[Correction: The initial version of this story stated that Merc started was recruited to UH for tennis in 1996 instead of 1998. The initial version also said Merc’s job position in the Air National Guard was just Cyberspace Operations Officer instead of that position and Financial Management Analyst. We apologize for the error, and the story has been corrected.]
Eddie Merc is a professor at Chaminade University, but has many more responsibilities than just an educator. Merc is a member of the Air National Guard, owns his own business, MBA Director/Advisor, FLEX Program Instructor, and professor for undergraduate and graduate students. It is clear that the word “relaxed” is unknown in Merc’s life.
“I am one of the luckiest people on the planet,” Merc said. “I love what I do.”
Merc, who grew up in Poprad-Matejovce, Czechoslovakia (now Slovak Republic) about 100 miles from Ukraine, is beyond humble and constantly expresses how he got so lucky in his life.
As a teenager moved to Hawaii for college, due to being recruited to play tennis for University of Hawaii in 1998. However, he spoke no English. Before he left to play tennis at UH, he was facing a crossroad with either playing professional tennis or starting his education. In a way he got a little bit of both worlds with being granted a scholarship to play tennis and start his higher education journey.
(Photo courtesy of Eddie Merc)
Merc played tennis for three universities here in Hawaii, Hawaii Pacific University, University of Hawaii, and Brigham Young University-Hawaii. When he played at BYU-Hawaii, the tennis program was number one in the country. He was the third best tennis player at BYU, and won a national title with BYU in 2002-2003.
During his college years he created his own company called Aloha Tennis Academy. Since he grew up playing tennis he was quick to notice that Hawaii lacked tennis coaches, and saw that as an entrepreneurial opportunity.
“My dream has always been to be an educator,” Merc said. “I didn’t want to do the traditional route of becoming an educator. I wanted real world corporate experience, so I went to the mainland.”
He has quite some history with working with Dell Computers, and moved around the mainland for a bit before settling back in Hawaii. He lived in Texas, Utah, and California. Once he gained the corporate experience he wanted he came back and worked for Bank of Hawaii, Hawaiian Airlines and became an adjunct professor at different universities here in Hawaii.
Since Merc has been teaching since 2008 at when he started at HPU, and he has tried many teaching styles. He is big on using experiential learning, the process of learning by doing. Another type of teaching Merc uses often is project-based learning, because you can use these projects as part of you portfolio when going into the real world.
“I feel like education is something no one can take it away from you,” Merc said. “There are only a few tools that you can use to change the world with. Education is one of the most powerful tools you can use to change the world with.”
Michael Rose is graduating in May 2024 with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, and during his time studying here at Chaminade University, Rose has had Merc as a professor many times, including Introduction to Business (BU 200), Quantitative Methods (BU 324), Career Development (BU 416), and Operations Management (MGT 407). Professor Merc also helped with the IACBE Business Competition for two years, and the group secured a victory in Orlando.
“Dr. Merc is an exceptionally dedicated and passionate educator, whose commitment to teaching significantly enhanced my academic experience,” Rose wrote in an email. “His infectious enthusiasm inspires me to achieve more. As a 20-year military veteran, I am deeply inspired by Dr. Merc’s dual roles as an educator and a member of the Air National Guard.”
While Merc is very involved with Chaminade University, nearly every weekend he is busy with the Air National Guard as a Financial Management Analyst/Cyberspace Operations Officer. He is completing his 10th year with the military this year. Being part of the Air National Guard provides him to serve the country as a whole, but also the state since the Air National Guard is under state jurisdiction.
“My life has been blessed with many things, especially living in this country,” Merc said. “I have always looked up to people who do things that are bigger than themselves. I have always wanted to serve in the military, but especially to this country after all it has given me.”