For Merkle, staying connected and involved with
COSAM has helped him keep in touch with other
friends from his days at Auburn.
As longtime COSAM supporters, both men are
passionate about helping others achieve the same
Auburn experience they cherish so much.
“Personally, I feel that I have been amazingly
blessed in so many ways in my life—unreasonably,
really—and I feel that my personal and professional
learning at Auburn was foundational to that,” said
Martin. “Any success I have been lucky enough
to achieve would not have been possible without
Auburn. For me, working to help give a few others
that same opportunity is a privilege, an obligation,
and an honor. Education is a critical, required
catalyst as we strive to make our world a better
place. There are no ‘silver bullets’ out there, no onesize-fits-all solutions to solve the world’s problems.
If we can improve people’s ability to think, to
work their way through challenges rationally and
with intelligence, then I am confident the world
will become that ‘better place.’ Auburn’s broad
curriculum and intramural collegiality certainly
develop that kind of personal growth. I feel
that COSAM is a leader in ensuring this kind
of education remains the ‘Auburn Way.’ Every
day we can read how we need to expand STEM
knowledge in America, and this in another area in
which COSAM leads the way.”
Martin, the youngest of four siblings, fell in love
with Auburn when his older sister attended the
university. He says he immediately caught the
“Auburn fever” and is happy to have never been
cured.
Merkle, a native of south Florida, had his first
Auburn experience at freshman orientation, never
having stepped foot on campus until then.
“A lot of my high school classmates went on to the
University of Florida, Florida State University, or
Florida Atlantic University,” said Merkle. “I had
heard of Auburn through the Auburn-Alabama
football rivalry, and heard ‘War Eagle’ for the first
time as a high school sophomore when a neighbor
came running out of his apartment cheering. It
turned out, that was the infamous ‘Punt Bama
Punt’ Auburn victory over Alabama.”
Through trials and triumphs of exams, to beginning
new careers and sharing in the joys of starting
families, Merkle and Martin exemplify the Auburn
Creed in every way and are true representations of
the spirit that is the Auburn Family.
Pictured in the middle on the left page: Merkle
officiated a surprise vow renewal for the Martins on
their 30th wedding anniversary. The weekend stay
at the condo was won during the silent auction at an
annual COSAM Dean’s Scholarship Golf Classic, an
event Merkle and Martin regularly attend.
College
College of
of Sciences
Sciences and
and Mathematics
Mathematics
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