Miller strives for new heights

The door opened and closed while students addressed questions and concerns. Polite knocks rapped on the door, and heads peaked in to the Office of the Student Government Association President Virgil Miller and Vice President Keneshia Grant.

While walking in at 3:30 p.m., Miller said you’re right on time, as he dotted the I’s and crossed the T’s on his agenda. From answering messages to eliminating problems, Miller’s time appears to be consumed.

Miller is the SGA President for the 2004-2005 academic school year. The graduate student is working toward a master’s in public health and, ultimately, plans on going to medical school.

“I always strive for the highest level of achievement,” Miller said.

Miller, 23, started at Florida A&M University in the fall of 1999 and graduated in the spring of 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology/pre-med. The SGA President, who currently has a grade point average of 3.67, is scheduled to graduate in the spring of 2005.

Before Miller was involved with SGA, he was in the Marching “100.”

He became a drum major in 2001.

“It was challenging, but also rewarding,” Miller recalled about his time in the band.

Miller said he became involved with FAMU’s SGA during his senior year in undergrad.

In his last academic year, he competed for, and won, the position of SGA vice president, under “The Blueprint” administration.

Miller said he thanks the FAMU student body for its continued support.

Miller is a part of several other organizations other than SGA.

He is a member of the White and Gold Honor Society, the FAMU chapter of NAACP, the Alpha Xi of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity Inc., and Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society.

Miller’s University and community involvement in such organizations make him known to many students throughout campus.

“We met at a National Urban League Convention in Texas about 7 years ago,” Y’Desha Alsup, a graduate student working toward a Master’s of Applied Social Science.

She said her first impression of Miller was “he must be outgoing” because he had a high-ranking position within the National Urban League.

Alsup said she thinks they voted him into his current office because they were able to see his sincerity and dedicated leadership from the previous year as vice president.

In between classes and meetings, including board of trustee meetings, where he serves as a trustee, Alsup said Miller still has time to devote to academics.

“He is very studious, and he has shown that because he has [had] well over an average grade point average since his undergraduate matriculation, and he continues to do that through his graduate experience,” Alsup said.

“He is my line brother. I was No. 32 and Virgil was No. 31,” Ranaldo Allen said.

Allen had no problem giving his personal opinion of his fraternity brother.

He said Miller is self-motivated and wants to have a positive impact on the community and everyone he comes in contact with.

Contact Anthony S. Ray Jr. at aj4_21@hotmail.com.