In August 1975, David Miller took a leap of faith.
After a career that spanned the U.S. Navy, Eli Lilly, and his own entrepreneurial ventures, he found himself facing an unexpected question: Would he consider teaching a business class at Fullerton College?
“I had never even considered being on the other side of the desk,” Miller recalls. “But I saw it as an opportunity — and I was willing to risk failure without any idea of the rewards that might come if I succeeded.”
That leap turned into a legacy.
This spring, the Business Division came together to celebrate Professor David Miller’s retirement after 50 years of service — a milestone few educators reach. What began with one or two night classes while working full-time eventually became a second full-time career after his professional retirement in 2006. Moving into daytime teaching gave him a new challenge, one he embraced wholeheartedly. “How quickly 30 years became 50,” he mused.
But Miller’s impact extends far beyond time. Throughout his decades at Fullerton College, he’s been a mentor, a motivator, and a model of integrity. His teachings, both in and out of the classroom, left indelible marks on thousands of students — many of whom carried his lessons into careers of their own.
In reflecting on his journey, Miller shared six guiding principles he often impressed upon his students:
1. Recognize opportunities — they’re everywhere. Don’t let fear of failure write your story.
2. Don’t equate happiness with status, money, or titles. Seeing a student succeed — like The Little Engine That Could — is its own reward.
3. Build character and trust as much as knowledge. Academic success can come and go, but character endures.
4. Seek wisdom, not just intelligence. A wise source may offer what a smart one can’t.
5. Every reward requires sacrifice — but not every sacrifice yields reward. Our reactions to rejection and failure shape our future actions.
6. Look forward more than back. Like a car’s rearview mirror, the past is useful only for reflection — the windshield ahead shows the real journey.
Professor Miller closes his reflection with gratitude:
“I’ve been blessed to witness lives change, to smile at surprise successes, and to watch students stumble, get up, and keep going. That risk I took in 1975 turned out to be one of the best decisions of my life.”
As Fullerton College bids farewell to David Miller, we don’t just celebrate his retirement — we honor a legacy of courage, wisdom, and an unwavering belief in the power of opportunity.
Congratulations, Professor Miller — and thank you for shaping 50 years of Hornet success.