PHOTO/BRANDON DEESE

Willie Deese, a Northwest Cabarrus High School graduate, had a clock tower built in his honor at N.C. A&T in Greensboro.

N.C. A&T State University dedicated a clock tower on campus to honor alumnus Willie Deese and his wife Carol.

The tower, which blends traditional masonry using concrete, steel and glass with state-of-the art sound and LED lighting is a monument to the Deeses’ gifts to the university.

Deese is executive vice president and president of the Merck Manufacturing Division, with responsibility for Merck’s worldwide manufacturing operations.  He oversees a network of more than 55 manufacturing and distribution sites with 16,500 employees in 22 countries with an operating budget of $8 billion. He is also responsible for Merck’s global procurement organization.   

Deese, a graduate of Northwest Cabarrus High School, earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from A&T 1977 and master’s in business administration from Western New England College.  He also has an honorary doctorate from A&T.

Comments