Milligan University 
The information on this page was last updated 5/7/2024. If you see errors or omissions, please email: [email protected]
Summary
Milligan is a Christ-centered liberal arts university in Johnson City, Tennessee, boasting a close-knit community, 355-acre picturesque campus, and over 100 majors, minors and other degree offerings.
For over 150 years, Milligan has educated men and women to lead and to serve. Our commitment to Christ-centered liberal arts education has led Milligan to become a growing, well-respected liberal arts college.
Contact information
Mailing address:
Milligan University
1 Blowers Boulevard
PO Box 500
Milligan, TN 37682
Website: milligan.edu
Phone: (423) 461-8700
Email: [email protected]
Organization details
EIN: 620535755
CEO/President: Stephen Waers
Chairman: Tammy Eldridge
Board size: 29
Founder: Robert Milligan
Ruling year: 1947
Tax deductible: Yes
Fiscal year end: 05/31
Member of ECFA: No
Member of ECFA since:
Purpose
As a premier Christian liberal arts university where Jesus Christ is exalted and excellence is the standard, Milligan's vision is to change lives and shape culture through a commitment to Christian leadership.
Mission statement
As a Christian liberal arts college, Milligan College seeks to honor God by educating men and women to be servant-leaders.
Milligan University defines servant-leadership as a set of dispositions that models, inspires, and advances a shared vision through a commitment to serving others and intentional self-sacrifice rooted in Christian community.
Three intertwined spheres form the core values of Milligan's educational and co-curricular experiences: Scholarship, Community, and Faith. The values, knowledge, and skills that reside at the intersection of these three spheres form the effective servant-leader.
Statement of faith
The University does not publish a separate doctrinal statement, consistent with the tradition of its supporting churches to place primary emphasis on the sufficiency of scripture to speak directly where matters of faith and application are concerned. Milligan is a Christ-centered institution - clearly seen through its commitment to hire Christian faculty and staff who integrate faith into their daily work with students and colleagues; balanced campus lifestyle policies that are based on clear scriptural mandates as well as those that simply ensure a healthy and wholesome environment; and numerous opportunities that promote servant-leadership development through Chapel programs, Bible studies, retreats, lectures, community service, etc.
Donor confidence score
Transparency grade
C
To understand our transparency grade, click here.
Financial efficiency ratings
Sector: Colleges/Universities
| Category | Rating | Overall rank | Sector rank |
| Overall efficiency rating | | 759 of 1118 | 107 of 127 |
| Fund acquisition rating | | 617 of 1119 | 78 of 127 |
| Resource allocation rating | | 528 of 1119 | 63 of 127 |
| Asset utilization rating | | 861 of 1118 | 110 of 127 |
Financial ratios
| Funding ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Return on fundraising efforts Return on fundraising efforts = Fundraising expense / Total contributions | 13% | 15% | 17% | 8% | 19% | 20% |
Fundraising cost ratio Fundraising cost ratio = Fundraising expense / Total revenue | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
Contributions reliance Contributions reliance = Total contributions / Total revenue | 16% | 14% | 14% | 22% | 12% | 12% |
Fundraising expense ratio Fundraising expense ratio = Fundraising expense / Total expenses | 2% | 2% | 3% | 2% | 2% | 3% |
Other revenue reliance Other revenue reliance = Total other revenue / Total revenue | 84% | 86% | 86% | 78% | 88% | 88% |
| Operating ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Program expense ratio Program expense ratio = Program services / Total expenses | 84% | 85% | 84% | 86% | 86% | 84% |
Spending ratio Spending ratio = Total expenses / Total revenue | 98% | 89% | 98% | 81% | 96% | 94% |
