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MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. (May 1, 2012) — To accommodate a significant growth in the size of the graduating class, Milligan College will hold two commencement ceremonies this spring. The first will be Friday, May 4, at 7 p.m. for students in Milligan’s graduate and professional studies programs. The second will be Saturday, May 5, at 2 p.m. for students graduating from traditional undergraduate programs.
The college will award a total of 208 degrees at the ceremonies, which will be held in Milligan’s Mary B. Martin Auditorium of Seeger Memorial Chapel. The ceremonies will be similar in order and content, with Robert L. White, chief public relations officer with the Johnson City Power Board and chairman of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, as the keynote speaker.
The decision to hold two ceremonies was made so that the college can accommodate the large crowds expected. Milligan will award 45 degrees at the May 4 ceremony and 163 degrees at the May 5 ceremony. On May 5, overflow seating will be available in Milligan’s Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts. Both ceremonies will be broadcast live atwww.livestream.com/milligancollege.
“Commencement is a special time for our graduates and their families, and we did not want to prevent any guests from sharing this moment with us,” said Milligan President Bill Greer. “We discussed many options to accommodate this large class. Two services was the best choice and will allow the graduates to experience the culmination of their Milligan experience in Seeger Chapel, where generations of Milligan graduates have received their diplomas.”
The May graduates include 48 bachelor of arts (B.A.), 99 bachelor of science (B.S.), 31 bachelor of science in nursing (B.S.N.), 17 master of business administration (M.B.A.), 12 master of education (M.Ed.), and one certificate in computer information systems (CIS).
During commencement, Milligan also will present an honorary bachelor of science degree to Eileen Purcell Williams and will present two individuals, Dr. Susan Higgins and Sue Skidmore, with its highest honor, the Fide et Amore citation, in recognition of their loving and faithful service to the college.
In addition, the ceremonies will include a commencement address by White, a lifelong resident of Johnson City, Tenn. He holds a B.B.A. in operations management from East Tennessee State University and an M.B.A. from Milligan.
White is in his 27th year with the Johnson City Power Board, a public electric utility company serving all of Washington County and parts of Sullivan, Carter and Greene counties. He also is co-founder of Brotherly Love Ministries, a contemporary gospel music ministry based in Johnson City.
White is very active in his community and has served in various leadership capacities on many local boards, including Economic Development, Chamber of Commerce, United Way, Development Authority, Boys and Girls Club, the Regional Planning Commission, SunTrust Bank, Johnson City Symphony and ETSU Foundation. In 2005, he was appointed by former Governor Phil Bredesen to serve on the Tennessee Commission on National and Community Service (Volunteer Tennessee). In 2007, he was appointed to the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC), where he was elected chair in 2010 and 2011. THEC is the coordinating body for Tennessee’s 51 public colleges, universities, and technology centers, which collectively educate approximately 225,000 students.
His honors include “40 under Forty” by the Tri-Cities/Virginia Business Journal; Milligan’s “Leaders in Christian Service;” and ETSU’s “Horizon Award,” “Outstanding Support in Education” and “Award of Honor.”
White is a member of Friendship Baptist Church where he serves as deacon, choir member, Sunday school teacher, youth director and assistant treasurer. He and his wife, Karen, have one son, Joel Ryan.
A complete schedule of graduation activities is available online at www.milligan.edu/commencement or by calling 423.461.8681.