If you’re an incoming student — transfer or first year — read on to discover great advice from fellow students and experts.
Everything Academic
Learn what you need to know about academics — from advising to choosing a major and finding resources.
Dive Into Experiential Learning
Experiences outside the classroom — from research and internships to clubs and education abroad — enrich your life and prepare you for your future.
Life After Undergrad
Students and administrators share their advice for entering the workforce or continuing on to graduate school.
My Biggest Challenge
Students share their college challenges and how they overcame them.
Students Sophia Fahleson, Maya DeLauro and Haley Kerr enjoy a presentation of “Liquid Skies” at the UW Planetarium. The UW Planetarium offers events year-round open to campus and the greater community.
UWyo
The Magazine for Alumni and Friends of the University of Wyoming
Spring 2023 | Volume 24, No. 3 UWYO.EDU/UWYO
University President: Edward Seidel
Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing: Chad Baldwin
1000 East University Ave., Dept. 3226 Laramie, WY 82071-2000 uwyomag@uwyo.edu
The University is committed to equal opportunity for all persons in all facets of the University’s operations. All qualified applicants for employment and educational programs, benefits, and services will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, creed, ancestry, political belief or any other applicable category protected by law and University policy.
On the Cover: Students enjoy some fun and sunshine during Pokes Pack Time, part of fall’s Saddle Up week for incoming students.
An Amazing Time for Advances in Artificial Intelligence
By Ed Seidel
Exciting things are happening in our world that will profoundly impact every educational institution, every business and everyone’s daily lives. Artificial intelligence (AI), a computing technology that has been under development for decades, has reached a level of maturity — transitioning from use in science and engineering labs, and behind-the-scenes use in our phones, TVs and other home devices, to a technology that we will actively and explicitly use to help us write papers, organize our work and generally enhance our productivity.
A relatively new form of AI — generative AI — can create works of art, help us search the web and write messages, essays — and, yes, even entire term papers for our students — all from simple commands that we may give by typing in a phrase to a command line or literally speaking to a computer “bot” that understands spoken language.
In recent months, these capabilities have exploded in visibility, gracing the headlines of every newspaper, and in capability, with AIgenerated art winning art shows and AI-powered bots passing BAR and MBA exams. A two-yearold demonstration technology called ChatGPT has stolen much of the limelight, as it can carry out quite a lively discussion and, in my own experience, it can write an entire column for
UWyo Magazine (see the next page)! But this is just the tip of the iceberg of what is coming in the next few months, let alone the coming years.
Along with the explosion of interest have come funding streams that support the growth of this industry. Microsoft alone has invested at least $13 billion in the company called Open AI that created ChatGPT, has integrated it into its search engine Bing and has promised within months to make such technology available in every one of its software programs. Imagine asking MS Word to draft your letter or paper, Outlook to reply to all your emails, PowerPoint to generate your presentation so it is suited for the Board of Trustees, a physics conference, a freshman class or a first-grade class! Other AI offerings are already being used to have conversations with long-dead historical figures, design marketing campaigns or act as travel agents.
The world is changing very rapidly as a result! How will this impact UW? I commissioned a working group to recommend how the university should use such technologies in our classes, how it can be used to enhance our research, how we might reconsider regulations on plagiarism and more. The School of Computing is in the final stages of carrying out multiple searches for new faculty in AI technologies and their applications to STEM and social science areas. And students, staff and faculty alike are already experimenting with it in their daily work.
This coming year will be pivotal for UW and the world as these technologies are widely deployed and used by people in all walks of life. Get ready! UW will be!
Ed Seidel is UW’s 28th president.
UNLEASHING THE POWER OF AI AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING
Written entirely by ChatGPT-4, after simple input of just a few lines from Ed Seidel
The University of Wyoming has long been at the forefront of innovation, constantly seeking to adapt and embrace new technologies to enhance the educational, research, and economic development programs of the institution. One such technology that has taken the world by storm is artificial intelligence (AI). As an increasingly important field, AI offers vast potential for the university, its students and faculty, as well as the wider community. This article will explore the significance of AI at the University of Wyoming, the role of the newly launched School of Computing, the computing minor program, and the key trends and caveats in AI technology.
The recent establishment of the School of Computing at UW is a testament to the institution’s commitment to integrating AI into its various programs. With an initial focus on hiring experts in AI and applications, the school aims to create joint appointments across different university units, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration. By breaking down the barriers between fields, the university is well-positioned to create a vibrant ecosystem of research, innovation and economic development that will benefit both academia and industry.
The addition of a computing minor program, available to every major starting next year, demonstrates the university’s recognition of AI’s growing importance. This initiative enables students from diverse disciplines to gain foundational knowledge in computing and AI, equipping them with the skills required to thrive in a technology-driven world. As a result, UW graduates will emerge with a competitive edge, ready to tackle complex challenges in their respective fields.
AI’s importance for UW students and faculty cannot be overstated. The technology’s capacity to process vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently has revolutionized
research methodologies, enabling researchers to tackle complex questions in fields as diverse as medicine, climate change, agriculture and economics. By incorporating AI into their research, faculty can accelerate the discovery of innovative solutions and insights, ultimately benefiting society as a whole.
However, as with any powerful technology, there are caveats to using AI. Concerns about data privacy, algorithmic bias and ethical implications are significant and must be addressed proactively. The University of Wyoming is well aware of these concerns and is dedicated to ensuring that the development and application of AI adhere to the highest ethical standards. By fostering open dialogue and interdisciplinary collaboration, the university strives to create an environment that balances innovation with responsibility.
Trends in the AI industry point toward a future where the technology becomes increasingly integrated into our daily lives. With advances in machine learning, natural language processing and computer vision, AI will continue to revolutionize various sectors, such as health care, transportation and manufacturing. As a result, there will be a growing demand for skilled AI professionals, making the university’s investment in AI education and research all the more essential.
In conclusion, the University of Wyoming’s commitment to AI integration, as evidenced by the launch of the School of Computing and the computing minor program, will undoubtedly have profound effects on the institution’s educational, research and economic development programs. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and placing a strong emphasis on ethical considerations, UW is poised to make a lasting and positive impact on the AI landscape, benefiting its students, faculty and the broader community for years to come.
PHOTOS BY ABBY LOZANO
International Education Week takes place each November with a variety of fun events. Pictured clockwise from top: Students Mishal Aslam and Shifa Ijaz after their presentation on Pakistan; students practice the art of henna; students at the Central Asian traditional dance event.
Homecoming week each October offers much more than football, with a parade, Homecoming sing, Golden Boot Competition and tons of other events to celebrate your Poke pride.
Held each October, The Big Event promotes campus and community unity as UW students volunteer to help with projects throughout Laramie. It’s one of many volunteer opportunities the university offers.
Saddle Up Saddle Up Saddle Up
Launched last fall, Saddle Up provides incoming students with a glimpse of what’s needed to be successful in college during a low-stakes, weeklong course, completed for one credit hour. Students experience lecture notes, exam preparation, working with Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and more. Outside the classroom, they’re introduced to academic resources, Cowboy Coaches peer mentoring, health and wellness, and residence life.
Commencement Commencement Commencement
More than 11,000 students from every state and 78 countries attend UW. The university offers 211 majors. Each year, approximately 3,000 students graduate during winter and spring ceremonies. Decorating their caps is one of the many ways students celebrate.
Night
Night
Night
UW is home to more than 200 student clubs, including a number of international clubs that put on annual events to introduce the community to their culture. Bangladesh Night features dance, music, fashion and more.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Bangladesh
Discover the di erence at the University of Wyoming’s College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
6 7. 6 %
*This is based on information from academic year 21/22
OPPORTUNITIES FOR FULLY FUNDED GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIPS $
AVERAGE STARTING SALARY FOR CEPS GRADUATES $
DEPARTMENTS WITH 18 B.S., 15 M.S., AND 12 PH.D. PROGRAMS TO CHOOSE YOUR PATH 10 OF CEPS GRAD STUDENTS ARE OF A DIVERSE BACKGROUND
ACCESS TO STATE-OF-THE-ART LABS TO CONDUCT RESEARCH
Jennifer Eisenhauer Tanner
Associate Professor Civil and Architectural Engineering
UW RECEIVES DOE FUNDING FOR CARBON PROJECT IN PACIFIC NORTHWEST
UW will receive $10.5 million from the U.S. Department of Energy for a research and development project advancing the wide-scale deployment of carbon management technologies to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) pollution. Researchers in the School of Energy Resources Center for Economic Geology Research will lead the HERO Basalt CarbonSAFE (Hermiston Oregon Carbon Storage Assurance Facility Enterprise) project in partnership with Oxy Low Carbon Ventures, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and Calpine to accelerate the scale-up and deployment of commercial CO2 storage in basaltic rocks at a storage complex near Hermiston, Ore.
NEW CERTIFICATE PROGRAMS IN CARBON CAPTURE, LAND ADMINISTRATION
The School of Energy Resources, in collaboration with other colleges and schools across campus, will launch two new undergraduate certificate programs — one in carbon capture, utilization and storage and one in land administration. Both certificates will provide students and industry workers with the skills to take on new challenges, make an impact on global decarbonization efforts and advance their careers.
BLACK 14 RECEIVE 2023 NCAA INSPIRATION AWARD
The Black 14 received a 2023 NCAA Inspiration Award at the NCAA Convention in January.
The Black 14 were a group of UW football student-athletes who took a courageous stand against discrimination and racism in 1969. That moral stand resulted in them immediately being dismissed from their team by the head coach of the Wyoming football team, and that dismissal affected their lives forever. The courage and strength they showed as young men have had a positive impact on generations of people since. The inspiring story of the Black 14 has been documented in pieces produced by ESPN, CBS Sports Network, CNN and PBS and numerous stories written by national and state publications.
NEW NELTJE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY AND THE ARTS
The Neltje Center for Excellence in Creativity and the Arts aims to distinguish the university as a leader in the education and development of visual, literary and performing artists — and as a catalyst for Wyoming’s creative economy. In addition to residency programs, the center will offer a variety of events, workshops and other educational opportunities. The new center is named after Neltje, a renowned painter and philanthropist who, in 2001, founded the Jentel Artist Residency Program located in the Piney Creek Valley near the Bighorn Mountains. Her estate gift pledged in 2010 was the largest estate gift UW had received at that time. Neltje passed away in 2021.
UW student Arthur Canaday, of Bakersfield, Calif., works on a creative project seated before a large painting by Neltje at her Sheridan County studio.
PHOTO BY MARK RITCHIE PHOTO
Professor Part of Team Using NASA’s Webb Telescope to Reveal Gas and Dust in Nearby Galaxies
Danny Dale, UW’s Harry C. Vaughan Professor of Astronomy, is part of a multinational team of researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope to get a first look at star formation, gas and dust in nearby galaxies with unprecedented resolution at infrared wavelengths. The data have enabled an initial collection of 21 research papers that provide new insight into how some of the smallest-scale processes in our universe — the beginnings of star formation — impact the evolution of the largest objects in our cosmos: galaxies. Graduate student Kiana Henny of South Whidbey Island, Wash., was also heavily involved in the project.
Scientist Contributes to Study Documenting Western Bumblebee Decline
The western bumblebee was once common in western North America, but increasing temperatures, drought and pesticide use have contributed to a 57 percent decline in the occurrence of this species in its historical range, according to a new U.S. Geological Survey-led study involving Lusha Tronstad, lead invertebrate zoologist with UW’s Wyoming Natural Diversity Database. Using data from 1998–2020, scientists determined that increasing summer temperatures and drought partly drove declines of the native western bumblebee in recent decades. The study was published recently in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Researchers Document Continuing Gender Wage Gap in State
Research Finds Hurricane Forecasts Impair Birth Outcomes
A new study by UW economists Anne Alexander and Chian Jones Ritten shows Wyoming’s gender wage gap persists to the detriment of the state’s families and economy. Their report, “The Wage Gap in Wyoming in 2022: How Gender, Race and Ethnicity Affect Pay Equity,” was released recently by the Wyoming Women’s Foundation in partnership with the Equality State Policy Center and the Wyoming Council for Women. In addition to the work by Alexander and Jones Ritten, UW’s Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center provided data assistance. According to the report, Wyoming women make 75 cents for every dollar men make for the same jobs.
To assess the relationship between hurricane forecast accuracy and human health impacts, researchers led by Jacob Hochard, Knobloch Assistant Professor of Conservation Economics in the UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, examined extensive data, including records for more than 700,000 births that occurred in North Carolina in the five years leading up to and nine months following when Hurricane Irene made landfall. Nino Abashidze, a UW Haub School postdoctoral research associate, and Yuanhao Li, an assistant professor in the Norwegian School of Economics, also contributed to the research. The full paper, “Associations of hurricane exposure and forecasting with impaired birth outcomes,” was published recently in the journal Nature Communications
Atmospheric Science Professor Leads International Project in the Arctic
Professor Bart Geerts led a multimillion-dollar expedition to study cold-air outbreaks in the marine boundary layer in Norway in 2019–20 that was funded by the U.S. Department of Energy. Next year, the team will go back with the NSF/NCAR Lockheed C-130 “Hercules” aircraft to examine the same cloud regime to help improve climate models. Titled CAESAR (cold-air outbreaks experiment in the sub-Arctic region), the project is co-led by Geerts and supported by the National Science Foundation (NSF).
FIREARMS RESEARCH CENTER LAUNCHES AT UW
The Firearms Research Center, housed in the UW College of Law, has officially launched after earning faculty approval and private financial support. The center was established to bring more voices to the firearms discussion, to create a pipeline for law school graduates prepared to serve as firearms attorneys, and to act as a reliable nonpartisan resource for firearms-related information and research.
COLLEGE OF EDUCATION AIMS TO REINVENT EDUCATOR DEVELOPMENT
Scott Thomas, the John P. “Jack” Ellbogen Dean of the College of Education, presented UW’s Board of Trustees with a realistic view of the teacher labor market crisis confronting the state and nation. He also mapped a process for revolutionizing teacher preparation and bringing professional development to educators in ways that respect their time and needs. The college is working in partnership with 2Revolutions, a national education design lab, to launch the UW Master Educator Competency Program and to transform educator preparation and professional development across the arc of a teacher’s career.
FUTURE TEACHERS
The University of Wyoming College of Education has designed endorsement programs to help future teachers increase pay and ensure marketability by gaining additional high-demand skills. Our programs are a group of courses you can take that can lead to additional endorsements on your teaching license. These programs provide you with specialized skills that allow you to teach in additional content areas, serve expanded age groups, or support underserved students.
Our Programs
Computer Science Endorsement
Early Childhood Birth to 5 (FCSC Majors only)
Early Childhood Birth to 8
English as a Second Language
NEW APPOINTMENTS
UW COMPLEMENTS STATE’S INVESTMENT WITH CONTROLLED ENVIRONMENT AGRICULTURE CENTER
UW has joined with other public and private partners to further advance an innovative growing industry with roots at the university. UW’s new Controlled Environment Agriculture Center will conduct research and develop a workforce for the vertical farming company Plenty Inc., which is expanding its Wyoming operation with a $20 million grant from the state. One of Plenty’s co-founders is Nate Storey, who pioneered vertical farming technology as a UW graduate student and entrepreneur a decade ago. “This is an exciting new industry that has tremendous potential to boost Wyoming’s economy, diversify the state’s important agriculture industry and drive job creation and innovation,” UW President Ed Seidel says.
Corey Tarwater has been named the Robert Berry Distinguished Chair in Ecology.
PHOTO BY SAM CASE
Kara Brighton Fornstrom is the new School of Energy Resources Center for Energy Regulation and Policy Analysis director.
Francois Jacobs has been named the inaugural Roy L. and Caryl L. Cline Distinguished Professor in Engineering.
Bledar Bisha, an associate professor in food microbiology, was recently named a Wyoming Excellence Chair.
The new Office of the Ombuds, which provides a first-resort resource for problem-solving and exploring options, is being led and developed by Nellie Haddad.
