With the stroke of a paint brush, Milligan College President Dr. Bill Greer didn’t let rain deter him from preparing the campus for students.
Greer and his wife, Edwina, were just a couple of the many faculty members scattered across campus for the annual “Campus Work Day” on Friday.
Faculty joined in on the numerous construction projections underway as Milligan College is preparing to welcome in students for the 2016-17 year.
“New students move in the 13th and returning students coming back the 14,” Greer said after taking a break from work. “Then we start the next week with classes. One of the things Milligan is known for is our beautiful campus and every year, we come out and try to put the final touches on things.
“This is a big thing for our faculty and staff,” he continued. “Many of them come together to chip in. It is a great time of fellowship and to have a bit of a reunion after our summer break.” The president went on to thank the service of the housekeeping, landscaping and physical plant staff that have been busy with the projects.
Even though Mother Nature looked to throw a curve ball, it didn’t throw off the dedication to work, according to Greer.
“It’s a little rainy today so it has complicated things a little bit,” he added with a laugh. “But we’re still making progress.”
The projects going on at the campus include:
* Significant progress on a year-long campus energy savings project led by Energy Systems Group (ESG), in order to reduce energy consumption by more than 20 percent annually.
* Renovation of the P.H. Welshimer Library for the energy project.
* Transition of the McGlothlin-Street Occupational Therapy Center from Hardin Hall to the Thompson Center on Emmanuel Hill.
* Construction of Sesquicentennial Plaza
* Installation of new security cameras for residence hall parking lots.
Groups were treated with a continental breakfast and a lunch at the conclusion of the day.
Excitement shown in the Friday shows only the fraction of what it to be expected this school year.
“This is an exciting year for many reasons,” Greer said. “This December will mark our 150th year of existence. We’re very excited for our Sesquicentennial celebration. It was in December of 1866 that we were granted a charter as the Buffalo Male and Female Institute. Since then, we’ve changed our name and elevated to college status and grown ever since.”
Workers were busy at the Sesquicentennial Plaza Friday, laying bricks for what will be the gathering place for the celebration near the end of the year.
Along with that event, addition of classes including Mandarin Chinese and Engineering has the Buffalo Pride soaring high.
“We’re also starting new programs this year,” he added. “Engineering is getting underway, mechanical and electrical. It is great for the region and the business and in the industries in the area and great for our students to have the opportunity to study that without having to go far away.
“And we actually have a lot of people coming from far away to study it,” he added with a smile. “We’re one of only a dozen or so Christian colleges in the country that will be offering engineering. With classes like that going on, you can’t help but to be excited.”