Milligan SPRING 2012
Magazine
Cold Smoke n The “Other” Side of Peace n Weathering the Storm
Spring 2012 | Volume 14, Number 1
Milligan PReSIdeNt Bill Greer (’85) bgreer@milligan.edu
VIce PReSIdeNt foR INStItutIoNal adVaNcemeNt Jack Simpson (’92) jasimpson@milligan.edu
VIce PReSIdeNt foR eNRollmeNt maNaGemeNt aNd maRketING A. Lee Fierbaugh (’94) lfierbaugh@milligan.edu
Letter from theEditor
dIRectoR of alumNI RelatIoNS EDITOR Theresa Garbe (’91) tmgarbe@milligan.edu
dIRectoR of PuBlIc RelatIoNS ASSISTANT EDITOR Chandrea Shell (’00) chshell@milligan.edu
cReatIVe SeRVIceS cooRdINatoR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Art Brown atbrown@milligan.edu
PuBlIc RelatIoNS aSSIStaNt FEATuRE WRITER Story on 14 Melissa Nipper (’96) mhnipper@milligan.edu
SPoRtS INfoRmatIoN dIRectoR FEATuRE WRITER Stories on 20, 22 Matt Laws sportsinfo@milligan.edu
coVeR PHoto contributed by Colin Blowers coNtRIButoRS of PHotoS: Photo on 2, © Mark Peacock Photos on 4-5, © Brandon Hicks, Elizabethton Star; contributed Photo on 6, contributed Photo on 8, © Eric McCarty Photos on 11, © Mark Peacock, © Will Griffith Photos on 12-13, contributed Photos on 14-15, contributed Photos on 17, © John Thompson, Johnson City Press Photo on 18, © Madison Matthews, Johnson City Press Photo on 19, © Mark Peacock Photos on 20-21, contributed Photos on 22-23, © Nathan Rodda Photo on 27, © Mark Peacock
ouR mISSIoN As a Christian liberal arts college, Milligan College seeks to honor God by educating men and women to be servant-leaders.
ouR VISIoN As a premier Christian liberal arts college where Jesus Christ is exalted and excellence is the standard, Milligan will change lives and shape culture through a commitment to Christian leadership.
Midwinter at Milligan has been punctuated by hammocks in front of the library, the sound of flip-flops on the sidewalk, and the aroma of grilled burgers wafting from Webb lawn. Students are quick to avail themselves of the opportunities presented by this year’s unseasonably beautiful days. But it’s not just balmy weather in February that inspires. Life in this community kindles students’ creativity and compassion. It is part of what makes the Milligan experience unique. Classroom discussions, art exhibits, sporting events, vespers programs, coffeehouse debates, and all of the other interactions that are part of everyday life on this campus shape and direct our students, molding them into educated, productive, caring, gifted servant leaders. This is demonstrated daily through my interactions with students, faculty, staff and alumni. In this issue of Milligan Magazine, you’ll read about alumni who have turned experience and circumstance into opportunity: how a serendipitous meeting between two alumni led to devoted friendship and a unique enterprise and how necessity led an alumna to distinction in the blogging world. We also feature in this issue stories about the intersection of faith and learning. There is a story about an alumna whose mission field is littered with books and a story about a graduate student’s unexpected role in helping tornado-ridden Tuscaloosa recover from disaster. As the academic year begins to wind down (I’m writing this letter the day before the start of spring break), I find myself wondering what kind of mark the class of 2012 will make in the world. No doubt, just like the Milligan alumni who have gone before them—just like the alumni whose endeavors we recount in the magazine—these graduates will serve in amazing and meaningful ways. Four years spent learning and growing among faculty and friends who care deeply for one another is time well spent. Even when it is spent in a hammock in front of the library.
Sincerely,
GeNeRal INfoRmatIoN The Milligan Magazine is published regularly by the Milligan College Office of Institutional Advancement for alumni and friends of the college and is distributed free of charge. The Magazine highlights the college’s vision to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to servant-leadership. Copyright © 2012 Milligan College. 800.447.5922 | www.milligan.edu AlumniOffice@milligan.edu POSTMASTER: Send address corrections to Advancement, P.O. Box 9, Milligan College, Tennessee 37682.
2 | SPRING 2012
Theresa (Brown ’91) Garbe Director of Alumni Relations
Table of Contents
11
12
FEATURES
DEPARTMENTS
innovation
4
22
14
4
Cold Smoke
6
Knoxville’s Bargain Blogger
2
editor’s letter
9
faculty News
10 campus close-up 22 athletic News 24 class Notes
8
Milligan Student Crafts a Winning Business Plan
27 letter from the President
impact 12 The “Other” Side of Peace
16
14 An Author’s Inspiration 16 The Therapy Tango 18 Many Happy Returns
20
20 Weathering the Storm
SPRING 2012 | 3
YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR MARKETING BARBECUE DEVICE AT LOCAL LOWE’S BY BRYAN STEVENS Elizabethton Star reprinted with permission
Tyler Mechtly holds a bottle of barbecue sauce that he developed with the late Lynn Tipton, who was the founder of Tipton Pride Barbecue and Sauce Co. Mechtly now sells the sauce under the banner of Simple Comforts, which is located in Carter County at 198 Angus Hill Road, Johnson City.
A
chance meeting between a Milligan College student and a retired school teacher led to a great friendship as well as a creative business enterprise revolving around barbecue. Tyler Mechtly (’06), president of Simple Comforts, considers himself an entrepreneur expanding on the legacy of the late Lynn Tipton (’67). Mechtly described Tipton as “one of the most genuine people I have ever met.” They bonded over barbecue but found they also had a lot more in common. “Lynn Tipton was an unforgettable character with an unforgettable laugh,” Mechtly said. “I met him at the Appalachian Fair as he was handing out samples of his famous barbecue sauce. I enjoyed both him and the sauce so much that I began helping him cater and bottle sauce just for fun.” Mechtly soon became good friends with Tipton, who was the founder of Tipton Pride Barbecue and Sauce Co. “Mr. Tipton didn’t have children of his own. I was like a grandkid to him, and he was like a grandfather to me. We not only began working together on the side, but went on mission trips across the country, remodeled houses, and enjoyed many trips to Bass Pro,” Mechtly said. About a year prior to Tipton’s death, in the summer of 2010, Mechtly started bottling Tipton’s sauce under Mechtly’s company name, Simple Comforts. Mechtly had the business savvy and the energy to keep up with the demands for the sauce, and Tipton was ready to relax and enjoy the 4 | SPRING 2012
rewards of his many years of hard work. Tipton did more than craft awardwinning sauce. He also smoked meats and catered. “After the loss of Mr. Tipton, I was confident bottling our sauce, but overwhelmed with smoking in his custom pits. I would have to build the fire, maintain the smoke and temperature for up to 12 hours, and I knew there must be a better way,” Mechtly said. Inspiration came in October of 2010. “I was getting married,” Mechtly said. “I wanted to provide some appetizers that represented what I did. I came up with the idea of smoking my own meats and cheese.” A problem quickly arose, however, about smoking cheese. “Cheese requires a cold smoke, which is smoking under 100 degrees Fahrenheit,” Mechtly said. “I did not want to build a smokehouse and pipe smoke into it, allowing the smoke to cool so I would not melt the cheese. This is large, expensive and over the top for most people.” Mechtly began an immediate search for a cold smoker and said he met a gentleman who had a nice working concept. “I purchased the unit and immediately had success equal to that of my friend, the pitmaster, Lynn Tipton,” Mechtly said. “Over the past year, I acquired the rights to further develop the product for market and manufacture and internationally distribute our Cold Smoke Generator.” The process is not a complicated one. “Our smoker produces smoke and burns wood chips, pellets and small would chunks,” Mechtly said. “It can be attached to your existing grill, electric or gas smoker, or custom smokehouse. The cold smoke generator separates the two essential components, smoke and temperature, giving the user greater control and consistency.”
