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Senior Spotlight: Connor Merk, Class of 2023
Merk will graduate on May 13 with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Political Science before heading off to Pepperdine University to earn his master’s degree
University News | May 9, 2023
Connor Merk will be among the 181 students graduating from VWU on Saturday, May 13. Before the actual commencement ceremony, Merk will also participate in a special capstone event for Batten Honors College (BHC) scholars on Friday, May 12. In addition, he and all members of the Class of 2023 have the opportunity to attend a Baccalaureate Service in the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center on Friday evening.
Merk, who hails from Stafford, Virginia, will graduate as a double major with a Bachelor of Arts in Business and Political Science and a minor in Communication. Since he first arrived on VWU’s campus, he has been extremely active both in and out of the classroom, despite the unexpected interruption of his college journey due to the COVID-19 pandemic. His stellar academic performance was recently touted during the University’s Spring Honors Convocation where he walked away with four impressive awards: the President’s Leadership Award, Journalism Award, Political Science Award, and Management, Business, and Economics Robert H. Cass Outstanding Senior Award.
Merk was editor-in-chief of the university’s student newspaper, The Marlin Chronicle, during his junior and senior years and founder and chairman of the Virginia Wesleyan College Republicans, while also working as an office assistant for the Batten Honors College and serving as a moderator for deliberative dialogues with the Robert Nusbaum Center.
In 2022, he interned at a non-partisan think tank, as a Liberty & Learning Fellow with The Fund for American Studies in Washington, D.C. In addition, he led the BHC team to victory in the Intentional Endowments Network 2022 Student Corporate Engagement Competition. He also presented undergraduate research at the Southern Political Science Association in San Antonio, Texas, and at the Virginia Collegiate Honors Conference. His interests include political behavior, business strategy, travel, and community service as a member of the Stafford County Lions Club.
We caught up with him before his graduation from VWU and asked him to reflect on his undergraduate years at Virginia Wesleyan and on what’s next for him in the future. Here’s what he had to say:
What first interested you in Virginia Wesleyan?
Virginia Wesleyan University appeared on my radar after I received a phone call from the enrollment office about the Batten Honors College. I immediately became interested because of its living-learning community, global experience opportunities, and academic rigor. The Batten Honors College Scholarship Competition solidified my decision to attend VWU as I saw first-hand how caring and thoughtful my future peers and professors were during the weekend. In addition, VWU is in a perfect location because of its proximity to the beach, fun attractions, and community engagement opportunities.
What activities were you involved in while at VWU?
The organizations I was the most involved with were the Batten Honors College, The Marlin Chronicle, College Republicans, and the Robert Nusbaum Center. Through the Batten Honors College, I assisted the Dean and Director of Enrollment with recruitment, operation and event planning initiatives. My favorite part of that experience was meeting prospective students at the enrollment competitions and sharing my awesome experiences at VWU with them. During my first semester of college, I began as a writer with the Chronicle and eventually became the community and then news section editor. As a junior and senior, I led the team as editor-in-chief where we published five issues a semester, attended a college media conference in Washington, D.C., and won 39 national awards from the Society of Collegiate Journalists. In addition, there was no College Republicans organization on campus in 2019, so a group of friends and I founded and chartered it with the state federation. We volunteered for many local and state campaigns in the Hampton Roads region as a group and hosted various events on campus, which included guest speakers, such as city council members, state delegates, state senators, and congressional candidates. Lastly, as a moderator of deliberative dialogues with the Robert Nusbaum Center, I gained experience in conflict resolution of controversial topics in a calm and respectful manner.
What did you most enjoy about your years at VWU?
One thing I have most enjoyed about my years at VWU is the strong community of lifelong connections I have formed with my peers, staff, and faculty. Throughout the struggles of COVID-19 and distance learning, the faculty was incredibly supportive and patient regarding student needs. I know that life presents both challenges and triumphs, but I have learned that if I surround myself with a strong support system, I will persevere and have a fulfilling life.
What advice would you give to an incoming freshman? How can they make the most of this experience?
Incoming freshmen will make the most of their experience at VWU if they get involved with student organizations, actively participate in class, and say yes to unexpected opportunities. The successful completion of those three tasks will result in a stronger sense of self and foundation to achieve personal and academic success.
What's next for you? What are your plans after graduation?
I will attend Pepperdine University’s School of Public Policy and complete its Master of Public Policy Program.
What are your ultimate career plans?
My future goals include working in the public policy realm, being a voice for my community, and bettering the lives of others by focusing on increasing human flourishing through my career and volunteer service. One of my passions is the achievement of mutual understanding among diverse groups of people, so I hope to contribute to that goal in my future career.
What have you not been asked that you would most like to answer?
Special thanks: I want to thank Mrs. Jane P. Batten for her support and the impact she has had on my life. She is a key reason why I and many others at VWU had an outstanding undergraduate experience, and I will be forever grateful for her involvement in my educational journey.
VWU will celebrate Connor and his classmates, the Class of 2023, throughout Commencement Weekend, May 12-13. Baccalaureate will be held starting at 5:30 p.m. on Friday in the Joan and Macon Brock Theatre of the Susan S. Goode Fine and Performing Arts Center. This prelude to Commencement is a service of worship in celebration of and thanksgiving for lives dedicated to learning and wisdom. The keynote speaker will be Bishop Sue Haupert-Johnson of the Virginia Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Commencement will be held on Saturday at 10 a.m. in TowneBank Arena of the Jane P. Batten Student Center. Keynote speaker, Hilary Harp Falk, President and CEO of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, is scheduled to address the graduates.
Learn more about Commencement 2023.