We had no idea that what we wrote in Charlotte’s obituary would provide an opportunity to see her dream of becoming a “doggy doctor” come alive in others.
Our loving tribute to her life shared that she had dreams of being a veterinarian from a very young age, and this caught the attention of North Carolina School of Veterinary Medicine. In the winter of 2013, the school raised money to start a scholarship at their school in Charlotte’s memory and reached out to us for our approval. We agreed that it was a beautiful way to remember Charlotte.
The first few years was fully funded by the staff and faculty at North Carolina State, and as we found our feet, we found ourselves being drawn to this initiative and the way it spoke to Charlotte’s unfulfilled dream.
Joel and JoAnn Bacon along with Charlotte’s brother, Guy, receiving an honorary Veterinary coat for Charlotte at the annual scholarship dinner.
We started to attend the annual scholarship dinner which was, by a twist of fate, held the same week as Charlotte’s birthday.
At these dinners, we catch up with the faculty and staff that have been so committed to this scholarship, and we meet the scholarship recipients who are always the most gracious and compassionate young adults. Gracious in their accepting of the scholarship award but so many also owned a mature dose of compassion that gave them the courage to speak of Charlotte and grief. The recipients of the Charlotte Bacon Veterinary Scholarship are some of finest young people we have ever met.
Joel and JoAnn Bacon with scholarship recipeints.
For us, this scholarship was completely in-line with what we hoped to accomplish with the CHB Foundation.
We were making Charlotte’s dream possible by supporting the dreams of others. Over the next several years, the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation would work towards endowing the scholarship. On February 22, 2022 (2.22.22), Charlotte’s 16th Birthday, the Charlotte Bacon Veterinary Education Scholarship was fully endowed helping to make dreams come true in perpetuity. Yet another act of love made possible by so many.
The Bacons accepted Charlotte's lab coat after Charlotte was admitted as an honorary student at North Carolina State School of Veterinary Medicine
Thank you NC State College of Veterinary Medicine & Veterinary Hospital for helping us honor Charlotte.
If you are a student interested in applying for this scholarship, please visit NC State College of Veterinary Medicine’s costs page and refer to the “Scholarships” section.
We strive to honor Charlotte, her beautiful life, and her dreams by establishing and supporting programs and scholarships around the things she loved most.
If you would like to make a contribution to Charlotte’s scholarship, please make a tax-deductible donation to the Charlotte Helen Bacon Foundation, indicating that you would like it used for this purpose.
-
2023/2024 Recipients
-
Isabelle McMullen
I can personally attest to the positive impact Charlotte is still making on students like me and the veterinary profession. I will think of Charlotte and your generosity often during school and my later career.
-
-
2022/2023 Recipients
-
Nycole Anderson
-
-
2021/2022 Recipients
-
Ellie Cohen
Ellie’s love for animals has contributed to her lifelong dream of becoming a veterinarian. Prior to veterinary school, Ellie worked as a veterinary technician in her community. Through her work, she enjoys sharing her passion for animals, science and animals with other young people and looks forward to pursuing her dreams at veterinary school. Ellie shared, “Like Charlotte, I have always had a passion for helping animals… This scholarship has allowed me to make my dream of becoming a veterinarian a reality, and I will forever be grateful for your generosity.”
-
Angelia Laudermilch
Angelia is in veterinary school pursuing a career in mixed animal veterinary medicine. She is particularly interested in the differing relationships mixed animal medicine will allow her to have with people. Angelia feels that by caring for their animals, she is able to care for people. Angelia expressed gratitude for the scholarship, “This scholarship has allowed me more flexibility throughout the semester and into the summer so I am able to get more experience. I would like to go to the Dominican Republic this summer to work with dairy producers, an opportunity I would not be able to consider without your scholarship.”
-
-
2020/2021 Recipients
-
Gabby Casentini
I am so honored to carry Charlotte with me through my time in the veterinary program at NC State. Thank you so much for supporting my education journey.
-
I have no doubt that I wouldn’t have made it to where I am today without the help of generous donors who have taken a chance on me and made my education possible. I am so thankful for the Bacon family and their kindness has been a blessing to me. I look forward to the day when I am able to pay their generosity forward and make a difference for the next generation of young professionals.
Janelle Wiser
It makes such a difference when you know that someone else has believed in you and is rooting for you to succeed. It’s very motivating. Knowing the backstory behind the scholarship was unexpected and very moving, as well. To think this could be possible because someone couldn’t have an opportunity to pursue this dream … I can’t say that I didn’t cry,
Micah Stockwell-Goering
Charlotte reminds me a bit of myself as a kid -a curious ball of energy with a knack for mischief/ scrapes and scratches, and “sorry mom/dad” moments. Knowing I have the support from you, complete strangers to me, is comforting and motivating. I am humbled to walk alongside the memory of Charlotte and will keep her energetic spirit in my thoughts as I embark on this journey.