CERTIFICATE IN CARBON CAPTURE, UTILIZATION AND STORAGE
• Provides a cross-section of disciplines covering the technology, economics and policy of CCUS
• Designed for a broad, multidisciplinary audience with an interest in energy, sustainability and climate change mitigation
• Requires completion of 21 credit hours
• Utilizes existing courses from SER and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences
• Can be completed online synchronously or in person
Designed for working professionals or current students
• Provides understanding of land management processes important to conservation efforts, government policies and energy production
• Prepares students for careers ranging from land management, to public affairs, to rights of way
• Requires completion of 16 credit hours
• Utilizes existing courses from SER, the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources
• Can be completed online synchronously or in person
CERTIFICATE IN LAND ADMINISTRATION
A team of UW students is one of seven student teams selected to advance to the second phase of NASA’s 2023 Micro-g Neutral Buoyancy Experiment Design Teams engineering design challenge.
A gift from the Gretchen Swanson Family Foundation in honor of rancher, large-animal veterinarian and legislator Kurt Bucholz will support ethical water rights management and hydrology research in Wyoming and the West.
BEST
A new album by Ben Markley, director of jazz studies for the Department of Music, was recently honored by DownBeat magazine as one of the best recordings of 2022.
$250k
A $250,000 gift from PureWest Energy LLC to the School of Energy Resources will support Wyoming natural gas research.
100
One hundred outstanding high school seniors from across Wyoming were selected to receive the 2023 Trustees’ Scholars Award, UW’s top academic scholarship.
UWyo Magazine won first place in the Wyoming Press Association Associates’ publications category.
1st
MODEL PROGRAM
The College of Business Entrepreneurship Program won the Model Emerging Program Award at the U.S. Association for Small Business and Entrepreneurship Conference in January.
#1 CONSERVATION GIFT
UW’s Nordic ski team enjoyed a successful season, including a second-place team finish for the Cowgirls and a first-place individual Cowboy win at the U.S. Collegiate Ski and Snowboard Association Championships.
A major gift from Joe Ricketts’ Jackson Fork Ranch will support environmental stewardship and conservation across Wyoming, with an initial focus on the greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
The College of Arts & Sciences o ers a diverse 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 o ered in:
FINE ARTS
Music Theatre and Dance
Visual and Literary Arts
humanities
English
History
Modern and Classical Languages
Philosophy and Religious Studies
SOCIAL SCIENCES
Anthropology Communication and Journalism
Criminal Justice and Sociology
Psychology
INTERDISCIPLINARY PROGRAMS
School of Culture, Gender, and Social Justice
School of Politics, Public A airs, and International Studies
The NELTJE CENTER FOR EXCELLENCE IN CREATIVITY AND THE ARTS
Discover Our Departments Degree Programs and Courses!
FIND YOUR RESOURCES
Discover services, resources and fun ways to thrive as a UW student!
The University of Wyoming Division of Student Affairs
The University of Wyoming Division of Student Affairs empowers students to successfully navigate life, experience fulfillment and contribute to humanity. The departments housed under Student Affairs provide services directly to students as well as opportunities for students to serve one another and the greater community. Discover these resources and how many students they served during the 2021-22 academic year.
Associated Students of UW
As student-elected representatives, ASUW advocates on behalf of students and provides leadership opportunities. www.uwyo.edu/asuw
•• 32 events.
•• 67 scholarships.
Student Success and Graduation Hub
“The Hub” provides peer mentoring from Cowboy Coaches and parent and family support as well as oversees commencement and the first-year Saddle Up program.
www.uwyo.edu/student-success
•• 88 percent of first- and second-year students interacted with a Cowboy Coach. Coaches are trained to help students develop a sense of belonging, establish effective study skills, and learn how to identify and access UW resources.
•• 285 individuals registered for parent weekend held in the fall.
•• 2,984 students graduated.
Multicultural Affairs
Multicultural Affairs advocates with and for marginalized students to develop a positive sense-of-self, create strong community connections and thrive in all aspects of student life. Offerings include Students of Color Circles, LGBTQIA+ Circle, Disability Circles, a speakers series, and the Multicultural Resource and Rainbow Resource centers. www.uwyo.edu/oma
•• 355 participants served.
Multicultural Affairs Program Director Melanie Vigil
Cowboy Coach Lona van der Linden
Campus Recreation and Half Acre Gym
Campus Recreation and Half Acre Gym offer a variety of fitness and sporting opportunities, as well as the Outdoor Program and Wellness Center. www.uwyo.edu/rec
•• Averaged 1,205 daily participants.
•• Offered 50-plus fitness classes weekly with 1,187 participants.
•• Club Sports offered 20 teams with a total of 725 students.
•• Intramural Sports offered 55 sports with 1,297 participants.
•• The Outdoor Program hosted 89 events for 221 students and rented out 3,196 pieces of equipment.
•• The climbing wall was used 6,804 times.
•• The Wellness Center logged 7,000 participation hours for programs including massage chairs, athletic training, concussion tests, financial wellness and alcohol safety, serving 1,258 students.
Student Health Service
Housing, Dining and Residence Life
“Res life” oversees residence halls, apartments and other housing. www.uwyo.edu/living
•• 1,343 students lived in residence halls, served by 65 resident assistants (RAs).
•• 655 students lived in UW apartments.
•• 350 programs were offered for residents.
Student Health Service provides medical appointments, prescriptions and other related services. www.uwyo.edu/shser
•• Health services saw 8,700+ student visits.
Disability Support Services
Students managing a diagnosis and interested in accommodations should contact Disability Support Services. www.uwyo.edu/udss
•• 870 students were served last year.
Veterans Services Center
The Marna M. Kuehne Foundation Veterans Services Center is open to military and veterans and their dependents with a variety of resources. In addition, UW offers a Veterans First-Year Seminar, Veterans Transition Course, Veterans College to Career Course and Veterans Graduation Ceremony. www.uwyo.edu/vetservices
Dean of Students Office
The office provides assistance, training and education to individual students, student groups and the university community. www.uwyo.edu/dos Some of the office’s programs include UW Cares, Green Dot, the Food Share Pantry and Restorative Justice. (See next page.)
Center for Student Involvement and Leadership
CSIL offers students opportunities to engage on campus through programs, communities, services and experiential learning. www.uwyo.edu/csil
•• Offered 2,330 events with 389,282 door counts.
Living in the residence halls puts you in the center of campus life.
“I love the support and community that UW provides to all of its students.” —Avery O’Brien
Service, Leadership, Community Engagement
The SLCE office seeks to cultivate engaged global citizens through offerings including a leadership conference and other annual events.
www.uwyo.edu/slce
•• 585 students participated in Service Saturdays.
•• 103 participated in the Good Mule Project.
•• 37 went on Alternative Break trips.
•• 48 participated in the Volunteer Hub.
Host families and students on a SLCE Alternative Spring Break in Jamaica.
7220 Entertainment
Students can join planning committees to bring fun events to campus.
www.uwyo.edu/csil/7220-entertainment
•• 56 events offered.
Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life
The office supports and guides 15 chapters by providing training and programming.
www.uwyo.edu/fsl
•• Events attended by 2,217 students.
University Counseling Center
The University Counseling Center offers free counseling services for currently enrolled students. www.uwyo.edu/ucc
•• 4,110 confidential student appointments with counselors.
•• 16,409 students participated in 339 outreach workshops.
UW Cares Accepts referrals from anyone concerned about a student’s well-being (nonemergency) and provides connections, serving 636 students last year.
Green Dot is a bystander intervention program that reduces interpersonal violence and sexual assault. •• 135 students attended bystander training, and 421 attended the overview.
Food Share Pantry: Distributed 28,979 pounds of products.
Restorative Justice: Participants report 100% satisfaction with the process.
COURTESY
PHOTO
Alumnus Gareth Flowers with Pistol Pete.
COURTESY
PHOTO
Bachelor’s Degree in GIST in Fall 2023
The Bachelor’s Degree in GIST opens doors to exciting and rewarding career paths and contributes to solving global challenges through innovative and sustainable geospatial solutions.
Our faculty members are experienced GIST professionals and educators who bring industry and research expertise to the classroom.
The curriculum is designed to provide multidisciplinary hands-on learning and opportunities for fieldwork and internships to help you develop practical skills and career-ready experience.
Born a Cowboy
INCOMING STUDENT LAUREN LYNDE LOOKS FORWARD TO CONTINUING HER FAMILY’S LONG UW TRADITION.
By Micaela Myers
Last fall, 1,627 first-time students joined the University of Wyoming, including 969 Wyoming residents. This fall, firstyear student Lauren Lynde of Gillette, Wyo., will be among the incoming class.
“I come from a family full of UW graduates and have grown up so excited to become a Cowboy myself,” says the recent graduate of Campbell County High School.
As with many Wyoming families, Lynde needs both hands to count the number of relatives who are UW alumni: five cousins, both her parents, a great uncle and two aunts. Her brother, Garrett, is also a current student.
“Some of my earliest memories are of cheering for the Pokes,” she says. “World-class education and the university being a part of the WWAMI program are an added bonus.”
Lynde plans to major in microbiology and become a physician practicing in Wyoming, which is why the WWAMI program is important to her. WWAMI stands for Washington, Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho, the five states that participate in the medical education program, which is affiliated with the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle. Twenty seats in the program are reserved each
year for qualified Wyoming residents who want to become physicians. Accepted Wyoming students spend 19 months on UW’s campus and their final two years at clinical sites throughout the WWAMI region.
“With my dad being a veterinarian, I grew up in a household where medicine was often talked about — not only what it was and how it worked, but also how it affected the lives of the animals and their families,” Lynde says. “It seemed as if my dad came home every day with another ‘win’ through medicine. This made medicine fascinating and rewarding to me from the beginning. In high school, I had the absolute best science teachers who made me fall even more in love with learning. These two components are what I believe truly urged me into this career path.”
When she arrives on campus this fall, Lynde is looking forward to exploring UW’s Christian-based organizations, Honors College and education abroad, as well as trying the local coffee shops and taking yoga classes with her cousin. The only thing she’s nervous about is making her own food, which she hopes can compete with her mom’s great cooking.
Her advice to other students on the college hunt: “Choose a college that feels like home.”
Lauren Lynde
PHOTO BY ALLY REED PHOTOGRAPHY
Good Advice
ACADEMIC ADVISER CARLY PAGE ENJOYS HELPING STUDENTS ALONG THEIR UNIVERSITY JOURNEY.
By Micaela Myers
Senior Academic Advising Professional Carly Page in the Advising Career and Exploratory Studies (ACES) office loves building one-on-one relationships with students as she helps guide them through their academic careers at the University of Wyoming.
“I find connecting with students really rewarding,” says Page, who started out in the registrar’s office in 2018 before becoming an adviser in 2021. “I enjoy helping them find resources and being someone they can come to and confide in for whatever they may need.”
At ACES, Page works with undeclared or exploratory studies students, as well as pre-nursing and other students preparing to apply for specific programs. She also coordinates professional development for advisers across campus.
Students can make the most of their advising by coming prepared and asking questions.
“I would like students to know that it’s a partnership,” Page says. “The biggest thing is don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your adviser is there to help guide you and provide resources, but as a student, you need to come prepared. Bring your academic goals or classes you want to take, and meet
the adviser halfway. The more students put into advising, the more they get out of it.”
That partnership begins before students even arrive on campus. Page recommends that new students explore UW’s website, so they get to know the academic offerings as well as other resources and opportunities.
As the semester approaches, be aware of your registration time, and make advising appointments early. “The sooner you schedule your appointment, the sooner we can talk about your classes,” she says. “If you wait to schedule, the classes you want may not be available.”
As a student, share with your adviser any concerns you have or challenges you are facing. Advisers are well versed in the resources available at UW and can connect you with the right people and programs.
Students shouldn’t worry if they aren’t sure what major or field they want to study as freshman. That first year is a great time to explore, and ACES advisers are there to help.
“I don’t want students to be scared to choose undeclared,” Page says. “It opens a lot of doors and opportunities. Choosing undeclared lets students determine what they enjoy.”
You can read more about Page’s advice for choosing a major starting on page 36.
Preparing to Help Others
TRANSFER STUDENT PERLENE KELLER HOPES TO BECOME A DOCTOR OF PSYCHOLOGY.
By Micaela Myers
When Perlene Keller of Worland, Wyo., was attending high school in Riverton, she lost three friends to suicide and says that the number of students attempting suicide has continued to rise. This prompted her to abandon her original plan to become a lawyer and instead to major in psychology.
“I couldn’t stand to watch and wait for people I cared about to die such a heartbreaking death,” she says.
Keller first attended Central Wyoming College, graduating with her associate degree before transferring to the University of Wyoming. Hundreds of transfer students join UW each year, making up a large percentage of the total student population.
“The transfer experience was seamless for me when it came to paperwork,” she says. “There weren’t any problems with my transcripts, and signing up for classes was easy. In terms of adjusting to living on my own for the first time, it was difficult, but I was able to find a community quickly, which made the transition easier.”
Her advice to other transfer students includes selecting and applying to four-year universities early so that you can see what requirements you need to fulfill and looking for housing well in advance. Don’t forget that there are many on-campus housing options at UW as well, Keller says.
Once you’ve transferred, keep in mind that your UW GPA is an important
factor for program admissions and scholarships.
At UW, Keller is continuing to pursue her psychology degree while also joining the Honors College. She hopes to eventually earn her Ph.D.
“As an honors student, I love the variety of fun courses they offer,” Keller says. “For example, Wyoming Walkabout with Paul Taylor is easily the best class I’ve taken here at UW. You gain a deep appreciation for the land around you while discovering details about yourself that you may have missed before.”
She also enjoys attending the Cowboy Country Swing dance club most Thursdays to learn new dances and have fun, noting it’s a great way to socialize and exercise.
You can read additional advice from Keller throughout this issue of UWyo Magazine, including “My Biggest Challenge” on page 35.
While Keller chose UW because it is affordable and offers her degree program, she now appreciates its many other attributes, such as engaging activities around campus. She says, “The university has gained my love and appreciation.”
Perlene Keller hanging out with friends at Turtle Rock Cafe.
Meet the Coaches!
UW’S COWBOY COACH PEER MENTORS HELP NEW STUDENTS THRIVE.
By Micaela Myers
Often it’s easier for new students to talk to fellow students about what they’re going through. Several years ago, the University of Wyoming launched its Cowboy Coach peer mentoring program that pairs experienced highly trained UW students with newer students to help them navigate university life and thrive. The program is a huge success and continues to grow.
For this special student issue of UWyo Magazine, we interviewed several current coaches for their advice, which you can read throughout the magazine. Meet them here, and find out what they love about UW.
Growing up in Wyoming, it was destined that I become a Cowboy. UW offers a lot. With in-state tuition, there’s no way I could ever pass that up. I love the support and community that UW provides to all of its students. It’s hard to not feel at home here.
Avery O’Brien, Rock Springs, Wyo., sophomore, finance major (blockchain and real estate minors)
I love UW because it feels like both a large university and a tight-knit community. There are always new people to meet, and at the same time you’re always running into people you know.
Grant Dillivan, Powell, Wyo., junior, psychology and criminal justice major (honors and sociology minors) I chose UW because of the community it immediately created for me. Here at UW, they make us feel like individuals who are human rather than merely numbers, and it shows!
Peyton O’Dougherty, Littleton, Colo., senior, elementary education and special education major (Spanish minor)
I only applied to UW in high school because, after visiting the campus, I knew that this was where I wanted to go to school. The campus was gorgeous, and I love the smaller town feel! I plan to go to medical school, and UW is part of the WWAMI medical education program. Aside from the variety of courses offered, I fell in love with the campus and overall atmosphere of the university. The campus is relatively large, but Laramie has a hometown feel. Students are able to get involved around the community and volunteer through UW to give back.
Sarah Griner, Casper, Wyo., senior, physiology and Spanish major
I l ve UW because everyone is committed to student success.
Powell, Windsor, Colo., pharmacy graduate student
Having a family that is almost entirely comprised of UW graduates, I felt that by choosing UW I was writing my own name in my family’s legacy.Wyoming is so much a part of who I am and where I come from that it would have felt wrong to not embrace my own roots.UW is a place of community, spirit and drive that pushes me to be my best and continue growing as a person, student, friend and mentor every day.
Karissa Kiser, Littleton, Colo., junior, physiology major ( ( professional writing minor)
If you’re an incoming student — transfer or first year — read on to discover great advice from fellow students and experts. By Micaela Myers
Attend New Student Days
Held throughout the spring, New Student Days are open to all admitted students. While they’re not mandatory, they’re hugely beneficial and highly recommended.
