Robert Miller, the first person hired to begin an urban forestry program in the College of Natural Resources (CNR) at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, will retire this summer.

Miller has seen the growth and evolution of the CNR since joining the faculty in 1973. With the college less than two years in existence, Dean Daniel Trainer hired Miller to develop an urban forestry curriculum. Beginning as an instructor in the college, by 1984 he was forestry program coordinator overseeing all curriculum and faculty development within the discipline.

Miller has enjoyed the freedom to develop an urban forestry curriculum as well as continue his research throughout the years. "My colleagues have been wonderful. I have been grateful for the latitude encouraged by my superiors over the years to develop an urban forestry curriculum while allowing me also to continue my research," said Miller. "As much as anyone, I will miss the great students, both now and in the past, who have come through these doors."

Miller�s career is one of firsts. He began the first student chapter Student Society of Arboriculture at UWSP. The Wisconsin Arborist Association�s Distinguished Service Award was presented to Miller in 1989. A year later, the National Association of Colleges of Agriculture honored him with the Teaching Award of Merit. In 1998 he was the first to receive recognition for excellence in education by the International Society of Arboriculture. Two years later, he was awarded a lifetime membership to the Wisconsin Arborist Association. In 2001 he was given the Award of Merit by the International Society of Arboriculture.

On campus one only need look at all the 1,359 trees on the main campus that comprise about 14 trees per acre. Miller and his students have planted many of these trees over the past 30 years. Twice named Outstanding CNR professor, he has also been honored with the campuswide Excellence in Teaching Award at UWSP.

Miller�s most recent accomplishment is the 2+2 collaboration agreement in urban forestry with MidState Technical College in Wisconsin Rapids. This agreement was signed this past year and is now in force between the two institutions. Students transferring from Mid-State to UWSP will be able to combine a strong technical base with a more extensive curriculum including urban forestry, tree biology, forestry and management. This arrangement provides area students additional employment opportunities in urban forestry and the tree care industry.

It is only fitting that Miller�s last hurrah will be a summer stint at Treehaven, the CNR field station near Tomahawk. "It did not take me long to see how field experience for CNR students remains a key component in making the undergraduate experience one of the finest in the nation," said Miller.

Bob and his wife, Marlene, have already purchased their dream retirement home along the coast of North Carolina. If not catching blue crabs or shrimp along their backyard, they can likely be found on their 28-foot sailboat cruising the Atlantic coastline.

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