Dorothy Maierhofer Sherrill Miller

September 2007

    Dorothy Maierhofer Sherrill Miller credits much of her great variety of rewarding experiences both personally and professionally to her educational background in the field in Human Ecology. She is a native Texan who received her BS in Foods and Nutrition from the University of Texas in 1943 and her MS in Family Life and Home Management from Oregon State University in 1965.

    She has enjoyed a professional and volunteer career focused on consumers and the family.

    Dorothy served as District Home Economist for Graybar Electric Company doing sales training and consumer programs in the five northwestern states and Alaska. She was also a Specialist for Oregon State University Extension Service in various areas including Food Marketing and Personal Finance and later did resident teaching at OSU in those subjects.

    In 1961 she married Dr. J. C. Miller, head of the Department of Animal Science at Oregon State University. In 1967 she accompanied her husband to the Philippines on a two-year assignment with Cornell University. It was there that she volunteered in a project to secure free medical care for children in the barrios to correct club feet, cross eyes, hare lips and cleft palates.

    The Millers returned to central Texas in 1970. The oil boom in Brazos County brought great numbers of newcomers to the area. Unfortunately these newcomers felt no pride of ownership and they quickly began to trash the countryside. The Millers belief that we are stewards of the beautiful world God has created for us inspired citizens to organize Keep Brazos Beautiful to clean up and beautify our area. Dorothy continues to be involved in this successful program. In 1995 the City of College Station named a ten-acre park in memory of Jack and in honor of Dorothy. The Jack and Dorothy Miller Park is located beside Rock Prairie Elementary School. The 1/3 mile jogging trail, playgrounds, and covered shelter serve both school children and the general public.

    She also enjoys her participation in P.E.O., an international organization dedicated to providing education for women through continuing education grants, student loans, scholar awards, and international peace scholarships. Dorothy is a member of First United Methodist Church in Bryan where she has served on various committees, work areas, and boards for 37 years.

    She serves as speaker to various groups on family life and consumer related topics. Her emphasis is always a positive one with focus on living each day to the fullest.

    Dorothy remains active in her community and became a Hospice Volunteer following her husband's death in 1993. She serves on the Hospice Speakers Bureau where she helps train Hospice Volunteers and speaks to groups on such topics as "Living Life With No Regrets," "What a Difference an Attitude Makes," Holidays Without You," and "Happiness Is A Serious Problem."

    Dorothy's personal philosophy includes two major beliefs:
  • What you do for family and friends, you do for love, but what you do for others helps pay the rent for the space you occupy on this earth.
  • The secret to happiness is finding something you love or hate with a passion and then doing something about it.


    The Millers express their appreciation for their many blessings by supporting education for young people through scholarships in home economics and animal science at the University of Texas, Oregon State University, University of Missouri, Berea College and Southeast Missouri State University and through Keep Brazos Beautiful Youth Awards.

    Mrs. Miller has the added joy that comes from her "ready-made family" of forty-four years. She has three children, eight grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren she aims to inspire with a rewarding life for their many years to come.

Back
Human Ecology