The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

My name is Deanne Wilbur, and I was a friend and co-worker of Melissa Harting. Over the last month, I have been working closely with her family, friends, and Walla Walla Community College to initiate a nursing scholarship to honor an incredible person.

Melissa had a rare and exceptional work ethic. She was the staff member that everyone else was measured against. While working in the high-stress environment of the emergency department, she still found the time to provide compassionate and efficient care to our most vulnerable populations while never complaining when asked to help with a less-than-thrilling assignment.

Over the years I watched Melissa light up the rooms of her patients with her humor and quick wit. This quality helped relieve the stress and pressure that our patients, their families, and the staff felt. These attributes also contributed to the unparalleled teamwork that she brought every day.

But beyond all of this, I witnessed her relentless dedication to her family and friends. Now, it is our turn to allow her legacy to continue and find the next nursing students to attempt to fill these shoes.

Below is the scholarship criteria set forth:

• Scholarship recipients must be enrolled in the Nursing program.

• Preference is given to students who have spent time working in healthcare-related fields and are returning to WWCC to pursue their nursing degrees.

•Preference will be given to students attending from the areas immediately surrounding Walla Walla, including Waitsburg, Prescott, Touchet, and Dayton.

Donations in Melissa’s memory will help create the Melissa Harting Memorial Nursing Scholarship Fund held at the Walla Walla Community College Foundation. Melissa’s legacy of going the extra mile for others will continue on through future nurses serving our region. The WWCC is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, tax ID 91-1207033. 

Donations designated in memory of Melissa Harting can be made directly to the WWCC Foundation:

Online: https://foundation.wwcc.edu/

Mail: WWCC Foundation

500 Tausick Way

Walla Walla, WA  99362

If paying by check please write “Melissa Harting” in the memo line so they know where the money is to go.

By Phone: (509) 527-4373  (Matt Banderas)

Email: matthew.banderas@wwcc.edu

If you have any questions, you may contact me at deannederuwe76@hotmail.com or (509) 240-0416 or Matt Banderas at the foundation office-email as above. As family, friends, co-workers, and a community, we can continue to honor our dear Melissa.