Just in time for the 2011 Christmas shopping season, Mechtly released the cold smoke generator through his local Lowe’s Home Improvement store in Elizabethton, Tennessee. His smoker outsold all others and will soon be placed in a regional distribution center servicing 50 stores and available as a specialty item in all 1,700 Lowe’s stores. In March 2012, Mechtly’s smoker also will be available at Gander Mountain retail outlets. Additionally, his product is available for special order through regional distributors in Washington state and Green Bay, Wisconsin. Mechtly invites barbecue fans to take a look at his website, www.mycoldsmoke.com, which offers recipes for smoking different products, ranging from cheeses to seafood and poultry. “We do our best to use material made in the USA and use many local businesses to help make our product possible,” he explained. “Our goal is to use our profits to help people across the world, not changing who they are, but helping them become who they were meant to be. We want to help create an infrastructure to assist with business, economics, physical health and education in order to build relationships and share the love of the Father.” In pursuit of those aims, Mechtly still regards Tipton as a source of inspiration. “I learned many things from Mr. Tipton,” he said. “First, he displayed true joy even when things went bad. Second, he put others first, above his own time or money. Third, he was passionate and despite the loss of his right leg [in a corn picker accident], he always overcame.” When it came time to find a name for his own company, Mechtly said he found that Simple Comforts seemed a natural fit. Mechtly said “bringing you the simple comforts of life” is what his company is all about. “We live in a busy world and sometimes the simplest and least expensive things bring the greatest joy,” he said. “Food has the ability to draw people together, whether family or strangers.” Mechtly noted that food and its ingredients can define a region or culture. “Barbecue is only the tip of the iceberg for what we hope to accomplish,” he added. Mechtly also defined his company’s mission. “At Simple Comforts, we are on a journey to discover the defining flavors of the world, capturing the very essence and richness of a region or culture and sharing those experiences with you,” he said. “We would like to share with you just one of those found secrets, truly authentic barbecue.” Mechtly said he has always had an interest in food. “I enjoy food, from how it is grown, raised or created, to how it is harvested and prepared, and most of all, yielding the reward from all the labor, the taste,” he explained.
I
“I enjoy barbecue because of its global history and variations. I am fascinated by the basic style of cooking. It seems so simple, but truly is a craft.” Mechtly noted that there are four basic styles of barbecue: Carolina, Memphis, Kansas City and Texas. “It is amazing how loyal barbecue fans are,” he said. “I have noticed most commonly their loyalty is directly related to where they live, but I think for the large majority that is changing. Barbecue fusion is on the move and techniques from all regions are being combined to create personal flavors.” In addition to the cold smoke generator, Simple Comforts offers its barbecue sauce for sale. “Currently, we are transitioning and getting ready to repackage our barbecue sauce into plastic bottles for shipping purposes,” he said. “Our sauce is always available at our location in Carter County.” “Our goal is to create a whole product line and have our sauce sold right beside our smokers in retail outlets,” Mechtly said. “This was a dream for Mr. Tipton, and we are right in the midst of it.” Mechtly is also busy with plans for additional products. “We are working on several products and have 20 concepts in different stages,” Mechtly said. “Until the patents are acquired, I cannot disclose too much information, but in regards to the barbecue industry, we are developing a smokehouse that is powered by our cold smoke generator that is almost ready for market.” “Over the past five years, I have worked any job necessary to help move the business forward, trying to learn and acquire skills along the way,” he said. His family and faith also inspire him to move forward. “My father is an entrepreneur, and ever since I was little, I knew I wanted to follow that path,” Mechtly said. “My drive comes from the Lord, a family that has always encouraged me to do my best, and a wife that stands beside me. I love to create and take a concept and turn it into reality, and I always want to do my best.” At the end of the day, his goal is “to go to bed with no regrets and leave it all on the field.” n
n 1967, lynn tipton graduated from
tyler mechtly grew up in Williamsport, Pa.
milligan with a bachelor of science degree
He received a bachelor of science degree in
in chemistry and physical education. He
business administration from milligan in 2006.
worked as a chemist at Nuclear fuel Services
He recently celebrated his first anniversary
(erwin, tN) before returning to school to obtain
with his wife, Nicki. mechtly and his spouse
a master’s degree in vocational education
currently rent mr. tipton’s guest house and
from the university of tennessee
remain close with his widow, Jean.
in 1980. In 1990 he earned an ed.d. from east tennessee State university. SPRING 2012 | 5
6 | SPRING 2012
Knoxville’s bargain blogger By tiffany Weinbender (’13)
K
atie Werking Van Dyke, a 2001 Milligan graduate, recognizes the value of a dollar. Through her thriving, money-saving blog, Van Dyke has earned a reputation as one of Knoxville’s biggest savers and the title, “Coupon Katie.” Her purpose is to find the best deals in the Knoxville area and help others develop their own coupon strategy. Van Dyke’s couponing ventures began out of necessity. In 2008, two mortgages, two kids, two dogs, and one income was enough to make Van Dyke look at cost-cutting strategies. Soon after, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, an expensive disease to diagnose and treat. Before finding assistance programs and working with insurance, Van Dyke’s medications were costing $3,000 a month. “Our expenses quickly exceeded our income. So, I started looking for ways to decrease our monthly budget. Couponing was just one of the ways we did so,” said Van Dyke. Developing the blog came, more or less, out of a challenge with Van Dyke’s husband, Shawn, who had a hard time believing coupon cutting would actually save them money. He believed coupons would simply result in the purchase of unnecessary items. Undeterred, Van Dyke decided to give couponing a try. The big “convincing moment” for Shawn came following a Walgreens outing in which Van Dyke purchased a toothbrush, two cans of chicken broth, and pudding for a grand total of $0.57 plus a $5 gift card to Walgreens. “After the Walgreens outing, Shawn kept telling me to start a blog, and I kept telling him I didn’t have time,” recalls Van Dyke. “One day I came home and he said, ‘Look Honey, you have a blog,’ and that is how CouponKatie.com began.” Van Dyke graduated from Milligan with a degree in biology and human performance and exercise science. While the success of CouponKatie.com stems from multiple facets, Van Dyke attributes much of the success to the well-rounded education she received at Milligan. “Humanities helped me become a better writer, and speech, which I must admit was one of my least favorite classes at the time, taught me valuable lessons, as I now teach, speak to large groups, and give weekly interviews on local TV.” With four young children, two of whom are homeschooled, no two days look alike for Van Dyke. At this point in her couponing process, much of the daily deal information is sent to her by various people or companies. She then selects the best deals to talk about on the blog. Van Dyke also attempts to write at least one original post a day about what new frugal things she is trying around the house or new deals she has run across. The blog has far exceeded Van Dyke’s original expectations. “I was surprised how quickly I gained a local following and how loyal my readers have been over the last few years,” said Van Dyke. “I love
getting emails and messages from readers telling me how much they are saving. Van Dyke has started teaching coupon seminars and classes. She also recently began a weekly segment on the local news and is often recognized by readers while out shopping. “It is always really fun to meet readers and to hear their suggestions for Coupon Katie. It also keeps me on budget—people are always peeking in my cart to see what I am buying,” said Van Dyke. Van Dyke also holds a master’s degree in public health (2005) from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Van Dyke and her husband have been married 10 years. They have four boys, Ben, Ethan, Luke and Oren. As for the future, Van Dyke’s plans include continuing to serve and encourage her readers and to help others learn how to save. “When people think, ‘How can I save on this?’ I want Coupon Katie to provide the answer,” said Van Dyke. n
“Humanities helped me become a better writer, and speech, which I must admit was one of my least favorite classes at the time, taught me valuable lessons, as I now teach, speak to large groups, and give weekly interviews on local TV.”
