Administrative Policy Records of the University of Florida Office of the President (J. Hillis Miller)

J. Hillis Miller, fourth president of the University of Florida, was born August 29, 1899 in Front Royal, Virginia. He attended the Randolph-Macon Academy before entering the University of Richmond where he received his A.B. in 1924. Miller did his graduate work in psychology at the University of Virginia (A.M. 1928) and Columbia University (Ph.D. 1933). He specialized in counseling and personnel administration. From 1925 to 1928, he was an instructor in Psychology at William and Mary. In 1930, he joined Bucknell University as Dean of Freshmen and Assistant Professor of Psychology. In 1933 he was promoted to Dean of Students. From 1935 to 1941, Miller was President of Keuka College before being appointed Associate Commissioner of Education for the State of New York.

Miller's selection as President of the University of Florida came in 1947. The postwar enrollment boom was in full swing and the University was experiencing its first year as a coeducational institution. His primary efforts were in the area of building construction and staff development. A $15,000,000 building program was undertaken and many existing academic programs were expanded. During his brief administration, ten doctoral degree programs were added. He was also instrumental in the development of the medical colleges.

Miller died unexpectedly on November 14, 1953. Vice President John S. Allen served as acting president until the appointment of J. Wayne Reitz. In 1959, the J. Hillis Miller Health Center was dedicated in memory of his work to establish Florida's first medical school.