Milligan University Alumni

Save the date! 🗓️

Homecoming 2026 is October 23-24, and we can't wait to welcome alumni back to campus! This year's storybook-inspired theme, Once Upon a Time at Milligan, follows President Stephen Waers and Brutus on an adventure across campus as they celebrate the traditions, memories, and people that have shaped Milligan for 160 years.

Registration opens September 1.

Milligan is so special!

What makes Milligan University so special For 160 years Milligan University has been shaping students in the mountains of northeast Tennessee.

Our final Herd Hangout of the summer is all about serving together!

Join fellow Milligan alumni on Saturday, August 15, from 9:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. as we partner with churches across our region for Love JC to make a Kingdom impact in our community.

Volunteers will begin the morning with a kickoff breakfast at Jubilee World Outreach Church before heading to their project sites. When registering, be sure to select "University of Milligan Alumni" under the "Which Church Do You Attend?" dropdown, and choose a project at Appalachian Christian Service Camp or Families Free so we can serve alongside one another.

Registration closes August 2. We would love to see you there as we wrap up our summer Herd Hangouts by serving our community together!

Register today: https://churchmobilizationnetwork.org/love-jc-2026/

Another Herd Hangout is in the books, and this one was a smash!

It was great seeing alumni and friends back on Milligan’s campus for an evening of pickleball, laughter, and reconnecting. Congratulations to Scott Schade (’78, MAR ’88) for winning the Milligan-branded pickleball set. Thanks to everyone who came out. We loved spending the evening with you!

Meet alumnus, Samuel Bratton ('18)!

Samuel Bratton ('18) grew up in Danville, Indiana, just outside of Indianapolis. After hearing about Milligan from family members who had attended the university, he visited campus during his junior year of high school. A recruiting trip with the cross-country team helped confirm that Milligan was the right fit, and he enrolled in 2014.

Samuel graduated in 2018 with a double major in business administration (marketing) and applied finance/accounting, combining his interest in marketing with valuable technical skills in finance and accounting. While at Milligan, he was actively involved across campus as a member of the cross country and track teams, a Resident Assistant, a participant in Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and a Student Government representative. Among his favorite Milligan memories are the friendships and experiences formed during Wonderful Wednesday events, including water slide races and dodgeball tournaments.

Following graduation, Samuel began his professional career in Johnson City, Tennessee with a small investment firm. He later joined Rubbermaid Commercial Products, where he spent three years working in marketing and product management. After the pandemic, his career shifted into sales and territory management roles, leading him to positions with Ductmate Industries and, most recently, Capital Adhesives. Throughout his career, Samuel has worked across multiple industries and learned from accomplished business leaders while helping organizations grow and succeed.

Outside of his professional work, Samuel has pursued several creative ventures. He co-hosted a podcast with fellow Milligan alumnus Brandon Ellis ('17), assisted in publishing his wife Nancy Claire's first children's book, "Mr. Fish Again", and recently created a board game called Frienemies.

In 2023, Samuel married his wife, Nancy Claire. The couple welcomed their daughter, Abigail, in January 2026 and currently reside in Birmingham, Alabama, where Nancy Claire is finishing her fellowship to allergy immunology.

Reflecting on his Milligan experience and the lessons he has carried into his career and family life, Samuel offers this advice to current students and young alumni: "Don't be afraid to connect and network with new people, always ask questions, and never hesitate to share your faith with others around you."

Want to win a Milligan-branded pickleball set? Join us Thursday, July 16, for our next Alumni Herd Hangout: Picnic & Pickleball!

Local alumni who attend the event will be entered for a chance to win this pickleball set. You must be present to win, and the winner will be announced at 6 PM!

Bring the whole family for a fun summer evening with a free picnic dinner, open pickleball courts, and an inflatable for kids to enjoy. It's the perfect opportunity to play, relax, and reconnect with fellow alumni!

📍 Mathes Tennis Center | 1 Blowers Blvd., Milligan, TN
🕓 4:00–7:00 PM

Register here: milligan.edu/alumni/alumni-events/

We can't wait to see you there! 🧡

Nurse Of The Month: Shonna Lane carries on family legacy ELIZABETHTON, Tenn. (WJHL) — For many nurses, their job is about compassion, quick thinking, and being there when patients need them most. For Nurse Of The Month Shonna Lane, it’s also about …

Milligan University Performing Arts is thrilled to announce our 2026-27 season.

Seussical the Musical: Step into the whimsical world of Dr. Seuss in this special 70-minute version of Seussical the Musical! Featuring a vibrant score by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty, the Tony award winning team behind Ragtime and Once on This Island bring this family-friendly adventure to life with beloved characters like Horton the Elephant, the Cat in the Hat, and Gertrude McFuzz. Bursting with humor, heart, and spectacular entertainment, Seussical the Musical is a joyful theatrical experience that will inspire, delight, and remind everyone that “a person’s a person, no matter how small!" Tickets go on sale September 1st at milligan.tix.com ($12 + service fee, $5 for Milligan students)

A Night at the Grand Ole Opry Cabaret: Grab your cowboy hats and dust off your dancing shoes as Milligan Musical Theatre brings the heart of Nashville straight to the Milligan stage with A Night at the Grand Ole Opry Cabaret. This high‑energy showcase celebrates the timeless spirit of the Grand Ole Opry through a toe‑tapping lineup of classic hits, rich storytelling, and the signature charm that made the Opry an American treasure. Featuring songs made famous by legends like Patsy Cline, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, and more, this cabaret invites audiences to relive the music that shaped country history.
From heartfelt ballads to boot‑stomping crowd‑pleasers, Milligan’s talented cast delivers an evening of nostalgia, artistry, and pure Tennessee magic. Whether you’re a lifelong country fan or simply love a great night of live performance, this is one show you won’t want to miss.

A Little Piece of Heaven: Restless biker Mike never expected his wandering path to lead him to A Little Piece of Heaven, a quirky antiques shop tucked away in a quiet small town. What starts as a short‑term, purely practical job soon becomes something unexpectedly profound when he meets Lily—an elderly, sharp‑witted, sharp-tongued woman who challenges him at every turn. Their rocky start slowly gives way to an unlikely friendship, shaped by honesty, humor, and hard‑earned trust. But the shop itself holds secrets of its own. Under the watchful eyes of its eccentric owners, Elizabeth and Henry, strange coincidences unfold and long‑lost treasures seem to find their way home. As suspicion melts into connection, Mike discovers that some places don’t just collect forgotten things—they help people find what they didn’t know they were missing. Tickets go on sale March 1st at milligan.tix.com ($12 + service fee, $5 for Milligan students).

Stay tuned for more information about auditions.

Wishing you a wonderful Independence Day filled with celebration and joy. Happy Fourth! 🇺🇸