A Message from the President: Let’s Have a Great Semester!

UW Community:

 

Welcome back, Cowboys and Cowgirls!

 

The first day of classes is here, and I hope you’re ready for a great year at the University of Wyoming. If you’re a returning student, welcome back. If you’re new to UW, welcome home. And if you’re wondering whether you packed everything you need for the year, don’t worry -- you can probably buy it in Laramie.

 

Seriously, though, there is something special about this day. A new academic year brings a fresh start, new opportunities and plenty of possibilities. It’s a chance to meet new people, try something you’ve never done before, discover a subject that gets you excited and make memories that you’ll carry with you long after you leave Laramie.

 

That’s what I want you to remember about your time at UW. Yes, you’re here to learn -- and we’re going to take that responsibility seriously. But college is about much more than what’s written on a syllabus. It’s about friendships, late-night conversations, cheering with your friends in the stands, finding your place and figuring out what you’re capable of doing.

 

And there will be plenty of opportunities to cheer.

 

I grew up in Wyoming, so I know what Cowboys and Cowgirls athletics mean to this state. There’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing the Brown and Gold come together on game day. Our student-athletes work incredibly hard to represent UW, and I hope you’ll get behind them this year. Let’s fill the stands, make some noise and create the kind of home-field advantage our teams deserve.

 

But whether you’re competing on the field or court, performing on stage, conducting research in a laboratory, working on a new idea or simply trying to make it through your first college paper, you’re part of the UW team.

 

And you are not in this alone.

 

Our faculty and staff are here because they believe in you. They want to see you learn, grow, succeed and achieve things you may not yet believe are possible. Ask questions. Seek help when you need it. Get to know your professors. Take advantage of the opportunities around you. We are all in this together, and your success is our success.

 

I’ve said that the University of Wyoming is on the rise, and I believe that more strongly every day. We’re building on a remarkable foundation, including our new status as a Carnegie R1 research university, while embracing the changes and opportunities ahead.

 

I believe UW’s best days are ahead of us. In fact, I believe we have an opportunity to enter a golden era of success -- for our students, our university and the state we proudly serve.

 

But a university doesn’t create that future on its own. We create it together.

 

So enjoy this year. Work hard. Have some fun. Make friends. Take some chances. Cheer loudly. Be good to one another. And make the most of every opportunity.

 

I’m grateful to be on this journey with you.

 

Welcome to a new year at the University of Wyoming.

 

Go Pokes!

 

Sincerely,

 

Shane Reeves, President