SPRING 2012 | 7
Milligan Student Crafts a Winning Business Plan Senior fine arts major Cara Beth (Quisenberry) Brackins of Johnson City, Tennessee, won the 4th annual regional business idea competition, Will This Float?, during Global Entrepreneurship Week in November 2011. Sponsored by local and regional businesses, like CenturyLink™ and the University of Tennessee Center for Industrial Services, the Will This Float? business pitch competition gives participants five minutes to sell their idea. A panel of three judges provides feedback on the pitch and the concept, but it is the audience members who ultimately select a winner. One of seven finalists, Brackins pitched her business idea for Brackinberry Crafts. So just what is Brackinberry Crafts? Brackins says the idea came to her one day after spending hours on the websites Etsy and Pinterest. “My life has always been filled with crafts and art, and now with these great social media sites, it seems everybody is excited about crafting. However, I realized that other than on the living room floor, the kitchen table, or currently, the closet in my apartment, I have never had my own space to work or even the tools I needed. That’s when the idea hit me— Johnson City needs a small craft store.” But this would not be your typical craft store. A Friday Night Knitting Club minus the angora and the angst, Brackinberry Crafts would be a place to gather with friends and family and create together. “My dream is to be able to open a store where you could not only come and buy the supplies you need for your projects, but also sit down and work right there! The store would have everything you need: glue guns, scissors, tape, hammers, saws, pens, paper and sewing machines—not to mention lessons on how to use them all.” Brackins says she envisions holding project nights where people could pay a flat rate for all of the materials and instruction needed to complete a craft. “I think it would even be a great place to have parties, celebrate kids’ birthdays, or serve as a destination for girls’ night out. It would just be a safe place to come, fellowship, and maybe even eat a little cake.” Along with the title of “winner,” Brackins received $1,000 in seed money and complimentary business coaching. She currently is focused on finishing classes and preparing a senior art show, but her vision for Brackinberry Crafts continues to take shape. “I want Brackinberry to be this magical place where as soon as you walk in you feel inspired!” she says. Michaels™ and Hobby Lobby®, beware! n
will this float? where business ideas sink or swim
8 | SPRING 2012
Few or no direct competitors (novel idea) Low adoption/switching costs for users On-time (timely entry to market) Addresses unfilled need or want/solves a real problem (useful) Target market is identified and large
faculTy news
Faculty News admINIStRatIoN & Staff
BIBlIcal leaRNING
HumaNe leaRNING
Phyllis fox, director of church relations, attended the retreat for contributing editors of the Christian Standard in January 2012. In February, Youth in Ministry staff, including curtis Booher, assistant professor of Christian ministries; Bruce montgomery, professor of communications; troy Petrie, YiM/church relations admissions counselor; kit dotson, associate director of church relations; Phyllis fox, and several alumni and students, presented 10 workshops for the annual student retreat with Community Christian Church (Naperville, IL) in the Wisconsin Dells. Over 1,000 teens were in attendance. Also in February, Kit Dotson and Phyllis Fox participated in the Lilly Endowment’s High School Youth Conference (Indianapolis, IN).
lee magness, Britton professor of Bible, preached at Airport Christian Church (Blountville, TN) in January 2012, published an article on “Meeting and Meaning at the Lord’s Supper” in Christian Standard (January 29), and is teaching a course on eighth century prophets for Mountain Christian Church (Joppa, MD) throughout spring 2012.
lee Blackburn, assistant professor of history and humanities, presented a paper titled “The Sins of the Fathers: Quodvultdeus’ Anti-Jewish Interpretation of the Slaughtered Innocents” at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature in November 2011 (San Francisco, CA).
Brad frame, assistant to the president, preached at South Louisville Christian Church (KY) in January. G. mary Jackson, research and instruction librarian, co-presented a session titled “Online Chat Reference Services” at the Appalachian College Association Summit in October 2011 (Asheville, NC). melissa Nipper, public relations writer, contributed an article to the winter 2011 issue of Now & Then: The Appalachian Magazine. The article, titled “Serving Appalachia Through Theatre,” highlighted the work of Richard major, professor of theater, and the Milligan College Theatre for Young Audiences’ mission to bring the performing arts to students throughout Appalachia. chandrea Shell, director of public relations, earned a master of business administration (M.B.A) degree from Milligan in December 2011. She also attended the Tennessee College Public Relations Association’s fall regional conference held at Pellissippi State Community College. tony Wallingford, head golf coach, completed his Level III certification as a golf teaching professional through the United States Golf Teaching Federation (USGTF). Coach Wallingford also was selected to serve on the Tennessee Advisory Board of the Collegiate Players Tour, along with Vanderbilt coach Tom Shaw and Tennessee-Chattanooga coach Mark Guhne. Additionally, Coach Wallingford was a guest speaker at the Tennessee Golf Foundation’s Junior Tour golf meeting in January 2012 (Kingsport, TN).
BuSINeSS Brian d. Baugus, assistant professor of economics and finance, was a guest teacher at the African Bible University, Uganda campus, in January 2012. david campbell, assistant professor of economics, and Brian Baugus, took 9 students to hear 2010 Nobel Laureate in Economic Sciences Peter Diamond lecture at the University of Tennessee-Chattanooga in October 2011. Victoria l. Sitter, associate professor of business, served as a panel discussion member for the 2011 Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis (ELPA) leadership symposium at East Tennessee State University. Dr. Sitter and other panel members discussed concepts and practices focused around the theme of leadership and motivation in the 21st Century.
educatIoN tausha l. clay, associate professor of education, and leslie Hanneken, assistant professor of human performance and exercise science, presented “Support, Encourage, Inspire: Modeling the Way for Pre-service Early Childhood and Elementary Teachers” at the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYA) annual conference in November 2011 (Orlando, FL). In December 2011, clay attended the LEARNING-FOCUSED conference, “Moving Tennessee’s Schools: Lessons from Exemplary Leaders” (Johnson City, TN). Billye Joyce fine, adjunct instructor of education, taught the course “Holistic Education: Curriculum and Diversity” for Johnson University’s M.Ed. winter session. Patrick kariuki, professor of teacher education, attended the annual conference of the Mid-South Educational Research Association and presented research on “The Relationship Between Prosodic Oral Reading Assessments and Standard Based Reading” in November 2011 (Oxford, MS). Also in November, he served as a guest speaker at the annual revival meetings at John Wesley Methodist Church (Bristol, VA).
theodore N. thomas, professor of humanities, history and German, presented a faculty paper, “A Neglected Holocaust Hero: Hermann Maas (1877-1970),” at the biennial convention of Phi Alpha Theta national history honor society in January 2012 (Orlando, FL). With him were two Milligan students who also presented papers. Ben Richardson (’12) read his paper titled “Lacrosse: A Tool of Native American Society,” and Jordan Kinser (’13) presented “All Quiet on the Western Front: Historical Fiction or Autobiographical Farce?” Robert c. Wetzel, professor-at-large, will attend the summer 2012 World Convention meeting in Goiana, Brazil, as pastpresident. Wetzel served as president for the World Convention in 2008.
occuPatIoNal tHeRaPY John Paul abner, associate professor of occupational therapy and psychology, guest lectured on learning disabilities for the Quillen College of Medicine psychiatric residents in December 2011 (Johnson City, TN). christy Isbell, professor of occupational therapy, presented at the National Association for the Education of Young Children 2011 Conference (Orlando, FL).
ScIeNtIfIc leaRNING aaron allen, assistant professor of mathematics, attended the joint meetings of the Mathematical Association of America (MAA) and the American Mathematical Society (AMS) in January 2012 (Boston, MA).
SocIal leaRNING John Paul abner, associate professor of occupational therapy and psychology, conducted a 40-hour Parent Child Interaction Therapy workshop for the East Tennessee Center of Excellence for Children in State Custody in January 2012.
Carter installed as Don and Clarinda Jeanes Chair of Servant Leadership Dr. Carolyn Carter was installed as the Don and Clarinda Jeanes Chair of Servant Leadership on November 8. Carter has been a professor at Milligan since 1984, during which time she has taught business and computer information systems courses. The endowed chair was established through the generosity of Don and Clarinda Jeanes, who completed a 14-year tenure as Milligan’s president and first lady in 2011 and now continue their commitment and service to the college.
