Pearl River Community College’s Development Foundation recently received a $25,000 donation from the Merlin Law Group of Tampa, Fla.

The donation was presented by William F. "Chip" Merlin Jr., founder and president of the firm.

"We are grateful for the continuing support for our college that comes from many individuals and businesses," said Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president. "This private support has never been more needed than now when we are seeing such a dramatic decrease in our state appropriations."

The funds will be used by the PRCC Development Foundation for scholarships and other support for students and faculty.

"Mr. Merlin’s support of Pearl River Community College will benefit many students and may indeed make a difference in the life of some student who might not be able to attend college otherwise," Lewis said.

Merlin, who represented PRCC after Hurricane Katrina, lived in Waveland as a teen and attended St. Stanislaus High School.

"I believe in giving back to the communities I’ve participated in over a period of time," he said. "The principals of this school _ President Lewis and the chief financial officer, Roger Knight _ are people of very high character. It’s because of that that I enjoyed working on this. I wanted to make a commitment to this school."

Photo caption:

William F. "Chip" Merlin Jr., center, recently donated $25,000 to Pearl River Community College for scholarship support. He is shown with PRCC Development Foundation executive director Ernie Lovell, left, and Dr. William Lewis, PRCC president.

PRCC Public Relations photo

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