HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN INVOLVED WITH THE MILLER CENTER?

Shortly after we moved to Charlottesville from rural central Pennsylvania in 1999, I read about these free Friday morning discussions at the Miller Center. I went to one, with former Miller Center director Ken Thompson serving as moderator. The featured speaker would sit among the group, at the head of the large table in the center of the room, and all the guests scattered around. After the presentation, Ken opened the discussion. I went regularly each time I could. So when the Miller Center’s giving society, the Presidential Cabinet, was first started, we decided this was a cause we loved. And we have been members of the Cabinet every year since.

WHY HAVE YOU DECIDED TO REMAIN LOYAL SUPPORTERS?

The opportunity for public presentation and discussion is just so cool! These are folks with fantastic back-grounds and experiences, with research, authorship, expertise. I have been blown away by the opportunity to sit with them and hear various viewpoints. As part of the Presidential Cabinet, we were invited to grand events—dinners, lunches, receptions, tapings, debates, etc.—over the years. These were people and places I had only dreamed about knowing and experiencing.  This had a major impact. We felt like we were part of  the “Miller Center family.”

WHAT ASPECT OF THE MILLER CENTER’S WORK IS MOST IMPORTANT TO YOU?

We’ve always loved public policy. And to be at the heart of the Center’s mission, as observer or participant, means so much. The Center’s research, special projects, presentations, and its role in informing the public and accepting input and analysis, is really vital these days. We are thrilled to be part of the endeavor, even in just a small way.