After a long, distinguished life and career of leadership and selfless service, Texas A&M University’s former president Dr. Jarvis E. Miller ‘50 passed away on June 21 at the age of 96.
Miller was the 18th president of Texas A&M, serving from Aug. 1, 1977, to July 10, 1980, but his time at the university began much earlier. Hailing from Orange Grove, Texas, with a long line of Aggie relatives before him, he completed his undergraduate degree at the formerly named Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, earning his Bachelor of Science in agricultural economics in 1950. His degree path was inspired by his childhood spent on a working ranch, and it would help pave the way for his future career.
While at Texas A&M, Miller was involved in the Corps of Cadets and was a Cadet Major on Air Force Battalion Staff, as well as a Ross Volunteer. In fact, he and a fellow student worked together to design the iconic red sash worn by Ross Volunteers to this day. Outside of the Corps, he also served as a Town Hall manager, president of the YMCA and head of the YMCA Cabinet, and received the Hillel Award.
After his time as a student at Texas A&M, he received both his master’s and Ph.D. in agricultural economics from Purdue University. He went on to serve the nation in the U.S. Air Force before returning to Texas A&M as an assistant professor in the Department of Agricultural Economics, and then moving up to associate professor. While back at his alma mater, he continued to climb the ranks, moving up to associate professor before joining the U.S. Agency for International Development to serve in a leading role for Texas A&M’s foreign agricultural assistance contracts.
Through this position, Miller embarked on missions to Argentina and the Dominican Republic, helping establish research and learning institutions for agricultural progress in partnership with Texas A&M. Notably, he helped establish Argentina as a leader in soybean production, a distinction it still holds today. He was also instrumental in advancing education in the Dominican Republic, specifically starting a cohort called “the One Hundred Aggies.” This was a group of promising, motivated young people from the Dominican Republic whom he recruited to earn agricultural degrees from Texas A&M and bring their skills home to help advance the prominence of agriculture in their country.
Back at the College Station campus, he moved from associate professor to assistant director of the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station (TAES), to associate director of TAES, then to director. During his time with the agency, he proved his leadership capabilities as he guided it through agricultural research advancements, significantly expanded funding and increased communication with the public.
Miller was extremely proud of the progress made by TAES, which helped lead to the establishment of cotton farming in West Texas, which was previously thought impossible, and the cultivation of new types of sorghum that could be grown in a wider variety of climates. He also helped spur the “Green Revolution,” an international boom in rice production, which greatly helped reduce hunger around the world.
In 1977, Miller became the president of Texas A&M, reflecting his dedication to leading and serving the school that he loved. He was the third Aggie to take on this role. Throughout his time as president, the university saw the addition of many women’s residence halls, an expansion of the Sterling C. Evans Library, a third deck built onto Kyle Field and added acreage to the Parsons Mounted Cavalry’s Fiddler’s Green. Motivated by his international expertise, he also started research programs in the Middle East, Africa and Central America, and his involvement in the private sector opened the doors to the establishment of the Center for Education and Research in Free Enterprise and a Medical Education Program.
However, perhaps one of his most impactful recognitions was his unofficial title of the “students’ president.” He had a knack for connecting with students in one-on-one interactions throughout campus, and he always made it known that he cared for them both personally and academically. Many years later, former students during Miller’s presidency would recall how they were touched by his devotion to their success.
He served as the university’s president until 1980, when he was called upon by the Texas Governor at the time, Bill Clements, to take on the role of director of the Budget and Planning Office and to lead Clements’ “Texas 2000” planning effort.
During his time at Texas A&M, Miller also found success with organizations outside of his roles with TAES and as president. He earned the title of Outstanding Alumnus of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and Distinguished Alumni by The Association of Former Students, and was inducted into the Department of Agricultural Economics’ Tyrus R. Timm Honor Registry and the Corps of Cadets Hall of Honor. He served as a vice president of the Sul Ross Group and was a Class Agent for the Class of ‘50, as well as a member of The Association’s Endowed Century Club.
Miller spent 25 years working at Texas A&M, but his devotion to the university lasted throughout his entire life. He embodied the Aggie Spirit, living a life of service to the state, the nation and the world.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Alma, and is survived by four daughters, seven grandchildren and one great-grandson. He will be laid to rest in the Aggie Field of Honor, located near Texas A&M’s main campus adjacent to Easterwood Airport.
Read Miller’s full obituary.
