UNC Asheville and Montreat College Receives $3 Million Trust from J. Alfred Miller; Funds to Benefit Student Scholarships

Berenice and Alfred Miller

Students at UNC Asheville and Montreat College will soon have more scholarship opportunities thanks to a newly established scholarship, the J. Alfred Miller and Berenice M. Miller Scholarship. Al Miller, a prominent Asheville civic and business leader who died last year, established a trust for the scholarship that will be funded with approximately $3 million dollars in assets. Named for Miller and his late wife, Berenice "Bunny" Miller, the trust will provide scholarships for students from Buncombe and immediately adjoining counties who attend UNC Asheville and Montreat College, the colleges announced today.

"Mr. Miller’s gift is one of the largest commitments the University has ever received," said UNC Asheville Chancellor Jim Mullen. "That the Miller Scholarship will provide substantial scholarship support for students at both colleges for many years to come is a wonderful legacy to the values that Mr. and Mrs. Miller represented in this community."

Miller served on the Asheville-Biltmore College Board of Trustees from 1958-1963 and was instrumental in helping transition the college into the four-year university that is now UNC Asheville. He received the University’s highest honor, the Chancellor’s Medallion, in 1990. Miller also served on the Montreat College Board of Trustees from 1961-1969. He was named Trustee Emeritus of Montreat College in 1995.

"Alfred Miller was committed to the city of Asheville and Buncombe County. This is evident in his selfless acts of service and gifts of time and finances," said Montreat College President Dan Struble. "The J. Alfred Miller and Berenice M. Miller Scholarship will continue this lifelong commitment to quality higher education in our county."

For 41 years, Miller served as president of Miller Printing Co., a company founded by his father. The business was sold in 1969 and became Daniels Graphics.

Miller was widely involved in the civic life of Asheville. He served as director of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce and chairman of the Asheville Redevelopment Commission for nine years. In addition, Miller held executive leadership positions for a number of organizations, including the Blue Ridge Parkway Association, Northwestern Bank, First Presbyterian Church Board of Deacons, American Business Club, Greater Asheville Council, Country Club of Asheville and Printing Industries of the Carolinas.

Media Contacts:

• Alex Comfort, UNCA Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, 828/251-6807
• Jill Yarnall, UNCA Public Information Assistant Director, 828/251-6526