Family of Dr. Gary Merz presented with honorary degree

The late Dr. Gary Merz ('80 MBA) was posthumously presented an honorary Doctor of Pedagogy degree, at the May 10 Clarion University of Pennsylvania Commencement Ceremonies.

Merz' honorary degree was accepted by his wife, Sandra, and their children Elizabeth and Richard.

Merz, an associate professor of accountancy at Clarion University until his death from cancer in 1996, had strong ties to Clarion both as an alumnus and a faculty member. Current Clarion University Student Senate President Michael Cox nominated Merz for the honorary degree, citing Merz's dedication and encouragement of students.

Merz received his B.A. in political science at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1970. He worked for six years for the Internal Revenue Service, rising from a tax technician to revenue agent. His duties included auditing businesses and corporations and the preparation of evidence for criminal cases.

He left government work in 1979, and after completing the master of business administration degree at Clarion State College in 1980, assumed the position of senior tax accountant at Brockway Inc., Brockway. He was responsible for the preparation of return and analysis of tax related accounts in addition to the evaluation, selection, and implementation of fixed asset accounting system software for corporate-wide use.

His teaching career started at Clarion in 1982 as a part-time instructor for undergraduate and graduate courses in federal taxes, managerial accounting, and research in federal taxation. He received a Teaching Fellow in Accounting at Kent State University in 1989-90 and started work on a doctoral degree.

In 1990, Merz joined the faculty at Clarion University full time. In addition to teaching, he served on a number of university, college, and departmental committees, including the Faculty Senate Budget Committee; the College of Business Library Committee; the Accountancy Department Scholarship and Five-Year committees. He presented workshops on accounting and stock returns at the local and national level and served as a reviewer for accounting textbooks.

Merz coordinated the university's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program from 1985-89 and from 1990-95. He also served as a manager for the Brookville Area Little League for the 1992-93 seasons, as treasure for the Brookville YMCA Swim Team from 1993-96, and as merit badge counselor for Boy Scout Troop 64 from 1994-96.

Merz and John Regas joined previous honorary degree recipients: Dick Thornburgh, Doctor of Public Service; Janice Fuellhart, Doctor of Letters; and Randall Robinson, Doctor of Laws.