The Richmond High School Alumni Association recently received a gift of $10,000 for a scholarship for students reserved for Richmond High School graduates planning to attend Purdue Polytechnic Richmond in fall 2017. The gift was given by Ralph S. Miller, Richmond High School Class of 1945, who is a long-time contributor to both the Richmond High School Alumni Association and Purdue University.
“Richmond is my hometown and I am a proud alumnus of both Richmond High School and Purdue, so both always have a warm spot in my heart,” said Ralph Miller. “I wanted to give back to both communities, but in a way that would immediately impact current students.” Miller continued, “With the GI Bill and the help of my employer, I did not have to spend a lot of money to obtain my degrees. I felt it was my duty to help out students today who were not as fortunate as I was.”
Miller graduated from Purdue University in 1952 with a bachelor of science degree in aeronautical engineering. He later earned his master’s degree at Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas. He began his career at Convair in Fort Worth, Texas, which eventually became General Dynamics, as a structural engineer working on the B-58 supersonic bomber.
Miller’s professional career spanned over forty years, including work at Texas Instruments and his own engineering company. In addition, Miller served twenty-three years of active and reserve duty in the U.S. Army and retired as an Army aviator with the rank of Major.
“Mr. Miller’s gift to the Richmond High School Alumni Association will allow local students to access the quality Purdue University education and the innovative ‘learn-by-doing’ experience offered at the Richmond campus,” said Michael Swain, director of Purdue Polytechnic Richmond. “This gift is also an investment in our community, since our graduating students normally stay in the community and contribute greatly to the region’s economy.”
Purdue Polytechnic Richmond offers ten bachelor’s degree programs in animation, computer graphics, engineering technology, game development and design, industrial engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, organizational leadership, robotics engineering technology, supply chain management technology and web programming and design. For more information about degrees and programs at Purdue Polytechnic Richmond, visit polytechnic.purdue.edu/richmond.
Written by Katia Hatter, katia@tdadvertising.com