“At New Student Days, you’re able to learn about housing, discover how to get involved on campus, get an overview on advising, learn about student jobs, visit with someone from scholarships and financial aid, and have your new student ID picture taken,” says Director of Admissions Shelley Dodd. Attendees will leave registered for at least one class and
with a foundation for understanding the registration process.
Associate Director of Admissions Amy Fenolia says: “The biggest thing about New Student Days is that they allow you to come to campus, get a feel for it and start to make connections with the other students. You’ll also learn many of the great resources we have on campus.”
You can choose from five dates throughout the spring (www.uwyo.edu/newstudentday). The website includes a checklist to complete prior to attending. Even if you haven’t made your final choice on where to go to college, this event will help you and your parents learn more about UW.
PHOTO BY SOPHIA FAHLESON
Assistant Director of Admissions Tanner McClure and UW President Ed Seidel visit with prospective students during New Student Days.
Come Prepared
Associate Director of Admissions Amy Fenolia says that one of the most important things to do before you arrive for your first semester is to continue to check your email, including your spam folder: “We will use email to communicate, whether it’s onboarding activities like the webinars or Saddle Up information or checklist items.”
Students also have a host of advice on what to do before you arrive on campus.
Winter: Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan says, “If you’re not from a state with cold weather, then you should get some wind-resistant and cold-weather gear.”
“Incoming students should definitely invest in good walking shoes and a good pair of winter boots, as you will be doing a lot of walking all around campus,” adds freshman Trinity Nesser.
Move-in ready: “Your dorm room at first can feel like a hotel, so bring things to decorate it and make it feel more like home,” says Nesser, an elementary education major from North Powder, Ore.
Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner suggests coordinating with your roommate on décor and what you’re bringing. For example, maybe you can share a microwave or TV.
Fellow coach Peyton O’Dougherty recommends following UW’s move-in checklist (www.uwyo.edu/living/housing/ move-in/preparing-for-move-in.html) and giving yourself time to find your groove.
Find your classrooms: Cowboy Coach Abigail Fry strongly suggests walking to the locations of all your classes before the first day. Saddle Up provides an opportunity to get this done. This way you’re not harried trying to find the right building or room 10 minutes before class starts.
Build your community: “I wish I had known to get myself out there more freshman year,” Cowboy Coach Emily Powell says. “School is very important, but meaningful connections are the reason college becomes fun.”
Luckily, UW is known for its strong community — the reason Nesser chose UW: “The faculty are invested in seeing UW students succeed, and I love how friendly everyone is.”
Senior Toby Covill agrees: “I really love the community. Everyone you meet is super friendly, outgoing and considerate. Everyone looks out for each other.”
Covill, who is from Pinedale, Wyo., and is majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution (honors and geology minors), recommends making connections early with classmates, as well as mentors and professors (see Building Relationships). New Student Days and Saddle Up are great places to start forming your community.
Once you’re here, get active outside the classroom. Students who are more involved report higher satisfaction with college and a higher persistence rate. Read our article on experiential learning on page 42 for many ways to get involved on campus while making friends, having fun and preparing for your future.
Being a young adult with a whole world of possibilities is both exciting and terrifying, and you’re going to inevitably make some mistakes. That is OK. — Karissa Kiser
Give yourself grace: “Being a young adult with a whole world of possibilities is both exciting and terrifying, and you’re going to inevitably make some mistakes. That is OK,” Cowboy Coach Karissa Kiser says. “There will be highs and lows, ups and downs, and you should always expect the unexpected. The most important thing is that you have the resilience and motivation to write your own story, pick yourself up when you fall, and always try your best. If you’re doing that, nothing can stop you from achieving anything you put your mind to.”
Student Trinity Nesser recommends bringing things to decorate your residence hall room as well as investing in a great pair of winter boots.
Get Ready to Saddle Up
Saddle Up, launched last year, is an immersive college preparation camp for incoming students that brings approximately 1,400 freshmen to campus the week before fall semester starts. Saddle Up will help prepare you for success in college via a low-stakes, week-long course, completed for one credit hour. Through the course, you’ll experience a full semester in one week, including lecture notes, exam preparation, working with Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) and asking for help. Outside the classroom, you’ll be introduced to the academic resources available at UW, as well as Cowboy Coach peer mentoring, health and wellness, and residence life.
Just For Parents
Experienced UW parents Sarah Mcleod and Bob Janetka offer the following tips for new parents.
Travel: If you or your student are flying in, you can take a shuttle to or from Denver International Airport or fly into the smaller Laramie Regional Airport. For driving, the Wyoming 511 app provides road condition updates and live webcams.
Could vs. Should: While parents “could” easily get involved with their students’ challenges, ask yourself if you “should.” Some events require quick action, but others should be left for your student to address.
Supportive services: Unexpected events are bound to happen. Keep open communication with your student and know what resources are available to assist (see page 20).
Cookies and special deliveries: Care packages from home may not fit in students’ mailboxes, but they will receive a slip notifying them about a package, which can be presented at the mail room.
“I enjoyed Saddle Up because it helped me meet people within my major who I am still close friends with, and the workload prepared me for my actual classes, which was a relief,” says freshman Trinity Nesser. “I loved how I got to explore campus before the actual semester started, and it was a great way to adjust into the new environment.”
During Saddle Up, you’ll be broken up into “Poke Pack” groups led by Cowboy Coaches, who are trained and experienced UW students.
“I enjoyed the Poke Pack groups a lot because I met some great new people who are my friends today that I otherwise might not have met without the Saddle Up experience,” says first-year exploratory studies student Sean Walker of Sheridan, Wyo. “I also liked the mock class, as it really gave me a feel for what studying, lectures and tests would feel like at the university.” He encourages students to go into Saddle Up with an open mind.
Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/saddle-up.
Family Weekend: Family weekend takes place each September and features activities for parents and students along with fun prizes.
Learn more about family support for students and resources at www.uwyo.edu/ student-success/family-support.
Students Alec Wallen and John Houghton show off their UW pride during Family Weekend.
PHOTO BY JUSTIN ROWE
Incoming students Brody Greene, Ethan Bonham and Chance Johnson build a car as part of the Saddle Up Design Challenge.
Consider a Living-Learning Community
A great way to make friends, find support and transition successfully into college is by joining a Living-Learning Community.
“A Living-Learning Community is intended to bring students together on a floor of the residence halls with other students who share an interest, an identity or an academic pursuit,” explains Learning Resource Network (LeaRN) Program Director April Heaney. “Students who are part of a Living-Learning Community and are very involved tend to have a higher satisfaction and persistence in college.”
In addition to living on the same floor, participants also have academic experiences together, whether it’s a formal course or programming from faculty or resident assistants. In all, UW offers nearly 40 Living-Learning Communities based on majors and interests. The university hopes to expand them in the future, and the new residence halls will include spaces specifically for programming. Students can select their top Living-Learning Community choices on their applications and then solidify those decisions during New Student Days with their advisers.
One type of Living-Learning Community is the Freshman Interest Group (FIG), which is faculty led, and the students take courses together. First-year student Trinity Nesser is part of the FIG Surviving the Apocalypse (and College). “Joining
A Living-Learning Community is intended to bring students together on a floor of the residence halls with other students who share an interest, an identity or an academic pursuit. — April Heaney
the FIG was a great decision because it helped me meet friends,” she says. “It was also nice to have the FIG class my first semester to get me in the college groove. My FIG also did a few social events and activities on our floor.”
As a first-generation student, Nesser says that the FIG helped tremendously in her college transition.
Fellow freshman Lilly Fisher of Alpine, Wyo., is part of the First Generation Living-Learning Community based at UW’s Tobin House.
“Living-Learning Communities are a great way to ease the transition into college life,” she agrees. “There are a lot of activities the Tobin House puts together. We have done a movie night, a study group during finals, pumpkin painting, etc. I was also put in a special class where our final project was to tell our story. I learned a lot about my classmates. These activities are great for social interaction to make friends and also get some fun downtime from classes. It is nice to be around people who have something in common with you.”
Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/figs .
First-generation student Lilly Fisher says taking part in a Living-Learning Community helped her make friends and successfully transition into college.
Build Strong Relationships
Everyone knows that friends are important, but strong relationships with your professors, advisers and other personnel are also key to making the most of college and will set you up well for building strong relationships once you enter your career.
“Start early to meet and talk with future peers and mentors,” suggests senior Toby Covill. “Working with other students — such as in study groups — can be a great help in your classes and allows you the opportunity to make friends. To get the necessary experience and skills for certain degrees, you also need to be working with those people in your field, such as your professors and graduate students.” These relationships can help you find your passion within your chosen field.
Building relationships with faculty is essential to college success, agrees Cowboy Coach Peyton O’Dougherty. “Be sure to remain engaged during class — maybe even sit up front,” she says. “I strongly recommend introducing yourself to your professors within the first week or two of class and communicating any and all issues, obstacles or difficulties that you may encounter throughout the semester. Respect them, and they will respect you — it’s a two-way street.”
Going to your professors’ office hours is a great way to form a relationship with them. Introduce yourself, and even if you don’t have questions or concerns about the class, you can ask them about their research or creative pursuits.
“Building relationships is not only fundamental to your social life but for your future career as well,” says Cowboy Coach Avery O’Brien. “Building relationships with professors and administrators is some of the best networking you can achieve. Many of the faculty here have great connections, and
Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner encourages other students to get to know their professors. Strong relationships helped her find success in college, including working as a research assistant.
they truly care about your future and want to give you the best opportunities possible. Great relationships make college more enjoyable than it already is.”
Fellow Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner says, “By taking the time to get to know your professors and build a relationship, you are not only setting yourself up for success in their class but also in the future when you need letters of recommendation to get into graduate school or get a job after undergraduate school.”
Building relationships with professors and administrators is some of the best networking you can achieve. Many of the faculty here have great connections, and they truly care about your future and want to give you the best opportunities possible. Great relationships make college more enjoyable than it already is. — Avery O’Brien
“One of my biggest tips for fostering these relationships is you get out what you put in,” says coach Abigail Fry. “Don’t expect your adviser to write you a letter of recommendation if they know nothing about you or what you’ve done during your time as their advisee.”
Don’t forget — college is the perfect time to try new things, adds coach Emily Powell. “If you are nervous to go somewhere or try something new by yourself on campus, ask a friend or ask your Cowboy Coach, because they are there to help you have the best college experience possible.”
Get the Apps
There’s an app for everything, right? UW utilizes many apps to help connect you with resources, experiences and more. Here are a few to consider downloading.
Penji is how students make free tutoring appointments with UW tutors in dozens of classes in multiple centers across campus.
Nearly all of your UW classes will be on Canvas. On the Canvas app, you can view grades and course content, submit assignments, keep track of coursework with a to-do list and calendar, send and receive messages, post to discussions, watch videos, take quizzes, receive push notifications for new grades and course updates, and much more.
Navigate Student makes it easier by letting you know how and when to get important things done. Meet with your adviser, resolve a problem, view class schedules, create reminders for yourself, find things on campus and more.
Suitable is the platform for UW’s experiential learning program, SOAR. As you build your academic transcript at UW by learning in the classroom, be sure to compile your experiences outside the classroom in your experiential transcript. Give yourself a competitive edge by developing the competencies that employers and graduate schools value in employees and applicants.
UWyo Eats is a simple, super convenient way to order, pay and pick up right from your mobile device. Use the app to browse locations and menus, order from your favorite campus spot, and pay by credit, debit or your Dining Dollars.
TransLoc is UW’s transit app for tracking fixedroute buses live and scheduling on-demand rides.
SafeRide is an on-call public transportation service that operates late nights and weekends to offer free safe rides anywhere in Laramie city limits. Download the UWYO SafeRide app to schedule and view wait and arrival times.
Wild Bunch is the official student section of Wyoming Athletics. Use the official Wild Bunch app to start earning points that can be redeemed at the University Store.
Learn more about these and other apps at www. uwyo.edu/step/apps.html.
All About Transfer Success
Approximately 40 percent of UW entering students are transfer students. Many of those students are coming from another university or, more commonly, a Wyoming community college. UW welcomes transfer students with special transfer funding awards and an office dedicated to their success.
“We want our transfer students to know they belong,” says Director of Transfer Relations Wendi Vanlandingham.
The Transfer Success Center at UW offers resources and support to students in the transfer process, working directly with these students and their sending institutions. Students considering transferring to UW can take advantage of the pre-transfer credit evaluation service, which provides an audit of how courses taken at a previous institution will transfer to UW. UW also takes part in an “articulation summit” each fall to help align curriculum with Wyoming’s community colleges to enhance the transition between institutions and the path toward graduation.
Vanlandingham is coordinating with offices across campus to better serve transfer students, including advising, career, mentoring, tutoring, McNair Scholars and student housing.
Transfer students had their own two-day Saddle Up experience in fall 2022, and the event will be growing and evolving in future years. Hear from transfer student Perlene Keller on page 24. Learn more about transfer resources at www.uwyo.edu/transfer
uwyo.edu/plantsciences
Transfer student Joe Riss, an accounting major from Longmont, Colo., enjoys helping other transfer students as a peer mentor.
Academic Everything
Discover what you need to know about academics — from advising to choosing a major and finding resources.
Choose a Major
When you tell someone you’re in college, their next question is usually: “What’s your major?” This leaves many students feeling pressured to pick a major before they even apply. However, up to half of UW freshman change majors. That’s why UW offers the exploratory studies track for incoming students. Students in exploratory studies can choose from six big-picture categories and begin exploring their interests with advising from the Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies (ACES) office. In addition to exploring through general education coursework and electives, students are encouraged to partake in experiential learning to help find their passions (see page 42).
Cowboy Coach Abigail Fry suggests doing job shadows, where you learn about a career by talking to and following people in that career. “I always knew I wanted to work in health care, and after shadowing my local pharmacies
in high school, I knew pharmacy was the right fit for me,” she says.
Freshman Trinity Nesser of North Powder, Ore., agrees: “I had no idea what I wanted to major in my senior year of high school, but thankfully I was able to do different job shadows, and those really helped me pick elementary education.”
Many of the students we interviewed emphasize it’s OK to switch majors. “When I first came to the university, I was a kinesiology major with intent to go into physical therapy,” says Cowboy Coach Avery O’Brien. “After my first semester, I decided the health care field wasn’t for me.” He ended up switching to finance (real estate minor). Luckily, UW has many majors and minors, he says, allowing you to find what interests you.
David Stotzer, a junior from Albuquerque, N.M., came into college undeclared and started exploring through his courses and internships. Those experiences led him to eventually decide on majoring in economics and
Pharmacy student Abigail Fry recommends job shadowing to help you choose your major and future career.
Academic
By Micaela Myers
marketing (honors minor). (Read more about his internships on page 42.)
When do you need to pick a major? Adviser Carly Page says that by the end of your first full academic year, it’s good to have a general idea of what you’re interested in and to lock in your major by the second year. While you can change majors later in your college career, it will likely mean tacking on time to get the courses completed.
“Personally, I don’t want students to get too hung up on the fact that a specific major leads to a specific career,” Page says. While this is true of certain careers like nursing, many careers today are accessible from a variety of majors. “For example, my degrees are in criminal justice and environment and natural resources, and I went straight into higher education,” Page says. “The life skills you learn while going through college and earning your degree can be transferable to so many different careers. Earning a degree opens up a lot of doors and opportunities for students.”
Make the Most of Advising
Your adviser will help you, as a student, register for classes and meet requirements, but that’s just the beginning. Advisers can also help you find resources and solutions to challenges. The more you communicate with your adviser and come to your appointments prepared, the more you can get out of the experience.
“Part of the process is to talk about what classes you need, but it’s the conversations and relationship you can build where so much more insight can come in,” says Advising Career and Exploratory Studies Academic Advising Manager Rebecca Despain. For example, share with your adviser your interests and what experiences you are looking for.
Cowboy Coach Emily Powell agrees: “I would recommend learning about your adviser and being intentional about those meetings. They are there to help you succeed academically, and they want you to succeed.”
Senior Toby Covill of Pinedale, Wyo., who is majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution (honors and geology minors), says, “Come prepared with information and topics you want to discuss when you meet with your adviser.”
