One of largest single donations in University history to help fund premier diagnostic, therapeutic and teaching facility
William Woods University (WWU) President Dr. Jahnae H. Barnett today announced one of the largest single monetary gifts in University history. WWU has received $1.7 million to aid in the ongoing development of the William Woods Center for Equine Medicine, a state-of-art diagnostic, therapeutic and teaching facility, currently under construction just west of the University’s main campus in Fulton.
The $1.7 donation is the generous gift of Ms. Theresa Vonderschmitt, a long-time William Woods benefactor, businesswoman and member of the WWU Board of Trustees since 2004. A recipient of the Honorary Alumnus of William Woods University, in recognition of the generous scholarship assistance she has provided to WWU students, her donations have helped fund Equestrian Science, student diversity scholarships, and adult education programs at the University.
“Theresa Vonderschmitt exemplifies what it means to support education. As a friend, donor and board member of William Woods University for more than two decades, her generosity has been exceptional,” said President Barnett. “In this season of giving, we simply cannot express our appreciation enough for Theresa’s latest groundbreaking gift, which will help make our cutting edge Center for Equine Medicine a reality while boosting our nationally-renowned Equestrian Science degree program.”
The Center for Equine Medicine is a 8,700 square-foot facility with state-of the-art equipment on 17-acres located just blocks from the University, that will provide a leading diagnostic, therapeutic and teaching experience for William Woods students. The center includes a full-time Doctor of Veterinary with an extensive background in sports medicine, reproduction, general equine medicine and surgery. The facility will also be ideally suited for continued undergraduate research and horse care, classroom space, an indoor riding facility, four horse stalls for isolating ill and contagious horses, and a home for the veterinarian and his family, which allows him to be on-site in case of an emergency.
“This incredibly generous donation will allow us to complete renovations to the indoor space, and provide the veterinary and lab equipment that will be used to treat our horses and teach our students,” said Paul Schiltz, University veterinarian and associate professor in the WWU School of Equestrian Studies. “Our center will set William Woods University apart as the primary institution for prospective students who want to study biology, pre-medicine and equestrian.”
For more on the William Woods School of Equestrian Studies program, please visit:
https://www.williamwoods.edu/academics/undergraduate/programs_and_degrees/equestrian/bachelors_equestrian_science.html<http://www.williamwoods.edu/academics/undergraduate/programs_and_degrees/equestrian/bachelors_equestrian_science.html>
