William Merchant

Will Merchant joined Seton LaSalle as Assistant Principal and Dean of Students in 2020. He is a proud product of more than 15 years of Catholic education. He grew up in Irwin, PA and attended Catholic schools in the Diocese of Greensburg from grades K-12. After graduating from Greensburg Central Catholic (where former beloved SLS staff member, Sr. Brigid Marie Grandey, served as principal!), he went on to pursue a B.A. in Communications and a minor in Theology at Duquesne University. Upon completion, Will immediately began his graduate studies, earning a Master's in Systematic Theology from Duquesne University in 2009.

After a brief stint as an Assistant Golf Professional at Butler's Golf Course in Elizabeth, PA, Will returned to Greensburg Central Catholic as a Theology teacher, where he cherished sharing the classroom for nine years. Along with his teaching duties, he worked on the Campus Ministry team, served as Theology Department Chair, coached tennis and gold, and served as President of the Greensburg Catholic Teachers Association. In addition to teaching high school Theology, Will also served as an adjunct professor of Theology at Seton Hill University for both traditional and online learners. While wearing many hats and using his classroom to evangelize was very fulfilling, Will still felt that he was being called to serve the mission of Catholic education in a greater capacity. After a brief period of discernment, he enrolled in the Master's of Catholic School Leadership program at the University of Notre Dame, which he completed in July 2020. 

Outside of school, Will is an avid golfer and lover of the Pittsburgh Penguins. He looks forward to marrying his fiance, Kelly, in the summer of 2021. He is excited to be at Seton LaSalle, where the family atmosphere on campus is palpable. Will says we should cling to the words of our patron saints, Saint La Salle and Mother Seton: "Let us remember that we are in the Holy presence of God," and "Hazard, yet forward!"