January 2026
Published January 30, 2026
See Dean Turpen and Ben Markley's Giving Day Performance!
Because of your support of A&S this past Giving Day, you helped make some extra special
entertainment happen earlier this month at the UW Women's Basketball game! Couldn't
make it to the game? Check out this video recap of College of Arts & Sciences Dean Scott Turpen and Music Department Head Ben Markley
performing Billy Joel’s “Just The Way You Are."
A Message from Dean Turpen
Welcome to a new semester in the College of Arts and Sciences! Classes are officially
back in session, and campus is buzzing again with students settling into routines
and reconnecting with classmates.
Thank you for being such a vital part of our A&S community and for supporting the students, staff, and faculty who make this college such a terrific place to learn and discover.
Here's to a great spring semester.
Go Pokes!
J. Scott Turpen
UW's Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Launches Wyoming Museums Project
University of Wyoming's Winter Welcome Helps Students Start Semster Strong
University of Wyoming's Production of 'Bright Star' Shines With Nominations, Awards
A&S News and Notes
UW's Christine McKibbin Receives Excellence in Research Award
Director of WyCOA Christine McKibbin recently received an Excellence in Research Award at REDD's celebration of excellence in research and innovation. Her primary research aim is to improve health, mental health and functional outcomes among rural older adults and family care partners.
Bobby Model Professor Shane Epping Publishes Book Review and Photos in Exhibitions
UW Professor Shane Epping recently had a book review of Looking at Photographs, by Laurent Jullier, published in Visual Communication Quarterly, a peer-reviewed journal. Read it here. Additionally, he also had photos accepted into four different exhibitions including Focus: Shadow and Light Exhibit (Black Box Gallery, Portland, OR); Wyoming's History Through Listeners' Eyes; Between Us Exhibit (Crooked Tree Arts Center, Traverse City, Michigan); and Northwest College Photographic Communications' 4th Annual Community Photo Contest and Exhibition (Powell, WY).
WyCOA and Chronic Disease Prevention Program Trains Over 200 People in Casper
The Team from WyCOA and the Chronic Disease Prevention Program (CDPP) at the State of Wyoming attended the Wyoming Health Fairs annual event in Casper on January 10. They had an opportunity to train over 200 participants in how to self-monitor their blood pressure, take the diabetes risk test, and also provide education on elder care technology and resources. There were over 600 participants at this event. They also had the opportunity to meet with Senator Barrasso and share their work with him. Pictured from left to right is Amber Nolte, Kacie Hutton from the CDPP and WyCOA Regional Coordinators Dian True, Sabine Schenck, and Kara Beech.
Big News from the Neltje Center's Jentel Art Residency!
The Neltje Center is thrilled to welcome Mary Leclère as the new residency manager.
Leclère brings a wealth of experience from the Core Residency Program at the Museum
of Fine Arts, Houston, and is ready to dive into supporting artists, writers, and
composers at Jentel. Adventurous, creative, and deeply committed to the artist experience,
Leclère is stepping into this role following the incredible legacy of Lynn Reeves,
who shaped Jentel over nearly 25 years. Learn more about Jentel at jentelarts.org.
Learn more about Leclère here.
UW Symphony Performs in Cody
The UW Symphony was busy before classes started this semester. The UWSO traveled to
Cody to perform the opening concert of the All-State band, orchestra, and choir festival,
and Wyoming Music Educators Association annual conference. The students gave up the
three last days of their break to play for this important audience. UW’s professor
of violin, Dr. John Fadial, was part of the performance, playing the Violin Concerto
of Samual Barber with the orchestra. The orchestra’s Music Director, Dr. Michael Griffith,
conducted. Dr. Griffith has an even busier beginning to the semester. He recently
conducted the Jefferson County Philharmonic Honors Orchestra, made up of the finest
high school string players in Jeffco. In two weeks, he heads to Knoxville, where he
will be conducting the Tennessee All-State Orchestra.
Upcoming Events
Live in Laramie Presents: Trio Grande
See Trio Grande at St. Matthew's Cathedral in downtown Laramie from 6-9pm on February
6. Live in Laramie is made possible by the generous support of the UW President's
Office. This performance is free and open to the public.
Wyoming Jazz Ensemble and Live Edge Trio with Michael Dease
See the Wyoming Jazz Ensemble and Live Edge Trio with Michael Dease Monday, February
23, in the Buchanan Center Concert Hall at 5pm.
Songwriting Workshop and Dinner at the Neltje Center February 28
Featuring the award winning bluegrass trio Damn Tall Buildings, this workshop at the
Neltje Center explores the band’s creative process, collaborative strategies, and
artistry—ending with a short live set and a community meal. This event is for anyone
curious about the creative process and hungry for both connection and music.
Saturday,
Feb 28, from 4-7pm. $25, tickets available here.
