Miller Endowment

Drs. Roberta, ’62, and Don Miller of Richmond, Va., through their generous gifts, have enabled Murray State University to establish a chair for entrepreneurial studies in the college of business and public affairs.

Dr. Tim Todd, interim dean for the college of business and public affairs, says, “I am honored to welcome the Millers to the business college’s theme of entrepreneurialism and to sincerely thank them for their tremendous gift to establish a focus on entrepreneurial education and activities here at Murray State.”

The Millers have dedicated their professional careers to the advancement of higher education. “While at Vanderbilt University in early 1990 as a doctoral student, I had a special project on funding universities. By working with the attorney in the office of development, I learned about the importance of charitable giving,” says Roberta. Being the founder and president of her own company, Resources, Inc., she understands the value of entrepreneurial thinking.

“The world is becoming a smaller place,” says Todd, “and with recent visits from key faculty and administrators to the Pacific Rim, it is extremely clear that the markets around the world for entrepreneurial activity are ready and ripe.”

Combined with the many study abroad programs at MSU, new opportunities in entrepreneurial studies will allow students to take their business ventures globally. “ Murray State University ’s College of Business and Public Affairs must, and will, play a role in educating our students in entrepreneurialism, to better prepare them for the global job market in years to come,” says Todd.

As an alumna of MSU, Roberta fondly remembers all of the teachers and librarians who helped her to succeed at MSU. Dr. Alice Koenecke, Roberta’s former home economics professor, has stayed in contact with her since she left MSU. Roberta will never forget the kindness Dr. Koenecke expressed after the passing of her father during her freshman year. “Dr. Koenecke advised me as a professor, offered me sympathy with strong understanding and lifted me to higher standards and encouraged me to move onward and upward,” says Roberta.

Roberta, who earned her bachelor’s degree in home economics, received her doctoral degree in education at Vanderbilt University and master’s of library science degree from Peabody College of Vanderbilt University. She received her medical librarianship from Emory University, studied legal research at the University of Richmond School of Law and has taken courses in Hebrew, Greek and Survey of Bible.

Originally from Muhlenberg County, Ky., she taught library science at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill, University of Richmond and Virginia Commonwealth University . From 1977-79, she served as assistant Virginia state librarian. Roberta holds numerous professional memberships, and has served on the MSU Foundation Board of Trustees. She is published in numerous academic and professional journals on topics related to entrepreneurship, education and medical and legal research methods.

Resources, Inc., the company she founded in 1979, manages libraries and offers literature research services to hospitals, law firms and other institutions.

Don, a native of Roanoke, Va., received his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech and holds a master’s degree and doctoral degree in education from Vanderbilt University.

He served as assistant secretary of education for the Commonwealth of Virginia in the cabinets of Governors Godwin, Holton and Dalton, with responsibilities for computer services in Virginia universities.

His professional memberships include the Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at Vanderbilt University where he lectures on entrepreneurship and education. Both Roberta and Don are currently enrolled in post-doctoral studies in gerontology at the Virginia Commonwealth University Medical Center.

Don currently serves as CEO and treasurer of Resources, Inc.

The couple first met in 1966 at the University of Kentucky while Roberta was a reference librarian in the School of Medicine. Just returning from her round-the-world trip, Roberta attended a dinner at her piano teacher’s home to show slides from her trip. Also attending was bachelor Don, invited guest of the teacher’s brother, Dr. Charles Bertram. Don and Roberta were married in 1968.

Today, the Millers enjoy traveling and are active members of First Presbyterian Church in Richmond where Roberta is a church officer and Stephen Minister. They have been on two mission trips to Minsk, Belarus, and continue to serve on the mission team.

Community service is important to Roberta. She is a member of various civic groups in the Richmond area, including the Tuckahoe Woman’s Club. Don values his Virginia heritage, and serves as president of the Virginia First Thanksgiving Festival, Inc. at the Berkeley Plantation on the James River.

The Millers are avid supporters of life-long learning. Their passion and dedication to higher education is enabling MSU to continue in their standards of excellence. The Millers remark, “ Murray State University is important to us as we endeavor to expand our efforts in education and entrepreneurship. It is rewarding to have leaders at MSU moving forward with the concept, and we eagerly await positive outcomes from the various activities now planned.”

For more information on this and other endowments, contact Bob Jackson, associate vice president of development and governmental relations, at (270)-809-3023 or toll free at 1-877-282-0033, or by email at bob.jackson@murraystate.edu.