CARLISLE, PA – 20 years – it’s been 20 years since National Corvette Hall of Famer Elliott “Chip” Miller passed away due to a rare disease known as Amyloidosis. In the years since that fateful night in March of 2004, his namesake foundation has worked tirelessly to raise both funding and awareness, all to find a cure for this deadly disease. Through in-person events, donations, and online sweepstakes, the Chip Miller Amyloidosis Foundation (CMAF) has successfully awarded thousands to those in need as well as outlets that specialize in Amyloidosis research and care.
The CMAF has done so much for so many, as have so many done so much for it. There have been golf outings, track time, 5K races, surf outings, food events, water slide dates, and more. But, until recently, there had never been a scholarship to help further the education of someone with automotive interests. After all, second only to being an amazing family man, Chip Miller was a car guy, a Corvette guy.
As his professional baby, Carlisle Events celebrates its 50th Anniversary in 2024, the Miller families, friends, and car lovers alike pause to remember the 20th anniversary of his passing. During this milestone year, the CMAF announced an ALL-NEW scholarship opportunity designed to support the next generation of students who share Chip’s love for all things automotive.
This scholarship, announced during the 2024 offering of Corvettes at Carlisle in front of a room of Corvette dignitaries, is open to any high school, undergraduate, graduate, or trade school student pursuing a career in the automotive field. In short, the CMAF wants to give back and support someone who embodies Miller himself. Best of all, by way of a generous donation, the scholarship has been seeded with $3,000; enough to offer multiple awards in May of 2025.
While Chip’s life may have been cut short, there’s no denying his passion and legacy. He helped craft some of the world’s greatest car shows, bringing together friends and families from around the world in Carlisle, Pennsylvania to celebrate the hobby. Those events have kept Carlisle on the map and made it a destination for car lovers from around the world. The nearly $100 million in economic impact dollars pales in comparison to the true power of the sense of friendship and community that each event offers.
“My father was a “grease monkey,” always working diligently on his cars, often trying to figure out ways to make it quicker on the 1/4 mile,” said Chip’s son and CMAF President Lance Miller. “The scholarship is something my father would love to see happen as he was always helping everyone he could; especially children, continued Miller. “It brings my family, the board, and I great pleasure knowing he’s making a positive impact 20 years following his passing from this terrible disease… Amyloidosis.”
The application process for the first Chip Miller Memorial Scholarship award opens in December, with a submission deadline of April 30, 2025. There will be multiple award winners, with each receiving $1,000 as part of the May 30, 2025 announcement. Criteria include ambition, drive, and passion for the automotive hobby. To apply, candidates can submit their stories/application to the CMAF by way of ChipMiller.org starting December 1. In the meantime, to learn more or donate to the scholarship fund, visit ChipMiller.org and/or e-mail Jodi Morrison at JodiM@CarlisleEvents.com.
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