A Message from the Provost: Week of 4.27.26

Published April 30, 2026

April 30 | 2026
 
Dear Colleagues,

 

I hope you are enjoying these final weeks of the semester -it’s a busy, stressful, and always meaningful time across campus.

 

For instance, I love this reminder that the richness of our campus community extends well beyond our formal roles. Many of you may have already seen the “Tunisia with Love” art exhibition in the College of Business atrium, led by Dr. Sondos Bannouri, a Fulbright Visiting Scholar. The exhibit brings together her paintings and those of her students in Tunisia, reflecting a beautiful connection between Wyoming and Tunisia. I especially appreciate the spirit behind this work, the idea from Dr. Bannouri that “business humans” can also be “artist humans.” It’s a wonderful example of creativity, global connection, and the many dimensions of who we are as a university community. If you have a moment this week, I encourage you to stop by before it closes tomorrow, May 1. 

 

Earlier this week, I also had the pleasure of attending UW’s Excellence in Global Engagement awards ceremony. It was an inspiring event that highlighted the extraordinary ways our students, faculty, and staff are connecting UW to the world through research, teaching, and meaningful partnerships across cultures and communities. Hearing the stories of this year’s nominees and award recipients was a powerful reminder of the impact of global engagement in shaping our students’ experiences and preparing them to lead in an interconnected world. Special congratulations to Professor Stephanie Anderson from SPPAIS and Mollie Hand from LeaRN on their recognitions, highlighting that they truly go above and beyond in connecting UW to the world!

 

Awards season is here! I am very pleased to share that we have identified our 2026 Faculty Award recipients. These awards represent some of the highest honors we bestow as a university, recognizing excellence in teaching, scholarship, service, and stewardship. 

 

Please join me in congratulating this year’s honorees!

 

  • Laramigo Award for Community Engagement: Anne Stevens
  • John P. Ellbogen Lifetime Teaching Award: Yan Zhang
  • George Duke Humphrey Distinguished Faculty Award: Scott Shaw
  • Hollon Family Award for Online Teaching Excellence : David Anton
  • UW Foundation Stewardship Award: Alison Doherty
  • John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award:
    • Greg Livingston
    • Breezy Taggart
    • Bunny Logan
    • Tawfik Elshehabi
    • Tyrell McAllister
    • Samantha Vandermeade
    • Ahmed Abdelaty
    • Maggie Bourque
    • Jenny Ingwerson-Niemann
    • Dario Grana
       

We look forward to celebrating these colleagues at the Commencement Dinner in May (with the Laramigo Award recognized at Homecoming, as is tradition). Their work reflects the very best of UW and the impact our faculty have on students, the state, and beyond.

 

Finally, I encourage you to consider attending the Critical Thinking Symposium on Monday, May 11, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in Coe Library. This half-day event will explore how critical thinking shapes the way we interpret information, engage in civil discourse, and support student learning. The symposium will feature a keynote by Warren Berger, author of A More Beautiful Question, along with a range of interactive sessions on teaching and learning. It promises to be a thoughtful and engaging opportunity for reflection and dialogue as we continue to advance this essential component of a UW education. You can register at this Airtable link here.

 

Take care, don’t let that stress overwhelm you, and I hope to see many of you around campus in the days ahead.

 

Warm regards,

Anne

 

Email: provost@uwyo.edu | Phone: (307) 766-6476 
University of Wyoming
1000 East University Avenue Laramie, WY, 82071