Volume 28, Number 1, Fall 2026
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Rooted in Wyoming: UW TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS FIND SUCCESS IN STATE
(307)766-3264
Follow us - uwyostore
The same store you love
with a new online look Discover everything the University Store has to offer on our newly redesigned website. uwyostore.com
SHOP NOW
Get 15% off your next order with code ONLINE15
In May, UW students participated in UnionFest 2026 with free food, games and live music by local bands.
FEATURES
UWyo
14 / MEET THE PRESIDENT Q&A with UW President Shane Reeves
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
18 / A BRIGHT FUTURE Many Trustees’ Scholars plan to stay in the state and pay it forward.
Fall 2026 | Volume 28, No. 1 uwyo.edu/magazine
24 / FROM WYOMING, WITH LOVE Meet 20 UW Trustees’ Scholars Award alumni living and working in Wyoming. 70 / MAJOR GIFT HAS MAJOR IMPACT Alums Carol and Ramon Tomé built their highly successful lives far from Wyoming, but they never forgot their alma mater, providing one of the largest gifts UW has ever received.
Departments 04 / President’s Message 06 / News & Notes 12 / Research Roundup 16 / Facts & Stats 22 / Athletics 48 / AlumNews 65 / Giving 68 / Art Museum 76 / By the Numbers
Volume 28, Number 1, Fall 2026
ON THE COVER
THE MAGAZINE FOR ALUMNI AND FRIENDS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Former Trustees’ Scholar David Rule is Rooted in a successful YouTube Wyoming: UW TRUSTEES’ creator based out SCHOLARS FIND SUCCESS IN STATE of his hometown in Pinedale. His videos, which receive millions of views, are primarily focused on building challenges and traveling. He’s pictured here in front of Squaretop Mountain. (Courtesy photo)
Correction: In the spring issue of UWyo Magazine, two last names were misspelled: Riverbend Chair in Wildlife Health Sarah Kane on page 17 and Wyoming Excellence Chair David Finnoff on page 28.
University President: Shane Reeves Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing: Chad Baldwin Editor: Micaela Myers Design: Michelle Eberle, Emily Edgar Photo and Video: Ian Bondi, Ali Grossman, Kyriessa Lane, Andrew Wee unless noted Contributing Editors: Chad Baldwin, Tamara Linse Contributing Writers: Sunnie Lew, Tamara Linse, Michelle Sunset, UW Communications AlumNews/WyoGrams: Joe Evers, Jane France, Abi Gerhard Perez, Tamara Linse, Taylor Weidinger UWyo is published three times per year as a partnership among UW Institutional Marketing, UW Foundation and the UW Alumni Association. ©2026 by the University of Wyoming. All rights reserved. Excerpts from this magazine may be reprinted with permission, provided appropriate credit is given to the University of Wyoming and copies of reprinted materials are provided to the editor.
To access past UWyo publications, visit bit.ly/uwyo-archive Persons seeking admission, employment, or access to programs of the University of Wyoming shall be considered without regard to race, gender, religion, color, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political status and belief, pregnancy, or any other applicable protected category or participation in any protected activity.
UWYO / University of Wyoming 1000 E. University Ave., Dept. 3226 Laramie, WY 82071-2000 uwyomag@uwyo.edu
From the Office of the President
Honoring Tradition and Driving Transformation at Wyoming’s University
By Shane Reeves
This is my first UWyo Magazine message as president of the University of Wyoming, and I can’t tell you what an honor it is to lead this incredible institution. Coming home to Wyoming means more to me than I can put into words. I grew up here, and this state shaped who I am. It taught me the value of hard work, humility, service and keeping your word. Those lessons stayed with me throughout my years serving our country in the Army, and they’ve guided me everywhere life has taken me. Now, it’s a privilege to bring those experiences back home.
4 • uwyo.edu/magazine
The University of Wyoming has always held a special place in this state. As Wyoming’s flagship and land-grant university, we’ve spent generations preparing leaders, expanding knowledge and strengthening communities across Wyoming. Today, we’re building on that legacy in exciting ways. Earning Carnegie R1 status recognizes that the work happening here is making a difference — not just in Wyoming but across the nation and around the world. At the same time, we’re looking ahead. New technologies like artificial intelligence are creating opportunities we could hardly have imagined just a few years ago. UW has an important role to play in helping our students, businesses and communities succeed in that future. We’ll continue serving the industries that have always been the backbone of Wyoming — energy and minerals, agriculture and tourism — while also driving innovation, entrepreneurship and discoveries that create jobs and strengthen our economy for generations to come. And, of course, athletics matter. The Cowboys and Cowgirls have a unique way of bringing our state together. I still remember cheering for Coach Brandenburg, Fennis Dembo
and those championship basketball teams along with Coach Roach and the Cowboys on the football field. Those memories are part of growing up in Wyoming, and they’re part of what makes this university so special. We’re committed to supporting our student-athletes, who are thriving in today’s changing NCAA landscape and competing for championships in the Mountain West Conference. We intend to bring those championship moments back. UW has always been about creating opportunities. We prepare students with the knowledge, skills and confidence to succeed — and to achieve greatness, like our own Josh Allen in the NFL. Our graduates become leaders in business, health care, education, the arts, government and countless other fields. Many return home to help build Wyoming’s future. Others carry the Brown and Gold with them wherever life takes them. In this issue of UWyo Magazine, you’ll meet alumni who are making a real difference in Wyoming and around the world. My time in the Army reinforced what growing up in Wyoming had already taught me: Grit matters, character is earned, and independent thinking is one of our greatest strengths. Those qualities are woven into a UW education, and they’re
why our graduates are prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world. Higher education is changing quickly. That brings challenges, but it also creates tremendous opportunities. Universities that lose sight of their mission — or become comfortable standing still — will struggle. That won’t be us. We’ll honor the traditions that make UW special while embracing the changes that will make us even stronger. We can preserve what matters most while continuing to evolve.
@UWyoPresident Our goal is simple: to make Wyoming’s indispensable university one of the finest public universities in the nation and to firmly establish UW as the crown jewel of the Rocky Mountain West. Yes, there will be challenges, but I see opportunities. If we’re clear about who we are, bold about where we’re going and committed to putting the institution first, we’ll make a great university even better.
FROM STUDENT TO CEO At the University of Wyoming, hands-on learning leads to real-world impact. As a UW student, Brady Wagstaff contributed to the design of a drone to measure fertilizer levels for J.R. Simplot in Rock Springs. That experience helped him co-found Uplink Robotics, a Laramie company designing crawler inspection robots, turning research and entrepreneurship into a growing Wyoming business. “My research experiences definitely contributed a lot to the success that we’re having at Uplink Robotics and my ability to work on things hands-on.” –Brady Wagstaff, B.E. Computer Engineering ’22 | M.S. Electrical Engineering ’23
Want to connect with students like Brady? UW’s Office of Industry and Strategic Partnerships can help.
industry.uwyo.edu | uwcorporate@uwyo.edu
Together — with our students, faculty, staff, alumni, donors and people across this great state — we’ll build on our remarkable history and create even greater opportunities for Wyoming and its young people. The University of Wyoming is on the rise, and I truly believe our best days are ahead. I’m grateful to be on this journey with you. Go Pokes! Shane Reeves is the 29th president of the University of Wyoming.
News & Notes THREE UW STARTUPS GRADUATE FROM IMPACT 307 BUSINESS INCUBATOR UW SPINOUT TO BUILD STEM-CELL PRODUCTION CENTER IN LARAMIE CellDrop Biosciences Inc., a company started at UW that develops advanced cell-processing technologies, has announced the formation of Juniper Biosystems, a spinout that will build a stemcell manufacturing center in Laramie designed to operate under the current standards of Good Manufacturing Practice, or cGMP. Wyoming’s Stem Cell Freedom Act, Senate File 48, became effective July 1. The law creates a
Three companies graduated from UW’s IMPACT 307 business incubator in July. UplinkRobotics, headed by CEO and co-founder Brady Wagstaff, is a Laramie-based robotics company that designs and manufactures inspection crawler robots used by home inspectors, contractors, firefighters, law enforcement and other professionals to safely inspect hard-to-reach or hazardous spaces. Unlocked Labs, led by CEO and founder Christoph Geisler, is a biotechnology company developing innovative postbiotic and enzymebased health products. The company leverages advances in microbiology and metabolic engineering to create products that target specific compounds linked to health conditions. Chet Lockard, principal and owner of Chet Lockard Associates Architecture, runs the Laramie-based architectural design and design-build firm that serves residential, commercial, health care and higher education clients throughout Wyoming and northern Colorado.
APPOINTMENTS Junhua Ding was selected as the inaugural dean of the School of Computing. Ding served as the founding chair and Reinburg Endowed Professor in the University of North Texas’s Anuradha and Vikas Sinha Department of Data Science. Benjamin Noren, cofounder and CEO of CellDrop Biosciences, works in a UW laboratory.
state-level framework under which registered Wyoming physicians may provide certain physiciandirected autologous mesenchymal stem-cell therapies — therapies that use a patient’s own stem cells to heal damaged tissues — that meet the law’s requirements. However, the law itself does not create manufacturing capacity. Juniper Biosystems is being built to help address that infrastructure gap by developing Wyomingbased manufacturing capacity. Juniper will leverage CellDrop’s nearly decade-long foundation in Wyoming stem-cell technology. 6 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Angela Pool-Funai has was selected to lead UW’s branch campus in Casper. Previously, she was an assistant provost for academic programs and dean of the Graduate School and Office of Research at Fort Hays State University.
UW named Pete Obermueller the new executive director of the School of Energy Resources. Obermueller most recently served as president and chief executive officer of the Petroleum Association of Wyoming. The Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources selected Amanda Harper as the new program director of the Wyoming Conservation Corps. Harper has over a decade of experience in outdoor leadership.
Earn an
UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE IN PLANT PRODUCTION AND PROTECTION FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Small class sizes 4 optional concentrations Individualized learning Real-world experience
uwyo.edu/plantsciences
News & Notes
RESEARCH HEADLINES • Early humans in North and South America relied heavily on the hunting of large mammals — including mammoths and giant ground sloths — for food and sustenance. This is shown by newly published research by UW Professor Todd Surovell, Professor Emeritus Robert Kelly and colleagues from other institutions, including lead author Ben Potter of the University of Alaska-Fairbanks. The new research — published in the journal Science Advances — also supports the idea that the animals’ extinction was due primarily to hunting by humans. • Lusha Tronstad, lead invertebrate zoologist with UW’s Wyoming Natural Diversity Database, was co-author of a paper titled “Accelerating Glacier Recession Contrasts Rock Glacier Stability in a Temperate Mountain Range” that was published July 1 in Science Advances, the American Association for the Advancement of Science’s open-access multidisciplinary journal. The research
PHOTO BY ISABELLA ERRIGO
Lusha Tronstad processes an aquatic invertebrate sample from a stream originating from a rock glacier in Paintbrush Canyon in Grand Teton National Park.
determined ice found in rock glaciers in the Teton Range persists in a warming climate and provides a sustained cold-water streamflow — as opposed to exposed ice glaciers and snowfields where ice melts more rapidly. • A new modeling study exploring the production of low-carbon hydrogen by using Wyoming’s coal resources was published in the peerreviewed journal Energy Conversion and Management. Titled “Unlocking Wyoming’s
coal resources for low-carbon hydrogen production,” the study finds that supercritical water gasification of coal with carbon capture can produce low-carbon hydrogen at a competitive cost, with the Powder River and Green River basins as the strongest candidate sites. Gisella Mena Terán, a UW Ph.D. student in chemical and biomedical engineering, was the lead author of the piece, along with UW authors Haibo Zhai, the Roy and Caryl Cline Distinguished Chair in Engineering and a Wyoming Excellence Chair in the Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering and Construction Management; Randolph Pfeiffer, a professor of practice in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering; and Saman Aryana, the Occidental Chair in Energy and Environmental Technologies who serves as associate dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and a professor in the Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering.
A MONTHLY PODCAST HOSTED BY UW PRESIDENT SHANE REEVES WATCH & LISTEN
8 • uwyo.edu/magazine
uwyospotlight.buzzsprout.com
Ready for d l r o W s w o r Tomor ’ The College of Arts & Sciences offers a distinct and well-rounded education in Fine Arts, the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Interdisciplinary Programs. Whether you're interested in pursuing a degree in A&S or looking for ways to unlock your creativity, nationally-ranked degree programs and courses with A&S provide an opportunity to gain valuable education and skills. Our programs involve work in the creative fields, using data, learning new languages, understanding the world around you, and much more.
Courses, programs and degrees offered in:
The Neltje CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY AND THE ARTS FINE ARTS
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Music Theatre and Dance Visual Arts
Anthropology Communication and Journalism Criminal Justice and Sociology Psychology
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS American Cultural Studies School of Politics, Public Affairs and International Studies
Humanities English Modern and Classical Languages Philosophy and Religion History
Discover Our Departments, Degree Programs and Courses! uwyo.edu/as
News & Notes
PHOTO BY PHIL HOFFMAN
COURTESY PHOTO
FATHER AND DAUGHTER SHARE UW LEGACY, NFL CAREERS UW and the NFL have a few things in common. Among them are Kevin Rochlitz and his daughter, Riley Rochlitz. Kevin graduated from UW with a bachelor’s degree in marketing in 1993 and eventually secured the position of senior vice president and chief sales officer for the Baltimore Ravens after joining the team in 2003. His daughter, Riley Rochlitz, of Alpine and Reisterstown, Md., followed the family footsteps to UW and earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing, professional sales and general management last spring. In June 2025, she became a corporate partnership activation coordinator for the Philadelphia Eagles. Over the years, Kevin stayed connected to his alma mater. He and his wife, Melissa, created the
10 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Kevin Rochlitz welcomes guests to the State of the Ravens event for suite owners. Riley Rochlitz stands on the field following the Kelly Green Giants game in 2025.
Kevin and Melissa Rochlitz Athletic Marketing Internship Endowment at UW, which benefits a student intern each year, and they are involved with and donate to UW’s Center for Professional Selling. Kevin also chairs the College of Business’s advisory board. He says, “Ultimately, it’s important to give back and showcase what I’ve learned in the past and how I want Riley to perceive what hard work is.”
THE HAUB SCHOOL OF ENVIRONMENT AND NATURAL RESOURCES
O U TD O O R REC RE A T IO N A ND TO U RI SM MAN AG EM E NT ( O R T M) G RA DU A T E STO RY: HA ILE Y S OR G
AFTER GRADUATING
"Wyoming is so special," Hailey Sorg said to me with a smile spreading across her face. "Every single town in Wyoming holds something so special." Her hometown of Douglas is, in her words, "the perfect little slice of Wyoming heaven." There, she grew up hiking, visiting Glendo State Park, floating the North Platte River, and exploring local museums and historic sites. Today Hailey is thrilled to still call Douglas home, though her pathway to building her career there wasn't always obvious. "A lot of other people my age struggle to be able to stay in Wyoming," she told me. It was a high school Wyoming Girls State trip to Cheyenne that unexpectedly opened the door to Hailey’s future career. There, she met Wyoming State Parks employees whose work introduced her to outdoor recreation and tourism as a viable career path. One year later, she enrolled in UW's newly launched Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management (ORTM) program. In Hailey’s view, the ORTM program's greatest strengths were the close mentorship from her professors and the industry connections- built through hands-on experience, professional development, and networking.
After graduating, Hailey returned to Douglas to work for Wyoming State Parks at the Pioneer Memorial Museum while earning a master's degree from Drexel University. She joined UW's Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute as an Extension Educator a short time later. "The outdoors and tourism are for everyone," Hailey shared. For nearly four years, she promoted this message as WORTH Extension Educator, helping communities access the training, education, and connections to support the industry on a local level.
NOW A YOUTH PROGRAM SUPERVISOR Now a Youth Program Supervisor at the Douglas Recreation Center, Hailey is bringing her ORTM background full circle by focusing on integrating outdoor recreation into the center's programming. "I'm excited to pour into the community that poured into me first," she said. Reflecting on her career thus far, Hailey shared, "It's so amazing to me that throughout my career path, every single position I've held has been tied back to my degree program.” She added, “There’s a bright future for outdoor recreation and tourism in Wyoming.” As Hailey's story illustrates, Wyoming’s outdoor recreation and tourism field doesn't just offer economic opportunity for the state- it also provides a pathway for younger generations to build fulfilling careers close to home. @h a u b . s c h oo l w ww . u wy o . e d u / h au b
Research Roundup
The goal of the National Science Foundation’s Seed Translational Acceleration of Research (STAR) Project awards, provided under the Accelerating Research Translation (ART) award, is to build translational research capacity and infrastructure for U.S. institutions of higher education and to enhance their role in regional innovation ecosystems. UW is among the first cohort of awardees. The projects have strong commercial potential and industry support. Read about all the projects at bit.ly/star-projects.
THREE STAR PROJECTS Debashis Dutta and Amit Acharzo
Higher Accuracy Flu Testing Kits Infections of influenza, or the flu, are commonly diagnosed using rapid influenza diagnostic tests that are inexpensive but often produce false-negative results due to their poor sensitivity, requiring that their outcomes be validated with advanced tests. In the project “Development of a Sensitive Lateral Flow Immunoassay Device for Analyzing Nasal Swab Samples Collected on a Dissolvable Surface,” principal investigator Debashis Dutta, graduate student Amit Acharzo and their team demonstrated a more-than-20-fold improvement in results using their new test. The proposed method also reduces reliance on user skills for performing the tests, cutting down variability in test results. The new test is currently being used at clinics in Laramie. It has the potential to save $100-$200 per incident in testing costs. It can also improve treatment with reliable results within 15 minutes.
