March 2026 Newsletter

Published March 31, 2026

UW College of Arts and Sciences-Led Research Resets Age of Famous South American Archaeological Site
 
New research led by a UW A&S archaeologist near an ancient encampment in South America challenges a relatively new but widely accepted theory that the people who made and used Clovis points in North America were not the first inhabitants of the Americas south of the continental ice sheets. Conducted by UW Professor Todd Surovell and colleagues from Chile, Austria and the U.S. Geological Survey, the new study finds that the famous Monte Verde archaeological site in southern Chile is only 4,200-8,200 years old, not 14,500 years old as posited by researchers who worked on the site from the 1970s through the 1990s. Read the press release here.

 A Message from Dean Turpen
 
March is one of the busiest, and most exciting, times of the spring semester. Over the past few weeks, we’ve hosted the Humanities Summit, seen incredible momentum in faculty research, and our students have made it through midterms.

We’re also approaching one of my personal favorite times of year—awards season—when we have the opportunity to recognize the outstanding accomplishments of our staff, faculty, students, and alumni. 

It’s a dynamic time across the college, and we’re grateful to have you as part of it. Thank you for your continued support.

Go Pokes!

J. Scott Turpen

University of Wyoming Study Reveals Ancient Needles and Awls Served Many Purposes

UW “Re-Storying the West” Podcast Brings Wyoming Voices to the Forefront

Modern and Classical Languages Hosts World Languages Day Competition

A&S News and Notes

 

UW Theatre and Dance Attends American College Dance Association's Northwest Regional Conference 

The UW Department of Theatre and Dance supported 10 students and two faculty members in attending the American College Dance Association's Northwest Regional Conference at University of Nevada - Las Vegas, March 18-21. Over four days, students participated in classes led by faculty and graduate students and witnessed over 50 dance works from peer institutions. UW presented three new works created by student choreographers Alyssa Boldra, Callisto Hager-Leaf, and Paige Maynard. Back row left to right: Associate Professor Aaron Wood, Avey Jespersen, Josiah Hanly, Tioga Hager-Leaf, Callisto Hager-Leaf, Alyssa Boldra, Assistant Professor Cat Kamrath
Front row left to right: Mikaela Ancira, Giana Pascucci, Paige Maynard, Bella Bustos, Ellie Colson.

 

UW Psychology Professor Elected to APA Committee on Rural Health

Wyoming Center of Aging Director and UW Psychology Professor Christine McKibbin was recently elected to the APA Committee on Rural Health. The CRH advocates for equitable access to high-quality psychological and behavioral health care for rural communities. In addition, the CRH seeks to identify and address the challenges unique to rural providers. To learn more about McKibbin and her work, click here. 

 

UW Music Department Hosts 'Cowboys, Sing On!'

Cowboys, Sing On! is a choral in-reach festival hosted by ĂŰŃżTV Choirs (Dr. Brian C. Murray & Dr. O’Neil Jones) and attended by over 160 middle school and high school singers from Wyoming and South Dakota. The two-day event featured rehearsals, a scavenger hunt, and performances by all UW Choirs and soloists: Dr. Erik Erlandson, Dr. Soyeon Kang, & Dr. Magdalena WĂłr. The festival culminated with the combined guest singers and UW choristers performing Robert T. Gibsons “You Belong.”

 

WyCOA Supports Health Initiatives Across Wyoming Libraries

The Ten Sleep Branch Library recently earned the 2025 National Medal for Museum and Library Service, largely due to its innovative telehealth initiatives supported by the Wyoming Center on Aging (WyCOA). As a key partner, WyCOA collaborated with each library across the state to implement a blood pressure check out program, addressing the critical healthcare needs of the area’s aging population. By providing specialized equipment and technical guidance, WyCOA helped transform the tiny library into a vital health hub. Their involvement ensures that rural seniors can access medical services, overcoming the geographic barriers typical of frontier communities. 

 

UW Director of Orchestral Activities Conducts High School Honors Orchestras
UW's Director of Orchestral Activities, Dr. Michael Griffith, recently conducted elite high school honors orchestras in two states. In Gatlinburg, he conducted the East Tennessee All-State Orchestra in a program including music by Elgar, Sibelius, Anne Guzzo, and a suite from Phantom of the Opera. In Denver, he led the Jefferson County Philharmonic in a concert of Britten, Stravinsky, Hu Sisi, and Mahler.

 

UW Sociology Professor's Research Ranks Among Top-Downloads in Journals Contexts and Socius
Assistant Professor of Sociology Ken Hanson recently published an article that was the 10th most downloaded article in the journal Contexts in 2025. Additionally, he recently published a second article that was the second most downloaded in the journal Socius. Throughout his career, Hanson has worked on several research projects with domestic and international colleagues across the social sciences and humanities. 

Events

UW Symphony Orchestra Performs April 9

The UW Symphony Orchestra and the Symphony Association will present their annual Concertmaster Fund Recital Thursday, April 9, at 7 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts recital hall. Tickets for the fundraising event are $40. Tickets are available at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984 , in person, or at (307) 766-6666 at the Performing Arts box office, Monday through Friday, noon-6 p.m. and one hour before performances. The UWSO’s Concertmaster Fund Recital is designed to strengthen the endowment that funds the Charles Moore, M.D., Concertmaster Fellowship.

 

UW Theatre Presents: Much Ado About Nothing (Play)

In this delightful battle of wits, the outspoken Beatrice and the confident Benedict are famously opposed to love and marriage—until their friends conspire to make them fall for each other. Meanwhile, young Hero and Claudio must overcome a malicious plot that threatens to tear them apart. A celebration of passion, poetry, and clever wordplay, this classic comedy proves that for some, the path to love is filled with “much ado” indeed. The show will run April 10-18. . 

 

Straightening Out the Nation Lecture April 21

Please join the UW Department of American Cultural Studies for a lecture and Q&A with Dr. Oliviero about her latest book, Straightening Out The Nation, which addresses the citizenship policies and the contemporary backlash against queer families. Oliviero is an Associate Professor of Women's, Gender and Sexualities Studies at Dickinson College. The lecture will take place in Coe 506 on Tuesday, April 21 from 4:30-6pm.