ITEM 127-1019-R0505
May 19-20, 2005
ITEM 127-1019-R0505: Authorization to Confer the Title of Professor Emeritus of Sociology Upon Paul E. Miller; The University of Montana-Missoula
THAT:
Paul E. Miller, Professor of Sociology, currently in his thirty-fifth year of dedicated service to The University of Montana, has merited the commendation of the Board of Regents of The Montana University System, and has earned the title of Professor of Sociology Emeritus.
EXPLANATION:
Dr. Paul Miller earned his B.A. in Sociology in 1961 at what was then called Montana State University and is now known as The University of Montana. During his time here he earned academic honors while playing basketball on scholarship. He earned an M.A. in Sociology in 1965 at the University of Texas-Austin and a Ph.D. in Sociology in 1970 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. While in graduate school, he served as Instructor at Niagara County Community College and as Assistant Professor at San Francisco State University. Dr. Miller joined the faculty of the Department of Sociology at The University of Montana-Missoula as an Assistant Professor in 1969. He was promoted to Associate Professor in 1973 and Full Professor in 1979. During his distinguished career of teaching, research, and service, Dr. Miller focused his work primarily in the areas of social policy, poverty, and rural and urban communities.
Dr. Miller is a much-admired teacher who has generously taken on some of the largest classes offered at The University of Montana. He receives praise from his students for his knowledge of the subject matter, enthusiasm, compassion, and organization. Students seek him out as an advisor and mentor.
Dr. Miller is widely published in his areas of specialty and is the recipient of numerous grants funded by federal or state governments, foundations, or nonprofit organizations. He has earned a national reputation as a policy analyst and advocate for the poor, the hungry, and the homeless. In recognition of this body of work, in 2001 Dr. Miller was given the prestigious Kenneth Wilkinson Rural Policy Award by the Rural Sociological Society, the preeminent professional association in Rural Sociology.
Dr. Miller has been generous in his service to students, the Sociology Department, The University of Montana, the field of Sociology, and the larger community. He was Sociology Department Chair and has chaired or been a member of many important university committees. Within the community, Dr. Miller has served on numerous boards, task forces, and committees. He frequently shares his expertise through community presentations, consultation with governmental and nonprofit agencies, and testimony before legislative bodies.
The University of Montana, the Sociology Department, his students and colleagues will miss Dr. Miller's intelligence, passion, wise counsel, humor, optimism, and generosity of spirit. In recognition of his outstanding career of dedicated service, the Department of Sociology is honored to recommend Professor Paul E. Miller for Emeritus status.