Don Mills receives national career award
By Laura McFarland
Staff Reporter

For a man expecting to give a speech, Don Mills, vice chancellor for student affairs, suddenly found himself speechless.

As he sat in the staff development meeting, astounded, Mills listened as it was announced that he received the “Pillar of the Profession Award” for his 33-year contribution to student affairs at TCU and across the nation.

Mills

“I would say people don’t often call me speechless, but I was at that point,” Mills said
Mills is one of 16 national nominees who will receive the annual award for his involvement in student affairs from the National Association of Student Affairs Administrators, said Barbara Herman, associate vice chancellor for student affairs. She said the award will be presented to Mills March 4 at the National NASPA Conference in Boston.

In addition to his work at TCU, Mills, the chairman of the foundation’s Health Education Leadership Program, said he has been involved nationally with issues concerning alcohol and drugs and the effectiveness of student organizations. He has also researched and published work concerning the area of organization in student affairs.

Kay Higgins, director of new student programs, said Mills deserves the recognition because he has been an influence and a resource to colleagues both at TCU and nationally.

“His commitment to the field of student affairs and specifically to college students is without question,” Higgins said. “He has dedicated not just his career, but his life, to the quality of student life.”

Mills was recommended for the award by Herman and Susan Adams, dean of Campus Life, and unanimously approved by the foundation’s board of directors, Herman said.

“He’s contributed to TCU for over 25 years, to many professional projects and endeavors and has been involved in a lot of the research and cutting edge initiatives in student affairs,” Herman said.

In order for Mills to receive the award after he was approved, the group which nominated him had to raise $1,000 for the foundation for research projects in student services and student life, Herman said. She said they raised well over the amount thanks to a number of contributions from Mills’ colleagues at TCU and across the country.

The NASPA Foundation furthers research that contributes to an increased understanding of college culture and furthers professional development of student affairs administrators, according to its Web site.

Mills, who has been a member of the foundation for 25 years, has been involved on the national level for eight years.

Mills said that though he is thrilled to receive a career award, he intends to carry on the work he has been doing for at least another 10 years.

“I see us continuing to try to make life for students at TCU as good as possible,” Mills said. “My focus will still be on the TCU environment.”

Laura McFarland
l.d.mcfarland@student.tcu.edu

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