Millikin University
Millikin University is a private university in Decatur, Illinois. It was founded in 1901 by prominent Decatur businessman James Millikin and is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church (USA).[2]
Motto | In His Plenitudo Vis |
---|---|
Type | Private |
Established | 1901 |
Religious affiliation | Presbyterian |
Endowment | $106.9 million (2019)[1] |
President | Jim Reynolds |
Administrative staff | 1,393, full and part-time |
Undergraduates | 2,000 |
Postgraduates | 90 |
Location | , , United States 39°50′33″N 88°58′30″W |
Campus | City, 75 acres (30.3 ha) |
Colors | Blue & White |
Nickname | Big Blue |
Sporting affiliations | NCAA Division III – CCIW |
Website | www |
Media
Decaturian
The Decaturian, also known as the Dec (official nickname), is the bi-weekly student newspaper. The Decaturian was established in 1903 and its issues are archived online from 1903–1951, made possible by the Digital-Decaturian Project.[3]
WJMU 89.5 The Quad
WJMU is Millikin University's student-operated freeform format radio station. In addition to its musical responsibilities, WJMU also creates its own public service announcements, liners, news, Millikin sports programming and promotional materials.[4]
Fraternities and sororities
Co-Ed
- Alpha Phi Omega (service)
- Alpha Psi Omega (academic)
- Sigma Delta Pi (academic)
- Sigma Tau Delta (academic)
Athletics
Since their first year of athletics in the 1903–04 academic year and prior to joining the NCAA Division III and the CCIW in the 1946–47 season, Millikin primarily competed as an Independent of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). Millikin University teams have since participated in the National Collegiate Athletic Association's Division III. The Big Blue are a member of the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW).[5] Men's sports include baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, wrestling, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball; while women's sports include basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, triathlon, swimming & diving, tennis, track & field and volleyball.
Notable alumni
Actors and musicians
- Jodi Benson – Actress: voice of Ariel in the 1989 film The Little Mermaid[6]
- Sierra Boggess – Actress: originated roles of Ariel in 2007 Broadway production of The Little Mermaid and Rosalie Mullins in the 2015 Broadway production of School of Rock. She also portrayed Christine Daae in 2010's Love Never Dies and in the 25th anniversary performances of The Phantom of the Opera on both West End and Broadway.[7]
- Joel Kim Booster – Actor / Comedian: Jun Ho in NBC's Sunnyside
- Hedy Burress – Actress: Wyleen Pritchett in Boston Common; voice of Yuna in Final Fantasy X
- Katelyn Epperly – Singer: American Idol season 9 (top 16)
- Tad Hilgenbrink – Actor: Matt Stifler in American Pie: Band Camp[8]
- Emerson Swinford - Musician: guitarist and composer
- Annie Wersching – Actress: portrays FBI agent Renee Walker on the television show 24
- Matthew West – Musician: contemporary Christian artist
Artists
- Herbert D. Ryman – Disney artists, imagineer, and chief designer of the Cinderella Castle[9]
Athletes and coaches
Millikin University was a member of the Illinois Intercollegiate Athletic Conference from 1910 to 1937.
- George Corbett – football player: Chicago Bears running back from 1932–1938
- Sid Gepford - NFL player in 1920
- Lori Kerans - basketball coach, gave Millikin first NCAA D3 national championship win; coached from 1985–2018
- Fred T. Long – Negro league baseball player and college football coach: played four seasons in Negro National League and amassed a 227-151-31 coaching record from 1921–1965 at various colleges including three Black college football national championships (1928, 1932, 1945)
- Harry Long – college football coach, won a Black college football national championship in 1924 as coach of Paul Quinn College; assistant coach to his brother Fred for his 1932 and 1945 championships
- Chuck Martin - football head coach at Miami of Ohio; former coach of Division 2 national champion Grand Valley State
- Danny Moeller – Major League Baseball player, 1907–1916, with Pittsburgh Pirates and Washington Senators
- Jeff Monken - football head coach at United States Military Academy
- Marcia Morey – swimmer at Montreal Olympic Games in 1976 in women's 100m breaststroke and 200m breaststroke; former American record holder in 200M Breaststroke[10]
- George Musso – football player: Chicago Bears lineman from 1933–1944; nine-year team captain, elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1982
- Jeff Query – football player: former Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver; 141 receptions for 1,865 yards and 11 touchdowns in 84 career games.
- Mike Rowland – pitcher for San Francisco Giants, 1980–1981[11]
- Don Shroyer – college football coach at Millikin University and Southern Illinois University
- Virgil Wagner – Canadian Football League player, Montreal Alouettes halfback from 1946–54; elected to Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 1980
- Art Wilson - Major League Baseball player
Authors and media figures
- Alice Ambrose (1906–2001) – philosopher, logician, and author
- Florence Page Jaques (1890–1972) – author
- Lucille Ryman Carroll – Hollywood talent executive during early 20th century
- Gigi Goode - American drag queen and runner-up on RuPaul’s Drag Race (season 12)
Business figures
- Douglas R. Oberhelman – Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Caterpillar Inc.[12]
Politicians
- Rodney L. Davis – United States Representative for Illinois' 13th Congressional district.
- Thomas W. Ewing – former United States Congressman (R-Illinois)
- Melvin R. Laird, Sr. – Wisconsin State Senator and clergyman
- James Benton Parsons – Federal judge; in 1961 he was the first African American to serve as a US Federal District Judge, appointed to the Northern District of Illinois, in Chicago, IL
- Thomas D. Westfall, (1927–2005) former mayor of El Paso, Texas
See also
References
- As of June 30, 2019. "U.S. and Canadian 2019 NTSE Participating Institutions Listed by Fiscal Year 2019 Endowment Market Value, and Percentage Change in Market Value from FY18 to FY19 (Revised)". National Association of College and University Business Officers and TIAA. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
- "Freedom of Access to Campus". Millikin University. 2015-08-02. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- Digital-Decaturian Project
- "WJMU". Millikin University. 2015-08-25. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "History". athletics.millikin.edu. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- "Jodi Benson: The Industry, Motherhood & The Little Mermaid". TheatreArtLife. 2018-01-31. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- ""Mermaid" star visits school that set her dreams afloat". The Denver Post. 2007-08-28. Retrieved 2020-03-07.
- Tad Hilgenbrink Bio
- Ryman Arts. "Herbert D. Ryan biography". Retrieved 2014-09-18.
- New York Times April 12, 1975, pp.31
- "Mike Rowland Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved 2008-06-19.
- "Caterpillar Officers".