MILLIGAN, Tenn. (Aug. 22, 2025) — Another academic year kicks off at Milligan University this weekend as new and returning students return to campus on Aug. 23-24. Milligan’s faculty and staff strive to help students transition to college life through Welcome Week with activities focused on community and engagement.
“We are excited to welcome the Class of 2029 to campus,” said Milligan President Dr. Stephen Waers. “In our matriculation service we will invite them into the journey of becoming servant leaders. We can’t wait to see the manifold ways God will use the gifts each of these students brings to the Milligan community.”
Welcome Week begins with the arrival of new students on Move In Day. As students get settled into their dorm rooms, the Milligan community strives to make each student feel at home.
For Dillon Geary, a junior electrical engineering major from Johannesburg, South Africa, Milligan’s Welcome Week allowed him to quickly connect with his incoming class.
“Welcome Week helped me make friends with shared interests through the week’s fun group activities,” shared Geary.
The highlight of the week for Geary was the university’s annual Doe River Gorge outing.
“It was an awesome experience, especially the zipline and water obstacle course.”
Geary encourages incoming students to use the first few weeks of college to get involved.
“Join activities and clubs around campus. It’s the best way to meet people and feel at home in a new place.”
Now as a junior, Geary embodies Milligan’s emphasis on well-rounded and engaged students. He is a national champion on Milligan’s cycling team, serves as a Resident Advisor and a Student Ambassador, and works in the Fireside Grill in the McMahan Student Center.
This year, Welcome Week will include a cookout, corn hole tournament, tailgate with Kona Ice, a foam party and block party. New students will also dine with their mentor groups, consisting of a small cohort of students and a faculty member, that will meet throughout the semester.
On Saturday evening, the university’s Matriculation ceremony formally welcomes new students into the long-standing community of Christian scholars at Milligan. The ceremony will be held at 7:45 p.m. in Seeger Chapel followed by a dessert reception.
“This first night on campus is a special time for new students to start building their community and finding their place at Milligan,” said Juan Villalba, director of campus activities at Milligan. “Matriculation marks the beginning of our students’ journeys at Milligan, a time that will be filled with personal growth, academic discoveries and lifelong friendships.”
Before students arrive, Milligan faculty and staff will gather on the university’s Mary Sword Commons to pray for students and the upcoming academic year. During Welcome Week, the entire Milligan community will worship together for the first time in Seeger Chapel. Classes will begin on Tuesday, Aug. 26.