milligan magazine fall 2012
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Fall 2012 | Volume 14, Number 3TRANSCRIPT
MilliganMagazine
Out of Her Comfor t Zone n Spirit of Milligan n Rolling Out the Orange Carpet
FALL 2012
Fall 2012 | Volume 14, Number 3
MilliganPresident
Bill Greer (’85) [email protected]
Vice President For
institutionAL AdVAncement
Jack Simpson (’92) [email protected]
Vice President For enroLLment
mAnAGement And mArketinGA. Lee Fierbaugh (’94) [email protected]
director oF ALumni reLAtions
EDITOR
Theresa Garbe (’91) [email protected]
director oF PuBLic reLAtions
And mArketinG
ASSISTANT EDITOR
Chandrea Shell (’00) [email protected]
creAtiVe serVices coordinAtor
GRAPHIC DESIGNER
Art Brown [email protected]
communicAtions coordinAtor
FEATuRE WRITER Stories on 14, 18Melissa Nipper (’96) [email protected]
sPorts inFormAtion director
FEATuRE WRITER Stories on 20, 22Matt Laws [email protected]
coVer Art
Painting by David Knoecklein,
photographed by Mickey Brown (’13)
contriButors:Photo on 2, © Mark PeacockPhotos on 4-6, © Chuck Rector, staff, contributed, Photos on 7-8, © Peacock, contributedPhotos on 9-11, © Peter Nelson (’13), staffPhotos on 12-13, © Kate Handzlik (’14), © M. Brown,
© Nelson, contributedPhoto on 14, © Luke Freeman (’12)Photos on 15, © Krista Knudtsen (’14), contributedPhotos on 16-17, contributedPhotos on 18-19 , © NelsonPhotos on 20-21, © Donald Page, University of
Tennessee, © Nelson, © Peacock, staffIllustration on 22, © M. BrownPhotos on 23, contributed, staffPhotos on 24-26 , contributedPhoto on 27, staffPhoto on 28, © Nelson
our missionAs a Christian liberal arts college, Milligan College seeks to honor God by educating men and women
to be servant-leaders.
our VisionAs a premier Christian liberal arts college where JesusChrist is exalted and excellence is the standard,Milligan will change lives and shape culture through acommitment to Christian leadership.
GenerAL inFormAtionThe Milligan Magazine is published regularly by theMilligan College Office of Institutional Advancement for alumni and friends of the college and is distributedfree of charge. The Magazine highlights the college’svision to change lives and shape culture through acommitment to servant-leadership. Copyright © 2012 Milligan College.
800.447.5922 | [email protected]
POSTMASTeR: Send address corrections toAdvancement, P.O. Box 9, Milligan College, Tennessee 37682.
REMARKABLE: adj., \ri-mär-kə-bəl\ — significant, noteworthy, incredible, amazing,
extraordinary
Remarkable is a word that comes to mind when I consider what the fall of 2012 has been like
at Milligan. Significant is the unexpected passing of former President and Chancellor Don Jeanes.
His work on behalf of his alma mater and his commitment to this place and its people changed the
face of Milligan and shaped the lives of so many.
Noteworthy is the college’s U.S. News & World Report rankings. In the Regional Colleges in the
South classification, Milligan is ranked sixth overall, third among Best Value Schools, and sixth on
the “A+ Schools for B Students” list. Milligan also had the highest alumni giving percentage among
our peer group.
Incredible was the turnout for Homecoming this year! Hundreds of alumni, current faculty,
retired faculty, parents, students and prospective students graced the campus with their presence.
They lined Blowers Boulevard for the annual Homecoming parade, filled the Mary B. Martin
Auditorium with applause at the Musical Heritage concert, cheered on our women’s and men’s
soccer teams, and spilled out of every available meeting space on campus.
Amazing are the people whose stories we have shared in this issue of the magazine. They
represent the best of who we are: Kristina Kayser, Dennis Bailey, Tim Snyder and others.
Extraordinary is this community. We weep together and laugh together. We stick together and
we reach out. We value our history and traditions while also embracing opportunities to grow and
reimagine how we can better achieve our mission.
Yes, I lean towards sentimental in these letters, but it is hard not to. With each issue of Milligan
Magazine, I have the opportunity to pause...to consider how we can best share the story of who we
are. Without fail, I am struck by the remarkable people who make up the Milligan family. My own
long association with the college has made me ever thankful for those who laid Milligan’s
foundation and whose vision for what Milligan can become is bold.
Blessings on this remarkable community,
Theresa (Brown ’91) GarbeDirector of Alumni Relations
Letter from theEditor
2 | FALL 2012
FALL 2012 | 3
T a b l e o f C o n t e n t s
FEATURES
4 Well Done, Good and Faithful Servant
16 Out of Her Comfort Zone
18 Spirit of Milligan
20 Rolling out the Orange Carpet
22 A Golden Experience22
DEPARTMENTS
2 editor’s Letter
7 Faculty news
12 campus close-up
14 staff spotlight
23 Athletic news
24 class notes
27 Letter from the President
9 18 2016
4
4 | FALL 2012
Well done, good and faithful servant.
DR. DONALD R. JEANES1946-2012
FALL 2012 | 5
Dr. Donald R. Jeanes, 66, died Monday, August 27, 2012, at the
Johnson City Medical Center unexpectedly of a heart attack.
Dr. Jeanes was a native of Atlanta, GA, and the son of the late
Herman C. and Mary Cabe Jeanes.
Don was a 1968 Magna Cum Laude graduate of Milligan College.
Following graduation, he served as Director of Financial Aid and assistant
to the Business Manager at Milligan while attending Emmanuel School of
Religion, where, in 1972, he received his Master of Divinity degree, with
honors.
Dr. Jeanes joined the faculty at Atlanta Christian College, where he
taught Bible and humanities, and administered the student financial aid
program for six years. In 1978, he was named Administrative Vice
President of the college, where he served until 1984. During this time he
did doctoral coursework at Emory University.
An ordained minister, Don served as Associate Minister and
Operations Manager at First Christian Church, Johnson City, from 1984-
86. He then was called to serve as Senior Minister of Spring Branch
Christian Church, Houston, TX, until 1991, when he returned to Johnson
City to serve as Senior Minister of First Christian Church until being
selected to be the fourteenth President of Milligan College.
Dr. Jeanes served as president of Milligan College from October 1997
until his retirement in July 2011. He was named chancellor of the college
upon his retirement, a position he held at the time of his death.
Don was an active member of Milligan’s Board from 1981 until his
appointment as President. He was awarded the honorary Doctorate of
Divinity degree by Milligan in 1994.
Dr. Jeanes served on numerous boards, including Christian Missionary
Fellowship, Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, Elders of
First Christian Church, North American Continuation Committee, ARCH,
Mountain States Health Alliance, Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald
House, American Heart Association, the Johnson City Symphony and
State of Franklin Savings Bank.
Don was a member First Christian Church, where he was an Elder
and Sunday school class teacher, the Rotary Club of Johnson City, having
served as President in 2000-2001, and served as a volunteer chaplain at the
Johnson City Medical Center for a number of years.
Dr. Jeanes is survived by his wife of 42 years, Clarinda Phillips Jeanes;
his daughter, Amy Jeanes Folck, ’99 and husband, Brad, ’99, Indianapolis,
IN; his grandsons, Hayden and Elijah Folck, Indianapolis; his sister, Anne
Turner and husband, Charles, Flower Mound, TX; his nephew, Paul
Turner and wife Jennifer, Flower Mound; his niece, Paula Turner, Atlanta;
his great-nephew, Alexander Turner, Flower Mound.
“A sad day for the Milligan College family. Dr. Jeanes will always be the
President of Milligan to me. Well done, good and faithful servant.”
Chelsea Alyse
“I’m so very saddened to hear about President Jeanes. He has done
so much for me. There was the famous Pardners BBQ fiasco, in which
he paid a $900 catering bill that my restaurant club racked up. He
always put up with my impersonations of him and various other
college antics. In my book, he will always be a saint.”
Kent Pettit, ’02
“Praying for my Milligan College family as we mourn the sudden death
of a great man that put his heart and soul in MC.”
