February 2026
Published February 26, 2026
Congratulations to this Year's Larsh Bristol Photojournalism Fellowship Recipient,
Shelby Sinclair!
Congratulations to Shelby Sinclair, this year’s Larsh Bristol Photojournalism Fellowship
recipient! Her project about the role of women in ranching was unveiled recently at
a public reception. Stop by the Coe Library to see her photos on the 3rd floor until
the end of February. Thank you to everyone who made this event possible and to all
who attended! Photo by Zachary Agee. Learn more about the Larsh Bristol Fellowship
at www.uwyo.edu/cojo/larsh-bristol.
A Message from Dean Turpen
As we reach the end of February, the spring semester is in full swing here on campus.
Our classrooms, labs, studios, and stages are full of energy, and it’s been wonderful
to see students so deeply engaged in their work.
We also have a number of exciting events coming up in the weeks ahead—from lectures
and performances to showcases. I hope to see you at one or more of these events.
Thank you, as always, for the critical support and encouragement you provide to our students and programs.
J. Scott Turpen
UW English Professor Receives Fulbright Specialist Award to Morocco
UW Bands Director Leads Project to Connect Communities with Classical Music
'Cowboys, Sing On!' Concerts at University of Wyoming February 27 and 28
A&S News and Notes
UW Flute Choir Selected to Perform at Annual National Flute Association Convention
The UW Flute Choir, the performing arm of the Wyoming Flute Association, has been selected to perform a showcase at the 54th Annual National Flute Association Convention, the premiere professional organization for North American flutists. Performance spots at the convention are highly competitive, with less than 30% of proposals getting accepted in any given year. This year’s convention theme is “Origins: Celebrating Trailblazing and Discovery” and takes place at the Oregon Convention Center Portland. The convention runs from Aug. 6-9; the UW flute choir performs Saturday, Aug. 8 at 1pm. Nicole Riner, UW flute professor, will also perform two works on the “Home, Sweet Home” concert Thursday, Aug. 6 at 1pm and will serve as a featured artist at the Altus Handmade Flutes booth in the Exhibit Hall, in addition to her judging responsibilities and committee work.
UW Archaeology Professor Publishes Article on Colby Mammoth Site
UW Assistant Professor of Archaeology Bree Doering recently had an article accepted into Quaternary International about the Colby Mammoth site, located in northern Wyoming near Worland. She co-authored the article with UW alumna Madeline Mackie, now a professor at Michigan State, and UW MA student Molly Herron. Check out the article here.
Theatre and Dance Students Represent UW in Los Angeles
Congratulations to the Theatre & Dance students who represented UW at the Region 8 American College Theatre Festival in Los Angeles! Twelve students competed across the National Playwriting Program, Musical Theatre Initiative (MTI) and Cabaret, and the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship events, representing UW with excellence and artistry. Irene Ryan finalists included Emma Master & Ethan Williams and Oscar Erickson & Chase Nylander, who also earned the Best Physicality in Acting Award. MTI recognition included semifinalists Chase Nylander, Ethan Williams, and Kayla Colburn, with Chase Nylander also named an MTI Finals Alternate. MTI Dance finalists included Margaret Purkey & Chase Nylander, and Chase Nylander received a regional scholarship to the Open Jar Institute Broadway Intensive in NYC.
UW Professor Named One of 150 National Journalism Leaders by Center for Community News at University of Vermont
UW Professor Shane Epping was named one of 150 journalism leaders by the Center for Community News at the University of Vermont. These individuals are being recognized for their efforts to start or expand university-led reporting programs in their region, and their contribution to a national movement of student-powered community reporting. The program is in its third year at CCN. It has grown exponentially in numbers and scope. Today the program is a year-long interactive fellowship and a peer-to-peer collaboration.
UW SPAAIS Professor Delivers Presentation at 'Taiwan Trajectories in 2026: Domestic Debates and Foreign Policy Pivots' Conference
UW SPAAIS Professor Yi-Ling Chen was invited by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies at George Washington University to deliver a presentation at a conference titled “Taiwan Trajectories in 2026: Domestic Debates and Foreign Policy Pivots” on Feb 20. To learn more about her work and research, click here.
Events
UWSO to Perform March 5
Orchestras around the country are celebrating the country’s 250th birthday, and the University of Wyoming Symphony Orchestra (UWSO) is no exception. The concert takes place Thursday, March 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts concert hall. The evening features Theresa Bogard, who is playing her last performance with the orchestra before her retirement this spring after a long and distinguished career. Tickets are available at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984, in person or at (307) 766-6666 at the Performing Arts box office, Monday through Friday, noon to 6 p.m. and one hour before performances. UWSO concerts frequently sell out, so guests are encouraged to purchase them early.
Collective Motion - March 6 & 7 at 7:30 pm and March 8 at 2:00 pm
Experience the dynamism of movement in an eclectic dance concert showcasing the talents of UW students. Featuring exciting and innovative choreography by UW faculty, members of the nationally-acclaimed Repertory Dance Theatre, as well as Contemporary Dance Wyoming, this performance is a dynamic showcase of artistic collaboration and expression. Purchase tickets here.
UW’s America 250 Celebration to Feature Pulitzer Prize-Winning Historian Edward J. Larson
Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Edward J. Larson, the Hugh and Hazel Darling Chair in Law and University Professor of History at Pepperdine University, will speak as part of the University of Wyoming’s America 250 Celebration Friday, March 27, at 4 p.m. in the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium.
Larson’s talk, titled “Declaring Independence: Why 1776 Matters,” will draw from his book of the same name and explore why and how the fight for freedom launched in 1776 still matters 250 years later. This event is part of UW’s America 250 Celebration and the second annual Humanities Summit. Sponsors include the Office of the President; UW Libraries; the Malcolm Wallop Civic Engagement Program; the American Heritage Center; the Office of Community Engagement; the Free Expression, Intellectual Freedom and Constructive Dialogue Program; and the College of Arts and Sciences.
UW to Host Tunisia Showcase on International Partnership, Research Collaboration
The UW Center for Global Studies will host a Tunisia Showcase Thursday, Feb. 26, from 3-7 p.m., in Room 127 of UW’s Business Building, celebrating the history, impact, and future of the Wyoming-Tunisia State Partnership. The showcase will explore the longstanding partnership; highlight recent faculty research conducted in Tunisia; feature a keynote address by Mohamed Malouche, of Deloitte Afrique; and end with a catered poster reception. Attendees may participate in the full program or attend individual sessions. Learn more about this event here.
