UW Foundation directors of development work closely with individual donors and with
the university to focus on the priorities of each, helping to guide the significant
and thoughtful commitments that have a major impact on the future of Wyoming’s university.
From connection to culmination, directors of development focus on ongoing communication and building relationships with donors who have the capacity and affinity to donate a major gift. A major gift is defined as a gift of over $25,000. These are often used to establish an endowment, which allows the students of yesterday to leave a legacy that impacts the students of tomorrow. Directors of development also know their assigned college or unit inside and out—its needs and future goals and its plans for research and expansion. In this way, they are perfectly suited to help donors achieve the impact they hope for with their generous gifts and to help UW have the resources it needs to achieve its long-term goals.
The Steve Elliot Scholarship originated in the 1990s, when educator Steve Elliot decided to create a scholarship for his speech-language pathology students at UW. His motivation was to give back to the UW Division of Communication Disorders and to show gratitude toward students. Initially, Steve raised money for the scholarship by asking friends, family, and colleagues to recycle cans for cash. Paul Lerwick donated $50,000 to the scholarship in 2004 and again in 2015, which was matched by the State of Wyoming. Since 2005, over $40,000 in scholarships have supported students studying communication disorders. The scholarship is now named in honor of Steve Elliot and his significant contributions to the University of Wyoming.
A gift to the University of Wyoming from philanthropists Liliane and Christian Haub will establish the Liliane and Christian Haub Professorship in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources. The professorship will recruit and retain exceptional early-career faculty for the Haub School and will rotate every three years to a new high- performing faculty member. “We are thrilled to support this professorship to attract and retain talented educators and researchers in order to build the best possible faculty, who will have a tremendous influence on generations of students to come,” says Liliane Haub.
Donors Kay and Brad McKim were inspired by the book Being Mortal: Medicine and What Matters in the End by Atul Gawande, which addresses end-of-life care and emphasizes the importance of compassion, patient autonomy, and quality of life. Motivated to make a difference, they established the “Best Day Possible” Fund for Older Adult Palliative Care—a fund that encourages, inspires, and supports nursing students who are interested in studying and working in end-of-life and palliative care for older adults.
In the heart of Wyoming, a defining quality of a Cowboy is taking care of one another, and this year, that spirit shone brightly as donors rallied together to support the Difference Makers Campaign. With a goal to raise $20 million in private funds, the campaign aimed to enhance the experience of Wyoming fans and student-athletes alike. Thanks to a $50 million investment from the Wyoming legislature combined with additional funding from the university, Wyoming Athletics is poised to embark on two transformative projects: the renovation of the west side of War Memorial Stadium and the construction of a world-class aquatic center. UW Athletics Director Tom Burman says, “Our student-athletes, our fans, and the university community will benefit from having some of the best athletics facilities in collegiate sports.”
One of the most talked-about topics in Wyoming is preserving and protecting the natural beauty and biodiversity of our great state. One way this is being accomplished is through the Jackson Fork Ranch – University of Wyoming Research Project, which supports the UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources in its conservation and biodiversity research mission. The project was created through support of CEO Joe Ricketts and the Jackson Fork Ranch. This project specifically focuses on increasing the understanding of the biodiversity of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and throughout the state of Wyoming, with the goal of keeping the lands of Wyoming beautiful and flourishing. “This is such an exciting, generous, and forward-thinking gift that fosters collaboration to learn more about our lesser-known but impactful wildlife species across the wild and working lands of Wyoming,” says John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School.
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John StarkSenior Vice President for Development |