Chelsea Leavell, ’11
“He loved and he cared, but, most of all....he led with wisdom
and grace!”Janie Marion Bush
“He met me for coffee when I was passing through Milligan several
years after graduation when I was still trying to get my feet on the
ground. That meant the world to me. He was a great minister,
president, leader, and friend to so many.”Nevan Hooker ’02
“He was a great leader and friend who had a positive influence on the
lives of so many students. I remember Don and Clarinda opening their
home to me and many other students who were on campus at Milligan
College during the summer months. He will be greatly missed.”Kyle Long ’98
“Very sad to hear of Don’s passing. Of course, I had known Don in
several capacities before his Milligan presidency but really enjoyed
serving with him on the Strategic Planning Committee at Milligan.
Learned a lot from him and was always impressed by his insight and
acumen. He will be deeply missed.”
Jim Street
“A very sad day for us at Milligan College as we mourn the loss of our
former president, Donald R. Jeanes. I’m grateful for his leadership,
his vision, his stewardship and his dedication—he was such a blessing
to us.”Mark Peacock
“Seeing all the people flood into First Christian to celebrate the life
and ministry of Donald R. Jeanes is inspiring. His service in Jesus’
name has a far greater impact than any of us understand. Thanks for
devoting your life to furthering God’s kingdom, Dr. Jeanes!”
Joshua Little, ’11
“Heartfelt condolences to Clarinda and Amy. Don was a great man.
Thank you, Don, for giving me the opportunity to experience life at
Milligan. You will be missed.”
Donald Onyango, ’00
“Clarinda and family, the class sends its deepest condolences to you
and yours during this time. We all knew that Donald was destined for
greatness, even back then. His was a gentle spirit with quiet strength.
He will be missed by all his classmates.”
Campbell High Class of 1964, Fairburn, GA
OBITUARY
Over the past year and a half, we have written much about Dr. Jeanes’ accomplishments, celebrating his tenure as Milligan’s
president and his much-deserved retirement. Now, as we mourn his passing and celebrate his life, rather than repeat his
many accolades, we find a more fitting tribute to be the condolences shared publicly by his many friends and colleagues.
6 | FALL 2012
“Clarinda, the joy I felt for you when that handsome, caring guy asked
you to marry him is equal to the sadness I feel today upon hearing of
Don’s too soon call to be with our Lord. I was so thrilled to hear that
he was chosen to be president of Milligan and knew that the two of
you would make it an even better place for young people to be
educated with a Christian world view. He accomplished that and more
with you by his side.”
Carol Tinkler Mock, ’71
“Don Jeanes baptized me on May 17, 1992; he mentored me at
Milligan College, and frankly those of us from FCC always felt a little
superior because we knew ‘Don,’ not just President Jeanes. Ultimately,
Don Jeanes and his wife, Clarinda, made a major impact on my faith
in Christ and ultimately in my eternity. Despite our sadness, I know
Don is receiving his reward, for he truly was a good and faithful
servant.
Melanie Veasey Feathers, ’05
“I, like so many others in and out of the Milligan community, am
thankful for the life and witness of Dr. Jeanes. He provided a
wonderful example of how to accept power and responsibility with
grace, and demonstrated the importance of living one’s entire life as a
ministry to those around him. My prayers and condolences go out to
Clarinda and the rest of the Jeanes family. His joy, compassion and
humor will be deeply missed.”
Amanda Morrell Boyer, ’11
“I knew Don through most of my tenure as president of the
Appalachian College Association. From the time he became president
of Milligan in 1997 until my retirement from that program in 2008,
Don was one of the strongest advocates for the work of the
association. He was always optimistic and positive in his thinking
about the future; he believed not only in Milligan College but in the
region. I don’t remember a single president who was more willing to
serve in whatever way he could anytime he was asked. I don’t
remember any president who was more gracious and hospitable to me
when I visited his campus—or any who seemed more loved by the
students and staff who worked for him. I don’t remember a single
president who was more humble and giving.”
Alice Brown
“I will be eternally grateful to you Dr. Jeanes for first welcoming me
into your office, then into Milligan College, and eventually into your
own home. Thank you for helping me become part of the Milligan
community when I thought it was not possible, for helping me become
the person I am today, and by helping me step by step achieve the
education I did.”
Irena Loloci, ’06
“On behalf of Milligan’s 33 sister private colleges and universities and
their presidents, I wish to express my deepest sense of loss at the
passing of President Don Jeanes. Don served as a friend and
confidant to numerous presidents including myself. It was a joy to
work alongside Don when he served on the TICUA Board of Directors.
His calm sense of wisdom, coupled with his dry sense of humor,
helped to advance the work of the Association to where it is today.
Don’s servant’s heart displayed during this presidency at Milligan was
lauded by many throughout the region and helped to distinguish
independent higher education in the nation.”
Claude Pressnell, president of TICUA
“I had the honor of being a student during Dr. Jeanes’ time as
president. I got to know him and Clarinda through the many special
events I served on campus and through other chance encounters.
They are truly one of the most loving, caring, welcoming, approachable
couples I have ever known. Dr. Jeanes was a shining example of
servant leadership, not only on campus, but in every role he played in
the community. I was always surprised that he not only knew my
name, but many times chatted with me about how things were going—
there aren’t many colleges where the president invests in every
student like that. I was shocked and saddened to hear of his passing
—his absence certainly leaves a void in the community that cannot
be filled.”
Katy Head Large, ’05
“It is with great shock and deep sadness that our entire Fife family
joins with our Milligan family in remembering the wonderful Christian
leader, husband, father and friend Don has been over the years. As
student, classmate, suite-mate, dorm parent (Hardin Hall Men), pastor
and minister, college president, and ALWAYS as friend, Don touched so
many of us with his positive, encouraging, humble and loving nature.
His amazing capacity to bring a Christlike vision and faith to all of his
many endeavors will be greatly missed and should be often emulated
by those of us privileged to have known him.”
Bob D. Fife, ’76
“This one was for you Don. I hope when you looked down today you
were proud.”
Lisa Buckley, ’04, women’s soccer coach
FALL 2012 | 7
AdministrAtion & stAFF
Art Brown, creative services coordinator and adjunctinstructor of communications, had artwork featured in theexhibition “New APP: Contemporary Art in Appalachia” inOctober at the Gallery of International Pavilion, UlsanUniversity, South Korea.
Gary F. daught, director of library services, delivered twopresentations in September on Mennonite history, faithand practice to a study group at St. John’s episcopalChurch (Johnson City, TN) and in October attended theannual summit of the Appalachian College Association(Knoxville, TN).
theresa Garbe, director of alumni relations, representedMilligan at the Association for the Advancement ofSustainability in Higher education (AASHe) Conference inOctober (Los Angeles, CA).
courtney kieslich, director of graduate and professionalstudies, completed the MBA at Milligan in May.
chandrea shell, director of public relations andmarketing, began a one-year term as president of theelizabethton/Carter County Chamber of Commerce Boardof Directors and as a member of the Carter CountyTomorrow economic Development Board.
BiBLicAL LeArninG
Phil kenneson, professor of theology and philosophy,delivered the final plenary address, “Practicing ecclesialPatience: Patient Practice Makes Perfect,” in July at theannual ekklesia Project conference (Chicago, IL). Thetheme of the conference was “Slow Church: AbidingTogether in the Patient Work of God.” He was also electedto another term on the board of directors.
Jeff miller, associate professor of Bible, is teaching thecourse “Introduction to Paul” at Mountain Christian Church(Joppa, MD) this fall.
educAtion
Leslie Hanneken, assistant professor of humanperformance and exercise science; tausha clay, associateprofessor of education; and Angela Hilton-Prillhart,assistant professor of education, co-presented theworkshop “Brains and Bodies in Motion” at the eTSU early
Childhood Conference in July (Johnson City, TN). Also inJuly, Hanneken was invited to present the workshops “JustDance!” and “I Like to Move it!” for The east TennesseeWellness Institute (Kingsport, TN). In October, shepresented “Shall We Dance?” and “Camouflage Skills,Fitness, and Academics” for the Tennessee Association ofHealth Physical education Recreation and Dance annualconference (Nashville, TN).
