October 27, 2005

Distinguished Horticulture Alumni Award recipient recognized

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture on Oct. 15 named Marvin N. Miller as its 2005 Distinguished Horticulture Alumni Award winner.

"Marvin Miller is recognized nationwide for his expertise in horticulture marketing and his service to the floriculture industry," said Edward Ashworth, head of the horticulture and landscape architecture department. "We are very proud of his many accomplishments."

Miller, a native of Baltimore, received a bachelor's degree in horticulture and a master's degree in agricultural economics from Purdue. He also received a doctorate in food and resource economics from the University of Florida. His master's thesis, "Consumer Preferences for and Attitudes Toward Cut Flower Items in Supermarkets," is considered by many to be one of the pioneering pieces of research in the mass marketing of floricultural products. Miller's doctoral dissertation, "A Commodity Subsector Analysis of the U.S. Cut Flower Industry," is considered one of the most complete analyses of any agricultural subsector, Ashworth said.

Miller began working for Ball Horticulture Co. in 1983 and is currently market research manager at the company's worldwide headquarters in West Chicago, Ill. His focus there involves studying the changing structure, conduct and performance of the ornamental horticulture industry. He is a frequent author and speaker on topics important to the North American floriculture industry. He also is involved with the Society of American Florists, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service and its Economic Research Service.

The horticulture and landscape architecture award, which is given annually to alumni who have made notable contributions in their field, was presented during Purdue's Homecoming weekend.

Writer: Jennifer Culy, (765) 494-8402, jculy@purdue.edu

Source: Edward Ashworth, (765) 494-1306, ashworth@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
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