Tyler Gonzalez
WATCH A VIDEO
Accelerated Research Translation at UW
Turning Liquid Medicines into a Dry State From vaccines to genetic disorders, RNA-based medicines have applications in many aspects of human health and disease. However, a major drawback of these new medicines is the need to keep them frozen, making these medicines reliant on a robust cold chain. Led by Thomas Boothby and graduate student Tyler Gonzalez — with the company partner Sigma Genetics — “Cold-chain free Stabilization of RNA-Lipid Nanoparticle Formulations” looks to keep these new medicines stable in a dry state, making them much less sensitive to temperature and allowing them to be stored at room temperature. This would allow these medicines to be shipped and stored more easily as well as to be distributed to areas with less stable electricity or lack of refrigeration. The researchers hope to achieve these results by applying techniques used by organisms that can survive extreme drying, such as tardigrades, and to translate that basic biological knowledge into a product that enables dry-state stabilization of these sensitive RNA-based medicines.
Healing Diabetics’ Wounds Faster Because people with diabetes often get wounds that won’t heal due to proteins in their body, a team led by Sreejayan Nair is studying repurposing a known drug, Odanacatib, for the treatment of nonhealing diabetic wounds. The project, called “Preclinical Development of Odanacatib for Diabetic Wound Healing,” has the potential to help solve an unmet need that affects over 6 million Americans per year. Nair’s team is partnering with WiTii Pharma on the study. Odanacatib is a bone drug that can stop the proteins and help skin grow back, closing the wound and preventing infections and amputations. Sreejayan Nair
12 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Advance Your Career in Healthcare and Pharmacy M.S. Health Services Administration (MSHSA) Develop practical leadership skills you can apply immediately within your current role. No GRE or thesis required with Fall and Spring start options to fit your schedule. Gain leadership skills in health policy, finance, quality, regulatory, compliance, and administration. Flexible, online format tailored for working professionals.
Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
Preparing pharmacists who improve the health and well-being of Wyoming communities and beyond UW ranked as one of the highest first year residency match rates in 2026 Our students benefit from personalized instruction, extensive clinical rotations, and career outcomes that position them for success.
Dual Degree: PharmD & MSHSA
Combine clinical expertise with leadership and management skills. No additional requirements beyond PharmD coursework.
Learn More & Apply Today! MSHSA
uwyo.edu/pharmacy/mshsa/
PharmD
uwyo.edu/pharmacy/
307-766-6120 | uwpharmacy@uwyo.edu | MSHSA@uwyo.edu
SHANE REEVES
Q&A WITH UW PRESIDENT
By Micaela Myers
Can you share with us some of your memories from growing up in Wyoming? Growing up in Rock Springs was like Shangri-La; it was nirvana. We would just go out and ride our bikes. We’d fish a lot. We’d go into the mountains. I really value that because it developed intellectual independence, resiliency and selfreliance. Had you always hoped to return to Wyoming, or what interested you in the presidency? Being in the military, I’d move around and do various things, but I always felt that I would return to Wyoming. I’ve always maintained my state of residency. My mom, my sister, my wife and my kids are all Wyoming residents. I returned quite often
14 • uwyo.edu/magazine
to visit family and friends. I never really thought of anywhere else as home. It’s a dream to be a part of something as important as UW, and it’s hard to even describe how exciting this opportunity is. So far, what are you enjoying most about being back? I’ve had a chance to travel around the state a lot. I’m meeting people and hearing what they think about the university. UW is right on the precipice of accelerating national and international prominence in lots of different ways. It is already an incredible place with very impressive academic programs, world-class faculty and Division I athletics. The UW Foundation has done amazing things to raise money on behalf of students and faculty.
UWYO SPOTLIGHT PODCAST
I was just speaking to a student on Prexy’s. She’d never been here before but just liked the vibe of the university. And that’s pretty much how I feel; I like the vibe. When you find a place where the culture is accessibility and presence — and a true interest in your development — that’s special. And that’s UW right there.
uwyospotlight.buzzsprout.com
You have to lead by example, set the standard, hold people accountable and SOCIAL MEDIA have a vision. You have to facilitate talent, find those who are doing incredible work, resource them, support them and underwrite risk. At the end @UWyoPresident of the day, everything is about the team. When you talk about team, you’re talking about selflessness, collegiality, helping each other, and Aside from connecting with constituents, what are your doing the right thing when no one’s watching. other initial goals? I want to pursue growth and a relentless pursuit of excellence In your opinion, what are UW’s greatest strengths? in all things. Some of my priorities include having a dynamic, You can tell the people of Wyoming love this place. There interesting and exciting campus culture; having our research has been significant investment in the infrastructure, and the unleash innovation that improves the lives of Wyomingites; university’s footprint is amazing. Being a Carnegie R1 research having our athletic programs not just compete but win, while institution, we are one of only 187 in the country — less than supporting our student-athletes; and increasing philanthropy 5 percent of all universities. That’s a great credit to former toward student success and faculty excellence. Artificial President Seidel and the team. It unleashes a lot of opportunity. intelligence makes some people nervous, but you can’t put the We have impressive faculty who are well known and do genie back in the bottle. AI is not a fad. You have to learn to great work. I also think we have one of the nation’s best embrace it and teach the young people how to use it in a way athletic directors, Tom Burman. As I mentioned, we have an that’s responsible, ethical and enables their critical thinking. amazing foundation. At the end of the day, it’s all about the All of this is really meant to help the university move into the people: the students, the faculty, the parents and the great future while producing graduates who are highly sought after. state of Wyoming. That is its greatest strength. And that’s why UW will elevate its national brand in the very near future. What is your approach to addressing nationwide issues like declining enrollment? In 10 years, looking back, what do you hope will be some The number of high school graduates in the U.S. peaked in of the legacy that you’ve built here? 2025, and we’re already seeing pressures on higher education I would like to see UW grow. I don’t see why we couldn’t across the nation. A lot of smaller schools are closing or have a 50 percent increase in terms of enrollment over the consolidating. Other schools are cutting programs. However, next 10 years. not every school is shrinking. There are haves and have-nots I would like to see us continue to invest in infrastructure. in higher education, and I want to make sure UW is on the If you build it, they will come. We have two beautiful new have side of the ledger. residence halls, and they are full, with a waitlist. We have to be able to adjust. Stasis today means you’re We’re launching a campaign with our foundation that’s sliding backwards. UW has lost thousands of students since very ambitious, and I have no doubt we’ll be successful. 2015, so we have to turn that around. We have to compete I would like to continue to double down on the research for kids around the state, and we also have to make ourselves enterprise and find more of those Wyoming-centric aspects nationally recognized in certain areas. of our research that will drive economic development in the state. It can help us address some of the broader issues, like What aspects of your military career and your West Point why so many of our young people leave the state. leadership do you think you’ll draw on most in leading UW? I’d like to see us win some championships. But at the I’ve had the great opportunity to work with incredible, worldend of the day, what I really want is to see unity in the state class leaders. In that environment, you learn how to navigate behind UW — recognizing that it’s truly the university for really difficult situations, while still having a sense of humor. the entire state. UWyo Fall 2026 • 15
Trustees’ Scholar Samantha Rogaczewski of Sheridan, Wyo., with Assistant Professor Donna Harris
Recipients typically average a 3.97 unweighted high school GPA and an average ACT composite score of 32.
WYOMING’S PREMIER SCHOLARSHIP
By Micaela Myers
Every year for the past 16 years, the University of Wyoming has awarded the Trustees’ Scholars Award to about 100 Wyoming high school seniors. “It was started by the UW Board of Trustees to reward Wyoming’s highest-achieving students,” says Director of Admissions and Interim Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Shelley Dodd. “It recognizes the best of the best in Wyoming who have worked hard in the classroom, challenged themselves with difficult classes and really excelled.” The Trustees’ Scholars Award covers tuition, mandatory fees and a standard double room and meal plan (when living in university housing). “It removes one of the biggest barriers that comes with a college education: the cost,” says Student Financial Services Director Anna Terfehr. “I could not have personally afforded college without a great deal of debt if not for the Trustees’ Scholars Award,” says psychology major Eann Burns of Lander, who graduated this past spring with plans to become a counselor. All Wyoming high school students who apply to UW are considered for the award. “It recognizes their academic achievements through a really thoughtful selection process, and it is widely representative of our state,” Terfehr says. Without having to work extra jobs, these scholars can go above and beyond, taking part in undergraduate research, internships, sports, clubs, volunteer work and more. “The Trustees’ Scholars Award has made it possible for me to make the most out of my time in school without financial burden,” says junior Katie Shields of Riverton, who Over the years, the UW Board of Trustees has is majoring in psychology with minors in honors, neuroscience and an American Sign Language certificate, provided designated scholarship support under with plans to become a school counselor. “This award names such as the Trustees’ Pride, Trustees’ celebrates the achievements of hard-working students, Superior Student Scholarship and, since 2010, creating a sense of pride and accomplishment.” the Trustees’ Scholars Award.
Trustees’ Scholar Caleb Sundquist of Casper, Wyo., with fellow student Connor Gililland
Trustees’ Scholar Ben Radosevich of Casper, Wyo.
Trustees’ Scholar Audrey Merwin of Hulett, Wyo. Watch a video about Merwin’s life at UW at bit.ly/audrey-merwin-cowboy
All Wyoming high school applicants are considered for the award in the first round. In the second round, candidates submit an essay and resume, and in the third round, candidates are invited for an interview. About 100 awards are given each year.
Trustees’ Scholar Catcher Russell of Greybull, Wyo.
Trustees’ Scholar Alexina Birkholz of Sheridan, Wyo.
Since 2010, 1,147 students have received the Trustees’ Scholars Award, with a total of $46,229,911 awarded.
Trustees’ Scholar Dylan Rust of Green River, Wyo.
The Trustees’ Scholars Award works in combination with the Cowboy Commitment and Hathaway Honors Scholarship for a maximum of eight consecutive semesters or completion of a first bachelor’s degree, whichever comes first.
Trustees’ Scholar Jessica Petri of Green River, Wyo.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 17
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
In the Engineering Education and Research Building, Nolan Reitz shows off the rover created by Cowboy Robotics, a student-led engineering club.
Many Trustees’ Scholars plan to stay in the state and pay it forward. By Micaela Myers For generations, the Trustees’ Scholars Award has helped hundreds of students excel at the University of Wyoming. Many of these students stay in Wyoming, giving back to the state that so generously supported them. Nolan Reitz
Hometown: Powell Degree: B.S. in computer engineering with a minor in honors, 2028 “I know so many students, including myself, who selected UW not because they had to but because the opportunities provided by the Trustees’ Scholars Award are unlike any others, and they made UW a competitive choice for those excelling scholars,” Reitz says. At UW, Reitz serves as the software
18 • uwyo.edu/magazine
team lead for the Cowboy Robotics Club, which competes in the University Rover Challenge. He enjoys working on electronics and coding. In the future, Reitz hopes to use his degree to help his community: “I would love to stay in Wyoming, as it is a unique state that has so many charming features. Communities are tight, and the whole state feels very connected. In addition, Wyoming is home to some stunning natural places, so getting to reside here year-round is a treat.”
Leah Rose
Hometown: Casper Degree: B.A. in music education, 2026 Rose is a fourth-generation music educator in the state of Wyoming and recently started teaching band at Laramie Middle School. “I have grown up in a tightknit community of educators who are constantly trying to help each other and keep music education alive in Wyoming,” she says. “This interconnectedness is unique to our state and is one of the things I look forward to most.” The Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed her to pursue her dreams and passions at UW, including serving as vice president of service for Kappa
Kappa Psi Alpha Nu, vice president of the National Association for Music Education chapter and social media manager for the Western Thunder Marching Band. Rose says, “The Trustees’ Scholars Award incentivizes the best young minds in Wyoming to stay and contribute back to their state.”
Isabella Johnson
Hometown: Buffalo Degree: B.S. in speech, language and hearing sciences with minors in Spanish and honors, 2026 Johnson recently graduated debt-free, thanks to the Trustees’ Scholars Award. “It encourages Wyoming students to attend UW,” she says. “These individuals have demonstrated merit,
work ethic, dedication and prestige, and I think that is exactly the values that we want to promote and attract to UW.” Johnson plans to go on for her master’s degree in speech, language and hearing and then serve the rural populations of Wyoming. “Aside from its incredible natural landscape, I love Wyoming for its culture,” she says. “This really is a state where people are willing to help their neighbor, take the time to get to know one another, work honestly and hard, and promote a strong community. It sounds silly, but I really do feel that people follow the Code of the West. People in Wyoming are proud of their state and their identity and strive to preserve the environment that makes Wyoming special.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Leah Rose teaches band students at Laramie Middle School.
Isabella Johnson celebrates her graduation in front of the Health Sciences Building.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 19
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Makenzi Scott was a barrel racer on the UW rodeo team and qualified for the 2026 College National Finals Rodeo. Below: Lucas Dillon presented at UW’s inaugural Experiential Education Showcase and Celebration.
Hometown: Rock Springs Degrees: B.S. in finance and economics, 2025; M.S. in finance, 2026 This summer, Scott finished her certified financial planner certification and master’s degree at UW: “I plan to become a financial planner in Rock Springs. The economy back home is largely based on the boom-and-bust cycle of the trona mines, so helping my future clients be prepared is incredibly important.” During her time at UW, the Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed Scott to establish her own business — breeding and training barrel racing horses — which she plans to continue after college. She’s also a member of the UW rodeo team. Scott’s goal of becoming a Trustees’ Scholar started all the way back in eighth grade.
20 • uwyo.edu/magazine
“It gave me drive through school,” she says. “It provides a reason for Wyomingites to stay and give back to the state that has given us so much.” Scott can’t imagine living anywhere else: “I love the big open spaces. It gives a feeling of freedom that is unique to Wyoming.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Makenzi Scott
Lucas Dillon
Hometown: Laramie Degree: B.S. in mechanical engineering with a minor in honors, 2028 Dillon combined the Trustees’ Scholars Award with the Hathaway and Cowboy Commitment, giving him “phenomenal support,” he says. It also enabled him to give back. “I am part of the UW Round Table, where I refurbish and redistribute furniture to those in need,” he says. Having an undergraduate education paid for allows many scholars to
further their education. Dillon plans to go on to study aerospace. He carries a deep love for living and working in Wyoming: “I have come to love the smaller community we have here. My family lives nearby, and I have friends here and in surrounding towns. I enjoy biking and skiing, which we have great opportunities for here.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Left: Mackenzie Priest serves as a Cowboy Coach. Above: Sophia Meyers competes as a member of the women’s rugby team, a UW club sport.
Sophia Meyers COURTESY PHOTO
Hometown: Casper Degree: B.S. in psychology with minors in honors and neuroscience, 2028
Mackenzie Priest
Hometown: Elk Mountain Degree: B.S. in kinesiology and health promotion with a minor in psychology, 2027 Priest plans to pursue a doctorate in occupational therapy and then return to Wyoming. “I would love to be a school-based occupational therapist or work in early intervention with preschoolers or K–12 students,” she says. “I plan to stay in Wyoming because a lot of my family is here and it is a great place to live. I love the many outdoor activities Wyoming offers year-round.” The Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed Priest to succeed academically and to pay it forward: “Not only can I be successful in academics, but I also have time to give back to the community, specifically at the Cancer Center at Ivinson Memorial Hospital.
I am so thankful for the opportunity to dedicate so much of my time to my academics and not have to worry so much about the financial aspects.”
Grant Hilton
Hometown: Cheyenne Degree: B.S. in physiology, 2026 After medical school, Hilton plans to help alleviate the state’s rural doctor shortage by returning to Wyoming. “All of the opportunities that the state of Wyoming has granted me throughout my time here have been nothing short of life-changing, so I owe everything to this state,” he says. Earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award helped Hilton excel as an undergraduate without a financial burden: “It is important because it incentivizes high schoolers in Wyoming to aspire to do great things.”
Because of the Trustees’ Scholars Award, Meyers has been able to dedicate herself to her academics, campus involvement and personal growth, including becoming active in club sports. “I think the Trustees’ Scholars Award is incredibly important for students who may not otherwise be able to afford university,” she says. Meyers plans to return to her home state after attending physician assistant school: “Access to medical care can be limited in many rural areas, and I hope to make a meaningful difference by serving communities across Wyoming. This state truly feels like home to me. I love the sense of community, the outdoors and the hard-working grounded attitude that Wyoming embodies. The feeling of being out on the plains under the stars is so amazing, and I could never give it up. There is nowhere else like it, and I want to continue building my life and career here.” UWyo Fall 2026 • 21
Athletics Madison and Jaymison Cox
COURTESY PHOTO
Hitting the Ground Running CATCH UP WITH FORMER TRUSTEES’ SCHOLAR AND TRACK ATHLETE JAYMISON COX.
