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University of Wyoming

Distinguised Alumni and Former Faculty     

The University of Wyoming College of Education community gathered Friday, Nov. 3, to recognize four exemplary careers during its fourth Distinguished Alumni and Former Faculty Recognition Program.

Recipients of the 2006 Distinguished Alumni Award are Diana J. Ohman and D. Ray Reutzel. This year’s Distinguished Former Faculty Award recipients are Agnes M. Milstead and James “Jim” Zancanella.

Career opportunities have taken Diana Ohman thousands of miles from her rural Wyoming roots. Now based in Germany, the Sheridan native has been director of Department of Defense schools in Europe since August 1999. Ohman received two degrees from the College of Education, a B.A. in elementary education in 1972 and an M.A. in educational administration in 1977. Diana’s service to Wyoming included 19 years as a teacher, elementary school principal, and special education director. She was Wyoming superintendent for public instruction and, after that assignment, superintendent of Laramie County School District 1 in Cheyenne.

Ray Reutzel received his B.A. in elementary education in 1977 and a Ph.D. in education in 1982. Reutzer’s distinguished career includes service as a public school teacher (kindergarten, first, third and sixth grades), higher education faculty member and administrator. Currently, he holds the Emma Eccles Jones Distinguished Professor and Endowed Chair of Early Childhood Education at Utah State University. Reutzel played an integral role in developing Brigham Young University’s nationally celebrated Public School Partnership. The author of more than 150 publications has not lost sight of his commitment to K-12 students – he spent his sabbatical teaching first grade at Sage Creek Elementary School in Utah.

Agnes Milstead, also an alumna (B.A. ’59, Elementary Education), worked closely with College of Education students throughout her tenure as a university librarian. Milstead encouraged students to consider how strong libraries might not only meet their instructional needs but how they might provide spaces for students expand their horizons and foster lifelong learning skills. Milstead’s commitment to the University Libraries and their capacity to support students and faculty has taken other forms as well. She was a founding member of the Library Associates. In addition, she established the Agnes Milstead Distinguished Librarianship Award, recognizing Libraries faculty, and the Milstead Endowment, which funds library purchases and a visiting library program.

Jim Zancanella served on the College of Education faculty for 30 years, where he taught business education and served 17 years as Vocational Education Department chairperson. Passionately committed to business and vocational education, Zancanella assumed leadership roles in state and national vocational education organizations. He was a member of the Mountain-Plains Business Education Association for more than 40 years, a member of the National Business Education Association board for nine years, and a member of the State Economic Education Council. Zancanella also was a gifted grant writer, securing a $300,000 grant for equipment for the industrial arts addition and grants totaling more than $3 million for the Vocational Education Department.