Management begins second business-related equine program
Brian Bultema
Issue date: 9/8/08 Section: News
Duchatelet said the PUC program takes a more multi-faceted approach by exposing students to horse breeding, horse shows and behavioral therapy.
Professors Mark Russell and Colleen Brady from Purdue University West Lafayette's equine program assist Conners, who is the only professor currently teaching in the program. Duchatelet said Brady and Russell may help Conners by teaching courses at PUC after this semester.
Since the program was designed just in time for the fall semester, Connors said she did not begin advertising until early summer. Eighteen students enrolled in the program this semester, though, and the School of Management expects many more to follow when they begin running national advertisements next month.
"We see this as a national and even international draw," Conners said.
Ray Shroeder, a 47-year-old freshman, said a friend came across an advertisement during the summer and knew he would be interested.
Like many other students in the program, Schroeder owns horses and realized he needed business training to turn his hobby into a potential career.
"I've always wanted to break in as a racing official or work for the state," Schroeder said. "I knew that I didn't want to spend time cleaning stables."
Schroeder is pursuing a certificate in equine management, which he hopes to earn in two years. He takes his classes online, since the program does not require students to have hands on training with horses.
Kate Hodson, a senior majoring in biology, already has one degree and came back to PUC with the hopes of pursuing veterinarian school after graduation. She is taking the equine management courses as electives now, but said the business training is invaluable to beginning her own veterinarian practice someday.
"Too many Americans just view this as a hobby," Hodson said.
And though both live in Northwest Indiana, they both expect the program to draw students from around the nation in coming semesters who seek the business training they do.
"The horse industry is growing," Conners said. "Even with the economic downturn, the industry will continue to be alive and well."
Professors Mark Russell and Colleen Brady from Purdue University West Lafayette's equine program assist Conners, who is the only professor currently teaching in the program. Duchatelet said Brady and Russell may help Conners by teaching courses at PUC after this semester.
Since the program was designed just in time for the fall semester, Connors said she did not begin advertising until early summer. Eighteen students enrolled in the program this semester, though, and the School of Management expects many more to follow when they begin running national advertisements next month.
"We see this as a national and even international draw," Conners said.
Ray Shroeder, a 47-year-old freshman, said a friend came across an advertisement during the summer and knew he would be interested.
Like many other students in the program, Schroeder owns horses and realized he needed business training to turn his hobby into a potential career.
"I've always wanted to break in as a racing official or work for the state," Schroeder said. "I knew that I didn't want to spend time cleaning stables."
Schroeder is pursuing a certificate in equine management, which he hopes to earn in two years. He takes his classes online, since the program does not require students to have hands on training with horses.
Kate Hodson, a senior majoring in biology, already has one degree and came back to PUC with the hopes of pursuing veterinarian school after graduation. She is taking the equine management courses as electives now, but said the business training is invaluable to beginning her own veterinarian practice someday.
"Too many Americans just view this as a hobby," Hodson said.
And though both live in Northwest Indiana, they both expect the program to draw students from around the nation in coming semesters who seek the business training they do.
"The horse industry is growing," Conners said. "Even with the economic downturn, the industry will continue to be alive and well."
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