Angela Hilton-Prillhart, assistant professor of education,presented an in-service workshop titled “DifferentiatingInstruction: Making a Difference with ALL Students” toteachers and administrators at Church Hill Middle School(Church Hill, TN) in July. In September, she attended theCouncil for the Accreditation of educator Preparation(CAeP) Conference (Washington, D.C.).
Lyn c. Howell, associateprofessor of education andarea chair, co-presented thepaper “It Can Be Done: MovingStruggling Readers to GradeLevel” at the InternationalReading Association’s annualconference in May (Chicago,IL). In September, sheattended the AmericanAssociation of Colleges forTeacher education - National
Council for Accreditation of Teacher education/CAePconference (Washington, D.C.) and the TennesseeAssociation for Career and Technical education/TennesseeAssociation of Independent Liberal Arts Colleges forTeacher education conference (Nashville, TN).
HumAne LeArninG
michael J. Blouin, assistant professor of english andhumanities, was appointed to the editorial board of The
Journal of Popular Culture.
Pat magness, professor emeritus of humanities andenglish, had an article on contemporary fiction by Christianwriters appear in the October issue of the Christian
Standard. She also represented Milligan at the leadershipnetworking breakfast at the North American ChristianConvention in July (Orlando, FL).
mandy nydegger, adjunct instructor of composition,presented a paper titled “The Redemptive Influence ofFrancis eden: Charles Reade’s Heroic Parson” at theNineteenth Century Studies Association conference,“Spiritual Matters/Matters of the Spirit,” in March(Asheville, NC). In September, she presented a paper titled“Sensational Facts Make Sensational Stories: The Times
and Birmingham Gaol in Charles Reade’s It Is Never Too
Late to Mend” at the annual Research Society for VictorianPeriodicals Conference (Austin, TX). Also in September, shepresented a paper titled “Weaving the Intertextual Web:Charles Reade’s Matter-of-Fact Romances” at the NorthAmerican Victorian Studies Association Conference(Madison, WI).
ted thomas, professor ofhumanities, history andGerman, spent a portion ofMay conducting research inLondon, england’s MunicipalArchives and the WienerLibrary. In May and earlyJune, he led Milligan’shumanities tour. During theremainder of June, helectured in Heidelberg,Germany, on “Hermann Maasund jus post bellum” for the Heiliggeist Kirche; spent threeweeks conferring with Hermann Maas scholars inHeidelberg and conducting interviews with Maaseyewitnesses; preached for the Gemeinde Christi inHeidelberg, Germany; and led a Hermann-Maas-Tour ofHeidelberg for a group of American genealogicalresearchers, including professor emeritus Dick Phillips. InSeptember, he was among 25 invited scholars toparticipate in the Alumni-Research Meeting of theUniversity of Heidelberg (Boston, MA). Thomas continues tosponsor and advise Phi Alpha Theta, as well as write, editand publish the society’s “Today in Milligan History,” now inits eighth year; he also continues to preach for Oak GroveChristian Church (elizabethton, TN).
Faculty News
NEW FACULTYMilligan College welcomed seven new full-time faculty members for the 2012-2013academic year:
dr. michael Blouin serves as assistant professor of english and humanities. He has aPh.D. in American studies from Michigan State University. He earned his master’s andbachelor’s degrees in english from the University of Vermont. Blouin’s areas ofconcentration include 19th and 20th century American literature and film, U.S./Japancultural relations, cultural studies, nuclear discourse, cosmopolitanism and critical theory.
dr. timothy carter serves as assistant professor of business administration/marketing.He has a doctorate in business administration/marketing from Argosy University, and heearned his master’s and bachelor’s degrees in organizational management from TusculumCollege.
dr. Amy edmonds serves as assistant professor of political science. She has a Ph.D. inpolitical science and a master’s degree in international relations from Baylor University.She earned a bachelor’s degree in english from Oklahoma Baptist University. edmondshas served as an adjunct instructor at Milligan since 2010 and joined the full-time facultyto help develop the college’s new political science major, which began this fall.
Junia Gindlesperger serves as assistant professor of human performance and exercisescience. She has a master’s degree in physical education from east Tennessee StateUniversity and a bachelor’s degree in human performance and exercise science fromMilligan. Since July 2007, she has served as a physical education teacher at Unicoi High
School (erwin, TN), where she also held various coaching roles with the volleyball, softball,basketball, and track and field teams.
dr. rebecca sapp serves as assistant professor of counseling and psychology. She has aPh.D. in social work from the University of Tennessee. She also earned a master’s degreein counseling from east Tennessee State University and a bachelor’s degree from Milligan(double major: psychology and office administration). Sapp has served as an adjunctinstructor at eTSU and Milligan and joins Milligan’s full-time faculty to teach in the college’snew Master of Science in counseling (MSC) program. She also is a licensed marital andfamily therapist.
dr. christina schnyders serves as assistant professor of counseling and psychology. Shehas a Ph.D. in counseling and human development services from Kent State University.She also has a master’s degree in clinical and pastoral counseling from AshlandTheological Seminary and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Simpson University. Sheis a professional counselor licensed by the State of Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, andMarriage and Family Therapist Board. She is teaching in Milligan’s Master of Science incounseling program.
dr. Amy swango-Wilson serves as associate professor of nursing. She has a Ph.D. inhealth services from Walden University, a master’s degree in nursing from the University ofKentucky, and a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Berea College. In addition to her morethan 25 years of teaching experience, Swango-Wilson also has a rich background ofclinical experience in the nursing and community health fields. She most recently servedon the faculty of east Tennessee State University and Walden University.
8 | FALL 2012
f a c u l T y n e w s
carolyn martin Woolard, associate professor of Frenchand Spanish, was awarded a DML (Doctor of ModernLanguages) degree from Middlebury College in August.French was her first language and Spanish her second inthis dual language program. Her dissertation,“Polyphonie,Argumentation, Construction de l’ethos dans Oscar et la
dame Rose d’eric-emmanuel Schmitt,” was defended inboth languages.
occuPAtionAL tHerAPYchristy isbell, professor of occupational therapy,presented at the eTSU early Childhood Conference in Julyand had an interview published in the September issue ofParenting Magazine.
Jeff snodgrass, program director and associate professorof occupational therapy, presented arthritis research at theannual Tennessee Occupational Therapy AssociationConference in October (Nashville, TN). Also in October, hepresented research on organizational leadership at theannual American Public Health Association Conference(San Francisco, CA).
PerForminG, VisuAL & communicAtiVe Arts
kellie Brown, associate professor of music, served asconcertmaster with Symphony of the Mountains for thesummer 2012 concert season, performing in NorthCarolina and Virginia. In September, she presented alecture titled “Alma Rosé and the Women’s Orchestra ofAuschwitz” for the Bristol Music Club (Bristol, TN).
simon J. dahlman, associate professor ofcommunications, began a graduate degree program,master of fine arts increative nonfiction, atGoucher College (MD).
david runner, professor ofmusic, attended theNational Convention of theAmerican Guild of Organistsin July (Nashville, TN) andplayed a duet organ recitalwith Carlene eastridge inMilligan’s Seeger Chapel.This recital was firstperformed at the Piccolo
Spoleto Festival in June (Charleston, SC). He continues toserve as organ accompanist and chorister in The CivicChorale (Johnson City) and serves as treasurer for the NeTN/SW VA Chapter of the American Guild of Organists andis a member of its executive board.
rick simerly, associate professor of music, performedand taught for two weeks at the Jamey Aebersold SummerJazz Workshop at the University of Louisville. He alsotaught at Southern Wesleyan University, performed at theFox Theatre in Atlanta, and conducted clinics withperformances in Charlotte, NC.
sociAL LeArninG
John-Paul Abner, associate professor of occupationaltherapy, psychology and counseling, conducted a 40-hourParent Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT) training at MilliganCollege, training 14 therapists from 8 different states. InSeptember, he gave two conference presentations,“Describing a World without Rules in CDI” and “PointCounterpoint: PDI Processes,” at the 12th AnnualConference on Parent Child Interaction Therapy forTraumatized Children and served on a panel of experts foran Ask the expert panel (Davis, CA). Also in September, hegave a two-hour presentation on children’s reactions todomestic abuse for juvenile justice workers (Pulaski, VA).
