Photo Credit: Candice Schlaegel
By Candice Schlaegel
With TWIRP week coming up next week, Dr. Bill Greer knows how exciting it can be.
He went on his first date with his now wife, Edwina, that week when he attended Milligan as a student.
“You never know, you could be married to the girl who asks you out next week,” said Greer.
Greer, who has served on Milligan’s campus for several years as student, professor, and vice president of institutional advancement, now sees Milligan in a new office chair; the President’s chair.
And he looks forward to his presidency.
“I look forward to the impact Milligan has on our students and the impact they will have on the world,” said Greer.
Greer explained that nothing is more rewarding than seeing what Milligan’s students will and have become.
Greer’s previous job as vice president of institutional advancement let him see alumni out in the community, and he says they are making an impression.
Greer looks forward to seeing the campus grow, seeing the enrollment grow, as well as see new academic programs come about.
“I want Milligan to always be relevant and responsive; ever-changing,” said Greer.
=Greer’s role as president is to oversee the administration of the college, to be a fundraiser and to establish a vision for the college and ensure we are focused on that vision.
“All this is exciting and easy when you believe in the institution you’re supporting,” said Greer.
And Greer does.
He has a special appreciation for Milligan through his time here.
=Greer’s plans for the future are short-term at the moment. Greer plans at the start of October to meet with several members of the Milligan community to discuss the future.
He will travel to meet with many trustees, asking what their dream and vision for Milligan is as well as where they would like to see Milligan.
“I want them to answer the phrase, ‘It would be really great if Milligan could…’”
Then Greer would like to meet with students, maybe in small group sizes, and alumni and ask them the same questions.
Greer will meet and has been meeting with each academic department chair talking about the vision of their department, what they do well in their department, and how the department can grow.
“I need help formulating the future for Milligan; I can’t do it alone,” said Greer. “Collectively we could have a dream for Milligan.”
What is most important to Greer, though, is being here on Milligan’s campus. Greer wants to make sure he is at sporting events, chapels, the cafeteria, and other places students are.
“We are working to be more present, Edwina and I,” said Greer.
Greer wants to know the students better.
Greer is very deliberate in making relationships with students, letting them know how much he cares about them.
He knows students on occasion might not agree with him or fight him in certain issues.
“But I hope we develop trust and respect for each other enough to agree to disagree and instead focus on the shared blessing of being here at Milligan.”
“Students are why we are here.”
But Greer doesn’t just want to build relationships with students, but also faculty and staff.
Greer said he hopes the faculty and staff know how important they are.
“I see the faculty and staff as part of my family and I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without them,” said Greer.
Greer said he has received a lot of support in his new role at Milligan.
“I have been in the receiving end of a huge amount of supportive emails, cards, and calls.”
He said he can feel the love of the extended community along with the love from people on campus.
“It’s been amazing,” said Greer.
Greer expressed his thankfulness for the fact that Milligan is such a tight knit community both on and off campus.
Greer thinks they are strong bonds that have to do with Milligan remaining a Christian liberal arts college.
“We have a shared following of Christ and that helps those bonds we make last forever,” said Greer.
Another thing Greer is thankful for is the hands-on contributions from alumni.
“Students don’t know how much alumni are standing with them, but I’m working and have worked to let them know,” said Greer.
The role of President can be time-consuming, but that doesn’t weigh heavy on Greer’s spiritual life. He said they are not in conflict, his spiritual walk and his job.
“I am blessed that both work, personal life, and church life are bound together,” said Greer.
Greer has been an elder at Grandview Christian Church since 1998, according to his bio on the Milligan website.
“Personally, though, it is important to step out of those leadership roles to pray, reflect, and be in the Word for spiritual well-being, ” said Greer. “It creates a natural balance.”
Greer explained when he worked in the corporate world it was a struggle to balance his work and spiritual life.
That was why it was important to him to be founding director of the Master of Business Administration program at Milligan. He wanted to integrate faith and work into ethical decision making.
This ethical detail came from the many lessons and talks Greer had with his business teacher at Milligan, Gene Price.
“Among our regular lessons, we had lessons about integrity and honesty in business and how it can be compatible in business,” said Greer. “He taught you could serve God in whatever role you’re in.”
Greer said when he finds himself in situations where he isn’t sure what to do, he asks himself, “How would Gene Price deal with this?”
Greer also cares about his students and their future aside from academic work.
Greer explains that he knows finding your “someone” on campus is kind of a joke here at Milligan, but he hopes for the best for his students.
“I hope every student finds someone who shares their same faith and values because it is a special gift,” said Greer.
Greer explained, though, even if students don’t find their “someone” at Milligan, he prays that after graduation, they seek out a person who shares their same values.
He remembers several walks with Edwina, enjoying the beauty of campus, when they dated.
“[Wednesday] we walked back from the soccer field to my office, after the game and it brought back some great memories,” said Greer.
Greer wants students to realize the opportunity they have at Milligan.
“Take advantage of your time here. You will look back at these years and they’ll be some of your best,” said Greer. “Make sure to get involved and make the most of your time here; It will go by so fast.”
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