Here is a quick overview of Milligan’s presidents and their achievements.
1881-1903 Josephus Hopwood
President Josephus Hopwood was Milligan College’s first president. Hopwood oversaw the formation of the school from the Buffalo Male and Female Institute in one small building to a multi-acre, multi-building institution.
1903-1915
Five men served as president of Milligan College, including Frederick Doyle Kershner (1908-1911), Erret Weir McDiarmid (1913-1914) and James Tracey McKissick (1914-1915).
1915-1917
Hopwood returned to Milligan and served as interim president for two years.
1917-1940 Henry J. Derthick
President Henry Derthick expanded the size of the school to about 60 acres, added multiple facilities and successfully led the school through World War I and the Great Depression. Derthick Hall, Milligan’s main classroom building, is named in his honor.
1940-1945 Charles E. Burns
President Charles Burns oversaw Milligan’s survival through the uncertainty of World War II, including the offering of the entire Milligan College facility to the U.S. government for the V-12 program. This program transformed the campus into a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet training facility. In exchange, the U.S. federal government assisted Milligan College in staying open at a time when many higher institutions across the country were closing.
1945-1950 Virgil Elliott
President Virgil Elliott was instrumental in transitioning the college back to a fully civilian school after World War II. Elliott reconnected the school with many alumni across the country. He also oversaw programs that assisted ex-U.S. military personnel in transitioning back to civilian life.
1950-1968 Dean E. Walker
President Dean Walker expanded the campus to over 135 acres and began a long-range development program to increase outreach for potential students. Under his presidency, the Student Union Building, Sutton Hall, Webb Hall, P.H. Welshimer Library, Seeger Chapel and Hart Hall were all constructed.
1968-1982 Jess W. Johnson
President Jess Johnson oversaw the construction of many buildings on campus still in use today, such as the Faculty Office Building in 1969, the Science Building in 1972, Married Student Apartments in 1974, the Steve Lacey Fieldhouse in 1976 and Little Hartland in 1977.
1982-1997 Marshall J. Leggett
President Marshall Leggett oversaw the offering of Milligan’s first master’s degree, a Master in Education. He had the current Student Union Building (SUB) and Quillen, Kegley and Williams Halls constructed. The previous Student Union Building was renovated into the Paxson Communications Building. Under his presidency, student enrollment also increased 31%.
1997-2011 Donald R. Jeanes
Under President Don Jeanes, Milligan saw the creation of a larger graduate program including a master’s in Occupational Therapy. Derthick Hall was renovated to its current condition, the W.T Mathes Tennis Center and Gregory Center were constructed and the size of the campus increased to over 195 acres.
2011-Present Bill Greer
A 1985 Milligan graduate, President Bill Greer is Milligan’s 15th and current president. Under his presidency, the campus expanded 40 acres, five new residence halls have been added and the Fireside Grill in the McMahan Student Center has been renovated. Seven undergraduate majors, a Master of Science in Counseling program and a Master of Business Administration program have been added. Emmanuel Christian Seminary also integrated into Milligan’s School of Bible and Ministry. In 2016, Milligan celebrated its sesquicentennial.
Contributing: Tiffany Florian