Meet Our Donors
James Richard Miller
James Richard Miller
"My message to the students who benefit from support like this on a daily basis is to always challenge yourself but understand your limits. Keep in mind that the journey should be as important as the destination."
- James Miller '71
All it took for James Miller '71 was to see the brilliantly shot film Grand Prix in 1966 with his wife Pat, and he was hooked on racing forever. The quality of the 70mm film projection, the inventive front-mounted camera angles and the real-life racing footage quickly seeped into his life, gave him a newfound passion for automotive mechanics and taught him crucial life lessons that would someday inspire his recent bequest to Drexel University.
"In many ways, racing is like life," he explains. "You must look far ahead and constantly scan to watch for the unexpected, foresee opportunity and plan your moves, while at the same time paying strict attention to the immediate details."
Miller also expounds on some very specific lessons he took from his education at Drexel's Evening College, now Goodwin College of Professional Studies.
"Most important were the lessons of self discipline, effective decision making and how to properly plan and use my time to the best advantage," he says. "These habits have fortunately stayed with me all of my life and have significantly influenced whatever success my wife and I have achieved. When last reviewing my will, it became clear to me that Drexel should be included because of these contributions."
Married since Christmas Eve in 1966, and now living in Colorado, the Millers decided together that Drexel has been one of those special places "for which we have respect, and from which we have received inspiration," he says. "Pat agrees that the values I learned at Drexel have benefited both of us to the point that she is providing equally for Drexel in her will."
Having studied civil engineering at night, while also serving in the active military reserves and working full-time as an engineer, Miller says his choice to support Goodwin's civil engineering department and its needs for structural and material test equipment was obvious. While a Drexel student, he worked for the Township of Lower Merion's Engineering Department, Pennoni Associates, Inc. and Modjeski and Masters, both consulting engineering firms.
By the time he earned his degree, Miller already owned two Jaguar XKEs and soon began working on his third roadster (pictured), to rebuild it and bring it up to racing standards. Thanks to his interest in racing, he and Pat have seen some of the most beautiful parts of the country, and it has helped keep him physically and mentally sharp.
"It is a hobby," he says, "that requires me to constantly learn and apply new knowledge, solve problem after problem, keep myself in good condition and work very hard at my occupation to pay for it."
The Millers hope their bequest will help inspire many young civil engineers to work hard at their professions and follow their passion for living and learning in all areas of life.
"My message to the students who benefit from support like this on a daily basis," he says, "is to always challenge yourself but understand your limits. Keep in mind that the journey should be as important as the destination. Be modest about your achievements while planning the next challenge. Learn and understand the meaning of stop programs; everyone needs breaks. The key is to time them properly so you are at your best when you need to be. Stay ahead of the curve."