Mustang Awards

Duncan Elder

Outstanding Graduate 2021-2022

The Outstanding Graduate is selected by a committee each year. This year, a committee of 8 employees, that included Administrators, Professionals, Faculty, and Staff from multiple areas of campus. The nomination criteria and scoring rubric consists of the students involvement on campus, leadership roles, positive impact on other students, and their ability to positively represent Western in the future.

His nominators said: “Duncan has been involved on campus as the Lead Resident Assistant, Student Government Association Vice President during the fall semester, and as a Student Ambassador, and all of these while being heavily involved in the theatre program with major roles in both Footloose and Uncle Vanya. Last summer, Duncan went above and beyond in helping out the housing department while both the Administrative Assistant and Housing Coordinator positions were vacant. A lot was asked of him while filling in for these positions and he did a fantastic job! As the Head RA, he has lead the RA team to do the hard work of programming and assuring the buildings are in good shape, while at the same time helping the RA team understand the importance of connecting with residents. As the SGA Vice President, he was key in providing better methods of communicating events to our student body. As a Student Ambassador, he has easily become one of the voices and faces of the institution as he gives campus tours and helps prospective students realize how good of a place Western is. He’s not afraid to take on a challenge, which is an admirable trait. He sincerely cares about people which makes him a huge asset in everything he does. He is an incredible team player, an amazing leader, and an extremely organized student. He is that student that everybody enjoys being around.”

Tyce Raddon

Outstanding Graduate 2021-2022

The Outstanding Graduate is selected by a committee each year. This year, a committee of 8 employees, that included Administrators, Professionals, Faculty, and Staff from multiple areas of campus. The nomination criteria and scoring rubric consists of the students involvement on campus, leadership roles, positive impact on other students, and their ability to positively represent Western in the future.

His nominators said: “Tyce is a member of the Western Wrestling Team. In 2021, he was an NJCAA Academic All-American. In 2022, he was voted Team Captain, was a Region Champ, and finished 3rd at the National Championship while earning All American honors. And he did all of this while being the biggest fan to his teammates because Tyce is one of those individuals who is genuinely happy for the success of others! He is active in his church, is fluent in Spanish, and has a job on-campus in the athletics department. He is a fierce competitor but is also the most kind person you will ever meet. His peers look to him as a leader and want to hear what he has to say. They know they can trust him because of his amazing example. He is a leader in the classroom as he models respectful classroom behavior, is always punctual, well-prepared, goes above and beyond, and asks thoughtful questions. He is extremely professional and when given the choice, his classmates always ask to be partners with him in small group work because of who he is. He demonstrates maturity, kindness, enthusiasm, respect, responsibility, patience, common sense, and the ability to be an amazing listener. He approaches each day with a positive attitude and represents Western extremely well, both on-campus, and in the community."

Quincy Stewart, Black Butte High School Senior

Dual Student of the Year - Western Wyoming Community College

Western Wyoming Community College announced their Dual Student of the Year for 2022. The goal of Western's Dual and Concurrent program is to provide high school students a head-start, and better prepare them to transition to college or the workplace after high school. Students can explore their options prior to enrolling as a full-time college student and still have the structural support of their high school. All Wyoming students have access to dual and concurrent enrollment at no cost to the student thanks to Sweetwater BOCES.

Stewart is graduating from high school with 60 credits college from Western and 12 from a previous institution. In addition to graduating high school, she will be graduating from Western with her Associate of Science Multidisciplinary Studies Degree. “It is an honor when we can celebrate the accomplishments of an outstanding student. Ms. Quincy has completed 60 credit hours, jump-starting her college education by earning an associate degree while still at Black Butte High School. This was possible through our strong partnerships with Sweetwater BOCES and Sweetwater County School District #1.” said Dr. Kim Dale, President of Western Wyoming Community College. “Her accomplishments this early in her educational journey is a great example of how successful she will become,” Dale stated. Stewart began as a dual student at Western her freshman year of high school. Throughout high school she has been involved in the Girls Who Code Club and Student Council. During her time as a dual student at Western, she has conducted research with Western Faculty, Dr. David Tanner. This research funded by Idea Networks of Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE), is helping to map the genome of the dune specialist bee from the Killpecker Sand Dunes. Stewart will start her first year of traditional college with an associate degree, research experience, and feeling extremely prepared to move onto the next phase in her education. When asked how she felt about walking in both her high school graduation and Western’s graduation ceremony, Stewart stated, "So excited, this is what I have been working towards for four years. It took a lot of work but, it is paying off.”

Dr. Mckay West, Assistant Professor of Communication

Innovative Educator of the Year

The award winner embeds innovation in their instructional practice to create a more collaborative, student-centered, and active learning experience, thereby demonstrating connectedness with students and their learning.

“I am truly humbled by and grateful to Western's students and faculty members who I have had the privilege to know. I know I have been blessed and my abilities and understanding as a teacher greatly enhanced thanks to the wonderful people at Western and all they have been willing to teach me. I am also grateful to God and my family for all of the strength, wisdom, and love they have offered me, and I wish everyone the best as we each move forward in the next stages of our futures.” stated West.