Bruce Miller Recognized For Astronomy Leadership
Astronomy advocate Bruce Miller of South Bend, IN, has been selected to receive the 2026 Great Lakes Region Award from the Astronomical League (AL). The AL region’s highest honor, writes AL Vice President Terry Mann, recognizes Miller's outstanding dedication and leadership as President of the Michiana Astronomical Society.
In a letter to Miller announcing the award, Mann writes:
Through your service, you have strengthened your local club and advanced astronomy more broadly through your support of important projects and your generous gift of time. Your nomination letter describes you as a steady source of leadership for the Michiana Astronomical Society for more than a decade. It highlights your unwavering commitment to leading monthly club meetings, supporting online attendees, sharing informative astronomy updates, and coordinating the annual Michiana Star Party, and much more—all while working full time. Your dedication reflects strong leadership, a deep love of astronomy, and genuine appreciation for the people you serve alongside.
The Michiana Astronomical Society meets on the third Thursday of the month, with some holiday schedule changes, at Technology Resource Center (TRC) in South Bend's Ignition Park, 1165 Franklin St., Room 100. As the AL award letter correctly notes, Miller puts much time and effort into facilitating a hybrid meeting, which features an astronomy news update. His consistent effort to set up the concurrent online connection is a true club asset. Miller's affable demeanor welcomes all astronomy enthusiasts--veterans and newcomers alike--to the pursuit, making astronomy accessible to the public in Michiana.
In 2026 Miller and colleagues doubled their efforts to host two star parties for astronomers and the general public alike. In previous years, Miller has judged astronomy-related science fair projects, engaged kids at an MAS booth for ScienceAlive! every February, set up a telescope at public observing events, contributed to MAS social media, and more.
The Astronomical League is a nationwide non-profit federation of over 300 local amateur astronomy clubs across the United States with 26,000 members. It works to foster astronomical education, provide incentives for astronomical observation and research, connect clubs, and provide special observing awards for stargazers.
