Merriweather honored for commitment to first-generation students
Dr. Samuel Merriweather was awarded the Dr. Robert M. Gates Inspiration Award for his work as senior director of the Student Engagement for Academic Success program.
Dr. Samuel Merriweather, ’09, giving a Gig ‘Em on the Learning Stairs in the Zachry Engineering Education Complex.
For Dr. Samuel Merriweather ‘09, serving first-generation college students is more than just a part of his job. As a first-generation student himself, Merriweather knows first-hand how support can change their experience for the better.
“I had so many inspirational mentors throughout my engineering journey who gave their time and expertise,” Merriweather said. “I wanted to give back through mentorship.”
Now as senior director of Student Engagement for Academic Success (SEAS), which oversees the First-Generation Engineering Students (FGEn) Mentoring Program, he touches the lives of countless students each year.
In recognition of these efforts, Merriweather was recently awarded the Dr. Robert M. Gates Inspiration Award. Established in 2007, it honors individuals who have demonstrated an unwavering commitment to supporting student success, especially first-generation students at Texas A&M University. The award is chosen by the Routh First-Generation Center (RFGC).
“Dr. Merriweather has consistently shown up, year after year, and worked alongside us to identify ways to enhance and streamline programming to better support our students,” said Dr. Leticia Palomin, RFGC director. “He is among the few who are deeply committed, never hesitate and will do whatever it takes to ensure our students thrive. His determination to ensure student success had a lasting impact on many of our scholars.”
Nicole Gardner, a first-generation aerospace engineering senior, praised Merriweather’s willingness to help however he could.
“Throughout my academic journey, Dr. Merriweather regularly went out of his way to connect me with opportunities that aligned with my goals and generously invested his time and effort in helping me succeed,” Gardner said. “His confidence in my potential and continued encouragement have had a meaningful impact on my academic journey and future aspirations.”
Chemical engineering senior Yhovanka Marquez, another first-generation student impacted by Merriweather, found his guidance to be invaluable.
“Dr. Merriweather has proved to consistently be thoughtful, caring, an amazing mentor and an excellent example of what it means to be an Aggie,” Marquez said. “He has always believed in me, even when I didn’t, and he is always there when you need him.”
Merriweather gave thanks to Palomin and her team for selecting him and for their continued support for first-generation students.
“I am so grateful to be selected as the 2026 Dr. Robert M. Gates Inspiration Award recipient,” Merriweather said. “The award recognizes the everyday efforts that the SEAS team and I make to support engineering students’ success.”
He also offered a special thank you to Dr. Harry Hogan, senior associate dean for academic affairs, and Dr. Andrea Ogilvie, assistant dean for student success, for their vision and continued support for the SEAS program.
As a new semester approaches, Merriweather is ready to give the next cohort of first-generation students the tools they need to succeed.
“Whether I am aiding students’ transition from high school to college through the Engineering Summer Bridge Program, hosting workshops to equip students for success in industry, exposing students to graduate school opportunities, or sharing about my own life experiences as an engineer, I thoroughly enjoy helping others attain their goals and achieve their dreams,” he said.
