For many Native American students, the path to higher education is marked by significant barriers, including financial challenges, geographic distance, and the need for greater institutional support. These obstacles often make it difficult for students from the Wind River Indian Reservation to pursue and complete a college degree.

Thanks to a $500,000 estate gift from the late William “Bill” Kruggel, the University of Wyoming will be able to expand scholarship opportunities that help remove these barriers and open doors to academic and professional success.

A distinguished UW alum, former research scientist, and cherished member of the Laramie community, Kruggel left a legacy defined by education, service, and a commitment to empowering future generations.

“We are deeply appreciative of the generous donation we have received to support our tribal students,” says Reinette Curry, director of the Native American Education, Research, and Cultural Center (NAERCC). “This significant contribution will enable us to further our UW mission and, within UW NAERCC, to continue to help make a lasting impact on the lives of our Wind River Reservation students who choose to attend the University of Wyoming. We will be forever grateful for Dr. Kruggel.”

Scholarships like the Kruggel endowment play a vital role in addressing the unique challenges Native American students face. They not only create access to higher education but also foster academic success, leadership development, and the preservation of Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone cultural heritage.

‍