Overview

MERC’s History

Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) is the research and applied engineering arm of Mercer University, a private university founded in 1833. For over 190 years, Mercer has served Georgia as a highly respected educational institution. In 1984, the School of Engineering was established at the Macon, Georgia campus, with the charter class beginning studies in 1985.

ribbon cutting photo
Ribbon cutting for new facility on October 16, 1997. (from left) Warner Robins Mayor Donald Walker, County Commission Chairman Sherrill Stafford, State Senator Sonny Perdue, Senator Saxby Chambliss, State Representative Larry Walker, Mercer University President Dr. Kirby Godsey, and MERC Executive Director Dr. David Barwick.

In 1987, MERC was established under the School of Engineering to provide locally available engineering and scientific services and critical specialized technical skills. Today, MERC functions as a non-profit research institute of the University, with the Executive Director, Ms. Andi Mitchell, reporting directly to the University Senior Vice President for Administration/Finance, Ms. Julia T. Davis.

For nearly 40 years, MERC has proudly and ably supported its clients with superb engineering and scientific capabilities and resources, to include core competencies such as the following:

  • Avionics Engineering
  • Cybersecurity Engineering
  • Comprehensive Weapons System Integrity Program Development and Support
  • Digital Engineering
  • Fleet Management (Digital Twin)
  • Fleet Tracking (Digital Thread)
  • Electronic Warfare
  • Industrial Systems and Logistics Engineering
  • Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
  • Reverse Engineering, Prototyping, and Testing
  • Software, Database, and AI/ML Engineering
  • Systems and Structures Simulation and Modeling

Currently employing over 200 engineers, scientists, interns, and operations staff, MERC has a long and varied list of customers including all of the Department of Defense services, other governmental agencies—federal, state, and local—as well as major defense contractors and a multitude of commercial entities.