Almost a year after Todd Miller's death from a rugby-related injury, students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends, as well as several cadets from Virginia Military Institute (VMI), gathered on the First Avenue field in Farmville to dedicate a memorial to Miller on Friday, Feb. 20. During a match against VMI on March 1, 2008, Miller was injured, and after collapsing on the sidelines, was transported to MCV hospital in Richmond, Va. Miller spent several days in a coma and on life support as doctors tried to reduce swelling in his brain and stabilize his condition, but he was taken off life support on March 7 and died two days later.
During Friday's memorial dedication, Dr. Melanie Marks, professor of economics, and Ellie Miller, Todd Miller's mother, spoke about the outpouring of support and unity that came after his accident and death. Marks said, "I've always felt that we really are a Longwood family and while Todd was fighting his life . we spent a lot of time crying and a lot of time praying, and I was incredibly moved by the gestures of the students. . It moved me more than I think I've been moved in the 16 years that I've been at the university."
Ellie Miller spoke about the vigil that took place last year shortly after Todd Miller's accident, which was attended by more than 1,200 people. "You have no idea how much comfort that event brought to me. . I appreciate more than you'll ever know the effort that it took to put that on," said Ellie Miller.
Marks, who knew Todd Miller both as a student and as a friend, helped coordinate the event. After Ellie Miller invited her to speak at Todd Miller's memorial service last March, Marks said, "It was really clear from that ceremony that I knew him in a lot of different dimensions. He wasn't just my student, he was my friend. . We really had a connection."
Marks opened the dedication by talking about her memories of Todd, remembering him as "a force to be reckoned with on the rugby field," "an excellent student and citizen leader," and a "son who sang love ballads to his mother."
Chris Foster, former Longwood men's rugby president and Todd Miller's best friend, spoke during the dedication and said, "I think the biggest lesson in life that Todd continues to teach us is to live life to the fullest."
As Marks introduced each speaker she also related an anecdote or memory she had of Todd Miller. Before introducing Denise Williams, Vice President for Programs for the Big Brothers Big Sisters of the National Capital Area, Marks remembered speaking at last year's memorial service. Marks noted that she said some things that a professor wouldn't normally say about a student, and despite joking threats from a colleague about not attending Friday's dedication, Marks loudly proclaimed, " I think Todd Miller is really hot!"
Williams spoke about the role of the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in Todd Miller's life. She also thanked the Longwood rugby teams and Aramark for helping raise over half of the $14,000 that has been collected for the Todd Miller Big Brothers Big Sisters Memorial Scholarship.
Several speakers noted Todd Miller's musical talent, which was on display as sophomore Chris Dugan played guitar and sang "Destiny," a song that Todd Miller wrote.
As Ellie Miller, who many on the rugby team refer to as "Mom," walked to the podium, Marks said, "Todd was a boy who definitely loved his mother. . She raised an amazing, amazing son who is incredibly devoted to her."
Ellie Miller began her remarks by thanking the Longwood community for their support over the past year: "I've waited almost a year to get this opportunity to thank all of you in person. most especially the students for all the love, support and prayers you showed me during those horrific days last year after Todd's accident." She added, "For 25 years Todd was a part of my every waking moment. Accompanying him on his journey from childhood to manhood, with the exception of a few adolescent years, were my greatest joy, my greatest achievement and certainly my greatest honor."
As she talked about her son, Ellie Miller said, "I think your presence here today and this memorial would have made him a little bit uncomfortable. . I've been wondering and asking myself, 'What is he thinking?' as he looks down at this and knows there's going to be a memorial for him. I think he'd say, 'Really, Longwood, really?' And I think to that we might say, 'Really, Todd, really.'"
As she closed, Ellie Miller said, "Todd's story did not end with his death. Through organ and tissue donation Todd saved the lives of five people who were very close to dying." She introduced Mike Bolling, the man who received Todd Miller's pancreas and kidney, who drove in from Roanoke, Va., for the event. Ellie Miller then invited Joe Leake, the man who received Todd Miller's liver, to the podium to speak.
Leake began by saying, "Although I didn't know Todd, had it not been for Todd, and of course, Ms. Ellie, I would not be standing here today." He then told his story, which began last March. After being admitted to the hospital with flu-like symptoms, Leake was diagnosed with acute liver failure and slipped into a coma. On March 9, 2008, the same day Todd Miller died, doctors told Leake's mother that he had fewer than 12 hours to live and a 1 in 1000 chance of finding a suitable match. With Todd Miller's donation, however, Leake got the transplant he needed just in time.
"There's no amount of words that can express my gratitude for what Todd and Ms. Miller have given me," Leake said, moved to tears. "They have allowed me to continue to be a father to my 9-year-old son, a husband to my wife and a son to my parents, who are here." He added, "Their gift has given our family another miracle. My wife is pregnant with our second child, and our son, Christopher Todd Davis Leake is due in May. And I only hope my wife and I can raise our sons as well as Ms. Miller raised Todd."
As the dedication closed, Ellie Miller unveiled the memorial, a boulder with a plaque, which reads, in part, "Todd's passion was rugby, music was his soul and friendship was his gift. He brightened his days with his smile and his bearhugs . And inspired those he knew to work harder . dream higher. And never, ever give up.
