Topics of Expertise and Faculty Biographies

Topics of Interest and Expertise
—Click on topic and then name for biographical and contact information—

Faculty Biographies

Dr. John-Paul Abner
Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Psychology
John-Paul Abner graduated with a bachelor's of science degree from Middle Tennessee State University in 1987 and graduated from the University of Florida with a Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology (Child and Adolescent emphasis) in August of 1996. Following three years of teaching at East Tennessee State University, he joined the faculty of Milligan College in 1999 as an assistant professor in psychology, research coordinator for the occupational therapy graduate program, and therapist in the counseling center. In addition to his roles at Milligan College, he is currently a licensed psychologist in the state of Tennessee and operates a small private practice conducting psychological assessments and providing psychotherapy for children and adolescents. His areas of interests and expertise include learning disabilities, anxiety disorders, intellectual giftedness, and Parent Child Interaction Therapy with oppositional defiant children. He speaks regularly at churches and professional organizations on parenting issues, child abuse, and other child welfare issues. He is an avid volleyball player and enjoys ultimate Frisbee, basketball, hiking and camping with his wife ,Pam, and trying to keep up with his 3 year old son, John-Phillip, and his one year old daughter Brynn. John Paul and Pam also volunteer with the high school youth group at their church and thus are frequently talked into participating in dangerous or embarrassing activities.

Topics: Impact of Personality Type In Small Groups and Employment Settings; Parent/Child Interaction Therapy; Discipline Issues; Childhood Psychopathology; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; Parenting Issues

Dr. Bert S. Allen, Jr. (1979)
Chair of Social Learning / Professor of Psychology / Director of Counseling
Allen is a graduate of Milligan (A.B., 1967) and Lehigh University (M.Ed., Ed.D., 1978). He has done additional coursework at the University of Maryland Before joining Milligan’s staff as Director of Student Life (his first position at the College), Allen held teaching, counseling and school psychology positions in public schools in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Allen spent 14 months in Vietnam and was awarded a purple heart and bronze star medal with two oak leaf clusters for his service in the war. He is a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Veterans for Peace and the American Psychological Association. In 1992, he was named a finalist in the J.C. Penney Golden Rule Awards competition for his volunteer services with the Johnson City Medical Center. In 1994, his paper Vietnam as a Class War: Myth or Reality was published in the Mid-South Sociological Association’s journal, Sociological Spectrum. The article, which was a collaboration with Douglas Herrmann, Ph.D. of Indiana State University and Steve Giles, Ph.D., of Durham, NC, was a finalist for the journal’s annual award for research article of the year.In 2001, Allen was a torchbearer for the Olympic flame. He is serving on the boards of the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House, the Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, the Good Samaritan Ministries, and Fairview Housing.

Topics: Challenge of the Homeless to Local Governments and Organizations; Prisoners of War; Psychology; Vietnam War

Alice Anthony (1991)
Assistant Professor of Art and Communications (Photography)
Anthony is a graduate of the University of Memphis (B.S.) and East Tennessee State University (M.F.A.). Before coming to Milligan, Anthony was an adjunct professor in the department of art and design at East Tennessee State University. Her work has appeared inside and on the cover of Now & Then, Southern Exposure and the Photo Review. The Tennessee Baptist Convention featured her photography on its Golden State Mission Offering Poster in 1991 and again in 1993. She has won numerous awards in juried shows and is a member of Who's Who of American Women (1989-90). She has had group and solo exhibitions in over ten states and was a featured artist at the Tennessee Art Commission Gallery in the summer/fall of 2003. Several of Anthony's students have placed in regional and national photography competitions, such as Photographer's Forum Annual College Competition.

Topics: Black and White Technique; Color Technique; Photography; View Camera Work

Rich Aubrey (1994)
Adjunct Professor of Education / Women's Basketball Coach / Men's Tennis Coach
Aubrey is a graduate of Milligan (B.A., 1985, M.Ed., 1998) and completed an Ed.D. degree at East Tennessee State University in 1998. Prior to teaching at Milligan, Aubrey taught and coached in Johnson, Sullivan and Unicoi County schools and also taught part-time in Milligan’s humanities program. Aubrey is a member of the Women's Basketball Coaches' Assocation. He is also active as a teacher and elder at Crossroads Christian Church in Gray, TN.

Topics: Coaching; Teacher Education, Church Leadership, Christian Education

Ed. D at ETSU in 1998

Tom Barkes (1985)
Associate Professor of Computer Information Systems
Barkes is a graduate of Milligan College (B.A.), the College of William & Mary (M.T.S.) and the University of Evansville (M.S.C.S.E.). He has done additional coursework at East Tennessee State University, the University of Maryland-Baltimore and Morgan State University.

Dr. Rubye Beck (1994)
Assistant Professor of Sociology
Beck is a graduate of Lambuth College (B.A., 1976), Memphis State University (M.A., 1980) and the University of Florida (Ph.D., 1986). Prior to joining Milligan’s faculty, she served as a Research Associate in the Department of Family Medicine, East Tennessee State University, Research Division. She was primarily involved in research with the Johnson County Health Survey. In addition, she has taught sociology courses at ETSU, Virginia Intermont and several other colleges over the past 16 years. She has published a number of scholarly articles in several journals including the Journal of Marriage and the Family, Journal of Family Issues, and the Journal of Rural Health. Her research and teaching interests include the sociology of aging, the sociology of gender, sociology of religion, sociological theory, sociological research methods and medical sociology.

Topics: Behavioral Science; Sociological Research; Sociology; Sociology of Aging; Sociology of Gender; Sociology of Religion; Medical Sociology

Nancy M. Beverly (1991)
Director of Financial Aid
Beverly received her associates degree in secretarial science and business administration from Beckley College and her bachelor’s of science degree in business education in 1988 from East Tennessee State University. She is an active member of the Tennessee Association of Financial Aid Administrators and the Southern Association of Financial Aid Administrators.

Topics: Financial Aid

Nick Blosser (1991)
Assistant Professor of Art and Humanities
Blosser is a graduate of Ohio State University (B.F.A., 1980; M.F.A., 1982). In 1984, he spent one year in a residency fellowship at the American Academy in Rome. He was elected to the Who’s Who in American Art in 1988. Before coming to Milligan, Blosser was an instructor of art at Mount Vernon Nazarene College in Ohio. He is a member of the Society of Fellows of the American Academy in Rome and the Vespa Club of America. Blosser has been published in Smoke, showing pieces of his work and a portion of an article about him. He was also singled out in 1997 Art Market Guide; 50 artists, 50 galleries. Blosser’s work is affiliated with Adam Baumgold Fine Art in New York City and PDX in Portland, Ore.

Topics: Art History; Drawing; Painting; Printmaking; Sculpturing; Water Coloring

Dr. Linda Boyer (1997)
Assistant Professor of Education
A native of Pennsylvania, Boyer holds a B.A. in elementary education from Clarion University of Pennsylvania, an M.A. from Western Michigan University and a Ph.D. from LaSalle University. She has done additional coursework at Notre Dame, Oklahoma University and Utah State University. She has taught school or served in educational roles in Indiana, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Georgia, Ohio and Illinois. Boyer has an extensive art background and has taught numerous art and craft lessons for church and civic groups, in addition to designing commercial store window displays. She served as president of the United Methodist Women in Indiana and Utah and was the recipient of the Rocky Mountain Conference Special Missions Award for service in missions. She is a member of the Johnson City Symphony Guild, the Newcomer’s Club of Johnson City, the International Society of Poets, the Orton Dyslexia Society and the American Association of University Women.

Topics: Education; Arts and Crafts

Kay Rampy-Broeder (1997)
Fieldwork Coordinator and Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy
Broeder has a B.S. from East Tennessee State University and an M.O.T. from Texas Women’s University. She has been employed as a staff/occupational therapist for the past ten years. She recently was elected to serve a three-year term as secretary for the committee of presidents of the occupational therapy state association. She is a Red Cross volunteer and teaches courses in CPR, First Aid, Water Safety and Lifeguarding.

