Hagemans Honored as Wyoming Family of the Year

Oct. 25, 2001--Marion and James C. "Jim" Hageman of Fort Laramie, whose family ties with the University of Wyoming date back to the early part of the last century, have been selected as the Wyoming Family of the Year. The Associated Parents-University of Wyoming, selected the Hageman family for the honor based on their commitment and devotion to the university and the state.

"All the members of my family, including my mother, two aunts, one of whom taught mathematics at the university for about 40 years, my sisters, cousins, Marion and I and all six of our children attended the University of Wyoming, and all have lived a better life for it," says Hageman, a rancher and state legislator who, along with his wife and other family members have devoted countless hours to community service activities.

UW records show that 17 members of the Hageman family attended the university. Jim's mother, Ruth, attended during 1923-24. His aunt, Gayle Neubauer, earned a B.S. degree in 1928, and her sister, Greta Neubauer, received a B.S. degree in 1924 and an M.S. in 1928. Gayle worked for the UW Extension Service, and was the first home demonstration agent in Converse County. Greta taught mathematics at UW for 40 years, retiring in 1962.

Marion attended UW in 1954-55, in pursuit of a master's degree after earning her bachelor's degree in English and social studies at Western Montana College in 1952. Jim's sister, Margaret Hageman Sedenquist, earned a degree in psychology in 1948, and his sister Patti Hageman Kerr Cobb received a degree in elementary education in 1953.

The UW tradition continued as each of Jim and Marion's children attended the university. Daughter Julia Hageman Newman earned a social work degree in 1978; her husband Ross earned a B.S. (1977) in agricultural finance; son James earned a bachelor's (1982) in business management; his wife, Kyra Mannhalter, earned a master's degree (1989) in special education. Daughter Rachel Hageman Rubino received a degree in secondary education/social studies (1981) and a certificate in special education (1991); her husband, James Rubino, received a B.S. (1978) in range management; son Hugh attended UW from 1980-82; his wife, Mary Lee Litman, received an elementary education degree in 1992; daughter Harriet Hageman earned a degree in business and received her J.D. degree (1989) at UW; and son Dewey Hageman attended UW during 1984-85.

Jim's service to UW is exemplified through both his legislative service and direct participation in UW activities. He was a member of the UW Alumni Association board of directors from 1991-96; has served on the Institute for Environment and Natural Resources board since its inception in 1994; and as a Friend of the George C. Frison Institute of Archeology and Anthropology.

"A strong university is essential to the well being of Wyoming's youth and of the entire state," has been Jim's philosophy during his legislative career that began in 1983 when he was elected to the House of Representatives from Goshen County. He supported legislation to create a state education trust fund, which helped establish innovative programs such as the statewide compressed video network; he proposed establishment of a statewide education technology plan; and played a key role in establishing the Postsecondary Education Planning and Coordinating Council, now the Wyoming Education Planning and Coordinating Council, of which UW is a member.

The family tradition of community service began when Jim's maternal grandfather, the cowboy James Clay Shaw, followed the trail from Texas to Wyoming in 1879, and later became a leader in the Wyoming Stockgrowers Association beginning in the 1880s. Jim continues the tradition, as a long-time member of both the stockgrowers and Wyoming Farm Bureau. He served on the Goshen County school board for nine years, leading efforts to build a new high school in Torrington, creating Southeast High School, and expanding the Lingle-Fort Laramie Schools.

He's president of the West Plains Historical society, which operates a museum and offers educational programs, including "Expanding Horizons," which helps youths to succeed on their own.

Marion has devoted much time to the Wyoming Cattlewomen's organization and the Western Plains Historical Society. Both Jim and Marion have served as foster parents for nearly 25 years, bringing stability and love to more than 30 young people, in addition to raising six children on their own. Their devotion to Wyoming youth was recognized in 1996, when they were selected as Wyoming's "Parents of the Year," and were later honored in Washington, D.C. as one of 10 national "Parents of the Year."

Posted on Thursday, October 25, 2001