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By SHARON CASKEY HAYES
Times-News
You’ve seen it in the news – Corporate greed. Tax evasion. Embezzlement in the workplace.
Milligan College wants to change the headlines.
“I think it’s a critical time in our country,” said Todd Norris, vice president for Institutional Advancement at Milligan College. “It would be hard to argue the fact that there’s on some level a leadership crisis in our country. And I think as institutions of higher education, we have to take responsibility for that.”
Milligan is in the midst of a $30 million “Campaign for Christian Leadership” – an effort college leaders hope will change lives and shape culture. Norris said the campaign stems from a long-range strategic plan developed for the college three years ago. The college considered how it could serve students and the region, and what its long-term impact would be.
“And out of that was the vision that Milligan would be a premier Christian liberal arts college where Jesus Christ is exulted and excellence is the standard,” Norris said.
The five-year campaign was officially launched in 2001 and concludes in 2006. Thanks to some generous gifts from a handful of donors, the campaign started with half of its $30 million goal in hand.
Today, a total of $22 million has been either given or pledged. Norris said as many as 3,000 people have contributed to the effort, giving everything from a few dollars to several thousand.
A big part of the campaign involves capital improvements, including a $15 million central campus project that consists of renovations to Derthick Hall, the development of The Commons, and construction of a new campus center.
The college has completed the $3 million renovation of Derthick Hall, along with the development of the Mary Sword Commons.
Norris said the third phase of the project – construction of a new campus center – is probably a few years away. A site plan for the center is now being developed. But the college’s tennis courts will have to be relocated before construction can begin. Norris said a fund drive will be held to finance a new tennis complex.
“The idea behind the central campus commons was to focus all of our student life and academic elements around the commons to enhance the overall student experience here,” Norris said.
The college has other long-term capital projects on the drawing board as well, including renovation and expansion of residency halls; the addition of classroom space with computer-assisted learning, lecture halls and more faculty offices; a library renovation and expansion; refurbishment of athletic facilities; and the upgrade of the college’s overall plant property and infrastructure.
In addition to capital projects, college leaders hope to unite students and alumni through the campaign, along with area churches, businesses and individuals in a shared vision committed to Christian leadership.
As part of the effort, Milligan will establish new endowed scholarships, faculty chairs and program endowments to enhance curriculum and the student experience.
Another part of the campaign is focused on developing an Institute for Christian Leadership. The institute will promote Christian leadership and service through new educational programs, opportunities for involvement and collaboration, and recognition of notable Christian leaders in the region and nation.
The campaign is also focused on new majors and degree programs, student development, spiritual life and student success programs, special scholarship initiatives, and technology initiatives.
The campaign got a boost last week when the college received a $2 million grant from the Lilly Endowment for mission-centered initiatives. The grant will help fund new honor scholarships, campus life programming, spiritual life activities, curriculum enhancements, career counseling services, and leadership and service training opportunities.
And the campaign is focused on strengthening its relationships with alumni. Norris said Milligan is on track to record the highest alumni giving rate among colleges and universities in the South. The number of alumni who contribute to the school has doubled in the last six years.
Today, 32 percent of Milligan’s alumni contribute to their alma mater, up from 28 percent in 2001. Norris said Milligan hopes that 40 percent of its alumni become yearly contributors by the end of the campaign.
“We’re seeing the alumni really get behind this effort,” Norris said of the Campaign for Christian Leadership. “They strongly support the direction that the college is taking, and are very affirming of what we want to accomplish with our students.”
Milligan is also reaching out to partner with the region. The college has formed relationships with the business community through it President’s Executive Council, which is made up of about 60 business leaders from throughout the region.
And the college has built a Church Leadership Council to develop partnerships with area churches.
“It’s really very encouraging to see so many people in the region and out of the region embracing the vision that we’ve felt so strongly about,” Norris said.
“What we’re finding is that Milligan’s approach is pretty unique in relation to other colleges and universities in that we strongly believe it’s possible to combine the best of both worlds. We’re very committed to high-powered rigorous academic programming that prepares students thoroughly to be contributing members of society, and prepares them very rigorously for professional success. And we believe we can accomplish all that from the standpoint of a very thoroughly Christian atmosphere, preparing students in a way that forms them spiritually as Christians, that strengthens their faith, and that provides them opportunities for service and outreach to others.”
Myra O’Dell of Kingsport is in her senior year at Milligan. The 21-year-old math and business major said she appreciates Milligan’s approach.
“It’s been really nice to have a Christian atmosphere here. I feel like, going into business, there have been a lot of scandals, and we have classes like business ethics, and we get a Christian viewpoint. I feel that will help me after college,” O’Dell said.
Her father, Dr. John O’Dell, is superintendent of the Sullivan County School System. Milligan recognized him earlier this year as one of its “Leaders in Christian Service” for 2003.
Norris said the Leaders in Christian Service program is one way Milligan connects with the local business and professional community.
“What we do here is not possible without them. The relationship with the business community and our alumni base and our churches are very essential to being able to fulfill what we want to accomplish,” Norris said.
Establishing ties to the business community also helps students. Norris said Milligan offers a mentoring program that connects students with professionals who offer support and advice in their career fields.
Throughout their college experience, Milligan students are encouraged to pursue their calling, talents and gifts – whether its in business, education, healthcare, the ministry or another field. And college leaders are hoping the Campaign for Christian Leadership builds on the institution’s vision to change lives and shape culture.
“It’s a campaign that’s truly about Christian leadership and moving the college forward in new ways,” Norris said.
For more information on Milligan College, visit www.milligan.edu.