MEEKER | This spring, two graduate students in the University of Wyoming’s Department of Agricultural and Applied Economics received the prestigious Andrew and Connie Vanvig Fellowship for their outstanding performance in the classroom and University community.
The 2022 fellows are Hana Fancher, originally from Denver, Colorado, and Meghan Smith of Meeker, Colorado. The Vanvig Fellowship is the premier award for graduate students in UW’s agriculture and applied economics program, says department head Benjamin Rashford.
Established by former department head Andy Vanvig and his wife, Connie, the annual fellowship includes a significant financial award and recognizes students who excel both as researchers and University citizens. The graduate committee, with input from faculty, typically selects one Vanvig Fellow each year.
“Every year it is a difficult decision because we have so many exceptional and hard-working graduate students. This year was as difficult as ever and the committee decided to award two Vanvig Fellowships,” Rashford says.
Strong endowment returns allowed the committee to award both Fancher and Smith with $3,000 fellowships to support their studies and professional development.
Both students are engaged in economic research projects relevant to farming and ranching communities in Wyoming.
HOPEWEST PRESS RELEASE | Special to the Herald Times