By Micaela Myers
For Jaymison Cox, earning the Trustees’ Scholar Award helped him focus on his engineering coursework and his performance as a Division I track athlete. “The Trustees’ Scholars Award was instrumental in giving me the college experience I dreamed of,” says Cox, who grew up in Powell. “It essentially removed the financial burden that is often associated with attending a university and gave me the freedom to focus on things like making friends, getting good grades and performing well on the track team.” Cox specialized in the 400- and 200-meter races, breaking the indoor 400 record his junior year. Although that record has since been broken, he will never forget the thrill of that achievement. “I met some great friends on the oval, including my teammates, coaches and trainers,” he says. “I enjoyed the pressure of competing at a high level and representing Wyoming in the Mountain West Conference. Most importantly, I have very fond memories of meeting my wife at the University of Wyoming. She was also a member of the track team, but it took us a few years before we formally met at a mutual friend’s birthday party. That was by far the most important moment in not only my four years in Laramie but my whole life.” Cox chose a challenging computer engineering major with a minor in mathematics. One highlight was helping
22 • uwyo.edu/magazine
a teammate design and build an automated pet kennel for their senior design project. “We dumped hours upon hours into designing the circuits, finding parts, putting it together and coding the behavior,” he says. Those hands-on skills proved instrumental. After Cox graduated in 2024, he went to work as a design engineer for Advantest Inc. in Fort Collins, Colo., where he loved the process of “fixing something that is broken.” “UW taught me many of the technical skills I use in my day-to-day work, but by far the most important skill I obtained was the ability to adapt, learn and overcome, even when the material was intimidating,” Cox says. He remembers many engineering courses that seemed overwhelming at first, but he always finished the semester with a concrete grasp of the material. “That skill is indispensable in my industry, as you are expected to conquer tasks you’ve never done before and learn things you’ve never heard of,” Cox says. He’s grateful to Wyoming for supporting his education and preparing him for his career. “I have Wyoming — both the state and the university as a whole — to thank for who I am as a person, and I am incredibly thankful to be from such a wonderful state and community,” Cox says. “Wyoming may be a large state geographically, but it has always really felt to me like a tightknit community. The university plays a large role in that feeling.”
K-14 STEM EDUCATION
OuTReacH
The UW College of Engineering and Physical Sciences is excited to engage students and teachers in hands-on STEM learning. Strengthening K-14 education can increase the number and quality of students pursuing STEM programs at the University of Wyoming, leading to impactful careers in Wyoming and beyond.
STEM CARNIVAL » SEPT. 11, 2026
ENGINEERS WEEK » FEB. 21-27, 2027
Meet scientists, engineers, and students from across the University of Wyoming as you explore hands-on activities, interactive exhibits, and engaging demonstrations presented by STEM programs from across the University of Wyoming. Designed for children, families, and educators, the STEM Carnival offers fun, curiosity-driven experiences that inspire the next generation of innovators, problem-solvers, and lifelong learners.
Professional and student engineers visit Wyoming 3rd grade classrooms to facilitate an engineering design challenge to inspire innovative thinking, design and problem solving. Over 70% of Wyoming’s third graders participated in this event last year. We would love to have you join us! To sign up, visit bit.ly/eweek2027
WYOMING AIR NATIONAL GUARD DISCOVERY DAY » SEPT. 24, 2026 Join us at the Wyoming Air Guard base, 217 Del Range Blvd., in Cheyenne for a day of STEM activities, demonstrations, aircraft, simulators and more!
COMPUTER SCIENCE EDUCATION WEEK » DEC. 8-14, 2026 Computer Science Education Week is a worldwide effort that aims to expose all students to the field of computer science and increase interest in computer coding. Our student ambassadors are excited to visit your classroom, introduce your students to coding, and facilitate an engaging coding activity. We even have coding activities that require no computers, if needed! To sign up visit bit.ly/cosiweek
MATHCOUNTS The Wyoming State MATHCOUNTS competition is part of a national competition series that provides 6th-8th grade students the chance to compete in contests against and alongside their peers. If your child’s school does not already compete in the MATHCOUNTS series, please have them contact Dr. Jones to help get them set up.
LAND SURVEYORS OUTREACH » MARCH 21-27, 2027 We connect educators and students in 4th-12th grades with professional land surveyors to learn more about this profession and support Wyoming state STEM objectives. Sign up for a visit from a professional in the field who will talk about the cool history of surveying and engage your students with surveying fun! To sign up, visit bit.ly/uwlandsurveyor
bit.ly/uwyo-stem-outreach
CLASSROOM VISITS
Our team of CEPS Student Ambassadors can visit classrooms, virtually or in person, to encourage the exploration of scientific inquiry, engineering design and innovative problem-solving.
CONTACT US FOR MORE INFORMATION!
FIELD TRIPS TO CEPS
Led by current CEPS students to provide an introduction to our programs. Enjoy tours of the engineering buildings, interactive learning in our makerspaces, hands-on activities, world-class drilling simulator demonstration, and much more!
Cindy Jones, Ph.D. (307) 766-6433 | cynthia.jones@uwyo.edu uwyo.edu/CEPS
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
FROM
WYOMING,
WITH LOVE
BY MICAELA MYERS
MEET 20 UW TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS AWARD ALUMNI LIVING AND WORKING IN WYOMING. The University of Wyoming Trustees’ Scholars Award is the premier scholarship for Wyoming’s top high school students. Hundreds of students have benefited from the award over the years, and in this issue, UWyo Magazine sat down with 20 former scholars living and working in Wyoming. These alumni are giving back to the state that supported them throughout their education. They represent a small sampling of alumni award winners living around the state and across the country. These scholars leveraged the support Wyoming gave them and turned it into big impacts in their industries, families, states and communities.
Optometrist Kristanza Bronnenberg Hometown: Cody UW degrees: B.S. in physiology with minors in honors and Spanish, 2016
How did the Trustees’ Scholars Award help you as a student at UW? The Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed me to focus solely on studying while I was in school. Because of this, I was able to pursue many opportunities I might not have otherwise, such as studying abroad, serving in organizations, volunteering and spending time shadowing various health-care professions to determine which was the best fit for me. It is so important for Wyoming students to have avenues available to them to receive a high-quality education. The University of Wyoming is an excellent school, and I feel very fortunate
to have had the opportunity to attend UW and to be honored with a Trustees’ Scholars Award. It is also very beneficial to the state to have students return after graduation to join the workforce and give back to their communities. I believe that scholarships — such as the Trustees’ — that are only available to Wyoming students create a sense of belonging and inspire students to give back to the state that supported them.
What were your standout experiences at UW? I had an amazing time at UW. Some of my standout experiences included attending sporting events with friends, exploring the surrounding area, and studying abroad with the wonderful UW Education Abroad office and through the Honors Program (now the Honors College). UWyo Fall 2026 • 25
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
UW was also instrumental in my future career in health care. My education at UW prepared me fully to succeed in optometry school, and my UW professors were very supportive and helpful with selecting the best program for me.
What made you want to stay in Wyoming after graduation? I have always loved Wyoming and really never considered working or living anywhere else. I love traveling and fully enjoyed my time studying abroad and away at graduate school, but Wyoming is an incredibly special place with wonderful people, and I am blessed to be back. It has also always been important to me to come back to my hometown of Cody to give back to the community that has supported me so much. The best part about Wyoming is the people. We truly have some of the kindest most inspirational people in Wyoming, and I love getting to serve them every day. I also have always enjoyed the outdoors and everything the Wyoming wilderness has to offer.
Tell us about your career: I currently work as an optometrist at Basin Vision Center in Cody. I get to help people and improve their vision — it is truly a wonderful profession. I love that my career allows me to spend time with my patients and see them year after year. Interacting with the incredible people who live in Cody and getting to be a part of their lives is the best part of my job.
26 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Psychiatrist Brian Schlidt
Hometown: Casper UW degrees: B.S. in physiology with minors in honors and finance, 2011
Brian Schlidt used his University of Wyoming education — powered by the Trustees’ Scholars Award— to fill a very important need in the state. “I started my own practice, and I am a psychiatrist practicing in Casper, but I do telemedicine over the entire state,” Schlidt says. “I love that I am able to impact so many different people across the entire spectrum of Wyoming. Mental health is not something that affects any one population of people, so I get to see and take care of so many people. Also, there is rarely a dull day at work, and I love to see people get better and get back to living their lives.” He credits the Trustees’ Scholars Award as the reason he was able to go directly from his undergraduate degree to medical school. “The Trustees’ Scholars Award dramatically impacted my ability to pursue my education without having to focus only on the financial burden of my schooling,” Schlidt says. “It gave me time so that I could focus on volunteer activities, laboratory research experience and my training. I think that it is invaluable, as it allows many students to find success and be propelled early by it.” As an undergraduate, Schlidt took part in UW’s Outdoor Program, which offered excitement as well as rewarding diligence and perseverance. He also completed the Honors Program (now the Honors College), which he says instilled a lifelong love of learning. Of course, his major also set him up for success in medical school. “I feel particularly indebted to the College of Health Sciences and the Department of Zoology and Physiology for teaching me material that I would continue to use in medical school and even my practice today,” he says. “UW was a strong foundation for the rest of my training — from medical school, residency and beyond. It wasn’t just the discipline and time management but also how to connect to people, broaden my horizons and learn how to be the person that I am today.” Now, as a practicing professional, Schlidt loves helping people across the state. He also appreciates the recreation and open spaces: “In addition to the people, I love having such easy access to the outdoors here in Wyoming.”
COURTESY PHOTO
PHOTO COURTESY OF SAGEWEST HEALTH CARE
Nursing Manager Sarah Trembly
Hometown: Lander UW degree: B.M.E. in music education, 2015 Earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed Sarah Trembly to pursue her education without having to work full-time, providing her with the foundation for a well-rounded career path that was built upon her experiences at UW. “Investing in the educational endeavors of the young people of Wyoming demonstrates the commitment Wyoming has to its growth in a variety of areas,” she says. “It helps keep young people in the Wyoming workforce, motivates high school students to achieve academic success and reinforces the values of the Wyoming people.” As a music student, Trembly immersed herself fully. She fondly recalls traveling with the UW Pep Band to the Mountain West Conference basketball tournament to cheer on the Cowboys in Las Vegas and taking a trip to Reno to showcase the Wind Symphony. “I had the privilege of performing some of the most beautiful music ever written with the Symphony Orchestra and the Collegiate Chorale,” she says. “I loved the access to information and the myriad of opportunities available for arts education.” Trembly now serves as the nurse manager of the emergency department at SageWest Health Care in her hometown of Lander. While nursing may seem a far cry from music, she says her time at UW gave her the skills she
needed to succeed. “Music education majors spend hours in classes, ensembles and private practice rooms,” Trembly says. “I had to quickly learn how to prioritize and manage my time. Skills like conducting multiple instrumental parts provided the foundation for higher-level critical thinking and problem solving. On a deeper level, a degree in the arts taught me how to relate to people in my current field of nursing. My experiences in music gave me the tools to view a patient as a complex unique person with spiritual, emotional and physical needs. One of the most rewarding aspects of nursing is providing empathetic connection and emotional support to patients, and the art of music emphasizes emotional connection between the audience and performers.” In addition to nursing, Trembly uses her music education to run a small studio of private music students. She always hoped to stay in Wyoming,
where she enjoys hiking, hunting and skiing. “The grandeur of the Wyoming landscape is powerful, and spending time in God’s creation is necessary for me to maintain my focus and peace in a stressful vocation,” Trembly says. She loves the versatility of her nursing career, where she has worked on an ambulance, in emergency rooms and ICUs, on the nurse advice phone line and as an elementary school nurse. “As an ER manager, I love the pace and challenge of the emergency department,” Trembly says. “I view myself as an advocate for patients and nurses, and am grateful for the amazing team I work alongside every day. I have the opportunity to serve my community and to provide care to multiple generations of family and friends. The Wyoming people are kind and resilient with strong values, and it is a joy to work alongside them and for them.” UWyo Fall 2026 • 27
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Business Owner Drayson Bratt During Drayson Bratt’s time earning three degrees at the University of Wyoming, his most impactful experiences were the relationships he built. “Professors, classmates, mentors and friends continually challenged me to grow both personally and professionally,” he says. “I especially appreciated the combination of strong academics and a close-knit campus culture where involvement extended far beyond the classroom through athletics, intramural sports and student organizations. UW created an environment where students could genuinely connect, grow and make a lasting impact on one another.” And because of the Trustees’ Scholars Award, he had the time to fully experience all of UW’s opportunities. “Wyoming recognizes the need to train and retain future business leaders,” Bratt says. “Many students feel pressure to leave Wyoming for opportunities in neighboring states, but affordable quality educational programs available at UW create pathways for students to stay connected to Wyoming communities, school and careers. It also rewards hard work and encourages students to continue pursuing excellence after high school.” After graduation, Bratt spent eight years working in industrial water treatment throughout Wyoming and Colorado. “UW gave me not only the technical foundation necessary for a career in chemical engineering but also helped develop the problem-solving, communication and collaborative skills needed to excel professionally and grow
28 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Hometown: Powell UW degrees: B.S. in chemical engineering, 2014; M.S. in chemical engineering, 2016; MBA, 2016 into leadership roles,” he says. “My experience at UW strengthened my ability to adapt, think critically and serve my community — qualities that continue to shape both my career and personal life today.” While his work in water treatment was rewarding, he decided to switch gears in 2022, using his MBA education to take over and expand High Mountain Fitness in Lander. “I ultimately found the greatest fulfillment in working locally, developing High Mountain Fitness into a place where lifelong fitness, personal growth and community are deeply ingrained in the culture,” he says. “What I love most about my career is the opportunity to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. I enjoy building relationships, solving problems and creating experiences that help others grow and succeed.” Bratt has always appreciated the unique combination of close-knit communities and quality of life Wyoming offers. He and his wife wanted to raise their family here and stay connected to the outdoors, their families and the strong sense of community that makes Wyoming such a special place to call home. “People genuinely support one another, and there is a strong connection between local businesses, schools, churches and families,” Bratt says. He loves the access to wild spaces, the slower pace of life and the ability to build meaningful relationships while
still pursuing ambitious goals. “I love Wyoming, and I am grateful for the opportunities UW and the Trustees’ Scholars Award provided,” Bratt says. “I hope my story encourages other Wyoming students to pursue their goals while recognizing the opportunities available within our state.”
“My experience at UW strengthened my ability to adapt, think critically and serve my community — qualities that continue to shape both my career and personal life today.” —Drayson Bratt UWyo Fall 2026 • 29
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS PHOTO BY MILE 90 PHOTOGRAPHY
Dietitian Candace (Wollert) Garner Hometown: Lingle UW degrees: B.S. in the didactic program in nutrition and dietetics with a minor in honors, 2014; M.S. in kinesiology and health, 2016 Candace (Wollert) Garner remembers visiting Sheridan for the first time as a high school track athlete and thinking how gorgeous it was. “Later, when my husband graduated from UW as an electrical engineer and accepted a position in Sheridan, we both knew this was where we wanted to end up,” she says. “Wyoming has a sense of independence that fits me very well, and I think a lot of that came from my parents, Michael and Gretchen Wollert. My dad is a cowboy through and through, and my mom came west because she loved this way of life. They are some of the hardest-working and most genuine people I know, and I see that from so many people in Wyoming. I think that mindset has been a major influence on me.” Garner works independently as a registered dietitian and a certified personal trainer at Purenergy Fitness in Sheridan. “I work with a wide variety of clients — from high school athletes building a foundation, to former college athletes, to older adults recovering from surgeries or simply trying to feel good again,” she says. “I love helping people reach their goals without feeling like they have to punish themselves along the way. I’ve been able to build a career that combines nutrition, exercise, education and coaching in a way that feels very authentic to me.”
30 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Garner also serves as president-elect of the Wyoming Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics and as a preceptor for the Montana Dietetic Internship, and she and her husband, Nathan, have 5-yearold twins. She believes her time as a student and Division 1 athlete at UW set her up for success. “The nutrition program at UW is fairly small but very rigorous, and I think that combination fostered both support and accountability in a way that larger programs sometimes cannot,” Garner says. “I was a Trustees’ Scholar and a track athlete, and balancing both required a significant amount of time and commitment. The scholarship relieved a huge amount of financial stress during school.” The standout experiences that the Trustees’ Scholars Award enabled included studying sports nutrition through a self-directed internship in New Zealand, attending the
Division 1West Preliminary Round in Eugene, Ore., breaking the indoor 800-meter school record as a freshman and sophomore, and gaining new perspectives in the honors program (now the Honors College). “It’s incredibly meaningful to have your own state recognize your effort, ability and potential with a scholarship like this,” Garner says, adding that many students couldn’t afford college otherwise. “It’s not just financial support — it’s encouragement and belief in students at a really formative time in life.” In addition to her formal education, Garner carries her love of running into her everyday life, regularly taking part in the Bighorn Trail Run 18-mile race. She says, “All of my UW experiences helped me feel deeply rooted in Wyoming while also giving me the confidence that I could succeed anywhere.”
Engineer Andrew Halverson Tell us about your career:
Hometown: Green River UW degrees: B.S. in chemical engineering with a minor in process control engineering, 2021
I’m the engineering manager at Disa Technologies Inc. in Casper. Disa designed a high-pressure slurry ablation technology that unlocks higher recovery of ore and legacy waste in mining. Creation is the best part of my job. Not only have I had the opportunity to create a technology and scale it from a proof of concept to larger commercial scales, but I’ve had the privilege of creating a team that has helped me every step of the way. Building a cohesive team that’s in sync and pulls in the same direction for each other is just as rewarding as the tech we’ve built together.
