Medallion Service Award Winner: April Brimmer Kunz

September 16, 2020
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April Brimmer Kunz

Luckily for the University of Wyoming, April Brimmer Kunz chose the College of Law for her juris doctorate (’79), beginning a lifetime of leadership and support for the university.

After law school, she went on to clerk for U.S. District Judge Ewing T. Kerr and to serve as a Republican for Laramie County in the Wyoming House of Representatives from 1985–86 and 1991–92 and the Wyoming Senate from 1993–2004. In the State Senate, she served as majority floor leader and vice president before being named the first female president of the Wyoming Senate in 2003. During her time as a state senator, she was instrumental in creating matching funds for UW. 

“I was a co-sponsor on the matching funds bill in the Legislature. I believe the program has provided a tremendous return on investment for donors,” she says. “There aren’t many programs that double your gift dollar for dollar. The program has helped to revitalize and rebuild the University of Wyoming.”

More than $222 million in endowment and facilities matches have resulted from this incredible program.

Brimmer Kunz, president of K and R Enterprises in Cheyenne, also served as chair of the UW Foundation Board and has been a member of the board since 2007.

“I have remained involved because I believe it is so important to help students break through, receive a meaningful degree and have productive lives,” she says.

She and her mother—the late Marian Rochelle, for whom the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center is named—donated the funds for the now iconic “Breakin’ Through” statue by artist D. Michael Thomas at the center, which features a female rider breaking through a wall.

“ ‘Breakin’ Through’ symbolizes the power of education and a meaningful degree from the University of Wyoming,” Brimmer Kunz says. “It stands in recognition of the contributions of women—past, present and future—to Wyoming, the Equality State.”

She has personally donated to many programs at the university, including the foundation, athletics, College of Law, College of Arts and Sciences and the Alumni Association.

“I am passionate about business and giving back,” Brimmer Kunz says. “It’s important to help people, particularly students.”

Of her time at UW, she says, “My legal education has been useful throughout my business career. My fondest memories are football and basketball games.

Go Pokes!”

 

 

Contact Us

Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu


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