Chad Baldwin, Associate Vice President of Marketing and Communications at the University of Wyoming, called into the Weekday Wake-Up on Wednesday, August 20 with his monthly report. Baldwin discussed how the university is partnering with the Buffalo Bills to increase brand awareness, the process to select to the next president of the university, the upcoming wildlife management event in Jackson and the opening of the new North Hall and Dining Center.

(0:00) Heading into this hour’s guest interview segment (0:02) and joining me live over the phone (0:04) from the University of Wyoming is Chad Baldwin (0:06) with his monthly report from UW. (0:09) Chad, good morning, how are you today? (0:11) Good morning Duke, doing great. (0:13) I appreciate your time as always (0:14) and boy that fall feel is in the air.
(0:18) We’re a week and one day away (0:20) from the football season beginning (0:22) and of course the pokes are on the road (0:25) but we gotta talk about this partnership. (0:28) I saw this that UW is partnering with the Buffalo Bills (0:32) of course with Josh Allen (0:33) and reaching even further into that Josh Allen repertoire (0:37) if you will to help brand the university. (0:40) Yeah, Duke, we’ve really never had (0:45) at least in my memory an alumnus of the university (0:49) with such national prominence.
(0:50) I mean, he’s really become a household name (0:53) across the country and his relationship (0:56) and his story is so closely tied (0:59) to the University of Wyoming (1:00) and it’s such a great story about somebody (1:03) who was unheralded coming to this place, (1:06) getting a chance to hone his skills (1:08) and then just achieving a level of greatness (1:11) that we see it as a great opportunity (1:15) to get word out about his alma mater (1:18) as a great place to come to college. (1:22) And so that’s what we’re doing (1:23) with this partnership with the Bills. (1:26) We’re targeting really, (1:27) I mean, it’s really a nationwide sort of a thing.
(1:31) When we did the Super Bowl ad last year, (1:34) this partnership might be a little bit more oriented (1:36) toward Western New York where we do get students (1:40) and several dozen students actually (1:44) and thinking we could maybe get some more (1:46) but this also will apply really in Wyoming (1:50) and across the country. (1:52) So what is the sponsorship? (1:54) UW is the official home game sponsor (1:57) of the game against the Buccaneers (1:59) if I’m reading this correctly, right? (2:01) So what does that all entail? (2:03) Yeah, so there’s lots of different marketing assets (2:07) that come with it. (2:08) Now Duke and I, I won’t be able to go through them all (2:10) but for example, during their preseason games (2:14) we have, UW is mentioned as the University of Wyoming (2:19) red zone in the first game (2:21) which aired nationally on NFL network.
(2:24) We’re gonna be on their LED ribbon board (2:27) inside the stadium all season actually (2:29) not just that one game. (2:31) They’re gonna be all their digital platforms too (2:34) and that’s what gives us more national reach (2:36) because there’s Bill fans across the country (2:38) and it’s like they’re sort of the rising star (2:43) of the NFL right now. (2:44) They’re featured on the hard knocks thing (2:46) on HBO right now.
(2:50) Anyway, Josh’s story is getting out there (2:52) across the country and we think the UW component of that (2:56) is so compelling that we can highlight that right now (3:03) and it’s giving us attention at a level (3:05) we haven’t had for a long time. (3:06) Yeah, no doubt, absolutely. (3:08) Speaking with Chad Baldwin this morning (3:09) from the University of Wyoming.
(3:11) Well, Chad, one of the big pieces of news (3:13) coming out of the university since we last talked (3:15) was the decision from current president of UW (3:18) Ed Seidel will be stepping down after his contract ends (3:22) next summer, summer of 2026. (3:24) And so the search is on it sounds like (3:27) to find his replacement for the new president of Wyoming. (3:31) That’s right, Duke, the board of trustees (3:33) has announced that it’s gonna hire a search firm (3:38) to help in that process.
(3:39) It’s just a pretty normal thing for universities. (3:42) There’ll be a diverse search committee (3:44) that involves faculty, staff, students, (3:47) administrators, business leaders, (3:49) people from across the state, alumni, (3:52) that’s gonna assist in this. (3:54) And as the board chairman, Kermit Brown says, (3:59) I mean, this is of utmost importance (4:02) to the board of trustees to find a really good person (4:06) to lead the state’s university.
(4:08) And so that’s what they’re committed to do. (4:11) Timeline, I assume it’s gonna obviously (4:13) President Seidel’s there until summer of 26. (4:15) And so there’s no immediate rush, (4:17) but when do you anticipate maybe (4:20) that selection process concluding (4:22) and the next president being announced? (4:25) So they’ll actually start doing some listening sessions (4:28) this fall, Duke, where they’re seeking input from people (4:32) on what are they looking for? (4:34) What should we be looking for in the next president? (4:37) And then the search committee will whittle down, (4:40) they’ll advertise, they’ll accept nominations, (4:43) they’ll accept applications.
