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H. R. No. 99 *HR26/R2702* ~ OFFICIAL ~ N1/2
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To: Rules
MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE REGULAR SESSION 2026
By: Representatives McLean, Boyd (37th),
Karriem
HOUSE RESOLUTION NO. 99
A RESOLUTION COMMENDING MRS. NORA ROBERTS MILLER, CPA, FOR 1
HER DISTINGUISHED SERVICE AS PRESIDENT OF MISSISSIPPI UNIVERSITY 2
FOR WOMEN AND FOR HER CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIGHER EDUCATION IN THE 3
STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. 4
WHEREAS, Mrs. Nora Roberts Miller, CPA, has devoted her 5
career to public service and higher education in the State of 6
Mississippi and has provided steady and effective leadership to 7
Mississippi University for Women, known as The W, serving as the 8
institution's 15th president and the first alumna to lead her alma 9
mater; and 10
WHEREAS, established by an act of the Mississippi Legislature 11
on March 12, 1884, The W holds a distinctive place in American 12
higher education as the first publicly funded college for women in 13
the United States, expanding educational opportunity and 14
leadership development for generations of students; and 15
WHEREAS, The W has remained faithful to its historic mission 16
under the leadership of Mrs. Miller and has strengthened its role 17
as a public university committed to opportunity, academic 18
excellence and service to the people of Mississippi; and 19
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WHEREAS, after earning bachelor's degrees in accounting and 20
business administration from The W, Mrs. Miller received a 21
master's degree in business administration from Mississippi State 22
University, and she is a Certified Public Accountant licensed by 23
the Mississippi State Board of Public Accountancy; and 24
WHEREAS, Mrs. Miller began her career in public service in 25
the State of Mississippi Office of the State Auditor and later 26
served with the Board of Trustees of State Institutions of Higher 27
Learning, assisting in the coordination and analysis of budget 28
requests for the state's public universities submitted to the 29
Mississippi Legislature; and 30
WHEREAS, upon returning to The W in 2001 to serve as Vice 31
President for Finance and Administration, and later as Senior Vice 32
President for Finance and Administration, Mrs. Miller excelled in 33
her role, providing outstanding leadership in fiscal management, 34
strategic planning and campus operations for 17 years before being 35
appointed as president in 2018; and 36
WHEREAS, throughout her career, Mrs. Miller has demonstrated 37
a deep commitment to public higher education, responsible 38
stewardship of public resources, and the enduring mission of The 39
W, and during her time serving at the helm of university 40
leadership, The W has strengthened its academic mission and 41
statewide impact while maintaining a clear focus on student 42
success, affordability and workforce preparation; and 43
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WHEREAS, The W launched its first comprehensive capital 44
campaign under Mrs. Miller's direction and ultimately surpassed 45
its original goal to raise more than $25,000,000 to support 46
students, academic programs and campus improvements; and 47
WHEREAS, the university has also expanded academic programs 48
aligned with Mississippi's workforce needs and earned national 49
recognition for program excellence, including nursing programs 50
ranked among the top four percent in the nation; and 51
WHEREAS, according to Federal College Scorecard data, 52
graduates of The W who received Title IV federal aid earn 53
approximately $63,197 four years after graduation - the highest 54
among Mississippi's public universities - while carrying the 55
lowest median federal student loan debt in the state at a rate of 56
$15,000; and 57
WHEREAS, national rankings continue to recognize the 58
university's impact and mission, including its national ranking as 59
No. 14 among America's Best Colleges for Women, highlighting The 60
W's leadership among mission-driven institutions across the 61
country; and 62
WHEREAS, in its steadfast commitment to demonstrating strong 63
outcomes for students and the state, The W leads Mississippi's 64
public universities in degree completion and produces graduates 65
who remain in Mississippi to serve in critical professions, 66
including education, health care and public service; and 67
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WHEREAS, the university plays an important role in 68
strengthening Mississippi's workforce and economy, preparing 69
graduates for careers in fields essential to the state's future 70
while generating more than $215,000,000 in statewide economic 71
impact each year; and 72
WHEREAS, as Mississippi University for Women approaches more 73
than 140 years of service to the State of Mississippi, the 74
university celebrates those who have led it to such great success, 75
and under the leadership of Mrs. Miller and her impressive efforts 76
to strengthen and advance the institution's historic mission, The 77
W continues to expand opportunity, develop leaders, and serve the 78
people of this state, prepared for its role in shaping future 79
generations for many years to come; and 80
WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to 81
recognize and commend outstanding Mississippians, especially those 82
such as Mrs. Nora Roberts Miller, whose years of dedicated service 83
and impeccable leadership at The W has greatly enriched her 84
community and her beloved university, bringing honor to the City 85
of Columbus and the entire State of Mississippi: 86
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF 87
REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby 88
commend Mrs. Nora Roberts Miller for her distinguished service as 89
President of Mississippi University for Women and for her 90
contributions to higher education in the State of Mississippi, and 91
wish her continued success in all her future endeavors. 92
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ST: Nora Roberts Miller; commend for service to
the state as President of Mississippi University
for Women.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be 93
furnished to Mrs. Nora Roberts Miller and to the members of the 94
Capitol Press Corps. 95