October 5, 2017
Richard Miller
Alumni Spotlight
Whiting Room
Richard G. Miller earned a BS degree in 1990 followed by a master’s degree in accounting, both from SUU, and was a National Security Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University in 2008, as part of the U.S. Army War College. He retired as an active-duty colonel with the National Guard in June 2016, after a distinguished, three-decade military career that culminated with six years of service as G-1, or personnel director, for the Utah National Guard’s 5,000-plus members. He is now the senior human resource manager for Domo, Inc., a computer software company in American Fork, Utah. An artillery officer, among his National Guard service postings was the command of Cedar City’s 2nd Battalion, 222nd Field Artillery, during its 18-month deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005 and 2006. Miller and his wife, Rhonda (’91), are the parents of six children.
Event Reflection
Richard Miller is a dedicated and inspiring example of what SUU Alumni are capable of. Mr. Miller obtained his Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Accounting while attending SUU. Miller joined many other members of the SUU family during Homecoming Week as our Outstanding Alumnus for 2017, and was the first speaker in the Alumni Spotlight Series as part of our A.P.E.X. Event Series’ 2017-2018 season.
Mr. Miller’s Alumni Spotlight was held in the Whiting Room, at the Hunter Conference Center. This was nice for this event since it is a smaller and more intimate space that can create a stronger connection with the audience. Mr. Miller embraced this space, giving the occasional pause and saying hello to friends in the audience, and then continuing with his presentation. Many members of the campus’ ROTC program attended and made the mid-morning session a special reunion and look into what has been able to develop over the years.
What was his message to us?
Miller had three main points for his audience.
- Take Action
- Know when to “quit” or put energy elsewhere
- What can you do to serve others?
Miller elaborated on each of these principles with anecdotes of friends, family, and those he served with. All who were in attendance left with some inspiration, a greater respect for the work of those around them, and a more tuned sense of the care of their surrounding community.
Stay tuned for A.P.E.X.’s next event, Maria Hinojosa, on Oct. 19.