History
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The word "yet"
November 2003
Speaking to a group of lay leaders from a number of parishes around the state, Bishop David L. Ricken of the Diocese of Cheyenne expresses his desire to promote Catholic education beyond the level of elementary schools, but he recognizes that this growth might initially take the form of academic retreats and seminars since “we don’t have a Catholic college in Wyoming yet.” He has no intention of starting a Catholic college in Wyoming at the time. Can the word “yet” be a nudge from the Holy Spirit?
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The Founders
Spring 2004
– Bishop David Ricken, the Bishop of Cheyenne (now of Green Bay, WI)
– Fr. Robert Cook, a parish priest of the Diocese of Cheyenne
– Dr. Robert Carlson, a Wyoming college professor and a former student of John Senior in the Integrated Humanities Program at the University of Kansas -
Lander, Wyoming
Fall 2004
When word goes out that the College is looking for a home in Wyoming, forty-eight sites are proposed from around the state. In visiting each one, Father Cook and Dr. Carlson have the opportunity to explain the vision and purpose of the college to a substantial number of Wyoming citizens. The decisive offer, however, comes from Francie Mortenson: 600 acres of deeded land in a ranch valley near Lander, WY. In conjunction with this gift, the Catholic parish of Holy Rosary generously offers the use of its dining hall for the students’ meals and the church for the college’s liturgies. The parish’s educational building provides space for the college’s classes, and local business leaders contributed necessary funds and housing space.
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Our Philosophical Vision Statement
Winter 2005
In composing our founding document, Born in Wonder, Brought to Wisdom: A Philosophical Vision Statement for the Fulfillment of Catholic Liberal Education at Wyoming Catholic College, Dr. Carlson draws upon his experiences at the Integrated Humanities Program, the writings of John Senior and other important critics of contemporary education, the Great Books, the classical Trivium and Quadrivium, and the spiritual and educational traditions of the Catholic Church.
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Incorporation
July 11, 2005
Wyoming Catholic College incorporates in the State of Wyoming with Father Cook as President and Dr. Carlson as Academic Dean.
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The Pioneer Class
August 25, 2007
The 35 members of the Class of 2011 matriculate. The College’s life officially begins.
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Our Lady Seat of Wisdom
February 4, 2008
The College community celebrates the feast of our Patroness, Our Lady Seat of Wisdom. The College also has a long-standing devotion to St. Joseph and the Infant of Prague.
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Inaugural Commencement
May 14, 2011
The Class of 2011 — The Pioneer Class — becomes the first graduating class in the history of the College. Thus begins the tradition of each graduate receiving a black Stetson cowboy hat.
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Dr. Kevin Roberts Named Second President
August 25, 2013
Dr. Kevin Roberts is inaugurated as the second President of the College. During his three-year tenure, Dr. Roberts helps raise the College’s national profile and oversees significant growth in the student body.
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More and More Students!
August, 2015
At the opening of the 2015-2016 academic year, the College welcomes its largest Freshman class: 58 students from 27 states.
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No Government Strings
February, 2015
The Board of Directors unanimously decides not to accept Federal student loan programs.
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Dr. Glenn Arbery Named Third President
August 28, 2016
Dr. Glenn Arbery is inaugurated as the third President of the College.
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Continued Growth
August 1, 2017
Another year, another milestone, as Wyoming Catholic College welcomes the largest class in its history: 59 freshmen from 26 different states, bringing its student-body to 175 students, representing 60% growth over the last four years.
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Adding to the Lander Campus
July, 2018
Through the extraordinary generosity of an anonymous Wyoming benefactor, the College purchases The Augur Building (427 Main Street), significantly increasing the academic space available to the College community.
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Accreditation, Received!
December, 2019
At the November 1st, 2018 meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Learning Commission (HLC), Wyoming Catholic College was granted initial accreditation—that is, the first full accreditation status possible after a four-year candidacy period. “This is indeed an exciting day in the history of the College,” said President Arbery, “and we are grateful to the Higher Learning Commission and to its trustees for their hard work and careful examination—and especially grateful for their decision.”
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College Finds Student Loan Partner
December, 2019
“This is an historic moment in the life of Wyoming Catholic,” said Dr. Glenn Arbery, the College’s president. “Next academic year, Wyoming Catholic College will no longer be ’self-funding’ its student loan program. Instead, its students will receive their loans through Notre Dame Federal Credit Union.”
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