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Son's marathon raises money for late dad's scholarship fund

06.23.2008 • Foundation

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

Merritt lived in Sanford from 1958 until his passing on March 21, 2007. He worked at the college from 1970 until his retirement in 1994, serving as the long-time dean of Occupational Education and Curriculum Planning.

"Dad came from incredibly humble beginnings, but he saw the value of education and committed his life to helping others get it," Burdette said. "My brother, Bryan is a graduate of Central Carolina. We hope this scholarship makes it easier for students to get an education."

Burdette enjoys running marathons and got the idea to make his participation in a recent one in Richmond a fund-raiser for his father's scholarship fund, which was originally established when Merritt passed away. It provides a scholarship annually for a student from Lee, Harnett, or Chatham counties who is majoring in business technology.

"Merritt was a great encourager, always cheerful, always smiling, always ready to share a laugh," said Central Carolina C.C. President Matt Garrett. "He loved the term, MBWA: 'Management by Walking Around'. Everyday he would wander the hallways talking with faculty and students, sharing words of encouragement and a laugh. Our college is a better place today, because Merritt gave of himself here for many years."

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

Son's marathon raises money for late dad's scholarship fund

Burdette Robinson (right), of Richmond, Va., was on campus recently to present a check for more than $1,000 to Central Carolina Community College Foundation Executive Director Diane Glover for the Merritt Robinson Memorial Scholarship Fund. Merritt, a Sanford resident from 1958 until his death in 2007, was the long-time dean of Occupational Education and Curriculum Planning at Central Carolina. Burdette, Merritt's son, raised the money through pledges to his fund-raising run, "Miles for Merritt," in a marathon in Richmond. For more information about the scholarship fund or to contribute, contact Glover at (919) 718-7231 or dglover@cccc.edu .