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Hands-on science at ��Ƶ: Professor brings environmental science to life through field-based learning

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Tue, 07 Oct 2025 19:24:12 +0000

Hands-on science at ��Ƶ: Professor brings environmental science to life through field-based learning valenzfr@morri… Tue, 10/07/2025 - 15:24

Muddy boots, waders, gloves and notebooks in hand, students in ��Ƶ Professor Brendan Kelly’s Riparian & Wetland Ecology & Management lab are taking their lessons out of the classroom and into streams, wetlands and other natural areas to positively impact local ecosystems.

Recently, students helped restore a riparian zone along Big Creek with Trout Unlimited, in Waterville, planting saplings and other vegetation to strengthen streambanks and enhance water quality.

They also participated in field investigations at a local bog and toured Labrador Hollow, near Tully, where they learned how to design boardwalks that provide recreational access to wetlands for people with mobility impairments while protecting the environment.

Next, students will learn how to identify wetland soils in the field by observing colors and textures. They’ll also take part in an annual trip to Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, where they gain hands-on experience in ecosystem management through activities such as mapping water depths, removing invasive species, banding waterfowl, resurfacing trails, planting seedlings, collecting seeds for restoration projects and helping manage water levels.

Through projects like these, students deepen their understanding of environmental systems while building practical skills that prepare them for successful careers.

For Skylar Brown, who hopes to become a DEC officer, those experiences are providing invaluable real-world training.

“Professor Kelly has a vast background and takes us places we wouldn’t think of going,” said Brown, an environmental and natural resources management B.Tech. student from Westmoreland.

“We are getting out in the community and actually doing and seeing what is going on in the real-world,” Brown said. “I am getting experiences of different wetland plants, while also making a difference in the environment.”

Jason Tedeschi, an environmental and natural resources management B.Tech. student from Syracuse, said classes like Environmental Law are also rounding out his education and preparing for him for a career as a DEC officer.

“I have been involved in a lot of cool experiences and I love going out in the field,” Tedeschi said. “Last week, I was handling and measuring Brook Trout at our Aquaculture Center. There is so much hands-on learning.

“And is great to know that through our work, I am already making a difference in the environment,” Tedeschi said.

For Kelly, field experiences are an essential part of his labs.

“In our classes, we get to make a difference on day one while learning,” he said. “Students can apply scientific principles in real-world settings, gain critical skills and see how their work contributes to larger conservation efforts.”

Through the collaborative work of Kelly, his students and their many community partners, restoration projects across Central New York have helped renew acres of forest, streambank and other natural areas, supporting wildlife, recreation and sustainable resource use.

Kelly is a 1993 graduate of the college’s natural resources conservation program. Prior to returning to teach at Morrisville, he was senior forester with the NYS Department of Environmental Conservation.

He is the recipient of the 2024 Forestry Communications & Education Award, presented by the New York Society of American Foresters, given in recognition of outstanding efforts to promote understanding and appreciation of forest resources, management and stewardship through communications and education.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

October 7, 2025

Gallery

3 p.m.

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Student Spotlight: Finding her place in agriculture and on the court: ��Ƶ senior Adeline Houser

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Thu, 02 Oct 2025 13:35:14 +0000

Student Spotlight: Finding her place in agriculture and on the court: ��Ƶ senior Adeline Houser valenzfr@morri… Thu, 10/02/2025 - 09:35

For ��Ƶ senior Adeline Houser, agriculture is more than a career path — it’s a way of life.

Her passion for the field began on her grandfather’s small dairy farm, where she first learned the value of hard work and the rewards of caring for animals. Those early experiences blossomed through years in 4-H, where she raised and showed chickens and rabbits.

That dedication carried her to college. After earning an associate degree from SUNY Cobleskill, Houser, of Camden, transferred to ��Ƶ to pursue a bachelor’s degree in agricultural business development.

