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Merritt and Marsha Long's Learning Seed Partnership
“Sometimes you have to get out of your office and pursue opportunities wherever you find them.” – Merritt Long
What started as a casual conversation at the The Valley Athletic Club between The Learning Seed Foundation's Co-Founder Merritt Long and President Tim Stokes, set in motion a partnership between the Foundation and SPSCC, which has grown stronger over the years. Their initial conversation revealed a common commitment to education and helping underserved students and students of color overcome barriers to student success. Both Merritt Long and his wife Foundation Co-Founder Marsha Long share the core value of supporting education. From personal experience through the foundation and their own academic and professional careers they have witnessed how successful students can inspire and advance a ripple effect of educational possibilities for their respective families, siblings, and neighbors. Marsha pointed out approximately 80% of the students they help are the first in their family to attend college. “These students become the multipliers and role models for their family members, and it is so gratifying for us to see the impact they have as they pay it forward in the community.” The Longs also shared that these students genuinely want to improve their communities and help others. Students have gone on to enter fields in medical research, computer technology, communication, and the legal profession—finding substantial ways to give back and build a better future. Walking the Talk of Inclusion For 100% of the students served through their scholarship, economic need is a common thread (79% are people of color and 21% are Caucasian). As Marsha Long commented, “We look at the whole person. They may not be at the 4.0 GPA level because they have other obligations that can be barriers to academic success, such as caring for a disabled sibling or parent.” The Longs shared that as co-founders of The Learning Seed they not only believe that financial support as well as moral support for students is important. “It’s more than the money. It’s being able to encourage students to believe in themselves and succeed.” Advice for Students When asked what advice they would give students today, both had encouraging and compatible advice to share. “Persistence and patience pay off. Keep grinding it out.” Merritt stated, and Marsha added, “Ask for help. You will be surprised at how many people want to help you succeed.”
Supporting Through the Arts The Longs have also partnered with SPSCC through their involvement with SPSCC’s Artist and Lecture Series since 2015. Recently, Merritt Long participated as the featured author interviewed by Former Governor Gary Locke in which he talked about his inspirational memoir My View from the Back of the Bus. ♦
“Going to college was the only path from my parents’ perspective. My dad used to say ‘use your head, not your back’, and upon completing high school, my mom studied for her Nursing license as if she were studying for grad school. She also had to study hard to take voter tests that were designed to keep people of color out of voting.”
