‘UW in Your Community’ Event April 17 in Wheatland

Members of the public will find out more about the University of Wyoming’s presence in Platte County, and UW alumni will connect with their alma mater during a “UW in Your Community” gathering Wednesday, April 17, in Wheatland.

The public is invited to the event from 5-7 p.m. at Vimbo’s Restaurant and Lounge. Free appetizers will be served, and beverages from the bar will be provided by American Rare Earths Ltd., where UW alumnus Joe Evers serves as general counsel. Evers also currently serves as vice president of the UW Alumni Association Board of Directors.

UW President Ed Seidel will be in attendance and speak during a brief program, highlighting the university’s collaborative efforts with the state’s community colleges to prepare students for the modern economy and boost entrepreneurism and the state’s economy, among other topics.

Also on the agenda:

-- Lily Jackson, a research scientist in UW’s Center for Economic Geology Research, will discuss the major discovery of rare earth minerals southwest of Wheatland and the importance of rare earth minerals in the nation’s economy.

-- Sara Stotter, a geologist for American Rare Earths Ltd., will discuss the company’s discovery and plans to advance the project, which would be a boon for the local and state economies.

-- Stacy Buchholz and Mary Evans, from the UW Extension office in Platte County, will discuss the office’s activities.

Also scheduled to speak are current UW students from Platte County -- Wheatland High School graduates Alexandria Matthews and Ryland Petroski.

During the day before the April 17 evening event, Seidel, Jackson and the current UW students from Platte County are scheduled to speak to students during an assembly at Wheatland High School.

The Platte County gathering is the 15th in a series of “UW in Your Community” gatherings planned around the state.

“This will be a great opportunity for community members to interact with President Seidel and others from UW, learn about exciting initiatives for students and the state, and see some of the collaborative work UW is doing with local partners,” says Chad Baldwin, UW’s associate vice president for marketing and communications. “UW alumni and everyone across southeast Wyoming are invited for what will be a fun evening.”