Meet Your Millikin Admission Counselor!
Education
禄 Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, University of Memphis (2021)
High School & Hometown
禄 St. Teresa High School, Decatur, Illinois
Works with Students From:
禄 Recruitment for MBA, Nursing & Athletic Training
Graduate Programs
Lori Kerans, '85 is the Director for Alumni Engagement at Millikin University, following 32 seasons leading the Big Blue Women's Basketball program. While coaching the Big Blue, Coach Kerans also served the University in a variety of positions including Senior Women鈥檚 Administrator (2008-2018), Athletic Director (1996-2000 and 2002-2008), and Vice President for Student Development (2000-02), Director of the Allan-McClure Fitness/Wellness Center (1988-96), and Residence Hall Director (1986-88).
In 2004-05, Coach Kerans guided Millikin to its 14th NCAA appearance and its first-ever NCAA Division III Championship. Kerans led the Big Blue to 11 College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championships and was named CCIW Coach of the Year seven times.
Lori Kerans is a 1991 inductee into the Millikin Athletic Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Decatur Athletic Hall of Fame in June 1998. In 2017, the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association (IBCA) inducted the 2005 Millikin Women鈥檚 Team into its Hall of Fame, and Kerans will be inducted as a coach into the IBCA Hall of Fame in May, 2018.
In addition to "bleeding blue" for Millikin, Lori鈥檚 passions including spending time with her family and being actively involved in the Decatur community, especially Holy Family church and school, St. Mary鈥檚 Hospital, and Special Olympics.
Why am I proud to represent MU?
I love Millikin, bleed blue and share with anyone I can how Millikin transforms people and alters life trajectories.
Why did I decide to work in this field and/or at Millikin?
I believe Millikin is committed to:
禄 Transforming lives.
禄 Creating communities where students can thrive.
禄 Developing opportunities to serve while learning and
learn while serving.
禄 Delivering on the Millikin Promise of Education which
prepares students for professional success, democratic
citizenship in a global environment and a personal life of
meaning and value.
Words I use to describe Millikin students:
Bright, Talented, Engaged, Supportive, Inspiring, Driven, Servant-Hearted
Advice for students/applicants:
Find the right fit; Someplace where you feel inspired, validated, challenged and supported; someplace you are proud to call HOME.
What do I enjoy doing outside of work?
Spending time with family, supporting Big Blue Athletics,
landscaping and being a community advocate.
What is my favorite:
Food/Drink: Coffee
TV Show/Movie: Anything on ESPN, HGTV, or TV Network.
Hoosiers, A League of their Own, Field of Dreams.
Music: Christian bands
Book: Biographies of coaching legends
Thing about Millikin: The people and Commencement.
Place on Campus: Any space where students gather in a sense of community: University Commons, Pilling Chapel, Griswold Center, Kirkland, Albert Taylor Hall.
Place in Decatur: My church, any school, any park, bike trail,
Central Park, Merchant Street.
Time/Tradition of the Millikin School Year: Move-In Day,
Opening Convocation, Honors Convocation, Commencement,
Cookie Party, Vespers.
Fun facts about me:
禄 Played in first NCAA Div. 3 Women鈥檚 Basketball Championship
禄 First woman to play in AND coach in NCAA Div. 3
national tournament
禄 First woman athletic director in College Conference of
Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) history