Cheyenne Student Named UWs Top Graduating Man

Excellence as a University of Wyoming honors student, service as a volunteer and key leadership roles have resulted in the selection of Anthony Farmer, of Cheyenne, for the 2017 Tobin Memorial Award as UW's outstanding graduating man.

The annual award is based on academic excellence and achievement, service to the university, participation and leadership in the community and campus activities, and citizenship qualities.

Sarah Maze, of Ranchester, is this year’s Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Award recipient as UW's outstanding graduating woman.

Farmer, the son of Rachel Martinez and Brian Farmer, will graduate May 13 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in political science and a Bachelor of Science in economics, with a minor in the Honors Program. He will work toward his master’s degree next fall.

Farmer says his studies have always been an integral part of his life.

“While studying at the University of Wyoming, I have always pushed myself to strive for excellence and to direct all of my actions toward building a skill set I can use to make a positive impact on the world,” he says. “I hope to one day work in the public sector, crafting policy that will contribute to the elimination of institutional poverty. Throughout my college career, I have demonstrated my commitment to the core values of scholarship, leadership and service.”

One of his political science professors says Farmer is an intellectually gifted individual who is dedicated to his studies.

“He is, in fact, in the top five students that I have ever taught in my previous nine years of teaching. Anthony is one of the most intellectually gifted students that I have ever had the pleasure of teaching, demonstrating an understanding and mastery of the course material well above what would be expected of an undergraduate student,” says Associate Professor Andrew Garner. “He is, put simply, a natural academic who has the intelligence and work ethic to thrive in any endeavor he chooses.”

Farmer has been an active UW student with Multicultural Affairs; has been a member of Golden Key honorary and Phi Kappa Phi honorary; has served on the UW College of Arts and Sciences grade appeal board; received the Outstanding Honors Freshman Award; and served as a student senator. He also has been an active volunteer on campus and in his community.

This past fall, he studied at the University of Glasgow at the Adam Smith Business School with an emphasis on macroeconomy, government debt and contemporary issues in inequality. Through this experience, he also explored the United Kingdom and Europe.

His leadership skills are what has helped Farmer succeed, says another professor.

“His record demonstrates leadership on campus and the integration of public service into his daily life,” says Teena Gabrielson, the Department of Political Science chair. “Anthony does not volunteer in order to add another line to his resume. It is a critical part of how he understands himself and his relation to the world.”

As for his future, Farmer says he is always looking for ways to hone his leadership capabilities.

“It is my aspiration to one day run for public office, where the value of leadership must inform my every action. The University of Wyoming has allowed me to develop this skill in ways I could have never imagined,” he adds. “Looking back over my time at UW, I realize how tremendously fortunate I have been to attend such an amazing institution. I have had opportunities here that I would not have had anywhere else.”