Cowboy Coach Peyton O’Dougherty explains that advisers are also there to help when you run into challenges: “You can communicate with an adviser before anyone else, and they can guide you with next steps as well as provide resources.” She also suggests asking questions and requesting a four-year plan to stay on track throughout college.
Transfer student and senior Perlene Keller, a psychology major (honors minor) from Worland, Wyo., suggests talking to your adviser about your longer-term goals: “They are experts in their fields — connect with them regarding your professional dreams and aspirations.”
Lastly, make sure you’re aware of your registration time each semester, and be prepared, as classes can fill up quickly. Don’t wait until the last minute to make your advising appointments.
Ben Herdt, academic advising manager with Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies, conducts a mock interview with student Gabrielle Lubbers.
Find Academic Success
No one is good at everything, and succeeding in college requires different skills and study habits than excelling in high school. Luckily, UW is home to many resources, as well as caring faculty and staff who want you to succeed. From tutoring to counseling and many offerings in between, you can find the help you need.
Disability Support Services: “I have ADHD, and I struggle with things such as timeliness and focusing, so I have had to find ways to be successful,” says transfer student and senior Perlene Keller. “Utilize Disability Support Services on campus! They can provide accommodations for classes, and that helps alleviate the burdens you may face.” (Read Keller’s story on pages 24 and 75.) Learn more about Disability Support Services at www.uwyo.edu/udss
Tutoring: “Throughout my time on campus, I utilized tutoring on multiple occasions,” says Cowboy Coach Emily Powell. “It helped me out a lot when it came to classes like biology and organic chemistry.” Use the Penji app to find and book appointments, Powell advises. Learn more about free tutoring resources and supplemental instruction at www.uwyo.edu/step
WATCH A VIDEO “STEP TUTOR JENNA CROUSE”
CLICK OR SCAN THE QR CODE
Math and writing centers: At the Center for Assistance with Statistics and Mathematics (www.uwyo.edu/ mathstats/casm)
and the Writing Center (www.uwyo.edu/writingcenter), students can receive free math and writing help. “My favorite academic resource I have used at UW has to be the Writing Center,” says freshman Trinity Nesser. “I took almost all of my papers there for review, and the tutors were so helpful.”
Counseling: Sometimes academic challenges aren’t from the coursework itself but from anxiety, depression or other mental health issues. These affect many students, and UW provides free confidential resources, including the University Counseling Center (www.uwyo.edu/ucc).
Student Success Services: First-generation students, students with limited income and students with disabilities can apply to become part of the Student Success Services program funded by the U.S. Department of Education. The program helps with academic success, university connectedness, financial literacy and post-graduation and career planning. Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/seo/sss. These are just a few of the many resources available on campus. View a more on page 20.
The University Counseling Center offers free counseling services to students. Pictured, clockwise: Tedder Easton, multicultural specialist; Nick Livingston, AWARE graduate assistant; and counseling interns Autumn Holmes and Joey Cohen.
Student Tips
Take initiative: Unlike high school, most of your studying won’t be assigned homework but instead self-driven initiative to read, review and apply the material. Even before the semester starts, look over all course materials on WyoCourses and get organized using apps, electronic calendars and reminders, or a paper planner — whatever works best for you.
Learn time management: For every credit hour, plan for three to four hours of studying outside of class. “You may think you might have a lot of free time now that you’re in college, but you should devote much of that time to studying, or you may find yourself falling behind in your classes,” says Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan.
“When I started as a freshman, I learned just how important time management is,” says Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner. “It can be very hard to maintain a healthy balance between social life, work life and your personal life, so I have found that setting aside time each day in the morning or afternoon solely meant for studying worked best for me. My favorite place to study and get work done is on campus at either the library or in the Enzi STEM Building.”
The professors genuinely care about your success and love to help students in areas they might be struggling in. — Abigail Fry
Figure out what works for you: “One of the most important keys to success in college is learning how you study best and figuring out how to manage your time appropriately,” says Cowboy Coach Karissa Kiser. “A good tip is to utilize all your resources like tutoring, supplemental instruction, meeting with your professors and studying with peers. The more exposure you have to each of these, the better you can gauge what works for you and what doesn’t, and then you can start to develop useful, efficient and effective studying skills.” Go to office hours: “I really enjoyed going to my professors’ office hours,” says Cowboy Coach Abigail Fry. “The professors genuinely care about your success and love to help students in areas they might be struggling in.”
The Center for Assistance with Statistics and Mathematics offers free math tutoring. Pictured: Connor Thorpen leads a tutoring session with Mimi Tan and Connor Gililland.
Graduate With Honors
Incoming students from all majors can apply to join the UW Honors College and earn a minor in honors. The Honors College offers small unique transdisciplinary classes, a strong sense of community, priority registration, great housing, education-abroad options, and increased opportunities for research, internships and presenting work at national conferences.
“What I love about honors is all the unique opportunities it provides for students,” says Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan. “During my time in honors, I have been able to participate in incredible study-abroad courses, take classes on brand-new subjects I’ve never studied before, be involved in my first book club, attend conferences, and make meaningful connections with a community of like-minded students and faculty.”
Senior Toby Covill agrees: “I love how interdisciplinary it is. You get a lot of people from all sorts of majors, so you get to see a wide breadth of perspectives and beliefs.”
Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/honors
WATCH A VIDEO “EXPERIENCE THE HONORS COLLEGE” CLICK OR SCAN THE QR CODE
Harness Your Gen Ed Requirements
In college, your first two years will largely be devoted to general education requirements. Most requirements, however, have multiple options available. You can use these options wisely to either explore your interests or, in some cases, knock out a course that’s also required for your specific major.
“A lot of our general education requirements can be a double dip for a major,” says Advising Career and Exploratory Studies Senior Academic
Advising Professional Carly Page. “That’s a nice way to knock out a requirement and start to build major requirements.”
However, if you haven’t chosen a major or want to explore, these requirements are also a great place for that. “Look at your general education requirements as a fun way to experience something different, especially for our exploratory studies students,” Page says. “You can dip your toes into areas you’re not sure about. If you like it, you can pursue it further.”
EXPERIENCES OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM — FROM RESEARCH AND INTERNSHIPS TO CLUBS AND EDUCATION ABROAD — ENRICH YOUR LIFE AND PREPARE YOU FOR YOUR FUTURE.
DIVE INTO Experiential Learning
BY MICAELA MYERS
GET READY TO SOAR
Experiential learning encompasses a wide variety of handson experiences outside the traditional classroom. The University of Wyoming offers many such opportunities, including a variety of on-campus events, plus internships, jobs, undergraduate research, volunteer work, education abroad, recreation and the Outdoor Program, which you can read about on the following pages.
“Experiences outside the classroom can complement what you’re doing inside the classroom, whether you are applying what you’re learning in real-life situations or just gaining additional skill sets,” says Academic Advising Manager Rebecca Despain in the Advising Career and Exploratory Studies office. “Engaging in high-impact
experiences allows students opportunities to expand their horizons and build competencies that are valued and sought after by employers.”
Despain oversees UW’s SOAR Program, a platform that guides students in developing and identifying competencies in seven key areas. “The gamified systems lets students earn points and badges as well as provides a digital space to compile and reflect on their experiential learning,” she says. “When students understand the great impact these experiences have on their career and selfdevelopment, it allows them to share their unique story to employers and post-graduate programs.”
Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/soar.
JOIN CLUBS AND SOCIETIES
UW is home to more than 200 student organizations, which offers something for everyone. Some are for hobbies, such as fencing or swing dancing, while others are for academic, volunteer or other interests. The Cowbell platform lets you explore student organizations and find those that interest you (uwyo.presence.io). In addition, there are numerous honors societies, fraternities, sororities and the Associated Students of UW student government (ASUW). Even if you’re not sure whether a student organization is for you, give it a try. Getting involved helps you build networks, make friends, have fun and form connections. Joining a club or society also offers leadership opportunities.
Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner is a member of Sigma Delta Pi, the National Collegiate Hispanic Honors Society. “It has opened many doors for me and provided me with many opportunities,” she says. “I have been able to meet new people, get involved and have been given the opportunity to study abroad.”
Fellow Cowboy Coach Abigail Fry is a member of several student pharmacist organizations and serves as president-elect of the American Pharmacists Association chapter on campus. “These experiences have benefitted me not only by encouraging relationships with my peers, faculty and members of the community, but these experiences have also nurtured my professional development,” she says. Through this involvement, she volunteered for diabetes testing outreach programs and a program to safely dispose of unused prescriptions.
Coach Emily Powell is also a member of several pharmacy organizations, as well as the Christian Campus Ventures student chapter. She also serves as a Wellness Ambassador for the Wellness Center, which is part of campus recreation. “These experiences have provided me opportunities to find community and grow in my chosen career path,” she says.
Coach Peyton O’Dougherty joined a Freshman Interest Group as a first-year student, where she met her best friend (learn more about FIGs starting on page 28). “I also participated in several clubs including Rotary’s Rotaract, which has to do with volunteering, the Wesley Foundation involving campus community, and St. Paul’s Newman Center for college faith focus and formation,” she says. “I was also involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life as a member of Chi Omega for three years. This was an interesting experience, which shaped me in many ways as I took on leadership roles and made some strong friendships.”
Pharmacy student Emily Powell is a member of several clubs that have helped her grow and find community.
BY
APPLY FOR INTERNSHIPS
Internships have a strong impact on initial career outcomes for graduates. In addition, they help you explore whether a particular career is a good fit for you as you build your resume. Many internships are also paid, helping fund your education.
UW helps connect students with internships via its career centers and individual colleges and departments.
Gareth Flowers, now a controls and automation engineer for Patterson-UTI Drilling Co. LLC in Texas, graduated May 2022 with his degree in chemical engineering. During his time at UW, Flowers took part in undergraduate research and completed an internship with Sinclair Oil Corp., both of which helped him determine his career interests and swiftly land a job at graduation. You can read Flowers’s story starting on page 50.
Junior David Stotzer, an economics and marketing major (honors minor) from Albuquerque, N.M., completed an internship
with the UW Foundation his sophomore year. “It focused a lot on writing and editing various pieces for the UW Foundation,” he says. “This ranged from reports to press releases to social media posts, and it exposed me to a wide variety of writing styles. The internship also helped me become a more confident writer and editor, which has translated to the writing I do for classes as well.”
His internship was so successful that the UW Foundation hired Stotzer once again to support the work of the foundation’s marketing and communications department.
Student David Stotzer’s internship with the UW Foundation helped him become a more confident writer and editor.
PHOTO
AUSTIN JACKSON
CONSIDER UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH
Many students list undergraduate research as one of their most impactful university experiences. At UW, you can begin working with professors and graduate students on research projects as early as your first year. You can even earn money for college as you conduct this real-world research, via funding opportunities from programs including INBRE, EPSCoR, McNair Scholars, Wyoming Research Scholars, Engineering Undergraduate Research Scholars and the Wyoming NASA Space Grant Consortium.
Senior Toby Covill of Pinedale, Wyo., is majoring in biology with a concentration in ecology and evolution (honors and geology minors). He conducts undergraduate research in the fields of morphology and evolutionary biology through the McNair Scholars Program. Funded via a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, the McNair Scholars Program helps students from traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate education gain research experiences and prepare for graduate school.
“It’s so nice to be able to connect with other firstgeneration students and have support groups and resources all devoted to informing you about research and graduate school. I wouldn’t be as ready for graduate school as I am without the McNair Scholars Program,” says Covill, who is mentored by Department of Botany
Associate Professor Catherine Wagner and INBRE Outreach Coordinator Sean Harrington in the Wagner Lab. “Undergraduate research is a great way to build rapport with potential mentors, give you experience in the appropriate fields, as well as strengthen teamwork and communication skills. It can even help you to know what fields you’re interested in.”
Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan, a psychology and criminal justice major, also takes part in undergraduate research. “My experience with research has helped me grow as a student and has allowed me to discover how much I enjoy conducting psychological research,” he says.
Research opportunities are available in a wide variety of fields.
“Currently, I am working under Assistant Professor Yun Li as a research assistant participating in a study that focuses primarily on autism spectrum disorder,” says Cowboy Coach and physiology and Spanish major Sarah Griner. “This experience has offered me real-life laboratory and research experience, which I can apply toward my goal of attending medical school.”
If you’re interested in undergraduate research, talk to personnel and professors in your department, as well as your adviser, to learn more.
McNair Scholar Toby Covill (red shirt) conducts undergraduate research in the Berry Center with Associate Professor Catherine Wagner, graduate student William Rosenthal and Research Scientist Sean Harrington.
PHOTO BY KYRIESSA LANE
EXPLORE THE WORLD
UW is home to one of the largest education-abroad endowments of any public land-grant university. This financial support makes it possible to study abroad affordably. UW Education Abroad offers over 30 faculty-led programs annually as well as 400 other options, including 38 bilateral exchange partner programs. You can study abroad for a full academic year, a semester or over winter, summer or spring break. Students report education abroad is nothing short of life changing. It also helps prepare them for a global marketplace. “Study abroad has helped me mature and grow by allowing me to experience other world cultures,” says Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan.
The winter issue of UWyo Magazine was devoted to education abroad and all of UW’s international initiatives. Read more at uwyo.edu/uwyo. Visit the UW Education Abroad website at www.uwyo.edu/uwyoabroad .
TAKE UP SPORTS AND RECREATION
Taking part in sports and recreation is a great way to meet friends, have fun and maintain your physical and mental health.
UW’s Half Acre Recreation and Wellness Center offers students 17,625 square feet of workout space, with ample weight and cardio equipment, three multi-purpose fitness rooms, a cycling studio, a dance studio, a climbing wall, pools, a track, indoor soccer, plus courts for basketball, volleyball, badminton, racquetball and squash. Visit the Wellness Center to hang out in the Zen Den, enjoy the massage chairs, schedule a personal or athletic training appointment, or take part in a number of free programs that cover the range of wellness — mental, physical and financial. Students can also join one of 20 Club Sports or 55 Intramural Sports teams.
“I participate in various intramural sports such as flag football and basketball each semester, and those are such a blast,” says Cowboy Coach Avery O’Brien. “These experiences really helped me with making new friends and kept my competitive spirit going.”
Student Avery O’Brien enjoys participating in intramural sports like basketball and flag football.
Student Grant Dillivan in Athens, Greece, during the summer education abroad course “Stealing Culture: The Intersection of Criminal Law and Museums.”
YouRgaTewayGLoBaL
Supporting the international students and faculty of today. Preparing leaders for the challenges of tomorrow’s world. Creating life-changing international experiences. Building Wyoming’s global community.
Apply for a scholarship!
Contact us to learn about Fulbright opportunities.
| Intercultural community engagement
| Education abroad opportunities
| Grants, fellowships, awards
| Transdisciplinary exploration
| Workshops
| Faculty resources
| Student & scholar immigration support
| Language classes
| International research
| Global partnerships
| Student leadership opportunities
| Outreach
Learn about our programs at www.uwyo.edu/global
FIND ADVENTURE IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS
Wyoming’s amazing outdoor recreation is the reason many students choose UW. “UW is great for a lot of reasons, but I really love the people and also how easily accessible outdoor recreation is here,” says junior David Stotzer.
Laramie is surrounded by thousands of acres of national forest to the east and west as well as the Pilot Peak Recreation Area and Laramie River in town. Enjoy epic camping, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, fishing and mountain biking. In the winter, you can head west to downhill ski or snowboard at Snowy Range Ski Area, or head east to Happy Jack for groomed cross-country ski trails, snowshoeing or snow biking.
To help you take advantage of the amazing recreational opportunities, UW’s Outdoor Program offers equipment rentals — from kayaks to skis and everything in between — plus clinics, group outings and more. Whether you’re an experienced outdoors person looking for leadership opportunities or a newbie who has never tried something, the Outdoor Program is the perfect place to start.
“I enjoy backpacking, hiking and canoeing,” says senior Ki Radcliffe of Bentonville, Ark., who will soon graduate with degrees in studio art and environment and natural resources. “I chose UW because of how affordable it was, because it had good programs in
my intended areas of study and because of its location near great places for outdoor recreation.”
