Mike D. Miller of Wayland has been awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities stipend for the summer institute “Teaching Beowulf in the Context of Old Norse-Icelandic Literature” at Western Michigan University.

The four-week institute, under the Medieval Institute director Jana Schulman, will include guest lecturers in the fields of medieval archaeology, folklore and oral tradition. Featured will be “Beowulf,” Old Norse-Icelandic literature, and Scandinavian and Anglo-Saxon religions, which will engage 25 summer scholars with more detailed background information about the culture, religions and history of Anglo-Saxon England and medieval Iceland.

“These noted scholars (including J. D. Fulk) will provide us with a greater and synergetic awareness of and appreciation for the literature of Anglo-Saxon England and medieval Iceland,” Miller explained.

Miller posted on Facebook, “Great to be back at the WMU Medieval Institute Alumni and Friends again.”

Works at Mythopoeia Games Publications, Grand Rapids Community College and Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University.

The institute is the first NEH Summer Institute to be held in Kalamazoo since Dr. Paul Szarmach, former director of the Medieval Institute, directed one in 1999 on Anglo-Saxon England.

Miller’s wife, Jennifer, is employed at Mel Trotter Ministries in Grand Rapids and Our Hope Association. Both have traveled extensively, have been in the entertainment business and have lived in Los Angeles and New York City.

PHOTOS: Mike D. Miller   Jennifer O’Gorman Miller