Dr. Mary Miller, professor of biology at Rhodes, was presented the 2024 Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service on Aug. 26 at the college’s Opening Convocation. This is an annual ceremony to mark a new academic session and to recognize the new class.
Established in 1988, the Jameson M. Jones Award for Outstanding Faculty Service recognizes a member of the faculty who exemplifies a deep sense of service to the college’s mission. It is named in memory of Dr. Jameson M. Jones ’36, who served as chief academic officer for more than 15 years.
The letters of nomination that the award committee received commended Miller’s work and described her as a fierce faculty champion, a values-driven leader, and visionary program builder, according to Dr. Timothy Huebner, provost and vice president for academic affairs, who made the presentation.
Miller joined the Department of Biology in 2001, after having earned her undergraduate degree from the University of Tennessee and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia, with an emphasis in genetics, microbiology, and cell biology. Since her arrival, she has chaired major standing committees of the faculty, including the Faculty Governance Committee and the Appeals Committee, and she has served on college-wide task forces to tackle important campus issues, such as the Planning and Priorities Task Force and the Compensation Analysis Task Force. She currently serves as chair of the Department of Biology and is an elected faculty representative on the Board of Trustees.
In her role as department chair, Miller has overseen curricular revisions to the biology major; established the Biology Inclusivity, Diversity, and Equity Committee to ensure that all students have access to STEM research and opportunities; helped establish an endowed fund to support faculty research in the department; chaired numerous search committees to recruit faculty members; and has successfully mentored many faculty through the tenure process.
One of Miller’s most impactful roles has been serving as the college’s liaison to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and overseeing the St. Jude Summer Plus Program. In collaboration with an advisory committee, she reviews applications, selects recipients, pairs approximately 20-25 students per summer with St. Jude labs, and manages housing and stipends for the program. One nominator wrote, “She always wants what’s best for our students.”
Under Miller’s leadership, this important partnership has continued to grow and thrive, and it includes an annual student tour of St. Jude and the Cutting-Edge research seminar series. Most recently, she has helped to create a new professional development, allowing a St. Jude postdoctoral fellow to teach at Rhodes.
Miller is the 2008 recipient of the Clarence Day Award for Outstanding Research and Creative Activity, the college’s highest award for faculty scholarship. As the recipient of the 2024 Jameson M. Jones Award, she joins a distinguished group of faculty who have demonstrated outstanding records of service and leadership to the college.