Faculty Spotlight: New administrator arrives
Posted by The Skyliner on September 10th, 2008Molly Price
Staff Writer
While the two major political parties in America are introducing their vice presidential running mates to the world, North Greenville has welcomed its own new vice president to the school.
Alex Miller, a professional fundraiser, joined the NGU family this July after a chance encounter with President Epting at a wedding. President Epting and Vice President Miller graduated together from Mars Hill College.
Miller continued in his academic career and obtained a master’s degree in Christian Education from Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, which is the oldest Baptist institution of higher education in the United States.
Miller relocated to Asheville, N.C., where he became very involved with Habitat for Humanity. Eventually, he was hired as Director of Development and soon became the regional director of Habitat, a job whose responsibilities stretched throughout a seven state region. After working for Habitat, Miller was hired by Montreat College as a fundraiser, and was eventually recruited by his alma mater, Mars Hill, as the Vice President for Institutional Management.
It was during his student years at Mars Hill that Miller met his wife, Lynn, and the two were married in 1977. They have four biological children: Jenny, 28; Merry-Leigh, 25; Alex Jr. (A.J.), 21 and Helen, 20, who is a junior at Montreat College. They also felt God’s calling to adopt two little girls from China: Esther, 5 and Abigail, 4.
Their eldest daughter, Jenny, and her husband have given them a granddaughter, Fia, who is almost one. The name comes from the Spanish word “confianza,” meaning “trust.”
After struggling to start a family, Jenny and her husband were extremely close to adopting a child. God had other plans, however, and blessed the young couple with their daughter. They decided on that name as a reminder to always have total trust in God, no matter the circumstances.
While he is at work on campus, Miller’s job consists of developing relationships with faculty and students, sharing the mission of the school with prospective students and donors and working with the many volunteer organizations on campus.
He also has bright expectations for significant growth within the school, regarding both student population and the necessary building projects to support that growth. He is very excited about the Village of Tigerville coming to NGU this year.
“Coming to NGU is not just a job for me. It’s a fulfillment of my Christian calling,” Miller said of his employment at NGU.
It is clear that one of the most important aspects in Alex Miller’s life is to fulfill what God has called him to do and to stay within God’s plan. Self-described as a “recovering Pharisee,” he will admit that sometimes as a Christian, he can become swept into the do’s and don’ts of Christianity.
His favorite books in the Bible, Galatians and Ephesians, serve as reminders to him of God’s overwhelming grace toward fallen man. These books help to give him a fuller understanding of the grace of God.
Miller brings an impressive résumé, a new perspective and an ardent sense of commitment to serve and fulfill God’s calling on his life.
“His desire to see NGU grow is encouraging,” said Sheila Moore, Assistant to Public Relations.
Tags: Fall 2008, Vol. 108 Fall - Issue 1