Kate Kunka is a 2007 Lake Erie College Summa Cum Laude graduate with a degree in Equine Facilities Management.  Haling from Yorkville, Wisconsin, Ms. Kunka currently resides in East Lansing, Michigan and attends Michigan State University College of Law.  During the coming summer, Ms. Kunka aims to work at a Criminal Law Firm or Public Defender office, and plans to serve as a future lobbyist against the Death Penalty and handle local equine law cases.

During her time at Lake Erie College, Ms. Kunka gained a wealth of experience in various capacities, including serving as a tutor, as a Student Ambassador, and as a research and teaching assistant for Dr. James Eisenberg, Professor of Psychology.  Ms. Kunka put her degree courses in Equine Science to use in drafting a report for an attorney litigating an equine torture case in Michigan, and will continue to serve her in her future career in equine law.

As a student that at one time experienced difficulty deciding upon a major, Ms. Kunka encourages current and future Lake Erie College students to explore the wide range of options that the college avails to its undergraduates; a rich variety of classes afforded her many interesting and beneficial opportunities.  In addition to the advantages of a well-rounded course load, Ms. Kunka notes the importance and value of expanding one’s resume through work experience, as well as projecting a professional appearance.  Finally, and in keeping with the theme of exploring opportunities and becoming more well rounded, Ms. Kunka appeals to current and future students to take advantage of the chances offered by Lake Erie College to travel and study abroad.

Emily Miller began taking jumping lessons at the Lake Erie College Equestrian Center at the age of 12, later choosing to attend the college to study Biology.  Graduating Summa Cum Laude with a Bachelor of Science degree and awards in her field of study in 2000, Ms. Miller moved on to enter the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine.  Newly graduated with her DVM degree in 2004, Dr. Miller began working for Cleveland Equine Clinic, based in Ravenna, OH.  The state-of-the-art facilities of the Clinic currently provide Dr. Miller with the tools necessary for her to explore her interest in race and performance horses.  Now happily married to Darren Otero, Dr. Miller looks forward to continuing to grow as an equine veterinarian, as well as seeing a return to riding and competing her Quarter Horses.

Dr. Miller’s degree in Biology from Lake Erie College prepared her to meet the preveterinary requirements and in-depth studies awaiting her at the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine.  In addition to the courses applied toward her degree in Biology, Dr. Miller participated in a variety of equine-related classes, including the subjects of nutrition, reproduction, and lameness.  Tackling courses specific to her interest in horses provided Dr. Miller with the chance to develop skills that would later prove invaluable to her daily practice as an equine veterinarian.

Dr. Miller credits the leadership opportunities and personal interaction with strong mentors provided by the small-campus atmosphere of Lake Erie College as being a valuable contributor to her post-baccalaureate endeavors.

To ensure success and personal development in current and future Lake Erie College students, Dr. Miller encourages individuals to make the most of the advantages of the small campus, such as one-on-one interaction with professors, the opportunity to serve in leadership roles in extracurricular activities, and participation in student government; combine these experiences with those gained in the classroom to prepare for a future career.

Theresa Scout, a 1998 Lake Erie College graduate, currently serves as a valuable asset at Maypine Farm in Willoughby Hills, OH (teaching students).  Following her graduation, at which time she was awarded her B.A. in Business Administration and Equestrian Teacher/Trainer, Ms. Scout worked under another highly distinguished LEC alumn, Nancy Smith, known for her professionalism and accomplishments in dressage.  Ms. Scout rode horses with Nancy from Training Level up through Grand Prix and competed up to 4th Level.  Relocating to California, Ms. Scout was employed by Campbellot Farm to start, show, and present to prospective clients the fine young horses raised at this Hanoverian breeding facility.

In 2004, Ms. Scout began her service for Maypine Farm in Willoughby, OH, where she currently rides and teaches on a daily basis.  She looks forward to continuing to develop the solid showing program at Maypine Farm, following in the footsteps of previous trainers and coaching her students to nationally ranked levels in their respective divisions.

Ms. Scout’s achievements during her time at Lake Erie College include advancing to the Regional competition in the Novice Hunter division in IHSA, serving as president of the Team de Ville Club to organize and run the sizable event, in which she also competed in both the jumper and dressage portions.  Ms. Scout is also the only student to have shown Absolut, Lake Erie College’s spirited Swedish Warmblood stallion.

The most valuable experiences of Ms. Scout’s Lake Erie College career were interactions with different types of people and the chance to network with professionals in the industry.  The advice Ms. Scout would most like to offer to current and future Lake Erie College students is that a willingness to work hard and focus on the purpose of one’s goals is the most important factor for success.