Christene Merick
Christene Merick was an American philanthropist from Catron, Missouri, known for leaving her family's estate valued at $4.3 million to Southeast Missouri State University. This was one of the biggest gifts in Southeast Missouri State University history.
Born near Parma, Missouri, Merick and her husband William began their teaching careers in one-room schoolhouses. Her husband who worked as a farmer, coach, teacher, and superintendent died in 1988.
In 2011, Southeast Missouri State University named their newest dormitory the William A. and Christene Merick Residence Hall, a $23.7 million, 82,000-square-foot building, overlooking Houck Stadium. William Merick, a 1935 graduate, had played in the first football game at Houck Stadium.
