UWAA President Letter

This is an exciting yet challenging time for the University of Wyoming and the Alumni Association. I am honored to become the first UWAA president to serve for two years as part of our governance restructuring. We have made tremendous progress in many areas the past four years I have spent on the board of directors. That progress includes amending the by-laws for efficiency, creating the 300 Club Alumni Excellence Endowment from the sale of the Alumni House to the university, expanding the Brown and Gold Champions and the alumni networks and chapters, and establishing the Brown and Gold Council to help extend our engagement opportunities. During this time, our presidents and board members have made huge contributions while fulfilling their terms. We have also filled our board vacancies with many extremely talented new members.

In my role I look forward to the opportunity to work with the UWAA Executive Director Keener Fry and the staff to support UW President Dr. Ed Seidel in carrying out his priorities for the university. I value the opportunity to help further alumni engagement with their alma mater and am eager to work with alumni and various other groups to strengthen bonds (in person or virtually) with the university.

UW’s fall reopening plans have been central in our planning for alumni and student engagement events and programming, especially as we all play our role in reducing the risk and transmission of the COVID-19 virus. We remain mindful that the character and impact of the virus is evolving and uncertain and may still cause disruptions with future activities. As such, the association has prepared contingency engagement plans for our regular activities. We have positioned our resources to pivot to new virtual events to sustain and increase engagement activity with alumni. The virtual events we held over the summer were popular and successful with our alumni and friends. For a current listing and the status of all of our events and their format, please refer to our website calendar, email alerts, and social media platforms.

We have one of the most outstanding universities and alumni in the country, and I am proud to be a Cowboy. The world, particularly in this time, needs more Cowboys! I hope everyone remains safe and healthy. Go Pokes!

Kermit Sweeny