Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

The Milligan community gathered on Thursday night, April 25, at the Brinkley Center in Johnson City to celebrate Dr. Bill and Edwina Greer ahead of their retirement as president and first lady of Milligan University.

Alumni from across the country joined with Milligan’s board of trustees, faculty and staff, donors, elected officials, and other dignitaries at the retirement celebration to thank the Greers for their service to Milligan. All told, the Greers served Milligan for more than 30 years, the last 13 as president and first lady.

“I want to thank everyone for joining us during this significant moment in Milligan’s history,” said Dr. Richard Phillips, chairman of Milligan’s board of trustees. “The board would like to congratulate Bill and his wife, Edwina, on a shining legacy that will span generations.”

During the event, the Greers received letters of appreciation from college and university presidents from Australia, Kenya, and all over the United States. Letters also came from NBA coaching legend Del Harris, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, senators, supporting churches, leaders in industry, and community partners.

The board of trustees presented the Greers with a proclamation acknowledging their vast contributions to Milligan and surprised them with the announcement that an outdoor Greer Gathering Space will soon be constructed on campus to help further the sense of community on campus.

“The Greers have played a vital role in the scholarship, community, and faith of our students,” said Cal Wilson, a member of Milligan’s board of trustees who presented the Greers with news of the gathering space. “They have supported our students in their academic pursuits, faithfully attended arts and sporting events, participated in student life and spiritual formation opportunities, and have welcomed students into their home for meals and fellowship.”

The Greers were also presented with a keepsake of the names of more than 560 donors who combined to raise more than $428,000 for the Milligan and Emmanuel Funds in the Greers’ honor during Milligan’s 10th annual Day of Giving on April 17.

Several speakers congratulated the Greers, including Ethan Magness of First Christian Church in Johnson City, President Greer’s brothers Donald and Jim Greer, Charles Pyke of the 3CLANE Family Foundation, Milligan alum Will Rogers and Milligan faculty members Greg Harrell and Kristal Dove Bohlman.

During President Greer’s remarks, he thanked the 3CLANE Family Foundation for a recent $1 million gift that will be used to elevate the student experience at Milligan through investments into campus ministry, Seeger Chapel, residence halls and other shared spaces.

“The 3CLANE Family Foundation has been very generous to Milligan and Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan for many years,” Greer said. “They funded the renovation of the McMahan Student Center a couple of years ago and they have underwritten the Neely Scholarship at Emmanuel for many years. We are grateful for their generosity and ongoing partnership.”

Following the Greers’ retirement on July 31, Bill will serve as Milligan’s chancellor. In this role, he will continue to work with the university’s leadership to maintain important external relationships.

Thursday’s event was made possible through the generosity of platinum sponsors Bank of Tennessee and Pioneer College Caterers; gold sponsor Ballad Health; silver sponsor Burleson Construction; and bronze sponsors Blackburn, Childers & Steagall, CBIZ Employee Benefits, and Workspace Interiors.