Estate Gift Supports UW Teton STEM Academy

A generous gift from the estate of the late Harry and Mary Ann Lawroski, of Wilson, is helping inspire and educate the next generation of scientists, engineers and leaders through the University of Wyoming’s Teton STEM Academy.

Established in 2018, the Teton STEM Academy was made possible by the Lawroskis’ philanthropy. The academy is a summer living-learning program for Wyoming high school students interested in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Since its inception, the program has provided hands-on research experiences and meaningful mentorship to students from across the state, creating a powerful pipeline to higher education and STEM careers.

The Teton STEM Academy is directed by Chip Kobulnicky, a professor in the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy who has led summer STEM camps for middle school and high school students for 19 years. Under his leadership, the program brings together students, teachers and scientists to explore the wonders of science and to spark lifelong passions.

“Harry believed that young people should be inspired by challenging hands-on activities in science and engineering,” Kobulnicky says. “That’s what we aim to provide, led by a talented team of high school teachers and college counselors.”

Harry Lawroski, a respected chemical engineer and past president of the American Nuclear Society, and his wife, Mary Ann, a family finance specialist and longtime community volunteer, shared a deep belief in the power of education. The couple was active in philanthropic efforts throughout Idaho and Jackson Hole, supporting health care, housing, the arts and lifelong learning.

“The Lawroskis’ legacy will be generations of ninth-to-11th-grade students who can make friends and experience a college-like weeklong camp at UW for free,” Kobulnicky says.

The Lawroskis’ gift to the Teton STEM Academy ensures continued access to early STEM engagement for Wyoming youth, honoring the Lawroskis’ enduring commitment to opportunity and innovation.

“We are deeply appreciative of Harry and Mary Ann’s generous support of STEM educational opportunities for young people across the state of Wyoming,” says John Stark, president and CEO of the UW Foundation. “Although neither of them were graduates of UW, they were both keenly aware of the important role that UW plays in supporting these educational opportunities for students across Wyoming.”

For more information on the Teton STEM Academy or how to support the program, visit https://physics.uwyo.edu/~chip/STEMcamp/.