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| Marlin Miller Jr. |
Miller, who earned a bachelor’s degree in ceramic engineering from Alfred in 1954, is co-founder and director at Norwich Ventures, a specialized venture capital firm focused on early-stage medical technology. He offered the keynote address at his alma mater’s 183rd Commencement Saturday morning in the Galanis Family Arena, advising graduates to embrace new ideas and innovation as they chart their future.
“The power of innovation is what I hope you remember from my remarks,” said Miller, a member of the Board of Trustees at Alfred University since 1972, who served as Board chair from 1983-89. Innovation was a recurring theme in Miller’s address, as he provided insight on how Alfred University shaped his life.
Miller related how innovation and technology played a role in his success as a student – at Alfred, his senior thesis was a project sponsored by the U.S. Air Force, which involved work with new innovative materials for rocket engines – and as a businessman who co-founded two companies serving the medical industry, Arrow International and Norwich Ventures.
After graduation, Miller attended Harvard Business School, pursuing an MBA. He married his first wife, Alfred University alumna Marcianne Mapel ’55 (B.F.A.), and the couple lived in Boston while he finished his graduate studies. After earning his MBA in 1956, Miller served three years as a lieutenant in the U.S. Army before joining the Glen Gery Brick Company in Reading, PA, in 1959.
Miller was at Glen Gery Brick from 1959 to 1972, serving as executive vice president. His desire to embrace innovative ideas helped Glen Gery Brick grow and thrive. When Miller joined the company, it had eight manufacturing plants in the eastern U.S. that were in need of major renovations.
“During my 13 years with Glen Gery we built three new, modern plants with the latest manufacturing innovations and purchased or upgraded four others. I had the opportunity to establish the first research laboratory for the company, and staff it with both engineers and art students from Alfred,” Miller related. During his tenure at Glen Gery, the company developed many new products that were attractive to architects and developers. “These innovative products were what kept the plants running and the company growing.”
In 1975, Miller and three partners purchased a small business in Reading and launched it as new company, Arrow International, which grew into a leading manufacturer of medical devices. Initially, 80 percent of the company’s business was in making needles used in the textile industry, with the remainder used to make needles – hypodermic and suture – for the medical industry. Under Miller’s leadership, the company focused on the medical products. These included pre-packaged sterilized kits used in medical procedures, an idea put forth to Arrow by a physician at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.
“This was a significant innovation at that time,” Miller said. “Doctors are the primary innovators in medicine, and we proceeded to work with many through the years to bring new innovations into hospitals.”
Miller served as Arrow’s chief executive officer from 1975 to 2003, and as Chairman from 1999-2003. Under his leadership Arrow International became a billion dollar public company with locations throughout North America, Europe, India, Japan, and South Africa. After retiring from Arrow in 2003, Miller continued pursuing the development of new medical technologies with Norwich Ventures.
Miller urged graduates to serve their communities, as he has done throughout his professional life. One of Alfred University’s most generous donors, Miller’s philanthropy has resulted in nearly $75 million in gifts to the University. With his gifts, Miller has built three new buildings – the Miller Performing Arts Center, Miller Theater and the Alfred Ceramic Art Museum – and contributed to the construction or renovation of others.
Miller has endowed several scholarships; each year, about 35 students benefit from a scholarship fund he has created, some in his own name and others in honor of friends and fellow trustees.
His interest in the arts stems from his friendships with faculty and others associated with the School of Art and Design at Alfred University, as well as his first marriage to Marcianne, who passed away in 1989, and his marriage to current wife Regina, who shares his passion for art. Twelve years ago, he founded the non-profit GoggleWorks Center for the Arts in Reading. The project converted an abandoned factory for welding goggles and safety glasses into a center for 38 artist studios, a gallery, gift shop, restaurant, art film theater, meeting and event space, and workshops for ceramics, glass, wood, and jewelry.
“It has become a major creative center for all ages and a major tourist attraction. Many communities have seen this as an innovative use of an abandoned factory building and have been visiting to consider a similar effort,” Miller said.
He encouraged graduates to pursue new ideas and embrace the advances that are sure to come. “Innovation is a powerful force. I hope you all become champions for innovation in one way or another.”
Miller and Terry Galanis Jr., a member of the University’s Board of Trustees, were awarded honorary degrees Saturday. Miller received a Doctor of Arts degree, honoris causa, for his support of the visual and performing arts at Alfred University. It is Miller’s second honorary degree; he received a Doctor of Science degree, honoris causa, in 1989.
Galanis Jr., president and chief executive officer of Sealing Devices in Lancaster, NY, received a Doctor of Commerce degree, honoris causa. His affiliation with Alfred University began when Sealing Devices, Inc. won the Family Business Award from the College of Business, leading to the renaming of the award as the Galanis Family Business Award, and to Galanis, Jr., joining the board.
His father, Terry Galanis Sr., founder of Sealing Devices and a 1940 Alfred University graduate (B.S., ceramic engineering), received the same honorary degree at a ceremony in Lancaster April 22.
