Champlain College will confer three honorary degrees during this year’s 131stst Commencement ceremony on May 9. The Board of Trustees of Champlain College selected Lois H. McClure of Shelburne and Holly D. and Robert E. Miller of Burlington to receive honorary doctoral degrees. Holly Miller and Lois McClure will each receive a Doctor of Humane Letters degree and Robert Miller will receive a Doctor of Commerce degree. Holly Miller will deliver remarks on behalf of the honorary degree recipients during the ceremony at Memorial Auditorium for Champlain’s 2009 graduating class. “Our honorary degree recipients have played major leadership roles in our community and throughout Vermont. By their generous philanthropic nature and open encouragement to others to support vital organizations, Vermont is a better place to live, work and play,” said Champlain College President David F. Finney. “They are role models, leaders and mentors acting in the spirit of higher education and community service.” Robert Miller owns R.E.M Development Co. in Williston and is one of the state’s largest commercial developers. Both Millers have strong ties to Champlain, having led major capital campaigns, served on building committees and provided scholarship assistance to students over the years. The College’s Robert E. and Holly D. Miller Information Commons is named in their honor. The Burlington couple received Champlain College’s Distinguished Citizen Award in 1996. McClure, along with her late husband, J. Warren (Mac) McClure, have combined “giving with warm hands” with “matching gifts” to encourage broad donor support for non-profit and educational organization’s projects and programs. Both Lois McClure and Holly Miller are past members of the Champlain College Board of Trustees. “The philanthropic spirit displayed by both families is evident on our campus, in our community and in our daily lives. Their willingness to share their talents, time and financial resources sets an example for all of us to emulate,” Finney added.