The Dallas County Community College’s Board of Trustees approved a request from Brookhaven College and Wright L. Lassiter, DCCCD chancellor, to name the college’s geotechnology institute facility the Ellison Miles Building in memory of Mr. Ellison Miles.
In 1999, Ellison Miles donated $3.5 million to renovate an existing building at Brookhaven College to create a 20,000 square-foot facility dedicated to supporting Earth science education and training for students, educators and the community.
“We want to continue to honor the commitment Ellison Miles made to higher education, student achievement and this institution, said Dr. Thom D. Chesney, president of Brookhaven College. “Naming this facility after Mr. Miles will be just a small way that we can recognize his, and the Miles Foundation’s, contributions to Brookhaven College and the DCCCD.”
Miles’ was a strong supporter of education, especially with the DCCCD. His contributions to the Rising Star scholarship program, both personally and from his estate after his death in 2004, remains the largest individual donation to the endowed fund. The Rising Star Program provides qualified Dallas County public high school graduates showing financial need with academic support services and scholarships.
In addition to the Rising Star Program, a $300,000 donation established the Miles Production Company Scholarship for students demonstrating financial need. He also provided funds to establish the Miles Production Company Excellence in Teaching Award, which gives a cash award and plaque each year to DCCCD faculty or staff members who excel in their profession.
He remains the largest individual benefactor of the DCCCD Foundation, with contributions by the Miles Foundation totaling $12.4 million.