“I chose ��Ƶ because of the competitive spirit and close-knit, family-like atmosphere of the volleyball team,” Houser said. “Being an agriculturally focused school also allows me to pursue my passion in agriculture. The agricultural business program has been an incredible experience—I’ve learned so much, especially from Dr. Sheila Marshman. She goes above and beyond to involve students in extracurricular events and industry forums, helping us gain exposure to different areas of the agricultural world.”

This semester, Houser is gaining experience as an agricultural business intern in the college’s commercial kitchen. In her role, she helps plan student activities and events, including an October treat-decorating event, while also working to schedule outside clients to use the space.

“My experience in the commercial kitchen so far has been challenging yet fun,” Houser said. “I get to use my creative side to plan events and come up with new and innovative ideas for the kitchen space.

Outside the classroom, Houser is in her second year on the Morrisville volleyball team. Last season, the Mustangs made it to the SUNYAC semifinals, an accomplishment she counts among her proudest achievements.

Her success on and off the court has been recognized. Houser earned a place on both the SUNYAC Commissioner’s Honor Roll (2025) and the Mustang Athletic Director Honor Roll for multiple semesters.

“Adeline is everything you hope for in a college student — dedicated, involved, and an inspiration to those around her,” Professor Sheila Marshman said. “She is a true role model, and I feel fortunate to serve as her advisor and professor.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

October 2, 2025

Gallery

9 a.m.

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��Ƶ celebrates another successful Autumn Review Sale

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 15:32:11 +0000

��Ƶ celebrates another successful Autumn Review Sale valenzfr@morri… Tue, 09/23/2025 - 11:32

The ��Ƶ 42nd Fall Autumn Review Sale was one for the record books, showcasing the dedication of students, alumni and faulty who led to its success.

“Our students worked tirelessly all year to assemble an outstanding lineup of animals and embryos,” said Corey Hayes, associate professor. “On behalf of my colleagues, I can say we could not be more proud of their efforts and achievements.”

Sale Highlights:
•    Top Seller: Lot 54, Ayrshire Winter Calf – sold for $6,800
•    Sale Average (Live Lots): $3,292
•    Sale Average (Embryo Lots): $1,910
•    Average per Embryo Sold: $403
•    Combined Sale Average (Live Animals & Embryos): $3,138

Full sale results can be found here: https://cowbuyer.com/servlet/Search.do?auctionId=1619

This year’s sale also featured a truly unique offering: an alumnus consigned a lot that allowed the winning bidder to select 10 young milk cows from a group of 15.

“That was Lot H in our sale, and it sold for $4,000 per animal — an incredible $40,000 in total,” Hayes said. “What a generous and memorable contribution from a proud former alumnus.”

In addition to the cattle sale, attendees enjoyed a silent auction with cow-themed items, feed, gift baskets, gift cards and more, as well as concessions.

Organized by the ��Ƶ Dairy Club, faculty and students in dairy and animal production classes, proceeds benefit dairy club trips, the dairy judging team, academic programs and student activities and events.

Assisting as sale chairs were students Shyanne Ackerman, Reese DeVito, Matthew Haier, Megan Klossner and Kelly Niefergold.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

September 23, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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��Ƶ’s Dairy Judging team places third at All-American Dairy Show

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Tue, 23 Sep 2025 14:23:44 +0000

��Ƶ’s Dairy Judging team places third at All-American Dairy Show valenzfr@morri… Tue, 09/23/2025 - 10:23

��Ƶ’s Dairy Judging team placed third overall and in reasons at the All-American Dairy Show in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania.

The All-American Dairy Show features nearly 2,000 of the top dairy cattle shown by more than 1,000 of the best exhibitors in the United States and Canada.

The team received second place in Brown Swiss. Individuals excelled in the following breeds:
•    4th Jersey and 9th overall and in reasons: Megan Klossner, of Turin
•    5th Brown Swiss and 6th Guernsey: Kelly Niefergold, of Lawtons
•    8th Brown Swiss: Reese DeVito, of Avon
•    13th Guernsey: Elanna Gelser

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

September 22, 2025

Gallery

8:30 a.m.

