University Of Wyoming Introduces New Fund For Student Internships

There's a new opportunity for students who attend the University of Wyoming College of Arts and Sciences. The Pete and Lynne Simpson Student Enrichment Fund in the Humanities will support student internships.

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As you know, when you're an intern, most of the time you're not getting paid, and that can cause added stress on a young adult who is trying to find their path in life. The new fund has been set up to support the student.

Travel costs, housing, internship stipends, and other expenses the student may face. When picking the student who will receive the funds, if they are interning in Wyoming, they'll have a better chance of receiving them.

The fund was started by generous donors who made the donations in honor of the Simpson family, which includes the late U.S. Senator Al Simpson, Pete's brother. For more than 50 years, the Simpsons have been influential figures in the arts and humanities sector in Wyoming.

In a statement, Pete and Lynne said:

We are honored and immensely grateful to the University of Wyoming for the initiation of this fund and for the donors who support this initiative.

At this time, humanities programs have come under pressure from government funding cuts and deprioritization in curricula at all levels of formal education. It is gratifying to know that this fund will give Wyoming students opportunities to learn and experience the importance of the humanities and the arts in the development of the community and in human development itself.

Both Pete and Lynne are UW graduates. Lynne earned a bachelor’s degree in humanities and fine arts, a master’s degree in public administration, and a master’s degree in education. Pete earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in history from UW.

Details on how students may apply for funding will be announced this fall. The dean of the College of Arts and Sciences and/or a committee will determine which students will receive funding support.