Partnerships & Philanthropy

The Gift That Keeps On Giving: Sea Turtle Hospital Named In Honor Of Generous Donor

On August 28, the Texas A&M University System Board of Regents unanimously approved the naming of The Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center, to be housed within the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research at Texas A&M University at Galveston.

This honor recognizes – and expresses deep gratitude for – Cheryl Mellenthin’s generous contributions through the Mark A. Chapman Foundation, totaling $8.55 million in support of the Gulf Center For Sea Turtle Research’s mission to advance sea turtle conservation, research and education. 

The state-of-the-art rescue, rehabilitation and public education center, previously named the Upper Texas Coast Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center, will focus on the rehabilitation of sea turtles in the southeastern United States and be a cornerstone of the Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research (GCSTR). The facility will enable GCSTR to have local, regional and national impact on sea turtle conservation and research, and to provide a focal point of expertise in the state and across the region. The current turtle hospital has responded to over 500 sea turtles thanks to partnerships with the National Park Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the National Restoration Damage Assessment Trustees.

Mellenthin, who was married to Mark A. Chapman until his passing in 2014, has generously provided support for sea turtle research and rehabilitation through the Mark A. Chapman Foundation since May 2023, with gifts and commitments totaling $8,550,000. Additional contributions from the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, Texas General Land Office and National Restoration Damage Assessment Trustees have enabled GCSTR to reach its fundraising goal of $23 million and enable the construction of the Cheryl Mellenthin Sea Turtle Rehabilitation Hospital and Educational Outreach Center. Mellenthin’s relationship with GCSTR stems from her strong commitment to animal welfare and ensuring the success of Houston-area students. 

“Once you’ve seen these turtles, there’s nothing that compares to that,” Mellenthin said. “They’re peaceful and intelligent. It’s just amazing.” 

She hopes that by funding the center, others will have the chance to observe sea turtles up close and become inspired by conservation efforts. 

The planned facility will be constructed at Texas A&M-Galveston, strategically positioned with direct access to Galveston Bay and the Gulf, with anticipated groundbreaking in late 2026. Architectural plans for the 16,000-square-foot complex integrate public exhibition areas with clinical and hospital spaces. The facility will be an interactive museum and educational outreach center with non-releasable sea turtle ambassadors that will be on display to deliver a conservation message. The veterinary hospital portion will feature diagnostic imaging equipment and a surgical suite to enable veterinarians to perform procedures without traveling to other facilities. 

GCSTR has established formal research partnerships with other marine science institutions, focusing on pressing issues such as the impacts of climate change on sea turtle health, emerging diseases, habitat degradation and rehabilitation techniques. The new facility will increase these efforts. The facility will also provide research opportunities for graduate and undergraduate students at Texas A&M-Galveston, allowing them to participate in hands-on conservation methods while developing professional skills. Data collected from patients will contribute to a growing database of sea turtle health indicators, helping scientists better understand baseline population health dynamics and threats. The facility is expected to attract over 150,000 visitors from across the globe annually.

About The Center

The Gulf Center for Sea Turtle Research at Texas A&M University at Galveston was created to address the data gaps and research needs to conserve sea turtles in Texas and throughout the Gulf. The center seeks to organize sea turtle biologists in the region and speak with one voice to attract attention, and funding, for sea turtle research activities and conservation priorities that will protect sea turtle populations and their vital habitats from the beaches to the ocean. The center’s purpose is to create collaborative relationships with other sea turtle researchers, and sea turtle research entities across the Gulf and to positively benefit undergraduate students, graduate students, early career scientists and the citizens of Texas. It is a partnership of Texas A&M University, the National Park Service, Texas Parks and Wildlife and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. GCSTR serves as a platform to attract scientists from academia, industry, and state and federal agencies who contribute to finding solutions to the threats that sea turtles face today.