Galanis, Jr., president and chief executive officer of Sealing Devices, Inc., in Lancaster, is a 20-year member of the Alfred University Board of Trustees and chairs its University Advancement Committee. The Galanis Family are long-time supporters of Alfred University. They made a gift to create the junior varsity football coach’s position, to increase playing opportunities for football recruits, and another to renovate the McLane Center gymnasium, which has been renamed the Galanis Family Arena in their honor.
“This is such an honor for my dad and I to get our honorary doctorate degrees together,” said Galanis Jr. “My father has always cherished his time at Alfred University and stressed the importance of giving back to this institution. I’d do anything for my dad. I guess that’s why I’m here today.”
Addressing their classmates were 2019 Marlin Miller Outstanding Senior Award recipients Nurila Kambar, a materials science and engineering major (physics minor) major from Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Dillon Smith, a criminal justice and experimental psychology major (sociology and public law minor) from Pine Bush, NY. The awards are given in honor of Marlin Miller.
Kambar is a member of several academic honor societies – including Tau Beta Pi (the engineering honor society, for which she serves as treasurer), Phi Kappa Phi and Chi Alpha Sigma – and for the last three years has served as vice president of the Society of Women in Engineering at Alfred University.
She served as a STEM Panel moderator for the Career Development Center; is a member of the Peer Review Board; and served two summers as a tour guide for International Students Orientation, and as a research assistant in the Biomaterials Engineering Department, Inamori School of Engineering. Nurila has been supportive to the University through her generosity and service, volunteering at the Center for Academic Success as a Mathematics Lab tutor, supplemental instructor for Physics II, and tutor for Physics I and II.
“When I left home four years ago to come to Alfred, I wasn’t sure what I’d get in return,” Kambar said. “I was prepared to learn, explore and make friends. I started a journey where I set goals and guided myself. Today, as I stand here, I’m proud to say I made right decision to come to Alfred University. Alfred has been a truly magical place. We’ve emerged more confident and the most engaged and creative that we’ve ever been.”
Smith is a member of numerous academic honor societies at Alfred University: Pi Gamma Mu, Phi Kappa Phi, and Omicron Delta Kappa; and Psi Chi (psychology honor society). He is founder and president of the Criminal Justice Club; has served as a club collaboration liaison through the Center for Student Involvement and Institute of Cultural Unity.
He has been active duty in the U.S. Army National Guard since 2011, serving as an electrical engineer. In the summer of 2016 he was deployed with the New York Army National Guard 1156th Engineer Company to provide engineering support at Al Asad Airbase in Iraq. In August 2017, Dillon returned home and re-enrolled at Alfred, resuming his studies in January 2018. He is recipient of several awards for his service, including the Army Achievement Medal, the Operation Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal and the Overseas Training Medal.
Smith spoke of the support the Alfred University community showed him during the challenging times he faced.
“I knew in my journey I’d have the support of my friends and family. What I didn’t expect was the support I received from my AU family,” Smith said, referring to the care packages sent to him when he was serving with the National Guard, and the way he was welcomed back to resume his studies. He urged his classmates to cherish the memories their time at Alfred and use the experience to make a mark on the world.
“Look back on your memories made at AU and smile. We all want to be remembered in life, to leave a legacy. You’ve all left your legacy by inspiring others. Wherever you go, whatever you do, you will have an impact on someone’s life.”
Recognized as the top students for the Class of 2109 were:
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: Julie Mulryan, mathematics major who earned a 4.00 grade-point average on a 4.0 scale. The daughter of John and Laurie Mulryan of Hinsdale, NY, she is a graduate of Olean High School.
School of Art and Design: Alison Piedmonte, who earned a 3.96 grade-point average and graduated with a B.F.A. degree (concentration in sculpture) in December. She is the daughter of Todd and Kristen Piedmonte of Cato, NY, and is a graduate of Cato-Meridian High School.
Kazuo Inamori School of Engineering: Joshua Benham, a mechanical engineering major from Buffalo, NY, with a 3.97 grade-point average. The son of Gary Benham, Joshua is a graduate of Bishop Timon-St. Jude High School in Buffalo.
College of Business: Helena Opare, finance major, and Kourtney Keyes, accounting major, both with a GPA of 3.69. Opare, the daughter of Kennedy Opare and Fatima Tawiah of the Bronx, NY, is a graduate of the Bronx Leadership Academy. Keyes graduated from Springville Griffith Institute in Springville, NY, and is the daughter of James and Rhonda Keyes of East Concord, NY.
Alfred University President Mark Zupan closed commencement by urging graduates to remain true to the University’s values and mission.
“Crossroads. Juncture. Intersection. Class of 2019, you are at this magical intersection of time and place: the same intersection Marlin Miller stood at 65 years ago,” Zupan said. “Keep in mind the mission and values of this institution, which can be boiled down to nine words: ‘Our intersection transforms students’ lives and betters our world.’ Live these values. Live that mission.”
Alfred University on Saturday conferred degrees on students who completed their course work in August and December 2018, as well as this semester. The University awarded three doctoral degrees, 67 master’s degrees and 286 baccalaureate degrees. A separate ceremony will be held June 14 in Brooklyn, NY, for the 186 students who completed their master’s degree programs in the University’s New York City program.
