Dr. Tom Miller receives William L. Turner Award

Dr. Tom Miller received the William L. Turner Award for Outstanding Contributions to Extension and Continuing Education at the 2015 NC State Extension and Engagement Awards ceremony in April. This award is given in honor of William L. Turner, former professor of economics at NC State and vice chancellor for extension and public service. According to NC State’s website, it is awarded annually to an individual whose significant contributions and accomplishments have enhanced and reinforced extension and continuing education as being an integral component of engagement at NC State. Fitting all qualifications and more, Miller’s professional and personal contributions to the university made him a deserving recipient.

Miller has been committed to NC State since his career began at the university in 1982. Currently senior vice provost, Miller has had experience in leadership and financial responsibility for the university’s Distance Education and Learning Technologies Applications (DELTA), the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education (MCE&CE), the Office of Outreach and Engagement and the Shelton Leadership Center. In addition to serving these various outlets and offices on campus, Miller also established the NC State Engineering Entrepreneurs Program in 1993, received the 1996 Joseph M. Biedenbach Outstanding Engineering Educator award, was named Tar Heel of the Week in January 2000 for his work with engineering student entrepreneurs and was named the McPherson Family Distinguished Professor in Engineering Entrepreneurship at NC State in 2009. He also received the 2010 inaugural Entrepreneur of the Year award from the university.

Along with these honors, Miller is a member of the Academy of Outstanding Teachers at NC State, co-founded X Engineering Software Systems Corporation and was recognized for Outstanding Leadership in the field of distance education by the United States Distance Learning Association. Linking his passions for teaching, mentoring and distance education, Miller has created benefits for generations to come.

Thanks to the McKimmon Center for Extension and Continuing Education for providing information and photo for this article.