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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (April 1, 2011) — Milligan College will recognize local leaders who have demonstrated servant leadership in their careers and community at the college’s annual Leaders in Christian Service program on Tuesday, April 5, at 11 a.m. in Milligan’s Mary B. Martin Auditorium in Seeger Memorial Chapel.
“The purpose of this program is to provide examples of people who are doing an outstanding job of integrating their faith with their profession,” said Milligan President Donald R. Jeanes. “We see in these individuals wonderful examples of what servant leadership is all about, and what it can look like on a daily basis in a variety of professions.”
Jeanes will serve as this year’s keynote speaker. He was inaugurated as the 14th president of Milligan in 1997 and will retire from the presidency in July. Under Jeanes’ leadership, Milligan has experienced significant growth and achievement.
A native of Georgia, Jeanes is a 1968 magna cum laude graduate of Milligan College. In 1972, he received his master of divinity degree, with honors, from Emmanuel School of Religion.
Jeanes joined the faculty at Atlanta Christian College where he taught Bible and humanities and administered the student financial aid program for six years. In 1978 he was named administrative vice president of the college where he served until 1984. During this time he did doctoral coursework at Emory University.
An ordained minister, Jeanes served as associate minister and operations manager at First Christian Church in Johnson City from 1984 to 1986. He then was called to serve as senior minister of Spring Branch Christian Church in Houston, Texas. In 1991, he returned to First Christian Church in Johnson City, this time as senior minister. From that ministry, he was chosen to be named president of Milligan College in 1997.
Jeanes was an active member of Milligan’s Board from 1981 until his appointment as president. In 1994 he was awarded the honorary doctorate of divinity degree by Milligan College.
In the community and church, President Jeanes has served on the boards of Christian Missionary Fellowship, the Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, Mountain States Health Alliance, Elders of First Christian Church, Johnson City and the State of Franklin Savings Bank. He is a member of the Johnson City Rotary Club, having served as president in 2000-2001. He has served as a volunteer chaplain at the Johnson City Medical Center for a number of years.
He is married to Clarinda Phillips Jeanes, a 1971 Milligan graduate. Their daughter, Amy, graduated from Milligan in 1999.
The 2011 Leaders in Christian Service honorees include:
Jim Bailey serves as managing editor and news anchor at News Channel 11 in Johnson City. He attends First Christian Church.
Ike Gibson is retired from the Hancock County Department of Human Services and is a volunteer with Of One Accord Ministries in Sneedville, Tenn. He attends Elm Springs Baptist Church.
Joanne Gilmer is retired from General Shale Corporation in Johnson City. She attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
Dr. Dana Grist is an optometrist and owner of Family Eye Care Center of Johnson City. He attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
Dr. Michael Kimbro is a physician and missionary to Peru from Mountain City, Tenn. He attends Alliance Bible Fellowship.
Tom Krieger is retired from Fleming Foods in Johnson City. He attends Central Baptist Church.
Mattie Mullins is a retired teacher from Johnson City. She attends Central Baptist Church.
Dr. Ron E. Proffitt is president of Virginia Highlands Community College in Abingdon, Va. He attends First Christian Church of Abingdon.
Dr. David Schilling is a physician at Church Hill Free Medical Clinic in Kingsport. He attends New Fellowship Ministries.
Dr. Paul E. Stanton Jr. is president of East Tennessee State University in Johnson City. He attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church.
For more information, contact the Institute for Servant Leadership at Milligan College at 423.461.8316.
MILLIGAN COLLEGE is a Christian liberal arts college in Northeast Tennessee whose vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant leadership. The college offers more than 25 academic programs and three master’s degrees. To learn more about Milligan College, visit www.milligan.edu or call 800-447-5922.