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��Ƶ’s ASAP|ACE programs expand to transform student success

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 17 Sep 2025 13:21:50 +0000

��Ƶ’s ASAP|ACE programs expand to transform student success valenzfr@morri… Wed, 09/17/2025 - 09:21

After serving 10 years in the Marine Corps, veteran Vincent Dahr set out on a new mission: building a career in information technology and cybersecurity. Transitioning from military to college wasn’t easy, but Dahr wanted to pursue a path that combined discipline, problem-solving and protecting others in a new way.

That’s when he connected with ��Ƶ’s Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) program, part of the college’s broader ASAP|ACE initiative designed to increase student success and close opportunity gaps.

“When I first signed up for the ACE program, I was freshly out of the military and had no idea how civilian life — let alone college life — worked,” said Dahr, a second-year student studying information technology with a concentration in network & systems administration and a minor in cybersecurity.

“What I got from ACE was exactly what I needed — a mentor and someone to guide me along this new chapter of my life,” the Munnsville resident added.

Now, with a decade of service behind him and a new career ahead, he credits ACE with helping bridge the gap between his past experiences and future goals. “Getting into the realms of cybersecurity is my current career goal, and I’d eventually also like to help other veterans with transitioning into the civilian world,” he said.

The expansion of ��Ƶ’s Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) and Advancing Completion through Engagement (ACE) programs was recently highlighted during a campus celebration attended by students, faculty, staff and campus leaders.

In the 2025-26 State Budget, Gov. Hochul and state leaders allocated $12 million for SUNY to expand this initiative, which will help ��Ƶ to support more students as they pursue a degree to help them unleash their full potential. The significant investment by Gov. Hochul and state leaders will help grow ASAP|ACE enrollment statewide to an anticipated 7,000 students this year, on track to enrolling 10,000 students for Fall 2026.

SUNY Chancellor John B. King Jr. said, “SUNY is committed to the success of every student, and our expansion of the proven ASAP and ACE programs across our system ensures our students are on track to complete their degree on time and pursue their aspirations. I applaud Governor Hochul and state leaders for their continued support of SUNY, and I thank the ��Ƶ administration, faculty, and staff for their unwavering commitment to student success.”

��Ƶ is one of few SUNY schools to offer both models, making the programs accessible to students across all degree programs.

During the celebration, ��Ƶ President David Rogers emphasized the importance of support for students navigating college life: “We care deeply about our students who come here. ASAP and ACE are all about having people ready to answer questions and to be in your court. That kind of support is critical.”

That commitment is carried out through a dedicated team. “We build a community of support here,” said Michael Duignan, director of ��Ƶ ASAP|ACE. “It really is a community coming together to help students financially, academically and then also giving them a path toward career success.”

“At the heart of SUNY’s mission is a deep commitment to student success,” said Casey O’Brien, associate vice chancellor for student success and transformational initiatives at SUNY, who joined the celebration. “Programs like ASAP|ACE embody that mission in very real and tangible ways.”

O’Brien noted that this semester, 360 students are enrolled, making Morrisville among the largest from across the state.

Building on that success, Kayle Light-Curtin, executive director of ��Ƶ’s Opportunity and Access Programs, highlighted the team’s efforts in expanding support.

“The hard work and dedication of our opportunity programs team have been instrumental in increasing the number of students we serve — and, more importantly, in changing the trajectory of their lives,” she said.

During the celebration, SUNY leadership and New York State legislators were also recognized, including Assemblyman Joe Angelino, of the 121st District, who took part in the event.

“��Ƶ couldn’t do this on its own,” Rogers said, thanking SUNY, Gov. Kathy Hochul and local legislators.

“I truly believe that our opportunity and support programs are the heartbeat of ��Ƶ and we are incredibly thankful for the expansion and continued support from the SUNY system and New York State in prioritizing programs like ASAP and ACE,” Light-Curtin said. “Their expansion has allowed us to reach even more students, ensuring they have the guidance, resources and caring professionals they need to succeed.”