How did the University of Wyoming help prepare you for your career, and what were some of your memorable experiences here?
performers in high school will generally go on to do great things and contribute to the world in plenty of ways. This scholarship is not only a reward for their hard work in their studies but also helps set them up for even greater success as long as they continue to drive forward with the same resolve that earned them the scholarship.
How did the Trustees’ Scholars Award help you as a student?
What do you like best about living and working in Wyoming?
Receiving the Trustees’ Scholars Award was one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Although UW is already a very affordable school, it was great not having to worry about paying for my education and being able to save the money that I earned during internships, putting me further ahead in my financial future. I think it is very important to reward merit. The top
I was lucky enough to find a company I enjoyed working for in Casper. On a professional level, it’s great to work with other hard-working like-minded people. I think Wyoming has a great pool of those people, and it’s awesome working with them. On a personal level, I enjoy the outdoors immensely. Hunting is one of my favorite hobbies. It would be hard to give up what I’ve become accustomed to living here.
COURTESY PHOTO
Very few things can really prepare you for working for a startup company right out of college, where it’s just you and three other guys with the main problems of time, money and the fact that no one has done what you’re doing before. Some of my favorite professors not only familiarized me with the engineering concepts I’d need but also prepared me for solving those problems in a discerning and measured way. My senior year, I was paired with three random roommates, and they turned into some of the best friends I ever made in college. The friends I made in the chemical engineering department and the good times we had were pretty great, too.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 31
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Entrepreneur Brady Wagstaff
WATCH A VIDEO
Hometown: Evanston UW degrees: B.E. in computer engineering, 2022; M.S. in electrical engineering, 2023 Growing up in Evanston, Brady Wagstaff originally looked to Utah for college until UW offered him the Trustees’ Scholars Award. “The Trustees’ Scholars Award helps keep people in the state, especially our higher-performing students,” he says. “The funding was incredibly helpful. It allowed me the time and the flexibility to focus on classes and do research instead of having a second job.” Wagstaff spent three summers
32 • uwyo.edu/magazine
helping electrical engineering Professor Suresh Muknahallipatna with the Engineering Summer Program for Teachers. This professional development workshop teaches Wyoming’s K–12 teachers how to use physical computing to engage students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM). Wagstaff also dedicated several years to researching and designing a drone that could be used for duties such as measuring
fertilizer levels at the J.R. Simplot Co. plant Learn more about in Rock Springs. UplinkRobotics These projects gave him the skills he needed to co-found UplinkRobotics as a student. “My research experiences definitely contributed a lot to the success that we’re having at UplinkRobotics and my ability to work on things handson,” Wagstaff says. Uplink, based in Laramie, produces
COURTESY PHOTO
crawler inspection robots. During the initial years of the company, Wagstaff led the design of all of the units. In addition to the practical skills he learned in engineering, taking part in the John P. Ellbogen $50K Entrepreneurship Competition gave the Uplink team business skills and mentorship. “The College of Business helped with a ton of stuff and put us in touch with mentors who are still crucial to our success,” Wagstaff says. As CEO of Uplink, he appreciates that every day is different and challenging. “A lot of engineers graduate and go work in cities where they get stuck in a cubicle for eight hours a day staring at a computer screen,” Wagstaff says. “An interesting day is when they get to go to the lab and test something. For me, every day is different, which keeps me motivated to keep working.” He also appreciates getting to live and work in Wyoming. “I really enjoy the outdoors and the ability to go up into the mountains and not run into 500 people on the hiking trail like you will in any other state,” Wagstaff says. “I don’t like traffic and busy places. I grew up on a ranch. I like to hunt. I fish a lot, and it’s really nice to go to a lake and put the boat in and be the only boat out there.” Wyoming’s size makes connections easy. Legislators, the Laramie Chamber Business Alliance, IMPACT 307 and many others have helped Uplink go from a student startup to a successful business with seven full-time employees today. “It’s really handy to be able to get in contact with the people who actually make decisions and can help you,” Wagstaff says. “We’ve grown out of the startup stage, and we plan to keep making and selling crawlers, to keep growing and to stay in Wyoming as long as they’ll have us.”
Auditor Teresia Crane
Hometown: Cheyenne UW degrees: B.S. in accounting and business administration with minors in finance and entrepreneurship, 2017
Teresia Crane’s degrees allow her to serve her home state as supervising auditor at the state’s Department of Audit, which wouldn’t have been possible without the Trustees’ Scholars Award. “I was able to complete two degrees in four years without having to work,” she says. “I came from a family with no money, so I would not have been able to go to college without the help of scholarships.” With scholarships, she could devote all her time to the intense coursework of two majors and two minors. “I think any scholarship offering has a benefit to students that you can’t even imagine,” Crane says. “Not only is the financial benefit substantial but the emotional benefit from that is tremendous.” During her busy four years at UW, Crane loved the beautiful campus, her incredible professors and all the fun experiences of being an undergraduate in Laramie. She also served as an intern with Cheyenne Frontier Days and was a member of the professional business fraternity Alpha Kappa Psi. “The mentors and experiences that I had at UW helped me to find the right path and to progress into a career field that I really enjoy,” she says. Crane began her career as an auditor in the private sector before being hired as a state auditor seven years ago. Since then, she has risen to supervising auditor. “In my role, I get to ensure that taxpayer funds are being spent appropriately, and I love the value that provides to the people of Wyoming,” she says. Crane is a certified public accountant and a certified fraud examiner. For her, leaving Wyoming was never a viable option, as her family is here. Of course, there are many other benefits to the Cowboy State. “It’s nice that there isn’t too much traffic,” she says. And that’s true even in the capital. “Plus, it’s great if you’re into outdoor activities. I enjoy hiking, picnicking and just spending time in the sun.” UWyo Fall 2026 • 33
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Matthew Hines at graduation with his grandparents, Maryellen and Don Pedlar
Accountant Matthew Hines
Hometown: Gillette UW degrees: B.S. in finance with minors in economics and computer science, 2022; B.S. in accounting, 2025 For Matthew Hines, earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award positively influenced his decision to stay in Wyoming after graduation: “It made me want to show the university and state that I was worth the investment and to take the opportunity to stay in Wyoming and give back to the community.” Hines serves as a staff accountant for A.B.C. CPA, a local accounting firm in Gillette. “I really enjoy getting to interact with clients on a day-to-day basis and helping them out in real and tangible ways,” he says. “Accounting and
keeping the books is not something most small business owners are super comfortable with, so it is great to be able to come alongside them and not just lend a hand but hopefully teach them so that they can approach the numbers side of their business with confidence.” The connections he formed growing up and attending the University of Wyoming made it easy for him to secure a job here. “The College of Business does an amazing job of exposing you to every aspect of the business world, and it has helped me adapt in my career,” Hines says. Earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed him to take full
advantage of everything UW offers. “I was able to do a minor outside of my college that I would not have done otherwise,” Hines says. “I really enjoyed going to the football games. It was and still is so cool to see everyone come from around the state to support the Pokes. I’ll never forget the excitement when we beat Missouri in 2019. I also enjoyed participating in intramurals during my time at UW — basketball, ultimate frisbee, flag football, curling and canoe battleship. It was a great way to meet friends freshman year. Boga Fit with mats in the pool at Half Acre sometimes involved more laughing than working out! The Navigators was an awesome student organization to be a part of, and my wife and I loved going swing dancing on Thursday nights in the Wyoming Union.” Hines believes that the Trustees’ Scholars Award draws top students to UW and helps keep many of them in the state afterward. He loves living near his family and friends and taking in what his family fondly calls God’s country. “I have really enjoyed the worklife balance Wyoming offers,” Hines says. “Being in a small town, I can go meet a friend for lunch or run home. There is really no commute. The great outdoors is a quick drive away, and our community in Gillette has great parks and walking trails. I think the people of Wyoming also have their priorities straight, and it makes work a much less stressful atmosphere.”
“The College of Business does an amazing job of exposing you to every aspect of the business world.” —Matthew Hines 34 • uwyo.edu/magazine
COURTESY PHOTOS
Ashley and Eric Harris with their children, Benjamin and Amelia
Administrative Assistant Ashley (Bridges) Harris
Hometown: Cowley UW degrees: B.S. in management and marketing, 2017; MBA, 2018
Tell us about your career: I am based in Green River and serve as the executive administrative assistant at Sweetwater County Child Developmental Center. We provide services to children ages birth to 5 as well as offering preschool programs for ages 3–5. I love that I get to use so many facets of my degrees. I help with marketing, tracking financials, organizing events, daily operations and anything else that comes up. No day looks the same, and that’s exciting. I also get to help out in our preschool classrooms every now and then. I love being able to get that reminder of why we do what we do here. The work we do is so vital for the children and families we serve, and it’s amazing to watch that happen.
What made you want to stay in Wyoming after graduation? I was raised in this great state, and it will always be my home. The people are genuine, and we look out for one another. I met my husband, Eric, at the University of Wyoming, and he is from Wyoming as well, so we both knew we wanted to stay in-state after graduating. We also get to be closer to family, which is very important to us.
How did the Trustees’ Scholars Award help you as a student at UW, and why do you think it’s an important offering? The Trustees’ Scholars Award was huge for me during my undergraduate experience. It allowed me to be able to focus on my classes without worrying about how I would pay for tuition, room and board, et cetera. It provides an incentive: Do your best in high school, and you can receive what is basically an academic full-ride scholarship to UW. The cherry on top is
that they can take on an internship or job with little or no pay that will help them achieve their long-term career goals.
What were your standout experiences at UW? I was able to work for the men’s basketball program as a videographer during the time we won the Mountain West Championship in 2015 and went to the NCAA Tournament. It was very exciting! UW also helped prepare me for my career by providing a top-tier education. My College of Business instructors were very knowledgeable and genuinely cared about us as students. Many of my classes provided us with opportunities to consult with real business owners, which allowed me to gain real-world experience.
What do you like best about living and working in Wyoming? First, I love the people. Second, raising my children here is something I could never give up. I know that they will receive a good education and they will have opportunities they wouldn’t get in a big city. Third, our outdoor spaces are the best of the best. Finally, there’s just a spirit here that other states and cities can’t replicate. No matter where you go, you’ll always see the brown and gold proudly displayed. Go Pokes! UWyo Fall 2026 • 35
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Content Creator David Rule On any given day, you can find David Rule taking on a new adventure — swimming 9 miles across a glacial lake, building the world’s smallest house, skijoring or touring unique treehouses around the world. Wherever he is and whatever he’s doing, you can bet he’s filming it. “I’m a full-time YouTube creator, which turned into my career after years of working in commercial video production,” says Rule, who is based in his hometown of Pinedale. Some of Rule’s videos have more than 7 million views. “I produce videos primarily centered on building and exploring unique living spaces around the world. It’s crazy how fast my audience has grown and how quickly YouTube turned into the main focus of my work. I love that I have full creative control over my videos, and I can make whatever my imagination can dream up. I also love the financial
36 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Hometown: Pinedale UW degrees: B.S. in physiology with a minor in neuroscience, 2018
independence and freedom it’s created, as I can work on my videos from basically anywhere in the world. My goal is to keep growing the channel, keep creating bigger and bigger projects, and keep doing what I love.” The self-discipline and networking he gained at UW proved useful as a business owner, and Rule is appreciative of earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award. “It’s an important offering because it shows that our only state university wants to invest in locals and help as many Wyoming-grown high school graduates as possible achieve their goals,” Rule says. “Financial stress is one of the biggest factors keeping students from pursuing an education, and it’s nice to make sure finances don’t stop kids with high potential.” Earning the scholarship allowed
Rule to focus completely on being a student, where he excelled playing trombone in the Western Thunder Marching Band and competing on the triathlon team. “I stayed in Wyoming after graduation for a variety of reasons, mainly because I absolutely love the peace, recreation opportunities and beautiful natural landscapes,” he says. “I also love the people of Wyoming and feel like it’s one of the states with the best values and kindest locals. As a cherry on top, Wyoming’s taxfriendliness made it much easier to run my own business out of than most other states.” Whenever Rule’s latest adventure comes to an end, he looks forward to returning to the peace and quiet of his home state, where his family and friends live: “I always feel stressed and out of place in bigger cities but feel right at home here.”
COURTESY PHOTOS
Physical Therapist Tyler Graham
Tell us about your career.
I am a doctor of physical therapy and work for Fremont Therapy Group in Rawlins. I enjoy working with all different types of patients. Especially in a rural environment like Wyoming, physical therapists work with all types of injuries. Currently, I enjoy working with vestibular, dizziness and concussion patients because it is exciting to get someone back to doing what they were before something caused them that significant distress. In general, my main goal is to get people back to a high level of functioning and eventually to see them in the community instead of in the clinic.
Hometown: Cheyenne UW degrees: B.S. in kinesiology with minors in psychology and honors, 2016
What do you like best about living and working in Wyoming? I like working in Wyoming because the majority of my patients are very nice, and we can talk about almost everything. I enjoy living in Wyoming because of the ability to drive in any direction and be in the wilderness pretty quickly. I also have friends and family in the state, and it keeps me close to them. I appreciate smaller towns and know that there is a need for providers in rural health care. I really just wanted to make a difference in the state that helped make me the person I am.
Rule’s Adventures One of David Rule’s favorite adventures was building a threestory raft alongside a group of other creators to float 100 miles down the Missouri River (pictured, left). Another time, a member of the Discovery show “Alaska the Last Frontier” invited him to spend a month living in the wilderness of Alaska, learning to construct an oldfashioned log cabin while avoiding the local grizzlies (pictured, right). For one of his latest videos, Rule spent a week stranded on a desert island in the South Pacific, where he had to spear fish for food, gather coconuts for water, start fire from nothing and build a primitive shelter. “It was one of the most brutal experiences of my life,” he says. Watch it at www.youtube.com/@ davidmrule.
What were your standout experiences at UW, and how did your time here help prepare you for your career? Kinesiology labs were always very fun and allowed me to learn more about how to test the human body as well as different forms of exercise. I feel I learned a lot about listening to the people you are working with, and I learned to adjust my treatments to make exercise enjoyable. One of my professors really helped me start thinking like a physical therapist as I began looking at movement and exercises through that scope. Overall, I felt like the kinesiology program prepared me very well to enter my physical therapy program.
Why do you think the Trustees’ Scholars Award is important to highachieving Wyoming students, and how did it help you? It is helpful to show support for Wyoming residents who have worked hard in their high school careers to allow for further education. I knew I was going to stay in Wyoming, and it’s beneficial to show residents opportunities within Wyoming. The scholarship allowed me to focus more on my studies with less worry about money. Being able to live in the dorms with a meal plan also helped me transition into college life more easily. UWyo Fall 2026 • 37
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Teacher Sydney (Pomajzl) Musser
Growing up in Cody, Sydney (Pomajzl) Musser always knew she wanted to stay in Wyoming after college. “My family is the most important thing to me, and I love living and working near them,” she says. “I also considered the high-quality school districts that are found in Wyoming and wanted to be a part of that community as a teacher.” The UW Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed Musser to focus fully on her teacher preparation. “Beyond the financial aspect, being a Trustees’ Scholar gave me a sense of pride and made me want to be the best student I could be,” she says. “Understanding how special the scholarship was made me want to make the most of it during my time at UW.” The scholarship acknowledges and rewards the hard work Wyoming’s top high school students put in. Musser says: “High school students have a lot on their plates between school, extracurriculars, and figuring out how to navigate increased responsibilities and big life decisions. Students deserve to be rewarded for maintaining high expectations for themselves through all of those changes.” Her family and UW go way back: Musser’s greatgrandfather was in the first pharmacy class at UW in the 1940s, and her sister, Kelsey, is a current Trustees’ Scholar. Wyoming truly is that small town with long streets, she says, and UW is an extension of that. The connections she formed here were the highlight of her student experience, along with a stellar education. “The campus events and class culture at UW helped facilitate relationships with people that I maintain to this day,” she says. “I had so many outstanding professors in the College of Education who made sure I was prepared. I had many opportunities to work with children in classrooms around Laramie, to work with preschoolers at UW’s Early Care and Education Center and to tutor at the Literacy
38 • uwyo.edu/magazine
COURTESY PHOTO
Hometown: Cody UW degrees: B.A. in elementary education, with minors in honors and literacy, 2022
Research Center and Clinic, which really fueled my passion for teaching early structured literacy.” Musser is entering her fifth year as a first-grade teacher at Livingston Elementary School in Cody. “I went to Livingston as a child, so it has felt very fullcircle coming back as a teacher,” she says. “Every student is unique, and I love getting to know their little personalities. I really enjoy the challenge of finding new and creative ways to teach foundational skills. First grade is such an important year for reading development, and I have been able to continue learning about and implementing the most effective reading strategies in my classroom. I have a sign on my door that says, ‘The future of the world is in this classroom,’ and that is something I take very seriously.” There is truly no place like Wyoming, Musser believes, and she’s thrilled to be able to plant roots in her hometown, along with her husband, Wyatt. She says, “I feel blessed every day to be close to my family, and I cherish the time I am able to spend with my parents, sister, grandparents and extended family.”
PrePARE Pre-Service Preparation Advanced Residency Experience
Where Teacher Preparation Meets Real Experience PrePARE supports the evolution of college students into confident educators. Earn money and gain hands-on experience in the very school where you'll student teach, building the foundation for a successful teaching career before student teaching even begins.
PrePARE students are employed by school districts during their methods semester to work as paraprofessionals within the schools where they will student teach.
PrePARE students benefit from experiencing a school year from start to finish.
