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____________________________________________________________________________

Mar. 31, 2009

Miller is GSW featured public servant 

           AMERICUS—As Vice President of Student Affairs at Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW), Sam Miller has a lot on his plate, but he always makes time for service to the community. GSW President Kendall Blanchard today announced that Miller is the recipient of the University’s 2009 Featured Public Servant Award.

            A reception to honor Miller is scheduled for Monday, April 13 at 3 p.m. in the Rotunda of the Wheatley Administration Building.

            “Dr. Miller is a hard-working professional who is never too busy to reach out to help those less fortunate,” said Blanchard. “He realizes that his responsibility as an administrator and educator extends beyond the boundaries of the GSW campus and he routinely makes himself available as a volunteer, helping in any way he can to make the greater Americus community a better place to live for all its citizens.”

            This award is presented to an employee at Georgia Southwestern who makes valuable contributions to the community where he or she lives and works. It is also a way to remind the larger Americus community that Georgia Southwestern faculty and staff play an important role in the social and cultural life of that community.

            “It is with great humility that I receive this award,” said Miller. “I think many of my colleagues at GSW could have also received this award because of their ongoing public service. It’s gratifying to give back to the community and often, while giving back, we realize that we also greatly benefit from the experience.”

            As the recipient of the award, Miller was selected by a committee made up of five people: two members of the faculty, selected by the faculty senate, two members of the staff, selected by the staff council, and one member of the off-campus community, selected by the president.

            Miller’s community service speaks for itself. From 2003 to 2007, Miller served on the Americus-Sumter County Boys and Girls Club board of directors, holding offices of secretary and vice president. He sits on the board of directors of Learning for Everyone Avenues to Progress – Communities In Schools (LEAP-CIS). Miller served as chairman from 2006 to 2008 and received the Distinguished Service Recognition Award from that group in 2004. He also participated in and graduated from the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Sumter program.

            Miller’s favorite service activity is the work he does with the Sumter County Mentor Partnership (SCMP). In addition to recruiting mentors, he has served as a mentor to elementary and middle school students since 2001, and he currently serves on the SCMP Counselors Committee. To Miller, there are few causes with as much impact on the community.

            “Of all my volunteer service, my participation as a mentor is the most important and what I am most proud of,” said Miller. “Today’s youth are tomorrow’s leaders, and there is no greater way to give back to one’s community than to work with children in an attempt to make a positive impact towards their future citizenry and leadership.”

            A native of Winston-Salem, N.C., Miller joined the GSW staff in June 2000. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in psychology and a Master of Arts in clinical psychology from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He earned a Master of Education and a Ph.D. in counselor education from Mississippi State University. Miller resides in Americus.

            Willing to serve--Dr. Sam Miller is the 2009 GSW Featured Public Servant Award winner.