Blue Mountain Christian University president announces retirement plans
BLUE MOUNTAIN, MISS. (WCBI) – It was 2012 when Doctor Barbara McMillin came on board as President of what was then Blue Mountain College. It would be a decade later before it assumed its current name, Blue Mountain Christian University.
‘The name change was a significant transition for us,” Dr. McMillin said.
During her fifteen years as President of BMCU, the university’s athletics programs have grown, along with enrollment. The ice storm earlier this year impacted the campus, and a new, 15 million dollar new home for the university’s school of nursing will soon open.
Doctor McMillin says the Center for Grace and Healing will educate healthcare professionals and equip them to minister to their patients.
‘Very excited about that, as you drive onto our campus, anyone who hasn’t been here in a couple of years might be surprised at this beautiful building, very thankful for that,” Dr. McMillin said.
Although she has overseen many changes during her tenure, Doctor McMillin says the vision and mission of the Christian university will remain the same.
‘The importance of Christian higher education, comes down to us recognizing that the foundation of Biblical truth under girds every part of the educational experience. We hear academic institutions talk about academic excellence, as we do, but academic excellence must be tied to a commitment to Biblical truth, Biblical values, it must be tied to the opportunity to teach students through a Christian worldview,” Dr. McMillin said.
Dr. Tammie McCoy serves as Provost and vice president for academic affairs at BMCU. She says Doctor McMillin is a great example of a servant leader, who cares for everyone on campus.
“Doctor McMilin is an outstanding role model, she works each and every day, sharing her love for the university and Christ and to make sure this is an environment that will be supportive for students, faculty and staff,” Dr. McCoy said.
Along with the opening of the Center for Grace and Healing, Doctor McMillin is looking forward to finishing the academic year strong. She also commits to pray for the board of trustees as they lead the search for a new president.
The Center for Grace and healing will be officially dedicated November sixth, on Founder’s Day.
bmc.edu