Joy drinnon, director of undergraduate research andassociate professor of psychology, attended the Council onUndergraduate (CUR) Conference 2012 at The College ofNew Jersey in July. In September, along with Alice
Anthony, associate professor of art; Bert Allen, professoremeritus of psychology; and John Jackson, assistantprofessor of Bible and humanities, she attended the 2012ACA-UNCA Undergraduate Research Symposium on thecampus of UNC-Asheville, supporting four undergraduateswho presented at the symposium.
christina m. schnyders, assistant professor ofcounseling and psychology, co-presented a paper titled“Tools for Practicum Instructors: Working with SuicidalClients on the College Campus” at the SouthernAssociation for Counselor education and Supervision(SACeS) in September.
dr. r. Garland Young has been named vice president for academicaffairs and dean. Young served in this role in an interim capacity fromJanuary-August 2012. He came to Milligan in 2010 as the associatevice president for graduate and professional studies (GPS), where heprovided administrative coordination and recruiting oversight toMilligan’s non-traditional programs.
“Dr. Young has done an excellent job in his interim capacity and hasdemonstrated a deep appreciation for Milligan’s mission and a love forour faculty and students,” said Milligan President Bill Greer. “I lookforward to his continued contribution as we seek to uphold and extendour mission.”
Before coming to Milligan, Young served as the associate dean anddirector of adult education at Mt. Aloysius College in Pennsylvania. Hepreviously held a position as director of adult and extended programsat University of the Cumberlands and has a 26-year career in Christianhigher education.
Prior to his administrative roles, Young served 17 years as a full-timefaculty member in religion and philosophy. He holds a Bachelor of Artsin religion-Greek from Union University and a Master of Divinity and aPh.D. in New Testament studies from Southern Baptist TheologicalSeminary. n
Milligan College mourns the death of Isaac Nidiffer,
assistant professor of the practice of mathematics.
Nidiffer passed away on Tuesday, Aug. 7, after a period
of declining health.
“The Milligan community has suffered a great loss,”
said Milligan President Bill Greer. “I deeply appreciated
my colleague’s kind and gentle manner, and he will be
missed by all of us and by the thousands of students
whose lives he has touched throughout his career.”
Nidiffer began teaching math at Milligan in 1995,
but his impact reached far beyond his years at the
college. A graduate of Unaka High School, he earned
his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mathematics
from east Tennessee State University (Johnson City,
TN).
He taught at Ross N. Robinson Junior High School
(Kingsport, TN) from 1962-76. In 1976, he began
teaching at Dobyns-Bennett High School in Kingsport,
where he served for 21 years. He also was an adjunct
instructor at eTSU and Northeast State Community
College (Blountville, TN). n
Milligan mourns death ofprofessor Isaac Nidiffer
Young named vice president for academic affairs and dean
FALL 2012 | 9
Class of 1962 celebrates its 50th!
10 | FALL 2012
Distinguished Alumnus:
Duard Walker (’48)
Professional excellence Award:
Becky (Schauer, ’95) Robertson
Chuck Sanders (’83)
Athletics Hall of Fame:
Charles “Buddy” Bolding (’73)
Megan Lease (’06)
Spirit of Milligan Award:
Tim Snyder (’85)
Heritage Award:
Helsabeck and Hobson families
Congratulations!
The Walker family
Together, the Helsabeck and Hobson families have been a part of the
Milligan community for more than a century, and their impact as
students, as faculty, as staff and as alumni has been far-reaching.
Dr. Greer with Walker (’48) and former athletes Sonny Smith (’58),
Del Harris (’59), and Charles “Buddy” Bolding (’73)
Duard Walker (’48) was honored as the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus in
recognition of his 50 years of service to Milligan College. A legendary
figure on Milligan’s campus and in the world of college athletics, Walker
served in various roles, including athletics director, coach, resident
director, and faculty. In 2000, the Appalachian Athletic Conference
established the Duard Walker Trophy to recognize member institutions
with the most successful all-around sports program each year. Walker
was named the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA)
Athletics Director of the Year for 2001. In 2008, he was inducted into
the NAIA Hall of Fame. In addition to his award presented at the
Celebrate Milligan dinner, Walker also was honored at a reception
attended by his colleagues and the athletes he coached throughout his
50-year career. Walker is a Milligan icon whose influence impacted five
decades of Milligan students, and his legacy lives on through them.
OCTOBER 2
6 &
27
FALL 2012 | 11
This summer, almost 100 teenagers from 13 states and 55churches attended the 10th anniversary of the Youth in Ministry(YiM) Student Leadership conference, July 22-28, at Milligan.
“What sets this conference apart is its singular purpose ofhelping teens explore God’s call for their lives,” said Phyllis Fox,director of YiM and church relations at Milligan. “Our goal is tohelp awaken that call in them. Our alumni are serving in ministry,medicine, missions, you name it. Whatever God calls them to, that istheir ministry.”
YiM and the Student Leadership Conference grew out of a2002 grant from the Lilly Endowment. The purpose of theprogram, which is based at Milligan, was to help teens determinetheir vocational calling and decide how they can best minister as aChristian in that career, whatever it may be. Over the last decade,582 students have attended the conference. n
Christian comedian Chonda Pierceperformed to a sell-out crowd onOctober 4, in Milligan’s Mary B. MartinAuditorium of Seeger Memorial Chapel.
Pierce is the author of a half dozenbest-selling books and recently won the“Comedian of the Year” VisionaryAward. She has seven DVDs that havebeen certified gold, four platinumcertifications for DVD sales over 100,000units, five Emmy nominations, and she isfeatured in several movie roles. Her“Live.Love.Laugh.” tour also includedsongwriter/recording artist WarrenBarfield as special guest and host. n
This fall, Milligan launched a beta test of the first college app in the region completely designed anddeveloped by students. The app is a one-stop location for Milligan news, contacts and other helpfulinformation for students, faculty, staff and visitors. It was designed by Milligan senior Dale Giblin, underthe guidance of Teresa Carter, associate professor of computer information systems.
The app is available for iPod, iPhone and iPad at itunes.com/apps/milligancollege and for Androiddevices at https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.milligan.milliganapp.
In addition, Milligan recently converted its website to a responsive design, ensuring that visitors areable to easily read and navigate the site no matter what device they use to access it.
Finally, a team from Google visited campus during the summer to survey and map the buildings forGoogle’s new indoor mapping service. The indoor mapping service is a useful tool for new students andguests of the college who might not know where a room or office is located in a particular building. Theservice is now available on Android devices. n
Milligan boosts its mobile accessibility
Youth in Ministry celebrates 10th anniversary
Dr. Gary Chapman, author of the best-selling The Five Love Languages, hosted a seminartitled “The Marriage You’ve Always Wanted,”on September 22, at Milligan’s McGlothlin-Street Theatre of the Gregory Center for theLiberal Arts.
A marriage counselor for more than 35years, Chapman hosts a nationally syndicatedradio program, Love Language Minute, and aSaturday morning program, Building Relationshipswith Dr. Gary Chapman, that air on more than400 stations. His book, The Five Love Languages,has sold more than 7 million copies and earneda spot on The New York Times Best Sellers list. n
Best-selling author leadsmarriage seminar
Comedian performs to sell-out crowd in Seeger
c a m p u s c l o s e - u p
12 | FALL 2012
FALL 2012 | 13
The Milligan theatre department presented And Then There Were None, a murder mystery by Agatha Christie, October 25-28, in the McGlothlin-Street Theatre of the Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts. n
Measured by Brush Marks, an
exhibition featuring the work of
artist David Knoecklein, was on
display from October 1-27, in the Milligan Art Gallery. A reception for the
artist was held during Milligan’s Homecoming festivities on October 27.
Knoecklein, who taught art, humanities and communications at
Milligan from 1985 to 1991, uses art to represent the different interests he
has had throughout his career. His art ranges from abstract to landscapes,
and includes drawings and portraits. Most of his pieces in the exhibit were
tributes to the people who have shaped him as an artist and a person. n
Milligan celebrated its second-largest fall enrollment in the college’s
history as well as several national rankings and recognitions, which were
announced this fall.