PrePARE students work with a variety of K-12 students with and without disabilities in a variety of grade levels.
PrePARE students are positioned to directly apply and observe learning from Methods courses.
As paraprofessionals, PrePARE students build relationships with mentor teachers, colleagues, students, and families, becoming valued members of their school communities.
Students who complete the PrePARE program enter the profession more confident, skilled, and prepared to effectively meet the diverse needs of students in their future classrooms.
Interested in participating? Be sure to indicate your interest when completing your student teaching application and reach out to Jen Krause (jkraus10@uwyo.edu) or Tiffany Hunt (thunt@uwyo.edu) with questions. The classroom is waiting. Join PrePARE and start your career confident and ready to make a difference.
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
COURTESY PHOTO
For Megan Baker, the chance to live near her family, the low state taxes, the access to nature and the career opportunities all influenced her decision to return to her hometown after graduation. “Compared with many other places, I feel that Wyoming has a good work-life balance,” Baker says. “Many people here understand that, as important as it is to do your best at work, it is equally as important to spend time with loved ones, take advantage of our beautiful natural spaces and participate Community College in community life. This Instructor Megan Baker attitude is beneficial in and Hometown: Torrington of itself, and it also seems to The critical thinking, UW degrees: B.A. in history with foster pleasant workplaces problem-solving and minors in anthropology and full of kind and supportive research skills she learned at classical civilizations, 2022 people.” the University of Wyoming That’s exactly what all play a role in her career Baker found at Eastern Wyoming College, success. At UW, she also learned how to where she serves as an adult education connect with people of various backgrounds. instructor and site coordinator in the College “My professors were truly excellent and and Career Readiness Center. helped encourage a love of knowledge and a “My job involves many types of adult determination to learn that persists to this education, the most common of which is day,” she says. “I had the opportunity to make helping people who did not graduate high friends with many wonderful people from school to earn their high school equivalency all different walks of life. Additionally, there certificate,” she says. “I love this job because were numerous fun experiences, such as movie I get to come alongside people who are taking nights in the student union, a Plain White T’s steps to create the future they want. Compared concert my freshman year, and playing with to traditional teaching, my colleagues and kittens and puppies before finals.” I help our students master multiple subjects, The Trustees’ Scholars Award allowed Baker which means that no two days are alike. to take full advantage of all these opportunities Furthermore, it is very gratifying to watch while dedicating herself to her studies. people’s hard work pay off when they finally “Being a Trustees’ Scholar gave me extra reach their goals. My job also includes other motivation to work hard and perform well kinds of adult education such as English as a in my classes,” she says. “I am very grateful to second language and support to help adults everyone at UW for helping me become the with disabilities gain more independence. person I am today. My experience there as a I’m very grateful for the chance to play a part, Trustees’ Scholar shaped me in many ways and however small, in the lives of so many kind and helped set me on a path toward happiness and hard-working people.” career success. Go Pokes!”
40 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Natural Resources Analyst Ryan Speight Hometown: Cheyenne UW degrees: B.S. in biology and philosophy, 2019
After graduation, Ryan Speight left Wyoming — but not for long. “I tried moving somewhere else, but between having less sunlight and trees crowding the horizon, I couldn’t stand it,” he says. “Wyoming has the space and the daylight that I need to stay sane and happy.” Now, he serves the state as a natural resources analyst and wetland specialist for the Wyoming Department of Transportation, based in Cheyenne. “I love that my work goes into helping the state of Wyoming and the people who make it up,” Speight says. “I get to be part of developing and maintaining the roads and facilities that longtime residents and first-time visitors see and use on a daily basis.” His education at the University of Wyoming connected Speight with important people and state agencies. “Getting to know people who were key in developing programs meant that I already had familiarity with the work and people that I am working with now,” he says. Earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award was a financial weight lifted for Speight and his parents. It allowed him to save and prepare for life after college. “My UW advisers — who were also my professors — always were able to make time and help me understand how to navigate the courses I needed to obtain my degrees and how to fit them into my semesters in order to finish while I was still using the Trustees’ Scholars Award,” he says. Speight believes that offering the Trustees’ Scholars Award to top Wyoming high school students incentivizes them to try hard in high school and rewards them for pursuing higher education. He’s thankful to be back in his home state and loves the people and environment Wyoming provides: “There’s a strong sense of individuality and push for self-sufficiency, but Wyomingites still show that they care for and look out for other people and the environment in their state. A balance of the two is necessary if you want to have a functioning community.”
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Nonprofit Director Hank Hoversland
Hometown: Casper UW degrees: B.S. in economics and political science with a minor in honors, 2022; MBA, 2026 Like many University of Wyoming alumni, for Hank Hoversland, it was the people and connections that made the biggest impact. He enjoyed taking part in student government all four years, participating in the Political Science Club and meeting key players in Washington, D.C., during his internship for the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. “The thing that I loved most about UW was being able to meet new people from around the country and throughout Wyoming,” he says. “The financial assistance I received through the Trustees’ Scholars Award really made it a great offer, and once I got there, I knew it was the right place for me, with the small class sizes and being able to really know your professors. I gained a broad knowledge base and made friends for life.” It’s important for alumni to stay engaged, he believes, to ensure that the next generation of UW students receive the same benefits he enjoyed. The connections UW provides help graduates find their career paths after graduation, Hoversland says: “It’s really where you learn that there are tremendous opportunities in Wyoming.” Hoversland used his degrees to hit the ground running, serving first in Wyoming’s Legislative Service Office as a fiscal analyst and now as the executive director of the nonprofit Wyoming Taxpayers Association in Cheyenne. “We’re a member-based organization, so it’s much akin to a trade association except that we don’t focus on just one
Hank Hoversland (left) and his sister Laura (center) were both Trustees’ Scholars. They are pictured with their family at Laura’s graduation.
industry,” Hoversland says. “We’ve been around since 1937, so we’re coming up on 90 years as an organization. Our mission is to promote sound tax policy for a healthy Wyoming economy, and that ties right into what the university does as well — trying to foster an economy that is attractive to young people in Wyoming who want to stay here and build community and family.” Its membership includes everything from large multinational corporations to small businesses and individuals. On any given day, Hoversland might conduct research, meet with legislators, communicate with members or work to educate the public. “I think the educational component is key because our tax structure affects people every day,” he says. Hoversland loves living near his family and taking advantage of all that the capital has to offer — from Cheyenne Frontier Days to dining and concerts. He’s also a big sports fan, attending UW athletics events and golfing and officiating at high school football and basketball games. “We have a really ingrained culture here to help your neighbor, and I think that’s super important,” he says. “I love the people and the small-town feel of Wyoming as well as the opportunities for growth. I want to give back and really see the state flourish and grow.”
“I love the people and the small-town feel of Wyoming as well as the opportunities for growth." —Hank Hoversland 42 • uwyo.edu/magazine
COURTESY PHOTO
PHOTO BY ASHLEY TOWNSEND
Wildlife Biologist Ashley Umphlett Hometown: Cody UW degrees: B.S. in biology and wildlife, and fisheries biology and management, 2020
As a student at the University of Wyoming, Ashley Umphlett not only gained a solid scientific foundation, time-management and analytical thinking skills, but she also gained important connections with professionals in the industry. “These skills and introductions helped me to get my foot in the door at the Wyoming Game and Fish Department, where I was able to build upon and improve the skills I gained at UW to ultimately secure a solid career,” says Umphlett, who currently serves as the Rawlins wildlife biologist for the department. “My job aims to protect, enhance and conserve Wyoming’s wildlife resources for the general public. Part of my job includes designing, coordinating and conducting various wildlife surveys and then analyzing collected data to help make management decisions, such as formulating hunting season recommendations or implementing various wildlife conservation projects.” A big part of her job is working with
various stakeholders, a reflection of her time at UW, where Umphlett says the people made the biggest difference. “When I think about my most standout experiences at UW, I don’t necessarily think of events but rather the people,” she says. Umphlett loved UW athletics and the many opportunities — from studying abroad to participating in cutting-edge research — however, it was the people she met and the friends she made along the way who made those experiences that much better. “UW has a unique capacity to appeal to a wide variety of people across the country and the world, many of whom I would have never had the opportunity to interact and engage with if it hadn’t been for school,” Umphlett says. Earning the UW Trustees’ Scholars Award provided Umphlett with financial stability, allowing her to focus her time and energy on her academic studies and her future. Now, she gets to work with a wide variety of people in her job while preserving and enjoying
Wyoming’s varied and beautiful terrain. “A lot of times, unique perspectives from different groups of people help to accomplish common goals in creative and innovative ways, which is a really fun thing to be a part of,” Umphlett says. “I love that my career allows me to get out into the field and enjoy all of the different landscapes and wildlife that big beautiful Wyoming has to offer. I also get to play a part in trying to make those landscapes and the management of that wildlife the best they can possibly be.” Staying in Wyoming after graduation kept Umphlett close to her family and her roots: “I get to enjoy Wyoming’s natural landscapes and wild animals, which include some of the most remote and beautiful places in the lower 48. Apart from the great outdoors, I also love Wyoming’s small-town feel, even across the state as a whole. Wyoming is one big community, and it never ceases to amaze me how the state will come together to support its people and places.” UWyo Fall 2026 • 43
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Software Engineer Marcus Rieker
Hometown: Casper UW degrees: B.S. in computer engineering with minors in computer science and honors, 2018
Jenny and Marcus Rieker with their children, Finn and Thilo COURTESY PHOTO
WATCH A VIDEO
Why the Honors College?
Marcus Rieker is living proof that those seeking a career in the tech sector don’t need to leave Wyoming. “The technology sector is still relatively underrepresented here, which makes it even more exciting to be part of building something meaningful in Wyoming,” he says. “I want to help show that careers in advanced technology can thrive here, too.” Rieker serves as the senior software engineer and team lead at AVB Inc., right from his hometown of Casper. “I’ve been fortunate to work on emerging technologies and to collaborate closely with companies such as Amazon Web Services to help push the boundaries of machine learning, agentic tooling and software engineering,” Rieker says. “What makes the work especially meaningful to me is that AVB is a not-for-profit member-owned organization that supports independent appliance and furniture retailers across the country. Everything we build is designed to help small businesses compete and succeed against major big-box retailers. Seeing those businesses grow and reclaim market share over the past several years has been incredibly rewarding.” He loves that every day is a new challenge and opportunity to make a meaningful impact, all with the support of his family and community. “Family has always been at the center of my decisions,” Rieker says. “I love the people of Wyoming, and I want to
44 • uwyo.edu/magazine
contribute to the continued growth of our state.” After living in other states, he believes Wyoming is one of the best places in the country to raise a family. “There’s something special about the openness of this state, both in its landscapes and in its people,” Rieker says. “I love that I can drive a short distance and be surrounded by nature, camp under a sky full of stars with my sons and live in a place that still values community, stewardship and independence. Wyoming still feels like one of the last true frontiers, and I hope it never loses that spirit.” The Trustees’ Scholars Award played a key role in his trajectory and that of hundreds of other Wyoming students. “We have a lot of bright minds in this state, and it’s important that students feel they can build a future here without needing to leave to find opportunity,” Rieker says. “Wyoming has incredible potential to be one of the best places in the country for young professionals to grow, learn and thrive, and the Trustees’ Scholars Award is one of the foundational investments that helps make that possible.” With the scholarship, he was able to devote himself fully to his challenging computer engineering major, make lifelong connections and graduate debt-free. “My years at UW played a major role in shaping who I am today, both personally and professionally,” he says. “UW pride runs deep in my family. My father, uncle and both of my siblings are proud alumni, and my grandfather faithfully attended UW Cowboys home football games for more than 30 years. Brown and gold run through my veins, and I’m proud to carry forward the traditions and values of this school and state.”
COURTESY PHOTO
Attorney Bryce Nichols
Hometown: Levan, Utah (graduated from Star Valley High School in Afton) UW degrees: B.S. in petroleum engineering with a minor in Spanish and a concentration in international engineering, 2019; J.D. with a certificate in energy, environment and natural resources, 2022 For Bryce Nichols, earning the Trustees’ Scholars Award meant he could take advantage of each opportunity that came along at the University of Wyoming without worrying about finances. “I remember the day that I was informed that I was a recipient,” Nichols says. “The relief that I felt as I knew that I had my next level of education paid for was incalculable. Rewarding promising Wyoming
talent is a massive boon for the state, since many of the students will likely keep their newly obtained knowledge within Wyoming by obtaining local employment.” In school, he was a founding member of the Cowboy Country Swing Club and met his wife, Allie, there when they were both instructors. Nichols also took an amazing ecclesiastic mission trip to Colombia between his sophomore and junior years. “I recall meeting lifelong friends on Prexy’s Pasture during my freshman orientation while playing laser tag,” he says. “I also attended various sporting events, including watching Josh Allen bring Wyoming back into the football spotlight. I spent time hiking with friends at Vedauwoo and proposed to my wife there. On colder days, I recall getting together with enough friends to arrange our TVs on the table in our apartment to have a 16-player Halo game night. I also fondly remember having back-to-back wins for intramural eight-ball doubles.” UW gave him a solid foundation to become a successful practicing attorney, Nichols says. In the petroleum engineering and law programs, he was taught by world-class professors, many of whom he’s still in touch with today. He also took part in the College of Law’s experiential learning opportunities, such as the Energy, Environmental and Natural
Resources Clinic. After graduation, Nichols served as a deputy county attorney for Lincoln County in Kemmerer, where he often covered felony hearings, including murder cases, which exemplifies the early career experience offered to new attorneys here. From there, he worked in oil and gas law before taking his current role as an assistant city attorney in Casper. “As such, I am the main attorney responsible for criminal prosecution under Casper’s municipal code,” Nichols says. “This position allows me to use my legal education and skills to serve the people of Casper, addressing lower-level misdemeanors and traffic infractions. While not as prominent as the high-profile felony cases, my interactions with members of the public are usually their first experience with the justice system.” He uses his Spanish language minor from UW to discuss cases with Spanish-speaking defendants. Nichols is glad to serve the state and appreciates the Wyoming way of life: “I like the small-town atmosphere of the entire state. I recently returned from the Wyoming Conference of Municipal Courts, where I associated with several of the clerks, judges and prosecutors from various municipalities. The Wyoming legal world is a tight-knit community, allowing your reputation and abilities to carry you far.” Nichols was a founding member of the Cowboy Country Swing Club.
TRUSTEES’ SCHOLARS
Physician Assistant Kasandra Kister Hometown: Riverton UW degrees: B.S. in physiology with minors in Spanish and honors, 2019
How did the Trustees’ Scholars Award help you as a student at UW?
PHOTO BY KA PHOTOGRAPHY
The Trustees’ Scholars Award made a huge impact on my experience at UW. It gave me the financial stability to focus on my classes and to take advantage of learning opportunities without the stress of tuition. It also played a role in my decision to stay in Wyoming for my undergraduate education, which ultimately shaped both my career path and my commitment to serving this community.
Why do you think the scholarship is an important offering for top Wyoming high school students? The Trustees’ Scholars Award is important because it gives Wyoming students a strong reason to stay in state for their education. When students train here, they’re more likely to stay or return to work in their communities. It’s a great way to support both students and the future of Wyoming.
What were your standout experiences at UW? One of my standout experiences at UW was studying abroad. I had the opportunity to spend a semester studying in Spain, which was a great way to experience a new culture while continuing my education. It pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me become more well-rounded. I also appreciated the supportive environment at UW. As the only university in the state, there’s a strong sense of pride across Wyoming, and that really comes through in the student body and faculty. It made my experience feel both connected and meaningful.
How did UW help prepare you for your career? UW gave me a strong foundation in the basic sciences and helped me develop effective study habits that I carried into my physician assistant training. That preparation made the transition to graduate-level coursework much smoother and set me up well for my career in medicine.
46 • uwyo.edu/magazine
What made you want to stay in Wyoming after graduation? I felt a strong pull to stay in Wyoming because there is a clear need for medical providers here, and I wanted to give back to the state that had given me so much. I also value being close to the mountains and having access to open spaces, so it made sense to build my career here.
What do you do, and what do you love about your career? I am transitioning to a new role as a physician assistant working with the Eastern Shoshone Tribe on the Wind River Indian Reservation. I love helping people make informed choices that improve their health and quality of life. I enjoy practicing evidence-based medicine, but what I value most is building long-term relationships with my patients and seeing meaningful changes over time.
What do you like best about living and working in Wyoming? What I like most about living and working in Wyoming is the people and the strong sense of community. I really value being close to my family, and I enjoy spending time outdoors hiking and fishing.
Letter from the President
JOE EVERS
If you’re reading this, we already have one big thing in common — a shared appreciation for the University of Wyoming (UW) and the wonderful state where it is located. I believe UW is the thread that weaves our communities together, bonding Wyomingites, whether alumni or not, with a shared pride. This shared pride encompasses a pride in place, people, work ethic, toughness and determination, among other things. To me, Powder River, Let’er Buck brings these ideas together and is the perfect rallying cry for our university and our state — Powder River is a place, Let’er Buck is a mindset. This slogan tells the world where we are from and that we are ready for anything that may come our way. It is a badge of honor to come from UW. We all share the pride that comes from wearing Steamboat and cheering for the Pokes. I am deeply proud to represent you as your new UW Alumni Association (UWAA) board president. As I set out to build upon the work of my predecessors, a key focus will be around highlighting and instilling pride in our university and our state. Our mission at UWAA is to build pride, loyalty and future sustainment among the UW community through communication, involvement, engagement and celebration. UWAA does not exist to ask you for money. We are here to engage with you, our alumni and friends, and to provide an outlet to engage with your university — Wyoming’s university. I believe the UWAA functions as the “front porch” for the university. This organization exists to welcome you, engage with you, provide a link to connect with UW, and to celebrate what this university means to Wyoming, its people and our alumni. In the years since graduating, I have come to value my education from UW even more than when I was a student in Laramie. I value the people, place, affordability, quality of education and experiences UW afforded me. These are things we all share. As I embark on my tenure as UWAA board president, I say to you: I’m from Wyoming, and I’m ready — Powder River, Let’er Buck!