“On the eve of their retirement, Don and Clarinda Jeanes approached me about establishing an endowed chair to honor and help carry out the college’s mission,” said Milligan President Bill Greer. “They wanted this chair to be held by a professor who consistently demonstrates the spirit of servant leadership. Dr. Carter is always willing to serve, often behind the scenes, and always with a positive, Christian spirit of collegiality.” n
SPRING 2012 | 9
campus close-up
Affiliation agreements create new options for students Milligan students now have additional options to shorten the time required to earn both bachelor’s and professional degrees. The college announced new affiliation agreements with two Tennessee colleges, the Southern College of Optometry in Memphis and Union University’s School of Pharmacy in Jackson. Milligan has similar agreements with the pharmacy schools at East Tennessee State University and Mercer University in Atlanta. “Milligan students can complete three years of the allied health science course work and then, if accepted, begin pharmacy or optometry school,” said Milligan Interim Academic Dean Dr. Garland Young. “Successful completion of one year in either of these graduate programs would in turn satisfy the requirements for a bachelor of science degree from Milligan, allowing students to complete a bachelor’s degree at Milligan and a doctorate from an affiliate program in as few as seven years.” The affiliation agreements also allow Milligan students who meet specific criteria to receive a guaranteed interview at these schools if they meet the conditions of the agreement, including prerequisite coursework, as well as GPA and standardized testing requirements. n
OT program earns 10-year reaccreditation Milligan’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program successfully completed its reaccreditation with the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), extending the program’s accreditation for the next 10 years. The 10-year reaccreditation period earned by Milligan’s OT program is the maximum period offered by ACOTE, the accrediting body of the American Occupational Therapy Association, Inc. n
Lysa TerKeurst speaks at ALM Ladies Conference Bestselling author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst provided a day of spiritual renewal and study for women on February 18 at Milligan’s annual Eleanore L. Campbell Ladies Conference. Hosted by Associated Ladies for Milligan (ALM), the proceeds from this conference benefit student scholarships at Milligan. As president of Proverbs 31 Ministries, TerKeurst helps women live an adventure of faith through following Jesus Christ. Throughout her 15-year ministry, she has led thousands to make their walk with God an invigorating journey.
Excellence in Education initiative honors local school Milligan kicked off its new Excellence in Education initiative on November 21 at Fairmont Elementary School in Johnson City, Tennessee. The event was a celebration of Fairmont’s status as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence. Fairmont was one of only two elementary schools in Tennessee to be named a 2011 National Blue Ribbon School. Milligan’s Excellence in Education program is designed to recognize the successes of area schools and educators and to partner with them to continue the tradition of excellence. “Celebrating Fairmont’s Blue Ribbon status is the perfect start for Milligan’s Excellence in Education,” said Dr. Lyn Howell, chair of the education area at Milligan. “Milligan’s undergraduate and graduate programs in education are preparing future teachers for careers in the classroom, so it’s fitting that we partner with area schools to recognize the great things happening there.”
Lecture addresses ABCs of classroom environment Dr. Janet Faulk presented a lecture titled “Rethinking Classroom Environments: Connecting Learning to Elementary Classroom Design” on February 9 at Milligan. Faulk, assistant professor of education at Milligan, is the coauthor of A Room to Learn: Rethinking Classroom Environments, published by Gryphon House in 2011. She used examples from her book, as well as a series of pictures to illustrate concepts of designing effective classrooms for elementary school children.
10 | SPRING 2012
Family Weekend activities include fine arts events Milligan’s annual Family Weekend, February 10-12, featured several fine arts events, showcasing the college’s musical and theatrical talent. At various performances throughout the weekend, the Milligan theater department presented the exciting, fast-paced production of Alice in Wonderland, directed by Richard Major, with scenic and lighting design by Pamela Adolphi. The wondrous adventure was adapted from the original Lewis Carroll novel by Madge Miller and produced by special permission with Dramatic Publishing. On Saturday, February 11, Milligan’s choral ensembles joined forces to offer a delightful and diverse concert with songs of love and romance. The “Songs from the Heart” concert featured the Milligan Concert Choir and Women’s Chorale, as well as the college’s two a cappella ensembles, Heritage and Heard Mentality.
Congratulations to Milligan ADDY winners! Milligan College earned nine ADDY® awards this year at the annual American Advertising Federation local division awards banquet held on Saturday, February 18. ADDY awards honor the best and most creative advertising work from students and professionals in the industry. The awards are given in three levels: local, district and national. Winners in each level are qualified to compete in higher levels. This year four Milligan students received student ADDYs, an increase from one student who won awards last year in Milligan’s inaugural year as a competitor. Photography by senior Jenna Swett, of Waynesboro, Virginia, earned her a gold ADDY and a Judges’ Choice Award. Junior Gretchen Allie, of Charlotte, North Carolina, won two gold ADDYs for her photography and a silver ADDY for video. Junior Mickey Brown, of Kingsport, Tennessee, received a silver ADDY for his digital billboard design. Senior Kelsey Ellis, of Bristol, Tennessee, earned a silver ADDY in publication design. Milligan also earned professional gold ADDYs for the fall 2011 issues of Milligan Magazine, which covered the inauguration of Milligan’s 15th President Dr. Bill Greer, and the admissions viewbook. These publications were produced by Milligan’s offices of admissions, alumni relations and public relations.
Magness, Allen earn Fide et Amore award At its December 16 commencement ceremony, Milligan awarded 112 degrees and honored two of its longtime professors, Dr. Bertram Sims Allen Jr. and Dr. Patricia Magness, with the Fide et Amore award for their loving and faithful service to the college. After a combined 60 years of distinguished service in Milligan’s classrooms and the community, both Allen and Magness intend to retire from Milligan at the end of the 2011-2012 academic year. In addition to receiving the Fide award, Magness served as the keynote speaker at the commencement ceremony. SPRING 2012 | 11
MIDDLE EAST STUDIES PROGRAM INTRODUCES STUDENT TO THE
“OTHER” SIDE OF
PEACE
uring his junior year in high school, when the Israeli-Palestinian conflict dominated news headlines, Colin Blowers (’13) developed an interest in Islam and Middle East politics. He began to think about peace and what it might look like, and require, in a centuries-old hotbed of strife. Fueled by a passion to better understand the people and the policies giving shape to the Middle East, Blowers determined that the college he attended needed to offer him the opportunity to study abroad in this troubled region of the world. Milligan met that criterion, along with several others, and Blowers spent the fall of 2011 representing Milligan as a student of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities’ (CCCU) Middle East Studies Program (MESP). Originally based in Cairo, Egypt, program directors relocated MESP in summer 2011 to Notre Dame’s Tantur Ecumenical Center, located between two Jerusalem suburbs—Israeli Gilo and Palestinian Bethlehem. Blowers spent three months living and studying there with 27 other students from schools like Wheaton, Abilene Christian University, Seattle Pacific University, and Bethel College (MN).
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“MESP was the most amazing experience of my life. I learned about myself in ways I couldn’t have otherwise,” says Blowers. “Everything my classmates and I encountered while there was a mirror back teaching us about ourselves.” The MESP curriculum included a course called “Conflict and Change” in the Middle East. This course brought in diplomats, academics and NGOs representing both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and allowed students to dialogue with them regarding the daily reality of living in this volatile environment. Students also studied Palestinian colloquial Arabic, learned about the Islamic faith, and engaged in experiential reflection and analysis. Excursions to places like Masada, Petra, and Ein Gedi and two weeks in Turkey rounded out the program. One of the most significant takeaways from the MESP program for Blowers was discovering and exploring the idea that all humans are, in his words, “chosen.” He and his classmates wrestled with the unfolding realization that by virtue of being born and raised in the United States they have been distinctly formed as “American Christians . . . without even knowing it.” “What we are born into defines us,” Blowers reflects. He discovered that history and tradition have the power to shape people in important ways, sometimes for the good and sometimes to the detriment of others. Time spent living among Israelis and Palestinians made him acutely aware of how much each of us, regardless of religion or nationality, has in common. He also saw first-hand how individuals’ religious and cultural contexts can blind
For there to be lasting, “sustainable, peace in the Middle East, human dignity has to be restored and people have to be able to respect that dignity.
