Staff Reports
The Central Wyoming College Board of Trustees Wednesday night voted to give President Dr. Brad Tyndall a one year extension to his contract through June 30 of 2027. The vote to extend his contract was unanimous. Dr. Tyndall has been CWC’s President since July of 2016. Trustees held an executive session prior to the meeting to discuss Tyndall’s contract. In open session, Trustee Nicole Schoening reported the board had read, studied and debated Dr. Tyndall’s own personal evaluation, a staff evaluation and the trustees evaluations of the president’s performance before taking action. In addition to his duties at the college, Dr. Tyndall for the next two years will serve all of the state’s community colleges as President of the Presidents, a position that rotates between the eight colleges. He succeeds Dr. Darren Divine from Casper College in that rotation. As a side note, under the college’s governance, the president is the sole employee who is hired by and who reports directly to the board of trustees.
There was good news at the meeting. The Accounting firm MHK (McGee Hearns Paiz) of Cheyenne, told Trustees that the college’s 2023 audit was unmodified, meaning it was a clean audit with no deficiencies or non-compliance noted. WyomingPBS also received a clean audit. MHK auditor Brittany Wilson told the trustees “Theres only good news here today.” She explained that an unmodified finding was the best that could be obtained.
Of interest was a Human Relations Report that former Riverton Police Captain and current Douglas Chief of Police Todd Byerly has been hired as a Criminal Justice instructor at the college’s who will start his duties December 11th. Initially, Byerly will teach remotely for the Rural Justice Training Center at CWC.
Trustees were told that enrollment at the college is up five percent for FTE (Full Time Equivalency) admissions from last year at this time.
• At the Lander Center, it was reported a Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP) Grant was awarded in late September and funding was released last month. WIP funding (along with a University of Wyoming partnership) will enable building of a controlled environment ag facility – looking at a container farm (fully automated/hydroponic) and a small greenhouse. The site location will be to the East side of the Lander Center between the Lander Center’s current building and the shed area. This grant includes a remodel of a classroom at Lander Center into a full lab and creating a summer STEM program.
• CWC’s Alpine Science Institute in Sinks Canyon now has over 5 miles of trails after the Trail Building class finished a new trail this month led by Darran Wells and his students. The trails are open for public usage.
• The Dubois Outreach Center reported October was an exciting time for children in Dubois, thanks to its Outreach classes. Dubois does not have a recreation department so part of Central Wyoming College presence in town is to provide recreation activities for all ages. Toddler Gym, Dubois Dancers (Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop), Speedy Rams Running Club and Special Costume Run Event all started this month. Indoor Pickleball started at the end of October and will continue to meet weekly through the winter.
• The Jackson Outreach Center reported the annual Wyoming Snow and Avalanche Workshop was held on the weekend of October 20 and 21. CWC is a cosponsor of this event which professional and passionate enthusiasts attend to learn about decision-making, risk vs reward, snow science, and backcountry practices. The Jackson Outreach Center also received generous funding – $59,348.99 – for student scholarships, English Language Learner programs, and our Bridge to College and Success Program through the 2023 Old Bills Fun Run challenge. Donations were received from over 50 donors, the highest number of donors yet.
• Congratulations were offered to Paula Hartbank who received a Transfer Champion award at the 2023 Wyoming Articulation Summit at the University of Wyoming in October, 2023. Paula was recognized for her work with students in her previous position as TRIO Education/Transfer Success Coach. This award recognizes the impactful contribution made to the lives of students across Wyoming as they pursue their educational goals. The exceptional service of this recipient has moved mountains in the lives of countless students to ensure their successes, according to the award.
• CWC hosted a livestock judging workshop on October 27 for all Fremont County Ag programs. Riverton, Lander Valley, and Wind River all brought students to CWC to learn how to judge livestock. Randell VonKrosigk from South Dakota and Amanda Winchester, CWC livestock judging coach, put on the workshop for 40 students and FFA advisors. The students learned about Beef, Sheep, Swine, and Goats. We did a couple of hours in the classroom learning the general basics and then moved into the arena to see live animals and learn how to place the livestock from best to worst.