WEST WINDSOR – For 46 years Alfred “Al” Leister was an important fixture at Mercer County Community College. Hired to develop the health and physical education program in 1970, Leister ran the academic skills lab for one year before building what has become a thriving athletic program focusing on the health and fitness of its student athletes. After 18 years as Mercer’s Athletic Director, Leister taught developmental math until 2006 before taking on the role as adjunct, and leaving a four plus decade legacy of service and leadership at the College upon retiring in 2016.

“I originally intended to stay for three years,” said Leister. “But everything I wanted or needed was here. I stayed because of the place and the people. I found my second family at Mercer.” To say that his career at Mercer was successful is something of an understatement, and touching the lives of hundreds of students was par for the course. One such former student, Randy Voorhees, considered Leister and the Mercer athletic program his “salvation” and jumped at the chance to give back. “I read about the Mercer baseball team and asked to try out,” he said. “I immediately liked the vibe and bought a school jacket.”

After two years at MCCC, Voorhees transferred to Penn State in 1981, but never forgot the support and guidance he received. “Mercer shaped me,” said Voorhees who recently established the Al Leister “Spirit of the Game” Scholarship in Al’s honor. “I got a lot from him and the College and I wanted to say thank you and give back through a scholarship fund in order to help other student athletes,” said Voorhees. “It is very nourishing to look at young people and see the impact MCCC has had on them.”

The scholarship will be awarded to athletes, with preference given to full-time students, and was carefully crafted to recognize students who show leadership qualities and always put their best foot forward. “Scholarships shouldn’t always be for those with a 4.0 GPA or for the best hitter,” said Voorhees. “We want to include students who are out there giving it their all.”

The first Al Leister “Spirit of the Game” scholarship will be awarded this fall, for the 2025-2026 academic year. For more information, please visit www.mccc.edu/foundation. To help give back to student athletes and keep Al Leister’s legacy alive through the “Spirit of the Game” Scholarship Fund, please visit www.mccc.edu/leister.

About Mercer County Community College
Established in 1966, Mercer County Community College is a publicly supported comprehensive institution that provides opportunities for higher education through an open-door admission policy. The scenic 292-acre West Windsor Campus was opened in 1972 to serve the needs of Mercer County residents. MCCC’s James Kerney Campus, located in downtown Trenton, serves as an educational and cultural hub for city residents that meets the changing needs of thousands of students and community members seeking educational fulfillment and personal and career growth. President: Deborah E. Preston, Ph.D.; www.mccc.edu


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