OA-FALL 2023 MAG-LINKS 1

Equine Department Chair and Associate Professor Ed Ferguson, Ph.D., teaching Katie Wendorf (in red) and Harmony Deal, the first two students to take the equine artificial insemination class.

By BJ Riley ‘16, ‘23G Director of Marketing

He contends that out of the 20 schools in the nation with bachelor’s in equine studies programs, only SMWC can expand to large animals because of the unique facilities and being embedded in an agricultural region. This will allow for partnerships with area farmers with cattle, pigs and goats. His vision extends further as he is developing new offerings. With input from horse racetrack professionals he is working to offer racetrack business administration. He can see internship opportunities and a pipeline for future growth. He also sees a chance to create a master’s in equine science program. Ferguson is also quick to credit the members of his department. “There are great people in the equine department, and I know that we are lucky to have a wealth of experience and expertise that will allow us to grow our programs and student enrollment.” In 2022, SMWC was awarded $1.5 million as a part of a $20 million grant that the Wabash River Regional Development Authority received from the Regional Economic Acceleration and Development Initiative (READI) program through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. The grant will allow the College to update the outdoor and indoor equine arenas, expand parking for horse trailers and improve equine event amenities to expand collegiate and non collegiate state and regional competitions. Additionally, the Vigo County Council approved a $500,000 award of funds from the county allocation of American Rescue Plan Act funds. Gifts have also been received from the Hulman family. Ferguson’s enthusiasm is contagious, and he loves talking about the opportunities he sees within the equine department. One thing is for sure, Dr. Ferguson will “work like a horse” to transform the equine department.

The equine studies department at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College is already one of a kind in Indiana. It is one of approximately 20 colleges in the country to offer a bachelor of science degree in equine studies. Ed Ferguson, Ph.D., came to SMWC to transform the program into one of a kind in the nation and he has been working hard to bring that goal to fruition. Ferguson, the equine department chair, arrived in 2021 with a vision. “I applied because the ad said they wanted a department chair to expand to other large farm animals.” When he visited the campus for his interview, he immediately fell in love. “Having the barns, offices and classrooms together makes it fun to come to work.” Ferguson has been charged with building the equine program for sustainable growth. He is doing just that. In 2021, the total enrollment for the program was 17. This fall, the program will have 40 students. He believes that by next fall, it will grow to between 50 and 60. His primary focus has been on retention rather than recruitment. Changes in the majors and the teaching approach have helped to reduce the loss of students in the equine program. In the spring, the offerings for the equine department were modified with an emphasis on animal science. This fall, the College is offering a bachelor’s degree in equine pre-vet medicine along side the equine studies major. The equine studies degree has a choice of four concentrations, including equine business management, equine training and instruction, equine science and equine communication. Minors have been expanded with the addition of equine breeding management and equine therapeutic riding. “This will elevate our image from beyond a riding school to a school of science,” Ferguson noted. According to an article in April’s “The Horse,” an equine industry magazine, the veterinarian profession will grow 19% by 2026, much faster than the 7%

growth rate in other health professions. Additionally, the article says that only five out of 100 students graduating from veterinary schools in 2023 will choose to become equine doctors. The shortage continues to grow and is concerning for equestrians nationwide. With that in mind, Ferguson developed the pre-vet major to benefit students looking to become large animal vets or equine vets. “We can provide a student experience that most vet students don’t get by including hands-on ultrasound and breeding,” Ferguson said. “This “We can give a student experience that most vet students don’t get in school in hands-on ultrasound and breeding.” experiential learning opportunity will elevate our pre-vet students to be even more competitive as they apply to vet school. In our program, students will gain experience that most vets don’t get in their undergraduate degree. ” He plans to develop partnerships to teach state-of-the-art breeding techniques in the equine world. In the spring, SMWC’s equine department was awarded a Ball Venture Grant for $25,000 that was used to purchase a large animal ultrasound machine which will be instrumental in the breeding management courses as well as others. — Ed Ferguson, Ph.D., equine department chair