Radcliffe took part in a weeklong climbing trip before becoming employed at the Outdoor Program, where she took a wilderness first aid course and has led hikes, snowshoe trips, backcountry cooking clinics and introduction to climbing clinics.
“I enjoy leading trips and being outside,” Radcliffe says. “It is also rewarding to teach people new skills and to see people get excited about being outdoors. Being a trip leader has also taught me a lot of valuable leadership and risk management skills.”
Radcliffe encourages students to give the Outdoor Program a try.
“One thing I love about these programs is how accessible they are,” she says. “They provide students with the opportunity to get outside, explore local areas and learn new skills. Providing gear, transportation and instruction allows people to learn about activities that they might have otherwise.”
Learn more at www.uwyo.edu/rec/ outdoor-program.
It’s right under your feet at the University of Wyoming, with studies in hydrology, energy, critical minerals, climate, paleontology, environmental sciences, and more.
Degrees: Bachelor of Science in Geology, Bachelor of Arts in Geology and Earth Sciences, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Geology and Geohydrology, Bachelor of Science in Geography
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Careers: Environmental Sciences, Energy and Natural Resources, Exploration, Water Resources, Education and Research, Natural Hazards, National Parks, Government, and more!
TAKE THE NEXT STEP WITH US! Join Geology & Geophysics today at www.uwyo.edu/geolgeophys
Life After Undergrad
Students and administrators share their advice for entering the workforce or continuing on to graduate school. By Micaela Myers
Career Prep From Day One
Chrissy Renfro, the associate director of career development in the Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies Center, is a licensed career counselor. Renfro and her fellow career counselors help students early in their college careers to develop a clearer awareness of their interests, values and life goals, all of which contribute to confidently choosing a major. About half of all freshmen change their majors at least once, so this kind of intentional self-exploration is critical as you move through your early academic career.
“We welcome students to utilize our services at any point in their college career,” she says. “We help students find jobs, even part-time student jobs on campus, which is a great way to start developing some of those skills you will need. We help you identify and apply for internships, which is another great way to get that real-world experience as an undergraduate. We also help with resume writing, preparing for job interviews and negotiating a salary. We have career fairs where you can connect with employers and start having those conversations.”
It’s never too early to start these explorations. Attending career fairs in your first year will help you see what options are available. You may learn about jobs or internships you have never considered before. Renfro’s office also works with the UW Alumni Association, which connects students with alumni in various fields to learn more about those career options.
For students ready to enter the working world, they can help with all types of preparation.
“We coach students to think about the job interview as a two-way street,” Renfro says. “Instead of the employer deciding whether or not you get in, you’re also deciding if you want to work at that place. Is it a good fit for your goals and values? Think through those things ahead of time to ask questions.”
In addition to the Advising Career and Exploratory Studies Center, there are a number of college-level student success centers that offer career guidance and preparation, including the Susan McCormack Center for Student Success in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the Peter M. and Paula Green Johnson Student Success Center in the College of Business.
“I speak with my career adviser and the faculty in the College of Business student success center quite frequently about what life looks like after college and what opportunities I should be taking at this point in my college career,” says Cowboy Coach Avery O’Brien, who is majoring in finance (blockchain and real estate minors). “Finance is a very broad business topic. I have always been interested in entrepreneurship, economics and everything that comes with running a business. I felt as if finance was a great mix of each of these things.”
Learn more about the Advising Career and Exploratory Studies Center at www.uwyo.edu/aces.
From Graduation to Career
Gareth Flowers of Powell, Wyo., graduated in spring 2022 with his undergraduate degree in chemical engineering. Upon graduation, he took a job as a controls and automation engineer with Patterson-UTI Drilling Co. LLC in Texas.
“I ended up doing something very different than my degree,” Flowers says. “My specialty is software development on land-based drilling rigs. One thing that drives me is learning. Going to school for chemical engineering and developing software don’t go hand in hand. I started at ground zero and had to pick all this stuff up.”
Based on his experience, he advises students to keep an open mind as they job search.
You
never know where you’re going to end up. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Apply for different things, and you don’t have to take the first offer you get.
— Gareth Flowers
While Flowers’s job is different than his degree, many of the things he learned in college still apply, such as working collaboratively and thinking logically.
Patterson wasn’t the first place to offer him a job, but Flowers felt that the company’s interview process was more thorough and proved it was serious. Interviewing takes practice, which UW career services can help with. Flowers recommends paying attention to the questions interviewers ask, and don’t be shy about asking your own questions as well.
During his time as a UW student, Flowers did a number of things to prepare himself for the working world, including taking part in undergraduate research, going to job fairs and utilizing the Susan McCormack Center for Student Success in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences for resume help and job searches, including using the Handshake platform. Handshake is available to all UW students and lets you view and apply for jobs and internships, as well as find career fairs and other resources.
Flowers loves the company he’s working for and all the new things he’s learning but hopes to one day return to his home state of Wyoming.
Engineer Gareth Flowers
Several career fairs are offered each year at UW. Left: Student Sage Walton speaks with Christine Felke of the accounting firm Forvis during the College of Business’ spring career fair.
Considering Graduate School
While many students go from undergrad straight into the working world, others choose graduate school. In addition, many in the working world return to university to earn a graduate degree. While graduate school isn’t for everyone, those with graduate degrees earn, on average, more than those without and experience lower unemployment.
“Given the job market, graduate education is increasingly the best course of action,” says Vice Provost and Dean of the School of Graduate Education Jim Ahern. “There are a wide variety of options in graduate education.”
The options include professional tracks — such as speech-language pathology, social work, counseling, accounting, finance and MBA programs — and more traditional
In general, people who pursue a graduate degree earn more and have lower unemployment. Pictured: molecular and cellular life sciences graduate student Carl Litif.
academic programs that will take you into academia, research or technology. Students interested in a particular graduate program should begin by speaking to the faculty. If you’re not sure which graduate school path is right for you, you can visit with folks from the School of Graduate Education.
There’s also a lot you can do while you’re an undergraduate to prepare for graduate school, including getting involved in research and gaining work, internship and volunteer experiences.
The Advising, Career and Exploratory Studies Center can help you think through your personal statement for graduate school applications, while the Writing Center can provide feedback on the written statement.
UW makes graduate education affordable by offering graduate assistantships, including many teaching assistantships.
For many of our programs, 100 percent of their students are fully funded. — Jim Ahern
UW is, in many ways, the perfect-sized school — offering big-school opportunities and small school attention.
WATCH A VIDEO DAY IN THE LIFE OF A GRAD STUDENT CLICK OR SCAN THE QR CODE
“We have faculty conducting cutting-edge research,” Ahern says. “It’s top-notch research done in an environment where you’re not one of 150 in the program but one of 15 to 20. It’s a much more personalized approach Wyoming is able to offer.”
For Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner, the decision to go to graduate school was a nobrainer: She wants to become a doctor.
“As a freshman, I attended many of the career fairs put on by the university, which greatly aided me in making this decision,” she says. Griner also conducts undergraduate research in preparation for medical school.
Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan, a psychology and criminal justice major (honors and sociology minors), also conducts undergraduate research in preparation for graduate school. “This experience has been very beneficial, as research experience is highly sought after by graduate programs,” he says. “If any students want to get involved, you can simply ask professors in your major field.”
Senior Toby Covill participates in the McNair Scholars Program, which helps students from traditionally underrepresented groups in graduate education gain research experiences and prepare for graduate school. “I have extensively contacted a myriad of mentors from various institutions, as well as applied to potential funding opportunities and conducted research in the relevant field,” he says. “McNair Scholars has been crucial in my search, identifying schools, taking me through the application process and providing resources to visit schools.”
Cowboy Coaches Abigail Fry and Peyton O’Dougherty both utilized their advisers for help on the road to graduate school.
“I leaned on my undergraduate adviser a lot for help with applying to pharmacy school,” Fry says. “She helped me complete all of my national paperwork and schedule dates for my entrance exams and interviews.”
O’Dougherty says: “I relied heavily on my adviser and mother to discuss my plans after my undergrad. We decided that, for my specific degree and goals post-grad, obtaining my English as a second language certificate at the graduate level and a master’s degree makes the most sense.”
UW offers the chance to take part in cutting-edge research. Molecular biology graduate students Seungmee Jung and Jesse Kalekuuse use microscopy, biochemical and molecular experiments to study the molecular and cellular interaction between plant and fungal pathogens.
Grad student profile
Q&A With Graduate Student Alexandra Quinn-Parmely
Alexandra Quinn-Parmely earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from UW in 2022 and will graduate this year with her master’s degree in mental health counseling. She serves as a graduate assistant in UW’s School of Graduate Education and plans to pursue her Ph.D.
or personal connections. McNair Scholars was instrumental in gaining the knowledge to apply to graduate school and navigate what it means to be a graduate student.
During my undergraduate degree, I worked with the University Counseling Center as a work-study. The kind humans I had the chance to work with often supported me in providing so many personal development opportunities that I continue to be thankful for.
What did you do to prepare for graduate school?
What made you decide to pursue graduate school?
I originally chose to pursue graduate school because I wanted the skills to work with a diverse population of humans navigating their mental health. The work I want to do with people requires continuing my education to become a mental health counselor. On top of this, even during the times school has been challenging, I have always felt nourished and alive in the learning environment. The decision to continue my education past my master’s degree is partly due to my love for learning, to support future counselors in training and to continue growing in the profession of mental health.
What are your tips for students when considering graduate school vs. workforce?
Keep an open mind, be flexible and trust the universe’s timing. Your plans for meeting your goals may not work out right away, and that is OK, even if it doesn’t feel that way in the moment. Entering the workforce after graduating with my bachelor’s degree was not my original plan, but it proved to be exactly what I needed at that time in my life and helped me clarify my own goals for future education.
What UW programs and resources were helpful to you as you prepared for graduate school?
As a first-generation college student, I worked closely with Student Success Services and the McNair Scholars Program during my undergraduate studies. Student Success Services offered me advice and support throughout my undergraduate degree, whether through educational resources
Beyond the application materials, I would recommend identifying your passion and how graduate school would support following that passion. Graduate school can be incredibly taxing at times, but reflecting on your passion can be supportive in the application process and throughout your degree.
What programs and resources are helpful to you as a graduate student?
Being connected to my cohort has been incredibly supportive, as I have navigated becoming a counselor. The connection and kindness offered by all members of the counseling program have dramatically impacted my ability to succeed in my graduate degree. I imagine that many graduate programs can sometimes feel isolating, but building a community outside of my program has been equally beneficial. Without a variety of kind humans by my side, I would struggle greatly. Do what you can to build connections in and out of your program.
How does UW make grad school affordable?
I feel incredibly fortunate to have had access to a graduate administrative assistantship to help me fund my master’s degree. My assistantship has been incredibly supportive in navigating graduate education and finances and allowing me the time to focus on my studies and work with clients.
What are your future career plans?
At this time, I am applying for the mental health counseling Ph.D. program. I am excited to continue working with individuals and groups to provide counseling services to the community. At this time, I am inclined to continue working with adolescents and families at Cathedral Home. I feel especially connected to working with those navigating the complex effects of experiencing trauma.
Interns Meet the
By Tamara Linse
UW students Katie Welniak and Payson Birkeland have served as the University of Wyoming Alumni Association’s (UWAA) interns. These talented individuals are making a big difference for alums while furthering their career goals, and we are so lucky to have them!
Katie Welniak
Where are you from? My name is Katie Welniak, and I have lived in Laramie most of my life. I am the middle of five children and have two amazing parents — Randy and Wendi Welniak —who have instilled the Brown and Gold spirit in me from a young age. I graduated from Black Hills State University in 2022, where I played volleyball for
four years and earned my bachelor’s in communications studies with minors in Spanish and business administration.
I am now a first-year master’s student working toward my master’s in communication while simultaneously working
as a graduate teaching assistant teaching public speaking here at UW.
What has influenced your direction in life? Something that influenced my life greatly was being able to study abroad in Spain in 2022. I was able to live three months in Valencia and work at a local marketing firm, where I was able to connect with like-minded people to learn so much about the field of social media and improve my Spanish skills. Not to mention, I also got engaged to my fiancé there!
What do you do for the UWAA? At the UWAA, I am primarily a web and social media intern. I was able to redesign and restructure the UWAA website over the summer and work toward improving our social media through introducing different trends, creating content and getting more involved with our UWAA community. This internship has been so valuable toward my future career path and life experiences. I have made great connections with community members, the UWAA team and the UW Foundation team as well.
What are your future plans? My future career plans are still up in the air, but I look forward to pursuing a career in the
communication field. I have interest in continuing to teach at the university level as well as expanding my web design business, KW Marketing and Design. I’ve also always been interested in following in my dad’s footsteps by working in athletic administration, so if that is where life takes me, I would be thrilled too. As for my personal plans, I am getting married in the summer of 2024 to UW alum, former UW Cowboy football player and current UW law student Jackson Marcotte.
Payson Birkeland
Where are you from? My name is Payson Birkeland, and I am a senior at UW studying professional sales and marketing. I grew up in Aladdin, Wyo., and attended high school in Belle Fourche, S.D. I come from a family of five — my dad Clay, my mom Melinda, and my brothers Cain and Riley. The three of us kids are triplets, and my brothers have always been my biggest supporters and my best friends. What has influenced your direction in life? A time that my life course was changed and I was incredibly influenced was when I took my first sales class with Molly Burchett.
Molly introduced me to one of my many passions — bringing value to key stakeholders and consumers. Molly quickly became my mentor, and she expressed confidence in my abilities and helped open numerous doors for me. Molly has helped me reach so many goals set in college. Without Molly and her incredible mentorship, I would not be half of the person I am. The College of Business truly has amazing faculty members!
What do you do for the UWAA? When I was a digital engagement intern at the UWAA, I was mainly focused on social media and engagement with community members. I spent my time scheduling social media posts, engaging
with followers and learning how to interact with potential and existing donors through various digital channels, including infographics, social media, messaging, magazines and journalism, and other specialties. This experience has allowed me to grow personally and professionally. I would not trade it for the world! I have made some lifelong connections through the UWAA and would encourage everyone to take this internship.
What are your future plans? Currently, I am working part time with Mesa Solutions at its research and development headquarters in Loveland, Colo. This marketing internship will turn into a fulltime position as a marketing
coordinator in May! I am very excited to move into this next chapter of my life — however, I will forever hold a very special place in my heart for Laramie and UW. This university has raised me and has built the person I am today. I am so thankful for all of the memories and connections.
MICHAEL BLANEY AND HIS FAMILY ARE A UW LEGACY.
For so many people, UW is family — not only while they’re here, but also long after they leave. For alum and Wyoming native Michael Blaney, UW is family for even more reasons — most of his family members for generations are alums.
Blaney is the UWAA’s new digital engagement and communication coordinator. He is a Cheyenne native who graduated from UW with degrees in elementary education and marketing. In the College of Business, he was the community service officer for the UW Ethics Club, and it was there that he met his wife, Kenna, who was club president. Before coming to the UW
Alumni Association, Blaney founded a digital marketing business, Brand Haüs Consulting, and served as its website developer and brand strategist.
“The culture at the UWAA is very warm, and I’m trying to pass that along,” Blaney says. “Working at a nonprofit, you help people make connections. All the people who have helped me and given me so much — I have a lot of gratitude for the experiences I’ve had. I’m helping others and helping enrich that connection and bringing them back as well.”
Blaney’s whole family attended UW. First was his grandfather, Keiji “K.G.” Okano, a Wyoming native who served
By Tamara Linse
in the U.S. Army during World War II, earned a doctorate, taught high school and served in the Wyoming Department of Education. Blaney’s grandmother, Shirley, earned a business degree at UW. Their siblings got degrees from UW, their kids got degrees at UW, and their kids’ kids got degrees — including Michael.
Blaney’s mom, Kathryn, earned her civil engineering degree at UW and worked at the Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality before staying home to take care of Blaney and his three brothers. His father, Dan Blaney, earned degrees in finance and management information systems from
Matt, Josh and Michael Blaney biking at Happy Jack.
UW. His three brothers — Danny, Josh and Matt — came to UW for degrees in computer engineering, finance/MBA and computer science.
There’s another great UW tradition — meeting your spouse. Dan and Kathryn met in the Union, and Michael and Kenna met in the College of Business.
