- June 17, 2026
- By Karen Shih ’09
As a campus home base for his—count ’em—six kids, horn Professor Gregory Miller’s office has served as a Lego studio for childhood creativity, a quiet late-night study room before a kinesiology exam, and a perfect piano practice space, thanks to the Steinway in the corner.
Apparently the Millers enjoyed their childhoods spent in The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (and all across campus), because all attended the University of Maryland, an unbroken streak from 2013 that will likely extend into the next decade.
“What’s unique is that I’m living their college years with them,” Greg said. “It’s something I could not have imagined. But it’s something I really relish, because I get to see them grow.”
It wasn’t Greg’s plan when he arrived in 2000 to create a veritable conga line of offspring through the halls of UMD. In fact, he and wife Laura, a violinist, only had three at the time. But when it came time for eldest Lilan ’17, M.Ed. ’18 to apply to college, tuition remission for faculty and staff children was simply too good of a deal to pass up.
“I never felt pressured, but it was a big factor I was considering,” said Lilan. And at UMD, where she’d walked onto the football field behind the Mighty Sound of Maryland marching band as a kid and attended countless concerts with her dad, “I just felt right at home.”
Despite concerns from others that going to such a familiar place would feel like “13th grade,” each Miller made UMD their own. Their parents had only one rule: Get a campus job to contribute to room and board, resulting in gigs as lifeguards at Eppley or bus drivers for Shuttle-UM.
Three pursued music: Emerson ’21, M.M. ’23 and Owen ’26, M.M. ’28 both studied horn under Greg (“You can’t fake being sick or being out of town—he knows exactly where you are,” said Owen), and the youngest, Tessa ’29, studies piano. Lilan majored in psychology and English; Winston ’19 majored in anthropology; and Olivia ’24 in kinesiology.
Naturally, the music students saw their father more, though Lilan, who worked in The Clarice’s box office all four years, wasn’t far away either. Greg let the kids take the lead on how often they wanted to meet. Some scheduled regular breakfasts at Applause; others would holler at him from a hammock on McKeldin Mall as he rushed to a meeting. They all sought out his office for a little peace and quiet before midterms, or a pick-me-up when feeling overwhelmed.
“Even a quick talk can get you through a hard moment,” said Winston.
While Greg first introduced all his kids to the university, the tables turned as they found their passions: “They really opened my eyes to areas I wouldn’t have been exposed to in this corner of campus,” whether it was Winston leading Adventure Program trips and pushing his family to explore local trails, or Olivia interning with Maryland Athletics teams and bringing other Millers to volleyball, lacrosse or baseball games.
Despite her dad’s proximity, “I got the full away-from-home college experience,” said Olivia.
Above, Emerson (left), Greg and Owen with their french horns. At right, the entire Miller family, starting at left with Laura (mom), Emerson, Winston, Owen, Lilan, Tessa, Olivia and Greg.
For the musical half of the family, UMD brought new opportunities to perform together, most recently when Tessa accompanied Owen at his senior recital and Emerson, Owen and Greg played as a trio of French horns.
“The music rehearsal process can be pretty stressful, and I feel like when you’re playing with your family it takes that element of stress down a notch,” said Emerson, now a member of the “Pershing’s Own” U.S. Army Band. “You’re a little more free to be yourself.”
After performances—or just whenever they feel like it—they pop over to Lilan’s home off Adelphi Road for impromptu meals, end-of-semester studio gatherings with Greg’s students and just to hang out.
Tessa, the last Miller to begin her Terp journey, had no trepidation when she arrived in the fall, since she’d already covered almost every corner of campus, from visiting Lilan’s room in Centreville Hall when she was 6 years old to bringing their dogs to splash around in ODK Fountain on sunny days. “I literally grew up here!” she said.
Father’s Day will be just one of many family get-togethers this summer, and with Olivia back from Ohio after finishing her master’s degree, they’re hoping to convince Nevada-based Winston to return to the fold too (beyond their annual Homecoming tailgates).
“Maryland’s been really instrumental in helping me find my own voice and become the person I am today,” said Winston. “And I’m thankful to have had my dad there along the way.”