William B. Greer became president emeritus and chancellor of Milligan University on Aug. 1, 2024, after serving as Milligan’s 15th president for 13 years.
During his time as president, Greer helped raise over $85 million for Milligan through the On Mission campaign – the most successful fundraising effort in Milligan history – and the second phase of the Forward Ever campaign. His steady leadership helped generate an all-time enrollment record of 1,347 students in the fall of 2020, expand the campus footprint to accommodate future growth, and left Milligan on solid financial footing.
Greer has served Milligan for over 30 years. Prior to his time as president, Greer excelled in his role of vice president for institutional advancement. Before that, he served for 12 years as a member of the faculty and was the chair of the business area for many years.
Greer is a 1985 Milligan graduate and completed an MBA from East Tennessee State University. He holds a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville. His areas of academic interest include monetary/macroeconomic theory and the history of economic thought. His book “Ethics and Uncertainty” examined the role of uncertainty in economic theory as viewed from the contrasting perspectives of John Keynes and Frank Knight, a 1911 Milligan alumnus.
As founding director, Greer led the efforts to develop and establish Milligan’s Master of Business Administration program, a program built upon the philosophy of ethical decision making from a Christian perspective. Prior to entering higher education, Greer held positions with a large food processor (Pet Dairy/Land-O-Sun Dairies) and an appliance motor manufacturer (Morrill Motors).
Greer has served the broader education community through his service as Board Chair of the Tennessee Independent College and University Association, and as a frequent member and chair of SACS accreditation visiting teams. He’s also stayed connected to the business community by serving on the Board of Directors at Bank of Tennessee, among other boards.
A lifelong resident of East Tennessee, Greer grew up in First Christian Church, Mountain City and continues to be actively engaged as a member of First Christian Church, Johnson City. He and his wife, Edwina, live in Johnson City and have two sons, both married, and five grandchildren. He is the son of Jack and Virginia Greer of Mountain City.