SLCC to rename business school, remodel building with gift from Miller family

Salt Lake Community College has announced major changes at its business school. Following a $10 million gift from the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, the school will rename the school the Gail Miller School of Business. The school will use the gift to transform the business school and to modernize its business building, SLCC said in a release.

The gift — the largest single cash donation received by the school — will also result in the renaming of the building the Larry H. and Gail Miller Family Business Building, in honor of the Miller family’s legacy and many contributions to the community.

The Gail Miller School of Business will be the first in Utah to be named exclusively for a woman.

“We are deeply humbled by the generosity of Gail and the Miller family and the extraordinary leadership they provide to our community,” said SLCC President Deneece G. Huftalin.  “And I am particularly thrilled to be the first in the state to name a business school after a successful businesswoman and leader. The Gail Miller School of Business amplifies Gail’s amazing skills as a business leader and the success she has achieved through hard work, courage, leading with integrity and a fierce commitment to serving the community.  It is a powerful signal to young women that they too can achieve great success in the C-suite. We are grateful for this gift and for the friendship and support the Miller family has given to the college over the years. SLCC is a better institution because of their involvement and commitment to our students.”

The gift will also enable SLCC to strengthen the high-impact learning practices in its business courses such as undergraduate research and real-world problem-solving, the school said. Modeled after the Millers’ commitment to serving the community as they operate their businesses, the new Business Scholars Program will require students to work with a faculty mentor each semester to create cause-related or nonprofit projects that benefit the community. 

“When I think of Salt Lake Community College, I think of opportunity,” said Gail Miller, chair of the Larry H. & Gail Miller Family Foundation, addressing the crowd standing outside the soon-to-be-renovated business school building. “There is opportunity here for everyone who desires to make their lives better. Salt Lake Community College plays an important role in developing future business leaders and problem-solvers. The knowledge they gain here will enrich lives and strengthen communities.”

“I often remind students that education is something that you will always have. Nobody can ever take it away from you,” Miller continued. “The wonderful thing about education is that you can give it away and still have it. Sharing it magnifies it. It reinforces the ability to strengthen not only you, but those you share it with.”

Planned renovations to the business building include a larger, high-tech auditorium; a large open atrium; collaboration spaces for entrepreneurs; and upgraded learning environments. The renovation also includes improvements to SLCC’s Business Resource Instructional Center, which offers academic advising and IT assistance to more than 13,000 students annually. The renovation will add almost 19,000 square feet to the building. It is scheduled to be completed in May 2026.