President's Corner

UWAA Needs You!

This is an exciting time to be a member of the University of Wyoming Alumni Association!

With the announcement that Robbie (Morrow) Darnall (BS ’74), our beloved director for over 30 years, was going to retire, a call went out from the university to find the very best candidate to fill some very big shoes. 

As alumni president, I was fortunate to have the opportunity to serve on the search committee for our new director. It was an incredible learning experience to say the very least. Twenty extremely qualified candidates from all over the United States applied for the position. In the end, we welcomed Keener Fry as our new executive director. Keener has been associated with the Cowboy Joe Club and the UW athletic department and is a true Wyoming boy (despite his southern accent!!) WELCOME KEENER!!

Our Alumni house, located at 214 South 14th St., is one of the most beautiful houses in all of Laramie. It is easy to spot as you pass on Grand Avenue--just look for the beautiful bronze statue “Talk About Your Cowboy” on the front lawn. Built in 1929 by the Goodale family, it was purchased by the Forbes family soon after. The house remained in the Forbes family until 1989 when it was purchased by the Alumni Association. The UWAA moved into the house during Homecoming week 1990. Throughout the years changes have been made to the house--a large conference room was added and beautiful personalized bricks were laid in the sidewalk up to the house.

A remodeling project funded by a gift of $50,000 is just beginning. The conference room will be remodeled and the welcome area updated, giving our house a fresh new look. Other improvements that are in the discussion stage include new windows and repairing the personalized brick walkway. 

The Alumni Scholarship program is thriving, giving financial assistance to students from Wyoming, Colorado and other states.  Anywhere you go throughout Wyoming, alumni license plates are visible. The goal now is 5,000 plates for $500,000 in scholarship funds from this great program. If you don’t have your alumni plates, now is the time to get them!

Attention life time members! We’re asking you to get involved once again. There are many ways to become involved with the Alumni Association. We’re going to be looking for volunteers in student recruitment, career services support and to serve as mentors to current UW students. Give the Alumni Association a call and get involved now!

Fall marks the beginning of a new school year and we invite all alumni, bringing a new generation to the University of Wyoming, to stop by the house, see everything that is happening and meet Keener.

 

Jan Cook, UWAA President 2011-2012