Gift Opportunities

Major Capital Needs - Annual Needs - How to Help - Questions

MTSU's Horse Science program could not be where it is today as one of the nation's best horse programs without the considerations of numerous people who so generously have given gifts in many different forms. The program must first acknowledge the wonderful bequest of John and Mary Miller that has made possible the Miller Coliseum and Horse Science Complex as well as the two Chairs of Excellence named in their honor. Their benevolence is appreciated every day by numerous faculty, staff, students, horse owners and enthusiasts who enjoy activities on the Miller site every day of the year.

We are often asked “how can we help?” Therefore, we have created a list of needs for our program that might be of interest to you and also offer alternatives to fit your individual budgets. We appreciate your interest in our program and the support that you have given regardless of whether it is financial or as simple as telling someone about our program.

Major Capital Needs
Finishing the Graduate Student office and laboratory. We are beginning a Master of Science in Horse Science program for graduate students. We would like to provide them a room where each will have a desk and area for study, and we are in need of an additional teaching and research laboratory in which graduate students may work. Estimated cost $500,000.

Finishing the Student Locker area. When the facility was built we did not have the finances to complete the student locker area. As enrollment increases we feel the need more and more to have this area complete. We need the restrooms, walls, ceiling, and floors finished. Estimated cost $300,000.

Farrier Science Shop. This was another facility planned into the current program that did not get funded. One of the key areas of interest in research and the industry is lameness and shoeing. We would love to have a facility to accommodate teaching, research and public service to the industry and the professional farriers who would use the facility. Estimated cost $300,000.

Annual Needs
Scholarships for undergraduates. We would like to be able to offer not only incoming freshmen but also transfer students incentive to be a part of the MTSU Horse Science Program. Educational costs are rising rapidly and we need to be able to offer students financial rewards in addition to a quality program. Estimated cost $500-$5000 per student.

Stipends for graduate students. If we are to attract the best of graduate student prospects we must be able to recruit competitively. That means stipends from $7,000 to $15,000.

Travel funds for the MTSU Equestrian team and MTSU Horse Judging team. Each team applies for funds through the Student Government Association but are not always funded. Any donation to help defray expenses of these traveling teams would be greatly appreciated.

How to Help
We have several ways that funds can be generated. You can make a charitable donation through our Foundation and earmark the use of the funds to a particular use. You can become part of our brick campaign or you can make a gift in kind of an item that we can sell or use in the program. One of our main sources of funding over the years has come from the sale of horses both donated and raised that have generated dollars for the program. The program appreciates everyone who has donated a horse or horses to the program. This is a Gift-in-Kind that greatly benefits our students and program.

Questions concerning donations or Gifts-in-Kind or helping with any of the forementioned needs for progress can be addressed to Dr. Dave Whitaker at (615) 898-2908, or dwhitaker@mtsu.edu

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