Program output ratio Program output ratio = Program services / Total revenue | 82% | 76% | 82% | 70% | 82% | 80% |
Savings ratio Savings ratio = Surplus (deficit) / Total revenue | 2% | 11% | 2% | 19% | 4% | 6% |
Reserve accumulation rate Reserve accumulation rate = Surplus (deficit) / Net assets | 1% | 5% | 1% | 10% | 2% | 3% |
General and admin ratio General and admin ratio = Management and general expense / Total expenses | 13% | 13% | 13% | 12% | 12% | 13% |
| Investing ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Total asset turnover Total asset turnover = Total expenses / Total assets | 0.53 | 0.40 | 0.40 | 0.38 | 0.36 | 0.39 |
Degree of long-term investment Degree of long-term investment = Total assets / Total current assets | 2.64 | 5.50 | 6.19 | 5.22 | 5.79 | 5.40 |
Current asset turnover Current asset turnover = Total expenses / Total current assets | 1.44 | 2.20 | 2.46 | 1.98 | 2.11 | 2.13 |
| Liquidity ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Current ratio Current ratio = Total current assets / Total current liabilities | 7.92 | 3.43 | 4.16 | 5.53 | 6.51 | 6.38 |
Current liabilities ratio Current liabilities ratio = Total current liabilities / Total current assets | 0.13 | 0.29 | 0.24 | 0.18 | 0.15 | 0.16 |
Liquid reserve level Liquid reserve level = (Total current assets - Total current liabilities) / (Total expenses / 12) | 7.38 | 3.87 | 3.71 | 4.95 | 4.82 | 4.75 |
| Solvency ratios | Sector median | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
Liabilities ratio Liabilities ratio = Total liabilities / Total assets | 24% | 11% | 11% | 11% | 15% | 17% |
Debt ratio Debt ratio = Debt / Total assets | 11% | 5% | 7% | 7% | 11% | 13% |
Reserve coverage ratio Reserve coverage ratio = Net assets / Total expenses | 151% | 223% | 224% | 233% | 235% | 209% |
Financials
| Balance sheet | |||||
| Assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Cash | $17,242,953 | $12,819,616 | $17,186,043 | $15,752,752 | $13,931,353 |
| Receivables, inventories, prepaids | $6,417,993 | $6,506,413 | $6,217,429 | $5,777,277 | $6,703,726 |
| Short-term investments | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other current assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total current assets | $23,660,946 | $19,326,029 | $23,403,472 | $21,530,029 | $20,635,079 |
| Long-term investments | $62,801,849 | $56,787,187 | $55,760,148 | $60,853,105 | $47,043,499 |
| Fixed assets | $40,135,510 | $39,394,122 | $40,770,037 | $40,146,018 | $41,347,951 |
| Other long-term assets | $3,626,081 | $4,097,059 | $2,153,397 | $2,233,319 | $2,435,970 |
| Total long-term assets | $106,563,440 | $100,278,368 | $98,683,582 | $103,232,442 | $90,827,420 |
| Total assets | $130,224,386 | $119,604,397 | $122,087,054 | $124,762,471 | $111,462,499 |
| Liabilities | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Payables and accrued expenses | $2,351,738 | $2,341,881 | $1,846,668 | $1,939,486 | $1,935,826 |
| Other current liabilities | $4,540,948 | $2,304,700 | $2,383,280 | $1,368,995 | $1,300,087 |
| Total current liabilities | $6,892,686 | $4,646,581 | $4,229,948 | $3,308,481 | $3,235,913 |
| Debt | $6,883,029 | $7,842,807 | $8,771,069 | $13,979,808 | $14,938,950 |
| Due to (from) affiliates | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Other long-term liabilities | $421,568 | $487,126 | $790,705 | $999,650 | $1,163,151 |
| Total long-term liabilities | $7,304,597 | $8,329,933 | $9,561,774 | $14,979,458 | $16,102,101 |
| Total liabilities | $14,197,283 | $12,976,514 | $13,791,722 | $18,287,939 | $19,338,014 |
| Net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Without donor restrictions | $46,834,495 | $44,628,615 | $47,391,121 | $36,208,370 | $35,233,507 |
| With donor restrictions | $69,192,608 | $61,999,268 | $60,904,211 | $70,266,162 | $56,890,978 |
| Net assets | $116,027,103 | $106,627,883 | $108,295,332 | $106,474,532 | $92,124,485 |
| Revenues and expenses | |||||
| Revenue | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Total contributions | $8,141,130 | $7,042,966 | $12,542,747 | $5,460,783 | $5,807,942 |