Students from diverse majors and backgrounds, at the Morrisville and Norwich campuses, benefit from ASAP|ACE through resources such as funding for textbooks, groceries, transportation, academic assistance, personalized advisement and career development activities.

Among them is Irma Chamorro, an individual studies student, from Harlem, in the ASAP program.

“I struggled a lot, but ASAP was there to help me. I will get my associate degree in the spring,” she said to applause from the audience.

For Dahr, who served as a field artillery operations chief, the program has provided guidance in navigating academic life, balancing family responsibilities and preparing him for a career he’s passionate about.

“ACE absolutely aligns with both my academic and career goals,” Dahr said. “This program helps me stay on the right track academically and shows me how to plan ahead and build habits that will last beyond college.”

The expansion of ASAP|ACE across SUNY, launched in Spring 2024, is supported by the Transformation Fund, championed by Gov. Hochul and supplemented by private grants. The initiative has been widely recognized for increasing student completion rates and narrowing opportunity gaps across the state.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

September 17, 2025

Gallery

8:30 a.m.

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��Ƶ’s 42nd Autumn Review Sale is September 20

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Mon, 15 Sep 2025 19:16:25 +0000

��Ƶ’s 42nd Autumn Review Sale is September 20 valenzfr@morri… Mon, 09/15/2025 - 15:16

��Ƶ’s annual Autumn Review Sale is Saturday, Sept. 20.

The sale starts at 11 a.m. at the Groves Barn, 5300 Hart Road in Morrisville, near the Arnold R. Fisher Dairy Complex off of Eaton Street.

The sale features 56 live lots of show-age heifers and milking cows. The sale will also have embryo and semen lots. View the sale catalog and bid at Cow Buyer. The sale is managed through Hosking Sales. Information is also available at https://www.facebook.com/MSCAutumnReview/.

The event also features a silent auction, which includes cow-themed items, feed, gift baskets, gift cards and more, as well as concession stand.

Run by the ��Ƶ Dairy Club, faculty and students in dairy and animal production classes, proceeds from the sale support dairy club trips, the dairy judging team, academic programs and various activities and events.

Assisting as sale chairs are students Shyanne Ackerman, Reese DeVito, Matthew Haier, Megan Klossner and Kelly Niefergold.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

September 15, 2025

Gallery

8:30 a.m.

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From classroom to show ring: ��Ƶ students shine at New York State Fair

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Fri, 05 Sep 2025 13:23:07 +0000

From classroom to show ring: ��Ƶ students shine at New York State Fair valenzfr@morri… Fri, 09/05/2025 - 09:23

��Ƶ showcased its Mustang pride once again at this year’s New York State Fair.

From exhibits to the show ring, students gained real-world experience, including three who spent part of their time in the sheep barn, where hands-on lessons extended far beyond the classroom.

Reanna Quail, an agricultural business student from Richford, stood with a pocket full of ribbons and a sheep named Dolly at her side. Quail, who has shown everything from goats to turkeys, was eager to expand her skills by including sheep.

“Showmanship is based on how we fit our animals best for the show ring,” she explained while giving Dolly a trim before leading her out to compete. “Dolly is pretty well-tempered and sets up really well, she said of the Dorset sheep owned by ��Ƶ Professor Corey Hayes.

For her classmate Brenna Hathway, it was a first. Hathway had never shown sheep before stepping into the fair barn.

“I’m trying something and going out of my comfort zone,” said the agricultural science student from Penn Yan. For her, the experience was about personal growth.

Julianna Tomcho majors in agricultural business. She usually shows cows from her family’s Cedar Knob farms outside of Morrisville, but decided to try something new. “This is my third time even touching a sheep,” she said. She hopes the experience will help her as she pursues her dream of becoming an agricultural teacher.

For students like Tomcho, Quail and Hathway, the fair offered more than just hands-on practice. It was an opportunity to test skills, explore new territory and prepare for careers they are building in agriculture.