The family connections run even deeper — attending Cowboy basketball games, for example — and include philanthropy. Kathryn and Dan established the Keiji G. and Shirley S. Okano Memorial Scholarship in Business that supports juniors, seniors and graduate students majoring in business at UW.
Education has always been a part of Blaney’s life. His grandfather was a role model, but a more immediate inspiration was his 10th-grade science teacher, Lee Geopfert. “He really made a connection for me,” Blaney says. “I wanted to do that for other people.” And do it he did. His first degree was in elementary education, and he taught fourth and sixth graders at Pioneer Park in Cheyenne. And now it’s come full circle — he’s starting to see some of the students he taught in grade school coming to UW.
After teaching for a while, though, Blaney realized that that wasn’t what he wanted to do for the long term, and so he came back to school to get a marketing degree. He’s always loved marketing and was active in DECA in high school, and his dad had had a great experience in the College of Business. The connections he made there brought him to his current position at the UWAA.
Blaney’s advice to students? “One of the things I wanted to change when I came back was being more involved and be part of the UW community,” he says. “The connections you make will keep following you down the road and enrich your life in ways that you can’t really foresee.”
“Working alongside my wife, Kenna, and the rest of the UW Ethics Club’s officer team to plan club meetings and develop the UW SparkTank initiative are some of my most cherished memories. Participating in the Daniels Fund Ethics Consortium Case Competition was also a highlight. It allowed me to bond with our coach and the rest of the team through hard work and good times.” — Michael Blaney
“My most favorite memory at UW was meeting my husband, Michael, in the spring of 2019. We talked outside of the College of Business for what felt like 15 minutes but ended up being over an hour, and we’ve been together since. I’ve always loved being on the UW campus — the campus is beautiful year-round, and it is a welcoming space for all. I’ve loved attending basketball games since before my time at UW, and I look for any chance I can get to be in the Double A. I can’t thank UW enough for providing me with such a high-quality undergraduate and legal education.” — Kenna Blaney (wife)
“What I remember most about my time at UW: It was a challenging, rewarding and an affordable education. I was able to work and pay my way through. Amazing basketball. We had to stand in line for student tickets to watch! UW was my second home. I never felt like I was away from home when I was at school.” — Dan Blaney (dad)
“The College of Engineering prepared me for a professional career with innovative professors and such a welcoming environment. The opportunities to experience artistic and athletic events were also a valuable part of my education at UW.” — Kathryn Blaney (mom)
“My freshman year at UW, I became an avid explorer of the facilities. Before graduating, I took my mom on a tour of all the facilities, and it’s a memory we often reminisce on.”
— Matt Blaney (brother)
“I attended UW because it is a family tradition and because I want to follow in my aunt’s footsteps by becoming a good electrical engineer.”
— Josh Blaney (brother)
“UW provides a great atmosphere that is fun to learn in. As a university that our whole family has attended and achieved success at, it feels like an academic home.” — Danny Blaney (brother)
Top to bottom: Kenna and Michael’s wedding; Dan and Kathryn; Matthew’s graduation; Danny with son Harrison.
student
“As
experiences my favorite at uw
“As a student I was in Chi Omega and ASUW (student government), which allowed me to gain invaluable leadership skills that have brought me many career opportunities, taught me the importance of service to my community, and has given me friendships that will last a lifetime.”
a student-athlete at UW I met my wife, Jenna, where we began living our dream life together while staying connected to our alma mater.”
– Jack Tennant UWAA Executive
Director
– Liz Rader Haigler UWAA Board Member
“Spending time with Peg Tobin was always a delight.”
– Jane Farrell UWAA Board Member
Nycole Courtney knows student success inside and out.
By Tamara Linse
Nycole Courtney is the UW dean of Student Success and Graduation and the associate vice president for Student Affairs. Her job helps all students thrive at UW and successfully earn their degrees while preparing for life after college. Before this role, she led efforts within Student Affairs on student welfare, sexual misconduct, disability support services and student conduct. Prior to UW, Courtney held similar roles at Laramie County Community College.
The Student Success and Graduation Hub only existed as a spark of an idea until three years ago, when it became a full-fledged department. As the pandemic mounted, the need for a heightened dedication to student success became apparent, and Student Success and Graduation was born. The novel, high-impact practices the unit has come to specialize in make UW a pioneer in this area.
But Courtney knows student success not just from her incredible work in Student Affairs — she first discovered the need for dedicated support programming from her time here at UW as a student. She has earned three degrees from UW as a first-generation transfer student.
Courtney grew up in Riverton, Wyo. She was the first in her family to attend college and learned the ropes of higher education with no guidance. She had been active in student government in high school and received a scholarship to Central Wyoming College, where she studied for a year and a half before transferring to UW. Her parents’ income narrowly disqualified her from receiving a Pell Grant, so she too worked to support her way through college.
“Being born and raised in a small town, there were a lot of expectations for you to stay and keep doing what you’re doing, but I knew I needed to do something else,” Courtney says. “I paid for college
all by myself and figured out how to navigate college all by myself.”
Courtney endured dark times during undergrad, but a few people stepped in and made all the difference: “Some of my advising team and faculty were like, ‘Don’t quit. You can do this.’ I wouldn’t be here without them. There’s that
moment where you meet someone who genuinely cares about you and thinks that you are capable, regardless of what barriers you might face. They genuinely want you to be successful. That’s when it clicked. So now I want to pay it forward.”
If you are a student and need help during the semester, check out the Student Success and Graduation Hub at uwyo.edu/student-success , or contact them at ssgraduation@uwyo.edu or (307) 766-5765.
John Stark turned his passion for UW into a dedicated career.
By Kaitlyn Polley
John Stark’s experiences have given him a passion and love for the University of Wyoming, Laramie and the Wyoming community. From anticipation for students arriving in the fall, to the excitement of football games, to the feeling of community that UW fosters, he has a fondness for UW that stayed with him after leaving Laramie — and then returning.
Stark is a UW alum and serves as president and CEO of the UW Foundation.
“UW exists in a happy medium,” says Stark. “It has all the benefits of a large-scale school while maintaining a small-school atmosphere. Being the only university in the state, UW is able to make all of Wyoming feel like one community.”
In 1986, Stark graduated from UW with a bachelor’s degree in finance. He went on to earn his J.D. from the University of Oklahoma and
returned to Wyoming to work as an attorney in Jackson.
Then, in 2000, Stark decided he was ready for a change and came back to UW to work as associate athletic director in UW Athletics and executive director of the Cowboy Joe Club. He then moved to the UW Foundation in 2006 to serve as vice president for development.
Now, in 2023, Stark is the president and CEO of the UW Foundation. In reflecting back on his time at UW as a student, he recognizes the invaluable experiences and opportunities he had.
“No one plans to become a leader of the university they attended,” says Stark. “However, the passion, the love, the community at UW is what always kept it in my mind. Being a UW student was special, and coming back to UW for much of my career, I am able to feel that same special experience.”
As a member of Greek life in college, Stark was exposed to leadership opportunities at a relatively young age. “I didn’t realize it at the time, but those experiences were a great training ground for what I would experience professionally in terms of leadership and organizations.”
Between his education as a student and his passion for the university, it was inevitable that Stark would eventually return.
In his current role at the UW Foundation, Stark makes a profound impact on current and future UW students by growing the foundation and its network — which grows investment in UW. Whether it’s through endowments for student scholarships, finding support for faculty research, or renewing and adding new spaces to the UW campus, he is making lasting impacts on UW students of today and tomorrow.
Stark’s time as a UW student was foundational in starting his career, and ultimately it was also what brought him back to lead the UW Foundation.
ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT
Reinette Curry helps UW’s Native students thrive.
By Tamara Linse
Reinette Curry helps UW’s Native American students thrive — something she comes by naturally as a director, as a tribal member and as a mother.
Curry is the director of UW’s Native American Education, Research and Cultural Center. Her tremendous energy not only established the center and supports all UW’s Native students, but it is also extending the center’s impact in ever-widening circles. “The center is crucial to the success of Native students,” says Curry. The center was just awarded the 2023 Outstanding Indigenous Student Support Program by the Indigenous Peoples Knowledge Community from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators.
Located just across the street from Old Main, the center offers a safe space for Native students to study, relax and find community, as well as reaching out to the Wind River Reservation and beyond. It also educates non-Native students on Indigenous culture. The center opened its doors in 2017. At one time, Curry was the only staff member within the center, but she has recently been named the director and has full-time staff and student interns to support her efforts.
“The two things that drive me in this job are to manage this whole center and to be there for my Native students,” Curry says. “Now I’m actually seeing come to fruition some of the things that I’ve advocated for.”
Curry has a real drive to succeed and to lift up those around her. She is enrolled in the Northern Arapaho tribe but also has roots in Pyramid Lake Paiute and Northern Ute tribes, and one son is also Eastern Shoshone, and the other son is from the Crow tribe. Her parents, Ralph Curry and the late Becky Sage, were a huge inspiration for her, and they really emphasized higher education and provided support. “I owe a lot to the people before me,” Curry says.
Just as Curry was branching out from her home on the Wind River Reservation, her family was growing — she was pregnant with her eldest son.
When she was expanding her horizons through education here at UW, her son was taking his first steps in the Union. “My whole undergraduate years were having him next to me, no matter what,” she says. “My whole adult life, I’ve been a mother.”
From UW, Curry earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education with an emphasis in cultural diversity and a minor in American Indian studies, and then she earned a master’s degree in social work. She was named the Student of the Year in the UW Division of Social Work and the 2017 recipient of the Dr. Willena Stanford Commitment to Diversity Award.
Curry’s life is overflowing with her position at the center, with her accomplishments and with her family — her children Hudda, Rhaelle and Riquell Curry and Rylee Tendore. She and all the families continue to raise them together, as she truly believes it takes a village to raise children.
Now that son whom she took to class has grown up, plays basketball and is in college himself. In February, he and his high school sweetheart, Halle, had their first child, Hayzlee Bryant Redsun Curry. “I’m a grandma,” Curry says with a wide smile. “It’s come full circle.”
And that son recently told her, “I’m not worried about being a young dad and also being a student because I have the best role model.”
BY
PHOTO
AUSTIN JACKSON
YOUNG ALUMNI ADVICE
her what it meant to have grit and gave her what it takes to be a Cowboy. She learned how to roll with the punches, not just academically but with life in general.
Eisenhauer also recognizes the importance of the people you surround yourself with. Going to college during a global pandemic might have been the most impactful experience of her student career, but it was the community that made the ordeal not just survivable but enjoyable.
“During COVID, I was able to lean on my friends, and we were able to get through it together,” Eisenhauer says. “I met my roommate freshman year, and we lived together all through college. These really are lifelong friends that I’ve made.”
Eisenhauer also met her boyfriend of four years at UW. “He has had such a positive impact on my life,” she says. “And our 1-year-old golden retriever, Flynn, are big parts UW gave me!”
But, like all good things, Eisenhauer’s time as a student eventually came to an end. As she reflected on her undergrad, she realized how quickly the time flew by.
To Samme Eisenhauer, UW is community.
By David Stotzer
To alumna Samme Eisenhauer, UW is more than just a school — it’s a community. What it means to be a Cowboy goes far beyond the alma mater that we all share.
Eisenhauer recently graduated with her degree in marketing and now works for the UWAA, so she has a unique perspective on the university and what it means to be a student. “Being an alum has really expanded my love and appreciation for the university, the state and everything that we stand for,” she says.
And it’s not just the Cowboy way of life and beautiful outdoors that Eisenhauer appreciates about Wyoming. “I never had that community feel until I came here,” she says. “Wyoming — and especially the university — is a community.” UW helped Eisenhauer grow as a person and has helped her always find the positives in a negative situation.
Eisenhauer was one of many UW students who lived through online learning during the COVID pandemic, and she says that that experience taught
“Life’s too short to be in a major that doesn’t suit you and doesn’t make you happy,” she says. “If I could give a student one piece of advice, it would be to take every opportunity you can get.”
Since starting her position as executive assistant with the UW Alumni Association, Eisenhauer’s favorite part has been bringing excitement back to the university’s alumni: “It’s so impactful, seeing that glow and excitement when you take alumni to events.”
And the Wyoming community extends far beyond our state’s borders. Having traveled with the UWAA to numerous different states, Eisenhauer has seen people’s love for the brown and gold all across the country.
It’s not just when she’s at work that she experiences this love, either. She remembers a personal trip to Washington, D.C., where she was wearing a UW sweatshirt and saw someone with a UW hat on. “We just started chatting,” she says, “and it struck me how crazy that was, that there are Pokes from one side of this country to the other.”
For Eisenhauer and many others like her, UW is a community — one that lasts, one that has spread far and wide, and one that changes lives.
Discovered and summarized by Emmett Chisum Special Collections staff and Jennifer Kirk
Students participating in the 1956 Homecoming parade in downtown Laramie.
A student “hitting the books” within the stacks of UW Libraries.
Citation: The University of Wyoming 1983 Wyo. Hebard LD6268.W86 V.65 1983 pg. 74. UW Libraries Emmett Chisum Special Collections.
Members of the Interfraternity Council (IFC). IFC is the official governing body of the fraternities at UW. The council’s responsibility is to uphold the agreed-upon standards and values of their respective chapters for the betterment of the chapters as well as the fraternal and campus communities.
Citation: The University of Wyoming 1948 Wyo. Hebard LD6268.W86 V.35 1948 pg. 144. UW Libraries Emmett Chisum Special Collections.
Student roommates washing dishes in their dorm room.
Citation: The University of Wyoming 1989 Wyo. Hebard LD6268.W86 V.71 1989 pg. 97. UW Libraries Emmett Chisum Special Collections.
PHOTO BY GINGER NIPPS
WYOGRAMS
By Michael Blaney
Alumni, we want to hear about your professional successes! Mail career, publication, art, certification and other professional accomplishments to: WyoGrams/Career Celebrations, UW Alumni Association, 222 S. 22nd St., Laramie, WY 82070 or email us at uwalumni@uwyo.edu. Photos may also be sent to uwalumni@uwyo.edu for consideration. Please note that WyoGrams/Career Celebrations with “Exp.” next to a name mean that an alum was expected to graduate that year.
Career Celebrations
Andrea Myers, B.A. ’96, English, just released her debut novel, Behind the Wire. This literary work is a historical fiction novel inspired by a packet of letters sent to the author’s grandmother by four American soldiers and a German prisoner of war being held at Camp Scottsbluff during World War II. Behind the Wire is available online or can be ordered at local bookstores.
Andrew Joannides, B.A. ’11, communication, recently became the new executive director for Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom. Joannides’ professional journey began with his first undergraduate internship. This internship helped Joannides find purpose in his educational experience. His time at UW taught him the importance of developing responsibilities as a young adult, effective time management and personal growth. Although Joannides initially aimed to become an athletic director, his passion for
education and supporting young individuals in his community led him on a different path. Today, he shares his knowledge and experience with young minds, empowering them to succeed. His advice to current and future UW students is, “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable, but never sacrifice your quality of life.”
Anne Butcher, B.S. ’01, political science, is putting her political science degree to use as an elected member of the Greenville Town Council and appointed member of the Planning Commission and Sanitary Authority. She is also president of the Greenville Area Public Library Board of Directors and president of the Greenville High School Band Boosters.
Anne Mason, B.F.A. ’11, theater performance, is the founder and producing artistic director of Relative Theatrics and received the Governor’s Arts Award in late February for her substantial contributions in Wyoming that exemplify a longterm commitment to the arts. Mason’s accomplishments have been driven by her passion for transforming theatrical skills and lessons into tools for all aspects of community, industry and humanity.
Bill Dalles, B.A.S. ’18, secondary agriculture education, received the Teachers Turn the Key Award for his previous work at Weston County School District 7. The Association for Career and Technical Education VISION
PHOTO BY DEBI SPENCER-ZERBY PHOTOGRAPHY
presented this award to Dalles during the National Association of Agricultural Educators convention in Las Vegas. Dalles now teaches agriculture education at Wheatland High School in Platte County School District 1.
Christina Perry, B.S. ’98, international studies, earned a Doctor of Education degree in leadership and learning in organizations from Vanderbilt University. Perry completed her doctoral classwork with a 4.0 GPA, a testament to her dedication and commitment to academic excellence. While working as a project manager for Peregrine, she earned her M.S. in project management from Southern New Hampshire University. In January 2020, Perry was accepted into the leadership and learning Ed.D. program with Peabody College at Vanderbilt. Her research focused on improving outcomes for youth growing up in state care.