Topics: Occupational Therapy; CPR; First Aid; Water Safety; Lifeguarding


Dr. Kellie Dubel Brown (1998)
Assistant Professor of Music
Dr. Kellie Dubel Brown has been a member of the Milligan College music faculty since 1998 where she serves as the director of the strings program and of the Milligan College Chamber Orchestra. In addition, she is a frequent performer throughout East Tennessee and Southwest Virginia and is the founder and principal violinist of the Appalachian String Quartet. She also serves as the assistant concertmaster for the Kingsport Symphony Orchestra. In addition to publishing many compositions and arrangements, she has also published articles and is a frequent presenter, clinician, and adjudicator. In 2004, her first book, Music in Fiction: A Critical Bibliography, will be published by Edwin Mellon Press. Dr. Brown has studied at Furman University, East Tennessee State University, and Appalachian State University and holds a Bachelor's degree in music education, a Master's degree in violin performance, and a Doctoral Degree in higher education administration, with an emphasis in music administration.

Topics of Expertise: Music History, Music Education, Conducting, Violin/Viola, Orchestra, Chamber Music, String Methods, and Ethnomusicology.

Dr. Carolyn Walsh Carter (1984)
Professor of Computer Information Systems
Carter is a graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S., 1977; M.S., Business Education, 1980) and the University of Evansville (M.S., Computer Science Education, 1989) and Virginia Tech (Ph.D., Instructional Technology, 1998). Before teaching at Milligan, she taught at Bristol (VA) High School. She was nominated to the Outstanding Young Women of America in 1986 and was an Appalachian College Association Fellow from 1996-1998. Carter is a member of the National Business Education Association and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Topics: Systems Analysis and Design; Systems Project Management; Microcomputer Applications; Web Page Development; Windows Applications

Milton Carter (1997)
Assistant Professor of the Practice of Geography and the Assistant Director of Adult Education
Carter earned his B.S. from East Tennessee State University in 1980 and his M.A. in 1997. He was included in the Outstanding Young Men in America Award in 1985. He is a member of the Society for Human Resources Management and Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. Before coming to Milligan he was the trainer for Tennessee Distribution Inc. (Fingerhut) in Piney Flats, TN. He also does adjunct teaching in Geography for Northeast State Community College.

Topics: Geography

Danny Clark (1999)
Head Baseball Coach and Adjunct Professor of HPXS
Coach Clark enters his fifth season at the helm of the Buffalo Baseball program. In his first four years, he has a 122-98 record with one AAC regular season and AAC tournament championship. He has also taken the Buffalos to three Region XII berths. Clark came to Milligan from stints at Brevard College (Pitching Coach), Morristown West High School Head Coach, and East Tennessee State University as a Graduate Assistant. As a collegian, he played four years at ETSU under NAIA Hall of Fame coach Harold Stout and current Walter State Coach Ken Campbell.

Topics: Baseball

Melinda Collins (1994)
Associate Professor of Nursing, Director and Area Chair of Nursing.
Collins is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (M.S. in nursing, 1989) and is presently a Ph.D candidate at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville where she is conducting a Grounded Theory study of Adolescent Maternal-Infant Interaction in the Post-partum, inpatient setting. Before coming to Milligan, she served as the Clinical Nurse Manager: Family Childbirth Center at Indian Path Medical Center in Kingsport, Tenn. She has also worked professionally at the Baptist Hospital School of Practical Nursing and completed her master’s clinical work in the Neonatal Intensive Care Nursery at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She conducts clinical practice part-time at Sycamore Shoals Hospital, Elizabethton, Tenn., in the Newborn and Intensive Care Nursery. She also works as an education consultant and member of the editorial board for MEDS inc. conducting NCLEX review courses, writing, and editing review materials. She also serves as a consultant to the Tennessee Board of Nursing and in health care litigation involving nursing practice.

Topics: Cardiac Life Support (CPR); Childbirth; Neonatal Care; Nursing, expert witness, nursing education consultant, Nursing Research, Grounded Theory, Qualitative Research.

Dr. Ruth McDowell Cook (1998)
Associate Professor of English and Humanities
Cook earned a B.A. from Trevecca Nazarene University, an M.A. from Eastern Illinois University and the Ph.D. from the University of South Carolina. Most recently, she taught seven years at Olivet Nazarene University in Bourbonnais, IL. Her teaching career spans nearly 30 years, with experience ranging from second grade to high school English to community college technical writing. Dr. Cook has two adult sons and two preschool grandsons.

Topics: Literature Written by Women; British Literature of the 19th and 20th Centuries; Shakespearean Tragedy; The Novel; Literary Criticism; The Victorians; Gender Equality (present day issues)

Simon J. Dahlman (1999)
Associate Professor of Communications
Jim Dahlman has taught courses in journalism, mass media, and writing at Milligan College since 1999. A 1980 graduate of Milligan (B.A., Bible and humanities), he earned a master's degree from the University of Cincinnati (M.A., English / Editing and Publishing) and has studied at Emmanuel School of Religion; Springdale College in Birmingham, England; and the London School of Journalism. He writes a weekly column on religion for the Johnson City (Tenn.) Press.
Before teaching at Milligan, he was editor at large with Focus on the Family Periodicals (1998-99), founding editor of Pastor's Family magazine (1996-98), and editor of The Lookout (1990-96). His freelance articles have appeared in several American and British publications, including The Guardian (UK), The Cincinnati Enquirer, Leadership, Moody and Boundless.org. An ordained minister in the Christian Churches/Churches of Christ, Dahlman served congregations in England, Tennessee, and Ohio. Dahlman is a member of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communications and College Media Advisers. He and his wife, Melissa, have two daughters, Sarah and Rachael. They are part of Hopwood Christian Church, Milligan College.

Topics: Journalism; Religion and media; nonfiction writing; magazine editing and publishing; church leadership and ministerial care.

Dr. Tim Dillon (1982)
Associate Professor of History and Humanities
A Milligan alum, Dillon holds a master’s degree and Ph.D. in American history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and has done additional course work at Emmanuel School of Religion. Dillon worked as an instructor and teaching assistant while studying at the University of Wisconsin. Beside his teaching duties, he has spoken at public and private elementary schools, as well as various community groups, about American history. He has also been a guest commentator on the local news several times, exploring the historical context of Federal elections and commenting on the effects of the New Deal on Northesast Tennessee.

Topics: American History, History

Dr. Linda King Doan (1983)
Associate Professor of Human Performance and Exercise Science, Sub-Area Chair
Doan is a graduate of Wittenburg University (A.B.), Xavier University (M.Ed.) and recently completed her doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis with an emphasis in exercise science from East Tennessee State University. Before teaching at Milligan, Doan was an assistant professor at Cincinnati Bible College. She has also coached volleyball and softball at Milligan and served as intramural director. She has been Vacation Bible School director, senior high teacher, and choir member at Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City.

Topics: Exercise Adherence; Exercise Prescription; Exercise and Aging; First Aid and CPR; Lifeguarding; Coaching Volleyball; Stress Management; Holistic Health; Weight Management; Fitness; Youth Sports; Nutrition

Joy R. Drinnon (1999)
Assistant Professor of Psychology
Drinnon earned a B.S. from East Tennessee State University and both her M.A. and Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of Tennessee. She is the chair of the Milligan College Institutional Review Board and supervises the psychology undergraduate research program. She is the chair of the Blue Ridge Undergraduate Research Conference Committee, which is responsible for hosting the conference at Milligan in 2003 and 2004. She is the Psi Chi faculty sponsor and a reviewer for Psi Chi’s undergraduate research journal. Off campus, she in involved in her church and community. She serves on the board of Interfaith Hospitality Network (IHN) and is the volunteer coordinator for IHN through her home church of Grace Fellowship Church. She has also been involved with other local efforts to help the homeless.

Topics: She has done research in the areas of forgiveness, empathy, social support, and homelessness. In addition, she has a special interest in personality, language development, and the effects of media on children and adults.

Mary Fabick (1996)
Associate Professor of Nursing
Fabick graduated from Burge School of Nursing in Springfield, Mo. She holds a B.S.N. from Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, Mo., an M.Ed. degree with emphasis in human services from Drury College and a M.S.N., education tract, from Bellarmine College in Louisville, Ky. She is certified in Emergency Nursing. Fabick worked as staff nurse and assistant charge nurse at the Emergency Trauma Center at St. John’s Regional Health Center in Springfield and as a staff nurse, shift supervisor and interim administrative director of the Emergency and Trauma Center at the L. E. Cox Medical Center in Springfield. She was a nurse manager at Humana Audubon in Louisville, Ky. She has worked as a home health nurse for Johnson City Medical Center Home Health, in Johnson City, TN, and as a Parish Nurse with Wellmont, in Kingsport, TN. She has taught on the nursing faculty at the Burge School of Nursing/L. E. Cox Medical Center and Bellarmine College. Fabick has also presented NCLEX Reviews for graduate nurses throughout the country for Kaplan, NSNA and MEDS Inc. for the past 12 years. Fabick holds professional memberships in the Emergency Nurses Association (ENA) and Sigma Theta Tau International Nursing Honor Society and has been listed in Who’s Who in American Nursing since 1992.

