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Milligan University presented its Fide et Amore award to president Dr. Bill Greer and first lady Edwina Greer for their loving and faithful service to the university.

Greer will retire this summer as the university’s 15th president but will continue to serve Milligan as chancellor. In this role, he will work with Milligan’s leadership to maintain important external relationships. 

The Fide et Amore award, Milligan’s highest acknowledgement of service, was announced and presented at the university’s commencement ceremonies held Saturday, April 27, in the Mary B. Martin Auditorium located in Seeger Chapel. During the ceremony, Milligan awarded 250 degrees. 

Bill Greer has served Milligan for over 30 years and was named president in 2011 after serving as Milligan’s vice president for institutional advancement, chair of the area of business, and founding chair director of Milligan’s Master of Business Administration program, which he helped establish. 

Under his leadership and with Edwina’s gracious support as first lady, Milligan’s enrollment has hit record numbers and the university’s endowment has tripled under Greer’s guidance, and the university’s long-term financial security has been solidified. The university added undergraduate majors in electrical and mechanical engineering and a graduate program in physician assistant studies, among other new programs geared toward meeting workforce demands.

Additionally, Greer guided the integration of Emmanuel Christian Seminary into Milligan, led the successful transition of Milligan College to Milligan University in 2020 and helped guide an athletic program that secured over 20 national championships while producing over 100 NAIA All-Americans.

Bill graduated from Milligan with a bachelor’s degree in accounting and business administration, and Edwina graduated with a bachelor’s degree in accounting. Bill then received his Master of Business Administration from East Tennessee State University and a doctorate in economics from the University of Tennessee – Knoxville.  

Dr. Carolyn Carter, associate dean of Milligan’s William B. Greene, Jr., School of Business and Technology, wrote the citation read at commencement for the Greers. 

“While Bill’s and Edwina’s resumes include a wealth of academic credentials, service on corporate and community boards, and professional memberships and awards, their greatest accomplishment is their unwavering love and support for Milligan.”  

The Greers have attended numerous student concerts, plays and athletic events, both locally and nationally. Each August, they work alongside other faculty and staff at the annual campus workday, and the next week finds them welcoming new students and helping them move into the residence halls.  

The Greers host annual dinners for athletic teams, Milligan Honors Program cohorts, student life groups and many others. Current and retired faculty and staff have enjoyed dinners, picnics, summer hot dog lunches and other social gatherings at the Greers’ invitation.  

The Greers have two sons and daughters-in-law: Logan and wife Kylie and Jeremy and wife Allie, all of whom are Milligan graduates. They have four grandchildren, Presley, Greyson, Charlee and Russell, and are excitedly awaiting the arrival of another grandchild later this year.