Professor Profile: Pat Magness
Kristen Oxley
Issue date: 9/5/08 Section: Features
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"I am having too much fun teaching to begin to think about retiring," Magness said. "I love my students and I love the things I get to teach. Plus I love being part of the Milligan community."
Magness's journey to being a part of the Milligan community began in the small town of Kenton, Ohio, a "pretty little town in western Ohio" where she was born. She was the oldest of five children, and at a young age the family moved to Hammond, Ind.
When it came time to look for colleges, her father, a minister, wanted his daughter to attend a Christian university.
"In a way my father made me (come here)," Magness said. "It was very important to my father that I go to a Christian college."
Magness did not want a bible college degree; she wanted a broader education. Milligan was a compromise. Magness first entered the Milligan community in 1965 as a freshman.
It was in her sophomore year she fell in love with her current husband Lee Magness, and they were married shortly after their sophomore year.
"We enjoyed being married and being in school together," Magness said.
In 1969 she graduated with Lee as well as Jack Knowles, professor of English. Magness received her bachelor's in English and was certified to teach elementary school and high school.
"I thought I wanted to be a first grade teacher, but after I student-taught I realized I wasn't good at first grade," Magness said. "I really enjoy teaching college."
After Milligan, the Magni (as they are affectionately called by students), stayed in the Milligan area for a year. While Lee took classes at the Emmanuel School of Religion, Pat taught the brand new humanities program at Milligan.
They then traveled to Vanderbilt University where Pat received her master's in English. After this the Magni decided they wanted to get out of school and be more active.
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