(4:45) So I think starting in January. (4:47) And then there’ll be, their intent is to name (4:51) three finalists who would then go public (4:55) and they’d have public presentations. (4:56) That’s probably gonna be in March or April.
(4:58) And then I think a hire would happen very soon thereafter. (5:01) So somebody is ready to go on July 1st of next year. (5:05) And there can be some transition time, of course, (5:07) with President Seidel as well.
(5:11) Chad, the University of Wyoming is always (5:13) all over the state, of course, the statewide university, (5:16) and you’re actually hosting a wildlife management event (5:18) over here on the Western side near, in Jackson, in fact. (5:22) Tell us what this is. (5:23) Yeah, Snow King Resort in Jackson on October 1st and 2nd, (5:28) our Hobbs School in Environment and Natural Resources (5:31) in collaboration with Grand Teton (5:33) and Yellowstone National Parks is gonna hold (5:35) this Managing Wildlife and Large Landscapes Conference.
(5:39) So this is for people who are interested (5:42) or involved in managing wildlife (5:45) on these iconic landscapes we have here (5:48) in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem and across Wyoming, (5:51) as well as really across the globe. (5:54) So it’ll be a thing that’ll bring people (5:58) probably from across internationally as well. (6:01) But it’s, you know, we, in many respects are, you know, (6:07) we have what maybe a lot of the rest of the country (6:10) in the world wishes they had, (6:11) which is these big open spaces (6:14) where we have huge and healthy wildlife herds.
(6:19) And so that’s one of the reasons people come to Wyoming (6:22) is to do this kind of research. (6:25) And of course, with our two iconic national parks, (6:30) anyway, it’s just, it makes us a kind of a world leader (6:33) in this kind of work. (6:35) And so that’s what we’ll be doing at this conference (6:38) is highlighting that.
(6:39) Some of the things that are happening (6:41) with the research that’s going on in this area. (6:44) Well, Chad, of course, it’s a very exciting time of year (6:47) on the campus of the University of Wyoming (6:48) with students going back into school, (6:51) but especially this year (6:53) because of the brand new North Residence Hall (6:56) and the state-of-the-art dining center that’s part of that. (6:59) And it opened up officially as of last weekend.
(7:04) That’s right, Duke. (7:05) While classes don’t start until Monday, (7:08) our freshmen moved in on Friday this past week (7:12) and they’re involved in a whole week (7:15) of orientation activities and fun stuff this week. (7:18) And so, yeah, we’ve got our students in our new residence hall (7:22) the first of the two that’s gonna open.
(7:24) The second will open till the spring semester, (7:26) but then we also have our legacy halls (7:28) where students are there too. (7:30) And it’s great. (7:31) I mean, people need to come and see this, Duke.
(7:33) It’s spectacular. (7:35) Especially our dining center. (7:37) There’s nine different stations of food there (7:40) and the public’s invited to come in.
(7:42) It’s $12.99 for all you can eat, Duke. (7:45) And that’s what our students are experiencing this week (7:49) and we’ll open to the public on Monday, (7:51) which is also our first day of classes. (7:54) Excellent.
(7:54) So that is happening right now (7:56) on the campus of the University of Wyoming. (7:57) You know, Chad, we started talking about football. (7:59) I think we better end with it.
(8:01) As we mentioned, the season begins one week from tomorrow (8:04) and then the first home game will be the week after that (8:06) on a Saturday afternoon (8:08) and christening in the newly renovated (8:11) War Memorial Stadium on September 6th. (8:14) Yep, we’re very excited. (8:16) I knew we got, after we pick up that first W (8:19) on the road in Akron, (8:21) we’ll be having Northern Iowa here (8:23) on Saturday, September 6th.
(8:26) Expect a great crowd. (8:28) People, you know, there are some new seating options (8:30) that people will see there. (8:33) And the new press box, (8:35) which maybe we won’t have every single thing painted (8:39) and ready, 100% ready, (8:41) but it’ll be used and ready to go that day as well.
(8:44) And so, yeah, it’s, you know, War Memorial Stadium (8:48) on a Saturday afternoon in the fall. (8:50) There’s no better place in the world to be. (8:52) And so we’re excited for the start of football season.
(8:56) That’s Chad Baldwin with the University of Wyoming. (8:58) Chad, as always, appreciate the updates. (9:00) Thank you very much.
(9:01) Thank you, Duke. (9:02) It’s all part of the weekday wake up this morning (9:04) on SVI Radio.