Size of Award

The size of the award is between $1,500 and $3,000, depending on the value of the endowment at the time.

Background

Glenn and Cornelia Miller established an endowed scholarship fund in 1991. Both Glenn and Cornelia Miller received undergraduate degrees from SIU (1934) and advanced degrees in economics from the University of Illinois. Glenn Miller went on to teach at a number of universities, and wrote extensively in the areas of labor economics and social policy. An historical profile of the Millers appears below.

Eligibility and Selection Criteria

In accordance with the wishes of the Millers, "preference shall be given to a student studying economics or public policy with interests in related fields such as labor history, collective bargaining, social insurance, workmens' compensation and unemployment policy," with the award going to a junior, senior or graduate student in good standing.

In implementing the Millers' wishes, applicants are required to:

• Successfully complete Economics 310, "Labor Problems," or a course approved by the Miller Award Committee.
  
  
• Write a paper on one of the topics listed above, to be submitted as part of Economics 310, or to the Miller Award Committee by the application deadline (on or before February 1).
  
  
• Complete the application form.

As noted above, preference will be given to economics majors and minors.

Applications are due February 1.

Historical Profile

Both Glenn and Cornelia Miller received their bachelors' degrees at Southern Illinois University Carbondale in 1934, which was then Southern Illinois Normal University. They were married in 1935 and both went on to receive advanced degrees in economics from the University of Illinois: an M.A. in 1938 for Cornelia and an M.A. in 1935 and a Ph.D. in 1939 for Glenn.

Glenn W. Miller was the member of the family who became active in the economics profession. After one year at Toledo University he began an interrupted thirty-year tenure at Ohio State University. This tenure was accompanied by visiting professorships at the University of British Columbia, the University of Arizona, Ohio Wesleyan University, Michigan State University and Kenyon College. During World War II he was a labor analyst for the War Manpower Commission, and subsequently served as a captain in the United States Marine Corps, after which he returned to teaching at Ohio State University. His last academic position, which he held for twelve years, began in 1969 at Wichita State University. Complementing this career was his involvement in the field of arbitration. He was a member of the American Arbitration Association and worked extensively as an arbitrator.

Born in Harrisburg, Illinois, in 1911 into a family of farmers and miners, Glenn W. Miller grew up in Carrier Mills, Illinois, and worked at sundry jobs as a laborer, one of which was as a night watchman on the SIUC campus, before deciding on an education in economics. His personal background and the depression of the 1930's laid the foundation for his professional interest in the social and policy aspects of labor economics. During his career he authored many articles and three textbooks dealing with labor unions and social policies affecting the working population of this country. His career-long concern for these two aspects of labor economics was evident at least as early as 1939: his dissertation was entitled "Cooperatives, American Labor and the Government."

Other Awards Through the Department of Economics

The Department of Economics awards scholarships through three scholarship programs:

• Thomas and Chany Chung Endowed Scholarship Fund
  
  
• Garrett E. and Susan J. Pierce Endowed Scholarship Fund
  
  

Other Awards

For additional scholarship information, visit the Southern Illinois University Carbondale Office of Financial Aid.