James W. Miller
James W. Miller, January 2000
Model of the Miller Center, August 1994
Miller Center construction, 1998-2000
Model of the Miller Center, August 1994
Miller Center reading court, April 2001
Biography
James W. Miller has lived in the St. Cloud area his entire life. He started Miller Construction Company in 1955 as a fourth generation builder. Miller served residential and agricultural clients until 1962, when the business expanded to support commercial and industrial clients. He used the Total Design/Build model to act as both architect and contractor. In 1964, he opened a home improvement company that was later sold to Menards. In the 1970s and 1980s, Miller was also involved with real estate, motel, and financial service businesses in the St. Cloud area.
In 1990, he sold the construction company to his sons, Dan and Tim, who operate Miller Architect and Builders in 13 states. His daughter and son-in-law also own and operate the Miller Carlin Funeral Home in the St. Cloud area. Three of James Miller's four children and their spouses graduated from St. Cloud State University. Miller also credited St. Cloud State for providing his businesses with an educated workforce. In 1999, he donated money to create a scholarship for faculty professional development, the Miller Scholars fund, and a library technology endowment.
James W. Miller Learning Resources Center (2000)
The James W. Miller Learning Resources Center opened in September 2000. Designed by Leonard Parker and Associates and built by the Donlar Construction Company, the Miller Center has 235,000 square feet of space, seats 2,400 people, and has a capacity for 650,000 books. It also includes office space, classrooms, a coffee shop, computer labs, and houses University Archives. It is home to University Library and Information Technology Services.
The building was dedicated on October 21, 2000. Author Ray Bradbury spoke at the dedication.
For more information, see the individual profiles for Miller Center on the University Archives’ website.