Donor Spotlight
Spyridon “Steve” Mellos
We have a deep love for Michigan State and owe much of our personal success to the university. We are committed to supporting MSU's continued excellence and inspiring future students to enroll and experience the many opportunities and benefits this university has to offer.
Spartan Athletic Foundation is honoring one of its donors, Spyridon “Steve” Mellos for his service in the United States Air Force. Steve enlisted in the USAF in 1978 and served until 1996. He began his military career as a Heavy Equipment Operator and later cross-trained to be an Equal Opportunity and Treatment Noncommissioned Officer (NCO). It was this training in the Air Force that prepared Steve, two decades later, for another position helping to achieve equal rights and access for people in the workplace.
Upon leaving the USAF, Steve worked at the Palm Bay Florida Police Department before moving back to Michigan in 1998 to take a job as an investigator for the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. “This experience allowed me to witness firsthand the problems caused by discrimination,” Steve said. “I felt proud to contribute positively to people's lives, knowing I was making a meaningful impact and helping to shape a better world.”
Steve Mellos is a dedicated individual who has made a significant impact both in his military career and in his community.
Steve and his wife, Linda Reist, have been loyal Spartans and supporters of MSU Athletics for many years, becoming Athlos Society members in 2024 with their leadership gift to men's tennis and the Tom Izzo Football Building. “Our first donation together was to MSU Athletics, although Linda has been a Spartan Athletic Foundation donor since 1997,” said Steve. “We were inspired by the success of our football and basketball programs, which instilled a strong sense of pride, not only in us, but in the MSU community.”
Linda, who received her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in mathematics from the College of Natural Science at MSU, often says she owes much of her success to Michigan State. “We love Spartan Athletics. We are season ticket holders for football and basketball, and you'll find us regularly cheering at hockey games and tennis matches as well. MSU is really our happy place!”
Steve adds, “There are so many things that make up our MSU experience. My daughter, son-in-law, and Steve's nephew are all graduates of MSU, and our granddaughter will be attending MSU in the fall. We love the tailgates, especially our new ‘tailgate family' with Pat, Lisa, Doug, and Marcy. Walking around the campus, especially in the fall, is so beautiful and we indulge in stops at Dagwood's, Crunchy's, and The Peanut Barrel.”