Back to News 
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (September 29, 2004) — To Drs. Craig Farmer, Billye Joyce Fine, Phil Kenneson, R. David Roberts and Ted Thomas, teaching at Milligan is not just a job. It’s a ministry worth supporting. This year, the professors have each established special scholarship programs to benefit the students they teach.
Kenneson, professor of theology and philosophy, and his wife, Kim, created the Ruth Buchanan Memorial Scholarship in honor of his great-aunt. Kenneson said he depended on scholarship support while a college student.
“I doubt that I would be here doing what I love today if it weren’t for those scholarships. I determined then that I would do what I could in the future to help students pay for college. I’m a firm believer that God can do more than we can ask or imagine with our gifts,” said Kenneson.
Farmer, professor of history and humanities, and his uncle, Ted Thomas, professor of history, humanities and German, created the J. Harold and Roxanna Norton Thomas Scholarship Fund to financially assist minority students.
The scholarship is named for Thomas’ parents and Farmer’s grandparents, who have actively worked for over 70 years to racially integrate society and the churches and to promote unity among Christians. This year, the fund supported an African-American student.
“We wanted to help increase the presence of minority students on the Milligan campus. I think it is incumbent upon us as Christians to promote diversity in our community,” said Farmer.
Roberts, professor of Bible and Christian ministries, and his wife, Donna, established the Ronald T. and Sylvia M. Roberts Endowed Scholarship Fund, named for Roberts’ parents. They have also contributed to the establishment of the Donald G. Sahli Endowed Scholarship Fund, named for Mrs. Roberts’ father who formerly served as academic dean at Milligan.
“Two of my father-in-law’s children attended and graduated from Milligan, as well as four of his grandchildren. He spent most of his career in education, so it seemed fitting to name a scholarship in his memory to aid Milligan students. We also decided it would be good after my father’s death to establish a similar fund in memory and honor of my parents,” said Dr. Roberts.
Fine, director of teacher education, and her husband, Eddie, a member of the college’s Board of Trustees, created the W. Edward and Billye Joyce Fine Education Endowment Fund. The Fines met as students at Milligan and have maintained a special relationship with the college. For many years during previous ministries, they promoted the college throughout the country when presenting Christian education workshops.
“Milligan continues daily to educate men and women servant leaders, who are striving to have their heads, hearts and lifestyles going in His direction. Being actively involved in church, school and community, we have observed Christian education is the hope of the world and have wanted to help students experience that education at Milligan,” said Fine.
Todd Norris, vice president for institutional advancement, said that scholarships are very important to the college and its students.
“These professors are a few excellent examples of people who make such scholarships possible. They see Milligan’s mission to educate servant leaders as important, and have a deep love for the college and a passion for what they do,” said Norris, who explained that over 90 percent of Milligan students receive financial assistance. “We began our current capital campaign with 100% participation among faculty, and these scholarships demonstrate just a few of the ways they are making a difference to students.”
For more information about endowed scholarships at Milligan College, please contact Todd Norris at 423.461.8955.