Students gained hands-on experience in a variety of areas at the fair. Dairy students worked under the guidance of Dairy Judging Team coach Jessica Kennedy ’16, helping with 4H judging.

The college’s impressive Belgian Hitch also wowed fairgoers in several competitions at the Toyota Coliseum.

��Ƶ’s presence was felt throughout the fair from the horticulture building to other locations, where faculty and staff engaged visitors, answering questions and highlighting the unique, hands-on learning opportunities.

A highlight in the horticulture building was a large, vibrant landscape display created by alumni who run Lasnicki Landscaping & Nursery of Hastings. The exhibit showcased their expertise through a colorful mix of flowers that drew plenty of attention.

Additionally, ��Ƶ students assisted in the calf birthing barn, gaining valuable practical experience.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

September 4, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Mon, 25 Aug 2025 14:59:40 +0000

��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend valenzfr@morri… Mon, 08/25/2025 - 10:59

Stuffed animals, pillows and lucky gnomes! When it came to move-in day must-haves, incoming freshmen proved that comfort and a touch of home top the list. New students arrived with beloved keepsakes and plenty of excitement as they began a new chapter at ��Ƶ.

College faculty, staff and administration officially welcomed new and returning students and their families to campus during Welcome Weekend Aug. 21-24, providing abundant support to help newcomers settle in and ensuring that everything ran smoothly. Classes start Monday, Aug. 25.

Orientation featured insightful sessions, campus activities and social events designed to spark excitement and foster connections.

Members of the college’s athletic teams pitched in with move-in, hauling mini-fridges and guiding carts packed with everything needed for residence hall living.

Beyond the heavy lifting, students also found helping hands and friendly faces ready to guide them in many ways through their first days on campus.

Jacob Works and Abigail Gracey were among a team of Mustang Mentors excitedly awaiting students’ arrival.

“I think it is important to help fellow students adjust to college life and to have a person they can rely on,” said Gracey, a human services major from Oneonta, who is also a mentor in the college’s Advancing Success in Associate Pathways (ASAP) program.

“It is important for both returning and new students to have a good experience. I have been both and I take pride in being able to help,” said Works, a journalism student from Syracuse.

The college offers a wide range of dedicated support programs to help new students at all stages of their academic journey, providing tailored academic and personal guidance to ensure success for both new and continuing students.

Support from the college’s Collegiate Science & Technology Entry Program (CSTEP) has been vital for equine science freshmen Isabella Berrios. “It’s been nice to have a community behind you,” she said of the program. “I tend to be a bit on the quiet side and I like having people to rely on and support me with classes going into something new.”

She brought along four stuffed animals from home to help her settle in, including a blue horse, a reflection of her lifelong love of riding.

“I love the equine program here,” she said. “I have been riding since I was 7 and I’m really passionate about pursuing this career path.”

Meanwhile, Isabelle Baker, from Rochester, was getting to know her roommate Delanie Pritchard, from Rome. Both freshmen are students in the college’s natural resources conservation program. Their families stood side-by-side, helping them through the check-in process and taking in the excitement of move-in day.

To make their space feel a little more like home, Baker brought along several gnomes, small reminders to ease her into residence hall life.

Ready to embrace college life, she shared a message to her fellow Mustang community — “remember, everything adds character.”

While Baker and Pritchard settled into their new space, they were just two of the many faces in this year’s incoming class.

Here is a look at the incoming class by the numbers
•    Total new students: 965
•    States represented: 16
•    Countries represented include: Canada, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Switzerland, South Korea, Hungary, Vietnam
•    Student-athletes in the class: 205
•    First-generation college students: 526

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

August 25, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 13 Aug 2025 14:11:45 +0000

��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students valenzfr@morri… Wed, 08/13/2025 - 10:11

��Ƶ has been named to the FirstGen Forward Network for 2025-26, earning national recognition for its commitment to helping first-generation college students thrive.

FirstGen Forward, formerly the Center for First-generation Student Success, selected ��Ƶ as one of just 60 new members this year, citing the college’s dedication to improving experiences and advancing success for first-gen college students.

