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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (Jan. 29, 2013) — Today, Milligan College President Dr. Bill Greer announced that a residence hall in the college’s new housing village will be named in honor of Milligan’s 14th president and first lady, Don and Clarinda Jeanes.
“It was the dream of Milligan’s past president, Don Jeanes, that we expand and improve our campus, to ensure continued growth and to make sure we provide the best experience possible to our students,” Greer said. “Part of this dream included the expansion of student housing. And so, a number of years ago we acquired property adjacent to the campus for future expansion — growth that you can see taking shape on the hill behind Hart Hall. This is a dream that I share, and I’m delighted that we’ve been able to make so much progress toward this important part of our strategic plans.
“Dr. Bill Greene, a Milligan trustee and chairman of BancTenn Corporation, has made a generous financial gift to the college. He has not asked us to acknowledge his gift by placing his own name on one of the residence halls. Instead, he has asked that we honor the life and work of Don and Clarinda Jeanes by naming one of the buildings ‘Don and Clarinda Jeanes Hall.’”
Don served as Milligan’s president for 14 years until his retirement in 2011. He passed away unexpectedly on Aug. 27, 2012. Clarinda remains active in her role as founding president of Associated Ladies for Milligan. Clarinda and her daughter, Amy Folck, joined Greer and Greene for today’s announcement.
“As we move through life, we run into people that have a tremendous influence on what we do, how we do it and the way we think,” Greene said. “I was fortunate that Clarinda and Don became my friends. Their friendship with me helped bring life to many of my dreams. I appreciate the opportunity to do something for Milligan College that honors the commitment to energy, vision and soul that Don and Clarinda gave to this wonderful school here in East Tennessee.
“Students now and in the future years should be reminded of the impact the Jeanes had on their lives.”
Greene became president and CEO of Carter County Bank in Elizabethton, Tenn., at the age of 24, making him the youngest CEO of a financial institution in the United States. In 1974, he co-founded Bank of Tennessee in Kingsport, Tenn., and is currently the chairman of BancTenn Corporation, which holds ownership of Bank of Tennessee, Carter County Bank and Mountain Community Bank.
Greene’s gift is the second major gift to help fund the $12.5 million first phase of the housing village. In 2012, Richard and Leslie Gilliam of Charlottesville, Va., donated money for the site preparation and construction of the housing village.
The college broke ground on the housing village in the summer of 2012, and the campus has watched with anticipation as retaining walls and excavation turned into bricks and mortar—and now five new buildings are nearing completion.
Jeanes Hall is one of five residence halls in the first phase of the housing village, which will be ready for occupancy in fall 2013.
These halls are designed to combine the privacy of a suite with the college’s vibrant community life. Each suite, which will house up to five students, revolves around a centralized living room, and the village itself includes a large commons area, which could be used for student activities such as intramural sports.
The housing village was designed by architect Beeson, Lusk and Street Inc., of Johnson City. The general contractor is Burleson Construction Company of Johnson City, with grading and excavation by Thomas Construction Company, of Johnson City.
Greer is pleased with the progress of the housing village.
“By next fall, we’ll see students moving into the new Milligan Village,” Greer said. “We are happy that ‘Jeanes Hall’ will be the first name to go up in the village. Jeanes Hall will contain student housing as well as a large community room that will serve as a gathering place for students. It will be a centerpiece of the new village.”
Despite the recent inclement weather conditions, construction has progressed on schedule. The buildings are “in the dry,” which allows the contractors to work in all weather conditions. Contractors are currently installing roof shingles and windows, as well as interior finishes including drywall, painting, interior brick and flooring.
In addition, grading and site work are being completed for the entire village, which will include up to 12 buildings.
Additional naming opportunities are available for the Milligan housing village.
“It is always a privilege for Milligan to help our donors honor a loved one through the naming of a campus building or program,” said Jack Simpson, Milligan’s vice president for institutional advancement. “In this instance, it is all the more special because we are recognizing the late Don Jeanes and his wife, Clarinda. We are grateful for Bill Greene and his generosity and leadership in this endeavor.”
For more information, contact the Milligan advancement office at 800.447.5922 or 423.461.8955. To learn more about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu.