One of the first African Americans admitted to Mississippi State dies at age 69

A Columbus native who enrolled at Mississippi State University at age 15 and was among the first group of African Americans admitted to the university died Aug. 17 in Arlington, Virginia. 

Kenneth Miller, 69, became the second African American to graduate from MSU’s aerospace engineering program. He later received a master’s degree in systems management from the University of Southern California.

Millers gave 30 years of civilian service to the U.S. Navy and the U.S. Air Force and retired from the Department of Defense as one of the agency's highest-ranking civilians. He founded KEM and Associates and became a recognized strategist and trusted advisor to a broad range of national and international defense, security, and aerospace firms.

Miller died at his home in Arlington, Virginia. He is survived by his wife Victoria Miller and two sons, Kenneth Miller Jr. and Kevin Miller. His family will receive friends from 10 a.m. to noon and 6-8 p.m. on Monday Aug. 30 at National Funeral Home, 7482 Lee Highway, Falls Church, Virginia. 

There will be a private service held at the funeral home on Sept. 1 with a live stream beginning at 11 a.m. A private burial will be held at National Memorial Park. 

Memorial donations may be made to the MSU Kenneth E. Miller Excellence Endowment at the link below. 

DONATE:  Click here to make a donation to the Kenneth E. Miller Excellence Endowment

Contact Nile McNair at NMcNair@gannett.com.