Letter from the UWAA President Joe Evers

 

If you’re reading this, we already have one big thing in common — a shared appreciation for the University of Wyoming (UW) and the wonderful state where it is located. I believe UW is the thread that weaves our communities together, bonding Wyomingites, whether alumni or not, with a shared pride. This shared pride encompasses a pride in place, people, work ethic, toughness and determination, among other things. To me, Powder River, Let’er Buck brings these ideas together and is the perfect rallying cry for our university and our state — Powder River is a place, Let’er Buck is a mindset. This slogan tells the world where we are from and that we are ready for anything that may come our way. It is a badge of honor to come from UW. We all share the pride that comes from wearing Steamboat and cheering for the Pokes. 

I am deeply proud to represent you as your new UW Alumni Association (UWAA) board president. As I set out to build upon the work of my predecessors, a key focus will be around highlighting and instilling pride in our university and our state. Our mission at UWAA is to build pride, loyalty and future sustainment among the UW community through communication, involvement, engagement and celebration. UWAA does not exist to ask you for money. We are here to engage with you, our alumni and friends, and to provide an outlet to engage with your university — Wyoming’s university. I believe the UWAA functions as the “front porch” for the university. This organization exists to welcome you, engage with you, provide a link to connect with UW, and to celebrate what this university means to Wyoming, its people and our alumni.

In the years since graduating, I have come to value my education from UW even more than when I was a student in Laramie. I value the people, place, affordability, quality of education and experiences UW afforded me. These are things we all share. As I embark on my tenure as UWAA board president, I say to you: I’m from Wyoming, and I’m ready — Powder River, Let’er Buck!