CM Merritt Foundation gives $20,000.00 to NCA&TSU for the Candice Merritt Endowed Scholarship

Daily, the family is reminded of their loss of Candice’s physical presence in their lives. Daily, they think of ways to celebrate the wonderful person she was, not only to their family, but to everyone who was blessed to be beneficiaries of her sincere goodness. December 17, 2018 marked the second year of her passing and it only behooved the family to find a befitting way to remember Candice. So on December 19, 2018, Candice’s mother, Mrs. Marcia Lynette Merritt and sister, Miss Jasmine Merritt, decided to travel to her alma mater, their family’s alma mater too, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University (A&T) to make another sizable donation in loving memory of her.

Marcia and Jasmine met with A&T representatives: Dr. Abdellah Ahmidouch, Dean, College of Science & Technology, Dr. Zerihun Assefa, Chairperson, Chemistry Department, Ms. Ralisha Mercer, Associate Vice Chancellor for Development, Ms. Bridgett Williams, Director of Development, College of Science & Technology, Mr. P. Kevin Williamson, Assistant Vice Chancellor for Major Gifts and Annual Giving and Ms. Tamera Ziglar, Director of Development, College of Engineering. She presented a sizable donation in the amount of $20,000, which will be added to the Candice Marcia Merritt Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship was established for Women and Minorities in STEM that are juniors and seniors majoring in Chemical Engineering and Chemistry at NCA&TSU. Marcia wants to impact the lives of many young ladies aspiring to have a STEM profession.

During the meeting, Marcia, videotaped by Jasmine, continued the conversation about the endowed scholarship and enjoyed the opportunity to share details of the CM Merritt Foundation, Inc.’s partnerships with local organizations in Northern Virginia that seek to promote STEM learning amongst girls. They were all listening intently as Marcia excitingly shared stories about Candice, which included one of her “Aggie Pride” chant upon receiving her acceptance letter to her then parents’ alma mater. Marcia made sure this moment of giving was purposeful, light and funny.

Remembering Candice is the inevitable; giving in her honor is an expectation shared by those who knew her. Impacting the lives of young STEM impressionable people is what Candice would want to be done and after donating the $20,000 to the university, two days after the anniversary of her passing, the Merritt family believed their mission was accomplished.