48 • uwyo.edu/magazine
ALUMNI NETWORKS ARE THRIVING By Tamara Linse
The networks of the UW Alumni Association play a crucial role in keeping the UW alumni community connected and thriving, whether they gather by region or by affinity. Fun facts. There are now over 2,000 members in more than 20 networks. These numbers continue to expand — within Wyoming and out into the broader world. UWAA is excited to welcome two
new alumni relations officers to the team — Joey Schaff ( B.A. ’21) and Kyler Russow (B.S. ’26). “I’m thrilled to welcome Joey Schaff and Kyler Russow to the UWAA team,” says Bailey Butcher, senior alumni relations coordinator. “Expanding our UWAA Network team is especially meaningful because it strengthens our ability to deepen engagement with our existing networks while also creating exciting opportunities to grow our presence
across Wyoming and beyond.” The mission of UWAA is to connect the greater UW community — alumni, their families and friends, and all who love UW — back to the institution that means so much to them, and networks do a lot of the heavy lifting. Bailey adds, “The addition of Joey and Kyler brings fresh perspectives, energy and ideas that will help us continue building strong connections with alumni and supporters. As our outreach grows, we are better positioned to create meaningful experiences, strengthen relationships, and expand the impact of the UWAA mission in communities throughout the state and far beyond.”
Joey Schaff, Alumni Relations Officer Joey Schaff grew up in Connecticut and moved to Wyoming in 2017 to pursue his bachelor’s in elementary education, which he earned in 2021. In between classes, he was part of Club Baseball and worked as a resident assistant in the dorms just as the pandemic kicked off. Once he graduated, he worked as a senior admissions representative, doing student recruiting across the country for UW. “I’m deeply honored and thrilled to have this opportunity to continue my journey and grow with the UW Alumni Association,” Schaff says. “Spending the last four years recruiting across the country allowed me to see firsthand the incredible passion people have for the University of Wyoming. Transitioning into this new role, I’m excited to see how that foundational experience translates into supporting our alumni network. My primary focus will be right here at home in Wyoming, ensuring our Wyoming graduates stay connected, celebrated and deeply tied to the university we all love.”
Kyler Russow, Alumni Relations Officer Kyler Russow is from Laramie. He graduated from UW in 2026 with his bachelor’s in marketing, management and professional sales, and during his undergrad, he studied abroad in Iceland, Australia and Italy. He also interned first at the UW School of Energy Resources as a social media intern and then at the UW Foundation, first in annual giving and then in corporate engagement. “My student experience at UW shaped the way that I see community, connection and Cowboy pride,” Russow says. “From studying abroad, involvement in student organizations and graduating from the College of Business, I have a deep appreciation for the people and the pride that makes this place so special. I am grateful for the chance to help alumni and students stay connected to UW and to continue building pride among the Cowboy family across the nation.”
DIANE SHOBER
Distinguished Alumni Award By Tamara Linse
The tension that is global reach grounded in a small place defines Diane Shober’s career. Shober didn’t start at UW. Like many 18-year-olds with something to prove, she enrolled out-of-state first, at Montana State. “I was like many students: ‘Oh, we need to get away and break away,’” she says. After a year, she transferred to UW to finish her degree, and what she found surprised her — that many of her closest friends from Gillette were on campus. Not only that but there was a network of people from all over Wyoming and beyond who also became her closest friends.
“Being at UW is not like you’re at a university — because it’s small and everybody’s so interconnected,” she says. “It can be as global as you want it to be, and it can be as intimate as you want it to be.” Shober grew up in Gillette, the daughter of a World War II bomber pilot who survived being shot down over the Ploieşti oil fields and spent months as a prisoner of war. In the early 1970s, her mother walked into a Gillette bank to ask for a business loan, but the loan officer would only speak to her husband. Through sheer determination, she was able to get her business loan anyway and went on to run the Flower Hut for decades. “She never saw herself as a trailblazer,” Shober
COURTESY PHOTO
Diane Shober
“Being at UW is not like you’re at a university — because it’s small and everybody’s so interconnected. It can be as global as you want it to be, and it can be as intimate as you want it to be.” — Diane Shober says, “but she was.” This quiet and stubborn competence became model for Shober’s own career. At UW, Shober earned a marketing degree from the College of Business — a versatile degree, she says. An advanced management course taught by a visiting professor changed her trajectory. There was no international studies program at the time, but her professor invited her to apply to a summer program in Manchester, England. She spent a summer abroad studying international marketing and economics. “That exposure came at a time that would not have been afforded to me through the University of Wyoming,” she says, “but it came to me through the University of Wyoming.” After graduation, her career included pharmaceutical sales in Denver, hotel sales in Gillette, event marketing at CAMPLEX, and running a performing arts nonprofit and working
in a convention and tourism bureau work in Chicago. Each stop added what she calls “arrows in the quiver.” She was eventually drawn back to Wyoming. In 2003, a tip from friends back home led her to apply for the top job at the Wyoming Office of Tourism under newly elected Gov. Dave Freudenthal. She got it and stayed for 22 years. Under her leadership, the Wyoming Office of Tourism’s budget grew from under $3 million to nearly $20 million annually, and visitor spending climbed to roughly $4.9 billion a year, making tourism the state’s second-largest industry and supporting more than 30,000 jobs. She built the “That’s WY” brand campaign, helped pass the statewide lodging tax that gave the office a dedicated funding stream, and represented Wyoming nationally as a founding board member of Brand USA and president of the National Council of State Tourism Directors. People who worked alongside her describe something harder to quantify. Freudenthal recalled that Shober inherited an Office of Tourism under threat. She had to prove it or lose it, and that she did — she spent two decades converting skeptics into believers. Former Gov. Matt Mead said that keeping her on as director was “the easiest question I ever fielded.” Gov. Mark Gordon called her “synonymous with Wyoming Tourism.” Shober is good at what she does: selling the state of Wyoming. It takes the same rigor as any other marketing discipline — data, strategy, a clear sense of audience — applied to a place she loves. “Once you have it in your blood,” she says, “it’s hard to get out.” Shober served on the College of Business Advisory Board. During that time, she and others asked the question, why didn’t Wyoming’s flagship university have any academic program connected to its second-largest industry? That advocacy, sustained over multiple deans and several university presidents, eventually became the outdoor recreation and tourism management degree and, ultimately, the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute — for which she helped raise an early matching gift and on whose advisory committee she served for eight years. Now that she’s retired, she’s actively involved in the relocation efforts to bring the PRCA and the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame Museum to Wyoming, work she sees as a direct extension of everything she spent two decades building. UWyo Fall 2026 • 51
COURTESY PHOTO
DIMITRIOS SMYRNIOS Distinguished Alumni Award By Tamara Linse
When Dimitrios Smyrnios was in his mid-20s, he made a simple but defining commitment: “I am going to have a positive impact on people’s lives.” Decades later, that standard still guides how he measures success, not by titles or financial outcomes, but by the people he’s helped along the way. Born in Greece and raised in Cheyenne, Smyrnios learned early what it meant to start from scratch, adapt quickly, and outwork expectations. After graduating from the University
52 • uwyo.edu/magazine
of Wyoming in 1986, he didn’t step into a corner office. He stepped onto a delivery route. Driving a Frito-Lay truck, he stocked store shelves one stop at a time. “I’m proud of starting on the truck selling potato chips,” he says with a smile. “There are people who said to me, ‘You went to college and now you’re delivering potato chips.’ But that turned out to be pretty good.” It did more than turn out well. It built momentum. Over the next three decades, Smyrnios steadily built his career across some of the most respected companies in the food industry. He spent eight years at Frito-Lay in progressively senior roles across sales, marketing and operations. He then joined Nestlé Waters North America, where he took on increasing responsibility over more than two decades, ultimately serving in senior executive leadership roles across both the home and office division and the retail division. He later served as president of Nestlé Dreyer’s Ice Cream, rounding out a career at Nestlé defined by breadth, scale and strong performance. By the time he was named CEO of The Schwan’s Company in 2013, Smyrnios had developed a reputation as a disciplined, results-driven leader who could operate complex businesses and build strong, aligned teams that could execute. What followed was a decade of transformation. Under his leadership, Schwan’s delivered strong, profitable growth and set itself apart from the competition, driven by a relentless focus on execution and an unwavering commitment to quality, safety, service and investment in its people. The company achieved record revenue, market share and profit for multiple years running, becoming one of the fastest-growing food companies in North America. During that time, Schwan’s was acquired by the South Korean conglomerate CJ CheilJedang, expanding its global reach and positioning the business for its next chapter of growth. But for Smyrnios, the defining moments were never just about financial performance. They were about people. He has long believed that great organizations are built by teams that trust each other, challenge each other, and deeply care about the work they are doing and the people they serve. “What I love is leading people,” Smyrnios says. “Now that I’m retired, it’s the only thing I miss. I miss that camaraderie, to go into a room and celebrate or debate or improve, all the dialogue that goes with business.” That belief was tested in 2020, when the pandemic
“The future is substantially more exciting and interesting,” he says. “You’ve got to live looking forward.” He describes himself as a “half-full kind of person,” confident that the next generation of UW students will have a positive impact on the world in meaningful and lasting ways. Dimitrios is honored to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award, but true to form, he reflects on it with humility and pride. “I have a huge amount of respect for all the people before me who have been honored,” he says. “I’m humbly very appreciative of this award and I’m proud to be a Poke.”
“I didn’t know exactly how to give back, but I knew I wanted to give back. Molly has had a huge impact on a lot of future leaders of America.” — Dimitrios Smyrnios PHOTO BY BLAKE BALLARD
disrupted both the consumer packaged goods and foodservice sectors. With restaurants and schools shut down, Schwan’s faced significant uncertainty. Smyrnios made a clear and immediate decision: the company would not lay off employees. Instead, the organization found savings elsewhere and continued to support frontline workers, preserving jobs and helping keep the food supply moving during a time when grocery shelves were running empty. That decision reflected a leadership philosophy he has lived by throughout his career. “Lead yourself first,” he says. “If you say it, do it. Once your words and your actions match, you are leading yourself. And then, only then, you have the privilege, the right, to lead others.” Today, Smyrnios brings that same mindset back to the University of Wyoming. In classrooms and conversations, he encourages students to think beyond grades and credentials. He often describes three purposes of college. The first is education: learn the material and earn the grades to graduate with a degree. The second is personal growth: understanding who you are and what you stand for. The third is asking yourself what you truly love as a profession. “Find what you love,” he says. “Spend time doing it, become great, become wanted, and the market sets the price. You will make money. Your life is a lot more fulfilling when you spend time doing what you love and what you’re going to be great at.” He pairs that advice with something equally important. “Work hard. Be consistent. That’s table stakes,” he says. “But don’t lose sight of what really matters. Stay close to your family. Take the time to enjoy the journey. If you’re not having some fun along the way, you’re doing it wrong.” His connection to UW has deepened in recent years. After reconnecting with the College of Business and seeing the impact of faculty like Assistant Professor Molly Burchett, Smyrnios established the Smyrnios Family Faculty Fellowship in Sales Leadership. “I didn’t know exactly how to give back, but I knew I wanted to give back,” he says. “Molly has had a huge impact on a lot of future leaders of America.” For Smyrnios, supporting education of our future leaders and having a positive impact with people with a food insecurity is his personal mission. “I believe a fundamental need is the ability to have food in your stomach,” he says. “If you’ve ever been hungry, it’s hard to focus on what the professor’s saying or anything else” Even in retirement, he remains focused on what lies ahead.
Assistant Professor Molly Burchett holds the Smyrnios Family Faculty Fellowship in Sales Leadership.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 53
RON WAECKERLIN Distinguished Alumni Award By Tamara Linse
Ron Waeckerlin arrived at the University of Wyoming in the fall of 1969 thinking he’d major in music, but it was at a Frontier Days party with his future wife Carol, not in a classroom, that his path was determined. Waeckerlin had been leaning toward optometry after realizing his musical knowledge was at best challenged. A friend, a CPA, suggested he set his sights on medical school. “That was a gauntlet,” Waeckerlin says. “I said, maybe I’ll change my focus.” Waeckerlin declared pre-med, fell hard for chemistry and zoology, and found himself adopted, one mentor at a time, by people who saw something he hadn’t yet seen in himself. Dr. Floyd Clark, the university’s pre-med advisor, helped him on the path to medical school. The same thing happened again and again throughout his career — people taking him under their wing, redirecting him toward a passion he didn’t know he had. “I was influenced by some pretty amazing people who guided my career in unexpected ways,” he says. “You don’t realize what an impact your mentors have on you in terms of directing you toward what ultimately becomes your career and your passion, and along the way helping many toward a better life.” Music brought more than just direction to Waeckerlin’s early life. He met his wife, Carol, of more than 50 years in the UW marching band. Their shared passion for classical music has been a life-long rewarding journey. They married, and Carol worked to put him through medical school and raise their three children during Ron’s residency and the grueling hours of early practice. Carol built a parallel legacy of her own across Wyoming, serving on boards and raising funds for several Wyoming nonprofits. “We graduated medical school with no debt,” Waeckerlin says. “That’s absolutely unheard of these days.” After graduating UW as a Phi Beta Kappa, a contract program sent him to the University of Utah for medical school, followed by residency at University of New Mexico that introduced him to forensic pathology — he assisted with autopsies after the 1980 New Mexico State Penitentiary riot, work he still describes vividly decades later. As a result he was an early pioneer in digital wound analysis. But it was a mentor in transfusion medicine and a physician named Toby
54 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Simon who set the course that would define his career. He then turned down a prestigious fellowship in blood banking at the Mayo Clinic to take a pathology position in Casper. He jokes, “We love wind so much that we have lived in Casper, Rawlins, Laramie and Cheyenne.” What followed was 44 years with the organization now known as Vitalant, the second largest blood bank in the country. Waeckerlin was local medical director from 1981–2008, joined the board of trustees and served as chair. He guided the organization through a difficult merger of dozens of regional blood banks into a single national brand and, almost immediately after, through the early uncertainty of the COVID pandemic. Vitalant’s president and CEO, Dave Green, wrote that, under Waeckerlin’s leadership, the organization delivered more than 2 million blood products a year to nearly a thousand hospitals nationwide, and helped create a national brand. Waeckerlin also helped found and later chaired Creative Testing Solutions, the joint venture between Vitalant, the
“We have a tremendous amount of gratitude for what the university has done for us and will continue to do for so many Wyoming and other students fortunate enough to study, learn and grow in Laramie.” — Ron Waeckerlin American Red Cross, and OneBlood that now tests roughly 80 percent of the nation’s blood supply — proof, he says, that organizations that once were fierce competitors could learn to work together for patients’ sake, a lesson rarely achieved. Through it all, Waeckerlin has kept a foot in Wyoming. He practiced pathology in Casper and then Cheyenne for more than 34 years, served on the boards of Jonah Bank and the Cheyenne Rotary Club, and was active in his church. He and Carol raised three children — a son who played golf at UW, a daughter who became a professional fly-fishing guide and now leads Casting for Recovery sponsoring retreats for breast cancer survivors, and a youngest who built her own life of service back home in Wyoming as choir director at schools ranging from elementary to community college. Waeckerlin still enjoys fly-fishing, and he skied his age in days the year he turned 71. Together, the Waeckerlins have visited 85 countries, engaging
a passion to travel and learn about new cultures. The couple established the Waeckerlin Pre-Med Undergraduate Scholarship at UW, structured so that promising pre-med students can lessen their financial stress. “I was extraordinarily fortunate,” he says. “If we can help these students get through undergraduate school with little or no debt, it gives them a leg up.” It is the same gift that Dr. Floyd Clark, Dr. Toby Simon,and a CPA at a Frontier Days party once gave him — someone noticing potential and making room for it to grow. “We’ve been very blessed to have University of Wyoming in our lives — this is where it all began,” Waeckerlin says. “We have a tremendous amount of gratitude for what the university has done for us and will continue to do for so many Wyoming and other students fortunate enough to study, learn and grow in Laramie.
