Program of Events
Schedule TBA
Keynote Speaker - Ari Kelman
Honors Convocation Performance
The Honors Convocation is a time to celebrate some of our most accomplished students. The College of Arts & Sciences is fortunate enough to have a pool of talented young musicians, dancers, actors and other performing artists that can help honor these students. This year, the Honors Convocation will feature a performance from the UW Happy Jacks.
UW Happy Jacks
The University of Wyoming Happy Jacks enjoy a sense of camaraderie and congeniality that permeates rehearsals and performances alike. They are an auditioned tenorbass ensemble that are also members of the UW Singing Statesmen. Through performances of a diverse body of repertoire, the Happy Jacks strive to continually increase their musicianship skills, thereby positively contributing to high-quality musical endeavors.
About Keith and Thyra Thomson and the Honors Convocation
Keith and Thyra Thomson were married in 1939 and became one of Wyoming's most notable couples. Recognized for exemplary service and dedication to the University of Wyoming, Keith and Thyra Thomson "paid it forward" before the term was coined. Keith was the first UW graduate to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. In 1960, Keith was elected United States senator, but, before he could assume office, he had a heart attack and died. Thyra was the first woman to be elected Wyoming's Secretary of State. Wyoming voters elected her to that office six times. When she retired, she had served 24 years--longer than any statehouse official in Wyoming history. In 1997, Thyra, along with her family and friends, established an endowment to ensure that academically successful College of Arts and Sciences undergraduates be recognized annually for their achievements. Thyra died in June 2013.
After completing a law degree at UW, Keith, a Wyoming native, served in World War II. He received numerous medals, including the U.S. Legion of Merit, the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, the Italian Cross of Valor, and the Czech Medal of Merit. When he returned home from the war, Keith joined the Cheyenne law firm of Henderson and Thomson. Keith served two terms on the UW Board of Trustees and one term as president of the UW Alumni Association. In 1950 and 1952, he was elected to the Wyoming State Legislature. At age 35, in 1954, Keith was the first UW graduate to be elected to the United States House of Representatives. After three terms in the House, he was elected United States senator in 1960. Tragically, before he could assume office, Keith passed away.
In 1962, Thyra was the first woman to be elected Wyoming’s secretary of state. Although her name repeatedly was suggested for higher office, Thyra chose to remain secretary of state and ex-officio lieutenant governor. When she retired from office in 1987, Thyra had served 24 years—longer than any other statehouse official in Wyoming’s history. She was acting governor in the absence of both Republican and Democratic chief executives, Governors Hansen, Hathaway, and Herschler. Thyra was named a UW Distinguished Alumna in 1969 and College of Arts and Sciences Outstanding Alumna in 1987. Thyra, who died in June 2013, served on many advisory boards throughout the state, including the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors.
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.