October Newsletter
Published October 31, 2025
Read the 2025 Issue of Elevations Magazine!
The 2025 issue of Elevations, The College of Arts & Sciences' annual magazine, is now available here! Inside, you'll find stories about the Wyoming Pathways from Prison program, Campus Connections, music professor O'Neil Jones, alumni stories, and much more.
A Message from Dean Turpen
October has been an exciting month for the College of Arts & Sciences!
We had a very successful Giving Day last week, raising more than $400,000 to support our students, faculty, and programs. Thank you to everyone who contributed.
In addition, the 2025 issue of Elevations magazine is out now, highlighting the incredible work happening across A&S. Check it out here.
With many great events coming up this fall, there’s plenty to look forward to. As always, thank you for your support.
J. Scott Turpen
UW Theatre & Dance Present "The Bright Star," Beginning Friday, October 31
Laramie and University of Wyoming Rank Highly on Best College Towns in America List
UW Symphony Orchestra Performs "Romeo and Juliet" in Concert Friday, November 21
A&S News and Notes
UW Giving Day 2025 A Success!
Thank you to everyone who supported the College of Arts & Sciences during UW Giving Day last week! Because of you, we raised more than $400,000 to support our students, faculty, staff, and programs. Your generosity makes an incredible difference, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
Psychology Student Receives APAG/Psi Chi Junior Scientist Fellowship
UW Psychology student Helena Towne recently received a APAG/Psi Chi Junior Scientist
Fellowship from the Science Committee of the American Psychological Association of
Graduate Students. The fellowship is very competitive, and she was selected from a
large number of applicants.
UW's Crane Gives Talk in Central Mexico
Nicholas Crane, associate professor of geography and international studies, recently
returned from a successful trip to central Mexico. Crane gave a talk titled, "Geographies
of Gentrification Beyond 'the Rent Gap' and Consequences for the Politics of Place"
at the Universidad Autónoma del Estado de México (in Toluca), and also facilitated
the "Workshop on Critical Geography" with his collaborator David Tapia Martínez at
the Benemérita Universidad Autónoma de Puebla (in Puebla).
Three Chorale Premieres in October!
The UW Choirs were privileged to take part in three premieres in October, including
"Imagined Corners" by Reginal Wright (the UW Choirs commissioned and premiered on
Oct. 10, 2025 at WyoSING! conducted by Dr. Brian C. Murray); "Alchemy" by Reginal
Wright (Civic Chorus joined with other choral organizations to create a consortium
to support Reginal Wright's work. They premiered this work on Oct. 10, 2025 at WyoSING!
conducted by Dr. O'Neil Jones); and "We Are Phoenix" by Timothy Takach (Collegiate
Chorale joined with 45 other choral organizations to create a consortium to support
Timothy Takach's this multi-movement work. University of Wyoming Collegiate Chorale
& Chamber Orchestra gave the regional premiere on Oct. 17, 2025 conducted by Dr. Brian
C. Murray.)
Epping's Work Published in Visual Communication Quarterly
Shane Epping, assistant professor of communication and journalism, co-authored an
article that was recently published in Visual Communication Quarterly, an international,
peer-reviewed journal of theory, research, practical criticism, and creative work
in all areas of visual communication. Entitled, "Framing the In-Between: Photojournalistic
Encounters with Urban-Rural Liminality," Epping's article included several photos
made in Wyoming. One of his images was selected as the cover of the journal. (Pictured
is his image on the cover.)
Rettler Presents "Bitcoin Demystified" in Pinedale
UW professor Bradley Rettler recently gave a talk in Pinedale for the Sublette County
BOCES called “Bitcoin Demystified.” To learn more about Rettler, his research, and
the UW Bitcoin Research Institute, visit uwyo.edu/philrelig/bitcoin.html.
UW Singing Statesmen Hosts Western Bass
On October 22, the UW Singing Statesmen hosted Western Bass—an in-reach festival for
7th-12th grade tenors and basses. 145 singers from 10 schools around Wyoming and Nebraska
participated in this event at the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts. The performance
concluded with Victor Johnson’s “Think on Me” and “Pete, Pete” conducted by Dr. Brian
C. Murray.
Upcoming Events
Tipi Talks: Tipi Setup and Workshop
Celebrate Native American Heritage month with upcoming "Tipi Talks" on campus. Check
out the full event series, happening November 4-6, here.
Law vs Authoritarianism: How Hans Litten tried to use the courts to stop Hitler
Hosted by the UW Department of History, this talk will explore the fascinating and
complex story of the brave young lawyer Hans Litten and the role he played in German
politics in the early 1930s, and his ultimately tragic fate in the concentration camps
of the Third Reich. This event takes place November 11 from 4-5 p.m. in the Business
Building Auditorium. Learn more here.
Upcoming Jazz Concerts
There are several upcoming jazz concerts throughout November and December, including
the following.
- Monday, November 3 (UWYO Jazz Lab Ensemble) - BCPA Concert Hall at 7:30pm | Ticketed
- Friday, November 7 (Afro-Caribbean Jazz Collective) - Latin Dance Night at the Elks Lodge from 6-9 p.m. Show opens with UWYO Latin Trio. Presented by Live in Laramie
- Monday, November 24 (Wyoming Jazz Ensemble) - Swing into the Season, A Holiday Concert! BCPA Concert Hall - 6 p.m. | Ticketed
- Wednesday, December 3 (UWYO Jazz Combos) at Bonds Brewing from 6-9 p.m.
- Friday, December 12 (Pokes Pub House Band) - Holiday Open House and Train Lighting at the Laramie Train Depot at 5:30-7 p.m. Presented by Live in Laramie.
