Miller gives graduates lesson in sociology
Dr. Ron Miller, the professor who has taught most of Chadron State College’s sociology courses the past 32 years, drew from concepts of his discipline while delivering the keynote address at CSC’s commencement ceremony for students receiving master’s and specialist’s degrees Saturday. Miller said that knowledge leads to success, and that it’s important for people to realize organizational structures in order to be successful.
“There is an organizational chart that everyone can see, and then there is the water cooler structure. Pay attention closely to the water cooler structure,” he said.
He told the audience to not only recognize the structures, but to pay attention to the things that are wrong with them. However, he said it is best to study the organization and how people interact before pushing for change.
“Before you attempt change, get a feel for the lay of the land,” he said.
He also encouraged the students to become aware of where power lies and to acknowledge it.
“In physics, power is the ability to move things. In social life, power is the ability to get people to move and move things,” he said.
He said visibility, which is improved by something as simple as a person’s height, complements power. Although people can’t do much to change their height, Miller said they can become more visible by volunteering for many efforts.
Success also comes from social exchanges, he said, while provoking the graduates to be fair to others.
“If people’s profits are in line with their investments, they’ll be happy,” he said. “If people’s profits are short and their investments are long, they’ll be mad. If people’s profits are high and their investments are low, they’ll feel guilty. It’s easier to feel angry than guilty.”
He also encouraged the graduates to develop strong relationships. Marriages, for example, are stronger when each couple gives 51 percent, he said.
Lastly, he told the students to gain an understanding of people’s ideals and “where they are coming from.
“People will act on their understanding of reality and not your understanding of reality,” he said.
Miller, who is retiring this year, began his employment at CSC in 1976 as an instructor and was promoted to assistant professor after earning his doctorate from Washington State in 1980. He was promoted to his current position five years later.
Category: Campus News, Commencement