PLANNING A NEW BUILDING A new academic building is one step closer to fruition after the Wyoming Legislature provided partial funding of about $9.3 million. The proposed $14.3 million facility, tentatively named the Yellowstone Academic/Workforce Training Building, will provide diverse classroom, laboratory and faculty office space, including much-needed space for the Nursing program and growing Criminal Justice program. Also planned in the 49,700-square-foot building is a 300-seat conference facility. It’s the top-ranked unmet need in NWC’s Facilities Master Plan.
TOPPING $1 MILLION A monumental milestone was reached in 2011 when NWC Foundation transfers to the college totaled just over $1 million for the first time. The lion’s share of the $1,116,267 came from endowed funds, the perpetual source of income that provides an ongoing base of support; nearly three-quarters was devoted to scholarships. Managing endowments totaling $21,767,545, the foundation benefitted from 652 alumni donations, 147 college employees and many others.
BOOSTING NEW INTERCULTURAL CENTER NWC took the first step toward creating an Intercultural Center when it received a two-to-one matching grant of $131,000 from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In addition to funding the purchase and remodeling of a residential house adjacent to campus, the grant includes an endowment to support ongoing programming and activities. This year nearly 70 international students from 23 countries enrolled at Northwest.
RIDING AND ROPING Men’s and Women’s Rodeo Teams now have a permanent place to practice following NWC’s purchase of the former Heart Mountain Equestrian Center, located between Powell and Cody. Rodeo athletes have conducted practices at the center for the past 10 years through a rental arrangement. The facility includes a 150-by-250-foot heated indoor arena and outside pens situated on 17 1/2 acres.
