Wednesday, December 7, 2005
Merritt joins PRCC Development Foundation staff

    POPLARVILLE - Paula Merritt has joined the Pearl River Community College Development Foundation staff as Coordinator of Alumni Services.
    Merritt, a 1994 graduate of PRCC, will be in charge of organizing and coordinating PRCC alumni chapters in Pearl River, Forrest, Lamar, Marion, Jeff Davis and Hancock counties.
    “I plan to be really active with all the chapters and meet with officers of the chapters,” said Merritt. “One of my goals will be to establish a high level of enthusiasm and commitment from our alumni.”
   Another of her goals will be to increase awareness of the services provided by the Development Foundation and Alumni Association to current students and alumni.
    Merritt, a graduate of Poplarville High School, enjoyed her two years at PRCC. She was a member of the String of Pearls and the RiverRoad showchoir, a River Navigator, and class favorite her freshman year. She graduated from the Medical Office Technology program and currently attends William Carey College.
    “My memories of Pearl River were both fun and rewarding,” she said. “PRCC prepared me for a career in the workforce and helped make me a better-rounded person. That’s why I am happy to have the opportunity to come back and work here.”
    Another goal will be to reorganize a student foundation/alumni association on campus.
    “I want to make students aware of the functions of the Foundation and Alumni Association before they graduate from Pearl River,” said Merritt. “That’s how you cultivate your alumni association. You start with making contacts with the students while they are in school.”
    Donna Wilson Lee, Executive Director of the PRCC Foundation and Alumni Association said,   “We are extremely thrilled to have Paula in the Alumni Office.  Her past experience with coordinating volunteers and organizing events will be very beneficial in helping us to realize the full potential of our county alumni chapters. I am sure that Paula’s enthusiasm will prove to be contagious and we are expecting a great deal of growth in alumni participation from her efforts.”
    Since her graduation from PRCC, Merritt worked in blood banking for 10 years, nine of those with United Blood Services as a community relations representative, and one year with the Blood Center.
    Merritt is the daughter of C.J. and Katherine Merritt of Poplarville. She has one sister, Marie Carpenter, also of  Poplarville.
    Interested PRCC alumni who want to participate in alumni functions
can contact Merritt at 601-403-1193.