The University of Wyoming broke records last year for private donations, with total gifts in fiscal year 2016 totaling $63.1 million.
The record year comes amid a major downturn in the energy sector, the state’s number one industry.
“Let me just say, [it] could not be better timing,” said Ben Blalock, president of the University of Wyoming Foundation.
Blalock said they didn’t expect the increase, but that when you look at where private giving comes from it is less surprising.
“Not all of our private giving ties to the energy economy of the state,” said Blalock.
Sixty percent of University of Wyoming alumni live outside of the state.
Most of the money is promised to specific programs like agriculture, athletics, the School of Energy Resources and engineering.
“Private support, really 95 times out of 100, is very much designated," Blalock said. "Individuals, corporations, and foundations are very specific in the areas they want to support,” he said.
The money will not eliminate the need for $41 million in budget cuts at the University.
