Pat Merry and Don Borseth

Fund Donors: Pat Merry and Don Borseth

Pat: LBC attendee
Don: LBC Class of 1973

Pamela Ann Merry Endowed Scholarship in Lyman Briggs
Cass Technical High School Alumni Scholarship
Dean Frederic B. Dutton Professorship

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Fund Descriptions

• Pamela Ann Merry Endowed Scholarship in Lyman Briggs

  About the Scholarship

  Ms. Patricia Merry and Dr. Donald Borseth created this scholarship to celebrate the life of Patricia's sister, Pamela Ann Merry, who in 1967 was a member of the first class of Lyman Briggs College. Pam thrived in the small school atmosphere, both living and working in Holmes Hall, while having access to opportunities presented by the larger university. After her graduation in 1971, Pam was employed by the Argonne National Laboratory. Exploring the sciences as a national scientist had not previously been accessible to women and Pam felt these opportunities were available to her largely due to the education she received from Lyman Briggs College. It is the hope of Pam's family that recipients of this scholarship will also be offered greater opportunities to study and explore the sciences. This award is intended to encourage students who have the demonstrated capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the initiative to seek opportunities to further their progress.

• Cass Technical High School Alumni Scholarship

  About the Scholarship

  Ms. Patricia Merry and Dr. Donald Borseth created this scholarship for graduates of their high school alma mater, Cass Technical High School in Detroit, MI, to attend Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University. Pat and Don are members of the earliest classes at Lyman Briggs and are proud to support Cass Tech graduates because of their long-standing relationship with and support of Lyman Briggs College. This award is intended to encourage students that have demonstrated the capacity to achieve educational and professional goals, the motivation to achieve these goals, and the desire to excel in and matriculate from Lyman Briggs College.

• Dean Frederic B. Dutton Professorship

  About the Professorship

  On October 20, 1966 the MSU Board of Trustees created the Planning Committee for Lyman Briggs College, appointing Dr. Frederic B. Dutton—then Director of the Science and Mathematics Teaching Center—as its chair. Dr. Dutton led the committee in creating a common agreement on a residential college for students seeking a liberal education in the physical and biological sciences; students seeking pre-professional training; and students seeking one of the majors currently offered in the College of Natural Science, but in the context of a small liberal arts and science college. Dr. Dutton recruited many of the pioneering faculty who would create the curriculum and college. On July 1 1967, Lyman Briggs College opened with Dr. Dutton serving as its first Dean. Lyman Briggs College seeks to honor Dr. Dutton with the establishment of this endowment.

A Conversation with the Donors

What was your goal in establishing this fund?
The scholarships are intended to make a difference for students. The first one, the Pamela Ann Merry scholarship, is to honor my [Pat's] sister, who was in the very first class of Lyman Briggs. The Cass Tech scholarship is to try to help increase diversity in LBC and help a student from our high school. The planned gifts are intended to make a long term difference at the faculty level.

What impacted you the most from your time in Lyman Briggs College?
Don—Communication skills, both speaking and writing. My career was greatly enhanced by my ability to prepare discussions about projects in the organization. I mentored people in my group regarding communication skills as well.
Pat—LBC gave me the opportunity to try different kinds of things.

In what ways are you using your LBC education in your professional life to contribute to society?

Don—Using my LBC experience to manage teams effectively. Particularly in recognizing that different kinds of people need different kinds of input to be fully effective.
Pat—I always try to help people understand science. At the moment I work with children to help them understand plants and insects and how important they are to us in every day life, as well as the science behind them.

What do you think will be a major research breakthrough in the next decade?
Don—Communications will continue to change dramatically.
Pat—Targeting medical treatments based on a person’s DNA.

What was your favorite memory of campus or Holmes Hall?
Both—The grill and bridge games.

Who is someone who inspires you?
Don—Jonas Segal, my high school history teacher. To this day I have an interest in understanding today’s events in the context of history.
Pat—Elissa Slotkin, my congresswoman. She serves all her constituents whether they voted for her or not. She is calm in the face of a storm of controversy. She really works to get things done. She makes a difference.

What was something you never expected as an alum of MSU?
Both—We never imagined the joy of meeting scholarship recipients. And that joy is even further enhanced when they tell us they wish to pay it forward.

Why is giving back to LBC important to you? What would you say to a classmate who is considering a gift of their own?
Endowed gifts live forever. All gifts make a huge difference for faculty and students. It also provides inspiration for current students.

What is your favorite book?
Don—Roger Zelanzy's Lord of Light
Pat—Isaac Asimov's The Foundation Trilogy

What is something you like to do in your free time?
Don—Bridge, computer strategy games.
Pat—Gardening, violin. We travel quite a bit.

What is the coolest gadget that you love to use?
Don—I'm not much of a gadget person
Pat—Food processor

What is your ideal Saturday afternoon?
Hanging out together 

What is your favorite food?
Don—Steak
Pat—Sole meunière

What is something that is on your bucket list?
Don—Yosemite, and other Western na3onal parks
Pat—Antarctica, Galapagos Islands

What is your favorite song?
Don—"Rescue Me" by Fontella Bass
Pat—"Long Cool Lady in a Black Dress" by the Hollies

What do you think is the world’s worst invention?
Don—Social media
Pat—Instant communication

What do you think is the world’s best invention?
Don—Computers
Pat—Visual intercontinental communication

What is the most surprising talent you have?
Don—The ability to invent
Pat—The ability to make things happen

Where was the coolest place you have traveled?
Don—Machu Picchu
Pat—Petra and Jordan

Someplace you would like to travel once COVID is in the past?
Don—Western National Parks
Pat—Just about anywhere