On Jan. 11, 2016 an email from the President’s Office went out to the Gustavus community announcing the death of Stacie Miller on Jan. 10, 2016.

Stacie Miller became a part of the Gustavus staff in 2011 as an administrative assistant for the Department of Communication Studies and History.

Two years later, she transferred over to Olin Hall and become the administrative assistant in both the Department of Math, Computer Science, Statistics and the Department of Physics.

Professor Greg Kaster, from the Department of History and Gender, Women and Sexuality Studies, had daily interactions with Miller as his desk was kitty corner from hers while she was working in Beck Hall.

“Stacie was engaged with life. She was curious about the world, interested in history and extremely competent,” Kaster said. “Stacie was a delightful, wonderful and funny person.”

“Stacie… had a wonderful laugh which I could sometimes hear in my office down the hall.”
— Prof. Wittenstein

Miller was interested in continuing her education and reading. She loved receiving suggestions about what to read and discussing what she was currently reading with her colleagues.

“Stacie didn’t go to Gustavus, but she was the kind of person you want as a Gustavus alumnus,” Professor Kaster said.

Professor Kaster also mentioned Miller’s comittment to her son Tate, as did Professor Mike Hvidsten of the Math Department and Professor Kate Wittenstein of the History Department.

“Stacie had an extremely strong devotion to her son, Tate. Everybody knew she was devoted to him and he was a huge part of her life,” Professor Wittenstein said.

Professor Wittenstein remembers many times when she would request materials for a class such as a book chapter or article to be copied. Miller would question her extensively about the material and then make an extra copy for herself to take home and read.

“Stacie loved to read, she had started her own book club with some former co-workers,” Professor Hvidsten said. “Her mom told me she had about a thousand books in her living room, she probably read them all.”

Along with her eagerness to continue learning, Miller will be remembered for her bright personality.

“Stacie had a great sense of humor and a wonderful laugh which I could sometimes hear in my office down the hall,” Professor Wittenstein said.

Miller was described by her colleagues as a positive, optimistic person who was very curious and intellectually sharp. She made a strong effort to exercise both her mind and her body.

“She was always warm and had fans going in her office even during the winter,” Professor Hvidsten said. “She always had a great big jar of water and she was a real exercise enthusiast, she’d go over to Lund and exercise every day.”

Communications professor Lelia Brammer described Miller as being very easy to work with and full of joy.

“Stacie reflects the mission of a liberal arts college,” Professor Brammer said. “She also had principles by which she lived her life and I really admire her courage for standing up for those principles.”

“Stacie didn’t go to Gustavus but she was the kind of person you want as a Gustavus alumnus”
— Professor Kaster

“Anyone who knew Miller knew she was a wonderful person, full of life and curiosity. We will miss her a great deal,” Kaster said.