In memoriam: Michael G. Miller, alumnus from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

Former Virginia Tech Board of Visitors member Michael G. Miller, a graduate of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and an accomplished entrepreneur, passed away on Oct. 11, 2021, from a long-term illness at the age of 68.

Friends and colleagues of Miller remember his unwavering commitment to his alma mater, as well as his highly successful career in real estate.

Miller, who grew up on a family farm in Cumberland County, Virginia, earned his bachelor’s degree in agricultural finance from Virginia Tech in 1976.

“Mike loved Virginia Tech, and he was a strong supporter of the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics,” recalled his longtime friend, Kevin Boyle, professor of Agricultural and Applied Economics. “Mike transferred into AAEC and was always grateful for the warm welcome from the faculty and the practical education he received.”

Miller continued his education at Virginia Commonwealth University where he earned his master’s in business administration. In 1990, he founded Michael G Miller and Associates, along with his wife, Rene. The small, two-person appraisal company, based in Richmond, Virginia, grew into one of the largest independent appraisal firms in the United States and the largest in Virginia. The commercial business was sold in October 2014 to Colliers International Valuation & Advisory Services. MGMiller Valuations – Richmond Residential LLC continues to operate, providing residential services.

At Virginia Tech, Miller served on the Virginia Tech Board of Visitors from 1998-2002 and held leadership roles within the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Alumni Organization. He presented guest lectures for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics and provided employment opportunities for several of the department’s graduates.

“Mike cared greatly about improving opportunities for students,” Boyle said.

Miller co-chaired the department’s Distinguished Chair Fundraising Committee. His generous financial contributions and his Board of Visitors service led to membership in the Ut Prosim and William Preston societies, respectively, and he was recognized as the 2007-2008 Outstanding Alumnus for the Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics.

Miller was also an advocate for Virginia Tech’s first-ever undergraduate real estate program, which launched in 2013. It is now ranked as a top-five undergraduate program in real estate in the country, with close to 400 student majors. For his dedication to and vision and support of this program, Miller received the Industry Exemplary Service Award from the Blackwood Program in Real Estate in 2017.

In recognition of his outstanding service, Miller was inducted into the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Hall of Fame.

Miller is survived by his wife of 30 years, Rene; his daughter, Allison Morris; and two grandchildren, Hailey and Dawson.

A wake for Miller will held on Thursday, Oct. 28, from 4 to 8 p.m. at The Commonwealth Club, 401 W. Franklin St., Richmond, Virginia.