”
them to the humanity of others. Whether it was armed Israeli soldiers in the Old City overshadowing Palestinian crowds or walking past a market and being told it was the site of a not-so-distant Palestinian bombing, it became quickly apparent to the MESP students that Israelis and Palestinians have learned to live within a “normal” whose parameters are defined by the threat of danger. “It was surprising to be in a place where security is never guaranteed. In America, we just don’t have that,” Blowers recounts. In this unstable setting, MESP students were not fearful for themselves. Instead, Blowers says, “We were on edge facing the reality that all of these people daily live with and become fascinatingly used to insecurity. It was just normal for these people. But we, too, got used to it over time. It’s amazing how people have to adjust and keep living life, and indeed do so.” Miroslav Volf ’s Exclusion and Embrace played large in Blowers’ time in MESP. Working through Volf ’s theological discourses on the “other” and the human dignity of the “other”—against a backdrop of political boundaries, physical barriers, and palpable, learned hatred—Blowers ventures to say, “For there to be lasting, sustainable peace in the Middle East, human dignity has to be restored and people have to be able to respect that dignity. Political arrangements could solve political problems but not issues of deep, abiding peace, or lack thereof.” He shares that wherever he went, no matter which side of the border, the people were warm and welcoming. “In the Middle East, hospitality is the name of the game.” He was saddened, though, that while this hospitality could be warmly showered on him and his American classmates, it was much less likely to be shared among the Israelis and Palestinians they met. This sharpened his view of what Christianity has to offer people whose lives are bent by turmoil and distrust—of what he, as an American Christian, might be able to do. Blowers began his MESP semester with a couple of expectations. “I expected to learn that some kind of political arrangements could make peace in the Middle East. I expected to come away with more hope.” Instead, he found himself contemplating the importance of politics in a situation where two people groups’ ultimate goals directly conflict. “Christians have to find hope in more than politics. It’s in the day-to-day interactions with people that we can make a difference. We have a greater goal as Christians, to be all that Christ has been for us: to bring healing to the sick, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed.” His MESP experience confirmed his desire to spend more time in the Middle East. In fact, his semester abroad has Blowers considering pursuit of a graduate degree in Middle East studies. Though he is not certain what his future might hold, he can envision working in contexts like the State Department, where he could bridge cultural differences and inform the foreign policies he has seen impact people’s daily lives. n colin is the son of Paul Blowers, ’77, and brother of Leslie (Blowers ’09) Guider.
Breakfast by The Nile By Brian Baugus Assistant Professor of Economics and Finance During the last ten days of January my wife, Ildiko, and I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda, where I was invited by the African Bible University to teach in a one week mini-term. The African Bible University (ABU) is a missionary college with campuses in Liberia, Malawi and Uganda. The Ugandan campus, founded in 2005, is located in north Kampala and has about 120 students. It is a four-year, undergraduate school run by Western missionaries with significant help from local professionals. Its emphasis is on training Christian servant leaders who can positively impact East Africa. While the institution offers several academic programs, its main emphasis is on ministry, teacher preparation, and communications. The course I was asked to teach was titled “Biblical Foundations of a Free Market Economy.” Uganda is very poor. The life expectancy is under 50 years, and half the population lives on less than $4 a day. We saw mud huts and had a number of experiences that made us truly appreciate Western conveniences, like drinkable tap water, hot showers, reliable electricity, and mosquitos that do not bring sickness. On the other hand, Uganda is a beautiful, mountainous country that gets 12 months of sunshine without the intense tropical humidity and heat. More importantly, we found the Ugandan people to be wonderful and friendly. I had 23 students in my class representing five countries. All were multilingual—one student spoke six languages—and actively engaged in our classroom discussions. Several have stayed in touch with me, and a few want to come to the States to study at some point. On my day off, my wife and I travelled to the city of Jinja, located on Lake Victoria and home to the source of the Nile River. We stayed overnight at a local resort. Having breakfast overlooking two of the world’s most famous geographical features was surreal. We cannot wait to go back to Uganda and would like to take others with us. The missionaries at ABU are dedicated and hard-working, and the students are serious. I am grateful to Milligan for working my schedule to allow me to go. n
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An author’s
inspiration
{
hile she was growing up on a Pennsylvania farm during the outbreak of World War II, few things made Hope Irvin Marston’s (’56) eyes light up like the bookmobile’s monthly visit to her one-room schoolhouse. “I was the eighth of nine children in my family,” Marston said. “The only books at home were adult Westerns, so it was a treat when the bookmobile came and I could pick a book to borrow. That’s when I concluded that people who write books are special. One day I, too, would write a book.” Books took Marston to faraway places. They taught her new things and made her dream about life beyond the farm. But Marston, now the author of 34 published books, never imagined that one day children would read her words in books, their imaginations traveling with her to other places and times. Marston, a retired junior high teacher and library media specialist, lives in Black River, New York, with her husband of 50 years, Arthur W. Marston, and their Bernese mountain dog, Heidi (named after Hope’s favorite literary character, of course). When she’s not writing, Marston visits
W
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every chapter of alumna’s life filled with books
}
schools to read to children and introduce them to fun characters and themes found in her books. Marston’s newest children’s book, Eye on the Iditarod: Aisling’s Quest (Windward Books, 2011), tells the true story of Aisling Lara Shepherd, an 11-year-old Maine girl who dreams of one day racing the dogs she has trained in the famous Iditarod race in Alaska. The book follows Aisling’s personal quest and offers an informative and engaging look into the world of sled dog racing. “Aisling’s story and her drive at such a young age inspire me, and I hope the book inspires the children who read it,” Marston said. Heart For missioNs Marston has had many inspirational people in her life. One Milligan College professor nudged her toward a career in education. “When I came to Milligan, I wanted to become a missionary, but I wasn’t sure of my calling,” Marston said. “My Spanish professor, Carl Niles, asked me what I planned to do when I graduated. I still remember his
words: ‘There is a vast mission field in the schools. Lots of kids are never going to go to church, but they all go to school.’” She understood his underlying message and took it to heart. After graduating from Milligan with a Christian education major and English and Spanish minors, she moved to Maryland to begin her first teaching job. In 1961, she moved to Maine and married. Six years later the Marstons moved to Black River, New York, on the edge of Fort Drum. After three years as a junior high classroom teacher, she discovered a place she enjoyed even more than the classroom―the school library. “I love books and kids, so there was no better job for me,” Marston said. “I still have that heart for missions that I had when I came to Milligan. We all want to make a difference in the world; that’s why we’re here. Through the Lord’s enabling, I feel I’ve made a difference in the lives of my students during my 33 years in the public schools in Maryland, Maine and New York.” While she worked as a library media specialist, Marston developed a keen sense of what children like to read and what they wanted to read but couldn’t find in the library. She used this knowledge to pitch and eventually publish a number of successful books about large machines, such as big rigs, fire trucks, ambulances and cranes. However, her first publication was a children’s daily devotional booklet titled Do You Love Jesus? It was published by Child Evangelism Fellowship in 1972. About 20 years later a new cover was created with Precious Moments artwork and the book remained in print for nearly another decade. Marston’s work spans several genres, including historical fiction, devotional material, and non-fiction. Most of her books are for children and a number of them have received awards for their literary quality. Her current projects include three works of historical fiction for the middle grades. a rewardiNG career Marston founded the Black River Valley Writers Club and the North Country Children’s Writers and Illustrators Workshops. She still teaches creative writing workshops and has served on staff at Christian writers conferences in several states. In 2000, she received Milligan’s Professional Excellence Award, which honors alumni who have excelled in their chosen field. Marston says one of the most heartwarming compliments she’s received as a writer came from a young reader when she was visiting an elementary school. “The child told me she would dedicate a book to me someday because I was the first person who told her she could write,” Marston said. “There aren’t many careers I could choose where I get that kind of reward.” More than 70 years after she developed an appetite for books, Marston continues to pass on that passion to hundreds of children through her workshops, school visits, and her publications. Her favorite pastime has become her mission and her life’s work. “It started with the bookmobile, and I’m so grateful for where it has taken me,” she said. To learn more about Marston’s books, visit her website at www.hopeirvinmarston.com n
“Through the Lord’s enabling, I feel I’ve made a difference in the lives of my students...”
