ALBION, Mich. – The walls are up, the tack is at the ready, and the horses have moved into the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center, which was formally dedicated at a ceremony Friday, October 15 in the gallery of the center.
 

Albion College President Peter Mitchell presents a framed portrait to Nancy G. Held during the Held Equestrian Center dedication ceremony October 15. Jean Laughlin, '50, is seated next to Held. Photo by Dave Trumpie

The center--the only equestrian center at a private school in Michigan and one of the few in the Midwest--was funded by generous donations from Nancy G. Held, Albion College professor emerita of education, and Sheldon and Jean Laughlin, '50, of Parma.

Held Center Director George Halkett said he has been working 20-hour days in the weeks leading up to the center's opening.
 

Equestrian Center Director George Halkett speaks with Randi Heathman before the dedication ceremony. Photo by Dave Trumpie

"I am thrilled and I consider it an honor to be able to be the first and only director of the Held Equestrian Center," Halkett said. "I feel very fortunate to be able top get it established and where it needs be to be one of the industry's premier equestrian programs."

The program for the dedication ceremony was attended by 150 people, including College trustees, students, faculty, staff and community members. The program included Albion College President Peter Mitchell, Chairman of the Albion College Board of Trustees Richard Baird, student Jennifer Sinclair, 06, of the equestrian team, and Rev. Bill Ritter, 62, who offered a prayer.

Members of the College's equestrian teams offered an indoor riding demonstration in the Randi C. Heathman Arena.



More on the Nancy G. Held Equestrian Center:

For more details on the Held Equestrian Center, click here: www.albion.edu/heldcenter .

July construction photos care here; June 2004 construction photos are here.

Construction and the first year of operation of the equestrian facility were made possible by a $750,000 donation from Albion philanthropist Nancy Held, professor emerita of education and the former director of the College’s teacher education program. An additional $250,000 gift from Jean and Sheldon Laughlin of Parma, Mich., will help the Held Equestrian Center achieve its goal to become the premier equestrian facility for a liberal arts college in the Midwest. The Groundbreaking Ceremony for the center was held in April. 

Plans for the center can be found by clicking here, and a layout of the land behind Bellemont Manor can be found by clicking here.
 

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