Larry Merbach

Other than buildings, what has lasted longer than 50 years at the College? The answer is our 2020 Parade Grand Marshal, Professor Larry Merbach. A native of Drake, N.D., Merbach decided to become a teacher while still in high school, but first, he served his country in the U.S. Air Force. He began teaching in Fairmount, N.D., before coming to NDSCS in 1966. He transitioned to the private sector in 1976, and then went back to teaching at UND Williston, now known as Williston State College. In 1980, Larry returned to NDSCS, where he’s been a mathematics and science professor ever since. 

Larry served under five presidents during his tenure, and when discussing changes that have occurred, he references technology and computers on campus. He wore a sport coat to class every day and says many students wore them in his earlier teaching days. Larry believes in lecturing less and letting the students solve problems themselves, utilizing the old slogan ‘Where students learn by doing’. When asked about a unique classroom moment, he tells the story of teaching the fundamental theorem of calculus, and at the conclusion a student said, “That’s poetry!” Larry has also authored some of his own textbooks about computer literacy and trigonometry. Larry planned to retire upon completing his 50^th year of teaching at the conclusion of the 2019-2020 academic year but has been asked to teach a Calculus class in the fall of ’21.

Larry’s travels around the world taught him an important lesson: that people everywhere want the same things — peace, security and safety for their families. Larry and his wife, Renelle, recently celebrated their 39^th anniversary. They have four children and six grandchildren.

For his 50 years of dedication to the students and the mission of NDSCS, we are pleased to honor Larry Merbach as our 2020 Parade Grand Marshal. A drive on the west side campus was also recently named in his honor, Merbach Drive.