There were 1,164 students registered for fall classes, which began
August 22. Last year, the college had an all-time high of 1,208. The previous
record was in 2010, at 1,140.
The retention rate is the highest it’s been in several years, with 80
percent freshman-to-sophomore and 90 percent overall. The average ACT
score of this year’s entering class is 24 and the average GPA is 3.6—higher
than the state and national averages.
Milligan moved up in U.S. News & World Report’s 2013 “America’s Best
College’s” rankings released in September. In the Regional Colleges in the
South classification, Milligan is ranked sixth overall, third among Best Value
Schools, and sixth on the “A+ Schools for B Students” list.
In addition, Milligan ranks among the top 100 baccalaureate colleges in
the nation, according to a ranking of colleges and universities published in
August by Washington Monthly.
The magazine’s annual College Guide and Rankings examines what
colleges are doing for their students and the public good—on whether
they’re improving social mobility, producing research and promoting public
service. Milligan ranked no. 78 out of 352 baccalaureate colleges
in the U.S.
Finally, for the fourth consecutive year, Milligan was designated a
Military Friendly School by Victory Media, the premier media entity for
military personnel transitioning into civilian life.
The 2013 Military Friendly Schools list honors the top 15 percent of
colleges, universities and trade schools that are doing the most to embrace
and ensure the success of America’s military service members, veterans, and
their spouses as students. A full story and detailed list of 2013 Military
Friendly Schools was included in the annual G.I. Jobs Guide to Military
Friendly Schools. n
The Milligan College Board of Trustees approved that Milligan
President Dr. Bill Greer continue the process of due diligence toward the
possible integration of Emmanuel Christian Seminary into Milligan College.
The two institutions have always operated independently but have a
strong shared history, since Emmanuel was founded in 1965 using shared
space on the Milligan campus and under the leadership of then-president
Dr. Dean E. Walker. Both institutions are part of the Stone-Campbell
Movement and have a similar mission of preparing men and women for
ministry and servant-leadership.
Financial and economic conditions have been difficult for Emmanuel in
recent years, which led Emmanuel’s board and president in Summer 2012 to
begin discussions with Milligan about some sort of operating relationship.
Since then, both institutions have been in a period of due diligence to
explore the options and determine if such a relationship would be in the
best interest of both parties.
Since the discussions between Milligan and Emmanuel began,
Emmanuel has been blessed with a significant gift from a donor who has
designated these funds to go toward relieving their debt. Both institutions
are grateful for God’s provision through this donor.
No definitive decisions or agreements have been reached. The decision
to prepare a non-binding Letter of Intent formalizes the period of due
diligence in order to fully investigate the financial, academic, administrative,
and logistical details of such an arrangement. There are many details and
decisions still to be explored prior to a final agreement being reached.
It is the desire of both institutions to perpetuate quality academic
degrees in Bible and ministry. It is the hope that the result of this process
will be to integrate Emmanuel into Milligan College in a way that strengthens
and continues that mission.
We ask that you pray for the leadership of both institutions as they
continue their discussions. Likewise, we express our gratitude to those who
have so generously supported the important missions of Emmanuel and
Milligan and thank you in advance for continuing to do so. n
Moving up in rankings and retention
Theatre presentsAnd Then There Were None
Discussions between Milligan and ECS continue
Knoeckleinexhibit on display forHomecoming
14 | FALL 2012
Whether he’s serving meals in the Milligan
College cafeteria or cheering for
student athletes at sporting events,
Dennis Bailey (’80) invests in the lives of
people.
As a part-time employee of Milligan’s food
service provider, Pioneer College Caterers,
Bailey meets and greets a lot of people who pass
through Milligan―from the students he sees every
day to visitors who are on campus for summer camps
or a special event. And he always meets them with a
smile and friendly conversation.
“Dennis has been here for many years and is well known by all
the students, faculty and staff,” said Mark Henry, director of food service at
Milligan. “He takes pride in talking to everyone and getting to know them
personally. If you’re new to Milligan and don’t know Dennis, just go
through his line one time and you will.”
But Bailey’s commitment to Milligan goes beyond his job. He’s a
familiar face at Milligan’s athletics events and is one of
the biggest supporters of the Buffaloes, attending as
many games, matches and meets as his schedule will
allow.
“Dennis is our biggest fan,” said Adam Laney,
men’s head soccer coach.“His cowbell and signature
chant, ‘On the ball, Buffaloes!’ are both comforting
and inspiring. When we hear it, we know we are at
home with our Milligan family and we are all in the
game together. Behind this outward support I know that
he loves this school and genuinely loves the students and
players. He embodies what I believe are the foundations of
Milligan in his caring and relational spirit.”
Men’s head basketball Coach Bill Robinson agrees.
“Dennis loves Milligan and all the different sports here,”
Robinson said.
“He is by far the biggest fan we have at Milligan. Coaches and players
alike look forward to seeing him at their games, encouraging and cheering
our teams to victory.”
stAFF sPotLiGHt:
Dennis BaileyEditor’s note: This is the first in a series of stories highlighting some
of Milligan’s longtime employees and their contributions to the college.
Their work often is done behind the scenes, but their names and faces
are familiar to the countless students and alumni whose lives they have
touched through their service and commitment to Milligan.
FALL 2012 | 15
ThE pATh TO MILLIgAN
Bailey, a native of Kingston, Jamaica, remembers the first time he ever heard of
Milligan. He was in his early 20s and was working as a clerical accountant in Kingston.
“I’d been praying for three years for an opportunity to study in the U.S.,” Bailey
said. “Then, Dr. Henry Webb visited Jamaica for a youth retreat, and I spoke with him
about Milligan. About nine months later, in 1976, I came to Milligan as a freshman.”
With encouragement from Webb, a leading Christian church historian who taught
at Milligan from 1950 to 1990, Bailey began preparing for the work of the ministry of
the Gospel.
He majored in Bible and minored in chemistry at Milligan and completed a
student ministry at West Main Street Christian Church in Johnson City. An avid soccer
player, Bailey also was a member and student coach of Milligan’s men’s soccer team.
In 1980, Bailey began his ministry as an independent missionary evangelist and
did additional studies at Emmanuel Christian Seminary. In 1982, he accepted a
position with The Salvation Army, which took him to many different areas of the
United States. In 1985, he returned to Jamaica, where he ministered for three years.
“I like the Apostle Paul and his model for ministry,” Bailey said. “He was a
missionary evangelist who worked in different places and traveled around.”
Bailey’s travels brought him back to the United States in 1988. He was involved in
ministries in Atlanta and New York, and in 1990, he returned to his first American
home—Johnson City. Although he no longer formally works for The Salvation Army,
Bailey continues to volunteer with the organization. He worships and serves in a
variety of churches in the area, including Buffalo Valley Christian Church.
“I’ve stayed here so long because I like the community of believers, the diversity,
the youth, the energy and the excitement of the Milligan campus,” he said. “I also like
the opportunity to do additional studies in this area.”
This summer offered Bailey more excitement than usual.
“I love working at Milligan during the summer because a new group comes
through every week,” Bailey said. “But the summer of 2012 is one of my best
memories.”
The summer began with the usual stream of summer camps and students, which
Bailey looks forward to each year. In late July, after working during one of his favorite
summer programs, the Youth in Ministry Student Leadership Conference, Bailey was
able to go home to Jamaica for the country’s Jubilee celebration.
“Then the day I came back to Milligan was the University of Tennessee’s first full
day of training camp at Milligan,” Bailey said. “For 20 years, I have been a big fan, so
I had a blast while the players were on campus.”
The players signed Bailey’s UT scrapbook, football and shirt. And after two
decades of watching the Vols on television, this fall Bailey was invited to attend his
first game at UT’s Neyland Stadium.
‘TO MAkE A DIFFERENCE’While he cherishes every memory at Milligan, Bailey said he will not be in East
Tennessee forever. His trip to Jamaica planted a seed of interest to someday return
there.
“I saw so many needs for ministry,” Bailey said. “My intention is to take teams to
Jamaica and create and develop ministries there. That is the biggest burden on my
heart right now.”
