Bill Hambrick, John And Jane Wold To Be Honored By Casper College

The Casper College Alumni Association's Commitment to Excellence Award will be presented on Saturday, October, 4th, during the 2014 Autumn Gala. This year's recipients are Bill Hambrick and John and Jane Wold.

Why were these three chosen? According to Linda Nix, “for their decades long support of Casper College and its students.”

“Bill began his career in education in 1948 and has taught school at every level, from kindergarten through college,” said Nix, associate director for alumni relations. In 1960 he opened Fairdale Elementary School, and was there until 1977. In 1977 he opened Verda James Elementary School and served as its principal until his retirement in 1990. He was named Wyoming’s principal of the year in 1988.

Hambrick was on the Casper College District Board of Trustees from 2000 to 2012 and also served as president from 2006-2008. In addition, he served on the Casper College Foundation Board. During that time, he was active in the Wyoming Association of Community College Trustees.

Meet the Wolds:

“John and Jane Wold are passionate about many issues, but education is first and foremost in their priorities. They've supported education in Casper, in Wyoming, and across the U.S.,” said Nix. The Wolds were the lead donors for the Casper College Wold Physical Science Center and have also been generous benefactors for the University of Wyoming, Union College, and Cornell University. They established the John Wold Help Yourself Academy, an after-school science enrichment program for elementary school students in partnership with Casper College and Natrona County School District #1.

John Wold, founder of Wold Oil Properties, Inc., served in the United States House of Representatives from 1969 to 1971 and also served on the Casper College District Board of Trustees from 1978-1982, as well as on the Casper College Foundation Board. Jane Wold helped start Planned Parenthood in Wyoming, has generously volunteered her time working at the Nicolaysen Art Museum, Wyoming Medical Center, and planting flowers all over Casper with her garden club. The American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming named John Wold a "Wyoming Citizen of the Century" in the minerals, gas, and oil category in 1999.

The public is invited to attend this year’s Casper College Autumn Gala honoring Hambrick, the Wolds, and 2014 Distinguished Alumnus Matteo Pistono. Sponsored by the Casper College Alumni Association, the Autumn Gala 2014 will again feature the popular balloon pop as well as a chance to bid on artworks created by Casper College employees and students. The Casper College Men’s Choir will provide the entertainment.

The Autumn Gala 2014 will take place at the Casper Country Club. Cocktails will be from 6 to 6:30 p.m. The sit-down dinner will include three dinner choices: rib eye steak, Norwegian salmon, and Moroccan vegetable cassoulette with cous cous. A cash bar will also be available. Tickets are $50 per person and are available at www.caspercollege.edu/alumni, by emailing Nix at alumni@caspercollege.edu, or by calling her at 307-268-2218. Seating is limited, and reservations are due by Monday, Sept. 29 at 5 p.m.