Topics: Emergency Nursing; Ethical Considerations for Research on Human Subjects; NCLEX Preparation and Review; Test Taking Strategies in Nursing; Understanding and Preventing Medication Errors

Dr. Craig Farmer (1993)
Associate Professor of History and Humanities
Farmer holds a B.A. from Haverford College, an M.A. from the University of Chicago and a Ph.D. from Duke University. He served as Visiting Instructor of Religion at North Carolina Wesleyan College in 1987-88 and Visiting Instructor of Church History at Duke Divinity School before coming to Milligan in 1993. Farmer is a member of the American Academy of Religion, the American Society of Church History, the Medieval Academy of America and the Sixteenth Century Studies Conference. He has published a book, several articles and book reviews. He has presented papers throughout the United States at academic conferences.

Topics: Church History: Ancient, Medieval or Modern European

Lee Fierbaugh (1994)
Associate Vice President for Communications
Fierbaugh holds a B.S. degree in communications from Milligan College and an M.A. in communication from Regent University. She attended the Wharton | IRHE Program in Higher Education at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania and is a 2001 graduate of the Johnson City Chamber of Commerce’s 2015 Leadership Class. She serves on the boards of the Tri-Cities chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) and the PR Council of the Appalachian College Association (ACA). She is an adjunct instructor in public relations at Milligan, and has presented or moderated sessions at conferences held by the ACA, the Council for Christian Colleges & Universities (CCCU) and the Tennessee College Public Relations Association (TCPRA). In addition to overseeing the daily operations of the college’s PR office, Fierbaugh provides public relations counsel to the college’s senior administration and collaborates closely in developing strategies for institutional positioning, constituent building and outreach. At Milligan, Fierbaugh has been instrumental in facilitating an institutional identity and branding program for the college, currently is overseeing the development and implementation of an integrated marketing plan, and has helped the college realize record enrollments and launch a host of new programs and historic fundraising initiatives. She is also the editor and publisher of the college’s quarterly constituent magazine and has initiated an internal communication program at the college.

Topics: Public Relations; Internal Communication; Desktop Publishing

Dr. Billye Joyce Fine (2002)
Director of Teacher Education/Assistant Professor of Education
Fine holds a B. A. degree from Milligan College, M. Ed. from the University of South Florida, and an Ed. D. in Early Childhood/Middle School from Nova Southeastern University. Prior to her work at Milligan, she taught in the public school system of Florida and was principal of a Christian School, was an Adjunct Instructor of Education for Florida Christian College, Johnson Bible College, Moody Bible Institute, and Emmanuel School of Religion. She has had numerous articles published in journals, concept guidebooks, manuals and a book: Teachers are Made, Not Born. She has presented teaching workshops throughout the USA and various other countries, for the International Center for Learning (ICL), Standard Publishing's Fines' Teacher/Leader Conferences (TLC), and Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI). She is a member of national professional education associations. She is an ongoing member of International Bible Society's Children's Task Force, Atlanta Christian College Board of Trustees, Johnson Bible College's Teacher Education Graduate Council, and has just begun as a member of the board of the Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House and Northeast State Advisory Board for Education.

Topics:Teacher Education, Early Childhood Education (Early Childhood, Early Childhood Administration, Fine Arts) Classroom Management, Christian Education.

Mark P. Fox (1998)
Vice President for Student Development
Fox is a 1980 graduate of Milligan College and he holds an M.B.A. from Western Carolina University. He is the former executive vice president of Frontier Health in Johnson City. Fox is the President of the United Way (2002). He also serves on the boards of the Johnson City/Washington County Boys and Girls Club and the Washington County Chamber of Commerce Economic Development Board, for which he is the chair of the Sports Marketing task force.

Topics: Health Care Administration; Mental Health; Athletics; Campus Life

Marvin Glover (1990)
Associate Professor of Mathematics/ Women’s Tennis Coach
Glover holds a B.S. from Athens State College and an M.S. from Vanderbilt University.

Topics: Math; Statistics; Tennis

Dr. Bill Greer (1994)
Kegley Associate Professor of Economics and Business/ Chair, Area of Professional Learning
Greer is a graduate of Milligan (B.S., 1985) and East Tennessee State University (M.B.A., 1991). He holds a Ph.D. in economics from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. He previously served as partner and vice-president of marketing for Silver Creek Technologies, Johnson City, where he still serves as a member of the company’s board of directors. Previous to his involvement with Silver Creek, he worked as director of cost accounting for Land-O-Sun Dairies (Pet Dairy) and in finance and accounting for Morrill Motors in Erwin, Tenn., and Fort Wayne, Ind. Greer has also taught as an adjunct faculty member in Milligan’s adult education program since 1992. Greer has also been invited to membership in Beta Gamma Sigma, the honor society for AACSB accredited business programs and was elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Johnson City Federal Credit Union.

Topics: Business; Economics; Marketing

Dr. Bill Gwaltney (1964)
Professor Emeritus of Bible
Gwaltney holds a Th.B. from Cincinnati Bible Seminary, a B.A. from Wilmington College and a Ph.D. from the Hebrew Union College in Cincinnati, Ohio. He has engaged in post-doctoral studies at the University of Chicago, Oriental Institute, Yale University, and the University Museum at the University of Pennsylvania. He has held memberships in these learned societies : American Historical Association, American Oriental Society, American Academy of Religion, Society of Biblical Literature, and Theta Phi. Gwaltney is an expert in the fields of Hebrew and Old Testament knowledge. He is published in monographs and learned journals and is engaged in ongoing research projects leading to publication.

Topics: Old Testament/Hebrew Bible; Old Testament/Hebrew Narrative and Wisdom Literature; Hermeneutics/Interpretative Methods

W. Dennis Helsabeck, Jr. (1982-1984, 1989)
Associate Professor of History and Humanities
Helsabeck holds a B.S. in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.S. in education (guidance and counseling) from Indiana University, an M.A. in history from the University of Oregon and an M.A. in Church History from Luther Seminary in St. Paul, Minn. He has done additional coursework at the University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Indiana University and Emmanuel School of Religion. Prior to teaching at Milligan, Helsabeck taught and was a school counselor at Bay Port High School in Green Bay, Wis., served two years as director of high school relations for the University of Wisconsin- Madison and served nine years as history professor at Northwest Christian College. From 1984-87, he was on the faculty of Kenmore Christian College in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. He is a member of the American Society of Church History, the Disciples of Christ Historical Society and Phi Delta Kappa.

Topics: Church History; 19th Century Reformation; Ancient Rome

Dr. Susan Higgins (1977)
Professor of Sociology and Missions
Higgins holds a B.A. degree from Lincoln Christian College and an M.A. and Ph.D. from Indiana University. Prior to coming to Milligan, she served as a translation consultant and research associate for United Bible Societies and research librarian and lecturer at Lincoln Christian College. She has done post-graduate work as a honorary fellow of the Faculty of Divinity at Edinburgh University. Between 1977 and 1993 she worked during the summers with The Toronto Institute of Linguistics, a missionary training program held on the campus of Victoria University. From 1982-1993, she was the TIL Program Director. Higgins is a member of the American Society of Missiology where she has served on the Board of Directors and currently holds a seat on the Board of Publications, and the Association of Professors of Mission, where she served as President in 2000. She has published numerous articles and papers. She is currently a representative at the Stone-Campbell Dialogue gatherings and serves as a Volunteer Chaplain at the Johnson City Medical Center Hospital.

