Supply chain managers focus on the paths products travel from concept to consumer. They build and watch over the critical bridges between suppliers, manufacturers, and customers.

Supply chain management students in the IU Kelley School of Business Indianapolis have someone watching over them, too. That person is George Miller, and he specializes in building bridges for students to help them succeed.

George and his wife, Dalette, have endowed two RISE Scholarships at IUPUI for supply chain management majors: the Gordon C. Miller RISE Scholarship, in honor of George’s older brother, and the the Dr. Les and Mary Lou Waters RISE Scholarship, honoring George’s mentor, Les Waters, a former professor of transportation. Kelley senior Carlos Garcia was awarded the Miller RISE Scholarship in April at the annual Scholarships & Awards Breakfast. The 2014 Waters RISE recipient will be named this fall.

George, who earned his bachelor’s and MBA from Kelley, learned important lessons from both men about what it takes to be successful.

“Dr. Waters focused on the basics,” he said. “He taught us about the importance of common sense in decision making in business.”

From his brother, George learned the importance of perseverance and hard work. “Gordon never earned a college degree, but now he’s a fellow in the business school at the University of Denver,” George said with pride. “He is the epitome of the work ethic that many students at IUPUI possess.”

“I hope to continue to impact the young people we’ve met over the years,” George said. “Most of the students are working or have families to support. Many are married with kids. The impact of a scholarship to those folks is very meaningful to us. We really enjoy support the students at Kelley Indianapolis.”

This story originally appeared in the Spring 2014 IUPUI Alumni Magazine.