Laker Stories

HOMECOMING AWARDS

Although we were not able to celebrate Homecoming in person, we would like to recognize the following individuals who have made significant contributions to the Boys’ Latin community over the years.

Distinguished Alumni Awards

Given each year to at least one alumnus who has distinguished himself over his lifetime.

Robert G. Merrick ‘12 Bruce D. McLean ’75 Brian H. O’Neil ’75

Hodges Cup Recipient

Awarded annually to an individual or individuals, who demonstrate outstanding loyalty to Boys’ Latin. A member of the Class of 1932, Jack Hodges was a devoted and faithful alumnus who was “always there” in his own quiet way cheering on BL at every opportunity.

Carroll S. Klingelhofer III ’61 Frank S. Jones ’77

Jack Kerns ‘52 Clearly Evident Award

Given annually to a member of the BL faculty or staff member where it is “clearly evident” that person exemplifies the same kind of quality, dedication and devotion to the school as Jack Kerns did.

Robin Smith 2020

Raleigh Brent ‘44 Award

Given each year to a person in the BL community, NOT an alumnus of the school, who has contributed greatly to the well-being of the institution and because of their dedication and commitment to the school made Boys’ Latin School a better place for all.

Monica Levine 2020 Stephanie Radebaugh 2020

Honorary Alumni Awards

Given to individuals who have never received a BL diploma, however, through loyalty and dedication to BL it is felt these individuals bleed maroon and white and, as such, deserve being recognized as honorary alumni - one of the school’s most coveted awards.

Chris G. Walsh James K. “Jay” Crider

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS ROBERT G. MERRICK ‘12

By: Mac Kennedy ‘76

Mr. Robert Merrick is one of three BL men honored in 2020 as a Distinguished Alumnus of the Boys’ Latin School.

Robert G. Merrick ’12 was born November 18, 1895. He entered Boys’ Latin in September of 1909 for his sophomore year following in the footsteps of his older brother Seymour S. Merrick, who graduated from BL in 1907. He was a good student especially in history, mathematics, Latin, French and German. Transcript comments accompanying his English grades read either “good” or “very good.”

He was an accomplished athlete and The Baltimore News reported he was a member of the gymnastics exhibition his sophomore year. As a junior it was reported by The Baltimore Sun that he came in third place in the junior class running high jump. During his senior year he fell ill and was forced to leave school in November of 1911. Merrick did however, receive enough BL credits to allow him entrance into The Johns Hopkins University where he graduated with an A.B. degree in 1917.

When America entered World War I in 1917, Merrick enlisted in the army as a private and was assigned to the 10th Field Artillery. While serving in Europe he distinguished himself in battle and was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross when pressed into service as a runner under heavy bombardment, driving an ambulance three times to evacuate the wounded. For his bravery and courage he was also awarded the French Croix de Guerre (Bronze Star.) He became a Captain and eventually a Major in the Field Artillery Branch of the Reserve Corps.

After his military service in France was over he returned to Johns Hopkins University and received a Ph.D. in Political Economy in 1922. He then entered the mortgage business and later became associated with the Maryland Mortgage Company. After remaining with that firm for a short period, he joined the Maryland Title Securities Company and was soon elected president of that organization. In 1932, he resigned from this post to accept the Presidency of the Equitable Trust Company, retaining the position of Chairman of the Board of the Maryland Title Securities Company. He was just 36 years old at the time.

After Mr. Merrick entered the banking industry he quickly became one of the leaders in the Baltimore financial market. He worked as president of Equitable Trust Bank for nearly 40 years, eventually becoming Chairman of the Board. He grew the bank from a small bank with $20 million in assets and five branches to a $438 million operation with 53 branches in the Baltimore metropolitan area. His philanthropic pursuits grew through his years and many Baltimore institutions benefited from his enormous generosity. Mr. Merrick served on many Boards throughout the Maryland region.

Mr. Merrick also was one of the original donors to Boys’ Latin School when the school purchased the Llewellyn Property and moved out to Lake Avenue from Brevard Street in 1960.

The University of Baltimore’s business school from 1982-1996 received three major gifts from the foundation Mr. Merrick established and today the UB business school is known as the University of Baltimore’s Merrick School of Business. According to The University of Baltimore website, “each time a student graduates from the Merrick School of Business, the practical vision of its benefactor becomes a tangible part of the Baltimore community [Mr. Merrick] so loved.”