Students at Milligan University have mixed reactions to the recent technology upgrades at Seeger Chapel. The updates—featuring a new video screen, enhanced lighting and improved audio and video equipment—were intended to elevate the worship experience, though opinions on the changes vary.
“The sound and production quality has improved a lot since my freshman year,” Junior Konnor Kilgore said. “The songs are much more crisp, and it has led to a higher quality of worship.”
Alumna Kolbie Greene, who graduated in December with a degree in worship leadership, echoed Kilgore’s sentiments. Greene, who served on the chapel worship team throughout her time at Milligan, said she appreciated witnessing the transition.
“Throughout my time at Milligan, I was able to watch the transition of new technology enhance our worship experience,” Greene said. “It helped the worship team feel more confident in our ability to lead with a professional production team behind us. There have been many changes and additions throughout my time here, but I truly believe it is for the best. Milligan has stepped up, and I am blessed to be a part of a university that makes improvements to make worship something we cherish and look forward to each week.”
Freshman worship leadership major Nickolas Cymek welcomes the changes, as well.
“My home church has similar equipment, so coming to Milligan brought a sense of familiarity and comfort whenever I first got the opportunity to serve at Chapel and Vespers,” Cymek said.
He added that the new setup provided practical benefits for his guitar playing.
“It helps me worship the Lord with everything I have,” Cymek said.
Not all students share a positive outlook like Cymek and Greene, and are less enthusiastic, despite acknowledging some of the benefits.
“I think the new video and audio that have been installed in Seeger are nice,” Sophomore graphic design and interactive media major Morgan Dyer said. “It’s a lot, but the new screen is useful for the events we hold there, and the lights are pretty during Night Chapel.”
Seniors Evan Bruce and Annie McDermott echoed Dyer’s sentiment, voicing their concerns about the upgrades.
“The light show during night chapel—we’ve gotta cut that out,” Bruce said. “Many of us are not a big fan of the megachurch vibes. We want less of a concert, and more of a message.”
“I am a little skeptical about the new lighting—it gives a megachurch vibe, and I’m not a huge fan of that,” McDermott said. “I appreciated chapel in my years here because of how personal it felt, and I think turning it into a huge professional service takes away from that a little bit. I think the money spent on the new additions could’ve been used to improve something that truly needs fixing, like adding AC to Sutton or Webb,” McDermott said.
This article was edited on Feb. 7 to delete an unattributed editorial comment.
by Alissa Smith
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