As Otterbein’s Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science celebrates 15 years of excellence, it already is preparing for the future. Funds from a campaign that kicked off with a gala in September 2024 are poised to support the facility and the academic and riding programs that call it home. 

Otterbein’s equine community came together in September to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science. The 2024 Equine Gala was an inspirational evening that highlighted the impact of the program on students, alumni, and families, and the experiences that have created rewarding careers, lifetime memories, and friendships.  

Greg Schmid ’09, DVM, served as the event’s emcee, and had the honor of recognizing several influential alumni and donors were honored with awards at the gala, including:  

• Philanthropic Impact Award: The Plaumann-Wilson Family. 

• Industry Leader Award: Dr. Maria S. Calderone, DVM, professor emerita. 

• Distinguished Alumni Award: Rebecca Knopf ’15. 

The event grossed more than $90,000 through donations and a silent auction, which included a $25,000 gift from the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation.  

John Lindberg, president of the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation, which named Otterbein’s facility 15 years ago and received the 2024 Mary B. Thomas ’28 Commitment to Otterbein Award, shared, “Austin Knowlton had a passion for horses. This project always had a lot of synergy with our Foundation, and I think Mr. Knowlton would be very, very proud that the building has his name on it, and that we’ve been able to support Otterbein.” 

Equine artist Alexandra Lederman ’18 donated a commissioned piece of art, and Jules Richter ’24 served as the event photographer. The event was also supported by Otterbein Trustee Karin Yaffe Stump ’80, business manager Kari Briggs ’03, MBA ’11, and department chair Dr. Sherri Birmingham ’01, among countless others. 

At the gala, Otterbein President John Comerford spoke about two of the most impactful moments in the program’s history. The first, he said, was “when Equine Science, which was once housed in the Life Science Department, transitioned to its own stand-alone program. The program had the chance to flourish and evolve.” 

“The second moment was the transformational gift provided by the Austin E. Knowlton Foundation. That investment marked a world of change and put this program on a trajectory of measurable success,” Comerford said. 

He noted that the investment changed the very nature of the classroom for Otterbein’s equine students and enabled Otterbein to provide world-class care for its beloved school horses. “Their gift amplified an innovative way of learning and made a powerful, life-changing student experience possible for equestrians and Equine Department students alike.” 

The program growth made possible by the Knowlton Center includes: 

• Equine-Assisted Services minor and classes in Therapeutic Riding and Psychotherapy Incorporating Equines. 

• Westerville Special Olympics Equestrian Team, which was established by Otterbein Equine faculty and rides at the Knowlton Center. 

• Animal Nutrition and Feeding course. 

• Operant Conditioning and Animal Learning practicum for Zoo and Conservation Science students, which involves positive-reinforcement training of Otterbein’s horses. 

• Animal-focused travel courses and an equine exchange program. 

• Increased focus on taking students to national equine science or equine-assisted services conferences. 

• Continued excellence in acceptance of students to veterinary or graduate school; our graduates have been accepted to most U.S. veterinary schools and even some abroad, and we maintain a 90% average acceptance rate. 

• Recent Choose Ohio First grant, which is awarded to underrepresented students planning to major in Equine Pre-Veterinary Medicine or Equine Veterinary Technology. 

Looking to the future, Associate Professor Steffanie Burk said there is more academic innovation to come. “We currently are developing exciting new majors and partnerships, which we are bringing to the Curriculum Committee in the spring. Additionally, we are collaborating with Antioch University on the addition of equine curriculum at the graduate level with Antioch’s Counseling program. We look forward to recruiting students who are interested in psychotherapy incorporating equines through a Clinical Mental Health Counseling Graduate Early Admission Pathway with Antioch.” 

The funds raised during the ongoing fundraiser will also support facility upgrades. 

According to Briggs, improvements to the indoor arena footing will fit into “the overall mission of enhancing our school horses’ health and wellness initiatives.” Currently, 52 horses live at the facility, including more than 35 school horses owned by Otterbein.   

Otterbein’s horses are used both for teaching and for competition. “Otterbein’s school horses are utilized throughout the major and are part of the equestrian teams riding program, so the school horses are teachers both in and out of the arena. Otterbein separates itself from our peers because our riding is non-curricular. Equine majors do not have to ride, and riders can come from any major,” Briggs explained. About half the riders on the team have non-equine majors. 

“We have a unique equestrian and equine program. Something that stands out for us is that Otterbein does not have equestrian team tryouts – everyone makes our team and riders of all levels are encouraged to participate,” Briggs added.  

There are currently more than 60 riders on the team, which is now a national leader. The team and individual riders consistently place at the top in regional and national competitions in both Dressage and Hunt Seat. 

The facility also has been a recruitment tool for students who board their horses at the Knowlton Center. “Some students can’t imagine coming to college without photos of their family or a favorite reminder of home. Our equine students and our equestrians can’t imagine, and luckily don’t have to, what it would mean to come to school without horses,” Comerford said at the gala. 

It’s not too late to support Otterbein’s Austin E. Knowlton Center for Equine Science 15^th Anniversary fundraiser. You can donate here. 

Your support of the Knowlton Center is truly appreciated by every person who teaches, learns, coaches, and rides in the facility. 

“This beautiful equine facility allows students the opportunity to engage in hands-on learning throughout their academic experience; the Knowlton Center is a unique living laboratory,” Briggs said. “The Knowlton Center has been instrumental in our program’s growth and in the success of our alumni.”