The Charles C. Mellinger III Endowed Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine
(front) Charles C. Mellinger III
(back l-r) Charles’ father Charlie Mellinger
and his sister Lisa Mellinger.
When Charles Mellinger III graduated from high school in 1981, he knew he
wanted to follow in his family's tradition and attend WSU. His father
Charlie ('60 BA in General Studies) and his sister Lisa ('81 BA in Art) are
both devoted Cougs, as was his mother Sally.
Growing up, Charles loved animals, and had hoped to one day work as a
veterinarian in agricultural animal medicine.
"Charles always had a way with animals," said his father Charlie
Mellinger. "Whether it was training a lab or working with the Charolais
cows, he was at ease with them."
Charles C. Mellinger III (center)
with his cows when he was
about 10 years old.
After Charles finished his freshman year at WSU in pre-veterinary
medicine he went home for the summer and was looking forward to returning in
the fall. But the night before returning to Pullman, the car Charles and
his roommate were driving was struck by another car. Charles' roommate was
killed in the accident and Charles spent a year in the hospital. Left a
quadriplegic after the accident, Charles was unfortunately never able to
return to WSU and finish his degree.
While Charles' dream to be a veterinarian could not be realized, his
family wanted to give back to the college and University that had meant so
much to Charles and his entire family.
The Charles C. Mellinger III Endowed Scholarship in Veterinary Medicine
will be awarded to third- or fourth-year veterinary students who intend to
go into agricultural animal practice.
