Meet the Board Monday: Secretary, Bettsie Baker Miller, Class of 1973

Bettsie Miller was born in Baton Rouge, LA and attended BRHS, along with her 2 brothers and 2 sisters. After high school, she attended LSU earning an undergraduate degree in General Studies (wanting to learn a little of everything) and an MBA. She began work on a Ph.D. in economics but decided to not pursue it to the end when she got a job.  She became a Certified Public Accountant and accredited in Public Relations. Now retired, she ended her career as Director of Public Relations for the Louisiana Chemical Association.

Over the years, she has been active in numerous not-for-profit organizations, such as Commissioner for Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission, Council for Economic Education, Louisiana Resource Center for Educators, Volunteer Baton Rouge, Baton Rouge Area Foundation, Community Fund for the Arts, Public Relations Society of America, Public Relations Association of Louisiana among others. She was married to Ben R. Miller, Jr., who passed away in 2014, and although she had no children of her own, she gained 5 children by marriage, as well as 2 nieces and 2 nephews from her sisters that she counts as sort-of-her-kids.

Community service organizations:

Vice Chair of Opéra Louisiane

Active Rotarian

Treasurer of Associated Women in the Arts

Vestry member of St. James Episcopal church

President of Harness Club

Significant awards:

Mark of Excellence Award from Public Relations Society Baton Rouge Chapter (only 5 have ever be given locally)

Cable Award from Delta Gamma Social Sorority – Meritorious Service

Greek Excellence Award, LSU

BRHSF: Did you have a favorite teacher, club, sport or experience that made a long-term impact on you at BRHS?

BM: Loved so much about BRHS, Mrs. Cotton’s English Class, Dr. Johnson’s Advanced Math (and the play that we produced “SuperMath”, I played the evil Madame Nul!) Miss Hill’s Drama studies, Mrs. Gerace’s biology class.  Each of these were extraordinary opportunities to learn and to experience the world.

BRHSF: What made you decide to join the BRHSF Board?

BM: I was part of the group that originally worked to convert the BRHS Alumni association into the non-profit foundation that it is today.  When asked to serve, I was honored to be a part of this respected group and to assist BRHS advance in the academic world through additional funding from private support.

BRHSF: Why is the Foundation’s mission of philanthropic support for BRHS important to you and to the community?

BM: Baton Rouge High School has a long legacy of excellence and continuing that has been important to me.  Both of my sisters are educators and the role of private support is a critical component of moving forward in challenging times.  Challenges can come from social sectors or financial sectors.  The Foundation seeks to help BRHS in all paths forward.

BRHSF: As a Board member do you have any personal goals for your service? What do you see as your most important role as a Board member?

BM: I seek to support the needs of our growing mission and enhancing our organizational purposes.  I am a creative thinker and I am a no-nonsense administrator.  Let’s cut to the chase and get whatever needs to be done, DONE.

Fun Fact! I am a painter.  My mother thought I should an artist and I tried my hand while at LSU but the ‘other students’ SCARED me… so after college I have taken lots of private instruction – Joe Yoder and Henrietta Joseph were the first, Libby Johnson, and lots of national artists such as Cheri Christensen, Alice Williams, Ann Warner, and the list goes on!!! I built my new house with the intent to have an excellent painting studio – and WELL, now, I have that studio!  I am active with a group of painters – Associated Women in the Arts!