Ron and Carol Waeckerlin created the Waeckerlin Pre-Med Undergraduate Scholarship.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 55
DAVID L. TRUE Medallion Service Award
By Tamara Linse
Choosing Wyoming on purpose has been the pattern of Dave True’s life. True will tell you that the hardest decision of his life wasn’t about oil, cattle, or a board of trustees. It was whether to stay at Purdue, where he was studying to be a large-animal vet, or to come back to the University of Wyoming. “The excuse was I missed the mountains,” he says, “but the reason was, I was going to chase my bride-to-be.” Melanie Jackman hardly gave him a second look until senior year in high school. He followed her to Laramie, changed his major to business administration, pledged Sigma Chi and married her
56 • uwyo.edu/magazine
halfway through their senior year. They have been married for more than 50 years. True was born and raised in Casper, but he says that his real home was a small ranch his parents bought up by Laramie Peak on a stretch of water generously called the North Laramie River. He spent every summer there as a kid, riding out on a horse named Wino with a brown paper sack lunch, not to be seen again until evening. The values of that ranch life — patience, loyalty — shaped the way he talks about leadership: find good people, trust them, and get out of their way. True brought that philosophy home to True Cos., the family business. He built it alongside his brother Hank into one of Wyoming’s most significant private enterprises, spanning oil and gas, drilling, trucking, banking, real estate and ranching. He also brought his expertise to UW, starting on the colleges of ag and business advisory councils in the early 1980s to the Board of Trustees, where he served as chair. This role capped more than four decades of service to the university. “I always chuckle that I served a 12-year sentence on that board,” he says. “But the best part of it, without any doubt, was getting to know some wonderful people — other trustees, the presidents who have served, the professors, the staff. That was the payback.” True helped lead the reorganization of the board’s committee structure so that real decisions, not just reports, happened at the committee level. He sat on the search committee that hired President Ed Seidel, and he helped select the latest president Brigadier General Shane Reeves — a Wyoming native who, like True himself, left the state and chose to come home. He guided the board through some of the most difficult and consequential decisions in the university’s recent history. “The worst thing is procrastination,” he says. “You surround yourself with good people and get the heck
Ranching and agricultural operations are part of True Cos.
out of their way.” The True family’s imprint on UW runs deeper than just service. They established the H.A. “Dave” True Jr. Chair in Petroleum and Natural Gas Economics and the H.A. “Dave” True Jr. Family College of Business Deanship — gifts that will shape the College of Business for generations. Students will benefit from his conviction that Wyoming’s energy economy and Wyoming’s university belong to each other. He was named the College of Business’s Outstanding Alumnus in 2011. Humility runs through his actions and his words. “I still don’t think I’ve earned it,” he says of the Medallion Service Award. “It’s other people around me who deserve it even more so — my bride, Melanie, is the rock that I have built my life on. Our kids and grandkids, our friends and other trustees I’ve had the honor of serving with — they’re the ones that really should get all of this.”
IMAGES FOR WYO NOTES ARE COURTESY PHOTOS
“When I think of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming, it’s a love affair. I love the state. I don’t want to live any place else.” — Dave True He adds, “But it’s a real honor. I won’t say it’s reluctantly received. It’s deeply appreciated.” Today, with 14 grandchildren, two of which headed to Laramie this fall, True watches the next generation make the same trip he once made — to the campus from which he earned his education, served as trustee, and helped build gift-by-gift into something for future generations. “When I think of Wyoming and the University of Wyoming,” True says, “it’s a love affair. I love the state. I don’t want to live any place else.” UWyo Fall 2026 • 57
By Taylor Weidinger From career milestones to life’s biggest moments, WYO Notes highlights the stories that bring our alumni community together. We’d love to hear yours. Submit your update at Pokes.org/WYONotes, email us at uwalumni@uwyo.edu, or call (307) 766-4166 with any questions you may have.
Career Celebrations Amber Pollock, B.M. ’11, M.M.E. ’15 Amber Pollock and her family opened Backwards Distilling Co. in Casper in 2012, building the craft distillery around handcrafted spirits, genuine hospitality and a brand identity rooted in wonder, delight and a little quirk. Thirteen years later, Backwards has expanded to Laramie, bringing its circus-inspired tasting room to UW Plaza. Pollock says the move felt natural because of Laramie’s energy, cultural vibrancy and connection to the UW community. The new space carries familiar Backwards elements, including circus stripes and the “Taste” sign over the bar while adding imagery inspired by circus acts in motion. Pollock earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees in music education from UW before beginning a teaching career and later launching Backwards. Though her career path shifted, she says her education continues to shape her work every day. “Music education taught me how to lead, how to advocate and how to be comfortable in front of
58 • uwyo.edu/magazine
people,” Pollock says. Her advice to students and recent graduates is to embrace the breadth of what their degrees make possible, not just the depth: “Your path probably won’t be linear, but if you’re open to them, surprising opportunities exist.” Ben Stockberger, B.A. ’09 Ben Stockberger launched Clarity Peak Advisors in January 2026. The consulting and fractional CFO firm helps businesses and nonprofits grow with clarity and purpose. This year also brought a personal milestone: Stockberger married his lifelong friend, Melissa Burton (Stockberger), who is also a proud UW graduate. He says that it has been meaningful to build their next chapter together while carrying forward the values and relationships that started in Laramie. “The Cowboy community continues to mean so much to us, and we are proud to be forever connected to UW,” Stockberger says. His advice to students is to say yes to more than they think they should:
“Some of the most meaningful opportunities, friendships and career paths begin outside your comfort zone. Success rarely happens in a straight line. Stay humble, stay resilient, and trust that even the unexpected detours often lead exactly where you are meant to be.” Bruce Pivic, B.S. ’84 After a 41-year career in engineering, including 28 years as owner of Infinity Power and Controls, Bruce Pivic has retired to focus on family and adventure. Today, Pivic enjoys flying the Wyoming hot air balloon across the country, sharing the beauty and spirit of Wyoming wherever he travels. Throughout his career, he helped advance system controls across industries including automotive, chemical, mining and broadcasting. Pivic’s family has remained closely connected to UW through service to the colleges of Engineering and Physical Sciences and Business, advisory board participation
IMAGES FOR WYO NOTES ARE COURTESY PHOTOS
and support for Wyoming athletics. He is especially proud of helping inspire the concept of Tailgate Alley, which has become a tradition for Wyoming football fans. Pivic says that his UW education opened more doors than he expected and encourages graduates to take pride in their Wyoming roots: “A degree from UW represents more than academic achievement — it reflects hard work, resilience and a commitment to excellence.” Cheryl Burnett, B.A. ’71, J.D. ’81 Cheryl Burnett, a Wyoming native and alumna of the UW of Arts and Sciences, credits UW faculty with inspiring her career in law and later in teaching. Burnett began her UW career in 1988 and retired from the Department of Criminal Justice with emeritus status in 2015. During her time at UW, she developed and taught the department’s lawrelated curriculum, served as an academic adviser and mentored students pursuing admission to law school. Burnett earned recognition from students for the quality of her teaching, including several Mortar Board Top Professor Awards and Arts and Sciences Graduating Class Top 10 Teacher Awards. She also
received numerous college and university honors for excellence in student advising. In recognition of her dedication to teaching, she received the Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award. Upon her retirement, the department honored her service to pre-law students by establishing the Excellence in Pre-Law Studies Award in her name. Cynthia Bahler, B.S., M.Ed. ’90 Cynthia Bahler is in her 33rd year of teaching kindergarten in Holyoke, Colo. During her career, she has received the Heart Award among K–12 staff and was named Outstanding Migrant Teacher of the Year for her BOCES (Board of Cooperative Educational Services). Bahler has served as a committee member, mentor teacher and student teacher instructor. She has also taught first grade, third- through sixth-grade English as a second language, behavior intervention, behavior coaching and speech language assistance. She holds a master’s degree in educational leadership. Her advice to students is simple: Enjoy their time at UW and get to know others. “My friendships have lasted more than 35 years,” Bahler says. David Philippi, B.S. ’14 David Philippi has built a career in banking, where he serves in leadership roles focused on correspondent banking, business
development and supporting community financial institutions across multiple states. Philippi completed the Graduate School of Banking in Colorado in 2024 while managing a multistate banking portfolio and growing customer relationships. He says that his time at UW helped shape the values that continue to guide his personal and professional life. “One of the things I appreciate most about Wyoming is the mindset it instills — work hard, build meaningful relationships, stay humble and keep pushing forward,” Philippi says. This fall, Philippi’s daughter will attend UW, continuing a family connection to the university. “Seeing the next generation begin their own Wyoming journey is incredibly meaningful,” he says. His advice to students is to build relationships, take on challenges and enjoy their time in Laramie, noting that experiences outside the classroom help shape the future. Eli Hvastkovs, B.A. ’99, Ph.D. ’04 Eli Hvastkovs was honored in spring 2026 with the Board of Governors’ Distinguished Professor for Teaching Award at East Carolina University, where he has been a professor in the department of chemistry since 2008. His advice to students is to explore as many extracurricular opportunities as possible at UW: “Experience as many student groups and interact with as many students as you can. The more people you meet will benefit you down the road in your career and in life.” Lily Minton Drietz, B.S, ’23 Lily Minton Drietz is the owner of The Green Oasis, an indoor plant store located at 312 S. Second St., Unit B, in Laramie. Her advice to students is to stay on top of classes and homework while also
UWyo Fall 2026 • 59
to add: “As a Wyoming grad, you have access to incredible opportunities. Choose them based on the person you want to become.”
knowing when to ask for support: “If you feel overwhelmed by all that you have, it’s OK to lighten your semesters and only take 12 credit hours or less. Making sure you understand the class material is more important than graduating as fast as possible.” She encourages students to reach out to professors, tutors and classmates when they need help. “Otherwise, have fun,” she says. “College is a great way to make friends.” John Roby, B.A. ’91 The 2026 Design Studio Showcase marked John Roby’s sixth year as a volunteer coach for a student team at the Jeffrey S. Raikes School of Computer Science and Management at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. This year, Roby coached the Kana Systems team, whose students built a scalable AI pipeline with Kana Systems and the Air Force Research Laboratory. The system turns dense patent and technical documents into a searchable knowledge graph, helping proposal teams and evaluators
60 • uwyo.edu/magazine
identify related technologies, key concepts and research gaps through natural language queries. The team placed second out of 21 teams and earned the Gold Team Award at the showcase. Roby says that he is grateful to share his experience in client relationship management, team culture building and delivery frameworks with students preparing to enter the workforce. His advice to students is to treasure their college years, stay open to unexpected opportunities, and remember they will always be Wyoming Cowboys. Julia Myers Steyer, Pharm.D. ’07 Dr. Julia Myers delivered a TEDxLakeshore Drive talk Jan. 30, 2026, titled “Losing My Sight Taught Me to See.” After a spontaneous retinal detachment forced her to surrender the control and perfectionism that had defined much of her healthcare career, Myers faced a question: What do you do when you can’t control what happens to you? Her talk explores the answer she found through that experience and is available at juliamyers.com/tedx. Her advice to students is to choose opportunities based on the person they want to become, not just the résumé line they want
Patrick Hall, B.S. ’17 Patrick Hall was recently promoted to director of logistics at Horizon Family Brands. In his role, he oversees transportation, warehousing and inventory control operations for the largest organic milk and dairy brand in the United States. Hall says that the promotion marks a significant milestone in his career and gives him the opportunity to continue strengthening efficient sustainable logistics operations that help high-quality products reach families nationwide. His advice to UW students is to remember that learning extends beyond the classroom: “Some of the most valuable education comes from the people you meet along the way — the peers who challenge your thinking, the professors who take time to mentor you and the connections you build through shared experiences.” Roger Hardaway, M.A.T. ’85 Roger Hardaway retired in May after 36 years as a professor of history at Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva, Okla. Hardaway is the longest-serving faculty member in the university’s history, which dates back to 1897. Upon his retirement, the state regents awarded Hardaway professor emeritus status. He will continue to teach part time in 19th- and 20th-century U.S. history with a specialization in the American West. His mentors at
IMAGES FOR WYO NOTES ARE COURTESY PHOTOS
UW included professors Peter Iverson and Robert Righter. His advice to students is to take inperson classes when possible, stay focused and keep learning: “Learning never quits, so never quit learning.” Sage Kohr, MBA ’24 Sage Kohr is working as an engineering consultant with Brown and Caldwell, where she works remotely from Wyoming on projects with national reach. Kohr says that her UW MBA helped broaden her perspective and complement her chemical engineering background, giving her the tools to connect technical expertise with business strategy. She also credits the relationships she built through the MBA program with helping further her career. “The relationships I built opened doors I didn’t expect,” Kohr says. Her advice to students is to be brave, to step outside their comfort zones and to give their best effort. Kohr says reliability, curiosity and a willingness to grow can set students apart in ways that go beyond what is listed on a résumé. Mary Ragold, B.A. ’25 Mary Ragold turned her interest in people-focused work into a career in aviation after earning her communication degree from UW. During her final semester, Ragold
applied to several airlines and received an interview invitation from PSA Airlines just before graduation. Shortly after, she was offered a position as a flight attendant, with training beginning in Charlotte in 2025. Ragold says UW helped her discover opportunities she had not known existed while strengthening her interpersonal and leadership skills. As a student, she held campus roles with the Cowboy Joe Club and the UW President’s Office, served as Panhellenic delegate for Alpha Phi and stayed involved through women’s club hockey. Her advice to students is to say yes to new opportunities, give themselves grace through setbacks and keep pursuing the careers they dream about. Cindy DeLancey, J.D. ’00 Cindy DeLancey pursued a career in law that offers professional fulfillment and the chance to build meaningful connections across Wyoming and beyond. Since graduating from UW, DeLancey has embraced the wide-ranging opportunities that the legal profession provides. Her work has allowed her to engage with complex issues, to serve diverse clients and to collaborate with people from many backgrounds. DeLancey says that the practice of law is
not a single narrow path but a field that continues to evolve and open unexpected doors. She credits UW with providing a strong legal foundation while also fostering lifelong friendships and professional relationships. Her advice to students and graduates is to remain open to opportunities they may not anticipate: “Some of the most rewarding paths are the ones you never planned.”
Weddings Ben Rose, B.A. ’13, J.D. ’18, and Emmy Newcomb Ben and Emmy Rose met in Austin, Texas, shortly after Ben moved there from Laramie. The couple married in 2025 in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in Jackson, with Ben’s father officiating. Their wedding included nine people. “Although it poured rain all day long, we wouldn’t have changed a thing,” Ben says. Sharing his love for Wyoming and UW with Emmy has been one of the joys of their relationship. Emmy, a proud William & Mary graduate, now joins him in singing “Ragtime Cowboy Joe” and cheering “Go Pokes!” She has attended a UW Homecoming, and the couple plans to continue returning to Cheyenne and Laramie whenever they can.
UWyo Fall 2026 • 61
Births Freya Baker was born March 21, 2026, to UW alumni Lucas Baker, ’18, and Jenna Baker Bishop, ’20. Freya was born healthy and happy.
graduates. Matt and Liz’s connection to UW runs deep, beginning with family ties to Wyoming, their time as students and their continued involvement with the university. Hank is already surrounded by a strong Cowboy legacy, and his family looks forward to introducing him to UW’s spirit and traditions. They anticipate Hank attending his first football game this fall, cheering on the Cowboys and beginning to make his own memories in Laramie.
In Memory of
Henry “Hank” Zane Haigler was born in March 2026 to Matt and Liz Haigler, both proud UW
Bill Rowan, B.S. ’78, M.A. ’87 Bill Rowan died Jan. 17, 2026. He attended UW twice between 1974 and 1987, earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Rowan
Kermit Sweeny, M.S. ’89 Kermit Sweeny died peacefully at his home in Sheridan on Feb. 26, 2026. He was 74. Submitted by his wife, Wendy Sweeny, the remembrance describes Kermit as someone who wore many hats throughout his life, both literally and figuratively. Among the roles he cherished most were teacher, coach, mentor and friend. He spent more than 30 years teaching and building meaningful relationships through his work, golf, Wednesday night date nights with family and friends, the fitness center and his service to UW and other boards. In his later years, Sweeny found deep purpose through his involvement with UW, especially UWAA, the foundation board members and the Wyoming
chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame. He was passionate about helping guide and support young people, honoring their achievements and encouraging them to become their best. Sweeny also cherished the opportunity to mentor and be mentored by people from all walks of life. Through selection committees, nominating committees and other service roles, he developed friendships across Wyoming and beyond. Sweeny died in his favorite chair, wearing his favorite sweatshirt and shoes, with his wife and partner of 40 years and his beloved dogs Dr. Watson and Bogart by his side. His family says he continues to live in their hearts and memories. If Sweeny
62 • uwyo.edu/magazine
lived in Richmond, Va., and later retired to Asheville, N.C. His career began as a bartender before he went on to work as a data analyst with Anthem Health. He is survived by his sons, Will Rowan of Richmond and Stuart Rowan of Asheville; brother Peter Rowan and his wife, Debbie; sister Shannon Newton and her husband, Whit; granddaughter Lily; and nephew Peter Rowan. “In the true spirit of Bill, we encourage all to remember the principles he strove to live by,” Stuart Rowan says. “Do not burden oneself with a heavy heart or sorrow. For all things come to pass; rather, embrace the experience of life with love, tenderness, compassion and curiosity. Stay traveling forward and onward through the grace and grittiness of it all.” Condolences may be shared on Stuart Rowan’s Facebook page.
could share one final piece of advice, it would be to never forget to tell loved ones they are loved and to hug them a little tighter, as tomorrow is never promised.
PROUDLY PRESENTS
SEPTEMBER 21-26, 2026 pokes.org/homecoming kers Coach A 1976 in Carried
YOUR POKE PRIDE NEVER FADES NEITHER SHOULD YOUR GEAR. UW alums enjoy discounts all year on musthaves and fan favorites that will keep you connected wherever life takes you. Shop in person or online anytime, anywhere!
