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Athletics Director of the Year (2001). NAIA Hall of Fame (2008), Class of 1948
Click here to view a list of Milligan's distinguished alumni.