TORRINGTON – The Eastern Wyoming College (EWC) Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, October 9, for a work session followed by the regular monthly Board meeting. In attendance were Chairman Jackie Van Mark and board members Rick Vonburg, Katherine Patrick, Randy Adams, Robert Baumgartner, Doug Mercer, Kurt Sittner, and Jim Willox. Chairman Van Mark called the work session to order, and the board approved the meeting agenda following a motion by Vonburg and a second by Adams.

The Envisioning Committee, represented by Associate Professor Sherri Warren, provided an overview of the committee’s recommendations regarding strategic planning, including results from faculty and staff surveys. The committee’s recommendations include a streamlined mission statement. President Dr. Jeffry Hawes presented the annual evaluation of the current strategic plan, focusing on the efforts college staff are beginning to undertake in preparation for the adoption of the 2026-2030 strategic plan. He emphasized the need for concrete data to evaluate key performance indicators and identified Power BI dashboards currently utilized by other institutions that, when adopted by EWC, will provide decision-makers with necessary information for goal setting and daily operations.

Finally, Vice President John Hansen presented the Education Master Plan and the Student Success Master Plan for fiscal year 2025, which included a goal of a 3% increase in retention and graduation rates, an emphasis on assessment using actual data, and enhanced support through technology and professional development. Following the presentations, the work session was adjourned.

After a break, Van Mark called the Board of Trustees meeting to order. Following the approval of the agenda, the meeting opened for introductions, public comments, and presentations. EWC Head Esports Coach Caleb Spitzer updated the trustees on their season, noting that the Esports team has begun with back-to-back wins. 

The Esports season will conclude on November 11, when the team hopes to compete in Nationals. Spitzer also informed the trustees of a recent collaboration agreement with the University of Wyoming, which has a club-level Esports team. This collaboration will provide EWC students with access to additional technology support and brand collaboration opportunities, and EWC can assist the University in developing their Esports team. 

Trustees also recognized coach Hamilton’s 400th volleyball win and read a thank-you note from Torrington’s Little League team, expressing appreciation for using the EWC bus to travel to their recent tournament.

Dr. Hawes gave the President’s Report and requested that the board approve three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for Architectural Designs. The RFPs may not necessarily be acted upon immediately but will provide the EWC Foundation with the data needed to request grant money, donations, or otherwise act on the projects once approved. The three projects include a Rodeo Complex in Torrington, the ongoing Construction Trade Facility in Douglas, and dormitories at both campuses.

The trustees then approved the consent agenda following a motion from Baumgartner and a second from Vonburg and moved on to action items. First, the trustees voted to delete the Aquaculture Certificate program due to low enrollment and the lack of a qualified instructor. This program had only been offered at the Wyoming Women’s Center in Lusk. 

Dr. Hawes stated the college could reinstate the program in the future should interest levels change. Second, the trustees considered several action items relating to the new fiscal year, including approval of academic calendars for Fall 2025, Spring 2026, and Summer 2026; approval of the Education Master Plan discussed in the work session; and approval of the President’s recommendation for architectural design for the Facility Master Plan projects for the Rodeo Complex, Construction Trade Facility, and dormitories. All fiscal year 2025 action items were approved unanimously. 

Next, the trustees approved a first reading of Board Policy 5.1 on Financial Aid and Scholarships, incorporating language required for compliance with state standards. The first reading was approved following a motion from Adams and a second from Mercer. After a closed-door executive session, the trustees resumed with addendum action items. First, Vonburg made a motion, seconded by Patrick, which was passed by the trustees to approve the hiring of Tom Popilek as Facilities and Maintenance Director. 

The next action item involved approving potential litigative action for a water line punctured during the installation of a fiber optic line on the west side of West C Street. Baumgartner made a motion, Vonburg seconded, and the trustees approved the college’s pursuit of damages for the punctured water line. Finally, the trustees approved financial requests for an invoice to repair a passenger bus, to purchase a spectrometer with grant funding, and to approve an increase to the college’s insurance policy.

The meeting concluded with Trustee Topics and the financial report. Willox updated the trustees on the progress of the Construction Trade Building in Douglas. The campus is expecting a cost estimate within the next week, which will facilitate coordination with external stakeholders to advance the project. He presented drawings of the building, which is over 9,000 square feet, including an open space large enough to accommodate two halves of a modular home, multiple storage areas, and a classroom. Expansion would be possible should the need arise in the future. 

Kwin Wilkes, EWC CFO, presented the financial report, indicating that the college is on track with anticipated income and expenditures for this point in the year. The meeting was then adjourned, with the next meeting scheduled for November 2024.