College News

SANFORD — ‘Miles for Merritt,’ a fund-raising marathon byrnBurdette Robinson, of Richmond, Va., raised more than $1,000 to add to the MerrittrnRobinson Memorial Scholarship Fund at Central Carolina Community College.

Merritt lived in Sanford from 1958 until his passing onrnMarch 21, 2007. He worked at the college from 1970 until his retirement inrn1994, serving as the long-time dean of Occupational Education and CurriculumrnPlanning.

“Dad came from incredibly humble beginnings, but he saw thernvalue of education and committed his life to helping others get it,” Burdetternsaid. “My brother, Bryan is a graduate of Central Carolina. We hope thisrnscholarship makes it easier for students to get an education.”

Burdette enjoys running marathons and got the idea to makernhis participation in a recent one in Richmond a fund-raiser for his father’srnscholarship fund, which was originally established when Merritt passed away. Itrnprovides a scholarship annually for a student from Lee, Harnett, or Chathamrncounties who is majoring in business technology.

“Merritt was a great encourager, always cheerful, alwaysrnsmiling, always ready to share a laugh,” said Central Carolina C.C. PresidentrnMatt Garrett. “He loved the term, MBWA: ‘Management by Walking Around’.rnEveryday he would wander the hallways talking with faculty and students,rnsharing words of encouragement and a laugh. Our college is a better placerntoday, because Merritt gave of himself here for many years.”

Contact Diane Glover, CCCC Foundation executive director atrn(919) 718-7231 or dglover@cccc.edu forrnmore information about the scholarship or to contribute to it.