Dr. Edward C. Merrill, Jr., known as “Pete”, was born on January 29, 1920 in Asheville, North Carolina. He grew up and attended the public schools there. He graduated from Lee Edwards High School in 1938. He received his A. B. Degree in English from the University of North Carolina in 1942, his M. S. in Educational Administration and Supervision from the University of Tennessee in 1948, and his Ph.D. Degree in Educational Administration from George Peabody College for Teachers in 1953. He was awarded an honorary LL.D Degree from Gallaudet College in 1969.

Dr. Merrill taught at various colleges from 1946 until 1961. He was a Dean of College of Education at the University of Tennessee from 1961 until 1969. He accepted as a President of Gallaudet College in 1969, and prior to his newly appointment, he was a Special Assistant to the President Leonard M. Elstad of Gallaudet College from January 15 until July 1, 1969 when Dr. Merrill became the fourth President of Gallaudet College.

Dr. Merrill was married to Frances Bonkemeyer of Chadbourn, North Carolina and had four children, Susan, Nancy, Ann, and Edward. Mrs. Merrill passed away in 1993.

During Dr. Merrill’s presidency, he was an advocate of deaf people. The enrollment at the college increased nearly doubled and the campus witnessed a capital building and improvement program that included the construction of three dormitories, the Merrill Learning Center, the Model Secondary School for the Deaf, the Kendall Demonstration Elementary School and a field house. Under his leadership, the college expanded its research projects related to the teaching of the deaf children.

Dr. Merrill was recognized as the national and international leader in the field of education for deaf and hard of hearing people. He was one of only four individuals worldwide holding honorary membership in the World Federation of the Deaf. He established educational extension centers, the National Academy, the National Information Center on Deafness, the National Center for Law and the Deaf, and the International Center on Deafness.

Dr. Merrill wrote many articles on the education and also on the education of the deaf. He wrote many speeches related to the deaf education.

Dr. Merrill retired as president of Gallaudet College in 1983 where he had served for 14 years. He died on January 27, 1995 in Asheville, North Carolina.