Welcome Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Founding Director
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ince its inception, the Center has established itself prominently within state, national, and international equestrian communities through its research and outreach programs, strategic partnerships with state and federal agencies and private entities, dynamic website, and the widespread recognition and acknowledgment it has received as a result of the impact of its programs. The Equine Science Center is the force behind connecting invaluable research findings to the greater community and in promoting best management practices and knowledge to those caring for and working with horses. Along with our usual involvement in key industry events such as the Open Space Pace, the Jr. Breeder Livestock Symposium, and the Hambletonian Veterinary Conference, to name a few, we also hosted our annual Summer Showcase, the Evening of Science and Celebration, and Ag Field Day at Rutgers Day. By assembling diverse and multifaceted research teams, we are better equipped to thoroughly investigate equine issues that matter to our stakeholders and advance our mission. Center faculty and staff procured approximately $150,000 in grants,
contracts, and sponsorships and approximately $350,000 in gifts during the 12 month reporting period; resulting in one book chapter and 15 refereed journal articles, over 50 extension and outreach media efforts, including popular press articles, and 8 invited talks. Because of the commitment from private donors, the Center was able to fund two research projects (one in support of a graduate student) in the past fiscal year. Led by Public Relations Specialist Kyle Hartmann, the Center participated in two major fundraising activities in 2018. One, Rutgers Giving Day, resulted in us raising over $16,500 from 35 donors, the most of any department or unit at the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences and the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station. Months of preparation went into assembling on-line posts in pursuit of winning multiple social media challenges offered through the Rutgers University Foundation, as well as raising awareness of the work that the Equine Science Center does. The second was conducted in June, during the ‘Month of the Horse’. This crowd-funding effort was led by RUBEA member Cathy Nicola and Center intern Isabella Pierce through
a on-line website that highlighted faculty, staff, students, and alumni, as well as the research that takes place at the Center’s world-renowned facilities. As part of the campaign, the Center designated certain giving levels to help provide examples of how donor contributions would be used. The Center was active daily on all of its social media channels to highlight its human, equine, and research assets. Similarly to “Giving Day,” Kyle Hartmann, Elena Rizzo, and Jennifer Weinert prepared all of the social media posts to ensure the Center revealed a new post every single day from June 1st to June 30th. RUBEA members also decided to host a telethon in order to help contribute to the campaign. On June 18th at their semi-annual board meeting, they reached out to personal connections in an effort to continue to solicit donations, as well as talk about the exciting research and opportunities happening at the Center. The Center raised 208% of its original $5,000 goal, with 50 donors contributing a total of $10,407. Best,