Community honors late pyschology professor
This past summer Texas A&M University-Kingsville (TAMUK) lost a notable professor, Dr. Richard Miller, and his wife Dr. Jeanne Butler decided to create a scholarship for students in his honor.
“Dr. Miller had always been committed to mentoring and helping students and undergraduates reach their full potential even potential they did not know they had, and I wanted to continue his legacy and ability to help students moving forward through this scholarship,” Butler said.
With the help of TAMUK and other foundations, Butler was able to send out an announcement to those close to her for donations in order to get this scholarship ready for students.
TAMUK faculty, such as the department chair and Associate Professor of Human Development and Family Studies Dr. Timothy Oblad, have been very helpful in assisting.
“When Dr. Butler decided to do this the university matched what she had already contributed which helped us surpass the minimum we needed to start this,” Dr. Oblad said.
The scholarship will be ready to award next semester.
“As the endowment grows, we will be able to provide even more support but as for now it will provide immediate relief for local students who will be studying psychology,” Oblad said.
Recipients will be able to get that push they may need to further pursue their careers and at the moment, those involved aim to give a bit of background information on Miller to those who receive the scholarship to continue his mentorship as well.
“I think scholarships help students regardless of what career or degree they are pursuing; it is a financial investment that is contributing to their education,” Amanda Thompson said.
While this is still in the working stages, there has been an abundance of donations made towards the scholarship.
“We will be making an official statement on the figures on Oct. 14 at a celebration of Dr. Miller’s life and we plan to hold another celebration in his honor on campus sometime next month,” Thompson said.
To contribute to the scholarship visit javelinagiving.org/millermemorial.
To add any memories you have about Miller there is a bulletin board in Manning Hall located on the first floor. Another way to share a memory is to visit forevermissed.com/richard-I-miller.