Update: Descendant of SC State's founding president to speak at Founders Day celebration
March 1
Author: Sam Watson, Executive Director of Strategic Communications & Marketing|Published: February 18, 2026|All News
Terence Miller Bryan, a retired U.S. Army Medical Service Corps officer, is a great-great
grandson of Thomas E. Miller.
Terence Miller BryanORANGEBURG, S.C. – South Carolina State University will commemorate its 130thbirthday at its annual Founders Day program on Sunday, March 1, 2026, beginning at
4 p.m. in Smith-Hammond-Middleton Memorial Center.
The public is invited.
The featured speaker will be Terence Miller Bryan, a retired U.S. Army Medical Service
Corps officer who served with distinction for nearly 25 years. For the last 13 years,
he has served as a JROTC instructor in Hawaii.
He is a great-great-grandson of Thomas E. Miller, SC State's founding president.
Bryan will be introduced by his daughter, Jennifer Bryan, a consultant at McKinsey
& Company based in Casablanca, Morocco, and Miller's great-great-great-granddaughter.
Each year in March, SC State commemorates the anniversary of its founding in 1896
with the Founders Day program.
This year’s occasion will include the announcements of SC State professors and staff
employees of the year, faculty and staff service awards, distinguished alumni awards
and recognition of new Thomas E. Miller Society inductees.
Music will be provided by the SC State University Wind Ensemble under the direction
of Dr. J. William Nicholas, the university’s director of bands.
About Terence Miller Bryan
Bryan enlisted in the Army following high school and later earned a Bachelor of Science
in Business from Tuskegee University before receiving his commission as an officer.
He went on to lead in a range of health care and operational assignments, supporting
soldiers and their families while advancing the Army’s medical mission. His career
was defined by disciplined leadership, steady judgment and an unwavering commitment
to those he supported.
Following his retirement from active duty, he transitioned into education, where he
has spent the past 13 years as a JROTC instructor in Hawaii. There, he is dedicated
to developing young leaders of character, instilling confidence, accountability, and
a strong sense of purpose in the next generation.
He enjoys time outdoors, traveling and sharing meaningful moments with family and
friends.
Miller will be introduced by his daughter, Jennifer Bryan, a consultant at McKinsey
& Company based in Casablanca, Morocco.
Each year in March, SC State commemorates the anniversary of its founding in 1896
with the Founders Day program.
This year’s occasion will include the announcements of SC State professors and staff
employees of the year, faculty and staff service awards, distinguished alumni awards
and recognition of new Thomas E. Miller Society inductees.
Music will be provided by the SC State University Wind Ensemble under the direction
of Dr. J. William Nicholas, the university’s director of bands.
About Terence Miller Bryan
Bryan enlisted in the Army following high school and later earned a Bachelor of Science
in Business from Tuskegee University before receiving his commission as an officer.
He went on to lead in a range of health care and operational assignments, supporting
soldiers and their families while advancing the Army’s medical mission. His career
was defined by disciplined leadership, steady judgment and an unwavering commitment
to those he supported.
Following his retirement from active duty, he transitioned into education, where he
has spent the past 13 years as a JROTC instructor in Hawaii. There, he is dedicated
to developing young leaders of character, instilling confidence, accountability, and
a strong sense of purpose in the next generation.
He enjoys time outdoors, traveling and sharing meaningful moments with family and
friends.
About Jennifer Bryan
Jennifer BryanAs a consultant at McKinsey & Company in Casablanca, Morocco, Jennifer Bryan advises
organizations across Africa on complex strategic and operational challenges. She holds
an MBA from The Wharton School and an MA in international studies from The Lauder
Institute at the University of Pennsylvania.
Before business school, Jennifer served as an equity research associate at Adage Capital
Management, a Boston-based hedge fund, where she focused on consumer and retail companies.
Her commitment to economic development took her to Nairobi, Kenya, as a Princeton
in Africa fellow and investment associate at Global Partnerships, where she contributed
to capital allocation strategies supporting inclusive growth across sub-Saharan Africa.
She holds a Bachelor of Arts in international affairs from The George Washington University
and is a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc.
South Carolina State University's 130th Anniversary Garnet & Blue Extravaganza
A signature event honoring 130 years of Bulldog Tenacity, excellence, and leadership.
On Saturday, April 18, 2026, alumni, donors, corporate partners, and friends will
gather under the stars on historic Willie Jeffries Field at Oliver C. Dawson Stadium
for an evening of purpose, celebration, and impact. Info and Tickets
