Distribution
There will be a minimum of one scholarship awarded per year of at least $5,000 (USD). Monies will be awarded to one or more undergraduate or graduate students enrolled in a fire service or public administration program in either the United States or Canada.
Qualifications
A college or university located in the United States or Canada shall be permitted to nominate no more than two full or part-time bachelors or master's degree candidates in a fire service or public administration program that are currently pursuing a career in the fire service and exhibit the following:
- Completion of at least one academic year of post high school credits
- Scholarship achievement
- Leadership qualities
- Concern for others/volunteerism
Applicants
If nominated by his/her institution, the applicant must complete an application (PDF, 31 KB) and write a letter in English to the committee addressing the qualifications noted above and stating their qualifications/achievements in each of these areas. Applicants must include a legible copy in English of their undergraduate or both undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts. The committee will appreciate a letter of recommendation accompanying each applicant's letter. The application, nominations, applicant's letters, and transcripts must reach the committee no later than April 1. Scholarship awards will be announced by July 1, and distribution of funds on September 1.
About Mr. Miller
George D. Miller, a retired U.S. Air Force Lieutenant General whose military career included critical command responsibility and a superb record as a fighter pilot, was appointed president and chief executive officer of NFPA on March 23, 1992. Upon officially retiring the position at the 2002 World Safety Conference & Exposition, NFPA's board of directors unveiled the George D. Miller Scholarship in tribute to Mr. Miller's exemplary service to the Association.
Mr. Miller also served as chair of the Fire Protection Research Foundation, a facilitator of independent research on fire and building risk and new technologies. Since 1993, he served as chair of the Confederation of Fire Protection Associations International, and he appointed an advisory panel, the NFPA International Advisory Council, which exemplifies his commitment to an expanded global presence of NFPA.
In addition to international outreach, Mr. Miller embraced several other core organizational objectives during his tenure. Included among these is an increased focus on organizational advocacy of residential fire sprinklers, marked by NFPA's role as a founding member of the Home Fire Sprinkler Coalition.
Before joining NFPA, Mr. Miller was president of the Morris Animal Foundation, a Colorado foundation concerned with companion animal health and research. From 1985 through 1987, Mr. Miller served as executive director of the United States Olympic Committee where he supervised revenue raising and was credited with the negotiation of a bilateral agreement with the sports leaders of the Soviet Union and with persuading Fidel Castro to include Cuba's participation in the Pan American Games of 1987.
Mr. Miller retired from the United States Air Force in 1984 as vice commander-in-chief of the Strategic Air Command at Offutt Air Force Base near Omaha, NE. Mr. Miller is the recipient of numerous medals and honors, including the defense distinguished service medal and distinguished flying cross for heroism and 19 air medals.
Born in McKeesport, PA, Mr. Miller holds his bachelor's degree in Science from the U.S. Naval Academy and his master's degree in Aerospace Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.
About the Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund
Since the founding of NFPA in 1896, numerous individuals have taken up its cause of fire safety, and exemplified the spirit of volunteerism. These dedicated fire safety professionals often contributed far beyond the norm because they personally believed in the protection of people, property and the environment from the effects of fire and related hazards.
The NFPA Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund was established in 1992 following the death of John Jablonsky, chair of the Standards Council, former member of the NFPA Board of Directors, and a respected advocate for life and fire safety. Because of his longtime dedication to the NFPA and the cause of fire safety, Mr. Jablonsky was the first person in whose memory donations to the fund were made. The Memorial Fund is administered by a committee appointed by the NFPA Board of Directors.
Scholarships/Gifts for the Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund
When sufficient funds are donated in the name of an individual to be honored, the NFPA Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund Committee will seek to establish an appropriate scholarship or gift that recognizes the contributions of that person.
Memorials/Contributions
NFPA welcomes all contributions to the Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund, whether to honor a friend or family member or to commemorate one of life's milestones. Contributions are tax-deductible. Applications, contributions, and requests for information may be sent to:
NFPA Fire Safety Educational Memorial Fund
Attention: Christine Ellis
1 Batterymarch Park
Quincy, MA 02169-7471
Phone: +1 617 984-7244
Fax: +1 617 984-7110
Recipients
2012 - Daniel Akerman is the recipient of the George D. Miller Scholarship and is currently in the master’s degree program in Strategic Communication and Leadership at the University of West Florida. His professor stated that “he exemplifies outstanding leadership and a commitment to serving others and not only does he do top quality work but inspires the best in others.” Akerman has been a member of the fire service for the past 16 years and is currently a Lieutenant in Escambia County, Florida where he supervises a ladder company and oversees all public education activities for the County. In addition to his fire service activities and schooling, he also volunteers his time to the Boy Scouts of America and as a youth earned his Eagle Scout Award. He believes that this award shaped his life and prepared him for the challenges in his education and career. However, he states his greatest achievement is his wife and two children who have supported him throughout his career.
2011 - Penelope (Penny) Ingeles, Columbia Southern University
2010 - Clayton James, University of Cincinnati
2009 - Beau Stevens, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2008 - Glen Savell, Columbia Southern University, Orange Beach, AL
2007 - Nicholas Eschner, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2006 - Derek Bergsten, University of Northern Illinois, Rockford, IL
2005 - Scott Somers, Arizona State University, Scottsdale, AZ
2004 - Bonnie Bleskachek, Southwest Minnesota State University, Marshall, MN
2003 - Patrick Dunn, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK
2002 - John Moschella, Anna Maria College, Paxton, MA