UWAA President Hopes to Think Big

Last May, as I watched my youngest daughter receive her diploma from the University of Wyoming, I thought of how different, yet similar, our paths at UW had been. She had opportunities that did not exist in my day. She studied abroad for a semester, was a social media intern (that term did not even exist!) for the athletics department and lived in the Bison Run apartments—a great addition to the housing on campus. Like me, however, she received a quality education, had challenging classes with supportive professors, studied hard, had leadership opportunities, participated in campus organizations, cheered on the Cowboy and Cowgirl athletic teams, danced at the Buckhorn and made lifelong friends.

Now as an alumna, she has great opportunities and support offered through the UW Alumni Association. She doesn’t have to move home to live in her mother’s basement upon graduation thanks to the Cowboy 2 Cowboy program, which can help her find a job. She can stay connected with her friends and meet fellow UW alumni and friends at gatherings and participate in special activities throughout the year. Just like you, she can also stay connected and up to date through emails and social media.

I have challenged the UWAA board this year to think big as we work to make your alumni association even better and even more responsive to your needs as alumni. We are blessed to have a wonderful staff on campus that works hard each day. As your alumni association, we are working to provide pathways to share the wonderful legacy, spirit and pride of UW across the world.

I invite you to stay in touch and to visit the campus when you can. We will be here this fall to welcome you at multiple events—including a new event, UW Alumni Kickoff Fridays. Each Friday before Cowboy home football games from 4–5:30 p.m. at the Alumni Center in the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, we will host a reception with light appetizers and beverages. We invite all alumni and friends coming to Laramie and those in Laramie to drop by and connect with other Cowboys and Cowgirls. Then on Saturdays three hours prior to each home football game, the UWAA in conjunction with the UW Foundation and Athletics will host the Pokes Pre-Game Pep Rally at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. We invite you to get fired up celebrating with the Western Thunder Marching Band and the cheer team, hear from Coach Bohl and cheer on the players during the Cowboy Walk to the stadium.

We also invite you to return to Laramie for Homecoming Oct. 13–20. This year’s theme is “The World Needs More Cowboys.” For more information about Homecoming activities, visit uwyo.edu/homecoming.

We welcome you back to campus this fall and invite you to stop by the Alumni Center to say hello. We want to hear and share your memories of your time at UW.

My best in Brown and Gold,
Jane Farrell, B.A. ’77
UWAA President