The University of Kentucky Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center is celebrating 30 years of legacy service to the equine community worldwide.
A 30th anniversary research seminar, open house and celebration dinner will be October 12. The seminar will begin at 8 a.m. at the Gluck Center and will feature the inaugural Teri Lear Memorial Lecture followed by an open house. The dinner will begin at 6 p.m. in the Woodford Reserve Room at Kroger Field.
Dr. Stuart Brown, chair of the Gluck Equine Research Foundation and a Hagyard Equine Medical Institute veterinarian, will host the program honoring Dr. Peter Timoney, Gluck Center professor, for his lifelong contributions to equine infectious disease research.
“I look forward to this milestone 30th anniversary of the Gluck Center and the recognition of the contributions of Dr. Peter Timoney throughout his career,” said Brown. “The Gluck Center is an internationally recognized center of excellence in equine research and discovery for the benefit of the health of horses of all breeds and disciplines.”
The center opened its doors on June 5, 1987, with a promise to fulfill Thoroughbred breeder and entrepreneur Maxwell Gluck’s legacy and to continue the research and distinguished service in the Department of Veterinary Science, established in 1915. Professors in the department were already world-renown for their important contributions to equine reproduction and infectious disease research.
“From its beginning, the Maxwell H. Gluck Equine Research Center has represented a partnership between the University of Kentucky and the equine industry,” said Dr. David Horohov, center director and department chair. “This collaborative spirit continues to this day as the mission of the Gluck Center is the scientific discovery, education and dissemination of knowledge for the benefit of the health and well-being of horses.”
Maxwell Gluck, and his wife, Muriel, pledged a $3 million challenge grant to the university to build a $9-million equine research facility on the condition the state and those in the equine industry match the funds. Kentucky Gov. John Y. Brown Jr. matched the challenge grant with $3 million in state economic development bonds. Other equine industry leaders quickly embraced Gluck’s idea by rallying together to make his vision a reality. UK President Otis Singletary organized a special advisory committee of influential equine industry representatives led by William S. Farish III, owner of Lane’s End Farm, to meet the challenge through a “Support the Foundation” campaign. Farish, along with a group comprised of John Gaines, owner of Gainesway Farm; James E. “Ted” Bassett III, president of Keeneland; Albert G. Clay, owner of Fairway Farm; and Frederick L. Van Lennep, owner of Castleton Farm, quickly raised more than $4.2 million within a month.
“This accomplishment could not have been possible without the vision of many leaders from the equine industry and the University of Kentucky who partnered in this venture 30 years ago and assembled such a distinguished faculty to execute on the strategy of this equine-focused research center,” Brown said. “Today, we recognize the benefit of this investment across the many areas of cutting-edge research performed by our team of faculty members, under the leadership of Dr. Horohov, as we celebrate the legacy of this commitment for decades to follow in support of the mission to improve horse health and well-being.”
Today the Gluck Center is part of the UK College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and has 20 faculty members conducting equine research in the areas of genetics and genomics, immunology, infectious diseases, parasitology, pharmacology and toxicology, musculoskeletal science and reproductive health.
“Over many years, our college and Kentucky’s signature industry have been dependent on each other to do what is best for the equine economy,” said Dr. Nancy Cox, college dean. “The health and well-being of the horse underpins the industry. The Gluck building investment was a manifestation of this interdependency of the university and the industry. While we celebrate the past 30 years, we pledge continued dedication to this evolving industry for many more years.”
Full details about the 30th anniversary events, along with the opportunity to reserve tickets, is available at http://www.ukalumni.net/gluck.
