University of Wyoming The University of Wyoming is a land - grant university located in Laramie , Wyoming , situated on Wyoming ' s high Laramie Plains , at an elevation of 7 , 200 feet ( 2194 m ) , between the Laramie and Snowy Range mountains . It is known as UW ( often pronounced " U - Dub " ) to people close to the university . The university was founded in March 1886 , four years before the territory was admitted as the 44th state , and opened in September 1887 . The University of Wyoming is unusual in that its location within the state is provided by the state ' s constitution . The university also offers outreach education in communities throughout Wyoming and online . The University of Wyoming consists of seven colleges : agriculture and natural resources , arts and sciences , business , education , engineering and applied sciences , health sciences , and law . The university offers over 190 undergraduate , graduate and certificate programs including Doctor of Pharmacy and Juris Doctor . In the top 15 percent of the country ' s four - year colleges , the University of Wyoming was featured in the 2011 " Princeton Review " Best 373 Colleges . In addition to on - campus classes in Laramie , the university ’ s Outreach School offers more than 30 degree , certificate and endorsement programs to distance learners across the state and beyond . These programs are delivered through the use of technology , such as online and video conferencing classes . The Outreach School has nine regional centers across the state , with several on community college campuses , to give Wyoming residents access to a university education without relocating to Laramie . The university is a hub of cultural events in Laramie . It offers a variety of performing arts events , ranging from rock concerts in the Arena Auditorium to classical concerts and performances by the university ' s theater and dance department at the Fine Arts Center . Wyoming also boasts a competitive athletic program , one which annually challenges for conference and national championships . University of Wyoming offers many extracurricular activities , including over 200 student clubs and organizations that include a wide range of social , professional and academic groups . The Wyoming Union is the hub of the campus , with the campus bookstore and numerous student facilities . University of Wyoming opted to become an early adopter of the national Voluntary System of Accountability ( VSA ) through the College Portrait system . The VSA is sponsored by the Association of Public and Land - grant Universities and the Association of State Colleges and Universities . Campus . Old Main . On September 27 , 1886 the cornerstone of Old Main was laid marking the beginning of the University of Wyoming . The stone is inscribed " Domi Habuit Unde Disceret " , which is often translated , " He need not go away from home for instruction . " The following year , the first class of 42 men and women began their college education . For the next decade the building housed classrooms , a library and administration offices . 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 from a quarry near Rawlins . Old Main was designed to be a monumental structure and was designed to be a symmetrical building with a prominent central spire as the focal point . The building was also designed to reflect the character of Wyoming and the rough stone and smooth trim represented the progressing frontier . The design of Old Main had a lasting effect on university structures , which is most visible by the use of sandstone façade on nearly every building . In 1916 , the central spire was removed due to structural concerns and the auditorium was reduced in size during a 1936 renovation . In 1949 , the building was thoroughly remodeled — the auditorium and exterior stairs were completely removed . It also became officially known as Old Main and the name was carved above the east entrance . Currently , Old Main houses university administration including the President ' s Office and the board room where the Trustees often meet . Prexy ' s Pasture . Prexy ' s Pasture is a large grassy area located within a ring of classroom and administrative buildings and serves as the center mall of the campus . The name is attributed to an obscure rule that the university president , or " prexy " , is given exclusive use of the area for livestock grazing . During the administration of Arthur G . Crane the name , " Prexy ' s Pasture " , was formally declared . Prexy ' s , as it is often called today , is also known for the unique pattern formed by concrete pathways that students and faculty use to cross the pasture . When the University of Wyoming first opened its doors in 1887 , Prexy ' s Pasture was nothing more than an actual pasture covered in native grasses . Over time , as the needs of the university has changed , the area has been altered and redesigned . The original design was established in 1924 and in 1949 the area was landscaped with Blue Spruce and Mugo Pine . In February 1965 , the Board of Trustees decided to construct the new science center on the west side of Prexy ' s Pasture . The board president , Harold F . Newton , who was concerned about the location , leaked the decision to the local press . The uproar that followed caused the board to decide on a new location for the science center and resulted in a new state statute making it necessary for any new structure built on the pasture to receive legislative approval . The statue known as " University of Wyoming Family , " was installed in 1983 by UW Professor Robert Russin in anticipation of the centennial celebration . In the summer of 2004 , Prexy ' s Pasture was remodeled as the