College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
University of Wyoming
Department #3354
1000 E. University Ave,
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-4133
Fax: (307) 766-4030
Email: agrdean@uwyo.edu
Edward Whitney spent three decades crafting the first educational foundation in Wyoming.
His early learning experiences may have fashioned his education focus. He was born in Massachusetts and enrolled in school at St. Anthony’s Terrace in Vevey, Switzerland, later learning geological engineering in France. Whitney traveled the world but the Vevey experience was apparently especially memorable: he had half his ashes buried in Sheridan Municipal Cemetery and the other half in an urn at St. Martin’s Church at St. Anthony’s.
He died in 1917 and provided Whitney Foundation be established from his estate 10 years later with the singular mission to benefit youth. Directors are not paid, per his direction.
He also instructed establishment of an agricultural college in or near Sheridan.
One hundred and one years and over $100 million expended per his instruction, the foundation’s purpose has not faded.
Whitney Benefits is this year’s Research/Outreach Partner Award recipient for its collaborative efforts to create and strengthen agricultural paths for students seeking advanced education.
The foundation’s agricultural efforts include $1.3 million to Sheridan College in 2014 toward building the Forrest Mars Agriculture Center on the campus, and:
Whitney Benefits vice president Roy Garber says that, in close cooperation, Sheridan College and the University of Wyoming provide educational experiences and hands-on training to area college and high school students.
“Whitneys’ goal is to increase collaborative agricultural educational and research opportunities between Sheridan College and UW students,” Garber says.
The long-term goal is to increase various four-year bachelor’s degrees and experimental agricultural experiences for students.
“We believe Mr. Whitney would be quite pleased to see these educational opportunities for both local, and the state’s, youths,” Garber says.
The foundation’s agricultural efforts are only one facet of Whitney Benefits’ mission. More information is at www.whitneybenefits.com.
College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
University of Wyoming
Department #3354
1000 E. University Ave,
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-4133
Fax: (307) 766-4030
Email: agrdean@uwyo.edu