EDITOR’S NOTE: This story originally appeared in Heart of Ohio Magazine in 2013. It is being republished through a cooperative agreement with Richland Source. To read more stories on Heart of Ohio Magazine log on at www.heartofohiomagazine.com.
Merrill Tawse is a valuable asset to our community; his career is entwined with children, bats, cadavers and a very special tree frog. He grew up in Mansfield and has been an educator since 1980. Thousands of people in the Richland County area have had the pleasure of attending one of his classes; many have carried his lessons throughout their lives.
What makes Merrill unique is his ability to work with preschoolers one day; college students the next. How many people can successfully adapt to diverse audiences and a wide range of subject matter?
In 1980 Merrill was one of two people on staff at the Gorman Nature Center in Mansfield, and helped Gorman became a leader in outdoor educational programs. For many years he taught nature related topics to preschoolers, elementary students, any class that wanted to visit the facility. Merrill’s work was not limited to schools; he also developed programs for garden clubs, scout troops and senior citizen centers. If you wanted to learn about nature, Merrill was happy to meet with you to share his excitement for the subject.
One of his favorite educational experiences occurred during those early years. A group of elderly people visited Gorman on a field trip from a nearby senior center.
A lady, probably in her mid-80s, was very turned off by the small animals and did not want to touch them as they were passed around the group. Much to her surprise, a tree frog escaped the grasp of the person seated next to her; the renegade frog landed directly on the nose of the squeamish woman. Everyone froze in shock, but it proved to be a real breakthough moment.
Miraculously, the elderly woman had a change of heart; that little frog broke her negative feeling about animals that she had harbored for many years. She wanted to hold other animals at Gorman, and suddenly found joy in something so simple. Merrill learned a valuable lesson about teaching that day, “You are never too old to learn.”
He only wished the lady could have had the frog experience earlier in her life.
His career as an educator continued beyond Gorman. He spent 17 years at Discovery School and 10 years at North Central Technical College teaching science classes. Several years ago he joined the staff at MedCentral College of Nursing, which recently became part of Ashland University (AU). His skill and versatility as an educator has allowed him to succeed in levels from preschool through a university setting.
Merrill also works as an instructor at AU; his workload includes classes in ecology, biology, entomology (insects) and physiology. His special laboratory class, limited to 16 students, focuses on human anatomy using cadavers as the teaching tool. Not many small universities use cadavers; not many universities have a well-versed educator like Merrill Tawse to lead the class.
AU deserves accolades for their policies regarding professors. Dawn Weber, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, challenges her staff with three specific goals; teaching, research and service to community. The University has assisted Merrill by providing him with free time on Wednesday mornings. He happily returns to his educational roots at Gorman Nature Center to volunteer, teaching the Moms and Kids program and giving back to the community. AU and Dean Weber’s approach to community service make the Moms and Kids program possible; Merrill is grateful for their civic-minded approach.
During the Moms and Kids program Merrill introduces small children to a variety of animals in their native habitat. Sometimes the class dip nets for aquatic invertebrates, other days they search for crayfish or watch resident turtles feed on insects. Merrill’s work with preschoolers builds excitement about nature and allows them to get a deeper understanding of our natural world. He hopes that the children in Moms and Kids will grow up with an appreciation for our environment and a desire to preserve and protect it for future generations.
Being an instructor at Gorman Nature Center and AU has similarities and differences. People coming to Gorman may not return for weeks or months. Each day brings a new stream of people that Merrill believes are “opportunities to energize”; nothing makes him happier than seeing their excitement when they experience nature firsthand. Merrill’s classes at AU are adults in classes that last for semesters; the depth of the learning experience being profound and rewarding to him.
When Merrill is not teaching, he is conducting research with bats, his favorite mammal. More than 25 years ago Merrill became intrigued by bats and the impact civilization has on their population throughout the United States. Merrill recognized the important role they play in our ecosystem. Because of his passion, knowledge and commitment he is recognized as an expert on bats throughout the United States.
An example of his bat research involved an urban area in Ohio where bats could not be found, even though the habitat was perfect for their existence. Merrill discovered that water-hatched insects, the favorite food of the bats in the area, were also missing. The mystery was solved when a water quality analysis indicated a nearby stream had been contaminated by the runoff of deicing fluid from a local airport; the contamination had killed the insects. The resulting shortage of a food source for the bats caused them to leave the area. Merrill’s research resulted in improved water quality for the area’s residents.
Merrill truly appreciates the opportunity to educate and he understands what Gorman Nature Center has meant to our area. He is pleased to be a part of a place that has given thousands of people the chance to connect with nature.
UDPATE: Merrill continues to volunteer at Gorman Nature Center and also is listed on the faculty at Ashland University.
For more information about Gorman Nature Center, 2295 Lexington Ave., Mansfield, Ohio 44907, call 419-884-FROG (3764) or log on at http://gormannaturecenter.org/
