Herman Milligan: Arts Patron and Advocate
Dr. Herman Milligan (PhD ‘82, sociology), winner of CLA’s 2022 Alumni of Notable Achievement Award, is a patron of the arts in the Twin Cities and beyond. He is dedicated to supporting artists and communities through his many professional roles—as a board member and adviser for multiple art organizations, as a consultant for the Fulton Group, and as a photographer and curator, to name a few. His co-curated exhibition A Picture Gallery of the Soul is currently on display at the Katherine E. Nash Gallery.
What do you do professionally?
Provide consulting services to individuals, nonprofit organizations, and for-profit organizations.
How are you involved in the community?
I serve on nonprofit arts and social impact boards within the Twin Cities, nationally, and internationally.
How did your time in CLA inspire you to pursue your path?
In my journey toward acquiring my PhD in sociology, I had the opportunity to determine how I could best apply my knowledge to make positive contributions to society.
What is your favorite memory from your time as a student?
Meeting individuals (students, faculty, and staff) who were great to know, but who also contributed to my success in graduate school.
What advice would you give to current CLA students?
Accomplish your dreams with quality.
How do you spend your free time? What "fills your cup"?
I love attending culture-related programs and events. There's plenty of work in keeping our house in order. Making time to meet to keep in touch with lifelong friends and relatives.
What was your reaction to receiving this award?
I was shocked and very honored that CLA considered what I have done since graduation worthy of recognition.
What's next? What are your personal/professional goals for the next five years?
Continuing my consulting practice to assist organizations and individuals to excel in achieving their goals and objectives, authoring at least two sociological and arts related publications, and preparing to donate my library of select books and publications to various collections within the Elmer Andersen Special Collections Library here at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
