Wyoming Citizen of the Century
Wyoming Citizen of the Century 
About
the Program
Time Frame
Nomination/Eligibility Criteria
Publications
Awards
Biographies of Nominees
Finalists
Citizen of the Century Winner
About the ProgramThe University of Wyoming American Heritage Center (AHC) has established the Wyoming Citizen of the Century program, designed to recognize outstanding Wyoming citizens whose accomplishments shaped twentieth-century Wyoming. Individuals who have made significant contributions in a specific field of endeavor are nominated in the following categories:
Honorary co-chairmen of the Wyoming Citizen of the Century program are Wyoming Governor Jim Geringer and former Wyoming U.S. Senator Al Simpson. The Council, chaired by Win Hickey, is comprised of Reverend Carl Beavers, Marlene Brodrick, Judy Catchpole, Bill Dubois, Don Hunton, Lisa Kinney, Gordon Mickelson, John Ostlund, Mary Ostlund, Paul Roach, Terry Roark, Peg Shreve, Tom Stroock, Jane Sullivan , Lili Turnell, and Charles Wing. One representative each from the Wyoming Senate and House of Representatives also serve rotating terms on the Council.
Time FrameEach of the ten committees will review the nominees in their category, selecting ten semi-finalists for the consideration of the Wyoming Citizen of the Century Council. The Council will then select one finalist from each category. The names of the ten finalists will be made public in January of 1999. Wyoming's Citizen of the Century, chosen from among the finalists, will be announced at an awards banquet on October 30, 1999.
Nomination/Eligibility CriteriaThe candidates were nominated based on the following considerations:
The nominations of the one hundred semi-finalists will be fact checked by student volunteers from Phi Alpha Theta, the history honorary society. These students are working to ensure the accuracy of each of the biographies.
PublicationsThe Citizen of the Century Program has contracted with Heritage Media Corporation to publish a book, entitled Wyoming: A Twentieth Century History of Its People, Institutions & Businesses. The publication date is September, 1999. Proceeds from the sale of the book will help to finance the Citizen of the Century Program.
Awards| The Citizen of the Century Program has selected Rich Haines, a sculptor from Cheyenne, to design our awards. The awards will be a bronze of a buffalo - which is the program’s symbol. Replicas of the buffalo bronzes will be made available for sale to the public to finance the cost of the awards. |  |
Biographies of NomineesFinalists The finalists for Wyoming’s Citizen of the Century Program, sponsored by the American Heritage Center at the University of Wyoming have been chosen. Conceived of as a way for Wyoming to celebrate the millennium, almost 200 nominations were received from the public. Nominations were accepted in ten categories: Agriculture, Business, Education, Fine & Performing Arts, Government & Community Service, Healthcare, Science & Technology, Minerals, Oil & Gas, Military, Religion and Sports.
Committees, made up of volunteers from across the state, reviewed all of the nominations and selected the finalists and winners in each category. Win Hickey, chair of the Citizen of the Century Council, notes "It is a honor to even be nominated." All of the nominees are people who brought honor to the state of Wyoming and those who were selected as finalists should feel especially proud of their accomplishments. Voting closed on February 25, 1999 and the winner will be announced at an awards banquet on October 30, 1999.
Citizen of the
Century WinnerOn October 31, 1999, Samuel Knight was announced as the Wyoming Citizen of the Century.
Contact InformationFor additional information about the Wyoming Citizen of the Century Program, contact:
Wyoming Citizen of the Century
American Heritage Center
University of Wyoming
P.O. Box 3924
Laramie, WY 82071