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tango THE THERAPY
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ecember 2011 graduates Jillian McLellan and Lyndsay Nauman not only met all of the requirements of Milligan’s Master of Science in Occupational Therapy program, they also met the college’s emphasis on service to the community while they accomplished those high requirements. While they were immersed in their studies, they were able to work with members of the Northeast Tennessee Parkinson’s Disease Support Group. They also developed a system of dance therapy for the group’s members. When McLellan and Nauman learned that instead of conducting traditional research they could work on a project with the patients they were training to serve, they were pleased. Both women saw the project as not only a way of gaining experience, but also as a way to fulfill Milligan’s emphasis on service. On its website, the college expresses that emphasis: “We believe that leadership is about service. Milligan therefore encourages students to reach out to influence lives and the world around them. Students are encouraged to become servant leaders through mission and service projects, and many classes incorporate service learning into the classroom. On short-term mission trips, in worshiping and participating in local churches, and in serving the community, Milligan students become more aware of their culture and the world in which they will minister .” The first step was to decide what type of work they would attempt and who would be the group they would study. They were told their project must involve an under-served population. Nauman had a strong interest in studying therapy for Parkinson’s disease because she had a family member who suffered from the disease. She knew from experience that Parkinson’s sufferers were an under-served population. As far as what type of therapy to study, that proved an easy choice as well. McLellan has been a dancer her whole life, and she believes in dance as therapy. 16 | SPRING 2012
Milligan grad students use service project to help Parkinson’s group BY JOHN THOMPSON Johnson City Press reprinted with permission
They had one other influence in selecting Parkinson’s. They both knew David Roberts, a retired physics professor at Milligan and Parkinson’s sufferer. Roberts had become a very active member of the Northeast Tennessee support group since his diagnosis. Their professor on the project, Jil Smith, remembers the enthusiasm and hard work McLellan and Nauman brought to the project. “Jillian and Lyndsay were a joy to work with on this project,” Smith said. “They jumped on the idea of using dance as a therapeutic intervention for individuals with Parkinson’s disease. After thoroughly researching the topic, they met regularly with the members of the local Parkinson’s support group.” When they first came to a meeting of the support group, the students made a good first impression. One of the group members, Peggy Willocks, is a retired elementary school principal who was named Principal of the Year for Tennessee in 1997. “As a former educator myself, I can spot genuine interest when I see it,” Willocks said. When they saw how people with disabilities handle day-today living, Willocks said Nauman and McLellan told her they knew their project had to do more than just get a good grade. “The girls wanted to contribute to the betterment of the quality of life for people with Parkinson’s...and they did so quite well,” Willocks said. Although McLellan and Nauman had just conducted a fresh study of the scientific literature on therapy for Parkinson’s, they weren’t pedantic with the group. “We found there were brilliant people in this group, and they liked to do their own research,” Nauman said. They turned over their findings to the group and soon found the information was flowing in a new direction. “They had tons of wisdom to offer us,” Nauman said. Both the group members and their professor spoke of Nauman and McLellan’s willingness to listen and learn. “They listened to the members’ concerns and needs and developed a
7
program that was easy to follow and encouraged movement and dance in a way that was beneficial and fun for the participants,” Smith said. Their final product was influenced by the “Dance Dance Revolution” video game. “We developed a tango and modified it a little. We brought the tempo down a bit,” McLellan said. Their project book listed the steps. There are three levels of difficulty. The women are proud of the A they received on the project, but as Willocks said, they are just as proud, if not more so, of the help they have given others by their research. Willocks said the project was beneficial to both the support group and the students. “My observation would be that when students mingle with people who have a condition about which they are studying, they gain better understanding of working with such patients. But when they add doing a service project that can actually improve someone’s life, then they learn an early lesson about building a sense of community through their contributions,” Willocks said. Smith said, “I was inspired by their enthusiasm for this project and was extremely pleased with the results. The final project was not only completed earlier than I anticipated, it was bigger, more detailed, and more generous than I had expected it to be. They were two of the first graduate students to complete a graduate project in our OT program, and they set the bar very high for future students.” n
“THEY WANTED TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE BETTERMENT OF THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR PEOPLE WITH
PARKINSON’S...AND THEY DID SO QUITE WELL.”
SPRING 2012 | 17
Many happy returns EXCERPTS BY MADISON MATHEWS, Johnson City Press reprinted with permission
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hen Dr. Harold Branstrator began the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program at Milligan College four years ago, it was a small community outreach effort that helped 35 taxpayers with free income tax preparation. The program has grown steadily, and this year a team of 28 highlytrained IRS-certified volunteers will assist approximately 500 taxpayers in nine locations in Carter and Washington counties. The volunteer team consists mainly of Milligan business students under the supervision of Branstrator, assistant professor of business administration at Milligan. The volunteers, who have completed a threeweek certification process, assist taxpayers with their returns, including all forms. They file the returns electronically, and refunds are directly deposited usually in fewer than 10 days and sometimes in less than a week. The free tax clinics are open to qualified taxpayers, including those who earn $50,000 a year or less, have a physical disability, are a non-English 18 | SPRING 2012
speaking citizen, or are over the age of 55. “VITA is a win-win for the community and for our student volunteers,” Branstrator said. “For the taxpayers, this free service is a better option than paying a tax preparation franchise. And by providing this service, Milligan students are able to serve their community and gain hands-on experience to supplement what they have already learned in the classroom.” Under Branstrator’s leadership, the program has grown significantly over the last four years. After he completed 35 returns the first year, Branstrator added two volunteers the second year to complete 100 returns. Last year, the number tripled to 300 returns, with the help of three volunteers. This year for the first time, the program received grant funding to help with its growing needs. “This is the first year the Milligan VITA team has received an IRS VITA grant, totaling $13,140, to help fund our program,” Branstrator said.
“We are in partnership with the Greater Urban League of Chattanooga and others for this grant, which has been extremely helpful in providing mostly technology for us, including a training monitor, computers and printer. We also have copious amounts of office supplies needed to run a VITA site, and the grant helps with these.” This year, the Milligan VITA team expanded its presence throughout the region. Tax clinics were held at Milligan, the Johnson City Housing Authority, Eastern Eight Community Development, Grandview Christian Church, Catholic Charities, and at several Carter and Washington county school locations. Branstrator also has relied on an increasing number of Milligan volunteers to meet the needs of the community. Student volunteers receive course credit for their work with the program, as well as learn skills that are necessary whether or not they pursue a career in the business world, Branstrator said. “The students must train for this and pass a government exam,” Branstrator said. “These skills will benefit them later in life as they might be able to put them to work at a professional service.” Senior business major Tracey Woods was appreciative of the opportunity to put her business skills to use, while also helping the community. “Offering this help with tax preparation is something I’m actually trained to do,” Woods said. “This is something very practical I can do to help others in my own community.” Senior Chris Fry also has enjoyed the experience. “It’s really cool to be able to go out into the community and show up to these places to help people at no cost to them,” Fry said. The VITA program works hand in hand with Milligan’s mission of educating men and women to be servant leaders, said Dr. Bob Mahan, professor of accounting and area chair of the business area at Milligan. “We want our students to be servant leaders in their careers, churches, communities and families,” Mahan said. “We’re not just preparing them for their future. We’re giving them opportunities to serve right now and to use what they have used in the classroom to help others.” n
“We want our students to be servant leaders in their careers, churches, communities and families”
New Master of Science in counseling degree to start this fall To meet a rapidly growing demand for more professionals in the mental health field, Milligan College will begin offering a Master of Science in counseling degree in the fall of 2012. The college is currently accepting applications for the two-year, 60-credit-hour program, which will prepare graduates to pursue licensure as a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC). “There has been an increasing demand for a counseling program from a Christian perspective,” said Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer. “A master’s in counseling program fits well with the mission of Milligan and our emphasis on serving others.” Milligan’s counseling program consists of six full semesters, including two summer sessions. Classes are available in late afternoons and evenings. After completing Milligan’s counseling degree and completing a minimum of two years (at least 10 hours a week) of supervised professional experience, graduates will be eligible to sit for licensure in Tennessee as an LPC. Reciprocity agreements may allow Tennessee licensure to apply in other states. “Our graduates will be well prepared to help people cope with emotional and mental trauma in a variety of settings,” said Dr. Garland Young, Milligan’s interim vice president for academic affairs and academic dean. “Milligan’s small class sizes provide opportunities for personal interaction with faculty, exceptional training and hands-on lab experience.” Employment of mental health counselors is expected to grow by 24 percent between 2008 and 2018, much faster than the average for all occupations. Industries employing the largest numbers of mental health counselors include local government, other health practitioners, outpatient care centers, individual and family services, and residential mental health and substance abuse facilities. to learn more about the program, email GPs@milligan.edu or call 423.461.8796. a complete list of admission requirements is available at www.milligan.edu/counseling.
