The first annual WLU Zoo Science open house is scheduled for Thursday, April 4 from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Arnett Hall. The event is open to students, faculty, staff, and the community. Visitors will have the opportunity to explore the program’s various aspects through a series of stations featuring animal interactions, demonstrations, and student research. At the end of the tour, visitors will be entered into a drawing to win prizes. The zoo science major students and faculty are eager to showcase their program to the community.
Lauren Mort, WLU’s Animal Care Specialist, expressed excitement for the open house, emphasizing the importance of connecting with the community and showcasing the program. She hopes that the event will help raise awareness about the program and the opportunities it offers to students. The open house is seen as a way to celebrate the department and its students, with the goal of making it an annual event.
Matthew Shuttleworth, the Zoo Science event coordinator and lab mentor, highlighted the passion that students have for maintaining the animal collection and the valuable experience they gain through the program. The unique Zoo Science curriculum at WLU prepares students for employment in various fields, including zoo and conservation facilities, wildlife rehabilitation, federal and state conservation agencies, and graduate schools in ecological and conservation science.
For more information about WLU’s Zoo Science program and the upcoming open house, visit https://westliberty.edu/zoosci/.