January 16, 2020 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Nicole Hauser

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Tom Mangan and Ron Van Ekeren

Professor’s Quote: George Gill

Introduction of Guests: Anita McLaughlin

Visiting Rotarians: Dan Pasman

Junior Rotarians/RYLA/Young RYLA: Samantha & Aida

Rotaract Students:

Humor: Terry Roark

Foundation Drawing: Kermit Brown won $10 with $28.50 in the jackpot.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Junior Rotarian Samantha

 

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Bill Biles nominated the Dine & Discover crew of Rollin Abernethy, John Freeman, Dave Hansen, and Esther McGann; Terry Roark nominated the owners and staff at O’Dwyers for being open to us last week during their water main problems.

 

Songs: I’ve Been Working on the Railroad

 

Program: UW Acting President, Neil Theobold

 

Introduction: Jean Garrison

 

Neil Theobold came to Laramie in 1985 for the UW-School Partnership. Today he is thrilled to be the acting president.

 

Two high priorities right now are to provide an excellent education and to meet challenges in the state of Wyoming.

 

The Wall Street Journal surveyed alumni from 801 upper education institutions. UW came in fifth with a high score for alumni believing their education was worth what they paid.

 

UW has the lowest in state tuition in the country and is still low for out of state tuition. Its alumni are in the top 20 percent for income across the country as well.

 

Theobold sees dean roles at UW as especially crucial. He is working on two open dean positions now.

 

The challenges in Wyoming are related to energy use. The state is working to transition resources to technology related to energy use. UW is working to help in this effort by providing requests to the state legislature to commercialize tech projects and increase Wyoming revenue.

 

Energy research is also a focus at UW and range management is increasing in importance. The state needs better science to address agriculture and wildlife issues, so UW is expanding its extension efforts.

 

For student housing, this project is in the very beginning stages. All those in Wyo Hall have been moved to Hill Hall. This project is still 18-24 months out.

 

Prospective students have consistently listed housing as the number one factor to why they decided not to attend UW. Student housing needs to be updated to better meet needs.

 

Students have expressed disappointment that the dorms are too far from where classes are, very dated, and do not accommodate a group-centered atmosphere.

 

UW is working to decide whether it is better to renovate current housing or start with new. The first new housing structure will be at 15^th and Lewis streets. Each housing unit is expected to have 400 beds.

 

Then, UW is planning to have a parking garage where the current Ivinson parking lot is. This is expected to be about four stories and fit 500 cars.

 

There has been difficulty for UW and the U.S. to attract international students. It is down about 20 percent. This could be attributed to better opportunities in home countries and the less friendly political environment. Greek Life numbers are also down.

 

High school students coming in from Wyoming high schools are performing much better in the last 10 years and out performing other states.

 

Response: Jean Garrison

 

Of the things we think, say, or do

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and

  Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All    

  Concerned?

 

 

Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org