A $500,000 gift from University of Wyoming alumni John and Dana Metzke will provide $1 million in new scholarship support for students in the UW College of Law through matching funds from the UW Foundation’s Legacy Match Fund.

The gift builds on the couple’s long-standing commitment to student success and expands one of the College of Law’s largest scholarship endowments.

“Lawyers have an image problem,” says John Metzke. “Lawyers must become seen as contributors, not as exploiters. We believe every lawyer admitted to practice law in the state of Wyoming should do something to support the University of Wyoming College of Law, such as mentoring law students; volunteering to judge student competitions; employing College of Law students and graduates; or contributing funds to support scholarships or other programs which promote faculty and student excellence.”

The Metzkes made their first gift to UW as early-career professionals in 1989. Over the years, they have continued to find opportunities to support the UW College of Law. Once, when the law school needed a business organizations instructor, John taught the class. The Metzkes created a scholarship endowment in 2015 to help students pursue their legal education at UW. This new investment ensures that the Metzke scholarship fund will continue to support future generations of Wyoming lawyers.

“John and Dana embody steadiness, humility and deep commitment to our students and our state,” says Julie Hill, dean of the UW College of Law. “John has supported the college for decades -- not only through philanthropy, but also by giving his time and expertise. Their generosity today will open doors for Wyoming’s next generation of attorneys.”

A 1984 graduate of the UW College of Law, John Metzke earned his Juris Doctor with honors, was inducted into the Order of the Coif and served as managing editor of the Land and Water Law Review. He joined Cheyenne law firm Hirst Applegate LLP immediately after law school, developing a distinguished career in estate and business planning. Rather than fully retiring after four decades, he continues to serve as counsel at the firm so that clients who have relied on him for decades continue to receive excellent representation.

A Wyoming native, Dana Bates Metzke earned her bachelor’s degree in journalism from UW in 1976. Her career has spanned newspaper journalism, corporate public relations and corporate government relations. She has a long history of service to Wyoming organizations, including the Cheyenne Symphony Foundation, Cheyenne Rotary Club, Laramie County Library Foundation and UW’s American Heritage Center.

“We are grateful to the Metzkes for showing that giving doesn’t have to be complicated,” says John Stark, president and CEO of the UW Foundation. “If you are considering a gift, now or through your estate, the UW Foundation is here to make the process straightforward and tailored to you.”

“On behalf of the College of Law, I’m deeply grateful,” Hill adds. “This scholarship changes lives. It reduces debt, broadens access to legal education and empowers talented students to serve Wyoming’s communities.”