The owners of a premier Western ranch have donated $1.5 million to Colorado State University’s (CSU) Equine Sciences Program to help advance the program’s excellence as a training ground for students entering the horse industry.

The donation from Art and Catherine Nicholas established the Wagonhound Land and Livestock Chair in Equine Sciences, named for their horse and cattle ranch near Douglas, Wyo.

Jerry Black, DVM, who heads CSU’s Equine Sciences Program, holds the new Wagonhound chair. In this position, Black has discretion to use annual proceeds from the invested donation to fulfill a variety of needs that support program development and student learning.

"The CSU Equine Sciences Program is absolutely among the best in the country, and that kind of excellence does not come free," Art Nichols explained. "We want to do what we can to maintain a program that benefits us and others in the agricultural community. It’s gratifying to be able to help