Ferne Miller Scholarship Opportunities

Ferne Miller completed her undergraduate work at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) in 1985.  Not missing a beat in her education, Ferne began her graduate studies at the California School of Professional Psychology (CSPP) in San Diego that same year. Before the end of her second year, this gifted and energetic student was diagnosed, for the second time in her young life, with cancer.  Tragically, the Hodgkin's Disease, which Ferne had battled earlier in her life, had returned.

While continuing her studies at CSPP, Ferne took her chemotherapy treatments and worked at the Escondido Youth Encounter (EYE) where she was already considered a talented psychologist.  Continuing her classes to very end, Ferne succumbed to the disease in October of 1987, leaving an indelible and dramatic impact on the faculty, staff and students who knew her.

In memory of Ferne and her dedication to psychology, her parents, Dr. Edward and Mrs. Leslea Miller, other family members and friends established the Ferne Miller Memorial Research Fund in 1987.  This funding has been a substantial source of dissertation support to CSPP students conducting research in the area of psychological oncology, including projects that study how psychological and environmental factors may affect the etiology, disease course and adaptation to cancer and other terminal diseases. 

The fund has grown over the years and recently the Miller family has decided to broaden the focus to support dissertations across the spectrum of clinical psychology.

Ferne Miller Memorial Research Fund Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship Applications and Donations   

The application will include a one to three page abstract of the research project and indicate whether the applicant has obtained approval for the dissertation proposal.  Applications must be received by November 15th for the fall semester and by March 15th for the spring semester.  All applications will be reviewed by a faculty committee, along with the Miller family, who then will decide jointly about scholarship winners. 

We appreciate your interest in the Ferne Miller Memorial Research Fund.  The fund has enabled numerous talented Alliant students to complete their dissertations. Together, we can honor the life and spirit of Ferne Miller.

"I would like to use this opportunity to thank you for giving students like myself an opportunity to pursue their research.  My study is designed to explore the psychological aspects of acupuncture treatment for AIDS. I am confident that this support will enable me to use better research tools, and produce a better dissertation." ... Yaron Pruginin, CSPP graduate student - 2004 Scholarship Recepient

"My study is on adults who experience prominent long-term anxiety symptoms after a loss of a loved one, and I cannot describe how honored I was to be part of the research community that is helping your daughter live on through the work of others." ... Paul DePompo, CSPP graduate student - 2004 Scholarship Recepient

"The Ferne Miller Scholarship provided opportunities not only to use more sophisticated research design but also to collaborate with well-established researchers. I believe I'll be making a real contribution to the growing body of research on the effects of emotional espression on breast cancer." ... Lynn Vogel, CSPP graduate student - 2005 Scholarship Recepient

Students who are interested in applying for dissertation support from this fund (awards are made at the end of the fall and spring semesters) may submit an application to:

Michael Pittenger, PhD

Associate Vice President for Student Life

10455 Pomerado Road, M-2

San Diego, CA 92131-1799

(858) 635-4475

mpittenger@alliant.edu