first step in a two part redesign project . This step involved removing the asphalt roadway that circled the pasture and replacing it with concrete walkways to make the area a walking campus , as recommended by the 1966 and 1991 Campus Master Plans . The grassy area was also increased and new lampposts were installed for better lighting . The second phase of the project involves the construction of a plaza at each corner featuring trees and rocks styled after the rocky outcrops of nearby Vedauwoo . Two of the plazas , Simpson Plaza and Cheney Plaza , have been completed . Currently , several exhibits from the exhibition " Sculpture : A Wyoming Invitational " are featured along the exterior walkway . Also , outside of its primary use by students travelling to and from classes or socializing , the area is also host to campus barbecue s and fall welcome events . Wyoming Union . In September 1937 , with the approval of the Wyoming State Legislature , President Arthur G . Crane obtained a Public Works Administration loan during the Great Depression for $ 149 , 250 from the President Franklin D . Roosevelt administration to be used for construction of a student union . On March 3 , 1938 , ground was broken and construction began on what would become the Wyoming Union . Many students were involved in the construction and twenty - five students were trained to be stone - cutters . From the beginning , the Wyoming Union housed an assortment of student needs and activities . The formal and informal social needs were met by including a ballroom , banquet room , lounges , and game rooms . Offices for student government , committees , organizations , and publications were included to help meet the political and organizational needs of the student population . Lastly , a student store , post office , and bookstore completed the design . The original design has been modified several times to accommodate changing needs and a growing student population . The first addition was completed in January 1960 . This section , added to the northeast of the original structure , expanded the ballroom , created a lounge area and senate chambers adjacent to the ballroom , created the main lobby and breezeway , and provided a larger food area called The Gardens . In 1973 , an addition to the north was completed to create a food court , more space for the bookstore , and additional offices . Also , parts of the original building were remodeled to create the Campus Activities Center , an art gallery , and a ticket outlet . In 2000 , the Wyoming Union underwent extensive renovation . The $ 12 million project moved the food court to the main level , expanded the bookstore to the lower level , and revitalized the look and feel of the interior . Coe Library . The original library at the University of Wyoming consisted of three hundred books and was located in Old Main . In 1923 , the library was moved to the new Aven Nelson Memorial Building . With the 1950s came a larger student population and a greater push for America to excel academically . These factors contributed to the decision by the board of trustees that it was necessary to construct a new library . However , the 1951 state legislature rejected the funding request . William Robertson Coe , a financier and philanthropist , came to the aid of president Humphrey in 1954 by contributing $ 750 , 000 in securities to the university . The trustees called the grant , " one of the most outstanding contributions that has ever been made to the perpetuation of the American heritage " and ensured Coe that the building would be " appropriately named . " The state legislature , in 1955 , matched the Coe grant for an overall amount of $ 1 . 5 million . Laramie architects Eliot and Clinton Hitchcock , whose father had designed Aven Nelson , teamed up with the Porter and Porter firm in Cheyenne to design the new library . Their modular design was popular at the time and intended to make the space very functional . The layout provided room for over five hundred thousand books and seating for at least nine hundred students . In May 1956 , one year after the death of Coe , ground was broken and construction began on the building . The William Robertson Coe library was finished in time for the Fall 1958 semester . In 1979 the stack tower was completed . This structure , designed by Kellogg and Kellogg of Cheyenne and Rock Springs , almost doubled the shelf space of the original Coe Library . The most recent renovation of the library was completed in the fall of 2009 and officially dedicated on November 19 , 2009 . The new wing , referred to as Coe East , was designed by Hinthorne Mott Architects and adds to the library . The addition was part of a larger , $ 50 million project to modernize the library by integrating technology and information . The renovation created an additional 20 group study rooms , space for 180 computer terminals and features art by James Surls . Classroom Building . The Classroom Building , dedicated in 1971 at a cost of $ 1 . 75 million , is designed to be a general purpose building for the university . The placement and unique design , by the local architects W . Eliot and Clinton A . Hitchcock , makes it the focal point of the George Duke Humphrey Science Center . The building also contains four interior mosaics , designed by UW art professors James Boyle , Joseph Deaderick , Richard Evans and Victor Flach , that represent the quadrant of Wyoming they face . Each mosaic is over In 2007 , after a two - year $ 14 . 