The Legacy of Miller

The Miller Effect Project (“the m.e. project”) was named after James “Miller” Peck. Miller served as a mentor to Dan Isadore, and many others, during his decades of service as a professor at Westminster College in New Wilmington, PA. His brilliance and love of people is what drove him to connect with others, young adults in particular. Even though he was respected by all, status held no appeal for him. He had a way of making you feel like you were the most important person alive. Whatever questions, desires or concerns you had, he would adopt as his own and explore them alongside you. Time and again, his sincere and persistent care would permit young people the space to be who they were, think for themselves, and cherish their lives. In undertaking this work, we are committed to carrying on his legacy.

We shortened “The Miller Effect Project” to “the m.e. project” for three reasons. First, “The Miller Effect Project” is a mouthful; “the m.e. project” has a better ring to it. Second, Miller was never interested in making himself important; his interest was in communicating, in his words and actions, that you were important. In fact, he would sign all of his emails “miller,” all lowercase. This is why we chose all lowercase letters for the name of our organization. And third, when you were with him, it really was all about you: your questions, your desires, your concerns. By the way he treated you, he communicated that your life was the most significant project you could ever be a part of.