More than three decades after Governor Stanley Hathaway created
the state's Permanent Mineral Trust Fund, whose income pays for state
government operations, the Wyoming State Legislature adapted that idea
to support higher education in Wyoming.
In 2005, state lawmakers created a scholarship fund with a $400 million
permanent endowment, whose income funds scholarships for qualified
Wyoming high school graduates to attend the University of Wyoming or any
of the state's seven community colleges. They honored Hathaway's many
contributions to the state and accomplishments by naming the scholarship
program for him.
Born in 1924, Hathaway grew up without many advantages. While he may
have had plenty of excuses to fail in life, he was anything but a
failure.
After attending the University of Wyoming and serving his country in
World War II, Hathaway returned to Wyoming and established himself as a
successful attorney in Torrington following his graduation from the
University of Nebraska. Later, Hathaway became Goshen County attorney
and was elected governor of Wyoming from 1967-75.
At his 1970 inauguration, Hathaway said, "We must all work together to
build a better Wyoming." The Hathaway Scholarship program makes
attending college possible for Wyoming high school graduates who qualify
with both merit- and needs-based scholarships. Participation in the
Hathaway program has more than quadrupled at UW since its launch for the
2006-07 school year. This year, 3,732 students were awarded
scholarships to the university, nearly 1,000 more than the previous
year. The first awards in 2006 brought 857 students to UW.
Hathaway died in October 2005, at age 81.
