ISU Makes a Dream Come True

J.D. Miller, an elementary and special education major at ISU learned he had cancer in February of 2008. He went through remission, a relapse, and a stem cell transplant in March of 2009, only to find out the cancer was back and this time it was worse than ever. He was told he had only a few weeks to live. Miller had been taking classes via distance education and substitute teaching in Greencastle when he heard the news. To him, it seemed like his dream would never come true. That's when Indiana State University stepped in. One October morning in 2009, Dean Brad Balch and other faculty from the Bayh College of Education visited Miller in the living room of his home. There he was asked to put on his cap and gown and was presented an honorary bachelor's degree in education. Miller and his family were then presented with a framed diploma on behalf of the university's president, provost, and registrar. "I am excited to be an Indiana State alumnus. This means so much to me," Miller said. ISU also established a scholar in honor of Miller which will be presented to an education junior or senior who has been nominated by the faculty and established him or herself as a leader at Indiana State University.