7 million renovation project , the classroom building reopened . The goal of the renovation was to incorporate new technology and redesign the seating to better meet the needs of students who carry laptops and backpacks . The building was also retrofitted with air conditioning . The unique characteristics of the original building , such as the circular design and mosaics , were maintained . Housing . The University has six residence halls and three apartment complexes . Four of the residence halls ( Orr , White , Downey , and McIntyre ) are connected together via the Washakie Dining Center , which contains the main dining hall and other student services . These residence halls , along with nearby Hill Hall , house primarily freshmen . All incoming freshmen are expected to live in the residence halls during their first year , with some exceptions . Crane Hall , named after Arthur G . Crane , is reserved for students of sophomore standing and above and is configured with almost all single occupancy rooms . Each of the residence halls is named after an influential administrator or faculty member . Downey Hall is an eight - story tall dormitory located southwest of the Washakie Dining Center and is named after Dr . June Etta Downey . Located west of the Washakie Dining Center is the twelve - story dormitory known as White Hall , which is named after Dr . Laura Amanda White . McIntyre Hall named after Dr . Clara Frances McIntyre , is located east of the Washakie Dining Center . This twelve - story tall building underwent extensive renovations in 2004 and 2005 . Just northeast of McIntyre Hall is the eight - story Orr Hall , named after Dr . Harriet Knight Orr . From 2005 to 2006 , Orr Hall also underwent extensive renovations to modernize the living space . The University Apartments are located east of War Memorial Stadium . These apartments are available on a first - come , first - served basis to all UW students above freshman standing . Currently there are apartment units in a variety of layouts in the River Village , Landmark and Spanish Walk apartment complexes . Museums . The University of Wyoming is home to several facilities that allow the public to view unique collections . The American Heritage Center is an extensive repository of artifacts and manuscripts . It is one of the largest non - governmental archives west of the Mississippi River . Officially established in 1945 , it now contains nearly of historic documents and artifacts . It is also home to the Toppan Library , which contains 55 , 000 rare books . The American Heritage Center has also been a leader in digitizing historic texts , photos and recordings . The Geological Museum houses a collection of fossils and minerals with special focus on the history of Wyoming . When the University of Wyoming was founded , the museum was essentially a small personal collection of the professor J . D . Conley . In 1893 , Wilbur Knight , who was hired as a professor of mining and geology , took over as the museum curator . In 1902 , the museum was moved to the Hall of Science and continued to expand . By the time the collection was moved to its current location in 1956 , Knight ' s son Samuel Howell Knight had made the Geology Department famous around the country . S . H Knight acquired many of the exhibits and paintings that are still on display , including the copper Tyrannosaurus at the entrance , the initial mounting of the Apatosaurus skeleton centerpiece and the terracotta Stegosaurus and Triceratops panels . One of the most famous exhibits at the museum is the Allosaurus ; known as , Big Al , it was featured in the BBC documentary , " The Ballad of Big Al " . The University of Wyoming Geological Museum has also received coverage from " National Geographic " , CNN , " Earth Magazine " , Walter Cronkite , " NBC Nightly News " with Tom Brokaw and has been shown on many dinosaur programs . On June 30 , 2009 , the museum was closed to meet state budget cuts . Following this controversial decision , an endowment fund was set up to support the museum . It is currently open on a part - time basis . Colleges . Agriculture and Natural Resources . The College of Agriculture and Natural Resources offers state - of - the - art teaching , research labs and field environments , and an indoor livestock teaching arena . Faculty members hold seven patents in genetics . With nearly 30 courses in environmental studies and natural resources , the college provides hands - on experience and enhanced research opportunities . Arts & Sciences . The College of Arts & Sciences offers more than 50 majors , 60 minors , and seven interdisciplinary programs . Geology , Archaeology , Botany , and Geography programs take advantage of Wyoming ’ s unique environment , while International Studies , Sociology , and Political Science provide global context . Emphasizing field study , internships , and individual research projects , A & S enhances global perspectives through exchange programs and study abroad . In 2010 , the university announced that it had received its largest estate gift ever , from the artist Neltje Doubleday Kings , known as Neltje , consisting of her ranches , art collection , and other holdings . When realized , the gift will create the UW Neltje Center for the Visual and Literary Arts , combining programs of three of the university ' s departments : creative writing , arts , and the art museum . Business . The College of Business is fully accredited at the undergraduate and graduate levels by AACSB , a level reached only by 15 % of all business schools worldwide . Seniors consistently score in the top 10 % on nationwide business achievement tests , and more than 100 business scholarships are awarded annually . Internationally recognized faculty provide hands - on education in state - of - the - art facilities . Education . The College of Education offers 20 different programs leading to