Here are some stories of interest to the Ohio University-Chillicothe campus community:  

• Horse Show Scheduled at OU-C Equestrian Center on Saturday

• Luncheons Showcase Faculty and Staff Accomplishments

• Barry Fee's Handiwork Makes Positive Impact on Campus Visitors

The full stories are below.
 

HORSE SHOW SCHEDULED AT OU-C EQUESTRIAN CENTER ON SATURDAY

 

Ohio University-Chillicothe’s Equestrian Center, tucked away on a beautiful farm near Londonderry in Ross County, includes a horse stable and corral booked with shows and brimming with potential.

 

The next show at the Equestrian Center, the Spring Open Fuzzy Horse Show, is scheduled to start at 11 a.m. this Saturday, April 28. The center’s address is 32505 U.S. Route 50.

 

A large turnout of participants is expected. There will be a variety of classes including halter, western, English, gaited, reining and contesting. Awards will be given to the first five places.

 

The equestrian center not only plans to host several horse shows this summer and fall, but also hopes to use its facilities for philanthropic purposes.

 

“If I can use horses to help other people, then I’m happy,” said Amy Coey, Equestrian Center coordinator. Coey has worked for the center for about a year, preparing the facility to host horse shows. But in the future, she envisions the center offering much more.

 

“In addition to the shows, I’d like to see the Equestrian Center grow into a place that can offer therapeutic riding to children and adults with disabilities in Ross County,” Coey said.

 

Her vision matches that of Charles Black, the original owner of the center who donated the property to the Chillicothe campus in 2002. Black, a retired horse trainer, and his late wife shared a passion for giving back to children with disabilities.

 

Black, who has ridden and trained horses throughout most of his lifetime, said he believes that working with horses is one of the best things these children can do.

 

“I have seen what horses can do for children,” Black said. “You can really see the kids improve as they work with and learn to control the animals.”

 

Coey has also seen the therapeutic benefits that horses and horseback riding can offer people. Her non-profit organization, Reinstorm Therapeutic Riding Center, in Frankfort, Ohio, has inspired her to bring therapeutic riding to the OU-C Equestrian Center.

 

“Within the next few years, I’d like to see the Equestrian Center give back to the community, as the Blacks had originally intended, and also become a place where OU-C students can get hands-on training with special needs children,” Coey said.

 

But for now, Coey stays busy with planning and coordinating the shows at the Equestrian Center. Preparing for the shows can be a lot of hard work, but Coey said she enjoys it.

 

“It’s a good feeling to see the end product of all of your planning,” Coey said. “Our most recent show had about 100 entries, and because the horse community is so closely-knit, I think the center’s popularity will grow in the next couple of years.”

 

The Equestrian Center, which sits on a 268-acre farm, can accommodate 20 horses, but does not board any currently. Facilities are available for people to bring their horses in for riding and grooming.

 

LUNCHEONS SHOWCASE FACULTY AND STAFF ACCOMPLISHMENTS

 

Ohio University-Chillicothe faculty research and staff accomplishments will be showcased during the Faculty and Staff Recognition Luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. May 2 and May 16 in the Patricia Scott Memorial Gallery in Bennett Hall.

 

All OU-C employees are invited to attend both of the luncheons. Please RSVP Kim McKimmy-Kelly at kellyk@ohio.edu.

 

 “There are great things going on at OU-C every day, and it seems appropriate to pause and recognize some of the many noteworthy accomplishments,” OU-C Dean Richard Bebee said. “These events offer a valuable opportunity for members of the campus community to see what their colleagues have achieved, both inside the classroom and beyond.”

 

BARRY FEE'S HANDIWORK MAKES POSITIVE IMPACT ON CAMPUS VISITORS

 

To many individuals, Barry Fee, through both his work and his presence, is the face of Ohio University-Chillicothe. Fee’s handiwork often makes the first good impression on a campus visitor or prospective Ohio University-Chillicothe student. Among his many duties, he is responsible for ensuring that OU-C’s grounds are in top shape.

 

“An interesting aspect about my job is that others see the result of my work,” said Fee, a groundskeeper. “It is important that the look of the campus reflects the quality of OU-C. I take pride in my work and do my best to put a good face on the campus. People want to be a part of a campus that is well-kept.”

 

Further, because he is routinely outside and around campus, he interacts with numerous members of the OU-C community on a daily basis.

 

“In my line of work, I get to meet a lot of people, both members of the OU-C community and visitors. I am often one of the first individuals that prospective students and parents see,” Fee said. “It is a friendly campus. You can sense the family atmosphere that you find in Ross County.”

 

Because he is usually hard at work, Fee does not have the opportunity to engage in a lot of idle chit-chat. His work ethic and friendly nature speak for themselves.

 

“I don’t have the opportunity to hang around the water cooler and talk with people in that setting,” Fee said. “My job keeps me outside and on the move.”

 

The outdoor work suits Fee just fine. He grew up on a farm near his home in Laurelville and prefers that type of work.

 

“Having grown up on a farm, I am an outdoors person,” he said. “I enjoy the physical labor and don’t mind putting in a good day’s work. An advantage to my job is it keeps me healthy and in good shape.”

 

Among Fee’s duties are maintaining the campus’ lawns, trees and bushes, snow removal of pathways and parking lots, and maintaining and repairing equipment. “My background on a farm comes in handy every day,” he noted.

 

“Barry takes tremendous pride in his work, and it shows in the beauty of the lawns and other grounds on campus,” Director of Facilities Management Dave Scott said. “With a 94-acre campus and rolling, wooded grounds, his job is very demanding and challenging, and Barry does it extraordinarily well. His work is also distinguished by Barry’s upbeat, friendly attitude. In all he does, Barry is an ideal ambassador for Ohio University-Chillicothe.”

 

Fee, who graduated from Logan Elm High School, began his professional career with the campus in the spring of 1993. He was previously a student employee in the grounds department while attending OU-C.

 

He earned a bachelor’s degree in specialized studies from OU-C and is currently pursuing a master’s degree in project management from DeVry University in Columbus.

 

In his spare time, Fee maintains a busy schedule that is true to his roots as an outdoorsman. He trains quarter horses, bow hunts and is a taxidermist.

 

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Campus News Archive 2007

Campus News Archive 2006