UW Alumni Making an Impact

 

Celebrate notable UW graduates featured in this issue of UWyo magazine. 

 

By Jane France 

 

This publication of UWyo Magazine showcases just some of the University of Wyoming’s most valuable players (MVPs) — alumni who excel both on and off the field. Currently, there are perhaps more professional athletes who are graduates of UW playing at a professional level than ever before. That is a testament not only to the quality of students who attend UW but also to the institution for the education and mentorship it provides. It sure makes following professional sports more fun, too! 

What makes an MVP? An MVP isn’t just a standout athlete. UW’s MVPs inspire others and are leaders in their professional fields and communities. They represent their alma mater with integrity and pride and set an example for current and prospective students. They do it from boardrooms, classrooms, auditoriums, courtrooms, fields and stadiums across the globe. Their legacies reach far beyond their few years in Laramie and are often well recognized outside the UW and Wyoming communities. 

The alumni featured in this publication constitute what I consider best in class. UW provided them with a strong foundation to work hard, think outside the box, lend a hand and use common sense. They have a deep sense of commitment to their chosen fields and excel under pressure. Their time at UW has paid dividends, and they regularly lead the way and outshine their competition. We are well represented on a global scale with Cowboy and Cowgirl engineers, scientists, teachers, nurses, lawyers, musicians, accountants, professional athletes and others. 

Serving as president of the UW Alumni Association Board of Directors has been an honor. One of the most enjoyable and inspiring parts of my role is to learn about the outstanding graduates UW has and continues to produce. I sincerely enjoy learning about our alumni, whether they are celebrating their 50th reunion at Homecoming or are new graduates in search of their first jobs. We all share a deep sense of pride in UW and easily bond over shared experiences in Laramie, many of which are timeless. Surely every reader can relate to the alumni highlighted in this issue in some way, whether it be through strolls across Prexy’s Pasture, freshman classes in the Classroom Building, dorm room stories or the sound of the Western Thunder Marching Band on a crisp fall day. 

I hope you enjoy reading about UW’s MVPs as much as I have. These stories are certainly inspiring and highlight our alumni’s passion, hard work and winning attitudes. While there are many others worthy of recognition, this issue gives you a unique glimpse into the lives of many successful graduates. Please join me in celebrating these individuals, and I hope reading this publication will encourage you to do something “most valuable” and reflect fondly on your own time at UW. 

 

My best in brown and gold, 
Jane M. France 
President, University of Wyoming Alumni Association Board of Directors 
(B.A. ’08, History, J.D. ’11)