Topics: Aspects of Translation and Translation Theory; Current Trends in Modern Missions; Interrelationships of Language and Culture

Dr. Lyn Howell (2001)
Assistant Professor of Education
Howell has a B.A. in Language Arts from Marshall University, a M.Ed. in English from Georgia Southwestern, a M.S. in Counseling Psychology from the University of La Verne, and a Ph. D. in Education from the University of New Mexico. Before coming to Milligan College, she taught in public schools in West Virginia, Kentucky, Georgia, Alaska, Ohio, Florida, and New Mexico and was an adjunct for Chapman College and the College of Santa Fe. She has made numerous presentations at both regional and national conferences, and works with Lamar School to obtain and implement their technology in education grant. She serves on the Teacher as Researcher Grant Committee for the International Reading Association.

Dr. Christy Isbell (1998)
Assistant Professor and Director of Occupational Therapy Program. Isbell holds a B.S. in Occupational Therapy and an M.H.S. from the Medical University of South Carolina. Her Ph.D. is in Child Development and Family Studies from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. She is Board Certified in Pediatric Occupational Therapy and specializes in care of infants and toddlers. Dr. Isbell has co-authored a book titled The Complete Learning Spaces Book for Infants and Toddlers published by Gryphon House in 2003.

Topics: Child Development, Motor Development, Play, Children with Special Needs, and Sensory Integration

Dr. Donald R. Jeanes (1997)
President
Donald R. Jeanes was inaugurated the 14th president of Milligan College in October 1997. Jeanes came to Milligan from First Christian Church in Johnson City, Tenn., where he had served as senior minister since 1991. He had previously ministered with that congregation from 1984-1986 as associate minister and operations manager, coordinating all business operations and managing the church’s physical plant. From 1986-1990, he served as senior minister at Spring Branch Christian Church, a congregation of 500 members in Houston, Texas, where his focus was on preaching, evangelism and administration. Jeanes brings to the presidency a wealth of experience in college administration. He served as the administrative vice president at Atlanta Christian College in East Point, Georgia, from 1978 to 1984. There he managed and supervised all fiscal operations, non-faculty personnel, campus operations and the student financial aid program. He is no stranger to the classroom, either, having served six years as a professor of Bible and humanities at Atlanta from 1973 to 1979. Jeanes is also no stranger to Milligan College. In 1968 he graduated magna cum laude with a B.A. degree. From 1969 to 1973, while attending Emmanuel School of Religion, he served as Milligan’s director of financial aid and assistant to the business manager. He has been an active member of Milligan’s board since 1981 and most recently served as the chairman of the Board of Trustees. Jeanes holds a master of divinity degree from Emmanuel and has done doctoral coursework at Emory University. In 1994, he was awarded the honorary doctorate of divinity degree by Milligan College. He also serves on the boards of Christian Missionary Fellowship, the Christian Church Foundation for the Handicapped, Southern Appalachian Ronald McDonald House, Rotary Club and State of Franklin Savings Bank. Jeanes is married to Clarinda Phillips Jeanes, a 1971 graduate of Milligan, who formerly served as children’s minister at First Christian Church. They have one daughter, Amy, who graduated from Milligan in 1999.

Dr. Diane Junker (1984-88, 1992)
Professor of Chemistry
A 1979 Milligan alumna, Junker holds a B.S. in chemistry, a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry from the University of Pittsburgh, a B.S.N. from Milligan College and recently completed her M.S.N. from the University of Tennessee. Junker taught previously at Milligan from 1984-88. She was a visiting lecturer at Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla., during the 1988-89 school year and taught on the faculty of Kentucky Christian College from 1989 until she returned to Milligan in 1992. She is a member of the American Chemical Society, ANA, TNA, Sigma Theta Tau, and Delta Kappa Gamma.

Topics: Chemistry

Dr. Patrick Kariuki (1995)
Assistant Professor of Teacher Education
Kariuki is a graduate of Lee College (B.A.) and East Tennessee State University (M.A., Ed.D.). He has focused his educational career both on clinical and developmental psychology. He also brings to the teacher education faculty an interest in research related to improving classroom instruction. While a graduate student at ETSU, he was a four-time recipient of the international academic achievement award. He is also a member of the Black Ministers Association in Tennessee and pastors the East Johnson City Church of God.

Topics: Promotion of Cultural Understanding and Aesthetic Values in our Schools; Perceptions of Classroom Environment in Relation to Learning Styles; Androgyny and Psychological Well-Being

Dr. Karen L. Kelly (1993)
Associate Professor of Biology
Kelly graduated from Milligan College with a B.S. and from the University of California-Los Angeles with her Ph.D. in anatomy and cell biology. Before coming to work for Milligan, Kelly taught at Santa Monica College, West Los Angeles Community College, California State University Long Beach, and the University of Southern California School of Dentistry. Her research has been published in several scientific journals. She is a member of the American Association of Anatomists, the American Society for Microbiology, the Sigma Xi Scientific Research Society, and the Human Anatomy and Physiology Society for which she serves on the Cadaver Use Committee.

Topics: Biology, Anatomical Education

Dr. Philip D. Kenneson (1992)
Associate Professor of Theology and Philosophy
Kenneson is a graduate of Butler University (B.A.), Emmanuel School of Religion (M.Div.), and Duke University (Ph.D.). Prior to coming to Milligan, he taught at Duke Divinity School and Duke University. He is the author of Life on the Vine: Cultivating the Fruit of the Spirit in Christian Community (InterVarsity Press, 1999), Beyond Sectarianism: Re-Imagining Church and World (Trinity Press International, 1999), and coauthor (with James Street) of Selling Out the Church: The Dangers of Church Marketing (Abingdon Press, 1997). His essays and reviews regularly appear in such journals as Modern Theology, Reviews in Religion and Theology, Anglican Theological Review, and Pro Ecclesia. In the mid-1990s, Kenneson served on the Missiology of Western Culture Project, a group of 28 international scholars examining Western cultures from the point of view of missiology. Kenneson currently serves as Chair of the Board of Directors of The Ekklesia Project, an international and ecumencial network of scholars, pastors and lay people working for church renewal. He and his wife of over 20 years, Kim, are the parents of five children

Topics: Bible Study on the Fruits of the Spirit, Critique of the Church Marketing Movement, Impact of Culture on the Shape of the Contemporary Church, Christianity and Culture, Christian Ethics, Virtue Ethics, Christian Attitudes Toward Violence and Non-Violence ,Philosophy of Language, Impact of Media on Contemporary Expressions of Christianity, Critique of the Church Marketing Movement, Mission of the Church, History of the Concept of "Religion" in Western Cultures, Just-War Theory.

Phyllis A. King (1995)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
King is a graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S.N.) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (MSN), where she is listed in Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges. She is currently a doctoral student at the University of Tennessee. King's professional career includes work at the Johnson City Medical Center, Indian Path Medical Center, and Bristol Regional Medical Center. She has also worked as a public health nurse in Hawkins and Washington counties, Tenn. King is certified in Medical Surgical Nursing through the American Nurses Credentialing Center and has received training for nursing faculty by the End of Life Nursing Education Consortium. She has made presentations on various subjects including nursing research in Southwest Virginia, pediatric pain management and osteoporosis. King holds memberships in the American Nurses Assoc., the Tennessee Nurses Assoc. and Sigma Theta Tau, International.

Topics: Acute Pain Management; Care of the Patients with Seizures; Ethical Decision Process for Nurses; Patient Education; Pediatric Pain Management; Traction Therapy

Charlene Kiser (1989)
Assistant Professor of Humanities
Kiser is a 1978 graduate of Milligan College. She holds Master of Arts degrees from East Tennessee State University in English and art history. She is presently pursuing a PhD at Virginia Tech in English Education with an emphasis on writing across the curriculum and technology. She has presented at several national conferences, including the Conference on College Composition and Communication, the Writing across the Curriculum Conference, and the Southeast Writing Center Association Conference. She has received several Appalachian College Association grants and is presently one of the four leaders for the ACA Writing across the Curriculum Project.

Topics: Art History, Writing, Technology in the Classroom, Humanities, American Literature

Dr. Jack Knowles (1970)
Professor of English and Chair of the Area of Humane Learning
Knowles is a 1969 magna cum laude graduate of Milligan College. In 1973, he received a degree in English (M.A.) from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and in 1984, another degree in English (Ph.D.) also from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville, where he was named to Phi Beta Kappa. Before joining the Milligan faculty, he was a teacher at the Washington College Academy in Washington College, Tenn. He attends annual conferences of the South Atlantic Modern Language Association (of which he is a member), and in 1988 mentored for eight public school teachers in The 1988 Teachers Institute on Children’s Fantasy Literature held at East Tennessee State University. While studying in Oxford in 1992, he attended the weekly meetings of the Oxford C.S. Lewis Society. In 1995 he took part in a three-week seminar ("What is an American?") at the National Humanities Center, and in 2000 he presented a workshop on "Igniting the Imagination" at the Johnson City Arts in Education Conference. Knowles has been published in several literary journals.

