Merit, a nonprofit governed by Michigan's public universities, owns & operates the longest-running regional education network.
Joined July 2009
- Tweets 3,653
- Following 550
- Followers 1,090
- Likes 392
1,115 Photos and videos
Jun 11
In the '90s, Merit's network became MichNet β expanding from a handful of universities to nearly 200 partner orgs by 1995, with statewide dial-in access reaching 95% of Michigan. National infrastructure, local impact. πΈ
hubs.la/Q04kYRD70
#Merit60 #MeritNetwork
1
3
49
Jun 10
Last Friday, we partnered with @MI_GMIS to host a Cybersecurity Tabletop Exercise.
Attendees put their problem-solving skills to the test while exploring strategies to strengthen organizational resilience.
#Cybersecurity #IncidentResponse #CyberResilience #MiGMIS #MeritNetwork
1
27
Merit's Dr. Pierrette Dagg presents at Throughput Computing Week 2026 this Wednesday β on why adopting national research infrastructure is less a tech problem than an awareness one. Tune in @ 12:10 ET.π
hubs.la/Q04kk4Fk0
#ThroughputComputing #ResearchComputing #HigherEd
1
2
16
The Digital Opportunity Enablement Map is live! πΊοΈ Does your org offer free Wi-Fi, device repair, or digital training in Michigan? You belong on it.
Sign up: hubs.la/Q04khdFk0
#MichiganMoonshot #MeritNetwork
16
What happens when broadband planning becomes a game?π²
@michiganstateu researchers are using collaborative gameplay to help communities tackle real connectivity challenges β as part of our Project Compass work.
Read more: hubs.la/Q04jQzBZ0
#ProjectCompass
25
60 years in four slides.π
One mission that's never changed: connect the people and institutions that depend on us.
Here's to the next 60. π
#Merit60 #MeritNetwork
1
18
May 28
60 years of connecting Michigan β and helping shape the Internet along the way. Here's to the people who built it. #Merit60 #MeritNetwork #InternetHistory
1
17
May 26
In 1966, Merit started inside a single university building.
By 1982, it had developed its own dedicated network hardware.
By 1988, it was becoming the home of the NSFNET backbone.
Same mission. Bigger room. Bigger stakes. 60 years later, still going. π₯οΈ
#MeritNetwork #Merit60
1
66
May 22
5 Facts about Merit Network:
π First connection: 12:20 a.m., Dec. 14, 1971
π° Budget to build it: $800,000
π» "Which Host?" β "Witch Ghost" every Halloween
π NSFNET traffic grew nearly 1,000x
π Internet: 3 countries to 93
60 years of connecting Michigan. #MeritNetwork
1
23
May 21
In 1987, Merit & partners won the NSF contract to manage the NSFNET β the catalyst for the modern internet.
Behind it: Aupperle, Braun, Rubens, Husak, Hares, Katz, Gerich, Morgan, Cheng & many more.
The internet didn't build itself. π₯οΈ
#ThrowbackThursday #MeritNetwork
2
40
May 15
#MMC2026 is in the books. π
Two days. Five keynotes. Hundreds of conversations.
None of it happens without our speakers, sponsors, Members, partners, and the Merit team working behind the scenes. Thank you all. See you next year. π
2
28
May 13
#MMC26 is wrapped at the Dearborn Inn β and today delivered.
Brittany Affolter-Caine on collaborative innovation. Princess Castleberry closing with The Truth Is in the Triggerβ’. Plus a full day of breakouts on AI, fiber, cybersecurity, and more.
#Merit60 #MeritNetwork
2
30
May 12
MMC 2026 is live at the Dearborn Inn β two days of Internet, Innovation, and Impact.
Today: Merit's ELT on 60 years of internet history, Ned Staebler on universities as economic engines, and a Member panel on real-world impact across Michigan.
Thank you to our sponsors #MMC2026
2
41
A quiet success. We'll take it.
Doug Dawson of CCG Consulting featured Merit in POTs and PANs for our 60th β from three mainframes in 1971 to 1M K-12 students today.
Sixty years of showing up. We're just getting started. π hubs.la/Q04fvdjl0
#Merit60
1
22
Behind every lecture streamed and every research breakthrough shared β there's a network making it possible.
Merit members aren't just connected. They're part of something bigger. π
hubs.la/Q04f1m_Y0
#MeritMonday #Michigan #EdTech #HigherEd #Research
1
16
Apr 30
Today is the last day to register for this yearβs MMC!
Don't miss out on our exciting lineup and networking opportunities!
Register now: hubs.la/Q04d-M7b0
Details:
ποΈ 5/12β5/13, 2026
π Dearborn Inn
#InternetInnovationImpact #60YearsofMerit #Merit60 #MMC26 #MeritNetwork
22
Apr 29
Free cybersecurity intel? It exists. π
π CISA Advisories β hubs.la/Q04dLDQL0
π MS-ISAC β hubs.la/Q04dLBY20
π SANS ISC (daily podcast) β hubs.la/Q04dLBW50
Stay informed. Stay protected.
#WatchOutWednesday #CyberSecurity #InfoSec
38
Apr 27
Merit CEO Roger Blake joins Jean Hardy as a keynote speaker at the 2026 Small Town & Rural Development Conference, June 1β3 at Crystal Mountain Resort β exploring what rural leaders need to know about data centers.
π hubs.la/Q04d5hBm0
#RuralMichigan #DataCenters
30
Apr 23
Register for MMC before April 30!
Here are three great reasons to join us at the Dearborn Inn this May:
1οΈβ£ Inspiring Keynotes
2οΈβ£ Expert-Led Sessions
3οΈβ£ Industry Connections
Register now: hubs.la/Q04ddP4S0
ποΈ 5/12β5/13, 2026
π Dearborn Inn
#MMC26 #Merit60 #MeritNetwork
26
Apr 22
The internet has a footprint. Now we know ours. π£π
@UMich master's students built a first-of-its-kind GHG inventory of Merit's fiber network and data centers β from construction to disposal. As Michigan's grid decarbonizes, our emissions drop.
π hubs.la/Q04cFp590
31