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Journeys Lecture honors retiring Milligan faculty members


 Dr. Pat Magness

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (Feb. 21, 2012) — Two longtime Milligan College professors will speak at the college’s annual Journeys Lecture on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in Milligan’s Hyder Auditorium. The event is free and open to the public.

Hosted by the Milligan chapter of Alpha Chi, the event will feature Dr. Bertram Allen and Dr. Patricia Magness, who will share their memories, stories and experiences from their combined 62 years of service at Milligan. Allen and Magness plan to retire at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. A short question and answer session and an informal reception will follow the lectures.

For those who are not able to attend the event, the lectures will be recorded and available at www.livestream.com/milligancollege.

“One of the strengths of Milligan is its caring faculty and the strong connection students feel with their professors,” said senior Cynthia Colon-Rivera, president of Alpha Chi. “The Journeys Lecture gives the campus community an opportunity to thank these retiring professors for their service. Also, it allows the professors to share their journey with the audience. Their memories and experiences are important pieces of Milligan’s history.”

Allen is a professor of psychology at Milligan. Since 1979, he has served Milligan in many roles, including dean of students, director of first year programs, adviser for psychology majors and as a member of several standing committees.

He is an Army veteran from the Vietnam era and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters. He has advocated for and participated in efforts on behalf of veterans, including the annual Memorial Day Ride to the Wall in Washington, D.C. He actively collaborates with colleagues at Mountain Home Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the VA Regional Education Centers in Birmingham, Ala., and Durham, N.C.

In addition to his time in the classroom, Allen works with students on the community homeless survey and with Appalachia Service Project volunteer efforts.

Magness’s contributions to Milligan began while she was a student who was actively involved in the life of the college. She graduated valedictorian of the class of 1969, and was employed by Milligan as an instructor in the humanities program from 1969 to 1970. She returned to the college to teach in 1984, beginning a remarkable career of service at Milligan.

She has served as director of developmental studies, professor of English, director of the humanities program and chair of the area of humane learning. She also has served on and chaired various committees, including the college’s reaccreditation self-study. In 2011, she was installed as the George and Janet Arnold Chair of Humanities.

At Milligan’s December 2011 commencement ceremony, Allen and Magness were the recipients of the college’s highest honor, the Fide et Amore award, for their loving and faithful service to the college.

To learn more about Milligan, visit www.milligan.edu.


Posted by on February 21, 2012.