As he plans his next step, Bailey remains content where God has placed him to
serve. And although his current job title and description in the Milligan cafeteria have
little to do with his ministerial background, Bailey considers his work an important
outreach for the kingdom of God.
“When Jesus was at the last supper, he was breaking bread with his disciples and
he washed their feet,” Bailey said. “He was using his hands and doing menial tasks.
That’s a demonstration of humility and humble service.
“I am able to serve people in a humble way. I am working not just for monetary
reward, but to be able to make a difference in people’s lives.” n
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featuring
Kristina Kayser truly recognizes the importance of following God’s
direction in life, no matter where it takes her.
In 2004, Kayser graduated from Milligan College with a Bachelor of
Science in Nursing degree. Since 2011, Kayser has worked in Israel as a
nurse for Shevet Achim, a non-profit organization that helps children
affected by heart disease. Though it took many steps to get to where she is
today, Kayser thanks God for sending her out of her comfort zone into a
place where she can minister to those in need.
“I’m so thankful for the way God works,” said Kayser, a native of San
Diego, California.
Shevet Achim, based in Jerusalem, helps to save the lives of children
suffering from congenital heart disease. One in every 200 children
worldwide are born with a congenital heart defect, but not every child has
access to help when they need it. Since 1994, children from Gaza and
Kurdistan have received life-saving heart surgeries through this organization.
Thousands of children have been given a second chance—without this heart
surgery, many children would die before their teenage years.
“Watching dying children receive health, life and strength is like
watching a miracle one day after another,” reflects Kayser.
Kayser works as a nurse and translator at Shevet, where she cares for
children before and after their heart surgeries. Depending on treatment time,
a child and his or her family can live in the house anywhere between two
and seven months. Not only does Kayser administer treatment as these
children heal, but she acts as a liaison between the parents and the medical
staff. The Kurdish families who live in the houses in Jerusalem only speak
their native language, so Kayser must interpret their concerns, questions and
fears to the doctors.
In the time Kayser has worked at Shevet, she has helped almost 50 kids
recover from their heart surgeries. Though most kids come to Shevet
between infancy and school age, one young man named Heizhan came to
the organization at 22 years old. Normally, children affected by congenital
heart disease do not live that long. By the time he reached 22, Heizhan’s
family knew that he would soon die if he did not have surgery. They went to
Shevet in order to receive help. After an 11-hour surgery, Heizhan’s family
rejoiced that their son was healing.
“I watched the way God healed not only his physical heart, but his
whole being,” said Kayser. “He knows his life has been changed and the
fears he had lived with his entire life have been removed.”
16 | FALL 2012
Alumna has passion for cross-cultural missionsBy Amerrica Duggan (’14)
FALL 2012 | 17
One of Kayser’s favorite aspects of Shevet Achim—meaning “brothers
dwelling together” in Hebrew—is the Scripture from which the organization
gets its name. Psalm 133:1 says, “How very good and pleasant it is when
kindred live together in unity!” Christians, Muslims and Jewish Israelis all
come together as one at Shevet in order to help those in need.
“We see the way God is able to break down walls through this unity,”
said Kayser. “This is a picture of how God’s kingdom here on earth should
look. We should love our enemies in a way that breaks down barriers. We
should come together and save lives when everyone says it’s impossible.”
Though she happily serves in Israel today, it took several years for
Kayser to end up in such a place. During her time at Milligan, she knew that
God wanted her to pursue cross-cultural ministry, but she had no idea where
He wanted her to go. After graduation, she worked as a nurse in the States
while also serving on various mission trips. Even a few years later, as she
suffered from a deadly form of malaria in South Sudan, Kayser felt God
calling her and telling her that something big was about to happen in her life.
After a miraculous healing, Kayser stepped into a new chapter in her life.
“I had a spark of curiosity in the Muslim world, but I never imagined I’d
end up in the Middle East. But, God kept reminding me of the Scripture
that says ‘perfect love casts out fear.’”
On December 8, 2010, Kayser arrived in Israel with two suitcases,
knowing only one person in the entire country. She went to Israel with no
time constraints, waiting for God to show her what He wanted her to do.
Though a friend introduced her to Shevet, Kayser did not initially feel led to
serve in the organization. After two months of continued prayer on what she
should do in Israel, she finally got her answer.
“I couldn’t get Shevet Achim out of my mind,” said Kayser. “I woke up
one morning seeing a picture of a field with dandelions and the wind
blowing their seeds. God told me, ‘I brought you to this place to minister,
where these children can return as seeds of hope to their country.’”
She then knew that God wanted her to work for Shevet.
“Though I had a reluctant heart in the beginning, I soon realized that
this was exactly where God wanted me to be,” said Kayser. “Not only had
Shevet been praying for a nurse for several years, I had been praying at the
same time for God to lead me to the right place to serve. He answered these
prayers in a beautiful and unexpected way.”
Kayser attributes much of what she has learned to her time at Milligan.
Hours and hours of classes and nursing clinicals taught her the knowledge
and skills she needs to work with the children at Shevet Achim. Bible and
humanities courses helped to sharpen her worldview, which has been an
important aspect for her job overseas. Not only did her classes prepare her
for cross-cultural ministry, but she had encouragement from professors
throughout her college career.
“I had several nursing professors who helped support me in my desire
to do cross cultural ministry, including Mary Fabick, Melinda Collins and
Phyllis King,” she said. “Pat and Lee Magness were also a great source of
encouragement to me. Milligan was not a place of just learning, it was a
place where my relationship with God could thrive, as well.”
Kayser’s parents supported their daughter’s decision to go to Israel from
the moment she told them what she wanted to do.
“Most parents would be scared for their child to go overseas indefinitely,
but they raised me to put my full trust in Jesus. They have always had a deep
love for Israel, so they knew that God would provide and take care of me.”
Kayser came back to the United States in September to visit her family
and friends. After a month of rest and relaxation from her fast-paced job,
Kayser returned to Israel in October. She plans to continue her ministry at
Shevet Achim, unless God directs her path otherwise. n
18 | FALL 2012
Spirit MILLIGANofWhat does the Milligan College community mean to Tim Snyder (’85),
the 2012 recipient of the George W. Hardin Spirit of Milligan award?
Snyder’s cell phone is just one small piece of the picture, but it tells the
story well.
A resident of Brownsville, Texas, Snyder created a contact list, titled
“Milligan Family,” with the names and phone numbers of 15 current
Milligan students from Brownsville. He checks in on them regularly,
encourages them, and has even provided rides to and from Texas for some
of them.
But only one of those students, daughter Anneke, is actually related
to him.
The majority of Snyder’s Milligan “family” attended Rivera High
School, where he served as principal for four and a half years. Directly or
indirectly, Snyder had a hand in each of their decisions to attend Milligan.
His first Milligan recruit, senior Marilyn Lara, will graduate in May 2013.
Since Brownsville is located on the U.S.-Mexican border, most of the
students Snyder has served in his 27 years as a teacher and school
administrator are Hispanic. In 2008, Snyder read about Milligan’s Betty Goah
Scholars Program, which helps advance diversity by providing scholarships
for eligible students from diverse backgrounds.
After a phone call to one of his former Milligan classmates, Milligan
President Bill Greer, Snyder learned that the Goah scholarship was an
excellent opportunity to send some of his finest students to Milligan. Since
then, Snyder has been a beacon for Milligan within Brownsville Independent
Schools.
“Milligan is a good fit for the students who have come here from
Brownsville,” Snyder said. “In Mexican culture, relationships are of No. 1
importance, so the way Milligan is set up, with an emphasis on community,
fits these students very well. I consider every one of the Brownsville
students to be part of my Milligan family.
“My goal for each of them is that they be stimulated intellectually and
spiritually, and that they graduate not only with a degree, but with a close
relationship with Jesus Christ.”
