On Monday, April 30th, 2018, the Dr. Derrick E. Griffith Servant Leadership Award was presented to Kevin Mercer, a senior Nursing major. 

Kevin embodies a passion for education, mentorship, and service to others. During his time as a student at UNC Charlotte, Kevin has been involved as a Peer Mentor in the Students Obtaining Success program, a tutor for the University Center for Academic Excellence, and a Pediatric tutor for the School of Nursing. Kevin is a member of Phi Beta Sigma, of which, Derrick was also a member.

Kevin has also served the local community and University community through a variety of initiatives, including Second Harvest Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, and educating middle and high school students on health disparities.

“Being a first-generation college student, I wanted to exemplify the fact that you can be set up for success, no matter what background you may come from. My compassion for others and my ability to inspire, lead, and mentor”  -- Kevin Mercer

Thank you for supporting the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award and help students such as Kevin Mercer, who share similar characteristics as Derrick, to lead and serve! 

Our crowdfunding campaign has come to a close and I couldn’t be more grateful to everyone who supported the campaign. Although we didn’t reach our goal, we came extremely close by raising over $13,000 for the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award. We are one step closer to endowing this award, which will honor Derrick’s memory in perpetuity.  

Thank you for encouraging leadership and service for a new generation of students at UNC Charlotte. I look forward to sharing future updates and inspiring stories of award recipients with you.  

Sincerely,  

Terrell Blackmon 

President, UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter

Thank you for your support of the Derrick Griffith Servant Leader Award. We are halfway through the campaign and 63% to goal. Please share this campaign with others who also had a special relationship with Derrick so that we can pass on his enthusiasm to encourage the next generation of student leaders.

I’d also like to extend an invitation to the 2017 Excellence in Leadership Awards on November 8, sponsored by the UNC Charlotte Black Alumni Chapter. As you may know, Derrick was received this award posthumously in 2015. This event recognizes the accomplishments of 49er alumni and friends of the University who have achieved “excellence” in the Charlotte community. The event is free to attend, but registration is required. RSVP here.