| Program service revenue | $44,673,239 | $38,699,530 | $37,756,163 | $39,903,017 | $38,385,465 |
| Membership dues | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Investment income | $5,380,001 | $2,885,916 | $6,798,337 | $2,033,952 | $2,354,217 |
| Other revenue | $125,775 | $99,753 | $87,721 | $0 | $0 |
| Total other revenue | $50,179,015 | $41,685,199 | $44,642,221 | $41,936,969 | $40,739,682 |
| Total revenue | $58,320,145 | $48,728,165 | $57,184,968 | $47,397,752 | $46,547,624 |
| Expenses | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Program services | $44,108,697 | $39,996,925 | $39,862,201 | $38,838,356 | $37,034,430 |
| Management and general | $6,716,847 | $6,335,157 | $5,536,257 | $5,506,696 | $5,787,936 |
| Fundraising | $1,211,004 | $1,191,803 | $1,047,545 | $1,015,261 | $1,157,842 |
| Total expenses | $52,036,548 | $47,523,885 | $46,446,003 | $45,360,313 | $43,980,208 |
| Change in net assets | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
| Surplus (deficit) | $6,283,597 | $1,204,280 | $10,738,965 | $2,037,439 | $2,567,416 |
| Other changes in net assets | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Total change in net assets | $6,283,597 | $1,204,280 | $10,738,965 | $2,037,439 | $2,567,416 |
Compensation
| Name | Title | Compensation |
| William B Greer | President | $329,306 |
| Andrew Hull | Director-Physician Assistn | $170,248 |
| Jacqueline Smith | VP For Business & Finance | $153,044 |
| Maureen Knechtel | Assoc Prof of Pa Studies | $118,205 |
| Greg Harrell | Director of Engineering | $116,186 |
| Christopher Layne | Head Cross-Country and Tra | $106,372 |
| Rhajon Smith | VP For Inst Advancement | $104,471 |
| Rich Aubrey | VP For Academic Affairs | $102,201 |
| Christian Pope | Athletic Director | $99,966 |
| Lauren Gullett | VP For Enrollment Mgmt | $88,483 |
| Anthony Jones | VP For Student Development | $66,464 |
Compensation data as of: 5/31/2024
Response from ministry
No response has been provided by this ministry.
The information below was provided to MinistryWatch by the ministry itself. It was last updated 5/7/2024. To update the information below, please email: [email protected]
History
Milligan's history goes back to an academy founded in 1866 in what is now Hopwood Memorial Christian Church on the banks of Buffalo Creek in Carter County, Tennessee.
While it began as a private secondary school known as the Buffalo Male and Female Institute, the institution was soon elevated to the collegiate level with the arrival of Dr. Josephus Hopwood and his wife Sarah LaRue Hopwood. Hopwood came to the school with the understanding that it would become a liberal arts college to train leaders for the churches and the communities of Appalachia. In 1881, he laid the cornerstone for an expanded building. At the same time he announced both the elevation of the Institute to collegiate rank and the new name, Milligan College. This name was chosen to honor Robert Milligan, one of Hopwood's former professors of Biblical Studies at Kentucky University (Transylvania/Lexington Theological Seminary).
Milligan College has the rare distinction of being named not for its founder or location, but for a teacher. Hopwood chose the name to honor one of his own former professors, Robert Milligan, who modeled the virtues of Christian discipleship and intellectual formation. Professor Milligan taught his students that learning should be used to develop the potential of Christian men and women to serve Christ and the world.
Hopwood, the dominating personality in the early history of the college, and his wife Sarah LaRue, are coined with its enduring motto, "Christian Education - the Hope of the World." He continued in the presidency until 1903 when he left Milligan to found a college in Lynchburg, Virginia.
From 1903 to 1915, Milligan had five presidents, one of which was Henry Rufus Garrett, the first alumnus to serve as president. In 1915 Dr. Hopwood, who had completed the founding of colleges in Virginia and Georgia since leaving Milligan in 1903, returned for a two-year interim presidency.