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aThleTic feature
G N I R E H T WEA TH E
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eredith Lynch’s day on April 27, 2011, began differently from any other during her time in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. “I went into work at the mayor’s office around 8 a.m., and the power was off that morning due to early storms and a small tornado in the county,” said Lynch, a 2010 Milligan graduate and former Buffaloes volleyball player. Little did she know that April 27 would become a day she will never forget. Lynch was attending graduate school at the University of Alabama while serving as an intern in the Tuscaloosa Mayor’s Office during one of the nation’s worst severe weather outbreaks. Tornadoes were touching down all across the south, including Tuscaloosa, where a mile-wide EF-4 tornado directly impacted the city. On the day of the storms, Lynch took the warnings of severe weather seriously. When classes were cancelled at the university, she decided to go to her boyfriend’s first-floor apartment on the outskirts of town. There, she sat in the doorway of the bathroom so she could see the local weather.
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“I still remember watching the radar and the meteorologist saying, ‘Once you see the hook on the radar, there is a tornado. And if you will look right here, there is a tornado forming in Tuscaloosa,’” Lynch said. “All of a sudden, the power went out, and we immediately bunkered down in the bathroom. We could hear the rain pouring down and the wind was howling through the windows. We both had a sick feeling that this was going to be different from any other storm.” That storm was the one that produced the devastating EF-4 tornado that killed more than 200 people in the town. As soon as the rain stopped, Lynch stepped outside to listen to the radio and get cell service. As she slowly received information, she knew something tragic had happened in Tuscaloosa. “The reports on social media and the radio were terrifying,” Lynch said. “There were reports of roads blocked and major damage throughout town, so I knew I couldn’t check on my apartment or even get to work to see what I could do to help until the next morning.”
I “ I believe the events of April 27, 2011, presented an opportunity for me to apply the leadership skills that I gained from my education, internships and my career as a collegiate athlete.”
I During the night, Lynch felt sick to her stomach and couldn’t sleep because she did not know how extensive the damage was. Finally around 2:30 a.m., Lynch decided to go to her apartment to find out if her complex was still standing. “My apartment was only about two and half miles away, but we had to take the long way around to avoid debris, closed roads, and other traffic,” Lynch said. “About an hour later, we parked at an old bowling alley and walked a mile over power lines, street lights, and other debris to get there.” To her relief, her apartment sustained only minor damage—some broken windows and an overturned dresser. “After witnessing the effects of an EF-4 tornado, I was in complete shock,” Lynch said. “As an intern, I knew this was an opportunity to help those who had lost so much and respond in the best way possible.” Prior to the tornado, Lynch’s duties in the mayor’s office included drafting letters, press releases, speeches, and other proclamations, as well as helping plan and organize city events. In addition, Lynch replied to invitations and letters directed to the mayor’s office and updated the city’s social media websites. However, that all changed on April 28. “After the tornado, nearly all of my duties and responsibilities changed,” Lynch said. “In an effort to maintain accurate and up to date communication between the mayor’s office and the rest of the community, I would often work 16- to 18-hour days gathering as much information as possible that we could tweet and retweet to our followers. Twitter and Facebook truly became assets as we communicated with parties throughout the area and around the nation during the difficult times immediately following the tornado.” For Lynch and the rest of the city workers, the time following the storm was an urgent time to help those affected by the storm. “The days following the storm were a blur since everything happened so fast,” Lynch said. “Classes were cancelled for the rest of the week, which allowed me to work in the mayor’s office every day to help those in need. City officials and employees were constantly in motion with updates on the status of Tuscaloosa, and it was up to the mayor’s office to keep our citizens informed.” As time passed and Lynch’s internship was about to end, she realized
she didn’t want to leave the city that had become her life. “I remember realizing about two months after the storm that my internship was about to end and I was getting ready to graduate, meaning I needed to start looking for a job,” Lynch said. “However, after investing so much time and energy into the tornado recovery effort, I knew I didn’t want to leave Tuscaloosa. I wanted to be a part of the recovery effort in any way that I could because I had built such a strong connection to the city.” Before her internship ended, a public relations coordinator position opened in the city’s Incident Command. Lynch’s time as an intern made her a perfect candidate for the job, and she was thrilled to be hired. “After working for the city for a year and literally moving downstairs for my new job, I still know everyone in City Hall and who to contact if I have questions. Being here before, during and after the tornado allowed for a smooth transition.” Lynch added that her experience at Milligan helped prepare her for the challenges she faced during her internship and now as a full-time employee. “My Milligan education taught me a lot about leadership,” said Lynch, who was the first Milligan graduate to earn the certificate in leadership. “Everyone has the potential to lead, and we all have something that we are called to lead. We are just waiting for the appropriate situation to arise so that our leadership skills can be further developed. “I believe the events of April 27 presented an opportunity for me to apply the leadership skills that I gained from my education, internships and my career as a collegiate athlete.” As the city of Tuscaloosa rebuilds, Lynch is reminded daily of how strong the city truly is. “Every day, I drive through the center of Tuscaloosa where the tornado touched down nine months ago,” Lynch said. “It still breaks my heart to see empty lots where homes and businesses used to be. But the spirit of Tuscaloosa has truly been remarkable. When I look around and see volunteers building houses and businesses that were damaged by the storm, I am beyond encouraged. I have faith that God’s amazing grace will continue to shine a light of hope on the city of Tuscaloosa and provide a sense of hope for the future.” n
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Freshman Golfer Has Drive B
rittany Branker loved Milligan even before she stepped on campus. Little did she know that she would leave a mark on the Milligan record books in her freshman year. “I wanted to come to Milligan from the beginning,” Branker said. “I fell in love with it, just through their admissions materials alone. My visit to campus sealed the deal.” Branker became the first women’s golfer to capture medalist honors in the program’s short history at the Tornado Invitational in Bristol, Tennessee, in October 2011. The women’s golf program is in its second year of existence under long-time men’s golf Coach Tony Wallingford. In addition to her victory at the tournament, Branker placed in the top five in two other tournaments. Branker, a native of Trabuco Canyon, California, graduated from Mission Viejo High School. During her high school career, she earned numerous awards, including the South Coast League Player of the Year. In addition, she was a two-time qualifier for the California State Championships. “To be so successful is a blessing,” Branker said. “I was nervous that playing at the collegiate level might not be as enjoyable, but I have definitely never enjoyed playing more than I do now. It is exciting.” 22 | SPRING 2012
Coach Wallingford knew from the first time he talked to Branker that she would be a good fit for Milligan’s program. “Brittany’s positive personality and high energy jump out at you,” Wallingford said. “I loved her attitude and commitment to practice and competitive golf during the summer. She also possessed high character and outstanding academics. I knew she would be a great match for Milligan and our young program.” In her first tournament, Branker had a stellar showing as she fired an 80/88 at the Bill Sergent Invitational to finish 14th out of 54 golfers. In the season’s second tournament, she nearly came away with a victory as she shot a two-day total of 157 to finish second in a field full of NCAA D-II schools. However, it didn’t take Branker much longer to finally capture medalist honors as she shot an 82/77 for the Buffaloes to win the King Invitational. “It was an awesome experience, because the first day had been rough,” Branker said. “I hadn’t played a perfect round of hitting greens and fairways all day. I was having to fight for it but was not giving up.” The win didn’t come easy for the freshman as it came down to the final hole battle with King College’s Esther Gandarias. “We essentially had two shots lefts,” said Branker. “When Gandarias
put her shot into the bunker, I put it in on the green, and that’s how I won. It was exciting and really fun to come into a competition and challenge myself.” For Branker, it was an honor to go down in the Milligan record books as the first female golfer to capture medalist honors and to do so in grand fashion. “Just to win my first tournament under those circumstances was exciting in itself,” Branker said. “It was an even bigger honor to win for Milligan’s women’s golf program and for Coach Wallingford.” Branker’s transition from high school to college has been made easier by the four sophomores that made up the first women’s golf team last season. “We have really become a family,” said Branker. “The four sophomores on the team have really been there for the freshmen. They propelled us and pushed us. They have been our buddies, our friends, and our mentors. I couldn’t ask for better teammates.” Even though the program is still new, Branker has high goals for herself and the team for this spring and beyond. “I expect us to get better, set records, and win,” Branker said. Coach Wallingford echoed Branker’s desire to see the program get better and noted he has the right team in place to do so. “We now we have a way to go to achieve consistency and competitiveness,” Wallingford said. “Patience and hard work will be key ingredients in the development of our program. However, having said that, I wouldn’t want to make that journey with any other group of young ladies than the ones we have right here.”n
atHletIc NeWS men’s Basketball The AAC co-favorite Milligan basketball team kept fighting in the conference race, but finished the season with a 10-17 overall record. The Buffaloes, 6-10 in AAC play, saw marshall Hardy (kingsport, tN) named to the AAC All-Conference third team and mickey Woods (Port arthur, tX) named to the AAC All-Freshman team. Milligan fell in the AAC quarterfinals to second-seeded Bluefield College. Junior tyler deVault (kingsport, tN) also had a strong season as he recorded six double-doubles during the regular season. Milligan will graduate three seniors from this year’s team: Bryant edwards (tabor city, Nc), cordero Seymour (Inagua, Bahamas) and Hardy.
