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Milligan announces $12.5 million first phase of student housing village


UPDATE: View Photos of the Construction Progress

MILLIGAN COLLEGE, TN (April 27, 2012) — President Bill Greer announced today that the college will begin construction this summer on the $12.5 million first phase of a student housing village made possible by the largest single gift ever made to the college.

“I’m happy to announce that Richard and Leslie Gilliam of Charlottesville, Va., are making the largest single gift ever received by Milligan,” Greer said. “They have committed over $4.7 million toward the site preparation and construction of the housing village. This is a project that I believe will transform the campus and, in turn, will have a tremendous impact on the student experience at Milligan.”

The housing village will consist of 12 residence halls, each containing space for 20 students. In addition, the village will include an intramural field and common spaces for fellowship and study. The first phase of the plan is to construct up to six of the residence halls over the next year and a half, with the first units being available in time for the fall of 2013.

The new housing will allow Milligan to keep up with its significant growth while maintaining its close-knit campus community. Since 2002, enrollment has grown from 843 to 1,208 this year. As a result, the college has reached the point of maximum capacity in its residence halls. This new housing village will be the first new student housing on campus in nearly 25 years.

The Gilliams also donated the funds for the construction of Milligan’s Gilliam Wellness Center, and they support an endowed scholarship in memory of Richard’s father, Marvin, who was a 1938 graduate of Milligan.

“We are deeply grateful for the Gilliam family’s continued investment in Milligan College and Christian higher education,” Greer said.

(L-R) Don Jeanes, Clarinda Jeanes, Edwina Greer and Bill Greer in front of the Don and Clarinda Jeanes Fountain on Milligan’s Mary Sword Commons

Greer made the announcement as the Milligan community gathered for the unveiling and dedication of a new fountain on Milligan’s Mary Sword Commons in honor of Don and Clarinda Jeanes, Milligan’s retired 14th president and first lady.

Designed by Tony Street and constructed by Burleson Construction, the granite fountain is engraved with Don and Clarinda’s handprints and “Christian Education, the Hope of the World” — a message that has been central to Milligan since its founding in 1866.

“Like their handprints that are embedded on the fountain itself, the Jeanes’ touch is visible throughout campus, and we wanted that touch reflected in this fountain, as well,” Greer said.

The fountain was made possible through gifts from faculty, staff, alumni, friends and the college’s trustees as a way to celebrate the physical impact the Jeanes had on Milligan’s campus. Through these gifts, the Milligan community also created an endowed fund established in the couple’s honor.

“Under the leadership of Don Jeanes, Milligan grew by every measure,” Greer said. “And by his side every step of the way was Clarinda, leading in her own way and transforming Milligan into a place of beauty that welcomes students, alumni and visitors alike.”


Posted by on April 27, 2012.