PSC Alumni Association pays tribute to 2026 Distinguished Alumni Award honorees

The Pensacola State College Alumni Association and Office of the President hosted the college’s biennial Distinguished Alumni Awards Gala on Saturday, June 13, in the Jean & Paul Amos Performance Studio on the Pensacola campus. Carol Carlan, W. George Gaines, Lane Harper and Rebecca Merlin were honored for their community impact, career success and life accomplishments.

Each honoree was recognized for their unique contributions in separate award categories that reflect their levels of achievement, civic engagement and positive impact on the lives of others through service to the college and community. In order of presentation, Merlin received the Spirit of PSC Award, Harper received the Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship Award, Carlan received the Community Legacy Award, and Gaines received the Founders Legacy Award.

The Spirit of PSC Award was presented to Merlin for embodying the mission, values and transformative power of the college through personal achievement, professional success and a lifelong commitment to uplifting others.

As a regional recruiting director for Waffle House, Inc., Merlin oversees hiring, training and leadership development across Northwest Florida and Baldwin County, Ala. Since starting with the legendary restaurant chain in 1996 at age 16, she has built a reputation for helping individuals realize their potential and grow into leadership roles, regardless of their starting point. Her own journey reflects resilience, as she has pursued higher education later in life. She received a Bachelor of Applied Science in Business and Management degree from PSC in 2017.

“If there were a way to track the number of students who enrolled at PSC, or Pensacola Junior College before, because of Rebecca, I have a feeling that number would be remarkable. Her influence extends far beyond the workplace and into the lives of those who she inspires to take the first step toward that brighter future,” said PSC Athletics and Alumni Executive Director Hailey Lotz.

The Business Leadership & Entrepreneurship Award was presented to Harper for demonstrating exceptional success in business leadership, innovation and entrepreneurship while contributing meaningfully to his community and alma mater.

Harper has been a local business leader and entrepreneur in the office products industry since 1997. He currently serves as president of Southeast Office Products and Paper — a company he helped launch in 2024. Previously, he successfully expanded operations at Gulf Coast Office Products and Staples Business Advantage and became known for driving growth and innovation through relationship-centered business strategy.

A former president of the PSC Alumni Association, Harper contributes to the college and broader community through continued board service and civic involvement. He also serves on the PSC Foundation Board of Governors and is active in Fiesta Pensacola through the Krewe of Rebellaires and Pensacola Rotary Club as a Paul Harris Fellow.

The Community Legacy award was presented to Carlan for her sustained commitment to service, leadership and philanthropy, which has shaped and strengthened the community for generations.

“Receiving this honor is especially meaningful. I’ve been a part of Pensacola State College for 53 years. From student to alumni to trustee and now as a distinguished alumni honoree,” said Carlan. “To be recognized by an institution that has shaped so much of my journey is both humbling and deeply gratifying.”

Carlan is a seasoned executive leader with more than 40 years of experience across banking, healthcare, philanthropy and community service. Known for fostering growth in people and organizations, she currently serves as the director of philanthropy for the Institute for Human and Machine Cognition, where she advances support for scientific innovation and research. As founder and CEO of Carlan Consulting, she promotes a people-first philosophy to help organizations build strong teams and cultures. Carlan has demonstrated community commitment through service on more than 35 nonprofit boards, including leadership roles with the Greater Pensacola Chamber, Pace Center for Girls and PSC. She is an emeritus member of the PSC Foundation Board of Governors and the longest-tenured trustee in the history of the Pensacola State College District Board of Trustees, serving from 1999 to 2025.

“Every opportunity I’ve been given came because someone believed in me, encouraged me, challenged me and opened a door for me,” said Carlan. “Education is more than books, and classrooms and degrees, it’s about creating opportunity, building confidence, developing leaders and helping people discover possibilities they never saw in themselves. Most importantly, it’s about adding value to the lives of others and to the world in which we all live.”

“For that reason, I share this recognition with the professors, the mentors, the friends, the family members, the colleagues and trustees who have invested in my life over the years,” she said.

The Founders Award was presented to Gaines for his vision and leadership, establishing a lasting tradition of connection, service and giving, and creating a legacy that continues to impact the college and community.

Gaines is an accomplished researcher, scholar and global business executive with nearly 50 years of experience in applied research, teaching and strategic leadership. He led international consumer intelligence and market research initiatives in a senior role with Outback Steakhouse International and also held executive leadership roles at Synovate, Kantar Group and The Gallup Organization. He holds a Doctor of Education in Social Sciences Education from the University of Georgia and has taught at the University of New Orleans, Louisiana State University and the University of Florida.

“As a student, George had a vision to create something larger than himself,” said PSC Alumni Association President Mike Thomas about how Gaines founded the Delta Kappa Alpha Fraternity at Pensacola Junior College in 1961. The DKA chapter has endured as a long-lasting brotherhood among PSC alumni.

“Becoming a DKA brother meant scholarship, loyalty, support from one another, and the enduring values of wisdom, honor and dignity — those virtues are present in the brothers here tonight. Perhaps most important is their contribution of treasure and labor to fund scholarships. To date, we have collectively funded over $410,000 in scholarships here at Pensacola State College,” said Thomas, a fellow DKA fraternity member.

Addressing the many DKA members in attendance, Gaines said, “I thank all the brothers for all the success you’ve created in your careers and all your generosity to this wonderful institution we all love.”

The PSC Alumni Association connects the college and its alumni and friends through meaningful information, events and education, strengthening lifelong relationships, fostering pride in the college and encouraging continued engagement and support among PSC alumni.