WORLD-CLASS EQUINE SCIENCE FACILITY
AT OTTERBEIN COLLEGE TO OPEN SPRING 2009
The facility will be the first of its kind - combining horses, stables, pastures and education in a suburban setting. Westerville neighbors and City Council members have embraced the idea and what it brings to the community. "We will host numerous events at this 75 acre site that will draw guests throughout the United States and Canada," said Bruce Mandeville, Department Chair of Equine Sciences. "In addition, the new and expanded facility will attract students from various states to come to Otterbein and bring their horses. Together, we look forward to working with the community and the schools on equine education and riding."
The new world-class facility promises to build upon the academic strength that has been the hallmark of the Equine Science program for over 25 years. The $4.92 million project will be the envy of the equine industry employing best practices while situated in a pristine setting. Thanks to a generous gift of $1.5 million from the McCuans and their development expertise, the Center is slated for completion in Spring 2009.
Guests attending the ceremony included donors Pat, Jill and Meghan McCuan, Maryland Senator Allan Kittleman, Rob Burke Executive Director of the Maryland Horse Industry Board, Westerville City Manager David Collinsworth, Westerville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Dan Good, Otterbein President Brent DeVore, Otterbein Vice President for Institutional Advancement Rick Dorman as well as many neighbors of the property and Equine students.
"I think that Otterbein College is an extraordinary institution of higher learning and provides one of the best academically-oriented equine programs in the country," Pat McCuan said. "With this facility, Otterbein will achieve a world-class venue for equine education. I think Otterbein is an up-and-coming school."
The new facility will allow the Equine Science program to expand its program offerings and to admit more students. Fifty-two stalls, as opposed to the current 25 stalls, will allow the enrollment to double from 75 to 150 students over the next 10 years. It will replace the buildings and pastures leased for the past 25 years about five miles north of Westerville.
The plans for the new state-of-the-art facility also call for improved indoor and outdoor riding arenas, as well as pastures, classrooms, a riding trail and housing for a full-time stable manager.
For more information about the facility, contact Interim Vice President for Institutional Advancement Donna Burtch at (614) 823-1953.
