Del Tech inducts Merrill C. Moore into Owens Hall of Fame

Merrill C. Moore, former instructor and chair of the Business Department for Delaware Technical Community College, was inducted into the Owens Campus Hall of Fame April 16.

Moore was honored in recognition of over two decades at Delaware Tech and his legacy of excellence that continues to positively affect students, faculty and staff at the college as well as the community. His unwavering commitment to student success at the college began in 1978 when he started as an adjunct instructor and continued through his tenure as a full-time instructor until he retired in 2001.

Moore was born at home on his parents’ farm outside of Georgetown Feb. 14, 1944. He grew up on the family farm and always had the desire to remain in Sussex County.

After graduation from Georgetown High School in 1962, where he was a member of the undefeated football team of 1961 and co-captain of the baseball team, Moore attended Wake Forest College in North Carolina. He soon found that he missed Sussex County and was determined to find a quality business college closer to home.

After attending Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, he graduated with an associate degree in accounting in January 1965. He continued his higher education at East Carolina College where he earned a bachelor’s degree in business administration with a minor in business education in 1967. Moore earned his master’s degree in business management from Central Michigan University in 1978 at its satellite campus at Dover Air Force Base. During his educational experience, he earned many accolades and membership into numerous honorary societies, such as Pi Omega Pi and Sigma Iota Epsilon.

Moore’s professional career in education began in fall 1967 at Stephen Decatur High School in Berlin, Md. He served as a business education teacher, an administrative assistant of discipline and a class advisor. In fall 1970, he accepted a business education position at Indian River High School. While teaching at IRHS, he served as a class advisor and on the football coaching staff. He still attends and enjoys class reunions at IRHS.

His educational experience helped him to realize the need for higher education opportunities in Sussex County. He was thrilled when Delaware Tech opened its doors in 1967 and was intrigued to learn of the community college concept. The new college enabled him, during his years teaching at Stephen Decatur and Indian River High Schools, to guide many students who had similar desires for quality education close to home to Delaware Tech.

Moore began teaching evening classes at Delaware Tech in 1978, and in January 1981, he began working full time at the college as a business administration instructor. During his 20 years at Delaware Tech, he taught accounting and management courses. He was also a member of numerous committees including those focused on retention, salary, scholarship, Middle States accreditation and the semester versus quarter system.

He became department chair for the Office Systems and Business Administration programs in 1994. With the help of instructor and friend Dan Hall, the Business Administration Department was the first in the Delaware Tech system to be accredited by the Accreditation Council for Business Schools and Programs, in 1998.

While working full time at the college, he also served as an adjunct instructor for Wilmington University from 1981 until 1988. To keep up to date in the business world, Moore maintained his public accounting and real estate licenses. He was also a director of Baltimore Trust and Mercantile Peninsula banks for a number of years.

Since his retirement from Delaware Tech in August 2001, Moore has remained involved with the college. He is currently an advisory committee member for the Business Administration Department and a member of the Owens Campus Development Council.

He is proud to be a part of the Delaware Tech family, and maintains that the college has been very important to him, his family and his community. He and members of his family have earned degrees from the parallel and technical programs, been students in the Academic Challenge program, and have taken continuing education courses in real estate and accounting.

“Nearly every family in Sussex County has at least one member that has taken courses at Delaware Tech,” said Moore. “A wealth of educational opportunities exist in Sussex County because of this college.”

Throughout his life, Moore has been active in his church and his community. He has been a devoted member and volunteer in his church, St. John’s United Methodist Church in Georgetown, where he currently serves as trustee, finance chairman, treasurer of the cemetery, greeter, and member of the administrative council. He is also active in his community. He serves as a member of the Historic Georgetown Association, as a volunteer at Robin Hood Thrift Shop and as auctioneer for the Georgetown Public Library’s annual fundraiser.

Even though Moore had opportunities in other fields of employment such as accounting, banking, sales, and education administration, he found that his decision to remain in the field of teaching has given him much more satisfaction.

As a teacher, he found that the best management principle to follow is the golden rule. He looks for the best in others, is eager to help and considers his students’ success his most enduring legacy. Those closest to him consider his positive attitude and belief in others to be his gift for inspiring others.

An avid runner, he is dedicated to physical fitness. He also enjoys going dancing with JoAnn, his favorite dance partner for many years. Of all the great things that have happened to Moore, there is nothing better than being a dad and pop-pop to his son Merrill Jr., his daughter-in-law Heather, and his two granddaughters Dorothy Ann and Julia Reagan. He knows his life has been blessed by the support of his family, church, friends, students and co-workers.