ON-CAMPUS ONLINE
WWW.UWYOSTORE.COM
A DEEP SEAT AND A LONG REIN By Chris Navarro
A DEEP SEAT AND A LONG REIN by renowned Wyoming sculptor Chris Navarro. The new 15.5-foot monumental bronze sculpture for the University of Wyoming donated by the Double 4 foundation is located at Ivinson & 15th St. Roundabout. Dedicated October 11, 2025. The sculpture pays tribute to Allen Tupper True, the artist who created the iconic "Steamboat" bucking horse logo for Wyoming license plates since 1936. The logo has since become the state's symbol, representing the "Cowboy State". “Steamboat” is not just a logo; it’s a symbol of resilience, adventure, and the indomitable spirit of Wyoming. It represents our beloved state and the University of Wyoming, inspiring generations of students and athletes alike. A limited edition of 75 bronze sculpture maquettes H-24’’ L- 16’’ X 9’’ price $6000. To order your bronze sculpture of Wyoming history.
contact Navarro Gallery at (928)-204-1144 or chrisnavarro.com
Giving
Supporting Wyoming Public Radio TERRY AND BEVERLY ROARK STRENGTHEN THEIR LEGACY THROUGH A PLANNED GIFT.
PHOTO BY UW FOUNDATION
Beverly and Terry Roark
By Missy Samp
Every day, thousands of Wyoming residents tune in to Wyoming Public Radio for news, music, storytelling and a connection to communities across the state. Few may realize that the statewide network they rely on traces back, in part, to an idea championed by former University of Wyoming President Terry Roark — a vision he and his wife, Beverly, continue to support through their philanthropy. For nearly four decades, Terry and Beverly have invested their
time, talents and resources in helping strengthen the university. Terry served as the university’s 21st president from 1987 to 1997. Beverly, a computer programmer, worked part time for various campus departments from 1988 to 2013. They have chosen to support numerous areas across campus, including the Symphony Association, which Beverly co-founded; the Department of Music; the Department of Theatre and Dance; the UW Art Museum; the American Heritage Center; UW Libraries; and the Cowboy Joe Club. Wyoming
Public Radio also holds a special place in their hearts. Licensed to UW, Wyoming Public Radio is part of the Wyoming Public Media statewide network. However, when the Roarks joined UW, there was no statewide presence. KUWR — the flagship station of Wyoming Public Radio — only reached Laramie and Cheyenne. Terry aimed to change that. “The southern part of the state was covered pretty well, but the central part was not and certainly not the perimeter,” Terry says. He shared his vision of a statewide network with the UW Board of Trustees. Then, working with General Manager Jon Schwartz, his vision was turned into reality. Since 1987, the Roarks have consistently provided gifts to support Wyoming Public Radio. Recently, they decided to take their giving to a higher level by making a significant planned gift to Wyoming Public Media, which allows it to respond to opportunities as they arise. “We give to them now, and we will continue to give to them,” Beverly says. Wyoming Public Radio was not the only area that experienced growth during Terry’s presidency. When he was at the helm, a new stock farm for the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources was built west of Laramie. A few years later, the Cliff and Martha Hansen Teaching Arena was constructed. Another notable project was the construction of the Centennial Complex, home to the American Heritage Center and the UW Art Museum. At the time, the project’s fundraising campaign was the
UWyo Fall 2026 • 65
most ambitious campaign in the university’s history. Additionally, Terry played an instrumental role in establishing what is now the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. In collaboration with the vice president for research, he created the President’s Speaker Series to honor faculty members who made important research contributions. Reflecting on their time at UW, Terry and Beverly mention what they miss the most: the people. They enjoyed working with their colleagues, hosting faculty and staff members for events at their home,
66 • uwyo.edu/magazine
For nearly four decades, Terry and Beverly have invested their time, talents and resources in helping strengthen the university.
visiting people across the state and interacting with students. “I would walk across campus, and I would encounter various students going to classes or wherever they were going,” Terry says. “Some would say, ‘Hi, President Roark.’ Some would say, ‘Hi, Dr. Roark.’ And some would say, ‘Hi, Terry.’ I just thought that was great.” Beyond their dedicated service to Wyoming’s university and decadeslong philanthropy, what do they want people to remember about them? Terry says, “that we were nice people who did what we could to help the university.”
Art Museum
Andy Warhol in Wyoming VISIT THE UW ART MUSEUM TO EXPERIENCE A STUNNING INSTALLATION FROM THIS ICONIC ARTIST.
By Director of Curatorial Affairs Michelle Sunset
Throughout 2026, the University of Wyoming Art Museum is showcasing highlights from its permanent collection through the museum-wide exhibition “Museum as Collector: Across Time and Place.” Among the exhibition’s featured installations is “Andy Warhol: 99 Photos,” which demonstrates the museum’s commitment to preserving and sharing significant works of art with the campus and broader communities. The exhibition celebrates major gifts from the Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, which donated 156 photographs and screenprints to the UW Art Museum in 2008 and 2014. As part of accepting these gifts, the museum agreed to exhibit a substantial portion of the collection every 10 years. In fulfilling that commitment for the 2020s, the UW Art Museum has partnered with Colorado State University’s Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, creating a unique opportunity for audiences in both states to engage with Warhol’s artistic legacy. While the UW Art Museum presents “Andy Warhol: 99 Photos” through the summer and fall, the Gregory Allicar Museum is exhibiting a complementary selection of Warhol screenprints from both institutions’ collections. Few artists have shaped contemporary visual culture as profoundly as Warhol. A leading figure of the pop art movement, he transformed familiar images from advertising, celebrity culture and everyday life into works of art that
68 • uwyo.edu/magazine
continue to influence artists and audiences around the world. His iconic images have become inseparable from the story of American art in the 20th century. The 99 photographs on view at the UW Art Museum reveal a different side of Warhol’s practice. Although he is best known for his brightly colored silkscreen prints, photography was central to his artistic process and daily life. Warhol documented everything from celebrities and socialites to ordinary moments and overlooked details. This exhibition showcases this wide-ranging perspective and features both portrait studies and candid photographs that reflect his fascination with fame, popular culture and the rhythms of everyday life. The UW Art Museum is proud to have the opportunity to share such an extensive selection of works by an artist of Warhol’s stature. Through the generosity of the Andy Warhol Foundation, artworks that might otherwise be accessible only in major metropolitan museums are available to students, faculty, alumni and visitors in Wyoming. The exhibition underscores the important role university museums play in making world-class art accessible while enriching education, research and cultural life. A visit to Laramie in 2026 offers a chance to experience the work of one of the most influential artists of the modern era through “Andy Warhol: 99 Photos.” It is a reminder that transformative artistic experiences can be found not only in the world’s largest museums but also here at the University of Wyoming.
PHOTO BY THE UW ART MUSEUM
SSS PROVIDES THE FREE RESOURCES YOU NEED FROM ENROLLMENT TO GRADUATION! Student Success Services can help with topics such as: Academic success and financial literacy workshops One-on-one & small group tutoring FAFSA assistance Semester course pre-planning Early class registration Help balancing life challenges Access to a scholarship for program participants & general scholarship assistance Access to key college staff and offices
TRIO
SUCCESS STARTS HERE! Interested in applying? Visit our website: uwyo.edu/seo/sss
Student Success Services is a part of the federal TRIO Programs founded in 1964 by the U.S. Department of Education, which provides 100% of SSS funding at $463,226 annually with a scholarship contribution from the University of Wyoming.
Major Gift Has Major Impact L
ast spring, thousands of people filled the seats for the University of Wyoming’s commencement, an important milestone that marks the transition from students to alumni. Graduates fidgeted with tassels and programs, families clapped and cheered, and keynote speaker Carol Tomé, class of 1979, walked onstage to do what Alums Carol and commencement speakers do: offer Ramon Tomé hard-won advice, make people laugh, and inspire those in the built their highly chairs and in the seats. successful lives far Then she surprised everyone — she announced a gift from from Wyoming, but herself and her husband, Ramon, to UW in the amount of $20 they never forgot million, the latest in a long line of their alma mater, gifts. It is one of the largest gifts providing one of the in the university’s history, which will benefit the Tomé Scholars largest gifts UW has to Fellows Program in the Haub School of Environment and ever received. Natural Resources, the creation By Tamara Linse of which was funded by the Tomés in 2021. The gift also extends the program to the College of Business. Based on current estimates, more than 100 students will receive full-ride scholarships, removing financial barriers and empowering future leaders to pursue their education and career goals at UW. Carol is the CEO of UPS and former chief financial officer of The Home Depot, and Ramon is a retired environmental specialist with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Air Protection PHOTOS BY UW Branch. They are both proud UW alumni, and FOUNDATION 70 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Carol jokingly shared in her speech that their lifelong partnership began at a fraternity toga party in Laramie. This is the story of two people who, years ago, sat in similar seats and are now dedicating themselves to supporting something they strongly believe in: making sure the doors that opened for them will stay open for future generations. The Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program The Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program began at UW in 2021 with a $600,000 gift from the Tomés through their Tomé Foundation, establishing a scholarship initiative in the Haub School. The program has been expanded twice since 2021. A 2024 gift from the Tomés doubled the number of scholars per cohort and created a new staff position dedicated to recruiting and supporting them. This year’s $20 million commitment extends the model beyond the Haub School to the College of Business, which will welcome its first cohort in fall 2027. “The generosity of Carol and Ramon Tomé has already had a significant impact on five previous cohorts of scholars connected to the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, UW and our state,” says John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School. “The ability to have our future leaders learning on the wild and working lands of Wyoming and engaging with our natural resources and wonderful citizens provides an incredibly unique experience to understand the opportunities and challenges in the most beautiful living laboratory — the state of Wyoming.” The idea was to support first-time students with talent and drive in science, technology, engineering,
UW commencement speaker Carol Tomé announced a $20 million gift, one of the largest in the university’s history, during the ceremonies.
arts and math, including medicine and nursing, and to clear obstacles to their success. Recipients receive 100 percent of tuition, room and board for four years, plus funding for unique experiences such as international field courses, undergraduate research projects, study abroad or other opportunities students may otherwise not be able to afford. The program does more than just pay tuition. Each cohort works directly with the Haub School dean and faculty throughout the students’ four years on campus, and graduates don’t simply walk away with a diploma — they become Tomé Fellows, joining a national network of scholars and a meaningful relationship with Carol and Ramon that follows them well past commencement.
Tomé Scholars Norah McDowell, Gabriella Paterson, Paula Medina, Bailey Yeager, Mariela ViaReque and Jennifer Bautz with Ramon Tomé (center) and Tomé Foundation Executive Administrator Barbara Daniel
Tomé Scholars are among the nation’s most distinguished undergraduate students in environmental leadership and problem-solving. Scholars complete immersive fieldwork, facultyguided applied research, internships and service experiences that prepare them for careers in conservation, policy, business and community leadership. Five cohorts have entered through the Haub School program so far, the first of which graduated in the spring of 2025. Student Support Means Student Success Here are the stories of some of these students. Jennifer Bautz, Lander, Wyo. – Bautz was one of just four students chosen for the inaugural
72 • uwyo.edu/magazine
Tomé Scholars cohort in 2021, and now she belongs to the very first UW class of Tomé Fellows, as she graduated in spring 2025 with a degree in environmental systems science. Before the scholarship came through, Bautz had a plan worked out for paying her own way: “I was originally planning to pay for college myself through savings, scholarships and part-time jobs. Piecing together funding for college has been a great challenge, and I welcomed the opportunity presented by this scholarship. Being a Tomé Scholar helped me to focus primarily on learning and spend less time seeking funding.” That shift — from juggling jobs and tuition worries to simply being a student — is, by her own account, what let her use her four years at UW the way she’d hoped: building toward a career devoted to making sure future generations have the same access to Wyoming’s public lands that she grew up with. Bailey Yeager, Buffalo, Wyo. – Yeager grew up on a multigenerational ranch outside Buffalo, where caring for livestock and land was paramount: “If you don’t care for the land, the land wouldn’t care for you or your livestock. We always spend a lot of time outside with our livestock or doing the various chores that come from having them. We see the land change throughout the years — for the good and the bad. I care about following this legacy.” Yeager is a junior studying rangeland ecology and watershed management at the Haub School alongside environment and natural resources and honors. She’s also candid about why representation matters in a field that has long been underrepresented by women. “Not enough women are in the natural resource field,” she says. “Getting people to take my study choice seriously, as a woman, has been a fight. They don’t see women in natural resources. I want to be one of the people who changes that.” Benjamin Piña, Houston, Texas – Piña’s path to UW touched three states and two continents before he ever set foot in Laramie. Born in South Florida to a third-generation Swedish mother and a Venezuelan father and raised between North Carolina and Texas, Piña arrived at the Haub School in 2021 as one of the program’s first four scholars, drawn by a desire to study environment and natural resources and to explore what he calls “human connections to the natural world.” For
EAT Human Nutrition and Food Major A degree in Human Nutrition and Food emphasizes physical, biological, and social sciences; math and statistics; and nutrition and food. Learn more about the field of dietetics by emailing fam-consci@uwyo.edu or visiting us online.
Carol Tomé
It is an honor to help open doors of opportunity for students who will shape our future. — Carol and Ramon Tomé Piña, the scholarship was never only about his own education — it was about his entire family. “Four years of support hugely relieved financial pressures on my family,” he says. “I joined two other siblings working through college as we support extended family in Venezuela and across South America in diaspora from the current crisis.” For him, as for the other recipients, dollars aren’t the whole story: “Even beyond the financial support, I value the community and mentorship aspect of close connections with Dean Koprowski, fellow scholars and donors who believe in me.” Piña graduated alongside Bautz in the program’s inaugural class of Tomé Fellows in 2025. What Comes Next Bautz, Yeager and Piña are three students out of dozens who have come through the Haub School’s doors as Tomé Scholars since 2021 — and, after this year’s $20 million commitment, the program
74 • uwyo.edu/magazine
is poised to reach a great many more. Former UW President Ed Seidel called it one of the most consequential gifts the university has ever received — not just for its size but for what it sets in motion: a chance to prove that the same model that built leaders in conservation and environmental policy can build leaders in business and entrepreneurship, too. Starting in the fall of 2027, this program will include UW’s College of Business, where a new cohort of scholars will pursue business innovation, entrepreneurship and applied research, all with the same full-ride support. “Carol and Ramon Tomé understand something fundamental about higher education: Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not always evenly distributed,” says Scott Beaulier, the H.A. “Dave” True Jr. Family Dean of the College of Business. “This extraordinary investment in our students will help the College of Business attract, develop and launch the next generation of leaders for Wyoming, the nation and the world.” Five cohorts in, the program has become a national model for what applied interdisciplinary learning in the environmental sciences can look like. Tomé Scholars have measured watersheds, monitored wildlife habitat and built sustainable economic development plans for communities across the state. What the official description of the program doesn’t quite capture is what it means for an 18-year-old in Sheridan or Cheyenne or Denver, who has the drive but not the means, the student who would otherwise have had to balance college with a part-time job and mounting school debt. Instead, they get to measure it against a fieldwork season in the Wind River Range or a summer internship building a business plan for a hometown that needs one. That, more than the amount of the gift, is what the Tomés are supporting. “We believe deeply in what a University of Wyoming education makes possible,” say the Tomés. “Supporting Tomé Scholars has been one of the greatest joys of our lives, and this commitment is our way of giving back for the many blessings we’ve received. It is an honor to help open doors of opportunity for students who will shape our future.
WEAR
Design, Merchandising and Textiles Major Explore roles in fashion design, visual merchandising, retail buying, product development, interior design and more, with a degree in Design, Merchandising and Textiles. Learn more by emailing fam-consci@uwyo.edu or visiting us online.
By the Numbers 375
PHOTO BY ANDREW TOWNE/CASPER STAR-TRIBUNE
In March, nearly 400 secondary students representing 16 schools from across the state participated in the annual World Languages Day hosted by UW’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages.
4
The website RentCafe has placed Laramie No. 4 on its “Best College Towns” list for 2026, a spectacular climb from No. 16 last year.
41
FIRST
At the College National Finals Rodeo in June, UW Cowgirl Josie Mousel took the national goat tying championship and the prestigious all-around title.
10
SmartAsset’s new “America’s Best Value Public Universities” list ranks UW No. 41 — one of only three universities in the Rocky Mountain West to make the top-50 list.
4
UW graduate students Alex Kurtt, Collin Porter, Lena Wigger and Josephine Walton were awarded prestigious National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowships in 2026.
This past spring, 10 UW students were selected for the highly competitive U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship, which helps fund education abroad.
9
Business Insider places Wyoming’s university city No. 9 on its new list of the “20 Best College Towns Where Life Revolves Around Their Universities.”
NO 1
UW’s Wyoming Motorsports student organization was named champion for the second year in a row at the 2026 SAE Formula Hybrid + Electric competition in Loudon, N.H.
76 • uwyo.edu/magazine
PHOTO BY FORMULA HYBRID + ELECTRIC
2
Wyoming Public Media won two 2026 Regional Edward R. Murrow Awards in the “Digital” and “Excellence in Sound” categories from the Radio Television Digital News Association.
GROW
Human Development and Family Sciences Major UW’s human development and family sciences major prepares students to work in a variety of settings serving communities, children and families across the human life course. Learn more by emailing fam-consci@uwyo.edu or visiting us online.
UWyo
Division of University Public Relations University of Wyoming Department 3226 1000 East University Avenue Laramie, WY 82071-2000
SAVE THE DATE October 21–22, 2026 Noon to Noon
www.uwyo.edu/givingday