The William and Helen Miller Endowed Scholarship

William and Helen Miller had a profound belief in the power of education. Although they themselves never had the opportunity to further their education, Marilyn’s father was a successful small businessman. He embodied the spirit of entrepreneurialism,long before the word was in vogue. With Marilyn’s mother as the backbone of the family, William and Helen taught their only child the value of hard work and motivation. So, too, did they inspire and encourage Marilyn to dream big and fostered in her a passion for learning, one which she and her husband, Fred, shared throughout their 45-year marriage. Marilyn Miller met Fred Pula while both were pursuing their doctoral studies at Boston University. Their attraction was readily evident and their keen interests in education, travel, and one another was a perfect match. Both enjoyed storied careers in higher education; Marilyn, a retired professor who developed the Instructional Design Program at UMass Boston and Fred as an associate professor emeritus at Boston College. Fred and Marilyn freely and generously shared their vast knowledge with their students, enlightening and enriching their lives. Reflective in their golden years, Marilyn and Fred decided to honor Marilyn’s parents who were so gracious and supportive as Marilyn attained advanced degrees. In an effort to honor William and Helen’s legacies, Fred and Marilyn chose to encourage, inspire, and support a student who exhibits the spirit of entrepreneurialism, creativity, and a commitment to excel. “This is a way of giving back while paying tribute to my father and mother,” said Marilyn, who passed away in May 2019. The William and Helen Miller Endowed Scholarship, is the second endowment of Drs. Fred and Marilyn Miller Pula. To honor Marilyn’s beloved childhood friend, Worcester State University Professor Emerita Mary Cosgrove Dolphin, M.Ed. ’57, who was a popular art professor at Worcester State for more than 30 years, the Pula’s bequeathed a signature gift in 2013 to name the art gallery at Worcester State University, the Mary Cosgrove Dolphin Gallery. “Imagine! Through the power of family and friendship, my mother and father’s inspiration, entrepreneurialism, and creativity will live on and so, too, will Mary Cosgrove Dolphin’s,” said Marilyn.