Rabun Gap dedicates Karina L. Miller Student Center

The official dedication ceremony was held Saturday, October 29 during Homecoming.
 
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School now has a new space on campus just for students. 

The School officially dedicated the Karina Lichirie Miller Student Center during Homecoming festivities on Saturday, October 26. Alumni, faculty, and current students gathered to celebrate the new space, located in the Addie Corn Ritchie Memorial Building —  formerly the school’s dining hall. 

This special project commemorates the memory of two accomplished women who deeply valued education - Addie Corn Ritchie and Karina L. Miller. Portraits of both women greet visitors to the student center upon entry. 

Nathan Miller ’18 and the Miller family generously supported the student center in honor of Nathan’s late grandmother Karina L. Miller. Karina Miller was born on August 3, 1938, in Manila, Philippine Islands. Her father’s military career enabled her to live in Augusta, GA; Bordeaux and Paris, France; and Bonn, Munich, and Frankfurt, Germany. She was educated in Army and civilian schools, graduating high school in Switzerland, and received her undergraduate degree, Phi Beta Kappa, from Emory University in the second class to graduate women. She earned her Ph.D. in comparative literature from Vanderbilt University.

A survivor of transverse myelitis, a crippling viral disease which she contracted at the age of eight after a skiing expedition, Mrs. Miller, with the encouragement of her parents and her personal perseverance, overcame many physical obstacles to learn to walk again. In spite of physical difficulties, she succeeded academically and socially.

She was known for her joyous disposition, endless enthusiasm, and boundless
generosity and hospitality. Mrs. Miller was a world traveler with trips including England, France, Italy, Greece, Germany, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. 

“I think Karina would be very pleased to see her name and memory dedicated to a space that
builds community and promotes education among such a diverse, global range of students,” said Associate Head of School for Advancement Paige Spivey.  “This beautiful natural campus setting, the historic building, and the school’s global community all speak to things important to her during her life. But perhaps what would make her most proud is seeing her husband, Jim and their grandson, Nathan, sharing in this philanthropic project together and in service to others.” 

The Karina L. Miller Student Center is housed inside the Addie Corn Ritchie Memorial building, which once held the dining hall for more than 50 years. Much like the namesake of the new student center, Karina Lichirie Miller, Addie Corn Ritchie was ahead of her time as an accomplished and highly educated female leader. She was an essential partner for her husband and our school founder, Andrew Jackson Ritchie. Oftentimes Addie ran the day-to-day operations of the school while Dr. Ritchie was in Boston and Atlanta fundraising.

The Karina L. Miller Student Center had a soft opening in March and was fully-functional for Rabun Gap students at the start of the school year. It features a game room, comfortable seating, student snack bar, student mailing center, and the campus store. There’s also a projector for movies and live sporting events, as well as a small stage for student performances and gatherings. 
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Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.