fit my personality. The faculty was a close-knit group of professionals with experience in <strong>the</strong> field in which <strong>the</strong>y taught. With a low faculty/student ratio, I was able to have access to <strong>the</strong> professors before and/or after class for extra help, if needed. Most importantly, <strong>the</strong> professors knew my name and knew my study ethics. I am honored to be a graduate of <strong>McMurry</strong> and proudly recommend to any senior to give <strong>McMurry</strong> a try.” Based on <strong>the</strong> many relationships <strong>the</strong> university has developed over <strong>the</strong> years, with countless alumni sharing similar stories, we feel certain that we’ve underestimated <strong>the</strong>ir role in influencing generations of students after <strong>the</strong>m to attend <strong>McMurry</strong>. I would be remissed if I didn’t also give credence to <strong>the</strong> importance of peer pressure in college decision-making. High school graduates look up to older siblings and hometown heroes, and that was certainly <strong>the</strong> case with Matt Qualls, senior all-level P.E. major and younger bro<strong>the</strong>r of Michael Qualls. “It was a source of pride. We looked up to my bro<strong>the</strong>r and his friends,” he shared. “Their example made o<strong>the</strong>r kids want to go to <strong>McMurry</strong>.” Pride in one’s roots…Merkel and <strong>McMurry</strong>…a common denominator that will continue to connect <strong>the</strong> two in <strong>the</strong> future. A recent phone call was made to a supporter and friend of <strong>McMurry</strong> to express appreciation to her for donating a scholarship to a <strong>McMurry</strong> student. She mentioned in <strong>the</strong> conversation that, even though she currently resides in Abilene, she grew up in Merkel. She shared her rationale for providing financial assistance: “I was very impressed with <strong>the</strong> woman [applying for <strong>the</strong> scholarship]. Then I Most importantly, <strong>the</strong> professors knew my name and knew my study ethics. I am honored to be a graduate of <strong>McMurry</strong> and proudly recommend to any senior to give <strong>McMurry</strong> a try. found out she was from Merkel, so it gave me pleasure to support <strong>McMurry</strong> and my hometown.” We submit that <strong>the</strong> Merkel High School- <strong>McMurry</strong> Connection is proof of <strong>the</strong> importance of relationships when selecting a college home. Besides <strong>the</strong> obvious influence of friends and family members, <strong>the</strong>re are also <strong>the</strong> 30 proud <strong>McMurry</strong> alumni who are employed at Merkel ISD. Comments like “I entered <strong>McMurry</strong> and felt right at home,” “I enjoyed <strong>the</strong> small class size, <strong>the</strong> accessibility and interaction with professors,” and “I loved my college years and feel like I got a first-rate education” resonate from <strong>the</strong>se alumni and reveal <strong>the</strong> attachment <strong>the</strong>y still feel to <strong>the</strong>ir alma mater. We are proud of <strong>the</strong> many Merkel Badgers who are current students and alumni of this university, and we salute our neighbors just west of us on Interstate 20. <strong>Maroon</strong> Pride runs in <strong>the</strong>ir veins, and relationships are <strong>the</strong> connector—and <strong>the</strong>n again, it might just be something in <strong>the</strong> water. • Note: A special word of thanks is extended to <strong>the</strong> following <strong>McMurry</strong> graduates who are employed by, and/ or who graduated from <strong>the</strong> Merkel Independent School District: Ashlei Adams ’03, Hea<strong>the</strong>r Guthrie ’85, Renee Waggoner ’02, Maggie Gonzales ’03, Mary Ann Duke Abbott ’90, Cindy Fitzhugh ’77, Pam Welborn ’79, Dayna Henderson ’77, Gayle Maxey ’81, Angie Bloodworth ’99, Kaye Lynne Dearing ’73, Michael Qualls ’05, and Matt Qualls ’10. Your testimonials and background information were invaluable in <strong>the</strong> writing of this article. 16 M c M u r r y U n i v e r s i t y
March 11 & 12, 2010 H O S T E D B Y M C M U R R Y U N I V E R S I T Y Abilene, Texas