University of New England

In Memoriam: Paul D. Merrill, Trustee and former Chair of the Board of Trustees

It is with deep sadness that the University reports that long-time supporter, trustee and friend of the University of New England, P.D. Merrill died on Sunday, February 11, 2007 from a heart attack. 

A Celebration of Life was held on Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, at First Parish Congregational Church, Yarmouth, with the Rev. Meg Queior, the Rev. Gayle Collins-Ranadive and the Rev. Carra Bradt officiating. Those wishing to send a tribute in Paul D. Merrill's memory may do so www.mem.com.

Paul D. Merrill, better known to friends as P.D.,  joined UNE's Board of Trustees in 1984 and served as chair of the Board of Trustees from 1995-2000. Under his leadership, the University prospered and grew: From 1995-2000, University enrollments increased by more than 1,300 students, its operating budget soared from $26 million to $46 million, and its endowment swelled from $2 million to $23 million.
 
P.D. guided the University through the completion of the Harold Alfond Center for the Life Sciences, the University's most ambitious building project; two national presidential searches, culminating in the hiring of President Sandra Featherman, Ph.D. and more recently President Danielle Ripich, Ph.D.; and the merger with Westbrook College.

Apart from his role as chair of Merrill Industries and his service as chair of the University's Board of Trustees, he also chaired the Maine Chamber and Business Alliance from 1998-1999 and was active in the Maine Economic Research Institute, the International Forest Products Transportation Association and the Industrial Advisory Board of the Loeb Sullivan School of International Business and Logistics at the Maine Maritime Academy. P.D. was actively involved in fundraising for making possible the renovations of Portland's Merrill Auditorium, one of the premier concert halls in New England, named in honor of his parents, Paul E. and Virginia Sweetser Merrill. Most recently, he was named to the governing board of the Portland Opera Repertory Theatre.

P.D. grew up on Berkley Street in Portland, about eight blocks from Westbrook College on Stevens Avenue, not far from his father's businesses on Forest Avenue. He attended three of the public schools on Stevens Avenue that now, with the University of New England, form a partnership called the Stevens Avenue of Educational Excellence. 

In a story printed in the 2001 issue of Nexus, UNE's alumni magazine, P.D. discussed the great satisfaction he got from the smaller moments of his service to the University. He spoke of how deeply he was moved by the medical school commencement ceremonies he attended.

"I would say it is a small thing, but a very large thing, to watch a father or mother hood their graduating physician son or daughter," he said. "It is very touching because you rarely see a person's lifetime dreams being realized. That's really something. When you see that real contact between parent and child, that sense of support and that sense of accomplishment on both parts, that is a truly wonderful thing to see. Its not unique to UNE, but something UNE does very well."

He said, "Another thing that motivates me and all of the trustees is that at UNE it is really clear that the level of dedication and commitment on the part of the administration and faculty are way above what most of us have experienced as being typical at other institutions. It's a dedication and commitment to students and to teaching that is very, very exciting and really makes you feel it is worthwhile." He added, "It's an organization where people go the extra mile and, as a result, the extra mile is realized as part of the effort. It is a very high calling for everybody that is there in my experience."

P.D. is survived by his wife Sandra Goolden and son Ethan.  He will be sorely missed.

Paul D. Merrill - Complete Obituary