REMEMBERING ROBERT S. MILLER A MAN WHOSE MISSION WAS TO HELP OTHERS SUCCEED By Jennifer Smith
You don’t have to look far to fnd the impact North East business owner Robert S. Miller had on Mercyhurst North East. But the trustee emeritus, primary benefactor and biggest champion of MNE never wanted the focus to be on him. In fact, Miller, who passed away at age 81 in May, would have been shocked at the hundreds who flled the Ridge Great Room over several days to pay their respects. Miller never sought the spotlight or recognition for his contributions. He felt fulflled by helping others.
“He knew education could uplift a person, give them a better life, a chance to have a good job and support their family,” said Julie Grifth, one of his seven children. One vehicle for that was the Robert S. and Janet L. Miller Family Scholarship Fund created in 2004. Since its inception, more than 500 students have beneftted from the allocation of nearly $850,000. Countless others on campus and throughout the community were inspired by his example and encouraging words. Here are just a few of the MNE success stories made possible by the generosity of Miller and his family.
REALIZING A DREAM Every semester Ashley Messenger would write the Millers a thank you note for the scholarship money she received. “You’re making things a lot easier,” said Messenger, 26, who earned an associate degree in hospitality management at MNE in 2013, then a bachelor’s degree at Mercyhurst University in 2015. Earlier this year, she realized a dream, opening her own restaurant, Best Spudz Kitchen, with Jennifer and Julie Flack in the Sunfower Club. Her inventive soups, specials and wings are already gaining the attention of diners, earning her an Erie’s Choice Award nomination for Best Wings and an invitation to cater the Dinner on the Diamond fundraising event for the Erie SeaWolves. “This is what I love to do,” she said. “Cooking is my passion.”
RETURNING TO MNE Like many students at MNE, Lexi Caldwell had already earned a bachelor’s degree, but wanted to take her career in another direction by pursuing an associate degree. “I wasn’t eligible for fnancial aid, so the Miller scholarship was a huge help fnancially,” said Caldwell, who graduated in 2016 with her physical therapist assistant degree. MNE’s beautiful campus and caring faculty and staf were a huge part of Caldwell’s decision to become a student. And also the driving force in her return to campus this year as a full-time employee.
Caldwell is the new lab supervisor the for the PTA program.
- “It just felt like a perfect ft,” said the 27-year old who loved physical therapy, but also interacting with students. “I knew this was the place I wanted to work.”
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