women’s Basketball The Milligan College women’s basketball team made noise in a competitive AAC race as they finished the regular season 18-14 overall and 9-9 in AAC action. The Buffaloes saw their season end to nationally ranked Union (KY) College in the AAC Semifinals after upsetting Bluefield College in the quarterfinal round. Milligan had solid seasons from senior alisha mainer (flag Pond, tN), who joined the 1,000 point club during the season, and Jamiee Hill (Johnson city, tN). In addition to Mainer, the team also will lose graduating seniors ashlee Price (Rogersville, tN) and kelly Hudler (Jefferson, Nc).
cross country The Milligan College cross country program had a history-making day in the 2011 NAIA Cross Country National Championships on Saturday, Nov. 19, as austin ellis (charlottesville, Va) and Gillian Giffen (knoxville, tN) ran to All-American honors, keeping the Buffaloes’ tradition of big championship performances alive in Vancouver, WA. Giffen claimed All-American honors with a 15th place finish to pace the women’s squad, seeded 25th entering the day, to a 15th place finish. Giffen recorded a time of 18:14. Ellis recorded the highest finish ever for the Milligan men on the national stage with a ninth place finish and an impressive time of 24:18 on the slow Vancouver course. The senior smashed Milligan’s record by 35 seconds.
men’s Golf The Milligan College men’s golf team came through strong on the second day of the AAC Fall Golf Championship to capture first place at the Glen Cannon Country Club in Brevard, NC, as they defeated Tennessee Wesleyan by two strokes. Junior Whit Brown (murfreesboro, tN) led the way as he was named All-Tournament player with a two-day total of 143. The fall AAC tourney totals are added to the spring AAC tournament totals to determine a regular season champion and all conference positions. The spring AAC Championship will be hosted by Reinhardt University at the Callahan Golf Links in Waleska, GA, in April.
women’s Golf The second-year women’s golf program saw freshman Brittany Branker (trabuco canyon, ca) become the first medalist as she won the King Invitational in October. Branker captured the tournament by two strokes. As a team, the Buffaloes finished third in the AAC Fall Tournament, just three strokes behind winner Union (KY) College. The teams will fight for the conference title in April at Link Hills Golf and Country Club in Greeneville, TN.
track and Field
“ I WAS NERVOUS THAT PLAYING AT THE COLLEGIATE LEVEL MIGHT NOT BE AS ENJOYABLE, BUT I HAVE DEFINITELY NEVER ENJOYED PLAYING MORE THAN I DO NOW. IT IS EXCITING.”
The Buffaloes’ Indoor Track and Field program saw five members of the team and one relay team qualify for the 2012 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Nationals. The qualifiers are paced by tanner Payne (Georgetown, tN), who is currently ranked second in the NAIA in the men’s weight throw. matt murphy (Greeneville, tN), Gillian Giffen (knoxville, tN), elise king (midlothian, Va), and Yolanda migoyo (kissimmee, fl) have qualified for individual events. The team of mckenzie Patten (kingsport, tN), christine mcmahon (lanoka Harbor, NJ), Giffen and Migoyo qualified in the women’s DMR. The 2012 NAIA Indoor Track and Field Nationals competition is slated for March 1-3 in Geneva, OH.
For more athletic news, visit www.milliganbuffs.com
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tHaNK YoU New alumni donors October 2011 – February 2012
Steven anliker Jill Bourgeois Sandra meyer Bowen Beth anne Sutherland Brooks Peggy conner Joel cowan Sarah meredith eaton Stephen ellis Nathan fritz chris Gambill Bernard Goliday Sarah Green frank Hardy
fitzroy Harris april manuel Hawkins Brendan Hawkins kelly cavanaugh Haynes alex Henderson lauren Hubbard John Huff lacy York Hughes matthew Hunsaker treva draper Imler Stephen Jarrett linda flood Jessen amanda keller matt lyle meredith mckinney lean miller Janie mullins Brandon murphy
Recently, a group of Milligan alumni and friends happened upon one another at a teacher’s conference in Central Java, Indonesia! Left to right: Betsy (Bryant ’98) Magness, Ethan Magness (son of Professors Pat and Lee Magness), Lisa Richardson (’80), Scott Berggren (’98), and Amber Amland (’02). Scott and his wife live and work in Bandung, Indonesia; Lisa and Amber live and work in Salatiga, Indonesia; and Ethan, a presenter at the conference, and Betsy live and work in Joppa, Maryland.
eric oxley tanner Payne krista Gable Petty Steve Petty kevin Rice Patrick Roland Brandon Sissel meagan Smith chris Smither kelly alexander Smither deanna Zuercher Snyder e.J. Swatsell kasey Reaves Swatsell Nicreshea taylor lisa Ward aaron Wood christopher Wright Sara keller Wright
Digital media MUsic theatRe June 17-22, 2012 ages 14-18
Spend a week at one of America’s premier Christian liberal arts colleges and explore the world of digital media, music, or theatre. Learn directly from Milligan faculty. The programs include hands-on workshops and lessons, evening activities, devotion times, food, and fun outings to local sights.
REgisteR NOW 26 | SPRING 2012
www.milligan.edu/artsacademy
From the President Dear friends, The Great Commission commands us to “go and make disciples of all nations.” That directive was brought home to me as we prepared to send this issue of Milligan Magazine to press. Using those simple words, and 12 disciples, Christ set in motion the global movement that is today the Church. Milligan, our students, and our alumni are a part of that Church. Our 1,200 students are preparing for careers that will take them to many far flung places—leading and serving—and living as Christ would have them live. I quickly discovered at the December commencement that handing out diplomas is the best part of being a college president. Seeing on students’ faces the simultaneous look of satisfaction for a job well done and anticipation for what their future holds is exhilarating. In just a few weeks, I will preside over my second commencement at Milligan. This commencement promises to be equally exciting as we graduate another 210 students—making this a record year. These graduates will join scores of other alumni who have been making a difference in their workplaces, their communities, and their world. Actually, many of our students are not waiting to graduate before impacting the world around them. Each year a number of Milligan students participate in a variety of off-campus experiential learning programs that take them to Los Angeles to study film, Washington, DC to study government and journalism, and Nashville to study
contemporary Christian music. England, India, Uganda, and Israel all offer international study opportunities, and we send students nearly every summer to a dozen different countries with the International Business Institute. Our faculty reach beyond the comfort of the Milligan campus to influence the world through their research and teaching, as well. In this issue, you read stories about Colin Blowers, a junior from Elizabethton who spent last semester in Israel, as well as Professor Brian Baugus, who taught economics in Uganda this winter. Closer to home, you read about alumni as well as current students who are using the preparation they received at Milligan through their entrepreneurship, stewardship, writing, and service to others. Whether they are in Johnson City or Jakarta, Milligan students and alumni are committed to doing great things for Christ. The gifts and prayers that you give for Milligan are helping us make this impact. I hope that you enjoy reading about the many ways our students and alumni are changing the world around them. Forward Ever,
Bill Greer (’85) Ph.D. President
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