Paying It Forward

Foundation board chair Doug Stark works tirelessly to help future generations of students.

Doug Stark grew up in Riverton and after high school worked jobs such as road construction. He then chose to attend the University of Wyoming to create a better life for himself and his family, but with no scholarships or family support, he couldn’t afford it. After a semester, he had to stop and go back to work to earn the money needed to finish. But he persevered, earning his bachelor’s degree in agricultural business in 1980.

“My experience formed the foundation of why I give back and why I think philanthropy is so important,” Stark says. “There are a lot of kids in similar situations. I got the chance to get a good education and to have a really nice career, and I attribute that to my UW education. I couldn’t have done that otherwise, and so I’m inclined to find ways to give back so that other young men and women can experience those opportunities.”

Stark retired as president and chief executive officer of Farm Credit Services of America in 2017 after a 37-year career there where he helped the financial cooperative’s assets grow from $9.7 billion to $25.8 billion.

His contributions to UW include facilitating the UW and Farm Credit Services of America collaboration on research and outreach projects; co-teaching a leadership class in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources; working to help establish the first minor in leadership; and serving on the Agriculture Dean’s Advisory Board. To honor his leadership, Stark received the Agricultural Outstanding Alumni Award in 2013 and the UW Alumni Association Distinguished Alumni Award in 2022. His wife, Deniz, also is a UW alum, and they live on their ranch north of Shawnee, Wyo. The couple established the Stark Family President’s Endowed Scholarship, which supports transfer students to the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. In 2017, Stark joined the UW Foundation Board of Directors.

“We’re focused on how we can continue to grow our impact at the University of Wyoming, especially for students and faculty,” Stark says. “The UW Foundation Board is a phenomenal group of very accomplished business men and women. It’s humbling to be a part of this group, who — as a result of their time at the university — have gone on to very successful careers.”

When the board travels, it meets with alumni around the country. “It never ceases to amaze me the alumni I meet,” Stark says. “I hear stories of their time at UW and what it meant to them and then to see how successful they have become. The University of Wyoming has outkicked its coverage in terms of impact.”

Stark believes what sets UW apart is the people — from the students to the professors and advisers.

“The fact it’s our only university in the state really creates a lot of pride,” he says. “And there’s so much personal benefit to giving back. Seeing the impact you can have on faculty and students is really inspiring.”