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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Dec. 16, 2011)—Milligan College honored two of its longtime professors, Dr. Bertram Sims Allen Jr. and Dr. Patricia Magness, with theFide et Amore award for their loving and faithful service to the college.
The Fide et Amore awards, Milligan’s highest acknowledgement of service, were presented at the college’s commencement ceremony on Friday, Dec. 16. After a combined 60 years of distinguished service in Milligan’s classrooms and the community, both Allen and Magness intend to retire from Milligan at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year.
Allen is a professor of psychology at Milligan. Since 1979, he has served Milligan in many roles, including dean of students, director of first year programs, adviser for psychology majors and as a member of several standing committees.
He is an Army veteran from the Vietnam era and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He has advocated for and participated in efforts on behalf of veterans, including the annual Memorial Day Ride to the Wall in Washington, D.C. He actively collaborates with colleagues at Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the VA Regional Education Centers in Birmingham, Ala., and Durham, N.C.
Sue Skidmore, Milligan’s associate dean and registrar, read Allen’s Fide citation, and in her remarks she noted the many ways Allen connects with his students.
“Bert has the unusual ability to recall with remarkable speed and accuracy the names of former and current students,” Skidmore said. “Alumni flock to Bert’s office when visiting campus, knowing that he remembers them and wants to know what they are doing presently. If asked, students would name Bert Allen among the faculty they admire and with whom they have ongoing communication.”
In addition to his time in the classroom, Allen works with students on the community homeless survey and with Appalachia Service Project volunteer efforts. On weekends, he drives the Johnson City Medical Center shuttle, carrying hospital visitors from the parking lot to the front door.
“Bert has exemplified the focus of Milligan’s mission—the development of servant leadership,” Skidmore said.
Magness, professor of humanities at Milligan, was the keynote speaker at the Dec. 16 commencement. Her husband, Dr. Lee Magness, the Vera Britton Chair of Bible at Milligan, read her Fide citation.
Magness’s contributions to Milligan began while she was a student who was actively involved in the life of the college. She graduated valedictorian of the class of 1969, and was employed by Milligan as an instructor in the humanities program from 1969 to 1970. She returned to the college to teach in 1984, beginning a remarkable career of service at Milligan.
She has served as director of developmental studies, professor of English, director of the humanities program and chair of the area of humane learning. She also has served on and chaired various committees, including the college’s reaccreditation self-study. In 2011, she was installed as the George and Janet Arnold Chair of Humanities.
“Beyond her contributions in the classroom and the committee room, Dr. Magness has ministered lovingly to the needs of her students,” said Lee. “She led the Buffalo Ramblers hiking club for two decades, introducing students to the beauties and joys of the area. She has mentored, advised, and counseled students officially and pastorally. She has fed students and housed students, opening her home and heart to numerous students who consider her their ‘Tennessee mother.’
“Very few people have made as profound a personal and professional impact on Milligan College as Pat Magness.”
For more information about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu.