Janelle Harcus

Class of 2008

Kirkland, Washington

Academic Major

I am an equine business management major and would like to some day own or manage a competitive show barn and be a trainer/rider.  Academically, St. Andrews has helped me understand what will go into creating a new business, how to maintain a business, and how to manage a barn, among other things.  Also, the equestrian program has made me a better rider so that when I graduate, I will have tools to help me be an effective trainer and rider.

Plans After Graduation

I am graduating in May.  My plans at this time are to go straight into work at the farm I interned for this past summer.  Located in Camden, SC, the farm is a well-known A-circuit show barn with several top horses in the country.  I got the contact through a former trainer at St. Andrews.  My job will be to ride the horses, manage the barn and be an assistant to the trainers there.

St. Andrews Faculty

Peggy McElveen is the faculty member that I have probably gotten the closest to.  The most memorable experience I have with her is actually before I had even decided to go to St. Andrews.  I was visiting the college and only got to meet with Peggy for a fleeting moment because she was between meetings and business trips, as usual, I have learned.  Anyhow, I gave her the video of me riding and went on with my tour.  That evening, when my mother and I returned to the hotel, we had a voicemail.  Expecting it to be my dad, my mom was surprised to hear a southern woman’s voice basically saying that she was really hoping that I would attend St. Andrews.  My mother and I both thought it was amazing that Peggy would figure out where we were staying and find out the room and call to tell me that she enjoyed the video and saw some potential in me.  That was really the turning point in deciding which college to attend.  It was Peggy’s  persistence, among other things, that caused me to choose St. Andrews.  Even now, as I get ready to graduate, Peggy has continuously made me glad about my choice in St. Andrews.

Extracurricular Activities

I am on several intercollegiate equestrian teams including the IHSA Hunt Seat team, ANRC team and last year I competed also on the IHSA Western team.  I am also currently involved with the Student Judicial Council and I am the President of Riding Council.  All of these activities keep me extremely busy and I also have a horse at Wilson farm on self-care.

Why St. Andrews?

St. Andrews is a great place to be and a highly unique college experience for those who allow it to be that.  Just like anywhere else, if you enter believing it might not be that great, it won’t. However, if you enter believing that you can have a good time, then you’ll have a great time.  The class sizes and the overall size of the student body helps you to create lifetime friends and learn life skills.  I know I will never forget some of the classes I have taken and I have made many great friends that I will remain friends with for the rest of my life.  The intimate community at St. Andrews is really what sets it apart from other colleges.  You will get to know people at a very deep level and create lifelong ties.

Hanging out with friends!

Riding Joe Black at ANRC Nationals.