Emory Report

January 20, 1998

 Volume 50, No. 17

Georgia Gov. Zell Miller will join Emory faculty in a year

Georgia Gov. Zell Miller will become Presidential Distinguished Fellow in History and Political Science at Emory, effective January 1999. The appointment is initially for three years. Miller was invited to join the Emory faculty because of his previous teaching experience here in the late 1970s. He taught at Emory for three years-one course with William Rand Kenan Jr. University Professor Dan T. Carter and another on state politics.

In his letter of invitation to Miller, President Bill Chace wrote, "Your longstanding commitment to education as both a teacher and a public servant has provided inspired leadership to the people of Georgia and the nation. My faculty colleagues and I believe that you will make significant contributions to the campus community and we are delighted by the prospect of offering our students the opportunity to work with you."

In his role as a distinguished fellow, Miller will teach a small undergraduate seminar on the politics of the South each spring semester. He also will give an annual public lecture and meet occasionally with graduate students writing their dissertations in Emory's Mellon Southern Studies Program.

"This is a significant appointment since Gov. Miller is known nationally as one of the real progressive leaders in educational policy," said Steve Sanderson, dean of Emory College. "It will be great for Emory to have one of the leading public policy figures in the nation on its faculty."

Miller's former teaching colleague, Dan Carter, has high praise for his teaching ability. "Zell Miller has been a committed teacher since his days in the classroom at Young Harris College," said Carter. "As a distinguished fellow, he will offer Emory's students and faculty the benefits of his deep understanding of American politics and issues of public policy. Because of his longtime interest in the politics, history and culture of the American South, he will add particularly strength to Emory's longstanding commitment to Southern studies."

Faculty colleague Thomas Walker, professor and chair of political science, is also delighted Miller will be returning to the Emory classroom. "His long experience in Georgia government will add a special dimension to our already strong curriculum in Southern politics," Walker said. "We look forward to the knowledge and insights he will provide our students."

Miller will also join the faculty of Young Harris College, part-time, beginning next year.

-Jan Gleason


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