The Network offers a three-phase framework designed to help institutions expand holistic support for first-generation students, transforming the student experience, strengthening academic and co-curricular outcomes and creating inclusive campus structures.

“We are pleased to welcome ��Ƶ into the FirstGen Forward Network,” said Stephanie J. Bannister, vice president with FirstGen Forward. “Through the application process, it was clear that ��Ƶ is not only committed to supporting first-generation students, but also prepared to invest in long-term, strategic efforts that create environments where these students can truly thrive.”

��Ƶ President David Rogers praised the recognition as a reflection of the college’s culture and commitment.

“Being named to the FirstGen Forward Network affirms what we already know — ��Ƶ is a place where first-generation students are supported, celebrated and empowered to succeed. It strengthens our ability to provide them with the tools, mentorship and opportunities they need to thrive,” Rogers said. “And I should know, as I am a first-generation student myself.”

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

August 13, 2025

Gallery

10 a.m.

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Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition

valenzfr@morrisville.edu — Wed, 30 Jul 2025 17:55:57 +0000

Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition valenzfr@morri… Wed, 07/30/2025 - 13:55

At sunrise, while most of the campus is still quiet, soft nickers echo through the ��Ƶ Equine Rehabilitation Center (ERC). Vegas and Jerry’s ears perk forward as they recognize the familiar sound of students’ voices and footsteps approaching the barn.

Jerry, a chestnut Quarter Horse, is always the first to greet them, letting out a cheerful whinny before standing patiently, ready for attention and his breakfast.

For equine science bachelor’s degree students Marisa Stetson, Kirsten Parhiala, Ashley Moncalieri and Danielle Crumb, early morning routines at the facility are among the most fulfilling moments of their day. Throughout the summer, all four are gaining experience through internships at the ERC.

“The horses get so excited when we walk in,” said Stetson, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy, along with western breaking & training.

The enthusiasm is mutual as students immerse themselves in internships focused on equine care.

The center helps horses from across the region, offering rehabilitation techniques to keep healthy horses conditioned and to help injured equine athletes recover after injury or surgery.

From underwater treadmill sessions and cold saltwater therapy to laser treatments and therapeutic ultrasound, students are putting their classroom knowledge into action in real-world, clinical settings.

“I enjoy learning about the modalities more in-depth and understanding horse behavior,” Moncalieri said of her internship.

The experiences are an important part of the ERC, a facility equipped with tools rarely found at the undergraduate level, including an underwater treadmill, cold saltwater spa, laser therapy, therapeutic ultrasound, vibration plates, solariums and more.

For Stetson, the hands-on experience and facilities were key factors in choosing ��Ƶ.

“I came to ��Ƶ specifically for equine rehab,” said Stetson, who lives in Westmoreland, New Hampshire. “As soon as I toured the facility, I knew this was where I wanted to go.”

Her internship is deepening her understanding of equine rehabilitation and therapy before she heads to North Carolina for her capstone internship at 3H Equine Hospital & Mobile Veterinary Service.

“I decided to do my internship here to learn as much as possible,” she said. Her ultimate goal is to work in an equine rehabilitation clinic.

Crumb shares that same passion for conditioning horses and helping them heal.

“I love the daily hands-on experience and how no two days are the same,” said Crumb, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy. “This internship gives me real-world experience with all kinds of horses and I learn something new every day.”

The interns’ dedication is already making a difference as they work one-on-one with a variety of horses.

Jerry, a college-owned western lesson horse, is showing notable progress in an injured tendon, thanks to a range of therapeutic treatments, including cold saltwater spa therapy. He also walks in the underwater treadmill and receives ultrasound therapy three times a week.

“He loves the underwater treadmill,” Stetson said. “He is grumpy at first, but when we put him on the treadmill, he gets super-focused, ears up and is always ready to go.”

Victoria Reichard brought her horse, Vegas, to the center to rehabilitate a torn meniscus and to condition her for a future in pleasure riding.