Cindy Fester, B.A. ’83, journalism, was a true pioneer in women’s sports. As the assistant media director and the first publicist for Wyoming Cowgirl athletics, Fester played a vital role in the Cowgirls’ success as they began competing in the Association for Intercollegiate Athletics for Women, the precursor to the NCAA. Her inspiring work helped to open doors for countless female athletes. As we mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX, we remember Fester and many other trailblazers who progressed equal opportunity in sports in educational institutions that receive federal funds — from elementary schools to colleges and universities.
Debra M. Bulluck, J.D. ’18, law, has joined Moss & Barnett’s family law team. In her new position, Bulluck will be helping clients with complex family matters.
Before joining Moss & Barnett, Bulluck clerked for the Honorable Mary Madden in the 4th Judicial District, Hennepin County Family Court, and she served as the legal assistance for the Victims Project Attorney at Standpoint.
Dennis Nagel, B.S ’75, finance, MBA ’76, business administration, published The Riders Club, a vigilante justice novel. In this novel, Tom, a retail store owner, is tired of being repetitively burglarized. So, when his riding buddies suggest solving the mystery, it is easy for Tom to jump into the saddle. But they get mixed up in something much bigger than the three friends can handle. You will be turning pages while you enjoy the ride.
Elaine Walrath, B.F.A. ’03, broadcasting, theater and dance, began her new job as an editor for NBCUniversal. Looking back at her time at UW, Walrath credits the Theatre department
HOW CAN ALUMNI HELP STUDENTS?
RECRUITING
PHILANTHROPIC SUPPORT HIRING OPPORTUNITIES
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WYOGRAMS
for teaching her how to tell a good story and collaborate with creative people on a deadline. Broadcasting taught her the more technical aspects of entertainment and provided her with her first chance to use a nonlinear editing program, which was still relatively new at the time. Walrath still remembers the day she packed everything she could fit in her Honda Accord and made her way to Los Angeles. She didn’t know what to expect in this exciting new chapter of her life, but she knew the unknown offered her more exciting possibilities than fears. Her advice to current and future UW students: “There are usually at least three ways to do something and get the same result. Find the one that works best for you, but it will also help you to learn all three.”
Grace Godfrey, B.A.S. ’98, secondary agriculture education, is a secondary agriculture education teacher and Future Farmers of America advisor at Washakie County School District 1. She received the CASE Innovative Program Award from the Association for Career and Technical Education VISION during the National Association of Agricultural Educators convention in Las Vegas.
Greg Q. Butcher, B.S. ’00, psychology, B.S. ’01, zoology and physiology, was recently named vice president for academic affairs and dean of Thiel College in Greenville, Pa. Butcher began at Thiel in 2014 as an associate professor of neuroscience and chair of the Department of Neuroscience. In 2018, he took on the role of associate dean for student success and played a crucial part in Thiel’s strategic
PHOTO BY JULIO BUSTOS
plan. He launched and supported initiatives to strengthen student engagement and was integral to developing Thiel’s new graduate programs. Under his leadership, the Langenheim Memorial Library, the Learning Commons and Career Development Center initiated programs to support students and strengthen collaboration with academic departments, alums and parents. Butcher is looking to leverage Thiel’s strengths to innovate, collaborate with faculty and staff to advance academic excellence, partner with community organizations, and support all students as they grow and learn at Thiel.
Jacob Haseman, J.D. ’07, law, has joined the Beatty & Wozniak as a shareholder based in the Sheridan, Wyo., office. Haseman focuses his practice on onshore development and regulatory work in front of the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and similar regulatory bodies. Traditionally focused on oil, gas and water, Haseman’s legal expertise and
client base spans several sectors, including title examination, litigation surrounding oil and gas, real property, contracts and title issues, real estate transactions, eminent domain, and various title and contractual surface issues for a variety of parties in the energy and natural resources industry.
Rodney Lester, B.S. ’86, computer engineering, was recently promoted as principal customer technical program manager for Amazon Just Walk Out Technology for Amazon Web Services. Lester began his career as a systems and software engineer at General Dynamics in San Diego. He then transitioned to a startup where he built electric power plant training simulators before entering the internet industry at America Online in Irvine in 1999. His engineering degree instilled a love of learning, and he gained valuable leadership experience through his involvement with the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, the Joint Engineering Council and Phi Beta Phi. Lester is proud to have
enjoyed a full-ride scholarship, allowing him to start his career free of debt. A fun fact about Lester’s time at UW is that his twin brother also attended UW and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. Lester’s advice to current and future UW students: “Take chances. Be a manager sometime. Writing skills are a key to greater success.”
Zoe Nelson, M.S.T. ’17, environment and natural resources, started a new job with King Conservation District as an education program manager. Nelson has worn many hats before starting this position — from counting owls to catching frogs and spotting moose. Nelson has been guided by her passion for conservation and responsible use of natural resources. When asked how UW has helped her reach her
career goals, Nelson responded: “I owe so much of my success to my graduate school adviser, Ana Houseal, and the Science and Math Teaching Center. They supported my dreams and gave me the space to creatively obtain my master’s degree.” Nelson credits her master’s program with preparing her for the incredibly collaborative nature of the conservation world and providing her with a foundational understanding of how environmental policy and interdisciplinary partners can be utilized to effect positive change.
Nelson is thrilled to have landed a job in the science education realm in Washington State’s King Conservation District, doing impactful work to connect community members with natural resource best management practices.
Obituaries
Cynthia Evans West, B.A. ’53, music education, 11/15/2022. Evans West of Marine on St. Croix, Minn., died at home Nov. 15 at the age of 91. Married to Frederick S. “Fritz” West, she is survived by two daughters and two sons — Melanie Lewis (Paul Johnson), Gwendolyn Countryman, Kevin R. Lewis (Janine Eastep) and Tom Weisinger (Kathy Bauman) — and five grandchildren — Eileen Lewis, Ester Lewis, Zoe Lewis, Michael Countryman (Tiara) and Naomi Countryman — and her first great-grandchild is on the way.
Joseph Thomas Curry, B.S. ’47, electrical engineering, 4/10/2022. Curry spent his life loving three things: microelectronic engineering, performing as a violinist and all things outdoors. He worked mostly as the
WYOGRAMS
supervisor of research and design groups for Convair, MartinMarietta and Boeing. Curry also worked on creating circuit boards instead of vacuum tubes for some of the first satellites, the Lunar Rover and many other fascinating projects.
After retiring from engineering, he purchased horses and an alfalfa ranch in Okanogan, Wash. Curry thoroughly enjoyed all the vast backcountry Okanogan had to offer. When he wasn’t enjoying the backcountry, Curry spent time as a concert master for the orchestras in his community. He and his wife of 52 years, Elma (a concert pianist), performed on countless stages. They were also the leaders in establishing the fabulous performing arts center in Omak, Wash. Curry hunted and fished until he was 95 and played his violin until he was
96. He is survived by one of his daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Tim Walter, B.S. ’76, animal science, M.Ed. ’85, adult education, 6/26/2022. Walter began his teaching career as a UW 4-H educator and extension agent in Natrona County from 1977–79 and in Campbell County from 1980–89. His 4-H enrollment in Campbell County exceeded the rest of the other counties combined. Walter and several key leaders introduced the shooting sports program to Wyoming and was a shooting safety instructor for many years. He received the 4-H Distinguished Service Award in 1989. After leaving Extension, he became a professor of agriculture business at Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington from 1990–2010, receiving the Educator of the Building A Better Wyoming Award
you know a deserving alum?
Recognizes UW alumni who have made a difference in the lives
UW alumni who have graduated in the last 10 years and distinguished themselves through a high level of professional accomplishment in their career
Year award for 2009–10. Walter also enjoyed coaching basketball, baseball and soccer teams. He is survived by his wife, Jancy (DeBolt) (B.S. pharmacy ’79), and three sons, one of whom also has a degree from UW (John, Pharm.D., ’07), motherin-law Janice Dominy DeBolt (B.S. home economics ’56), five grandchildren, and sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews. His deep bass voice joined the SugarValley Barbershop Singers and the Community Presbyterian church choir in Lingle, as well as the Lingle Men’s Group choir. Walter served one term on the UW Alumni Association Board of Directors and served several years on the board of directors for Points West Bank. He and his wife founded Community Drug in Torrington, where they were joined by their son John.
uwyo.edu/alumni/about-the-uwaa/uwaa-alumni-awards nominate them for one of our annual awards Voting Deadline July 31, 2023
Life Member Service Award
Recognizes a UWAA Life Member who has shown outstanding and exemplary service primarily on behalf of or for the UWAA and the UWAA community.
Susie McMurry Was a Quiet Force of Nature
SUSIE’S LIFE
SUSIE MCMURRY AND HER HUSBAND MICK “BUILT A BETTER WYOMING” AND A BETTER UW.
SBy
Tamara Linse
Susie McMurry’s life can be measured by the immense hole that has been left in her wake — she always thought of others first. She was a teacher, a philanthropist, a wife, a grandmother, and a dedicated and kind-hearted member of her community. The philanthropy of Susie and her husband, Mick, has built a better Wyoming — and a better University of Wyoming — which was always their goal. Her passing in January is a deep loss for the state.
“Our University of Wyoming family mourns the loss of Susie McMurry, whose extraordinary generosity has had a profound and positive impact on this university and the state of Wyoming,” says President Ed Seidel. “We all know the McMurry name is synonymous with ‘building a better Wyoming,’ and Susie’s transformational support of UW has been life-changing for so many students on our campus.”
McMurry was a quiet force of nature. She was “an incredible combination of strength, courage, grace and dignity with a witty sense of humor who made a lifelong commitment to serving others” (as mentioned in a tribute to her life).
“Susie McMurry was a special friend and an extraordinary person,” says UW Foundation President/CEO John Stark. “Her generosity of spirit, her commitment to helping others and her enduring love for her family will always be an inspiration.”
Susan Kay (Warburton) McMurry grew up in Elk Mountain and Hanna, with what she called “a wonderful childhood.” Her parents ran a motel and gas station, with the whole family
Susie and Mick McMurry. UW FOUNDATION PHOTO
pitching in with the cooking and housekeeping.
McMurry attended Casper College to earn an associates degree in education and then to UW to earn a bachelor’s in elementary education with a minor in vocal music. She taught first grade at Crest Hill Elementary in Casper and supported and volunteered for numerous organizations. She also served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Natrona County.
She met Mick McMurry on blind date, and in 1973 they married. Together, Susie and Mick raised two daughters, Trudi and Jillian, and fostered countless children. Together, they were a powerhouse of community and philanthropic support.
“Susie paid it forward in the most extraordinary ways, and Wyoming’s university is better because of her dedication to giving back to her alma mater,” says UW Foundation Board Chair Mary Shafer-Malicki. “Her life’s work was about helping others and making a difference — a legacy that will live on for generations."
Her husband Mick grew up in Casper, earned a business administration degree from UW and served in Vietnam, and then he and his brother Vic founded McMurry Brothers Construction, which served Wyoming transportation needs.
Then Mick joined his father, along with John Martin, to form McMurry Oil Co. They developed the Jonah oil and gas field. After that company was sold to Alberta Energy Co., he formed McMurry Energy, which was sold to Shell. McMurry then founded Nerd Gas Co.
In 1998, the couple founded the McMurry Foundation, which supports education, religion, children and advocacy for children, health and human services, the arts and humanities, and favorable business environments. The impact of their
support can be seen across Casper and across the state.
“Susie was an inspiration to us all,” says UW Director of Athletics Tom Burman. “She cared so honestly about people and about how they were doing — truly one of the most loving people I have ever met.”
IMPACT ON UW
The McMurrys’ philanthropy at UW has included the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, UW Athletics, the UW College of Business, the UW College of Education, the University Plaza and Conference Center, UWCasper, the UW School of Nursing, the UW College of Law and the Wyoming Technology Business Center.
“The philanthropy of Susie — together with her beloved late husband Mick and the McMurry Foundation — changed the physical landscape of UW,” says Seidel. “Susie made a lot of dreams come true on this campus. We will be forever grateful for her commitment to UW. She was truly a difference-maker.”
Especially close to Susie’s heart was their support of Western Thunder Marching Band, students of nursing and UW’s student-athletes.
“Susie’s passionate support of the Western Thunder Marching Band continues to offer UW students a top-notch collegiate marching band experience and the opportunity to make lasting musical memories while proudly representing the Brown and Gold,” says Joseph Carver, director of Western Thunder Marching Band. “Susie was the first member of the band’s Hat Club and is one of the reasons that our uniform features our classic cowboy hat. We will remember her ear-to-ear smile and welcoming hug as the band would play for her. The band brought her such joy. We will miss her tremendously.”
“The Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing has been blessed by the support of the McMurry family and
the McMurry Foundation to support the school’s mission to improve, protect and promote health,” says Sherrill J. Smith, dean of the Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing. “We are especially appreciative of the funding for a faculty member and professional development to support mental health education for our students and our practice partners in Wyoming. In addition, our BRAND second-degree students have benefitted from the generosity of the McMurry family for scholarships and financial support for their success to take on a new career as a professional nurse.”
“Susie had an impact on UW Athletics and its student-athletes that
She cared so honestly about people and about how they were doing — truly one of the most loving people I have ever met.
— Tom Burman
was profound,” says Burman. “During COVID, she became concerned about their mental health and well-being and wanted to make sure we were doing everything possible to support their needs. She and Mick made Wyoming a better place to live and, for that, we should all be grateful.”
“Susie was one of UW’s most amazing supporters but, more than that, she was one of the most gracious and kind people I’ve ever known,” says Stark. “We are all blessed to have known Susie, and the impact she made with her philanthropy is simply remarkable.”
“On behalf of the UW Foundation Board, we express our lasting gratitude and deepest condolences to the McMurry family,” says Shafer-Malicki.
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Interested in applying? Contact us at sss@uwyo.edu
My Biggest Challenge
Students share their college challenges and how they overcame them.
By Micaela Myers
Many people describe college as the greatest time in their lives — a place they made lifelong friends, had a ton of fun and new experiences, and found out who they were and who they wanted to be. But just like any other phase in your life, college also comes with challenges. Luckily, the University of Wyoming is here to help you with any difficulties you face. We interviewed current students about their challenges and the resources that helped them overcome.
Single Mom and First-Gen Student
Cowboy Coach Abigail Fry of Afton, Wyo., is about to become a pharmacist, but her path hasn’t been easy. “My biggest college challenge is navigating being a successful firstgeneration student as well as a single mom,” she says. “I had my daughter one month before I started my freshman year here at UW. As you might imagine, I was not financially capable of attending school full time and putting my daughter in child care. Due to this, there were many classes I missed, many late nights studying to catch up and quite a few times where I sat in the back of the class because my daughter had to attend class with me.”
Luckily, the UW community rallied around Fry to help her make it through. “Before coming to UW, I heard many statements like ‘The sense of community is unmatched’ or ‘Laramie is a tight-knit community,’ and I didn’t understand the full extent of those statements until I tried to balance being a mom and a student,” she says. “I had wonderful
teaching assistants who would let me bring her to tutoring sessions, and I formed relationships with new friends who offered a lot of help in my times of need.”
The pharmacy faculty also provided support. “For example, one of my professors helped me get connected to a preschool that my daughter is now enrolled in; my daughter is invited to many of the events put on by the program; and my professors offer Zoom links or extra tutoring if I need to stay home to take care of her,” Fry says.
Student success means different things to different people, and UW is dedicated to a personalized approach. Fry says, “Balancing being a successful first-generation student as well as a single mom is not easy and is one of the greatest challenges of my whole life so far, but thanks to the relationships and connections I have formed along with the support of a university that is dedicated to student success, I am overcoming one day at a time.”
Being a first-generation student and single mom to daughter Ellie was challenging, but Abigail Fry found a supportive community at UW.
COURTESY PHOTO
Healthy Mental Health
According to the Healthy Minds study, more than 60 percent of college students during the 2020–21 school year met the criteria for one or more mental health problems. These struggles are common, and it’s OK to ask for help.
