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Our Humble Beginnings

November 2003
The word "yet"

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?

2003
The Founders of Wyoming Catholic College
Spring 2004
The Founders
  • 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.
2004
A view of Downtown Lander from the Street View
Fall 2004
Lander, Wyoming

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.

2004
Students celebrating Mass in the Desert
Winter 2005
Our Philosophical Vision Statement

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.

Read More about Our Philosophical Vision Statement here. 

2005
July 11, 2005
Incorporation

Wyoming Catholic College incorporates in the State of Wyoming with Father Cook as President and Dr. Carlson as Academic Dean.

July 11, 2005
Inagural-Convocation-Graduation-Mass
August 25, 2007
The Pioneer Class

The 35 members of the Class of 2011 matriculate. The College’s life officially begins.

August 25, 2007
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Icon
February 4, 2008
Our Lady Seat of Wisdom

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.

2008
Stetsons worn by WCC Graduating Class - The-Hats-e1516125434348
May 14, 2011
Inaugural Commencement

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.

2011
Kevin Roberts President of Wyoming Catholic College
August 25, 2013
Dr. Kevin Roberts Named Second President

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.

2013
More and more students join the ranks at WCC IMG_0751-e1486514595601
August, 2015
More and More Students!

At the opening of the 2015-2016 academic year, the College welcomes its largest Freshman class: 58 students from 27 states.

2015
No Federal Money for WCC
February, 2015
No Government Strings

The Board of Directors unanimously decides not to accept Federal student loan programs.

Read More about this decision. (Insert link)

2015
Glenn Arbury named WCC President - IMG_9042
August 28, 2016
Dr. Glenn Arbery Named Third President

Dr. Glenn Arbery is inaugurated as the third President of the College.

2016
Group at Park
August 1, 2017
Continued Growth

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.

Read More....?

2017
New Buildings at Wyoming Catholic College
July, 2018
Adding to the Lander Campus

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.

Read More...?

2018
Higher Learning Commission - Accredidation - HLCLogo
December, 2019
Accreditation, Received!

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.”

Read more. 

2019
Mountian Views for WCC students - IMG_0164
December, 2019
College Finds Student Loan Partner

“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.”

Read More...?

2019