When he learned he would receive the Spirit of Milligan award at the
annual Celebrate Milligan dinner, Snyder purchased tickets so that all of the
students from Brownsville could attend. On October 26, the 27-year veteran
FALL 2012 | 19
IN MEXICAN CULTURE, RELATIONSHIPS ARE
OF NO. 1 IMPORTANCE, SO THE WAY
MILLIGAN IS SET UP, WITH AN EMPHASIS
ON COMMUNITY, FITS THESE STUDENTS
VERY WELL. I CONSIDER EVERY ONE
OF THE BROWNSVILLE STUDENTS TO BE
PART OF MY MILLIGAN FAMILY.
“
”
educator accepted his award, surrounded by own
family and his entire Milligan family.
The award is well deserved, said Ernesto
Villarreal, Milligan’s director of diversity services.
Ironically, Villarreal grew up in Brownsville, but
he did not know Snyder until he came to work at
Milligan. Now, as Villarreal recruits for Milligan’s
Goah program, he sees firsthand the impact
Snyder has had on his students.
“Tim’s influence on the students that he’s
helped Milligan recruit is evident in their
dedication to education as well as their desire to
serve and enrich the lives of those around them,”
Villarreal said, “His representation of
Milligan is best seen in his reputation in the
Brownsville Independent School District (BISD).
Through his 20-plus year career, Tim has trained
some of the best guidance counselors, deans, principals and teachers
that BISD has to offer. Without fail, I cannot walk 20 feet in a high school
in Brownsville without a parent, student or employee greeting Tim;
however, the most impressive thing is that he remembers the name of
every single person.
“It is evident that Tim’s success is due to the training and experiences
he received during his time at Milligan. His career and accomplishments are
a perfect example of what our students can accomplish with their Milligan
education.”
FROM ThE MIDWEsT TO MILLIgANBrownsville has not always been Snyder’s home. A native of Alliance,
Ohio, Snyder first heard about Milligan from a friend who invited him to
visit with his church youth group.
“Milligan was the only school I applied to, and I ended up coming in
1981,” Snyder said. “I started out as a missions major and switched to
secondary education.”
After graduation, a fellow Milligan alumnus
and Texan, Chris Hughston, convinced Snyder to
move to Brownsville to look for a job there. He
landed his first teaching job within one day.
“In my first middle school history class, every
student was Hispanic,” Snyder said. “It was a
different culture for me.”
But Snyder soon became accustomed to the
cultural differences, and it did not take long for
him to put down strong roots in Brownsville. In
1988, he married Brownsville native Ludivina, and
the couple have three children—Anneke, a junior
at Milligan, and high school seniors Jackie and
Sammy, who plan to attend Milligan.
In February 2012, Snyder gained a new
perspective on the importance of family and of
his Milligan experience when he was diagnosed
with stage IV lymphoma. After undergoing chemotherapy, he is now in full
remission and back to work as administrator with special services with
BISD. His battle with cancer, as uncertain as it was for a time, has only
strengthened his spirit and his dedication to watching his children—and his
extended Milligan “family”—pursue God’s call for their lives.
“Spiritually, I was ready to go, but I feel so blessed to be
here now,” Snyder said. “I realize how precious time is, how precious
relationships are. I see that lacking in so many places, and it makes me
realize how special and unique the Milligan community really is.” n
20 | FALL 2012
Rollingout the
For the first time since 1950, the Milligan College campus was alive with
the sounds of pads popping, whistles blowing, and other evidence of
football practice. However, it wasn’t a herd of Buffaloes on Anglin Field.
The University of Tennessee Volunteer football team used the Milligan
campus for a week of preseason camp, August 9-15, while its operations
staff moved into the new Football Training Complex from the Neyland-
Thompson Sports Complex. For the Tennessee coaching staff, it was a
chance to focus on just one thing―football.
“We want to limit ourselves from the distractions and simulate what
used to be very common as it relates to team chemistry, getting to know
each other, and building leadership and togetherness,” Tennessee Head
Coach Derek Dooley said before departing Knoxville to begin the trip. “It’s
just about creating time where we are away from all that stuff.”
The camp couldn’t have gone smoother, from the day the Volunteers
arrived until they boarded the buses back to Knoxville, according to Mark
Fox, Milligan’s vice president for student development.
The Milligan men’s soccer, women’s soccer and volleyball programs all
opened preseason camp the same week the Volunteers were on campus.
However, the attitudes of the Milligan staff and players made the week a
positive experience for all involved.
“I think it went very well,” Fox said. “Relatively speaking, it was not
very disruptive. I think a big part of that is because of the attitude of our
coaches, housekeeping and support staff. Everybody had a ‘can-do’ attitude,
and that filtered over into our student-athletes and their willingness to be
inconvenienced for five or six days.”
Fox was quick to point out that the Milligan staff made the camp a
success―from housekeeping and landscaping to the kitchen staff in
McCormick Dining Center.
“Our staff had the willingness to take on something new,” Fox said.
“Their attitude was great, and our performance, as far as carrying out
what we said we were going to do, was top of the line. I think it worked
out great.”
A big benefit for Milligan was the financial gain, as it allowed for
purchases of equipment and other major improvements to be made in the
future. However, the most important benefits were intangible.
“I think the second biggest thing, if not the biggest, was the exposure
CARPET
FALL 2012 | 21
CARPET
that we got on all kinds of different levels,” Fox said. “I don’t know how you
put a monetary value on it. Another was the reinforcement that our staff got
from people outside saying ‘Hey, you do a great job.’ I think that goes a long
way toward employee morale.”
Several Milligan facilities also received a makeover as a direct result of the
camp. The playing surface of Anglin Field was reworked, and the Tennessee
turf management staff provided
guidance to help care for the
surface.
The benefits didn’t just
extend to the athletic facilities.
Internet capabilities at Derthick
Hall were upgraded, and
improved signage was added
throughout the campus.
As Fox reviewed the training
camp experience with football
players, he quickly learned that
their impression of the Milligan
campus and staff was second
to none. n
Steve Lacy Fieldhouse, home of the Milligan Buffaloes since
1976, underwent a significant renovation this summer prior to
the arrival of Tennessee. The building received new exterior
graphics and signage, while the inside received fresh paint and a
new hardwood floor to represent the college’s athletic branding.
The dressing areas and locker rooms also received an update.
During a rededication ceremony in August for the newly renovated
facility, the college celebrated the past, present and future of its
athletics program. Many former and current student athletes and
coaches were joined by family members of Steve Lacy, including
Mike Lacy (’66) and Gloria (Lacy ’93) Dudney.
Lacy was a 1931 graduate of Milligan, and returned to his alma
mater in 1933 to serve as the college’s athletic director. As a
student, he played football and basketball. Once Lacy returned to
Milligan, he assumed the role of coach for many sports. His
teams won championships in basketball, football, baseball and
track, and he was the only coach in the history of the Smoky
Mountain Athletic Conference to win championships in four
sports. In addition to his role in athletics, Lacy served as
Milligan’s dean and vice president from 1942-1947 and
then became a member of the board, serving as chairman for
13 years. n
Fieldhouse Facelift
22 | FALL 2012
I t wasn’t any ordinary summer for Chris Layne, Milligan’s cross country and
track and field coach.
In fact, it was anything but ordinary as he traveled to London, England,
to assist some of the world’s greatest athletes in their quest for Olympic
gold at the 2012 Summer Olympic Games.
In addition to his duties at Milligan, Layne owns and manages Total
Sports Management. The company assists track and field athletes with the
business aspects of the sport, including contract negotiations, financial
planning, marketing, media relations and travel arrangements.
At the London Olympics, Layne had more than 30 clients competing,
and those athletes tallied seven medals. Carmelita Jeter led the way with
three medals in London, as she was a part of the gold medal winning
American team in the 4x100-meter relay. She also won a silver medal and a
bronze medal in the 100-meter and 200-meter, respectively. Other standout
performances included Jason Richardson’s silver medal in the 110-meter
hurdles and Sally Kipyego’s silver medal in the 10,000-meter run.
The 2012 Olympic Games was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for
Layne, especially since his wife Catherine’s family is from London.
Catherine is no stranger to the global track and field scene as she narrowly
missed qualifying for the 2004 Olympic Games in the 5,000-meters.
