MILLIGAN COLLEGE — Employees at Milligan College will assume management duties at Emmanuel Christian Seminary July 1 as part of a year-long contract, according to the college’s president.Bill Greer, Milligan president, said the contract will allow Milligan personnel to provide a range of administrative and support services to Emmanuel, including finance, admissions, information technology and physical plant.Leadership at Emmanuel approached Milligan College administrators about a year ago with a proposal to somehow combine the schools due to financial hardships at Emmanuel. Since that time, Milligan administrators have been investigating the feasibility of combining the schools.Greer said in a statement about the contract that constructive talks regarding Emmanuel’s full integration with Milligan continue. Greer and Emmanuel President Mike Sweeney, along with their administrative teams, meet regularly to discuss plans and associated issues that arise as progress is made toward Emmanuel becoming part of Milligan.“Our longterm goal is for that (integration) to happen,” Greer said. “We want it to happen in the right time frame and in a way that protects Milligan’s financial stability and organizational structure. And that’s part of why we’re engaging in the contract period, so that we can assist them in improving their own financial condition and maximizing their efficiencies.”The contract lasts one year and is renewable if needed.Even if Emmanuel becomes a part of Milligan, Greer said the seminary will always have it’s own identity.“It will remain intact throughout the contract and even going forward as we continue to move toward fully integrating Emmanuel into Milligan College, Emmanuel will continue to have a strong identity within Milligan,” Greer said. “We’re committed to honoring Emmanuel’s legacy and history and perpetuating the work that they do.”Greer said it is getting more and more difficult for small schools to survive, so smaller schools end up partnering with larger universities.“It is going on across the country,” Greer said. “There are a number of them that have happened.”Emmanuel had around 130 students enrolled this past fall.Greer said the possibility of Milligan absorbing Emmanuel is positive for faculty, staff students at both schools.“I think it’s good for both institutions, and we’re looking forward to working with their faculty and staff as we move forward together,” Greer said.Emmanuel was established in 1965 and offers master of divinity, master of arts in religion, master of Christian ministries and doctor of ministry degrees. The seminary was founded using shared space on the Milligan campus and under the leadership of then-president Dr. Dean E. Walker. Both institutions are part of the Stone-Campbell Movement and have a similar mission of preparing men and women for ministry and servant-leadership.Milligan is a four-year Christian liberal arts college offering 30 undergraduate majors and four master’s degrees. More than 1,100 students enrolled there this past fall. The college was founded in 1866.Emmanuel is located near Milligan in Carter County.
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