Students, faculty, alumni, friends and family all gathered in the Steve Lacy Field House Friday evening to pay tribute to Milligan College and some of its outstanding alumni.
As part of Milligan’s year-long celebration of the school’s 150th anniversary, the college hosted a special gala event for Homecoming week and invited the school’s alumni to return for the celebration.
During the gala, Milligan took time to honor some of the outstanding individuals who made an import impact on the college during their time there.

Former First Lady of Milligan College and alumna Clarinda Jeanes was presented with the George W. Hardin “Spirit of Milligan” Award.
In her introduction of Jeanes, current First Lady of Milligan College Edwina Greer praised the work of her predecessor.
“Few alumni have had the impact on this campus as Class of ‘71 member Clarinda Jeanes,” Greer said. “She worked hard and tirelessly for 14 years.”
During her tenure as First Lady, Jeanes was instrumental in many renovation and campus beautification projects and also founded the Associated Ladies for Milligan group which is dedicated to supporting the college and it’s students.
“For her selfless dedication to Milligan College we are very pleased to honor Clarinda Jeanes with this year’s George W. Hardin ‘Spirit of Milligan’ award,” Greer said.

The college also presented the Distinguished Alumni Award to J. Lee Magness and Patricia Phillips Magness, who were both members of Milligan’s Class of ‘69. The award was presented by fellow Class of ‘69 alum Jack Knowles, professor emeritus of English, who said around Campus Lee and Pat Magness were sometimes referred to as “The Magni.”
In addition to being alumni of Milligan, both Lee and Pat Magness returned to the college to help pass on the values of servant leadership to the next generation of students.
Knowles said Lee and Pat Magness were known for their unwavering support of the arts at Milligan and also for their love and care for the students.
“Over the years, the Magni have taken students into their homes, and not just for dinner but for respite, for recovery and as a place to live,” Knowles said.
Knowles read from a letter written by a former student about her experience living with the Magness family while she attended Milligan. “Through their example, I was able to witness a Christ-centered home every day,” Knowles read from the letter. “Their generosity shakes me to my core.”
Following the presentation of the awards, gala attendees were treated to a history of Milligan College presented through photographs, stories and music.
Gary Richardson, a member of the Class of ‘78, shared some of the history of the school, it’s presidents, major accomplishments as well as some of the lighthearted memories and tales from the campus. Members of musical groups Heard Mentality, the Milligan Women’s Chorale, Heritage, and the Heritage Men all performed songs. Current and former students performed on a variety of instruments.
The gala also provided a special presentation by the Mountain Mission School Choir out of Grundy, Virginia. After retiring from his work at Milligan College, noted former Milligan President Josephus Hopwood went on to head the Mountain Mission School.
The gala was closed out by current Milligan President Dr. Bill Greer, who is himself an alumni of the school.
“For 150 years Milligan College has been changing the world through our students,” Dr. Bill Greer said. “We are building upon this good history.”
“We are trying to honor this past while boldly looking to the future,” he added. “I am convinced our best years are ahead of us.”