Milligan recognized 13 leaders who have demonstrated servant-leadership in their careers and community at the college’s 20th annual Leaders in Christian Service program last Friday in Milligan’s Mary B. Martin Auditorium located in Seeger Chapel.
This year’s ceremony opened the college’s commemoration of the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Milligan’s mission is to educate men and women to be servant-leaders, and each year, we honor individuals whose lives of service have had a positive impact on our community and our world,” said President Dr. Bill Greer. “As we do so today, we also honor the memory and influence of Martin Luther King Jr., whose impact on the world was profound.”
This year’s keynote speaker was Ronda Paulson, founder and executive director of Isaiah 117 House. Paulson was surprised during the ceremony, as she also was recognized as a leaders in Christian Service recipient.
Paulson, of Elizabethton, founded Isaiah 117 House to provide physical and emotional support for children awaiting foster care placement. Isaiah 117 provides a home where children receive comfort and care while DCS staff work towards foster placement. The flagship Isaiah 117 home is located in Carter County, Tennessee, and additional homes have been established in Washington and Greene Counties. Isaiah 117 plans to develop a home in every county across Tennessee. Paulson, who holds an undergraduate degree from Milligan, served as the college’s spirit coordinator for 13 years prior to launching Isaiah 117.
The 2020 class included Adam Crouch of Johnson City, a financial advisor at LPL Financial who attends First Christian Church; Todd Fowler of Johnson City, a physician with Watauga Orthopaedics who attends First Christian Church; Pete Headley of Johnson City, a retired insurance professional who attends Munsey Memorial United Methodist Church; Jeff Idell of Greeneville, owner of Idell Construction who attends First Christian Church; Karl and Anna Kapoor of Johnson City, a veterinarian and a nurse, respectively, at Pinecrest Veterinary Clinic who attend First United Methodist Church; Michael Lattier of Kingsport, an attorney at Hunter, Smith and Davis who attends Mafair United Methodist Church; Mary Ellen Miller of Johnson City, a community relations strategist for the Tennessee Valley Authority who attends Grace Fellowship Church; Ronda Paulson of Elizabethton, founder and executive director of Isaiah 117 House who attends Northridge Community Church; Allan Renfro of Johnson City, an architect for SPEC Corporation who attends Central Baptist Church; Sarah Smith of Johnson City, a junior high school student who attends Grace Fellowship Church and Kelly and Jennifer Wolfe of Jonesboroush, owners of Wolfe Development who attend Jonesborough United Methodist Church.
For more information, contact Milligan’s Institute for Servant Leadership at 423.461.8316.
