Blair alumni, parents and friends have come together virtually this fall to take part in one of the School’s most beloved traditions. From living rooms and kitchen tables across the country, they have joined retired history teacher Martin Miller, PhD, for the “Society of Skeptics at Home.” More than 100 people participated in the first two online sessions on September 17 and October 1, and a final Skeptics at Home is scheduled for October 15. Registration is open to any member of the Blair family who would like to attend.

The Society of Skeptics at Home is similar to the “Skeptics on the Road” receptions held in Boston and Washington, D.C., last winter as Dr. Miller prepared to retire after his remarkable 40-year tenure at Blair. For each event, Dr. Miller selects 30 of his favorite Skeptics presentations from his decades as the program’s director and discusses them with the audience. The online sessions are interactive, with participants sharing questions and observations with Dr. Miller and one another, and Blair camaraderie and connection have been highlights of each get-together.

Director of Alumni Relations Shaunna Murphy, coordinator of the Skeptics at Home program, is delighted that the event has attracted alumni of all ages, as well as parents, grandparents and many former Blair faculty members. “Everyone has been thrilled to listen to and spend time with Marty and converse with other attendees in the chat box,” she said. “We’ve had a great time going down memory lane as Marty brings up speaker after unforgettable speaker. Our first two Skeptics at Home have been enjoyable evenings for all involved.”

Chair of Blair’s Board of Trustees Doug Kimmelman P’12 ’13 ’15 ’22 took the opportunity of the first Skeptics at Home program to share news with attendees about the newly endowed Miller Family Scholarship. The School established the scholarship upon Dr. Miller’s retirement in June to honor his many contributions to Blair as Skeptics director, history teacher and department chair, cross country coach, Model UN director, and founder and co-editor of the Blair Review. 

Thanking him for his “decades of inspiration,” Mr. Kimmelman noted that Dr. Miller has been a special Blair steward who positively influenced so many students with his humble and insightful demeanor and unique, caring way. “You have been an ambassador for the School who has kept us connected so well, and I know you will continue to do that for many years to come,” Mr. Kimmelman said. “We have established the Miller Family Scholarship to honor your approach of always putting students first. Through the scholarship, you will always be connected to a student and to Blair.” 

Mr. Kimmelman announced that generous donors have already contributed and pledged more than $300,000 to the scholarship fund, and he especially thanked his fellow Trustees and everyone who has made a gift to date. Dr. Miller expressed his thanks, as well, saying that he is deeply honored by the scholarship and has received so many nice notes from Blair community members that “it’s almost like I haven’t retired at all.”

The Miller Family Scholarship is named for Dr. Miller, his wife, Micheline, and their children, David ’88 and Colin ’01. Beginning this fall, it will support the Blair education of a deserving student every year, ensuring that Dr. Miller’s legacy as one of the School’s great teachers continues for generations to come.

If you would like to honor Dr. Miller with a gift to the Miller Family Scholarship, please click here.