Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees Chairperson Jackie Van Mark conducts the June 9 board meeting while new EWC Gunsmithing instructor Jake Floyd appears via Zoom. Floyd, a 22-year veteran of the United States Marines, will lead EWC’s Gunsmithing program.

EWC Trustees Approve Three New Faculty Contracts, Rodeo Agreement and Campus Improvements

TORRINGTON, Wyo. – The Eastern Wyoming College Board of Trustees approved contracts for three new instructors during its June 9 meeting on the Torrington campus, welcoming new faculty members in business, gunsmithing and fundamental mathematics.

Approved contracts included Rui Wang for business instruction, Jake Floyd for gunsmithing and Bradley Phillips for fundamental mathematics.

Wang, who is transitioning from her role as Student & Academic Services Specialist at EWC, has served as an adjunct instructor at the college for the past two years. She brings six years of additional global business experience and holds a master’s degree in finance from the University of St. Andrews.

Floyd, who joined the meeting via Zoom, comes to EWC from Oregon with more than 24 years of custom gunsmithing experience, including six years owning his own custom company. He also served more than 22 years in the United States Marine Corps, specializing in equipment and battalion transport.

“I am happy to come on board,” Floyd told trustees.

His military honors include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal and U.S. Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal.

“Jake is amazing,” EWC Human Resources Director Catherine Conrad said. “He has over 22 years in the United States Marine Corps. It is very exciting to welcome him and have him continue the great gunsmithing program on the Douglas Campus.”

Phillips, originally from rural Illinois and currently residing in Florida, will teach fundamental mathematics courses and work to expand tutoring services at the college. He brings five years of teaching experience and is completing the final stages of a master’s degree in education, instruction and curriculum from the American College of Education.

Trustees unanimously approved all three contracts.

The board also approved a facility use agreement between EWC and the Goshen County Fairgrounds to support the college’s rodeo team. The agreement provides the team exclusive use of north livestock pens for boarding, pavilion access at an hourly rate of $72, outdoor arena access at $20 per hour and full use of the fairgrounds to host the annual EWC Rodeo. The agreement also includes year-round placement of an EWC banner inside the pavilion to increase the college’s visibility.

In a related action, trustees authorized the EWC Rodeo Club to purchase or lease practice livestock for training purposes in an amount not to exceed $100,000. The expenditure will be funded entirely through Rodeo Club funds and will not affect the college’s unrestricted general operating budget.

EWC Rodeo Coach Whit Peterson said rising livestock costs have made sustaining collegiate rodeo programs increasingly difficult.

“Prices have skyrocketed,” Peterson said. “As a club we have done a good buying and selling tie down calves, but it’s scary. I lose sleep at night.”

Peterson said the team runs between 200 and 300 head of calves through practice each week and noted that rodeo programs nationwide are struggling to host events because of increasing costs.

“Whit has been doing a good job,” EWC Vice President Patrick Korell said. “It’s a scary time, but he’s built up some club money and we are talking about a $100,000 investment.”

Trustees also approved the purchase of a skid steer for an amount not to exceed $80,000. The purchase will be fully funded through WIP grant funds.

Korell also updated trustees on roof repairs to the college gymnasium and plans to replace the gym floor after water damage caused moisture to seep beneath the surface.

“It (the floor) is concaved and bowed,” Korell said. “When you walk across it now, you will hear creaks. This is going to be a big project and it’s a horrible time to have to put in a new floor.”

Korell said three companies evaluated the floor and all recommended replacement. The current floor, installed in the 1980s, could potentially be replaced between Sept. 1 and Oct. 15.

“We are on a tight timetable with volleyball,” Korell added.

Roof repairs have been completed, and the fitness center has reopened.

During departmental reports, EWC Registrar Dave Bulemel told trustees the Registrar’s Office spent the past year simplifying and improving student-facing processes while strengthening institutional compliance and reducing regulatory and audit risks.

Working alongside admissions, financial aid and the business office, the department reviewed legacy practices, streamlined catalog requirements and introduced new technology to reduce confusion and unexpected obstacles for students. The changes will be reflected in the 2026-27 academic catalog.

Eastern Wyoming College President Dr. Jeffry Hawes also reported the college received a $575,000 grant to upgrade information technology equipment, which typically requires replacement every five years.

Hawes additionally highlighted a statewide rural Wyoming health initiative after the state secured a $35 million grant over five years, which will benefit EWC programming and partnerships.

He also shared plans for a new campus internship initiative modeled after a successful program launched in the Marketing and Public Relations Department through an EWC Foundation grant. The pilot program hired a dozen student interns who gained hands-on experience while supporting campus promotions and livestreaming community events for the public.

“The work students accomplished impacted both the college and the community,” Hawes said.