Chuck Miley, ’65, has always been an artist. He remembers his mother providing the paper and crayons he used to create some of his first drawings as a preschooler, and since then Chuck has used art as an outlet for creativity. His artistic journey has exposed him to new ideas and cultures different from his own. Through these discoveries, he created some of his most profound work, “Why Reparations” and “Black Lives Matter Martyrs,” featured in the . He took inspiration from the historic endemic of violence against unarmed Black citizens and used his voice as an artist to call for justice, humanity and equality under the law. Chuck credits his Kent State art department professors, whose criticism, counsel and motivation prepared him to critically analyze his work, opened his eyes to the world and helped him develop his place in it.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
CM: Balance in all things.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
CM: Kindness.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
CM: Something I am working on, being slower and less likely to judge.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
CM: My friend and mentor Gaar Lund, and my time in the Peace Corps in Malaysia and the subsequent world travel.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
CM: Working with my Chi Sigma (now Sigma Chi) brothers and their girlfriends to design our float - The Pink Panther - for the 1965 Campus Day.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
CM: Continuous learning and the awareness of other cultures, races, belief systems and the goodness of people.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
CM: Chocolate and Jazz.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
CM: My two strong, independent, intelligent and compassionate children.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be?
CM: I'm still working on being me.
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
CM: James Melvin Someroski, an art professor, exceptional artist and intellectual guide, and my other art professors.