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.
