Marshall Leggett, 90, the 13th president of Milligan College in Tennessee, passed away Monday morning, the school announced. He had suffered a recent stroke.
Leggett served as Milligan’s president from 1982 to 1997. Upon stepping down as president, he served as chancellor of the college until his death.
“Dr. Leggett had a profound impact upon Milligan, arriving here during a particularly challenging time for the school,” current Milligan President Bill Greer said in a release Monday. “Because of his efforts, a number of new programs were added, enrollment grew, the campus was improved, and finances were strengthened. He came to Milligan following many years of impactful ministry. He loved the church and made it a matter of priority that Milligan strengthened its relationship with Restoration Movement churches.”
During Leggett’s tenure, enrollment at Milligan increased by 39 percent, nine academic programs were added, three new residence halls and a student center were constructed, and major renovations were completed on more than 10 buildings.
The Washington, N.C., native was a Milligan alumnus, graduating with a BA in 1951. He was ordained at Hopwood Memorial Christian Church on the Milligan campus. At Milligan, Leggett met his wife of 66 years, Jean Fritts of Mountain City, Tennessee.
Leggett later earned a MDiv degree from Christian Theological Seminary and an MA degree from Butler University.
Prior to his Milligan presidency, Leggett served in full-time ministry at several churches, including First Church of Christ in Lynn, Ind.; First Christian Church in Canton, Ohio; and Broadway Christian Church in Lexington, Ky.
He also played a major role in the establishment of Emmanuel School of Religion, now Emmanuel Christian Seminary at Milligan, and Sayre Christian Village in Lexington, Kentucky. In addition, he served on the North American Christian Convention executive committee for 13 terms in various capacities, including president of the convention in 1971.
He was the author of several books, including Introduction to the Restoration Ideal.
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