“Prexy’s Pasture” or the “Pasture” refers to the open center field of the University of Wyoming campus. The field’s name supposedly refers to a hard-to-end university regulation that alongside his salary, the university president, or “prexy,” be given exclusive use of the pasture to tether his horse. “Prexy’s” has been the center mall of the campus since … Continue reading Prexy’s Pasture →

As a land-grant institution, the University of Wyoming maintained military programs that helped establish and refine defense tactics for the nation. The progressive mentality of the state of Wyoming coupled with a small student population meant young women at the university were afforded many opportunities, such as cadet training, that were not generally available to … Continue reading Female Cadets →

Beginning in 1918, University of Wyoming President Aven Nelson continued the tradition of a land grant institution’s participation in military preparedness by allowing the school to house 250 men enrolled in the students’ Army Training Corps. This program, along with the earlier artillery cadet corps, helped establish a tradition of student military service. Opportunities included … Continue reading University of Wyoming Artillery Cadet Class →

Wyoming’s reputation as the “Equality State” was reinforced with the addition of numerous female professors who made their mark at the University of Wyoming. Grace Raymond Hebard was not only the first woman admitted to the Wyoming State Bar in 1898, and the first woman to practice law before the Wyoming Supreme Court, she was … Continue reading University of Wyoming Pioneering Professors →

Old Main, built in 1886, is the first and oldest remaining building on the University of Wyoming campus in Laramie, Wyoming. The style of Old Main set a precedent for all future University buildings. The main stone used is rough-cut sandstone from a quarry east of Laramie, and the trim stone is smooth Potsdam Sandstone … Continue reading University Hall (Old Main) →

John W. Hoyt, former Wyoming Territorial governor, became the first president of the newly established University of Wyoming in Laramie in 1886. During his three years as president, President Hoyt oversaw the construction of Old Main and designed a liberal arts-centered curriculum. He also helped to reinforce Wyoming’s reputation as the “Equality State” when he appointed … Continue reading The First University of Wyoming President: John Hoyt →

Members of the 1896 University of Wyoming Board of Trustees. From left to right, (first row) Otto Graham (standing), James A McAvoy, and Charles H. Parmelee; (second row, seated) Stephen W. Downey, Grace Raymond Hebard, and Albinius Johnson; (third row, standing) John C. Davis, John O. Churchill, and Timothy F. Burke. Learn more about the … Continue reading 1896 University of Wyoming Board of Trustees →

In 1907, the Wyoming State Legislature officially transferred the former Wyoming Territorial State Prison property to the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture so it could serve as an experimental stock farm. Five thousand dollars was also allocated to repair and equip the farm. Steel cells in the south wing were replaced with a wood scouring … Continue reading University of Wyoming College of Agriculture →

In 1907, the Wyoming State Legislature officially transferred the former Wyoming Territorial State Prison property to the University of Wyoming’s College of Agriculture so it could serve as an experimental stock farm. Five thousand dollars was also allocated to repair and equip the farm. Steel cells in the south wing were replaced with a wood scouring … Continue reading University of Wyoming College of Agriculture →