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University of Wyoming

College honors distinguished alumnae, former faculty

The University of Wyoming College of Education honors the class of 2004 at its second Distinguished Alumni and Former Faculty Award recognition celebration Friday, April 16, in the Wyoming Union Family Room.

Distinguished Former Faculty Award recipients are Jessie Mae “Holly” Halsted, Glenn Jensen, and Maurice Wear. Distinguished Alumni Award honorees are Susie McMurry and Josephine “Jo” McCue Temby.

Halsted came to UW in 1933, where she spent most of her years teaching in the Lab School. Halsted taught in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction from 1965-1971. Known as “Holly,” she supervised and served as mentor to generations of student teachers. Halsted passed away in 1985. A scholarship in her name supports outstanding elementary education majors.


Jensen directed the college’s graduate program in adult education and instructional services from 1964-1979. Under his stewardship, the department gained national exposure. Jensen’s work with graduate students and extensive service in the state earned him the affectionate name of “Mr. Adult Educator.” The International Adult and Continuing Education Hall of Fame inducted Jensen in 2003.

Wear served the College of Education for 25 years (1966-1991) as a faculty member in educational administration, department head, and associate dean. His legacy is serving the students and practicing administrators in Wyoming in the area of school law. Known for his integrity, genuine honesty, positive nature and professionalism, Wear received overwhelming support for his nomination.

Born in Hanna, Wyo., McMurry received her BA in elementary education from UW in 1970. A classroom teacher and lifelong advocate for children in need, Susie is one of the founding members of the Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) and the Child Advocacy Program. Susie has been a foster parent for more than 17 years; she also donates both her time and resources to several organizations in Casper. With her husband, Mick, Susie formed a family foundation in 1998 to share their abundance and help people in Wyoming.

Wyoming native Temby received both a bachelor’s (1944) and master’s degree (1964) in elementary education from UW. She taught at Beitel School in Laramie for nearly 30 years. Temby also served on numerous committees and held offices in the Albany County Education Association. With her former husband, Jo reared two children, both UW graduates: John, now a family physician in Wisconsin; and Jan, a schoolteacher in Colorado. Jo resides in Sun City, Ariz., with her husband, Robert Temby. A granddaughter, Kimberly, continues the family teaching tradition.

Reservations for the recognition luncheon may be made to Sandy Dalles, 307-766-6357 or sdalles@uwyo.edu, by April 2.