Let's Get to Know Thomas E. Miller

Thomas E. Miller

You ever wondered who Miller Hall was named after of?

Thomas E. Miller, the first president of the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina (now South Carolina State University).

Born in 1849 in Ferrebeeville, SC. Although Miller had a very fair complexion, he identified as black. Rumor has it he was born to an unmarried couple but was raised by a black couple in Charleston. He attended schools in Charleston for free black children.

Miller was active in Republican politics. He represented Beaufort in the SC house and senate from 1874 to 1882. He briefly served in U.S. Congress in 1890, after a prolonged dispute involving the 1888 election. Miller was also a lawyer.

In 1896, Miller became the president of the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of SC.

Even though Miller was president, he was not the free leader of the black institution. Major and several minor decisions were made by the all-white board of trustees.

According to the university’s archivist, Avery Daniels, Miller was forced out as the school’s president. “He kind of went against the governor at the time dealing with the elections,” said Daniels.

Coleman L. Blease

The governor at the time, Coleman L. Blease, was the most driven opponent against black people. He believed the education of black youth was a waste of money.

“Instead of making an educated Negro, you are ruining a good plow hand and making a half-trained fool,” said Blease.

In 1902, the legislature elected Blease to serve a six-year term on the college board of trustees, before becoming governor after three attempts.

Miller violated his own advice that black men steer clear of politics when he publicly opposed Blease. After winning the election, one of Blease first acts was to appear at a board of trustees meeting to demand Miller’s resignation for ‘pernicious political activity.’

“I am guilty of having begged the voters not to vote for you,” said Miller, in reference to Blease. He was almost eagerly accommodated the governor announcing that principle took precedence over presidency.  

Before ending his 15-year tenure as the college president, he spoke to Blease directly and stated, “Honored Sir, I have never slandered you for there was no malice in my opposition to you. I felt your announced policy against the Negro was not founded upon justice and the best interest of the state, and for that reason I tried to bring about your defeat.”

After leaving the university, Miller returned to Charleston and took can active role in community affairs.

Miller died on April 8, 1938. He summed up his legacy with the state he had engraved on his tombstone, “I served God and all the people loving the white man not less, but the Negro needed me most.

Photo taken by: Mr. Harwood

This story is part of a three-part series, read the other stories; What Happened to Miller Hall and Behind The Archive's Director, Avery Daniels.

What Happened to Miller Hall?

Photo taken by: Mr. Harwood

If you were ever looking at Miller Hall from the outside, it looks like an open and active building, however you would be wrong. 

Miller Hall, originally a dormitory for male students was built in 1938.

The dormitory was name after the first president of the university (at the time known as the Colored Normal Industrial Agricultural and Mechanical College of South Carolina), Thomas E. Miller. According to SC State’s archivist director, Avery Daniels, Miller Hall was one of the first buildings not named after a board member.

If you went on campus from 1938 to the late 1990’s, you would have seen Miller Hall as an active dormitory for on-campus students. Miller Hall was eventually turned into a women’s dormitory until it closed.

Former Miller Hall residents

Go on campus today, you probably would not notice Miller Hall. Yes, Miller Hall is still standing, and it is in very good condition on the outside. But unfortunately, the dormitory has been inactive for over 10 years.

Today Miller Hall is being used as a storage space for the university. If you were to go inside Miller Hall today, you will see paint peeling off the walls, boxes stacked high, and furniture that’s in the other dorms around campus.

The inside of Miller Hall, today.

Miller Hall is a historical building and the university should treat it as such. If the inside of Miller Hall would have been preserved like the outside of the building maybe it could be reopened as a dormitory or office spaces.

Maybe years from now Miller Hall will be renovated and reopened.

This story is part of a three-part series, read the other stories; Lets Get to Know Thomas E. Miller and Behind The Archive's Director, Avery Daniels.