Erika Fox
Reporter
April 28, 2006
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After more than 10 years on the Milligan College faculty, Carmen Allen has resigned from her position as administrative assistant for academic affairs to begin her career at East Tennessee State University's new College of Pharmacy as office coordinator.
"The opportunity for advancement is greater there," Allen said. "I'm just
excited about being part of something that's brand new."
Allen said that there is currently no room for her to move up at Milligan, and
she hopes to eventually obtain an administrative position in the new program at
ETSU.
Allen worked as administrative assistant for Academic Dean Mark Matson for the
past 10 years and has worked closely with other faculty members.
Allen's job at Milligan has offered variety, and she did a lot of work "behind
the scenes," she said.
Her duties included advertising, faculty contracts and the tuition remission
program, which provides faculty members with the opportunity to send their
children to certain colleges free of the tuition expense.
"The program is such a huge benefit and it's nice to help people get that
benefit," Allen said.
She also played a significant role in the study abroad program at Milligan,
which she said was a fun part of her job.
Sophomore Anna Gindlesperger worked closely with Allen while she filled out
applications to study abroad.
"Carmen Allen encouraged me to apply for the program in London offered through
PCCIS (Private College Consortium for International Study), even though I had
been set on applying for two other programs through CCCU (Council for Christian
Colleges and Universities)," Gindlesperger said.
The program is new to Milligan this year, so Allen made phone calls to the
program's administrators and walked Gindlesperger through the entire process,
including the application for a special grant offered only to students attending
the London program.
"I probably could not have afforded to study abroad had she not encouraged me to
apply for this scholarship," Gindlesperger said.
In addition to working at Milligan, Allen has almost completed a Master of Arts
degree in liberal studies at ETSU.
Originally from Jamestown, Ind., Allen is a 1981 graduate of Milligan College
with a degree in English.
Her dedication to Milligan has continued throughout the years. She worked for
Milligan College on two other occasions: once from 1987 to 1989 as a part-time
instructor in the reading, writing and math labs, and again as a secretary in
the science building.
Allen will miss the people and the "beautiful campus" but said she will be back
for alumni weekend and other visits.
"We'll get together often for lunch," Allen said of her co-workers at Milligan.
While Dean Matson has not yet found a replacement for Allen, he is in the
process of interviewing several candidates for the position.
Other administrative changes will to take place next semester in President Don
Jeanes’ office. Vicki Warkoczeski, his administrative assistant will leave
Milligan College in June after a nine-year career. Her husband has accepted a
position in Pennsylvania.
“She has been invaluable to me; she is the one who keeps things on track,”
Jeanes said. “I regret that she will be leaving. She wasn’t interested in
commuting on the weekends.”
Kathy Barnes has been hired to fill the position. She will begin full-time May
1.