On Nov. 4, Milligan students, faculty and staff received an email from Campus Minister, Brad Wallace, stating the annual Christmas concert (on Dec. 7 and 8 this year) will no longer provide SFP. In years past, this event was open to the public and worth two SFP for Milligan students.
Naturally, this caused confusion among the student body. There was never an official statement released explaining into further detail until much after the announcement was made, causing rumors to spread around campus.
Following the Christmas concert last year, President Greer recommended discontinuing the SFP for the event because the chapel was getting too crowded. “We had a lot of people that wanted to come, including students, a lot of spaces were being taken up by students who were just there for SFP credit,” Greer said. This change unfortunately did not make the schedule to update students before the emails were sent out.
President Greer has asked the campus minister to come up with alternative SFP opportunities to replace the Christmas concert. “There is going to be alternatives for the folks who were counting on those SFPs that will be better than keeping other people out of the concerts.” Greer said.
Greer also commented on the speculation that this decision was intended to prioritize donors over the student body’s SFP needs. “I’ll be very frank, that rumor was put out there by a student who did not know what he was talking about,” Greer said. “There is no truth to that at all.”
Greer explained that he does invite donors that are considered “President Associates,” and they are invited on Saturday night of the concert. SFP was only offered Sunday night of the concert. “There are perhaps donors that attend on Sunday nights,” Greer said. “But they are not treated differently than anyone else, especially our students.”
Professor of Music, Dr. Kellie Brown. Brown is responsible for planning the music and performing aspects. “The Christmas Concert is one of the most beautiful and worshipful events that happens all year on our campus, and regardless of whether it is listed for SFP credit, I hope that all students and members of the Milligan community will attend.”
Headline photo: The Christmas concert held in Seeger Chapel. Photo credit to Elizabethton Alliance Church.