Development & External Relations

Caroline Engle was born September 1, 1929
and died February 2, 2008.

Critical research into infectious diseases in animals will make great strides at Washington State University thanks to College of Veterinary Medicine alumnae G. Caroline Engle, whose planned gift creates the Caroline Engle Distinguished Professor in Research on Infectious Diseases. Her gift will provide the resources necessary to support a permanent faculty member with an established "cutting edge" research program delving into the cause and treatment of infectious diseases in animals.

Caroline retired from her veterinary practice in 2005 but retains an active interest in research and small animal medicine. Her gift expresses her appreciation for the opportunities provided by WSU to an older student wanting to pursue her love for animals and interest in science and medicine. “WSU accepted me into veterinary school when it had been eight years since I had graduated from college,” Caroline notes. She earned a Doctorate in Veterinary Medicine at WSU in 1967 and credits Professor Roger Spencer of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology for providing the tools that helped her successfully compete for a post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania. Studying under a grant from the National Cancer Institute, Caroline’s research into the cause of cancer in animals led to the discovery that mammary tumors in rats were caused by viruses. Her subsequent research project on Feline Leukemia formed the foundation for a cats-only clinical practice she owned in Vancouver, Washington.

Caroline's gift will serve to attract further support for the infectious diseases research program of the Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Pathology, explains department chairman David Prieur. “Dr. Engle’s wonderful gift will have a substantial impact on the Department’s major research focus of developing the requisite information for the control of infectious diseases of animals in the years ahead,” he notes.