certification as a teacher . Partnerships with Wyoming public schools provide a structure for students to gain hands - on experience in real classrooms , and the on - campus lab school provides a model of teaching and learning . Students gain experience with cutting - edge technologies for integration in public school classrooms . The College of Education boasts a strong history of quality graduates , high employment rates , and satisfaction among hiring districts . Engineering and Applied Sciences . Offering 12 programs of study , the College of Engineering and Applied Science provides also undergraduate research opportunities , an International Engineering Program , and Earth Systems Science . Students are provided the opportunity to study and work abroad , addressing pressing issues of global environmental change . UW engineering seniors consistently score above the national average on their first licensing exam , which is in part due to Power Groups which allow freshmen to select common course schedules with students of similar interests . As of September 2012 , the Energy Systems Engineering program became the first ABET Accredited Program of its type in the United States . Health Sciences . The College of Health Science offers programs in pharmacy , nursing , social work , kinesiology , communication disorders , and dental hygiene , and students have the opportunity to receive preprofessional advising . Students study and learn in interdisciplinary teams with state - of - the - art technology , including nursing students who are able to study and learn in a simulated hospital ward . Law . The College of Law was founded in 1920 , and has been accredited by the American Bar Association since 1923 . Its location in the Rocky Mountain West has provided a direct connection to regional and global issues in environmental , natural resources , and energy law . The college boasts many state and federal judges , governors , senators and a former United States Ambassador to Ireland , and offers five clinical programs providing students with hands - on experience in the Brimmer Legal Education Center . Schools and Institutes . The Helga Otto Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources . The University of Wyoming ' s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources ( ENR ) advances the understanding and resolution of complex environment and natural resource challenges through education , dissemination of information , and collaborative decision making support . The Haub School academic programs emphasize interdisciplinary learning , providing students with applied learning experiences that prepare them to consider multiple perspectives to address natural resource issues . The Ruckelshaus Institute produces reports and convenes events on natural resource issues . It is also a leader in collaborative process in environmental decision - making , and offers training courses in negotiation , facilitation , and media relations for natural resource professionals . The Biodiversity Institute provides research , education , and outreach to support biodiversity conservation and management . | Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute . The Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute ( EORI ) was formed as a center of excellence and a depository of knowledge regarding the implementation of Enhanced Oil Recovery ( EOR ) techniques in Wyoming . The mission of EORI is to promote the recovery of Wyoming ’ s stranded oil . The Institute exists to assist Wyoming operators with their EOR projects by applying existing technologies and creating new knowledge when necessary , maximize the economic potential and minimize the risk of EOR projects , facilitate the testing , evaluation , and documentation of EOR recommendations in the real world settings , and transfer the information to Wyoming producers by forming partnerships and conducting workshops and conferences . School of Energy Resources . The School of Energy Resources ( SER ) at the University of Wyoming was created in 2006 to enhance the university ' s energy - related education , research , and outreach . SER showcases the many energy research projects at UW and bridges academics and industry . Campus Organizations . Associated Students of the University of Wyoming ( ASUW ) . The Associated Students of the University of Wyoming ( ASUW ) is the governing body at the University of Wyoming . ASUW is funded through student fees , and provides a wide variety of services that both directly and indirectly benefit the students of the University of Wyoming . Campus Sustainability Committee . The university has established a Campus Sustainability Committee ( CSC ) to advance environmental and economic sustainability on campus . The CSC advises all departments and program on sustainability matters and oversees the university ’ s efforts and progress towards reducing its carbon footprint . All new campus buildings are required to meet LEED ( Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ) Silver certification of the U . S . Green Building Council ( USGBC ) . UW President Tom Buchanan signed the American College & University Presidents Climate Commitment ( ACUPCC ) in 2007 . For their advances on university sustainability , UW scored a " C " on the College Sustainability Report Card of the Sustainable Endowments Institute . Friday Night Fever . The goal of Friday Night Fever ( FNF ) is to offer free and unique alcohol - free late - night entertainment for University of Wyoming students . The events vary by the week and are diverse to include all students . Past events sponsored by FNF include comedians , magicians , hypnotists , the UW Idol Competition , Salsa