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    Local students share why ‘The World Needs More Cowboys’

    (Riverton, WY) – The University of Wyoming held their first-ever “The World Needs More Cowboys” Celebration at the Central Wyoming College Intertribal Education and Community Center Monday night.

    Attendees ranged from possible future Pokes to House District 55 Representative Ember Oakley. They were addressed by four current UW students from Fremont County along with a local alumnus, the university’s president, and the women’s golf head coach.

    Lance Goede, who recently relocated to Laramie from Riverton, is one of 24 UW alumni featured in the new “The World Needs More Cowboys — and So Does Wyoming” advertising campaign, was the first guest of the evening to speak.

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    He shared his experience of graduating from high school in smalltown Wyoming and transitioning to a large university.

    “I tried to figure out how I could find my place at the University of Wyoming, one of the primary ways I did that was being in Residence Life. I was an RA for three out of my five years at UW. I’m still connected with dozens of RAs from that time.”

    Lance recently retired as CWC’s student success director after 26 years at the college. Check out the video featuring Lance below.

    Riverton High School graduate and current Honors College UW student Gabi Vincent explained how attending the university has exceeded her expectations, even through COVID.

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    “I’m really excited to go back this year,” she shared. “I think it provides so many great opportunities for its students.”

    She is already planning to pursue her master’s at UW as well.

    County 10 Photo – Gabi Vincent

    Wind River High School graduate and UW senior Cole Nelson shared his experience of a culture shock going from smalltown to a large university. The difficulties of his freshman year and getting back on track.

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    “I couldn’t be more thankful for the university in helping me in my journey to where I am today,” he said.

    County 10 Photo – Cole Nelson

    Riverton High School and CWC graduate Kyle Phister shared his experience with transferring from CWC to UW.

    “It was such a smooth transition from community college to university life, and thanks to the faculty on both ends, honestly. I had no idea what I was doing, and anytime I had a question, I was directed to the right source, I’ve always been super grateful for that.”

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    “At the University of Wyoming, if you want to be successful, you will be successful,” he continued. “Because of the tools and the resources provided to you.”

    County 10 Photo – Kyle Phister

    Russell Brubaker graduated from RHS in 2007 and didn’t think school was for him since he struggled as a student. After bouncing around the workforce for several years trying to find his career, he enrolled at CWC when all of the jobs he was passionate about required college degrees.

    His experience at CWC was not as he expected being an older, non-traditional student, and found it prepared him for the transition to a university.

    “My major is wildlife biology, and the ability to do actual research is invaluable for future careers,” he shared. “It’s a pretty competitive market, and coming into it as a non-traditional student can be a little scary. Starting at a small community college and then into the larger college has really helped put me in a good position, and I feel very lucky.”

    County 10 Photo – Russell Brubaker

    Head women’s golf coach Josey Stender shared her appreciation for the many stakeholders who made it possible for UW athletics to continue despite the challenges of the pandemic.

    “I couldn’t be more appreciative of the support that we received, and I really do think with the challenges that we’ve faced over the last 18 months, we’ve been very lucky here in our state, specifically in the athletic department.” 

    County 10 Photo – Josey Stender

    Ed Seidel became UW’s 28th president in July of 2020 and has continued the mission to build relationships throughout the state.

    “We’re very interested in building partnerships that we think will help strengthen the state through educational partnerships with all the community colleges as well as with the schools and then with companies. So really think about how we can revitalize the state’s economy going forward.”

    County 10 Photo – UW President Ed Seidel

    Rounding out the evening, event host Chad Baldwin, UW’s associate vice president for marketing and communications, led attendees in UW athletics fight song, “Ragtime Cowboy Joe.”

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