Paschal High School Alumni
Ft. Worth, Texas (TX)
Leonard Preston Mercer
Paschal High School
Class of 1959
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LEONARD PRESTON'S PROFILE
First Name | Leonard Preston |
Last Name | Mercer |
Graduation Year | Class of 1959 |
Gender | Male |
Current Location | Lakewood Ranch , Florida |
Hometown | Fort Worth, Texas |
Relationship Status | Married |
About Me | In the early 1960s, I was not sure of a major at the University of Texas so I decided to take a break from my studies to play drums in a band - the Silvertones played fraternity parties and traveled. Eventually, the band dissolved, everyone graduated and went on to their profession. I finally received my Bachelor's degree in Chemistry from the University of Texas at Austin in 1967 (only took 8 years!); doctorate in biochemistry from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge in 1971; and NIH postdoctoral fellowship in Nutritional Biochemistry from the College of Medicine at the University of Alabama-Birmingham. After receiving my doctorate, I helped establish the University of South Alabama College of Medicine in Mobile. In 1977 I became involved with a university that combined medical school and a faith-based environment, helping start the medical and dental school at Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Okla. After teaching medicine for 20 years, I decided that it was time for something new. In 1990, I became chair of the department of Nutrition and Food Science at the University of Kentucky. In 1999, I took the CEO position at the University of South Florida-Lakeland campus. This gave me the opportunity to travel to Cairo, Egypt for the United Nations and also become a member of the Oxford University Round Table. Currently I am Professor of Biochemistry at USF having “retired” from academic administration but still enjoying being in the classroom. My wife Diane and I have been blessed with three children - Cindy has an MBA - she and her husband own sporting goods stores in Anchorage, Tim is a dentist in Sarasota (that way I get free dental care!) and my youngest is a pastor's wife and teacher. We also have 13 grandchildren. 50th anniversary coming up. Now that the children are grown, Diane and I visit the grand kids and travel. S...(read more) |
Class of 1959 Alumni and Other Nearby Classes
→ Reunite with 25 class of 1959 classmates that have joined.
Missy Wisely
Class of 1979
Donna Whitaker
Class of 1983
Lorie Same
Class of 1975
Mindy Manson
Class of 1977
Melydia Hester
Class of 1976
Lori Prince
Class of 1979
Barbara Herman
Class of 1971
Brodie Porter
Class of 2002
Christopher Egan
Class of 1967
Don Sessions
Class of 1961
Janna Minton
Class of 1978
Gary Pritchett
Class of 1993
David Zenczak
Class of 1965
Paul Derden
Class of 1974
Sammye Mayfield
Class of 1966
Jessica Ortiz
Class of 1993
Charline Cox
Class of 1968
Chris Schuller
Class of 1991
Dawne Yarbrough
Class of 1986
Mary Claire Coffey
Class of 1979
Marcia Chapa
Class of 1988
Pam Pam Baker
Class of 1981
Ronald Johnson
Class of 1983
Richard Berquist
Class of 1988
Recent Class of 1959 Reunions
Plan a Class of 1959 Reunion for Free
Annual 1930-1951 Reunion
Invited Classes: All Classes
Date: Oct 05, 2012
Description: Last Minute Reservations Contact Eddie Eades at 210-683 -5942