Dancing , Casino Night , and inflatable games . The organization also regularly shows first - run movies in the Wyoming Union every Friday night at 6 : 30 , 9 : 00 , and 11 : 30 p . m . Greek letter organizations . Nearly all fraternities and sororities are located on campus in private or university owned houses . Houses are located on Fraternity and Sorority Row . Most of the Fraternities and the Honors House line the northern ( Fraternity ) road and Sororities and two fraternities line the southern ( Sorority ) road . The two roads are separated by a large park and playing field ( The Frat Mall ) This area is considered one of the last remaining true Fraternity rows . Fraternities Sororities Outdoor Program . The Outdoor Program ( OP ) , located in the south lobby of Half Acre , offers many activities for the outdoor enthusiasts . The program was established in 1997 by the University of Wyoming to provide a wide variety of educational training and to equip students to pursue adventures on their own . Through the OP , students can go on a variety of single , multiday , and week - long excursions . A few examples of the trips offered are rock climbing , white water rafting , ice climbing , snowshoeing , backcountry skiing , and mountain biking . Some of the educational programs offered are avalanche training , route setting , bike maintenance , and lead climbing courses . The Outdoor Program is subsidized by student fees and participants only pay for the trip expenditures . Equipment such as snowshoes , mountain bikes , camping supplies , and backpacking gear are available for rent . The OP also offers several events throughout the year such as rock climbing competitions at the Half Acre gym and the Banff Film Festival " World Tour " . SafeRide . Founded in the fall of 2000 , the goal of SafeRide is to prevent drinking and driving by offering on call service Thursday , Friday , and Saturday nights . Since then , the service has transported over 160 , 000 passengers . Each SafeRide vehicle is clearly marked by an illuminated sign . The driver of the vehicle is accompanied by a SafeRide SideKick to assist with the responsibilities of transporting the passengers and communicating with the dispatcher . On January 23 , 2009 the 150 , 000th rider was presented with a US $ 1000 scholarship . Transit & Parking Services . Transit & Parking Services monitors parking lots and provides transportation to ease access to the University of Wyoming campus . The transit service consists of different systems that operate independently . Students are no longer required to present their ID card to board the shuttles . The services offered by transit and parking , are now available to everyone at no charge . The various routes offered are as follows : Union Express – Route provides transport from Union Express Lot , located along Willett Dr . and 30th St . , to McWhinnie Hall and the Wyoming Union every five to seven minutes . Route times are from 7 a . m . to 6 : 30 p . m . After 6 : 30 p . m . , the Classroom Express services Union Express stops . South Express – Route provides transport from South Express Lot , located at 15th St . and Spring Creek Rd . , to McWhinnie Hall and the Wyoming Union every five to seven minutes . Route times are from 7 a . m . to 6 : 30 p . m . After 6 : 30 p . m . , Resident Park ‘ N Ride services South Express stops upon request . Classroom Express – Route provides transport from Union Express Lot to Classroom Building every 10 minutes . Route also stops at Downey Hall and the Arena Auditorium . Route times are from 6 : 30 a . m . to 10 : 30 p . m . After 6 : 10 p . m . , route loop time extends to 20 minutes and Wyoming Union stop is added . Campus Shuttle – Routes services 10 stops around campus perimeter from 6 : 56 a . m . to 6 : 21 p . m . , including Spanish Walk and Lodgepole Apartment Complexes and the Classroom Building . Route is serviced every 30 minutes . Resident Park ‘ N Ride – Route runs from the P lot , located along 30th St . between Armory and Willett , to the Crane / Hill Cafetria and then the Beta House along Willett Dr . approximately every 10 minutes . Service runs from 1 : 30 pm to 10 p . m . Note : All of the routes mentioned above only operate on university business days . Detailed maps and schedules for all routes may be obtained from the following locations : Transit and Parking Service , Union Copy Center , Campus Express ID Office , University Bookstore , and Wyoming Union . For more information call 307 - 766 - 9800 . Paratransit Services - The University of Wyoming offers a separate transit service for passengers unable to ride the fixed routes due to a disability . Eligibility is determined through the Transpark office . Transit & Parking Services also operates the Night Owl Express , which provides on - call service from 10 p . m . to 6 a . m . on weekdays and 24 hours a day on the weekends . The service can be requested by pressing the black buttons at one of the shelters on campus . Athletics . University of Wyoming athletics teams are named the Cowboys and Cowgirls . Their official song is " Ragtime Cowboy Joe " . Wyoming competes at the NCAA Division I level ( FBS - Football Bowl Subdivision for football ) as a member of the Mountain West Conference . UW offers 17 NCAA - sanctioned sports – nine women ’ s sports and eight men ’ s sports . Wyoming ’ s nine NCAA sports for women are : basketball ; cross country ; golf ; soccer ; swimming and diving ; tennis ; indoor track & field ; outdoor track and field ; and volleyball . UW ’ s eight NCAA sports for men are : basketball ; cross country ; football ; golf ; swimming and diving ; indoor track and field ; outdoor track and field ; and wrestling .