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Five evenings a week you’ll find a group of dedicated University of Wyoming students calling alumni, parents and friends of UW—120,000 calls a year. The 25 to 30 Cowboy Call team members represent virtually every college on campus, and the common ground between the student callers and the alumni and friends they speak with makes for great conversations and a more personal connection. “I see the job as not just fundraising but also building connections with our alumni and university supporters,” says Katelynne Adams, a junior from Eldersburg, Md., majoring in communication disorders. For those who want to donate, the fact it’s a student calling makes the impact come to life. “They see the people they’re helping, and they actually feel like they’re making a big impact,” she says.
“They can definitely relate to us a lot,” says Caitlin Harvey, a nursing junior from Fort Collins, Colo.
“The funds that are raised on behalf of the UW Foundation support UW colleges, departments, programs and a plethora of scholarships across campus,” says Jesse Kremer, manager of call center operations. UW alumni may also choose to join the UW Alumni Association, which offers students $120,000 in scholarships annually. In addition, callers keep alumni and friends connected. “We welcome alumni to join in at athletic events, homecoming, commencement, and other alumni engagement events both on and off campus,” he says.
While many of those called appreciate the opportunity to stay informed, the student callers also value the connection. “I love this job,” Adams says. “I didn’t know how much I would learn about the university and the history through the alumni.”