Congratulations to Rachel Reed, University of Findlay Class of 2026!
The University of Findlay – Old Main. Alvin Trusty CC BY-SA 2.0 Wikipedia Commons
Congratulations to Rachel Reed, University of Findlay Class of 2026! The University of Findlay is a Christian college about an hour south of Toledo, which specializes in health professions and animal science. In addition to its 86-acre Main Campus, the University operates a 52-acre facility on the east side of Findlay, the James L. Child Jr. Equestrian Complex, containing the English equestrian studies program and University Equine Veterinary Services Inc., and a 153-acre farm, the Western Farm and Animal Sciences Center, eight miles south of campus, housing the western riding, animal science, and pre-veterinary medicine programs. It was the Equestrian Studies program and the ability to ride both English and western that attracted Rachel to UF.
An accomplished equestrienne, Rachel has an interesting vision for her life: she would like to be a foster parent for children and horses, using the interaction between the two as a way to heal both. As a student with learning differences, Rachel knows how uncomfortable it can be to feel like you don’t fit in and wants to keep foster children from feeling this way. Thus Rachel’s college search included schools with equine therapy majors as well as child development/early childhood education, psychology, and social work programs. The University of Findlay has everything she was looking for.
Rachel graduated from Groves Academy as valedictorian of her class. She advises other high school students to “follow your heart and passion. Keep looking for different college options” because the first college might be a good fit but there might be better options out there. She visited each of the colleges on her list and emphasizes how important it is to tour in person. “I realized you could look up colleges all you want and watch videos, but you never know what it’s actually going to be like until you go for a visit and see for yourself.” She discovered that Findlay has a lot to offer academically and in terms of merit aid, as well as those important extracurriculars that make up a life on campus. “They have great smoothies and a dance club that I think it would be fun to try. I’m hoping to make the [equestrian] hunt seat team.” She is most looking forward to “making new friends and becoming the best rider I can be.”
Rachel’s parents, Pam and Dan Reed, love Rachel’s choice of college. For her part, Rachel says, “Thank you Mom and Dad for not giving up on me and always being there. You two are my most incredible supporters, and I know that if I need help, I can count on you to be there for me. Because of your love and support of my dreams and goals, I will go far. Thank you for your wisdom, love and encouragement over the years.”