LARAMIE, Wyo. — The PacifiCorp Foundation for Learning, the charitable arm of Rocky Mountain Power, recently awarded $34,000 to the University of Wyoming Foundation for education and research programs and scholarships for entering freshmen.

The university received more than two-thirds of the $50,000 awarded by the PacifiCorp Foundation to Wyoming nonprofits this summer for educational programs throughout the state.

“Support from the PacifiCorp Foundation’s Rocky Mountain Power fund will help strengthen strategic learning initiatives, providing practical learning experiences and career-building opportunities for students in Laramie and throughout the state of Wyoming,” said University of Wyoming President Tom Buchanan. “Equally important, this gift will give freshmen access to experiences and opportunities at UW that they could get nowhere else.”

The infusion of PacifiCorp Foundation funding provides $12,000 in scholarships for freshmen students; $4,000 for the College of Engineering’s Senior Design Symposium; $4,000 for the Ruckelshaus Institute and Haub School of Environment & Natural Resources; $4,000 for the University of Wyoming Art Museum; $4,000 for the University of Wyoming/Casper College Center; $4,000 for statewide early childhood literacy activities; and $2,000 for the university’s Center for Volunteer Service.

“We are pleased to provide continued support to University of Wyoming students through PacifiCorp Foundation funding for scholarships and programs,” said Craig Nelson, Rocky Mountain Power regional community manager. “The University of Wyoming provides a valuable resource for students from throughout the state who are seeking a quality higher education experience.”

Wyoming organizations awarded PacifiCorp Foundation funding include:

• Habitat for Humanity, Wind River Country (Riverton) – Support for construction of a new home for a Fremont County family in need, involving students through the Central Wyoming Building Trades Program;
• National American Indian Educational Development Center (Sheridan) – Support for expanding training for teachers of Native American students into two elementary schools located on the Wind River Indian Reservation;
• Cokeville Miracle Foundation (Cokeville) – Support for Cokeville Witnesses Project, which includes the compilation of a book with survivor accounts of the 1986 hostage crisis and bombing at Cokeville Elementary School to be given to all 154 survivors; and
• Cokeville High School (Cokeville) – Support for community service television channel, which students will be involved in producing.

The grants are part of one of four annual cycles awarded by the PacifiCorp Foundation for programs in the areas of education, health and human services, arts and culture, and civic and community betterment. For more information, visit www.pacificorpfoundation.com .

Media inquiries:  newsdesk@pacificorp.com