Process and Progress through the Liberal Arts - Hartwick College

Volunteer Spotlight
The Irresistible
and Irrepressible
Neal Miller ’72
Neal ’72 and Mary Sapienza ’73 Miller at their oneonta home.
Urged to name his favorite way to volunteer for Hartwick, Neal Miller ’72 cites
his latest—meeting incoming first year students and their families. Neal and his
wife, Mary Sapienza Miller ’73, joined numerous student orientation sessions this
summer, talking with families and getting to know the new students.
“All the committee work I do is fine and, yes, I know it’s important,” he says, “but
interacting with students is the best. We like seeing students all the time.”
The couple now lives on the edge of campus, literally at the bottom of the Hill. They
enjoy ready access to College events, are planning to host alumni gatherings at their
home, and generously housed a Hartwick basketball player for the academic year
(Josefine Vincents ’15 of Denmark).
A former ’Wick basketball star himself, Neal lends a strong presence to everything
he does. He’s regularly drafted to serve as Master of Ceremonies for the Athletics
Hall of Fame banquet, participates in conferring Alumni Awards during
Homecoming, and welcomes the newest alumni during Commencement exercises
(bringing the graduates to the defining moment of ringing their Hartwick replica
bells).
His ready smile, deep laugh, and even deeper commitment to Hartwick College
make Neal Miller irresistible. He demonstrates leadership in ways large and small;
currently serving as President of the Alumni Association and a member of the
Citizens Board Executive Council, he also helped found the Coaches Club, serves
on the Planned Giving Advisory Council, and is a member of the Kellogg Society.
“Hartwick and I go back a long way,” Neal says, reflecting on his 44-year association
with the College. “I’ve tried to do whatever I’ve been asked to do. I don’t think I’ve
ever said ‘no’ to Hartwick. I’m passionate about it.
“Hartwick gave me my start,” he adds, noting that it’s where he landed his first job
(in admissions) and where he met his future wife. (As Neal tells it, the two became
a couple soon after he helped Mary move into the third floor of Saxton Hall her
freshman year.) Following her graduation they decided to “put down roots” in the
area and built successful careers—she as an English teacher in the Unatego School
District and now an adjunct professor at Hartwick, he as an entrepreneur in the
financial services industry. In a satisfying turn of events, their two children are back
in the area—Nate works for his father and Cassandra is on Hartwick’s marketing
staff.
Neal and Mary are 15-year consecutive donors to their alma mater, supporting
everything from Wick Athletics to the Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
Endowed Fund. He has made planned gifts to the College in the form of two life
insurance policies.
“The economic growth of Hartwick is important,” Neal says. “We’re not like other
schools; the opportunities we have here are special. Every student should have the
chance to go on J Term; we need to help with scholarships so families can afford
Hartwick for their children.
“I am loyal to this school,” he says in a clear understatement, “and I want all
alumni to feel that way, too. Mary and I plan to continue to be there for Hartwick,
contributing financially and bringing our time and energy in any way we can.”
“Hartwick has a great future and I want to be a part of it.”
48 | The Wick | Summer 2012