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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Aug. 26, 2014) — Josh Wandell, principal at East Side Elementary School in Elizabethton, will speak at Milligan’s first convocation of the 2014-15 school year on Tuesday, Sept. 2, at 11 a.m. in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Chapel.
Wandell, 36, was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, in 2013. ALS, a disease of the nerve cells, currently does not have a cure, and the average life expectancy is two to five years from diagnosis.
Wandell will be interviewed by Curtis Booher, associate professor of Christian ministries at Milligan.
“Since his ALS diagnosis, Josh has shared his struggle with the disease publicly
while demonstrating unwavering faith,” said Booher. “He is an inspiration to many, as evidenced by the numerous ‘faith > fear’ yard signs throughout the region.”
Wandell, an alumnus of Elizabethton High School, played football collegiately for the University of Tennessee and East Tennessee State University before launching a career in education. He continues to serve as principal at East Side Elementary, despite the disease and using a Segway to make his rounds at the school.
In an effort to raise awareness and money to find a cure for the disease, people across the nation have participated in the “ice bucket challenge,” a social media phenomenon that has raised more than $80 million for ALS research. At Milligan, many students and faculty have completed the challenge—including Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer—in support for Wandell.
To learn more about spiritual formation events at Milligan, contact Campus Minister Brad Wallace at 423.461.8748 or visit www.milligan.edu/arts.