William E. and Emily J. Miller Memorial Fund

William E. Miller graduated from the University of Wichita in 1940 with a degree in business administration, but had been introduced to speech therapy by Dr. Martin Palmer. After serving in the Army during World War II, he earned his master’s in communicative disorders and science, also from WU. He had become interested in the field of audiology and hearing rehabilitation while giving speech therapy to hearing-damaged soldiers at Ft. Sill after returning from Europe. In 1950, he was awarded the country’s fifth doctorate degree in audiology from Northwestern University.

One of the country’s first specialists in hearing problems, he also was a member of the faculty of WSU. Considered the ‘ear doctor he helped literally thousands of people regain their hearing or learn to compensate for the loss through his skill and concern. Dr. Miller had begun sessions assisting the elderly with hearing problems at the Wichita Senior Citizens Center when diagnosed with cancer. Dr. Miller died in 1984, but his legacy of helping others continues through this memorial fund established that year by his wife, Emily. The fund supports the purchasing of audiology texts and materials for the Department of Communicative Disorders and Sciences.