Long-distance runners know the power of a ‘second wind’ — that surge of strength that arrives just when you think you can’t go on. Tonya Merrill ’92 felt it during her years as a student at Utah State.
“I had a new baby, I was taking physics classes, and I didn’t think I could do it,” Tonya said. “But encouragement from my husband, Eric ’92, my family, and my professors gave me the strength to keep going.”
For Eric and Tonya, that second wind came at a pivotal moment. While both were full-time students — Eric in electrical engineering and Tonya in computer science — they welcomed their first child.
“Balancing full-time coursework, jobs, and new parenthood often felt overwhelming,” Tonya recalled. “I found out I had to take a couple extra physics classes that I hadn’t anticipated. I was due in mid-July and wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. I cried a lot that summer.”
Eric remembers those days vividly.
“I worked for the USU Experimental Station Farms, and my boss asked if I wanted to manage a greenhouse near the stadium with an apartment included,” Eric said. “It was low rent and close to campus. That opportunity gave us a way to study, work, and care for our baby — it was a real blessing.”
Family support, scholarships, and small acts of encouragement created a network that helped the couple persevere.
“You get to a point where you feel completely depleted and don’t know how to take the next step,” Tonya said. “For me, that outside force came from Eric, my family, our scholarships, even professors who said they would help me through. That encouragement helped me keep going.”
That resilience not only shaped their academic journey but also their desire to give back.
“The assistance we received at USU was key to where we are today,” Eric said. “We’ve seen our children reach moments in their education where funding runs out, and sometimes Pell grants aren’t available. Now we’re able to help students who are close to the finish line but unsure how they’ll get there. That’s why we established the Second Wind Scholarship in the College of Engineering.”
The Merrills’ story is also a testament to their determination and discipline.
“Education teaches you to reach inside for your inner strength,” Tonya reflected. “It gives perspective that what feels impossible really isn’t — you just have to take it one step at a time.”
When Eric was a student at Utah State University, he received the Clayton & Helen B. Clark, Blaine P. & Louise Christiansen Clyde, and Dr. Bertis L. & Anna E. C. Embry scholarships — support that left a lasting impression on both him and his wife. Now, giving back has become a full-circle moment in their lives.
“When you receive help, it creates a cycle,” Eric said. “Later, when you’re able to help others, it completes that cycle. It’s gratifying to see students succeed, knowing that our contribution may impact them for generations.”
Even as Eric and Tonya’s professional lives led them to Utah County, their connection to Utah State remains deep. Four of their five children attended USU, and their daughters-in-law are also Aggies.
“We didn’t push them,” Eric said with a smile. “They wanted to go to USU on their own, just like we did. Our family’s legacy at Utah State continues, and we hope the Second Wind Scholarship inspires students to find their own momentum and keep going.”
Through this scholarship, the Merrills are passing along more than financial support — they’re sharing a lesson in courage and resilience. They know firsthand that sometimes, all it takes is that extra push — the second wind — to reach the finish line.
At Utah State University, many students balance coursework with jobs and family responsibilities. Scholarships provide the critical support that helps them persist, graduate, and create positive change for generations. By establishing a named endowed scholarship with a minimum investment of $25,000, donors can ensure meaningful awards are given in perpetuity while honoring a loved one, preserving a family name, or supporting a program they care about. Create Your Aggie Impact by opening doors of access and opportunity for deserving Aggies year after year.
Contact
David Kunz
Engineering, Senior Development Director
(435) 797-8012
david.kunz@usu.edu
Tony Ahlstrom
Engineering, Development Officer
(435) 797-0769
tony.ahlstrom@usu.edu