Topics: C. S. Lewis; Shakespeare; Mark Twain

Dr. Marshall J. Leggett (1982-1997, President)
Chancellor
A native of Washington, N.C., Leggett received a bachelor of arts degree in Bible from Milligan in 1951 and was ordained at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church on the Milligan campus. In 1959 Leggett received the master of divinity degree from Christian Theological Seminary and in 1961 the master of arts degree from Butler University -- all with honors. Milligan, Kentucky Christian College and Midwest Christian College have all granted him honorary doctorate degrees. Prior to his presidency at Milligan College, Leggett served a total of 34 years in local ministry in Tennessee, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky. He served as minister of the First Church of Christ in Lynn, Ind., and was assistant minister at the First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio, under Dr. P. H. Welshimer. For 16 years before returning to Milligan, Leggett served as senior minister of the historic Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Ky.
Leggett played a major role in the establishment of Emmanuel School of Religion in Johnson City, Tenn., and Sayre Christian Village in Lexington, Ky. He served on the North American Christian Convention Executive Committee for 13 terms in various capacities, including president of the convention in 1971. Leggett has written numerous articles and three books: "Genuine Ministers," "MegaOpps: New Opportunities for Christians" and "An Introduction to the Restoration Ideal". He has served on the board of trustees of Emmanuel School of Religion, Kentucky Christian College and Milligan, and has also been active in many ministerial and civic associations and has received numerous honors.
In 1982, Leggett was inaugurated as the 13th president of Milligan College. During his 15-year tenure, enrollment increased 39 percent, nine academic programs were added, three new residence halls and a student center were constructed, major renovations were completed on more than ten buildings, the college’s endowment tripled, revenues doubled and four successful financial campaigns for the college were completed. Leggett retired in June 1997 and now serves as Chancellor of the college. He and his wife, Jean, reside in Chesapeake, Va, and was named "Writer of the Year" by the American Christian Writers Association.

Dr. Gary L. Leek (1998)
Associate Professor of Biology
Leek has a B.S. from the University of Missouri, an M.S. from Auburn University and a Ph.D. from Michigan State University. Prior to joining Milligan’s faculty, he served 12 years as a research biologist for the DuPont Company and then taught five years at Lindsey Wilson College in central Kentucky.

Topics: Crop Science; Plant Physiology, Biology

Dr. Jill LeRoy-Frazier (2001)
Assistant Professor of Humanities/Director of Writing in Humanities
LeRoy-Frazier holds an M.A. and a Ph.D. in English Language and Literature from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. in English from the University of Louisville. Her areas of specialization are twentieth-century American literature, literary and cultural theory, and Southern literature. She has published in Southern Studies: An Interdisciplinary Journal of the South, has an article forthcoming in Studies in Twentieth Century Fiction, and is working on a book-length project on Southern literature and historical self-consciousness. She has made numerous presentations at both regional and national conferences. LeRoy-Frazier has more than eight years'
teaching experience at the college level. Before coming to Milligan, she was a faculty member in the English department and the academic honors program at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. She has also taught at Ashland (KY) Community College and at Transylvania University, Lexington, KY. At Milligan, she serves as Director of Writing in Humanities as well as teaches English, interdisciplinary humanities, and writing courses.

Topics: Twentieth-century American literature, Southern literature, Appalachian literature, Postmodernism, Cyberpunk fiction, Contemporary critical theory

Dr. Richard Lura (1971)
Professor of Chemistry/Chair, Area of Scientific Learning
Lura received his bachelor of arts degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1967, where he was awarded Thesis of Distinction and Distinction in the Major, and his Ph.D. from Iowa State University in 1971. At Iowa State, Lura was an NDEA Fellow. From 1985-1988 he was a post-doctoral fellow in the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology at the Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Va. He holds a professional membership in the American Chemical Society.

Topics: Evolution and Creation; Birdwatching

Dr. Lee Magness (1983)
Britton Professor of Bible
A 1969 graduate of Milligan (B.A. in Bible and English), Magness holds the M.Div. degree from Emmanuel School of Religion and the Ph.D. degree from Emory University. He has also studied at Vanderbilt University and is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature. Magness is the author of the book Sense and Absence, a literary analysis of the ending of the Gospel of Mark, recently reissued as Marking the End, and At the Foot of the Cross, a series of communion meditations. His most recent publication is a children’s fantasy novel, Silver Dasher. The religious journal Leaven has recently made Magness a regular contributor of original liturgical readings for each issue. He has also published several articles in The Christian Standard, Religious Education and Leaven. He enjoys hiking, camping, playing the guitar, and reading and writing poetry. Magness has previously taught at Mountain Mission School in Grundy, Va., Boise Bible College and Atlanta Christian College. An ordained minister of the Christian Church and Churches of Christ, he continues to serve and worship Christ at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church and through guest lecturing and supply preaching. For the last several years he has taught in venues around the world—India, Hong Kong, Thailand, Cuba, etc.—under the auspices of Seminary to the Nations.

Topics: New Testament Studies; Greek: Christianity and the Arts

Dr. Patricia P. Magness (1984)
Professor of Humanities and English / Director of Humanities
A graduate of Milligan College, Magness holds an M.A. from Vanderbilt University and a Ph.D. in literary theory and women’s studies from Emory University. She taught at Mountain Mission School, Boise Bible College, Mt. Carmel Christian School and Vance Junior High, before coming to Milligan in 1984. Her book, A Guide to Children's Bible Story Books, was published by Peter Lang in 2001. She has also been published in the Lookout, South Atlantic Review and has written curriculum materials for Standard Publishing. Magness has traveled extensively throughout the United States and chaperoned several European summer Humanities tours. She is a member of Bread for the World and the Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy. Magness is also affiliated with the Conference on Christianity and Literature, the South Atlantic Modern Language Association, and the National Association for Humanities Education. She also serves on the board of Pioneer Bible Translators. One her special interests at Milligan is building the Gail Phillips Collection, a collection of children’s Bible storybooks in the Milligan library.

Topics: Biblical Literature for Children; English; Interdisciplinary Humanities; African-American Literature; Women's Studies

Robert (Bob) Mahan, CPA (1988)
Associate Professor of Accounting
Mahan, who completed his undergraduate work at Grand Valley State University in Michigan in 1981, received his master of accountancy from the University of Georgia in 1982. He is a Certified Public Accountant. Before joining the Milligan staff, Mahan worked in the Atlanta, GA., area at Snyder, Camp & Co. as a manager and at Peat, Marwick, Mitchell & Co. as a tax senior. Mahan is an adult bible school teacher and a former elder and youth sponsor at First Christian Church, Johnson City.

Topics: Financial Accounting; Managerial Accounting; Not-for-Profit Accounting; Tax

Richard Major (1985)
Chair of the Area of Performing, Visual and Communicative Arts/ Professor of Theatre
A 1978 graduate of Milligan, Major earned his master of fine arts degree in acting from Michigan State University in 1982. Before coming to work for Milligan, Major held positions at Michigan State University, the Nebraska Theatre Caravan, the University of Mississippi and the Barter Theatre. His book, Developing a Dynamic Drama Ministry, was published in the summer of 1999. Major holds memberships in the Actors’ Equity Association, Christians in Theatre Arts, Tennessee Theatre Association and the Southeastern Theatre Conference.

Topics: Theatre Directing; Stage Performances

Mark Matson (1999)
Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean
Matson returns to Milligan after 10 years as an administrator at Duke University. He previously served as business manager and taught Greek and New Testament at Milligan from 1985-89. He holds a B.S. in business from Humboldt State University, an M.Div. from Emmanuel School of Religion, and a Ph.D. in New Testament from Duke University. He has taught at Duke, Abilene Christian University, Milligan and Emmanuel and most recently served as assistant director of administration at Duke’s Sanford Institute of Public Policy. Dr. Matson enjoys bicycling, cross-country skiing, gardening, and running. He and his wife have two children.

