The Wilson College Board of Trustees
voted Nov. 1 to approve a new equine journalism major, along
with three other new majors: environmental sustainability,
financial mathematics and sport management.
The new majors, which will be offered for
the first time in the spring 2009 semester beginning in January,
will be added to Wilson’s 24 existing bachelor’s degree offerings
and mark an important step in the 139-year-old college’s history.
“One of Wilson College’s greatest strengths
is our ability and willingness to respond to changing student
interests and new needs in the marketplace,” said Dr. Lorna
Duphiney Edmundson, Wilson president. “All four of these new
major programs do just that, while building on Wilson’s existing
strengths and creating interdisciplinary programs of study
– the wave of the future in most disciplines.”
The bachelor’s in equine journalism will combine
instruction in equestrian studies, one of Wilson’s most popular
majors, with instruction in conventions of journalism, including
feature writing and media ethics. Students will be required
to complete an internship and upon graduation, will be knowledgeable
about equestrian studies and possess a high level of communications
skills that will qualify them for any job that requires strong
writing, officials said.
Although some other colleges offer equine
journalism as a concentration within a major or as a class,
Wilson may be the first college in the United States to offer
a degree in equine journalism.
“An examination of similar programs shows
that, currently at least, there is no similar major anywhere
in the country,” said Dr. Michael Cornelius, chair of Wilson’s
Department of English and Mass Communications.
Graduates with a degree in equine journalism
will have a number of career options, including writing for
newspapers and magazines that report on equestrian events
and working in public relations and corporate communications
for companies in the horse industry.
The major also will prepare graduates for
careers in the equine industry that call for creating marketing,
sales and technical written materials for
pharmaceutical companies, horse barns, breeders and manufacturers
of tack and apparel. In addition, graduates would appeal to
associations, foundations and nonprofit organizations related
to the horse/equestrian industry, as well as to the public
relations departments of schools where equestrian activities
are an important part of the institution’s program.
The publications field in the equestrian industry
presents a wealth of opportunities for graduates, according
to Dr. John Tukey, chair of Wilson’s Department of Equestrian
Studies.
“The American Horse Publications organization
lists more than 470 members,” Tukey said. “There is a very
real need for reporters and writers who are trained in equestrian
studies and also are skilled in journalism.”
Wilson’s equestrian program includes two existing
majors – equine-facilitated therapeutics and equestrian studies,
which offers two concentrations: equine management and equestrian
management.
For more information, contact the Wilson College
Office of Admissions at 800-421-8402 or visit www.wilson.edu.