The best part for Vegas — “it is definitely the attention she gets,” said Reichard, a graduate of the college’s equine science bachelor’s degree program.

The extra care is paying off. “She was quite lame and now she plays outside and is more energetic,” Reichard said.

An instructional support assistant at the college’s ERC and in its breeding program, Reichard values the hands-on learning that defines the program — something today’s interns are experiencing firsthand under the guidance of LeeAnn Chesebro.

Chesebro, of Clinton, serves as an instructional support assistant and barn manager at the ERC, where she works with veterinarians to develop treatment plans.

A 2020 graduate of the college’s equine science program, with a concentration in equine rehabilitation & therapy, Chesebro was inspired to pursue a career in the equine industry by stories of her great-grandfather, who owned and raced horses at Vernon Downs Racetrack.

That passion ultimately brought her back to ��Ƶ to help shape future professionals while continuing her work with horses.

“I was excited to come back,” Chesebro said. “What we do here for horses is such an important part of their lives.”

That sense of purpose is matched by the hands-on experience students gain each day. As horses are brought in and out for care, students are exposed to working with a variety of horses, new challenges and learning opportunities.

Zein, one of Morrisville’s Hunt Seat horses, used the lap pool to strengthen his muscles and get back into shape after being on stall rest due to an injury. The pool is designed to build cardiovascular strength and allow horses the flexibility to use their full range of motion without putting weight on their extremities.

Along with hands-on treatment sessions, interns take on daily responsibilities like maintaining equipment, cleaning stalls and keeping the barn running smoothly.

Every bit of their work comes with meaningful lessons.

“You learn to be patient, too,” said Parhiala, of Canastota, who is concentrating in equine rehabilitation & therapy, as well as breeding management. “Horses can’t speak, so you have to figure out their body language and how to communicate with them in your own way.”

That deep level of understanding is what drives Parhiala’s future goals.

“My dream is to have a rehab facility where I bring in abused horses and rehab all of them,” she said.

For now, she and her fellow interns are living out that dream in small but meaningful ways each day at ��Ƶ’s ERC.

“It’s so rewarding to watch them heal and return to their playful selves,” Crumb said. “I can’t wait to do this for the rest of my life.”

The center has opened its doors, offering the community haul-in days — an opportunity to bring their horses to the ERC for exercise conditioning sessions, Tuesday through Thursday, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. through mid-fall.

For more information, or to schedule a session, call 315.684.6601 or email equine.rehab@morrisville.edu. The ERC also offers guided tours, by appointment, for groups of all ages.

Author

Franci Valenzano

Published date

July 30, 2025

Gallery

2 p.m.

News Type

Business

Hands-on science at ������Ƶ: Professor brings environmental science to life through field-based learning

Student Spotlight: Finding her place in agriculture and on the court: ������Ƶ senior Adeline Houser

������Ƶ celebrates another successful Autumn Review Sale

������Ƶ’s Dairy Judging team places third at All-American Dairy Show

������Ƶ’s ASAP|ACE programs expand to transform student success

������Ƶ’s 42nd Autumn Review Sale is September 20

From classroom to show ring: ������Ƶ students shine at New York State Fair

������Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

������Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

Interns at ������Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition

Hands-on science at ��Ƶ: Professor brings environmental science to life through field-based learning

Student Spotlight: Finding her place in agriculture and on the court: ��Ƶ senior Adeline Houser

��Ƶ celebrates another successful Autumn Review Sale

��Ƶ’s Dairy Judging team places third at All-American Dairy Show

��Ƶ’s ASAP|ACE programs expand to transform student success

��Ƶ’s 42nd Autumn Review Sale is September 20

From classroom to show ring: ��Ƶ students shine at New York State Fair

��Ƶ welcomes new and returning students during Welcome Weekend

��Ƶ earns national recognition for commitment to first-generation students

Interns at ��Ƶ Equine Rehab Center spend summer helping horses recover and return to peak condition