A Message from the Provost: Week of 9.15.25

September 18 | 2025
 

Dear Colleagues, 

As the weeks (and weather!) continue to gain momentum, there is much to keep up with. I’d like to share these important tidbits this week.

First, I want to highlight the work of the Board of Trustees' Shared Governance Working Group. This group of faculty, staff, administrators, and trustees met regularly over the summer (a meeting every month) to have thoughtful conversations about how we can strengthen shared governance at UW. The group’s members represent a wide range of perspectives from across campus, and the discussions have been honest, constructive, and forward-looking. Many of you may not have followed this closely during the summer months, but the effort deserves recognition. You can learn more about the group, its charge, and its progress here, and the next meeting will be on Wednesday, September 24th.

On Tuesday of this week, President Seidel delivered the State of the University address. His remarks highlighted both the challenges and opportunities we face, as well as our broader mission of serving Wyoming. Of course, the storm that rolled through just after he began served as a dramatic reminder of resilience. The lights went out, power was lost, but we continued with cell phone lights, one battery-powered microphone and speaker, and good humor. It was a fitting metaphor for the moment: no matter the obstacles, we persevere and keep moving forward. A special thank you to Faculty Senate Chair Rob Godby, Staff Senate President Jesse Grosinger, and ASUW President Paula Medina for their thoughtful contributions, which emphasized the importance of collaborative leadership.

I also want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the students who took part in the Constructive Dialogue panel which followed the State of the University for sharing their honest and insightful comments. Their words and composure reminded us of the significance of our work in helping them hone their critical thinking skills as well as the central role of student voices in our decision-making. These conversations, which involve listening to others, engaging respectfully and with curiosity, and working together, help strengthen the institution and model for all of us how to lay the foundation for honest and civil dialogue. Special thanks as well to Matt Burgess, who facilitated and laid out the framework for the dialogue. The fact that the panel leaned into hard questions – all during a power outage – made for a memorable afternoon. 

Next week, the Board of Trustees will be on campus for their September meeting. These meetings are an important chance for us to engage with our trustees, share the great work happening at UW, and show our support for the university’s direction. We hope you’ll follow along with these meetings and see how our trustees and administration are working together for the campus; your dedication and efforts serve as examples of impact, bringing these conversations to life and helping highlight UW’s progress and priorities.

Finally, I invite you to consider submitting nominations for Honorary Degrees and the Trustees’ Award of Merit. These recognitions are among the highest honors the university confers, celebrating individuals who have made extraordinary contributions to Wyoming, the nation, or the world. Nominations are open through November 1, and details about the process are available here.

Thank you, as always. The work each of you does matters deeply, and I am grateful to be serving alongside you. Watch out for each other and, like our student panelists, model grace and charity towards each other.

Warm regards,

Anne