F. Ann Millner
Ann Millner served as the first female
president of Weber State University
2002-2012
Ann Millner was born in Middlesboro, Kentucky to Gordon D. and Sue Burkhart Millner. She was raised knowing that she would get an education, and became a third generation college graduate. Her grandmother, a friend and role model, earned a degree as a dietician in Colorado in the early 1900s. Her mother went to Gradwohl School of Medical Technology in St. Louis at the age of 16 and graduated with a degree as a medical technologist. Her father was a tenant farmer, but was able to attend college on the G.I. Bill after World War II. They lived modestly, but were committed to education.
Ann graduated from the University of Tennessee with a degree in science and math secondary education. She went on to complete a graduate program in Medical Technology at Vanderbilt University. She has also earned a master’s in allied health education and management from Texas State University, and a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young University.
Ann began her career in higher education as an education coordinator at Vanderbilt after completing her graduate program. She would hold several similar positions at a variety of universities. She joined Weber State in 1982 as the Director of Outreach Education in the School of Allied Health Sciences and the Associate Dean of Continuing Education. In 1993 she became the Vice President for Community Partnerships, which became University Advancement.
In 2002, Ann became the first female president of a four year institution of higher education in Utah when she was selected to be the president of Weber State University. Throughout her ten-year tenure at WSU, she revitalized the campus, created scholarships such as Dream Weber for need-based students, opened the WSU Davis campus, increased enrollment, developed a 25 year master plan, created a climate action plan for Weber to become carbon neutral by 2050, and established the university’s core themes of access, learning, and community.
In 2012 Ann stepped down as president, as she said she would when first appointed. She continues her relationship with WSU as a professor in the Master of Health Administration program in the Dumke College of Health Professions. In 2014, she ran for and was elected to serve as a Utah State Senator for district 18, a position she still holds today. Throughout her career she has built strong relationships with the community and students to help them succeed.
Ann Millner served as the Director of Outreach Education in the School of Allied Health Sciences and the Associate Dean of Continuing Education 1982-1993
Ann Millner holding the torch at the beginning of the Torch Run for the opening of the WSU Davis Campus August 21, 2003
President Ann Millner speaking with Weber State News November 2003
Presidents of Weber State University: Paul Thompson (1991-2002) Stephen Nadauld (1985-1991) Ann Millner (2002-2012) Rodney Brady (1978-1985)
VP Jan Winniford, President Ann Millner, Kathryn Edwards, Forrest Crawford, and VP Norm Tarbox serving pancakes circa 2006-2012
Governor Gary Herbert signing a bill allocating $31 million for WSU Davis Campus, D3 2011
Ann Millner, Utah state senator for District 18, a position she has held since 2015
Exhibit in the Stewart Library