Presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2012, Dyekman—a partner at Dray, Dyekman, Reed and Healey P.C. in Cheyenne, Wyo., who received his bachelor’s degree with honors in accounting and his law degree from the University of Wyoming—exemplifies the giving spirit of UW’s alumni. “I like giving back because it was such a valuable time in my life and made my career what it is, which has been pretty amazing for a Wyoming kid,” he says. “I want it to be that kind of experience for everyone else who comes to UW. The longer I’ve been involved and the more I’ve gotten to know the people and the commitment they all have, the more it makes me more willing to pitch in.”
Pitch in he has: Dyekman began serving on the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors in the mid-1990s, decided to help start a similar board for the College of Law and was then recruited to serve on the board of the UW Foundation, which he eventually chaired. He is a mentor for UW students, holds season basketball and football tickets, and is a member of the Cowboy Joe Club.
Dyekman says alumni who aren’t involved are missing out. “There’s really something to gain from being associated with the university,” he says. “It’s become a really important thing for me in my life. I look at the things that made a big difference to me, and it’s easy for me to try to jump in and help make that available to future students.”
