Sandberg Sisters Named Grand Marshals of UW Homecoming Parade

University of Wyoming Homecoming, sponsored by UniWyo Credit Union, will feature two distinguished UW alumni -- Julie (Sandberg) Read and Lori (Sandberg) Wobick -- as grand marshals for the annual Homecoming parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4.

 

The Sandberg sisters grew up on a small wheat farm outside of Albin, which is 50 miles northeast of Cheyenne. Both pursued engineering degrees at UW, which became the foundation of their distinguished careers.

 

Older sister Julie Read graduated from UW in 2007, earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical and computer engineering. While attending UW, she was active in the national engineering honor society Tau Beta Pi and participated in the Tri Delta sorority and the UW Experimental Program to Stimulate Competitive Research (EPSCoR).

 

“I’m deeply grateful for this honor and excited to take part in such a special tradition,” Read says. “The theme ‘Space Cowboys’ reflects my past, present and future.”

 

Younger sister Lori Wobick followed her passion for math and science at UW, pursuing a degree in mechanical engineering and graduating in 2010. Wobick also was active beyond her studies, participating in the Tri Delta sorority, the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and Tau Beta Pi.

 

“UW taught me to never give up and that you can go as far as you want to go if you always try your best,” Wobick says. “The engineering program was rigorous and provided challenging problems to work through solutions. Those are skills I still use today.”

 

Read went on to earn a master’s degree and Ph.D. in aerospace engineering from Texas A&M University. Today, she is a spacecraft trajectory expert at NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

 

“UW helped shape me as an individual, with experiences that continue to inspire me,” Read says. “The professors truly cared about students and taught me to approach engineering with critical thinking and methodical problem-solving.”

 

Wobick also attended Texas A&M after UW, earning her master’s degree in mechanical engineering in 2013. She built her career with Boeing -- and now works for the company in Houston -- specializing in the characteristics and performance of space and defense vehicles.

 

“UW will always be a home away from home, and it’s an honor to be part of Homecoming,” Wobick says. “My hope is to inspire all Pokes to reach for the stars.”

 

Both Read and Wobick say they’re honored to serve as the 2025 Homecoming parade grand marshals. They hope to promote the strength of the education at UW and to inspire future generations to chase their dreams.

 

Other scheduled Homecoming events include:

 

-- The Tribute to Steamboat event will be Wednesday, Oct. 1, beginning at 5 p.m. with a barbecue at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena, located at 470 Wyoming Highway 230. A “showdeo” will follow at 6 p.m. The evening will conclude with a swing dance hosted by UW’s Cowboy Country Swing Club.

 

-- Homecoming check-in will be from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Saturday check-in will be available at the Alumni Tailgate from 2 p.m. until kickoff. Homecoming T-shirts will be given to the first 100 registered alumni on Friday only on a first-come, first-served basis starting at 9 a.m., noon and 5 p.m. One T-shirt will be available per registered alumni while supplies last. Additional swag items will be available at check-in, including drink tokens that registered alumni can use during the Homecoming Happy Hour at multiple locations or Cowboy Coffee and Alumni Tailgate events. The University Store will have a pop-up shop during Homecoming check-in.

 

-- The brand-new Alumni Lunch will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, in the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. This event celebrates UW alumni, faculty and staff, and their continued dedication to the university. Faculty and staff who are alumni receive one complimentary meal ticket courtesy of the Alumni Association. Tickets are available for purchase for all alumni and the public at $10 each.

 

-- 50th Club Dessert Social: The new 50th Club Dessert Social will be held Friday, Oct. 3, in the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center from 3-4 p.m. Members of the class of 1975 celebrating their 50th reunion and the 50th Club are invited to share a sweet treat and memories during this event. Fiftieth reunion swag will be available for the class of 1975.

 

-- Homecoming Happy Hour will begin at 4 p.m. Friday at multiple locations, including Bond's Brewing Co., The Cowboy Saloon and the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center.

 

-- Cowboy Coffee, sponsored by UniWyo Credit Union, will take place from 8-10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4, at UW’s Ivinson Parking Garage, located between 10th and 11th streets along Ivinson Avenue. Complimentary Homecoming mugs -- one per person -- and breakfast items will be available while they last.

 

-- The Homecoming parade will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 4. The parade will begin at 14th Street and Grand Avenue, will travel toward downtown and will return to Ninth and Ivinson. The 2025 Homecoming Parade theme is “Space Cowboys.”

 

-- The Alumni Tailgate, sponsored by Crest Insurance, will take place from 2 p.m. until kickoff Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center, featuring complimentary game-day snacks and drinks available for purchase in addition to a University Store pop-up shop. A mechanical bull and DJ also will be featured at the event.

 

To register for the Homecoming celebration or for more information, visit www.pokes.org/homecoming, call the Alumni Association office at (307) 766-4166, or email uwalumni@uwyo.edu.