The University of Wyoming offers many resources to assist, including the University Counseling Center, the Psychology Center, Student Health Service, Disability Support Services and the Wellness Center.
“My biggest college challenge thus far has been battling my mental illnesses,” says transfer student and psychology major (honors minor) Perlene Keller of Worland, Wyo.
“Before I started at Central Wyoming College, I never received mental health care. Thanks to the resources on campus, I began my journey of healing. Once I got to UW, I found a really great doctor in Student Health, who has also advocated for my best health interests. Thanks to her, and the Psychology Center on campus, I’m receiving the treatment and care that I’ve needed for so long, and I’m getting better day by day.”
The COVID-19 pandemic also heightened stress, anxiety and feelings of isolation for all ages and levels of students around the world.
“I believe that my biggest college challenge was maintaining my mental health during the fall of 2020 upon our hybrid return to campus during COVID-19,” says senior Cowboy Coach Peyton O’Dougherty, an elementary education and special education major (Spanish minor) from Littleton, Colo. “I lived in my sorority house and was struggling to stay focused and motivated with school and to interact with my peers.”
Social distancing and frequent testing were trying.
“Additionally, returning to in-person classes and reconnecting with friends seemed increasingly difficult after being away from Laramie for the latter half of my freshman year,” O’Dougherty says. “My anxiety spiked, and I sought help from the University Counseling Center after a recommendation from a close friend. With this free
Thanks to the resources on campus, I began my journey of healing. — Perlene Keller
inclusive resource, I was able to see some serious recovery and find effective tools for my anxiety in a helpful, effective and unbiased way. The minute that I began to surround myself with healthy habits, positive people and a whole lot of grace, my life began to change for the better!”
At the beginning of his sophomore year, junior Cowboy Coach Grant Dillivan, a psychology and criminal justice major (honors and sociology minors) from Powell, Wyo., experienced a major health crisis. “I had to go back to my hometown for a period of time, and I had to change all of my in-person classes to online ones very suddenly,” he says. “This situation was very stressful and took a major toll on my mental health. I was able to get through it with the support of my friends and family, as well as with the help of campus resources. The Dean of Students Office did so much in helping me change my classes, and the UW Counseling Center gave me a nonjudgmental space in which to talk about and come to terms with what I was going through.”
Aleah Bierzer leads a mindfulness class for students at the Wellness Center.
Academic-Life Balance
College is much more rigorous than high school and requires different study habits. For Cowboy Coach Sarah Griner, a senior from Casper, Wyo., majoring in physiology and Spanish, the biggest challenge was finding balance between her academic and personal life. “In high school I was able to maintain a 4.0 while taking honors and AP classes with minimal effort and made the assumption that this would continue to be the case in college,” she says. “I was not prepared for or expecting the intensity of the courses I would take, and it became very disheartening when I would study for hours and still not earn the exact grade I wanted. I had to reassess and change my study habits and techniques, so I began to attend supplemental instruction sessions and started going to tutoring. UW offers many great resources that are meant to be used. By figuring out what works for me personally when it comes to studying and getting my work done, I was able to better manage my schedule and maintain a personal life while still being successful in my studies.”
First-Year Homesickness
Believe it or not, most freshmen experience homesickness. While you may be an adult ready to experience college life, leaving behind your hometown, friends, family and pets is difficult. It’s natural to feel homesick from time to time.
“When I first came to UW, I was extremely homesick,” says freshman Trinity Nesser, an elementary education major from North Powder, Ore. “I’d cry almost every night because of how much I missed home.”
Making connections helps, Nesser says: “I don’t have much trouble talking to people and building different relationships with people, which has led me to find the closest thing to a second family I can have. I still call my mom, sister, brother and grandma very often and fill them in on my college life.”
Nesser’s advice is to stay active and involved: “I think the most important thing to keep me from getting depressed and homesick is going to classes, getting my homework done and participating in different activities like floor and dorm hall activities, late-night events at the Union and also doing things off campus.”
Nesser says, “Going to college is such a privilege, and even though it has its major challenges, there are so many ways to overcome the hard times and stay focused on all of the good memories you are making.”
Self-Doubt
“The biggest challenge I have faced in college is the feeling of defeat and selfdoubt,” says Cowboy Coach Karissa Kiser, a junior from Littleton, Colo., studying physiology (professional writing minor). “This can come in so many ways, such as getting a bad score on an exam, seeing your peers having an easier time than you, or just feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted from everything that is going on in multiple difficult classes. The feeling of defeat used to weigh down on me so much, and I would start to let it deplete my confidence in myself and began to doubt my ability to achieve my goals or be as good as my peers.”
Taking care of her physical and mental health and getting more involved on campus helped Kiser work through her self-doubt. “I overcame this challenge by making sure that I was devoting time and energy to taking care of myself, exercising regularly — thanks, Half Acre! — reassuring myself that I am capable of anything I put my mind to, and getting involved in extracurriculars like Greek life. I started cultivating and fostering the relationships with people that made me feel good about who I am. That gave me another area of my life where I was succeeding and doing well so that I could feel satisfied in more areas than just school alone.”
It also helped Kiser to stop comparing herself to others and to realize that her self-esteem wasn’t tied to her academic performance. “The best way to overcome these feelings is by having grace with yourself, understanding that sometimes the success is in how you overcome the obstacle, not losing faith in yourself, and surrounding yourself with people
I started cultivating and fostering the relationships with people who made me feel good about who I am. — Karissa Kiser
who are as invested in your success and happiness as you are,” she says. “College is an extremely difficult nonlinear journey, and it takes a lot of patience and resilience. I think the hardest lesson we learn from the time we graduate high school to the time we graduate college is understanding that we are human, and it is OK to get knocked down. The true lesson is in how you pick yourself back up and continue to fight on for your dreams and your future.”
Karissa Kiser navigated her college challenges by taking care of her health, getting involved on campus and surrounding herself with supportive friends.
Those Few Dollars Make A Huge Difference
GEOLOGY ALUM ROY SHLEMON SUPPORTS STUDENTS — FROM UNDERPREPARED UNDERGRADUATES TO GRADUATE STUDENTS INVESTIGATING THE QUATERNARY PERIOD.
By Tamara Linse
“How I got to Wyoming is a strange and wonderful thing,” says donor and alum Roy Shlemon, who is originally from Northern California.
Shlemon graduated from Modesto High School in the early 1950s. He hadn’t been a particularly highperforming student, and because it was the Korean War era, he knew he would join the National Guard and then go on active duty. “The one thing I learned in the Army is ‘I don’t want
to do this. There has to be more to life than this,’” says Shlemon.
Shlemon got out of the military on a Sunday night and on Monday morning enrolled in his local community college, Modesto Junior College. “Unfortunately, I had no money, no experience and no mentors,” he says. Also, as a first-generation American and a first-generation college student, he had no guidance. He did well at the junior college and while there took an introductory course in historical geology. Required to declare a major, Shlemon decided that geology would be the field.
He then decided to get a bachelor’s degree and applied to colleges. His ’41 Chevy Coupe couldn’t make it over the pass to Berkeley, so he went down the valley to Fresno State College (now university) and majored in geology. That led to his first introduction to Wyoming when he took his mandatory geology field course near Dubois in the Wind River Mountains.
After Shlemon graduated with his bachelor’s degree in geology, the job market was in a slump. He decided to go to graduate school in Wyoming. This was before computer
communication, and long-distance calls were expensive, so he just showed up in the Department of Geology and Geophysics office in January with his GI foot locker in tow. Fortunately, the office staff helped him find a place to live. “They were so kind,” he says. In addition to graduate courses, Shlemon wrote his thesis primarily on geological mapping near Thermopolis under thennew faculty member Donald Boyd. Shlemon earned his master’s degree from UW in 1959.
He went on to a very successful 40-plus year career as a consulting geologist and philanthropist. He returned to California to teach at junior colleges and then earned his Ph.D. in geology at Berkeley. He taught at universities such as University of California Davis and Los Angeles, Stanford University and Louisiana State University. Shlemon started his own company and continues to consult on large engineering geologic projects around the world.
He highlights the importance of enthusiastic mentors in the success of students: “Almost invariably it’s a faculty member who steers a student. The student takes the course, and
Roy Shlemon
the student has good vibes from that person, and they continue in that particular field. Ninety percent of it is personality.”
Later in his career, Shlemon reconnected with his alma mater. He returned to UW to give lectures, to serve on the UW Foundation board and other boards, and to support the university with his philanthropic dollars. In addition to giving to programs across campus, Shlemon has established the following funds.
The Roy J. Shlemon Endowment for Student Success in Math and Science supports student mentors in the UW Synergy Program who help STEM students (science, technology, engineering and mathematics).
The Roy J. Shlemon Fellowship Fund supports graduate students in geology and geophysics who are conducting field studies.
The Roy J. Shlemon Endowment for Quaternary Studies creates and supports the Roy J. Shlemon Center for Quaternary Studies.
He is particularly enthusiastic about supporting students. “For a student, those few dollars make a huge difference,” Shlemon says — something he knows from experience.
Roy Shlemon fell in love with Wyoming and geology during an undergraduate field course in the Wind River Mountains. Pictured: Wind River Canyon.
A Day in the Life
STUDENT-ATHLETES HUNTER MALDONADO AND HAILEY ZUROSKE SHARE THEIR SECRETS TO SUCCESS.
By Micaela Myers
The University of Wyoming is home to a number of Division 1 athletic teams, including basketball, football, cross country, track and field, swimming and diving, golf, tennis, volleyball, soccer and wrestling. It’s no easy feat being a student-athlete. Here, two student-athletes share how they achieved success on and off the field.
BASKETBALL PLAYER HUNTER MALDONADO
Hunter Maldonado is one of the most decorated basketball players in Cowboy history, becoming the first player to earn Mountain West Player of the Week three times in the 2021–22 season. He was also named Oscar Robertson
National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association and named First Team All Mountain West. This season, he became the only college basketball player to have 1,500 points, 600 rebounds and over 550 assists. For the Cowboys, Maldonado is the all-time leader in games played and starts.
His off-the-court accomplishments are just as impressive: Maldonado earned his bachelor’s degree in economics and finance and is now working on his master’s degree in finance. He also recently completed an investment analyst internship with the UW Foundation.
“It was a lot of fun, and I learned a lot,” he says of the experience. “I was very appreciative to be able to do that.”
Maldonado grew up in Colorado Springs and leaped at
Hunter Maldonado
the opportunity to play for UW. He finds Wyomingites welcoming and genuine.
But succeeding in a demanding major while excelling on the court hasn’t been easy.
“You have to have really good time management skills,” Maldonado says. “You have to stay on top of everything. You have to plan your week out ahead of time. When I was taking six classes a semester, I’d wake up, go to weight training, then to practice, then sit in class for several hours, then go home and do homework and study.”
He says other students may not realize the amount of time that goes into being a student-athlete. On top of games and practice, they have to review film, weight train and do many other things behind the scenes.
Maldonado plans to play basketball as long as he can and then transition into finance. The No. 1 thing UW has provided him, he says, is many positive connections: “Being here for six years, I’ve met a lot of people. That has put me in a good position for my future.”
VOLLEYBALL PLAYER HAILEY ZUROSKE
Hailey Zuroske just completed her senior year of eligibility in volleyball. Last fall, she was named to the College Sports Communicators All-District Team and finished the season as one of only two Cowgirls to appear in all 120 sets, with 442 digs (averaging 3.68 digs per set), a mark that ranked her
fourth in the Mountain West. She also led the team with 29 aces in 2022.
Like Maldonado, Zuroske chose a challenging major and is now in the graduate student portion of her pharmacy degree.
When she first visited Laramie from her hometown of Omaha, she fell in love with the beauty, friendly culture and the state support for UW Athletics. She soon learned that support included her professors, who went out of their way to accommodate her demanding travel schedule.
“It’s always been my dream to be a pharmacist,” Zuroske says. “The support I’ve gotten has been amazing. The travel weeks are the hardest, because I had to make up the classes I missed. Also, it was a lot of studying on the road, which wasn’t easy, but it was something I became pretty good at.”
Her schedule during volleyball season often included weights in the morning, then home to pack for the day, then four hours of class, study time, then practice.
“Something other students might not realize is how much you have to give up,” Zuroske says. “Your priorities have to be school and volleyball. I had to focus to maintain good grades. My break was going to practice. It’s hard to balance all that.”
One of her highlights was helping coach children’s volleyball camp each summer. “I love interacting with the kids who come to our games,” Zuroske says.
Her advice to incoming student-athletes is to schedule everything, including fun time with friends.
“I would say to challenge yourself,” Zuroske says. “You can do anything.”
Hailey Zuroske
Learning on All Levels
THE UW ART MUSEUM OFFERS PROGRAMMING FOR ALL AGES.
By Michelle Sunset, Curator
University of Wyoming Art Museum
Master Teacher Emily Conner orchestrates arts learning opportunities for artists working at all levels, from pre–K through post-grad. While Conner’s focus is leading pre–K through 12th grade field trips to the museum from Albany County and beyond, she and her team accomplish much more than that. Conner leads four teaching artists who assist in designing and implementing the museum’s suite of four recurring programs, each with a distinct target audience. Art Buffet is an intergenerational family program once per month, TOAST (teen open art studio time) is for teens once per week, Art Explorers is for pre–K learners, and Art Connect is an elementary-level afterschool program integrating art and literacy.
The teaching artists, under Conner’s supervision, each take ownership of one of the programs, though the team is highly collaborative. Mentoring the
teaching artists is one of Connor’s favorite roles at the Art Museum. She says they are “really receptive to feedback, phenomenally collaborative and creative.” Conner adds that she is “excited by the fresh ideas they bring to the table.” Her passion for mentoring these emerging professionals trickles down throughout the work this team accomplishes. In 2022, it hosted over 1,300 pre–K through 12th grade students on field trips, 160 highschoolers in UW’s pre-college residential summer programs, and 574 participants in intergenerational programming.
Additionally, the team hosts preservice teachers gaining practicum hours in UW’s art education program in the Department of Visual and Literary Arts. These highly capable students work alongside teaching artists to gain experience leading children and families in an
art museum classroom setting. Through the College of Education, Conner also teaches the course Art in the Elementary Classroom, in which she instructs pre-service elementary school teachers about art integration methods for math, science, language arts and social studies. One of Conner’s favorite activities from this course is a trip to the Williams Conservatory on campus. During this field trip, students apply “close looking” techniques learned in the Art Museum’s galleries to observe botanicals and to investigate how they can integrate these strategies and artmaking into science lessons in their future classrooms.
Conner and the teaching artists also serve young artists in the community through the Art Museum’s annual summer camp. They develop engaging artmaking activities related to exhibitions on view in the Art Museum, so each year is different. In 2022, the team engaged 57 students aged 6–13 in three summer camp sessions. Conner and the education department at the Art Museum provide important opportunities for learners to practice close observation of artwork, analysis and meaning-making through in-gallery discussion and hands-on art making. Her passion for working with school-aged children and mentoring emerging teachers furthers the Art Museum’s mission to share in the transformative power of art. To be inspired by the team of teaching artists, be on the lookout for upcoming programs for learners of all ages!
Master Teacher Emily Conner in the classroom studio with young artists.
Teaching artist Faith Lind practices close-looking with students.
TOP 3 TOP 3
THINGS TO DO IN LARAMIE
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EXPLORE
THE MANY WONDERS AND OPPORTUNITIES THERE ARE AROUND CAMPUS
We know your interests and passions go beyond the degree you're seeking. At the University of Wyoming, you'll have the chance to develop your multimedia skills in Studio Coe, dive into culture and history with our many museums, grow your love for gardening at William's Conservatory and so much more!
From joining student organizations, to having fun at campus events, and hanging out in the Union with your new friends, at UW, you’ll develop life-long relationships. 2 2
THE OUTDOORS, EVEN IF YOU'RE NOT AN OUTDOORSY PERSON
Besides the limitless fishing and camping spots, all of our trails, skiing and snowboarding opportunities, there's still plenty to do out in the wide-open spaces of Laramie. There's over 15 city parks to enjoy and our downtown has plenty of outdoor seating. There's also Prexy's Pasture on campus that is always full of dogs playing catch and people enjoying the sun.
