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Franklin County resident Charles Wharton was recently awarded the Jim and Natalie Haslam Presidential Medal, the highest honor that is given by the University of Tennessee.

Recipients of the Presidential Medal are individuals who support the university through exemplary giving, leadership, service, willingness and ability to motivate others. In addition, honorees are selected who have shown commitment to collegiate education and who have achieved success in all aspects of their life.

In addition to receiving the Jim and Natalie Haslam Presidential Medal, the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine Large Animal Hospital was renamed in honor of Charles and his late wife, Julie. The facility is now known as the Charles and Julie Wharton Large Animal Hospital due to their influential and abundantly generous donations and contributions.

Wharton, a Shelbyville, Tennessee native, who chose Franklin County as a place to retire, earned a degree from the University of Tennessee’s Tickle College of Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration from the prestigious University of Chicago.

Wharton’s engineering career led him to collaborations with the Apollo Space Program in Houston, Texas. He also served as the executive director to Los Angeles, California, law firm O’Melveny & Meyers.

Amid his many career accomplishments, he met and instantly fell in love with his late wife, Julie. Julie earned her degree from the University of Alabama and served as a president of the Los Angeles Blind Children’s Center.

She served on the board of visitors for the University of Tennessee’s College of Veterinary Medicine and on the UT Women’s Council of Philanthropy and was a founding member of the Center for Abused Children and Women in Roswell, New Mexico.

Julie served on the advisory board for the UTCVM beginning at its start until her death in 2008.

The Whartons used the services of the UT Veterinary Medical Center in the 1980s for their English bulldogs. Since then, the Whartons became avid supporters and benefactors for the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Dr. Jim Thompson, the dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, recognized the lengthy support Charles and Julie gave to various University of Tennessee programs and notably remarked in a UT Institute of Agriculture article, “Their philanthropic support of UT and particularly the large animal and equine facilities at UTCVM has been transformational.”

Thompson added, “It is fitting that our Large Animal Hospital will now bear the names of two of our most passionate supporters.”

Charles and Julie, both animal enthusiasts, owned many dogs and horses over the years.

When asked about the importance of the field of veterinary medicine, Mr. Wharton reflected, “large-animal medicine contributes to more than solely animal care. Research conducted by those in animal medicine can and has led to advancements which benefit humans.”

Mr. Wharton hopes his and Julie’s generous giving has helped others in their own educational journey.

“I believe one of my greatest contributions has been my 12 years serving on the board of trustees at the University of Tennessee,” he added.

Mr. Wharton has aptly earned many accolades, and his humanitarian work includes being a present member of the UT President’s Council, a member of the UTCVM Board of Advisors, a recipient of the 2017 UTIA Meritorious Service Award, a winner of the 2012 Alumni Service Award and a recipient of the 2009 Development Council Award as well as serving on numerous boards, committees and councils.

Mr. Wharton has dedicated much of his time and given tremendously in the form of leadership and philanthropic work in the name of higher education for Tennesseans.