Welcome to the CVM Family: Meet Eric Melch

After beginning his career in athletics, Eric Melch has joined a new team — the NC State College of Veterinary Medicine advancement team, where he is the new assistant director of leadership annual giving.  

Originally from Madison, Wisc., Melch is a graduate of the University of Minnesota and began his career working in professional and collegiate athletics in Seattle and Omaha. Most recently, he was the associate director of scholarship development with the University of Hawaii Foundation.

Melch’s wife, Christine, is a practicing dentist in the U.S. Air Force. They have a daughter, Caia, with another baby on the way. 

What are your responsibilities in this position?

This is a new position. I’ll be working with leadership donors who make substantial contributions on an annual basis, making sure they are fully aware of the opportunities they have to make a difference. 

How did you get into this field?

My freshman year in college I volunteered to do telefund calling, and I discovered that I had no hesitation about asking people for donations. So I got experience early. I found that I enjoy building relationships, seeing the results and working in a college environment. I’m looking forward to being able to do it in a non-COVID world.

What are you most excited about in this job?

It’s exciting to be in a new position where there are a lot of opportunities to be creative and to do things that haven’t been done before. For example, I recently met with a donor on a horse farm, and I got to lead a horse out to pasture. It’s great to work with people who are passionate about what they do.

What would someone be surprised to know about you?

A veterinarian was the first person who knew that my future wife and I were going to get married. We had a new kitten, and we had just gotten engaged the night before. We were planning to let our families know after breakfast the following morning, but the kitten got a spider bite on the nose and we had to rush her to the vet’s office. The kitten was fine, but in the course of our conversation we told the veterinarian that we had just gotten engaged. So that kind of foreshadowed what I’m doing now.

When you’re not at work, where could we find you?

On the golf course. We live in Pinehurst, and both of us play golf. We also have a new house and a 2-year-old, so home takes a lot of time, too.

Tell us about your pets.

We still have that kitten who got the spider bite on the nose. Kenai is 8 years old now. Our cat has flown more miles than a lot of people.

~Steve Volstad/NC State Veterinary Medicine