BROOKSTON − On a campus with more than 40,000 undergraduate students, Nicolas LaPlante sought inclusivity when he arrived at college three years ago.

He found it at a barn in rural Brookston, 20 miles from Purdue University.

The Purdue equestrian team , which this season had 50 members, has equipped students with a comfortable surrounding like the one LaPlante was seeking for more than four decades.

"This has provided a central home of people that had a common interest and something you can share," said LaPlante, an animal science major who just finished his junior year. "I've been fortunate enough to find some of my best friends out here. It's been a good community, a good support system."

Last month, LaPlante helped the Purdue equestrian team accomplish the highest feat: an Interc

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