In 1917 Henry J. Derthick became the eighth president of Milligan. During this period Milligan College served many young people from the Southern Highlands. The campus was expanded to some sixty acres, and the facilities of the College were increased. The Administration Building, now called Derthick Hall, was rebuilt after a fire. Dr. Derthick succeeded in bringing the College through the period of World War I and the Great Depression, preserving the academic integrity and quality of the College. The College's main classroom building is named in his memory. Dean Charles E. Burns succeeded to the presidency in 1940, just prior to the American entrance into the Second World War. In the crisis of that period, Milligan offered its entire facilities to the United States Government. From July 1943 to June 1945 a Navy V-12 program was conducted. Milligan was the only college in the United States given over completely to a Navy program.
The civilian work of the College was resumed under the presidency of Virgil Elliott in 1945. Two major problems confronted the College at this time. The breaking of ties with alumni and friends during the Second World War proved to be a serious handicap. No less difficult was the task of assisting a large number of ex-GIs to effect a transition from military to civilian life.
Dr. Dean E. Walker came to the presidency in January 1950 from a 25 year professorship at the Butler University School of Religion. Recognizing the need of the small college to play an increasingly large part in the educational program of the country, the College adopted a long-range development program. Students were enlisted from a larger area, encompassing most of the States and several foreign countries.
During Dr. Walker's administration the campus was expanded to more than 135 acres of land. New buildings included the Student Union Building, Sutton Hall, Webb Hall, the P.H. Welshimer Memorial Library, the Seeger Memorial Chapel, and Hart Hall. On November 1, 1960, Milligan received the Quality Improvement Award administered by the Association of American Colleges for the United States Steel Foundation. On December 1, 1960, Milligan College was admitted into membership in the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.
In June 1968, Dr. Jess W. Johnson, having served in the capacity of Executive Vice-President for two years, was elevated to the presidency of the College on the retirement of President Dean E. Walker. The campus continued to develop under Dr. Johnson's leadership. The College constructed the following buildings: The Faculty Office Building (1969), the Science Building (1972), Married Student Apartments (1974), the Steve Lacy Fieldhouse (1976), and Little Hartland (1977).
On January 1, 1982, Marshall J. Leggett, a Milligan alumnus, became the thirteenth president of the College. During his tenure, the College offered its first master's degree, the Master of Education. The College constructed the McMahan Student Center (1987) and renovated the old student union building as Paxson Communication Center. The College renovated the upper level of Hardin Hall to house the Arnold Nursing Science Center. Quillen, Kegley, and Williams Halls were built. During Dr. Leggett's tenure, enrollment increased 31 percent. Dr. Leggett retired on June 30, 1997, and became Chancellor.
Donald R. Jeanes, a Milligan alumnus, became the fourteenth president on July 1, 1997. Under his leadership, the College has continued its momentum. The master's program in occupational therapy enrolled its first class in August 1998. To accommodate this program addition, the lower level of Hardin Hall was renovated as the McGlothlin-Street Occupational Therapy Center (1998). The Occupational Therapy Program received professional accreditation in 2000.
The College renovated Derthick Hall and the Baker Faculty Office Building. The historic Alf Taylor house was renovated in 2003 and renamed the Taylor/Phillips House; it is used as a campus guest house and reception center. The Nursing Program received professional accreditation in 2003; in February 2004, the College began its third master's degree program, the Master of Business Administration.
The W. T. Mathes Tennis Complex was dedicated in 2005, and a new maintenance building was constructed. The Elizabeth Leitner Gregory Center for the Liberal Arts, a 298-seat theatre along with dark rooms for photography, opened to students in 2008. In Fall 2007, the college reached an all-time record enrollment of over 1,000 students. In spring 2010, the Gilliam Wellness Center opened, and the college acquired additional acreage adjacent to the campus, increasing its size to approximately 195 acres.
Dr. Bill Greer was named the college's 15th president in 2011.
In June 2020, Milligan College became Milligan University.
Woven in Milligan's historical tapestry are a richly storied past and people of deep conviction and sacrifice. Decades of triumph over adversity underscore the power of faith and the hand of God. Today, Milligan is a flourishing liberal arts institution with a distinctively different approach to higher education. Few institutions share Milligan's conviction to mold both mind and spirit to develop Christian leaders to change lives and shape culture.
Program accomplishments
Consistently recognized for quality and value, Milligan is ranked at No. 10 among "Best Regional Universities" in the South by U.S. News and World Report and at No. 2 among "Best Value Schools."