Spence Miller '02 — senior class president, assistant minister at large in Aquinas, varsity swimmer, Orange Key tour guide and devoted friend – will graduate having left his mark on the Princeton community. His high spirit and dedication are an inspiration to many.
Next fall, Miller will direct his energy along a new life path when he enters Officer Candidate School in Coronado, Calif. Following the 13-week program, Miller will join the Navy Seals in February and begin underwater demolition training.
Coming from a military family, Miller had considered military training for some time, but this fall he became serious about career plans.
The terrorist attacks on Sept. 11 motivated his decision because he values the military's sacrifices to protect our country's freedoms.
"One of the most honorable things for me is serving your country in the military," he said.
Miller took his first physical fitness test for the Navy Seals in October of his senior year and began an intense four months of preparation for a second test in February. The test included 500 laps of sidestroke followed by push-ups, sit-ups and pull-ups and a 1.5-mile run in combat boots, pants and fatigues. His fitness results and successful interviews earned him acceptance to Officer Candidate School and the Navy Seals.
Miller said there is an 85 percent attrition rate, but he intends to be in the remaining 15 percent.
"I don't plan on failing," he said. "If I do something to my best, I don't fail. That's not in my vocabulary."
Miller's positive attitude has carried him through a successful Princeton career, despite a rough start freshman year.
Miller said his first year was tough because he had trouble adjusting. As a swim recruit, he was disappointed with his performance on the team.
"I lost the love for the sport," he said. "I wasn't swimming up to my potential or what I thought I could do, and I just wanted to do something else."
"Out of the blue," Miller said he decided to run for USG vice president his sophomore year. His winning campaign allowed him to get involved in community affairs, while taking junior year off from the swim team.
As a freshman, Miller also had to cope with the death of a friend, who went into cardiac arrest in his presence during a recreational game of basketball. Though the experience was traumatic, Miller tried to draw positives from the terrible situation.
"That got me thinking about a lot of different things," he said, "like the true meaning of friendship and what is my relationship to God."
Religion is an important part of Miller's life — he has been active in the Aquinas Catholic community since he joined at the end of sophomore year. He has helped organize fellowship meetings, worship and praise sessions, retreats and catholic principles studies. He also provided religious guidance for freshmen and encouraged them to participate in the religious communities on campus.
Cole Barfield '03, a close friend of Miller, said Miller acted as a mentor to him by encouraging his involvement in the Christian community and USG when he was a freshman.
"He has served as a great role model and wonderful friend," Barfield said. "He always has a listening ear to me whenever I need his advice and wonderful wisdom."
Miller said he defines his experience at Princeton by the close friends he has made on campus.
"I've learned a lot in classes, but the most important thing is the relationships I've made here have been amazing. I feel blessed that I have a lot of really good friends I can count on."
Barfield said he admires Miller's ability to develop strong relationships with students across different class years.
"The thing I'll remember most about him is his laugh," Barfield said. "It's loud and just so funny, and he's a such a joyful person."
Wes Stockard '02, another close friend of Miller, said Miller is a dynamic personality in and out of the classroom. He described Miller as someone with strong opinions who can also laugh at himself and remain open to other perspectives.
"His resilient spirit is inspiring for me," Stockard said.
Stockard and Barfield both said they admire Miller's dedication to his friends and multiple pursuits on and off campus.
Though Miller said he does not have specific plans for the future, he is prepared to face obstacles and do his best everyday.
"You have to take each day as it comes," he said. "For me, I'll be living my life in accordance with what God wants me to do."
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