J. Ann Tipton
Copy Editor
Ten female Milligan students and two professors spent Friday and Saturday at Doe River Gorge Camp in Elizabethton where they spent time getting to know each other and learning how to be biblically “wise women.”
The 24-hour retreat was organized by Professor of Chemisty Diane Junker and Associate Professor of Humanities Charlene Kiser. According to Junker, the retreat was funded through a grant from the Faith and Living portion of the Lilly Grant and administered through the office of Student Leadership. Because of the grant, participants could attend the retreat at no cost.
The retreat was originally planned for Feb. 20-21, but because of conflicts with Family Weekend Junker and Kiser moved the retreat to the following weekend. The retreat was originally opened to senior women only, but when not all 18 spots were filled, Kiser and Junker opened the retreat up to all female students.
“…We discovered that Milligan students are very busy, and many had scheduling conflicts,” Kiser said.
Freshman Stephanie Terranova was one of the women who attended the retreat. She said that one of the reasons she went was to combat the stress of the semester.
“With (midterm) exams coming up I was feeling the stress,” Terranova said. “I knew I needed to step back and take a breath before jumping back in.”
Terranova said that during this retreat, she found the relaxation and renewal that she needed.
“(The retreat was) very relaxing yet productive,” Terranova said. “They gave us the 11 characteristics of a godly woman and we discussed how we could work on becoming more and more how we are supposed to be.”
The retreat was conducted in a small group, discussion format. Junker said that she feels the retreat was a success.
“I feel it was a worthwhile endeavor and for me personally, it was wonderful to be with the students and share with them what God has laid on our hearts,” Junker said.