Nancy R. McKee (1999)
Reference Librarian
McKee graduated from Meredith College in Raleigh, NC, with a B.A. in English Literature. She taught high school English before completing a M.L.I.S. at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Before coming to Milligan, McKee served as the director of the Moore County Library System in North Carolina. She is active in several library organizations, and serves on the board of Ashley Academy, a local private school. She holds professional memberships in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Association of Christian Librarians.

Topics: Bibliographic Instruction, Informal Retrieval, Online Database Searching

Jeffrey D. (Jeff) Miller (1999)
Assistant Professor of Bible
Jeff Miller joined Milligan’s Area of Biblical Learning in 1999; his teaching responsibilities include New Testament and youth ministry. His bachelors degrees, a B.A. in pastoral ministry and a B.Th. in church music, are from Nebraska Christian College. Jeff also graduated from Emmanuel School of Religion, earning an M.Div. with a concentration in New Testament. Finally, he received the Ph.D. in Biblical Interpretation from The University of Denver and Iliff School of Theology. His dissertation was a text-critical investigation of the epistle of James. His ministry experience includes youth ministries at Central Holston Christian Church in Bristol, TN, and Gateway Christian Church in Aurora, CO.
Jeff presently attends Grandview Christian Church in Johnson City, TN, where he teaches high school Sunday school and is active in music and worship. His wife Dana is the children’s minister at Grandview. Their daughters are Danielle (age 13) and Cassady (age 9).

Topics: Greek, New Testament textual criticism, racquetball, and youth ministry.

Dr. Lori Mills (1993)
Associate Professor of Psychology
Mills is a 1988 graduate of Milligan College. She completed her master’s degree at the University of Louisville, where she also earned her doctorate in clinical psychology in 1995. Mills completed her licensure as a clinical psychologist in August 1999. Mills co-authored an article "Negative Symptoms: Health, Depression, and Level of Functioning Among Nursing Home Residents" that appeared in the International Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry. She is a member of the American Psychological Association. Mills also does psychotherapy with individuals, couples and families.

Topics: Treatment of Mood and Anxiety Disorders; Psychology; Counseling

Dr. Bruce Montgomery (1995)
Associate Professor of Communications / Sub Area Chair for Communications
Montgomery is a graduate of Minnesota Bible College (B.S.L.), Christian
Theological Seminary (M.Div.), and Bowling Green State University (Ph.D.).
He has taught in adjunct capacity at Otterbein College, Eastfield College
and The University of Findlay. He has held ministries in Texas, Ohio,
Indiana and Tennessee. Montgomery founded the campus ministries at Bowling
Green State University and The University of Toledo and served for eleven
years as campus minister at the Bowling Green State University, Bowling
Green, Ohio. He also served as senior minister at Indianola Church of Christ
in Columbus, Ohio, for five years. In his first year at Milligan, Montgomery
received the faculty appreciation award from the Student Government
Association.

Topics: Campus Ministry; Conflict Management; Interviewing; Organizational
culture; Leadership; Organizational Communication; Church Leadership; Church
Growth; Self-Disclosure; Nonverbal Immediacy; Preaching; Public Speaking;
Relationships; Small Groups; Worship; Ministry System; Change Processes

Dr. Norma Morrison (1982)
Professor of Education
Morrison is a 1968 graduate of Florida State University and holds a doctorate of education from East Tennessee State University. She holds professional memberships in Delta Kappa Gamma and the Association for the Advancement of Educational Research and the National Academy for Educational Research . Before working at Milligan, Morrison worked for the Carter County Board of Education, Chase Gardens, Bonner’s Ferry Sheriff’s Department and the Sarasota Board of Education. Morrison also serves on the ethnic diversity committee and the education council.

Topics: Early Childhood Education; Children's Writing; Early Care and Education Program Administration; Literacy Development; Mentoring; Portfolio Assessment; Reading Methods; Special Education Methods, the Reggio Approach, Professional Development Schools (Partnerships), Working with Paraeducators (teaching assistants).

Isaac L. Nidiffer (1995)
Assistant Professor of Mathematics
Nidiffer holds a B.S. and M.S. from East Tennessee State University. He has over 30 years experience in the Kingsport (Tenn.) City School System and taught as a part-time instructor at Milligan from 1995 until 1998 when he was hired full-time.

Dr. Eugene Nix (1967)
Professor of Chemistry
Nix started his collegiate work at West Georgia College and completed a bachelor of science degree at the University of Georgia where he later completed his doctorate in the field of science education. His teaching experience includes three years at Bowen High School and two years at Middle Georgia College, where he was awarded a stipend and returned to the University of Georgia for the Academic Year Institute. He also taught at Georgia Southern College.

Topics: Chemistry, Science Education

Todd Norris (1997)
Vice President for Institutional Advancement
Norris holds bachelor of science and master of arts degrees from East Tennessee State University. He oversees the departments of development, public relations, church relations and alumni relations. Norris has extensive experience in advancement and previously served as director of development and institutional advancement at King College in Bristol, Tenn.

Mark W. Peacock (1999)
Assistant Professor of Legal Studies
A native of Morris, Illinois, he earned a B.S. from Eastern Illinois University and the J.D. from Northern Illinois University College of Law. In 1995 he moved to Johnson City to study at Emmanuel School of Religion. He is active at Cedar Grove Baptist Church where he serves as VBS director, newsletter editor, high school Sunday school teacher, and chairman of the personnel committee. For the past three years, Peacock has worked as a volunteer with troubled youth committed to state custody in area group homes by counseling them, leading Bible studies, taking them to church, and serving as president/treasurer of one group home’s Community Involvement Council. His hobbies include hiking, camping, fishing, and participating in other outdoor activities.

Topics: Business Law; Constitutional Law; Criminal Procedure; Torts, Trusts and Estates; Ethics; Government

Dr. Daniel Poff (1997)
Director of Occupational Therapy
Poff earned his bachelor of science degree in occupational therapy in 1981 and a master’s degree in 1984 in child development and family studies from Ohio State University. He completed his doctorate at Purdue University, Indiana, in Summer 1999. Poff has practiced as an occupational therapist in several psychiatric and physical dysfunction settings in Ohio and Indiana and has held positions in management and program development. He has presented papers at conferences on topics of chronic pain and daily activity, family conflict resolution and child and adult stress and coping. He is currently researching the contextual influences on the adjustment to infertility, student perceptions of stress, and the effects of health problems on psychosocial development.

Topics: Child Development and Family Studies; Occupational Therapy; Psychiatric Therapy

Steven Preston (1981)
Director of Library Services
Preston is 1968 graduate of the University of Georgia (A.B.) and a 1971 graduate of the University of Oklahoma with a master of library science degree. Before coming to Milligan, Preston was the library director at the College of Southern Idaho and a librarian at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is a member of the Association of Christian Librarians, has served on the board of directors, and was elected president of the association for 2000-2002 and 2002-2004.

Topics: Library Services

Sue R. Rasmussen (1994)
Assistant Professor of Nursing
Rasmussen is a graduate of the University of Illinois at the Medical Center,
Chicago (B.S.N., M.S.N.). Her professional career includes practice at the
Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Ill.; the Coronary Care Unit, Illinois
Masonic Hospital, Chicago, Ill.; Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood,
Ill.; Holston Valley Community Hospital, Kingsport; and the Johnson City
Medical Center Hospital, Johnson City. She is certified as a clinical
specialist in medical-surgical nursing. She has taught at the School of
Nursing, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC.
Rasmussen is on educational leave the next two academic years,2002-03 and
2003-04, pursuing doctoral studies at the University of North Carolina at
Chapel Hill.

Topics: Medical-Surgical Nursing; Personality Variables and Pain Description
of Persons with Chronic Pain
on educational leave the next two academic years (2002-03 and 2003-04)

David A. Roberts (1976)
Adjunct Professor of Physics
Roberts, a 1968 graduate of Bloomsburg State College, earned his master’s degree in aerospace engineering from George Washington University and a master of divinity degree in New Testament from the Emmanuel School of Religion. Before coming to Northeast Tennessee, Roberts worked for NASA at the Langley Research Center as an aerospace engineer. He has been the minister at Lone Oak Christian Church since 1974. He is a member of the American Scientific Affiliation, Theta Phi, and the Bays Mountain Astronomy Club. Roberts has been published in the Christian Standard and has had several papers published by NASA.

