A family trip to New York City shaped Andrew Merrick's future.

When he was 8 years old, Merrick and his family went to see a World War II era battleship, the USS Intrepid, now a museum.

"I found myself intrigued and motivated by what I saw," he wrote in his admissions essay. "The whole day I was in awe at how they turned something so historic and technological into a business. Many things about the ship were so intricate and amazing.

"For some reason details, creativity, simplicity and basically everything about the ship brought out my desire to see and do new things," he wrote. "I have had a growing aspiration for a business career ever since that day."

Merrick says he owes a great deal to his parents, who fueled his dreams. They often brought him, along with his younger brother and sister, to national parks, museums and places of historical significance.

Merrick, 18, is a business major from New Jersey whose parents are both alumni of the University. His father, Robert, majored in information systems with a minor in market research. His mother, Donna, majored in physical therapy with a minor in psychology. Both graduated in the Class of 1981.

Merrick says his parents didn't pressure him to attend Quinnipiac. "They didn't want me to go to school here just because they went here."

He applied to St. Joseph's University, the University of Delaware, Rider University and the University of Rhode Island, but Quinnipiac felt like the best fit.

"I liked the business school here," he said. "It seemed really good, the campus is beautiful and the people are nice."

In high school Merrick honed his leadership skills as president of DECA, a national association for students interested in careers in marketing, management and entrepreneurship. He participated in regional and state competitions as well as fundraising for the team. Merrick and two other students ran the school store, handling purchasing, sales and price setting.

Merrick hopes to play intramural soccer, football and volleyball and has already joined three clubs tied to his business major.

While in high school, Merrick played soccer for four years and ran track for three.

"I think sports made me more social and active, and brought out some of my leadership skills," he said.