Giving His All to Albright…
Herbert C. Miller, Jr. ’61 Supports Scholarships, Campus Renovations & More

Herbert C. Miller, Jr. ’61, Alumni Association president, takes his role and responsibilities as an Albright College alumnus very seriously. His passion for the College – its traditions and its future – is an example for all.

Miller learned the importance of honor and duty at an early age when he attended a military preparatory academy. A football injury to his knee kept him out of the Naval Academy, so he looked at other colleges to further his education. During his visit to Albright, he felt that everyone “treated him like family.” His decision was made before he left the campus.

While at Albright, Miller met Janet Melchiore ’62. Married for 42 years, they are part of an Albright family that includes his brother-in-law, sister-in-law, son, daughter-in-law and daughter.

He spent his life working in executive sales positions and marketing for companies such as Mrs. Smith’s Pies, Kellogg’s, Hanover Brands, Snow King Frozen Foods, Campbell’s Soup Company and Gold Kist Farms. Although he is now retired, Miller says he has never been busier. In addition to his commitments at Albright, Miller is dedicated to protecting Civil War battlefields and preserving open space. He serves on his Township Planning Commission and has won two distinguished citizens awards from the Philadelphia and Haverford Township police departments.

Also a world traveler, Miller has kayaked with killer whales in the San Juan Islands, sailed on a schooner off the coast of Maine, worked on a ranch in Montana, whitewater rafted on the Colorado River and rivers in West Virginia, walked the beach at Normandy and taken pictures on a hunting safari in South Africa. He is also a tennis enthusiast who tries to play every day he can.

However, in 1989, Miller’s world came crashing down around him when his daughter, Amy, a 1986 Albright graduate, died of cancer. He and Janet were heartbroken. But transforming their pain into a desire to memorialize their daughter, the Miller’s established the Amy Leigh Miller Birkbeck Memorial Scholarship. Since its inception it has provided scholarship support to four students. The current recipient is John Trainor ’04 of West Chester, Pa. Countless classmates of Amy’s and friends of the Millers have supported the growing scholarship.

Most recently, Lindsay Vitale ’01, a three-year recipient of the scholarship, made a gift back upon her graduation in gratitude for the financial help she received and in memory of Amy. Lindsay’s gift “is what it’s all about,” said Miller.

In addition to Amy’s scholarship, Miller has answered the call of fellow alumni and fraternity brothers to create lasting changes to the College. He has made gifts to the Bollman Center Renovation Project and supported his rival fraternity – The Zetas – in their renovation of the Bollman Entryway. Miller has shown unprecedented leadership with large gifts to the Baseball/Softball Project and now the Alpha Pi Omega Tennis Court Complex.

Miller bleeds Red and White. Always there for the College, he has chaired Homecoming and has been the chair of both his 40th Anniversary Reunion and the APO 75th Anniversary Reunion. He also serves on the Traditions Committee. For his dedication and service, Miller was the recipient of Albright’s most prestigious award in 1995 – the Jacob Albright Award.

But what Miller says he is most proud of is “helping the kids.” From providing financial assistance to sharing his work experiences Miller has lived every day of his life to serve his family, his community and his college.

— Bob Miller