WYO-gold members hold a yearly supplies drive for Brent’s Place. Photo by Dyann Diercks Photography
Harper also believes that the work is an important service to the state. “Especially this fall with fire taking so much of the federal budget, the agencies can’t always pay for the services they need. They need trees taken off the fence, for example, but to have a private contractor come in and do that is just not feasible. So we come in and provide affordable conservation work to different people across the state.”
Webb commends the program for its state reach. “WCC does a great job of networking with individuals, organizations and agencies around the state,” he says.
“We partner with state agencies, federal agencies, energy companies and small nonprofits statewide,” says WCC Assistant Director Patrick Harrington. For example, WCC partners each year with Devon Energy. In 2015, they worked together to restore sage grouse habitat on public lands, and Devon was awarded the Interstate Oil and Gas Compact Commission’s 2015 Chairman’s Stewardship Award for Best Environmental Partnership.
“The WCC is an outstanding organization that has become an important resource in Wyoming’s ongoing environmental management effort,” says Nick Agopian, public and government affairs professional for Devon. Agopian founded the WCC in 2006 while studying law at UW and remains a steadfast supporter.
The fact that the WCC is located within UW and Residence Life and Dining Services provides unique advantages to the organization, including business support, reduced meal expenses and the opportunity to provide academic courses and credit. “We provide academic credit to our members through the UW Outreach School, and we’re hosted by the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources,” Harrington says, noting the WCC is one of only two programs with this educational focus.
The WCC experience gave Harrington, a Wyoming native who started with WCC as a crew member, a newfound devotion to the state: “The job taught me to love Wyoming in a real and sincere sense.” It’s that love for the state and for giving that motivates UW students to devote thousands of hours of service each year—in campus communities and across the state.
The University of Wyoming is home to more than 250 recognized student organizations, which provide opportunities for learning, fun and service. The WYO-gold Student Alumni Association focuses on helping students become leaders, excel, network and give back. “I was hooked because of what the organization does,” says WYO-gold co-chair Raleah Cisneros, a business administration senior from Gillette, Wyo. “I loved the different aspects of it—the giving back, the networking with other students and alumni, and promoting Poke Pride on campus.”
“We try to show students there’s a million ways to give back,” says Chase McNamee, UW Alumni Association senior membership, network and student programs coordinator.
WYO-gold members, now 100 strong, volunteer during career fairs, service days, community events, and campus events and host an annual cleaning supply drive for Brent’s Place, a house in Colorado where immune-compromised children stay with their families during treatment. The drive takes place February through mid-March.
“It’s great to know that we’re helping these children who are ill be able to stay with their families because we’re helping them keep that sterile environment,” Cisneros says. “That’s a big thing that our members love doing.”
Members can earn points for their volunteer work, with the top point earners receiving a textbook voucher.
For Cisneros, the benefit comes from helping others: “I like to see that I’m making a difference in someone else’s life and making them happier.”
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