A Super Bowl party fundraiser to help TU’s military, veteran students

Each NFL season, the Super Bowl is watched by millions of people across the world. In addition to crowning the best team in pro football, it’s become a pop culture event that many celebrate with a party.

And for the past six years, Tracy Miller has partnered with Towson University to host a Super Bowl party fundraiser to help remember her son, Marine Cpl. Nick Ziolkowski, who was killed in active duty in 2004 in Fallujah, Iraq.

Most of the proceeds go to the Nick Ziolkowski Scholarship Endowment, which Miller began in 2005 to provide support for Towson University students who are either veterans or currently serving in the military.

Honoring Her Son's Legacy

“I wanted to help our military students, because that’s what Nick was,” Miller says. “I wanted to do something to keep Nick’s memory alive. And to see how many people donate—faculty, staff, parents of Nicky’s elementary school friends, friends of mine, even people who don’t know me donate.

“They just resonate with Nicky’s story.”

She remembers how fun and charismatic her son was. She even likes to joke about how his friends would get into fights about who got to sit with him at lunch.

To see so many people attend the event each February, and even more donate specifically to the scholarship, adds more to Ziolkowski’s memory.

“It means so much to me personally,” Miller says. “I would prefer if Nicky were still here, but there’s nothing I can do about that. But to try and give his life new meaning is very important to me.”

I wanted to do something to keep Nick’s memory alive. And to see how many people donate—faculty, staff, parents of Nicky’s elementary school friends, friends of mine, even people who don’t know me donate. They just resonate with Nicky’s story.

Tracy Miller

Joining up with TU's Louise Miller

While this year’s Super Bowl fundraiser is the sixth in partnership with TU, it’s the seventh total. Miller first held the event in partnership with the local American Legion. That was attended by Louise Miller (no relation), assistant vice president of university promotions and events at TU.

Louise and Tracy had known each other for years — Louise, who is also a veteran of the United States Army, served with Tracy on the advisory board for TU’s Military and Veterans Center.

Now event planning starts months before, with Louise and her team compiling food, sponsors, donations, silent auction items and selling tickets to the event. And thanks to their work, the event has grown bigger and bigger.

“This event has been critical in maintaining the scholarship,” Tracy says. “Louise has been such a help. She’s been more than a help; she’s been a driving force for the event and the scholarship.”

After the first event, Louise thought it would be great to partner with Tracy, who has been a longtime employee at TU. Tracy started at TU in 1978 as assistant to the president. She’s also worked as an academic adviser in the Tutoring and Learning Center and is currently an adjunct professor in the College of Education.

For Louise, having her team help with the event felt right, even when it sometimes didn’t.

“When we started partnering with Tracy on the event, I struggled at first,” Louise says. “I had to ask myself, ‘Is this sad for Tracy?’ But Tracy always says that the event helps keep Nicky’s memory alive.

“I try to remember that it’s okay, because other people should know how special he was and how special his mom is.”

Supporting TU Military Students From the Start

That includes how the scholarship received its start—Tracy used Nick’s death benefits as seed money.

That act of selflessness has provided between $2,600 and $3,900 for multiple veteran students each spring. More than 40 students have received the scholarship since its inception.

When I found out I had received the scholarship, I felt incredibly honored. Dr. Miller’s kindness and dedication to keeping Nick’s legacy alive inspire me, and I am grateful to have her as part of my Towson University experience.

Marcus Robinson '25

In spring 2024, there were three recipients, including Marcus Robinson, a senior mass communications major from Waldorf, Md., who was in the U.S. Army Reserves.

Since coming to TU, Robinson has taking advantage of all the opportunities offered to him. He’s an active member in the Military & Veterans Center and the Student Government Association. He’s also a Resident Assistant, a brother of Kappa Alpha Psi, and an active member of many clubs on campus.

Robinson says that while many think the Army pays for his education, that’s not the case. For his first three years at TU, Robinson relied on student loans and working multiple jobs. He says that receiving the scholarship has allowed him to focus on his studies and helped him pursue his passions.

“As a veteran student and a proud member of the MVC community, this scholarship means the world to me,” Robinson says. “It means so much that TU recognizes and supports the veteran community in this way. The military community has been such a bright and impactful part of my experience at Towson, and having a welcoming, caring, and supportive environment has truly shaped me and my college journey.”

It was a also an honor for Robinson to receive the scholarship. He says that after meeting Miller in the MVC as a freshman, he was always excited when she came to visit.

“When I found out I had received the scholarship, I felt incredibly honored,” Robinson says. “Dr. Miller’s kindness and dedication to keeping Nick’s legacy alive inspire me, and I am grateful to have her as part of my Towson University experience.”