Matthew D. Miller

Matthew D. Miller “Matthew loved his family, his friends, and his colleagues… and we loved him.” We mourn the loss of Matthew D. Miller, who died on January 23, 2016. At the time of his death, Matthew was the Headmaster of Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, Indiana. Matthew was a visionary leader, colleague and friend. He sought to understand an increasingly complex world and then help define the rules of navigation. He encouraged those around him to have a wide lens and a deep focus, to empower today’s learners for tomorrow’s world. Matthew regularly attended The Aspen Ideas Institute, the nation’s premier public gathering place for multi-disciplinary leaders from around the world, to engage in deep and inquisitive discussions of ideas and issues that shape and challenge our times. At Park Tudor School, Matthew developed the school’s Master and Strategic plans, roadmaps for the future of the school. He believed in engagement with the broader community – “learning to serve and serving to learn,” “taking big steps forward, with a smaller footprint.” While always looking ahead, Matthew insisted on living today with Integrity, Intellectual Engagement, Resourcefulness, Respect, and Responsibility. Matthew was a quintessential educator. Matthew’s intellectual prowess and charming personality would have allowed him to succeed in almost any endeavor, but he believed to his core in, and committed his professional life to, teaching and learning. Prior to joining the Park Tudor community as Head of School in 2011, Matthew served as Assistant Head of School at Isidore Newman School, a college preparatory school in New Orleans. Prior to the Newman school, he worked for more than a decade at The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey. He sought to understand and improve the learning process for students. He was a committed member and energetic participant in The Independent Schools Association of the Central States (ISACS), a membership organization of more than 230 independent schools from 13 states of the Midwest region. He regularly attended ISACS conferences, such as “New Paradigms in Leading & Learning”, and “Doing Designing, Connecting, & Thinking”, and he served as a lead evaluator as part of ISACS peer review accreditation services. Matthew was an academic. He held Bachelor’s degrees in Greek, Latin, and Hebrew from Dickenson College, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa and Summa Cum Laude. He held Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Greek and Latin literature, history, and philosophy from Oxford University. He held a Master’s degree in Ancient History and Mediterranean Archeology from the University of California, Berkeley. And, he held a Doctorate in Education Leadership and Management from the University of Pennsylvania, where his research focused on civic engagement in (independent) schools. Matthew was born on September 10, 1969, in York, Pennsylvania, to Susan Smith Miller and David Miller. He grew up in the small town of Red Lion, Pennsylvania, where he spent summers working at Raab’s Fruit Farm, and played tennis at every opportunity. Tennis was soon displaced by squash, a game he played and coached with passion. He was especially proud of the three national championships won by The Lawrenceville School under his guidance. Matthew Miller, more than all of his abundant accomplishments, was a husband, a father and a friend. At his core, he was a family man. He loved and cherished his wife Mia, daughter Sophie and son Grayson. He was proud of each of them and all their accomplishments. Matthew viewed his friends and colleagues as family too. He cherished time with others – fun conversation and good food. He loved sports. He loved travel. And, he loved his dog, Pepper. Mathew brought energy and engagement to everything he did and to everyone he was with. Matthew loved, and was loved in return. And, he will be missed. A Celebration of Life will take place Friday at 3:00 pm at Second Presbyterian Church – 7700 N Meridian Street. Matthew will be interred at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church in New Orleans. A memorial trust for the benefit of the children of Matthew and Mia Miller has been established. Contributions may be made in the name of Matthew D Miller Memorial Trust at any First Merchant’s Bank branch or mailed to First Merchant’s Bank at 10333 N Meridian Street, Suite 330, Indianapolis, Indiana 46290 attn. Mike Stewart Arrangements: Indiana Funeral Care