UW Gift Enhances Experiences for Students and Athletes While Supporting Faculty

Paying it forward. Investing in the future leaders of America.

These simple concepts of generosity and commitment are at the core of a generous gift to the University of Wyoming that will have a lasting impact on students, faculty and the university community. The gift will establish three funds that will directly support students and faculty in the Center for Professional Selling, the dean of the College of Business and UW Athletics.

The donor is an alumnus of UW and has asked to remain anonymous, but the gift’s impact on the educational experience, athletics and faculty support will be felt for generations. Students will benefit from scholarships, travel and competition expenses and stipends. The faculty component will help UW recruit and retain promising sales program faculty.

“Along with helping us retain talent and remain competitive in marketing and sales, this generous gift also is helping us launch a nationally prominent guest speaker series,” says Scott Beaulier, dean of the College of Business. “We have been able to bring Nobel Prize winners and Fortune 500 CEOs this year, and these experiences for our students are possible because of this support.”

The gift’s primary goals are to enable the long-term success of UW; to set a positive example for the university community; and to support the success of students in their journey toward personal and business success. It’s a fundamental belief in the circular economy -- a virtuous circle of giving that raises the bar of opportunity for students and sets an example for others to step forward and support causes important to them.

“The young adults entering UW today are the future leaders of our communities and businesses,” the anonymous donor says. “Supporting their future success starts by investing in their personal and professional growth today. It’s important we all remember where we started and how we benefited from the generosity of others to help us get to where we are today. I hope this gift is a catalyst for others to provide similar support.”

Beyond the classroom, the gift will benefit the UW Athletics Difference Makers Campaign, which supports renovations to War Memorial Stadium and the construction of a new competitive pool. Renovations include new amenities and game-day enhancements such as upgraded concessions, premium loge seating, seat backs, new restrooms and improved Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility. It also will fund a visiting coaches’ area and a visiting team locker room.

The new competitive pool facility will create a world-class aquatics center. The centerpiece will be a new 50-meter by 25-yard pool and a new 3-meter and 1-meter springboard. Additional plans include renovated team rooms and locker rooms; training and lifeguard rooms; a visiting coaches’ area; a visiting team locker room; a new seating area for spectators; and both dryland and wetland training classrooms.

“We are grateful to this dedicated and enthusiastic UW donor for the generous gift and commitment to UW Athletics,” UW Director of Athletics Tom Burman says. “Our student-athletes, our fans and the university community will benefit from having some of the best athletics facilities in collegiate sports.”

Making UW an even more attractive place for students to learn and grow is what inspires the donor’s commitment and support to UW. It is anchored in a strong belief that UW is a special place because the students who attend come from different walks of life and backgrounds. Making a quality education accessible, affordable and attractive to future students is a collective responsibility -- one the donor hopes will inspire others to carry on the university’s rich tradition.