Laramie One of Country's 40 Best College Towns

Aug. 11, 2003 -- Laramie, home to the University of Wyoming, has been named by Outside magazine as one of the 40 best college towns in the United States.

In its September issue, Outside ranked "the top 40 schools where you can hit the books and the backcountry ... You'll come for your B.A. (Bachelor of Adventure) and want to stay for life." According to the article's introduction, the magazine narrowed its list to the schools that "turn out smart grads with top-notch academic credentials, a healthy environmental ethos, and an A+ sense of adventure."

Among the other 39 schools listed by Outside are University of California at Santa Cruz, University of Colorado at Boulder, Dartmouth College, University of Virginia, Cornell University, Stanford University, University of Wisconsin, University of Oregon, Princeton University, and University of Texas at Austin.

In citing the University of Wyoming and Laramie, Outside magazine praised UW's "full range of academic fare, including first-rate programs in agriculture, education, and environment and natural resources," which are just a few of the university's outstanding academic offerings. They also noted the ready access to traditional climbing at Vedauwoo, Nordic skiing in the Medicine Bow Mountains, and singletrack riding on the trails at Happy Jack.

UW also has a strong Outdoor Adventure Program, which organizes events as diverse as climbing, caving, camping, and whitewater kayaking; rents outdoor equipment to UW students and employees; and manages the indoor climbing wall in Half Acre Gymnasium. Other outdoor organizations sponsored by UW include the Cycling Club, which won three national women's road championships in 2001; alpine and Nordic ski clubs, which won the women's combined national championship in 2003; and the University Flycasters.

Posted on Monday, August 11, 2003

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