Topics: Astronomy; Ministry; Physics

Dr. R. David Roberts (1982)
Starkey Professor of Bible and Christian Ministries/ Chair, Area of Biblical Learning
Roberts, a Milligan alumnus, received his master of divinity in theology and his doctor of ministry in pastoral ministry from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He directed the Milligan Bible Bowl Tournament for six years, has been a sponsor for the Association of Christian Ministries, received the Faculty Appreciation award from the S.G.A. in 1991 and has served on the Faculty Concerns committee. Before coming to Milligan, Roberts was the senior minister of the Traders Point Christian Church in Indianapolis, IN, and has served in several other ministerial capacities. Roberts is a member of the American Academy of Ministry, and Theta Phi. Articles by Roberts have been published in the Christian Standard and in Building Up the Church.

Topics: Christian Ministry; Church Administration; Old and New Testament; Practical Ministry

Dr. Carol Roose (1989)
Professor of Education
Roose completed all of her education at Kent State University, completing her doctorate degree in 1976. She has worked as a professor in several colleges and also as an elementary school teacher. She is a member of the Association of Teacher Educators, National Middle School Association, Association of Supervision and Curriculum Development, International Reading Association and Delta Kappa Gamma. Roose has participated in several education workshops. Roose regularly presents environmental workshops to area teachers. With other educators, Roose has made presentations at the International Reading Association Conference, the National Middle School Assocation, the Regional Conference of the Association of Teacher Education and the Kentucky Reading Association Conference.

Topics: Elementary Education; Environmental Education; Liberal Arts in Teacher Education; Middle Grades Education; Thematic Webs Based on Appalachian Literature

Nancy Ross (1990)
Director and Assistant Professor of Developmental Programs
Ross is a 1966 graduate of Milligan College. She earned her master’s of education as a reading specialist from East Tennessee State University in 1989. Ross has worked as an elementary school teacher in several school systems. Before coming to Milligan she was a homebound teacher for the Johnson City Public Schools. She has been a member of Delta Kappa Gamma. Ross has been published in Innovative Learning Strategies, the Ohio Reading Teacher, the Fig Tree Fellowship and Diakonos.

Topics: Composition in Writing; Reading Skills; Study Skills

Dr. David Runner (1972)
Professor of Organ and Music Theory
Runner obtained his bachelor’s degree in music from Boise State University and his master of music degree and his doctor of musical arts degree from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. He did a European organ study with Marie-Claire Alain, Louis Robilliard, and Michael Radulescu. Runner gives organ/lecture recitals at Milligan College and in the surrounding area. He is a member of the American Guild of Organists. Runner also is the organ accompanist for the Johnson City Civic Chorale. He is the Organ and Music Director substitute for various churches in the area. Runner is a native of California. He now resides in Carter County, TN with his wife, Lisa Adkins Runner.

Topics: Organ; Choral Directing; Church Music; Handbells; Hymnology; Music Theory, History; Piano

Beverly Schmalzried (2003)
Chair of Education/ Professor of Education
Schmalzried is a graduate of Kansas State University (M.S. 1965) and Florida State University (Ph.D., 1967). She has done additional coursework toward certification as an online instructor and in the Four Blocks Approach to teaching reading. For 23 years Schmalzried directed the United States Air Force's programs for children and youth. She was responsible for all of the policies, resources, and operational activities related to the Air Force's child development centers, family child care programs, preschools, youth programs, and teen programs around the world. During her tenure the Air Force's programs were recognized as a "model for the nation" by the Clinton administration and by the United States Congress. Schmalzried developed innovative programs for the Air Force including a system of family child care homes that provided care for mildly ill children and for children whose military parents were required to work extended hours. She pioneered the affiliation of military youth programs with the National Headquarters of the Boys & Girls Clubs of America and developed child care cost models for the Department of Defense. Under her leadership, all of the Air Force's child development centers and preschools were accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children and all of the school age programs were accredited by the National Alliance for School Age Care. Schmalzried has served on the boards of the National Alliance for School Age Care and the National Association for Family Child Care. She has provided numerous speeches and training programs for military and civilian organizations on topics related to early childhood education. While at the Air Force, Schmalzried received one of the highest awards given in Air Force Services, the Michael Carns Award for Innovative Leadership. On her departure from the Air Force, an award was created in her name, the Doctor Beverly Schmalzried Air Force Individual Contribution Award. Prior to her work with the Air Force, Schmalzried served as a Head Start teacher, university lab school teacher, junior high school teacher, and a university faculty member and department chairperson. Schmalzried serves as a consultant on several national early childhood projects and plans to continue her work with the Boys & Girls Clubs.

Topics: Early childhood education, reading, child care administration, family child care, before and after school programs, youth programs, early childhood accreditation, early childhood administration, military families.

Rosemarie Shields (1994)
Assistant Professor of English and Humanities
Shields is a graduate of Milligan (A.B., cum laude, 1959) and Illinois State University (M.A., 1982). She has also studied at Goethe Institute, Schwaebisch Hall, the University of Tuebingen in Germany, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, The University of Tennessee-Knoxville and Tennessee Technological University. In the year previous to her appointment as professor, Shields served as instructor of humanities and public relations director at Milligan. She has had extensive experience in public education in Tennessee, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Germany.

Topics: Christmas in Germany; Downs Syndrome; French Language and Literature; Writing Instruction

John C. Simonsen (1999)
Assistant Professor of Human Performance and Exercise Science
Simonsen earned a B.A. and M.B.A. from Furman University, an M.S. from Texas Tech University, and the Ph.D. from The Ohio State University. He is working toward completing an M.A. at Reformed Theological Seminary. He hails from Rochester, New York, and his wife, Mary, a physical therapist, is from St. Louis. They have three children: Andrew, David, and Jenny. Both husband and wife are avid runners, completing numerous marathons.

Topics: Exercise and Aging; Fitness; Exercise Prescription; Human Performance & Exercise Science; Health; CPR; Exercise; First Aid; Nutrition; Weight Management; Wellness; Physiology of Training and Performance; Clinical Exercise Physiology; Human Physiology.

Victoria L. (Vikki) Sitter (1999)
Associate Professor of Business Administration
Sitter is responsible for classroom instruction, course design and assessment methods for Professional Studies. She teaches courses in the college's business program, including management, strategic management, organizational behavior, professional development and human resources. Her enthusiasm and passion for teaching are evident, and she brings to the classroom several years of professional business experience to share with her students. She is the owner of Sitter & Associates, LLC, a human resource and training consultation organization. Sitter earned a B.A. in management from East Tennessee State University and an M.S. in human resource development from The University of Tennessee-Knoxville. She is currently completing a PhD in Organizational Leadership at Regent University. She and her husband Mark, an Operations Manager at HOST Engineering, live in Johnson City.

Topics: Managerial skills; Leadership; Team Skills; Interviewing and Retention; Human Resource Management; Professional Development; EEO; Sexual Harassment; Performance Appraisals Systems; and Positive Negotiation.

Sue Skidmore (1980)
Registrar, Associate Dean and Director of Institutional Research
Skidmore is a 1965 Milligan graduate (B.A.) and a 1994 graduate of East Tennessee State University with a master’s degree in history. Before coming to Milligan in 1980, Skidmore taught in the Johnson City Public Schools as teacher of German and history. Currently, Skidmore teaches two classes at Milligan, one on the Holocaust and one on Twentieth Century Europe.

Topics: Holocaust Studies; Institutional Research

Mike Smith (1978)
Director of Computer Services
Smith is a 1978 graduate of Northwest Christian College, with a bachelor’s degree in Bible. He has done further coursework at Emmanuel School of Religion and East Tennessee State University.

Jeff Snodgrass (2003)
Assistant Professor and Admissions Coordinator of Occupational Therapy
Snodgrass holds a B.S. in occupational therapy from Eastern Kentucky University and a M.P.H. with a concentration in health administration from East Tennessee State University. Currently, he is a doctoral student at Touro University pursuing a Ph.D. in health sciences with a specialization in health care administration. In addition to his duties at Milligan College, he maintains an active clinical practice as an independent contractor performing functional capacity evaluations and ergonomic-related services. He previously served as Clinical Manager of Ergonomics for Wellmont Health System.
He holds clinical specialty certifications as a Certified Work Capacity Evaluator and Certified Ergonomic Evaluation Specialist. He is a Board Certified Disability Analyst and licensed to practice occupational therapy in Tennessee and Virginia. He is a Fellow of the American College of Disability Analysts. He maintains active membership status for the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association, American College of Healthcare Executives, Mountain Empire Case Management Society, and Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society. Jeff currently serves as executive board member and district chair for the Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association.