“In my line of work, it’s easy to take these opportunities for granted,
and I went to London with the mindset that this was extremely special,”
Layne said. “You could feel the energy of the Games throughout the entire
city, and London did an incredible job of welcoming the world. It meant a
lot to also be able to share this with my family, since my wife is from
London and she came so close to making it in 2004.”
It is easy for Layne to see the benefits of being in the presence of the
world’s greatest athletes. It has substantial benefits for his cross country and
track and field teams at Milligan.
“It’s simple. I’m around the greatest athletes in the world and the
greatest coaches in the world, so it’s pretty hard not to soak up the
knowledge surrounding you on a regular basis,” Layne said. “Any coach who
FALL 2012 | 23
thinks they know everything
needs to retire, so I just try to
learn and bring this back to
our student-athletes at
Milligan.”
The success around the
program is easy to see as the
women’s cross country team
has recorded nine straight
Appalachian Athletic
Conference (AAC)
championships, while both
the men and women’s track
and field teams have captured
two consecutive AAC titles.
Since the program’s inception
in 1999, the Milligan
programs have recorded 13
top 25 national championship
finishes, 42 NAIA All-
Americans, and more than 160 national qualifiers, all of which have come
with Layne at the helm of the program.
The lessons that Layne has brought back from his experience in the
professional track and field world have carried over to his athletes. Many of
those student-athletes are now coaches who are passing that knowledge to
their student-athletes. That, according to Layne, is an exciting result.
“First and foremost, it’s a testimony to the type of person Milligan is
capable of shaping in the four years students are with us,” Layne said. “It’s
exciting to me to see our former student-athletes embrace the sport and
want to be able to take what they’ve learned and share it with the next
generation. I think that’s priceless.”
Milligan alumni coaching track and field and cross country include
Aaron Wood (’10), Kortney Goulds (’09), Phillip Rotich (’03), Andrew
Gouge (’11), Nicole Moore (’09) and Janey Robinson (’12).
“The biggest lesson I haven taken from my time in the distance
program at Milligan is the opportunity to raise the expectations of the
individuals around me,” said Wood, now the head cross country coach at
Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. “Chris’ work as a
professional agent gave me the opportunity to hear first-hand what
professional runners believe were the keys to their success. I have used that
information to create strong relationships with my own runners and to
show them that they have another level of success that they can always
strive to attain.”
Wood’s experience at Milligan helps his Elizabethton High squad
achieve that next level of success.
“I believe the sign of a good coach is someone who adapts what has
been successful in other programs into the creation of their own,” Wood
said. “I have taken the training strategies that made me successful in college
and applied those principles to my very close-knit program, and we have
already had success. The key to having a great team is having a great
program and tradition within that program.”
Despite all the championships that Layne’s squads have achieved, there
is no greater feeling than when he hears from one of his former athletes
who tells him about a recent success.
“It doesn’t happen all the time, but when you get the phone call or
email saying ‘Coach, I get it now,’ that means more than any championship,”
Layne said. n
AtHLetic neWsCheerleading
The Milligan College dance team received several
accolades during the Universal Dance
Association’s (UDA) camp held on the campus of
the University of Tennessee-Knoxville in late July.
The squad won the college division in the Home
Pom routine as well as in the Fight Song routine
competition. In addition, the Buffaloes earned a
Superior team rating based on individual
performances as well as the 2012 Program
Improvement award.
Cross Country
The Milligan women’s cross country team recorded their 10th straight AAC title as
they swept the top five positions for a perfect score. The Buffaloes saw Catie
McMahon (Lanoka harbor, NJ) run to AAC Runner of the year honors with a mark of
19:40, while heather Exline (glouster, Oh) finished second with a time of 19:41.
Senior Natalia Rivas (Johnson City, TN), Danielle Mitchell (Johnson City, TN) and
Mackenzie patten (kingsport, TN) rounded out the top five. In addition, Milligan saw
solid seasons from two-time AAC Runner of the week Meagan Wright (Florence, sC)
and Cassie st. John (Jonesborough, TN).
Men’s golf
The Milligan men’s golf team will enter the AAC Spring Tournament in second place,
six strokes behind conference leader Tennessee Wesleyan. Milligan was paced by
hunter O’Neal (Bluefield, VA) as he fired a two-day total of 150 to place sixth, while
freshman Nick kyte (Johnson City, TN) finished in eighth with an event total of 151.
Women’s golf
The women’s golf team will enter the AAC Spring Tournament in third after a solid
second day at the Tennessee Wesleyan Invitational. The Buffaloes were paced by
Brittany Branker’s (Trabuco Canyon, CA) third place finish, one stroke off the lead
for AAC Player of the Year. Milligan will enter the spring tournament 21 strokes
behind Union College.
Men’s soccer
The men’s soccer team captured their second
straight AAC regular season title with a 7-1
conference record. The Buffaloes finished the
season overall with a 10-5 record. Senior Chris
Ochieng (Nairobi, kenya) recorded 15 goals to
rank 23rd nationally with six of those being
game winners. Nahom Tekle (Ethiopia) finished
the season ranked fifth nationally in total
assists with 14.
Women’s soccer
The women’s soccer team finished the regular season tied for second place with a
6-2-1 conference record and they were 9-6-1 overall. Teagan Wood (kingsport, TN)
provided offensive power with five goals, while Lauren Brewer (knoxville, TN)
recorded four goals. Junior Lauren McInturff (kingsport, TN) recorded 71 saves and
helped the Buffaloes defense tally seven shutouts during the season.
Volleyball
Milligan volleyball recorded a 12-5 conference record to finish in a tie for second
place during the regular season. The Buffaloes, who were 19-14 overall, were led by
a trio of seniors in Chelsea spivey (gate City, VA), katelin henson (kingsport, TN)
and holly English (kingsport, TN). All three surpassed the 1,000 dig mark for their
careers, and Spivey became the Milligan assist career leader as she surpassed
4,000 for her career.
For more athletic news, visit www.milliganbuffs.com
Dear friends,
Construction has become commonplace on the Milligan
campus. The past several years have seen a number of major
projects, the most recent being the addition of a new student
housing village, which is well underway. It is exciting to see
new residence halls taking shape, knowing that they will soon
be full of Milligan students, adding an important new
dimension to the community that calls Milligan home. And
each day I become increasingly impressed with the depth of
this community that is called Milligan College. In fact, this
has been driven home to me these last few months, as I
have witnessed both tragedy and triumph among the
Milligan family.
By now, you have undoubtedly heard of the unexpected
death of Don Jeanes, Milligan’s chancellor and past president.
It was Don’s vision and commitment to excellence that
propelled Milligan forward in so many ways. Under his
leadership, with his wife Clarinda at his side, Milligan’s campus
was expanded, improved, and beautified. New academic
programs were added, enrollment grew, the college’s finances
were strengthened, and our reputation for quality became well
known.
Don and Clarinda were dear friends of Milligan College,
as well as of Edwina and me. Don was a trusted mentor and
confidant, and I miss him greatly. During my first year as
president, I was able to benefit from Don’s experience as I
called him frequently with questions, seeking his advice and
counsel. Don spent a good portion of his last years as
Milligan’s president preparing the college to go on after he
retired. The entire Milligan community is indebted to his
foresight and wisdom.
In recent weeks I have also seen the impact of our
community among our students. Two students, one from
Brownsville, Texas, and the other from southern Illinois, have
been in the hospital. In both instances, the nurses and doctors
have shared with me how impressed they have been upon
seeing these students’ friends surrounding them with love and
care. In the case of the young man from St. Louis, so many of
his friends spent so much time in his room that his nurses
called the room “party central”! Perhaps moving me the most,
upon learning of his diagnosis with lymphoma, was the
statement made by his parents that they regretted having to
bring him home for treatment, realizing that what upset him
the most was leaving the network of support that Milligan
offered.
The Milligan community is indeed greater than the sum
of our collective parts: our board, students, faculty, staff,
alumni, and so many friends over the years who have come
together through our common vision for Christian education.
It is that shared vision and support for our mission that has
created the loving, supportive, and dynamic community that is
Milligan College. As you read about what has been happening
in our community these past few months, know that I am
grateful to have you in the Milligan family.
With warmest regards,
Bill Greer (’85) Ph.D.
President
From the President
FALL 2012 | 28
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