“I danced through college:” OHIO alumnus celebrates his 100th birthday

Shortly after OHIO’s E.W Scripps School of Journalism celebrated 100 years of journalism education at OHIO, one of the program’s graduates carried on with the centennial festivities.  

On February 7, Paul Miller (BSJ ‘47) celebrated his 100th birthday.  

In an interview about his time at OHIO, Miller reminisced about his favorite spots on campus, the leadership positions he held on various University publications, and how OHIO prepared him for a successful career in journalism.

Miller recalled spending time with friends in a place he called “the lounge” when he was a student.

“We would get in there, relax, and get up and dance a little bit,” he said. “I think I danced through college. It was with a variety of people. There were a group of us that frequently would show up at the same time and we would do a little dancing and just have a nice time together.”

Miller said he knew he wanted to go into journalism from the beginning, and OHIO’s renowned journalism program was a factor in his decision to attend. 

“I was happy with the choice of the school for journalism. I had been told it was a good school, I had not been there before, but a friend of mine and I came down before school before the fall semester started and we both liked what we saw, and we both enrolled. So, I went back, and stayed solid till I finished.”

While at OHIO, Miller was an editor for several long-standing student news outlets including The Post and the Athena yearbook.  

“The first semester I was there, I applied for, and was named sports editor over The Post. And at the end of the semester, I had to drop it because my studies were catching up with me.” Miller said.

He was active on campus, as a member of the Phi Kappa Tau fraternity. He maintained relationships with a few of his fraternity brothers over the years and has even become neighbors with one of them: his “little brother” from their days on campus.

“We both enjoyed it [at OHIO], and we’re still friends.”

After graduating, Miller pursued a career in journalism, working for the Canton Repository, the Akron Beacon Journal, and as the editor of the Marion Star for 10 years.  

Miller explained that he had not been back to visit campus since the few trips he took after graduation, and that even in that short period of time, it had been different than he remembered.

“Everything has changed so much,” Miller said. “It’s bigger.”

Miller says he enjoys talking about his days at OHIO and the relationships he formed here. And while he enjoyed his career in journalism, he is glad to be retired.  

“I got a good education, and I was happy with my career, and that’s what I went to OU for,” he said. “As I look back, I’m glad I’m retired now and at rest, but I enjoyed it all.”  

Miller has three children, seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. His story reflects the lasting effect OHIO has on its graduates and the lifelong pride in being a Bobcat.