November 2025
Published December 03, 2025
A&S Alumnus to NFL MVP: Welcome Back to UW, Josh Allen!
We’re still reminiscing on all the excitement from Josh Allen’s jersey retirement at the final home football game of the season—it truly was unforgettable. If you haven’t checked out the feature on him in the most recent issue of UWyo Magazine, now’s the time. It’s a great look at his journey from UW to NFL MVP. We're proud to call Josh Allen an A&S alumnus!
A Message from Dean Turpen
It's been a very exciting end to the semester with the return of NFL MVP and A&S alumnus
Josh Allen to UW! A&S students go on to do incredible things, and he’s yet another
example of the hardworking, team-oriented superstars who come from our college.
As our current students prepare for finals, we’re committed to ensuring they have the resources and guidance they need to finish the semester strong.
Thank you for being an essential part of this community and for helping the College thrive.
As always, go Pokes!
J. Scott Turpen
University of Wyoming's 11th Annual Giving Day Raises $4 Million in 24 Hours
UW Anthropology Professor Todd Surovell Named a President’s Distinguished Scholar
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A&S News and Notes
"Bright Star" Production Earns Several Awards
Congratulations to UW Theatre and Dance for the following Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival Nomination and Meritorious Achievements for their production of "Bright Star."
The awards are as follows: Irene Ryan Acting Nominations: Emma Master as Alice Murphy; Kayla Colburn as Lucy Grant; and Carolyn Thornton as Mama Murphy. Meritorious Achievement in Ensemble: Emma Master, Chase Nylander, Ethan Williams, Avey Jespersen, Oscar Erickson, Kayla Colburn, JonHenry Justice, Josiah Hanley, Carolyn Thornton, Dalton Huwe, Alyssa Boldra, Paul Cox, L Hoyle, Patch Kluge, Faith Martin, Drake Schillinger, Jessie Stiles, Hunter Tanner, and Julianne Vicari. Meritorious Achievement in Direction: Matthew Greenberg. Meritorious Achievement in Choreography: Cat Kamrath. Meritorious Achievement in Properties Design: Oliver Weeks and Patch Kluge. Meritorious Achievement in Stage Management: Mel Sparks.
Sonia Rodríguez Hicks Received WALT Friend of Languages Award
Sonia Rodríguez Hicks, assistant professor of Spanish in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages, won the statewide Wyoming Association of Language Teachers "Friend of Languages" award recently at the WALT annual convention in Cody, Wyoming. The award celebrates an individual who has gone above and beyond to support language education in the state and especially emphasized Sonia's extracurricular leadership of Dia de los Muertos, Spanish Club, and the Global Studies Latin American Cohort.
Wyoming Flute Association to Host World-Renowned Flutist Nicole Chamberlain
The Wyoming Flute Association, a student organization, will be hosting world-renowned flutist and composer Nicole Chamberlain on March 30. Chamberlain will teach a masterclass, present a talk on entrepreneurship and all things composition, and perform alongside students and faculty in a recital featuring her compositions. This guest residency is made possible thanks to funding from the ASUW SOFB and community contributions from Giving Day! WFA has also submitted an application to perform in the National Flute Association’s Flute Ensemble Festival. If chosen, members of WFA will travel to Portland in August 2026. Fundraising efforts continue. Anyone interested in donating toward WFA's expenses to perform at the National Flute Association convention can visit this link.
Yi-Ling Chen Invited by Amsterdam Federation of Housing Association to Give Talk in January
Yi-Ling Chen was invited by the Amsterdam Federation of Housing Association to give
a talk in January. The AFWC is the major organization for the nine social housing
associations in Amsterdam. To learn more about Chen and her research, visit uwyo.edu/sppais/school-directory/faculty/chen.html.
Collegiate Chorale Records 'American Patriot Hymn'
On Sunday, November 16, Collegiate Chorale (Brian C. Murray, conductor) recorded Jeff Lippencott’s "American Patriot Hymn" with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra (William Intrilligator, conductor) and Cheyenne Chamber Singers (Sean Ambrose, conductor). Multiple GRAMMY-award winners Elaine Martone (producer) and Robert Friedrich (sound engineer) led this exciting project.
Brad Rettler Gives Bitcoin Talks in Brazil
UW professor Brad Rettler gave three talks in São Paulo, Brazil in November—one at the University of São Paulo Law School ("Bitcoin is Good") and two at Satsconf ("Bitcoin and Academia" & "How to Talk to Bitcoin Skeptics"). To learn more about Bitcoin at UW, visit uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin.html.
Upcoming Events
"Holiday Joy" Concert - December 4
Celebrate the season with “Holiday Joy,” a collaborative concert featuring the University
of Wyoming Choirs, Symphonic Band, and Campus Community Band on Thursday, December
4, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. This
family-friendly event unites the Laramie Civic Chorus, Bel Canto, Singing Statesmen,
and the Laramie Children’s Chorus, directed by Drs. Robert Belser and O’Neil Jones.
Purchase tickets here.
Free Holiday Movie December 5!
Join UW for a FREE family movie night Dec. 5, featuring "The Polar Express" at the
University of Wyoming Arts & Sciences Auditorium! Doors open at 5:30 p.m., and the
movie begins at 6 p.m. Concessions will be available for sale in the A&S Lobby.
Gala Holiday Concerts - December 6 & 7
Get ready for a magical holiday season with the UW's Department of Music Gala Holiday
Concerts on Saturday, Dec. 6 at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 3 p.m. in the Buchanan
Center for the Performing Arts Concert Hall. This concert will feature the Christmas
portion of Handel's "Messiah" with UW Collegiate Chorale and festive holiday pops,
including the suite from "The Polar Express" by UW Symphony Orchestra. A cherished
Laramie tradition, this year is dedicated to Punch Williamson, whose iconic organ
postludes we'll always remember. Purchase tickets here .
