One year removed from their sesquicentennial celebration, Milligan College knew how to continue a trend of positivity on campus.
Buffalos of past, present and future descended upon campus over the weekend to celebrate Homecoming 2017.
From Oct. 27-29, staff offered numerous events to the public, encouraging community togetherness and celebrating different activities going on for Buffalo Nation.
“Our theme this year was ‘Setting the Stage,’ because for over 150 years, Milligan has been the backdrop for some of our students’ and alums’ most important undertakings in life,” Theresa Garbe, director of alumni relations, said in a statement issued to the Elizabethton Star.
Along with outdoor activities, theatre and musical performances, a fan favorite Saturday was the annual Homecoming parade, led by a Milligan College President Bill Greer and his wife, Edwina.
The official launch of homecoming activities took place Friday, Oct. 27, during the annual “Celebrate Milligan” dinner. Used as a way to honor distinguished alumni, Greer officially announced the school completed its largest fundraising initiative in Milligan’s 150-year history – the second phase of the “Forward Ever” campaign. From all the work, Milligan was able to raise approximately $42 million.
“This is an incredible milestone for Milligan and one that will pave the way for future generations who want a high-quality education at a premier Christian liberal arts college,” Greer said during the dinner. “I want to thank the nearly 3,000 individuals, churches, corporations and foundations who invest in our students each year. Their support keeps Milligan moving ‘Forward Ever.’”
According to information provided by Milligan College, the second phase of the fundraising program focused on infrastructure and new academic and spiritual programs focusing on scholarship, community and faith.
Milligan College has raised nearly $70 million for different programs as part of the Forward Ever Campaign, exceeding the goal by $5 million. The first phase of the goal was finished in 2011 and raised over $28 million.
“I count it as a great honor to serve as a Milligan College trustee and to have seen the college make tremendous progress over its long and rich history,” said William B. Greene, Jr., with BancTenn.
As part of the school’s restructuring and Greene’s support, Milligan named the William B. Greene, Jr. School of Business and Technology in his honor.
Milligan announced Monday the school is offering a new full-tuition scholarship for its Master of Divinity at Emmanuel Christian Seminary, one of the critical cogs part of the Forward Ever program.