Topics: administration and leadership of occupational therapy and rehabilitation programs, work-related upper extremity disorders, functional capacity evaluations and return to work issues and ergonomics.

Dr. Carrie Swanay Steffey (1990)
Associate Professor of Communications
Steffey is a graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S., 1985, Broadcasting; M.A., 1994, Instructional Technology with an emphasis in Communications). She completed her doctorial degree (Ph.D., 2001) at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Instructional Technology in which her main concentration was digital multimedia design and development. Her professional experience before coming to Milligan includes serving as manager of the production department at WJHL-TV 11 (the local CBS affiliate). She is a member of the Mass Communications Association International (formerly ITVA), National Association of Broadcasters, Broadcast Educational Association and the Religious Broadcast Association. Steffey is also a member of the Delta Kappa Gamma local chapter.

Topics of Interest: Broadcasting; Multimedia Design and Development; Digital Media; Radio and Television Production; Print Layout and Design, Non-Linear Digital Video Editing, Instructional Design; Producing

Theodore N. Thomas (1999)
Associate Professor of Humanities, History, and German
A native of Danforth, Maine, Thomas has also lived in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Philadelphia, Germany, Spain, Los Angeles, and most recently Silver Spring, Maryland. He earned an A.A. from Northeastern Christian Junior College, a B.A. from Pepperdine University, and an M.A. and the Ph.D. from University of Maryland. He and his wife Jane-Anne, a schoolteacher, have two adult sons and two wonderful daughters-in-law. Thomas’ hobbies include running, playing guitar, and composing music. A few of his past adventures and accomplishments include hitchhiking in Europe as a college student, singing professionally with "The Windjammers," publishing a book, climbing Mt. Sinai, slogging through Hezekiah’s tunnel in Jerusalem, hosting monthly prayer breakfasts in the U.S. Senate, and having personal conversations with noted personalities James Michener and Strom Thurmond.

Topics: German Church Struggle (Nazi Period), Psalmody, Current European Issues, Death and Dying, Modern European History, German

Stacy Tramel (1995)
Associate Registrar
Tramel is a graduate of Milligan College (B.A.) and the University of Kentucky (M.S.W.). Her responsibilities in the registrar’s office include the evaluation and posting of transfer credit, certification of enrollment to lending institutions, certification of teacher licensure applicants, certification of NAIA applicants, development of class schedules, preregistration and reporting registration data to outside agencies.

Topics: College Registration and Student Certification; Social Work

Dr. Julia Wade (1984)
Professor of Biology
Wade is a graduate of East Tennessee State University (B.S., biology), the University of Kentucky (M.S., zoology), Cornell University (M.S., wildlife science) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (Ph.D., zoology). Before joining the Milligan faculty in 1984, Wade was an assistant professor of biology at Pennsylvania State University. She is a member of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, American Society of Mammalogy, Society for the Study of Amphibians and Reptiles, Association of Southeastern Biologists and the Sigma Xi Research Society. Wade has been published in several scientific journals and attends annual scientific meetings. She currently is the Pre-Professional Health Advisor for Milligan College.

Topics: Mammals; Ecology; Reptiles

John C. Wakefield (1974-80; 1998)
Associate Professor of Music
Wakefield holds a B.A. in music from MacMurray College in Jacksonville, Ill., and an M.M. from Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. He has done additional studies at Aspen Music School, Yale University, Emmanuel School of Religion, Fuller Theological Seminary, Oxford University and Westwood Christian Foundation. He has served as minister of music at Westwood Hills Christian Church in Los Angeles and at Clovernook Christian Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. He most recently served as chaplain at Mercy Hospital in Fairfield and Hamilton, Ohio. Prior to his tenure at Milligan in the 1970s, Wakefield taught at Great Lakes Bible College and Lincoln Christian College. While at Milligan, he also served as minister of music at Central Holston Christian Church in Bristol and later at First Christian Church in Johnson City. A longtime member of the Milligan College Board of Advisers, he is also a member of the American Choral Directors Association, the National Association of Teachers of Singing and the Hymn Society of the United States and Canada. He has conducted and performed major choral works, operas and musicals throughout the United States and is published regularly in numerous Christian publications.

Topics: MUSIC: Choir Retreats; Choral Techniques; Choral Reading Sessions; Vocal Techniques; Conducting; Congregational: Hymnology; Devotional Hymn Studies; Performance: Choral Conducting; Vocal; MINISTRY: Worship Planning and Leadership; Various Bible Study Series; Life of Christ; Pastoral: Grief Counseling; Spiritual Gifts; Hospital Visitation; Developing Small Groups; Building Relationships

Dr. Gary Wallace (1967-68, 1971)
Professor of Biology
Wallace is a 1962 graduate of Austin Peay State University (B.S.) and The University of Tennessee-Knoxville (M.S. and Ph.D.). He taught at Maryville College for one year. He is a member of the Tennessee Ornithological Society, the Audubon Society, the Wilson Ornithological Society and the American Birding Assoc. He has published over twenty articles about birds in periodicals, written over forty book reviews, was the editor of The Migrant for 10 years and has co-authored two books, Birds of Roan Mountain and A Laboratory Manual for General Biology.

Topics: Birds; Ecology; Orinthology; Salamanders

Tony Wallingford (1987-1994, 1995)
Men’s Basketball Head Coach/Golf Coach/Coordinator for Sports Information/Adjunct Prof. of Human Performance & Exercise Science
Wallingford is a 1979 graduate of Washington & Jefferson (B.A.) and a 1981 graduate of the University of Akron (M.A.). He has coached at the University of Akron, West Virginia Wesleyan College, Cincinnati Bible College and Indian Hill High School. He has served as program director for the Stars of Tomorrow and STAND (Students Taking Action Not Drugs) programs.

Topics: Coaching; Youth Anti-Drug Programs

Joe Whitaker, CPA (1989)
Vice President of Business and Finance
Whitaker attended Milligan from 1964-66 and earned a B.S. from Eastern Kentucky University in 1969. He served as controller and assistant secretary/treasurer of Begly Drug Co. in Richmond, Ky., from 1965-79. He also served as associate minister of Big Hill Ave. Christian Church and campus minister of the Christian Student Fellowship at EKU from 1969-1989. From 1984-89 he served as an accountant for Potter & Co., CPA’s and Amick & Helm, CPA’s. He is a member of the American Institute of CPA’s and the Tennessee Society of CPA’s. Whitaker is also a graduate of the National Planned Giving Institute at the College of William and Mary.

Joseph C. Wise (1998)
Director of Development
Wise holds a bachelor of science degree in communications from Milligan College, and has done graduate work at both the Emmanuel School of Religion and East Tennessee State University. He is currently completing work on a Master's degree in Communications at East Tennessee State. He previously served as group loss control manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car at the central Canadian headquarters in Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was chairman of the Enterprise employee campaign for the United Way fund drive for three successful years. Wise was transferred to Canada in 1994 as a part of the company’s international expansion efforts. While in Canada his offices consistently ranked number #1 for customer satisfaction for the 6 quarters surveys were conducted. From 1993-94, he served as branch rental manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car in Bristol, Tenn. During this time he was also vice president of the Johnson City Jaycees and was awarded the Keyman Award for his efforts with the organization. Presently he is active in the Johnson City Kiwanis Club and the local chapter of the Public Relations Society of America. His duties at Milligan include fundraising and public relations.

Topics: Achieving Quality Customer Service in Today's Marketplace; Milligan College: Mission & Ministry

Carolyn Woolard (1972)
Associate Professor of French and Spanish
Woolard is a 1968 graduate of Bridgewater College (B.A.) and the University of Kentucky, 1969 (M.A.). She received a B.S. degree in computer science from East Tennessee State University in 1988. She also studied at the Universite de Strasbourg (France). She is president of the Gamma chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma International. She is also a member of the American Assoc. of Teachers of French, American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages, American Assoc. of Teachers of Spanish and Portuguese, Tennessee Foreign Language Teachers Assoc. and Sister Cities International of Greater Tri-Cities.

Topics: French Language and Literature; Spanish Language and Literature