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University of Wyoming

Nursing FIG - Freshman Interest Group

A quote from the University of Wyoming FIG web site (www.uwyo.edu/figs): "A FIG - Freshman Interest Group - is a living and learning community. First-time freshmen at UW can apply to join a FIG, where they will take three or four designated sections of linked or clustered courses for a semester, while living on a 'designated' floor in the UW residence halls with other FIG students enrolled in the same course sections. FIGs are a friendly and fun way to begin life at UW. Instead of making your way through those first research papers, final exams, and study sessions alone, you'll be part of a community of learners."  One of the nursing FIG students noted that "...the nursing FIG is an amazing support group. Having 20 students in the same core classes means that there's always someone to help with homework, studying or explaining concepts from that day's lecture. It's also nice to have other students who understand the stressors of daily life who are happy to listen to you vent."

The NURSING FIG makes field trips together, thanks to committed nursing faculty members who enjoy taking the students on these outings. 

In this picturesque setting at Lake Marie under Medicine Bow Peak, students in the nursing Freshman Interest Group (FIG) join 3 nursing faculty members and their husbands in a recent trip to Snowy Range. Scroll down to see pictures of their outing and to learn more about the Nursing FIG.  Freshman student Ellen Platte of Exeter, New Hampshire said, "The FIG field trip was the highlight of my week. Not only was it informative about the Laramie community and its history, but it was also a time to bond with my fellow nursing FIG students. The opportunity to bond is irreplaceable, as I came to UW without knowing anyone. This trip strengthened our new friendships, which in turn strengthened our learning community." 

Fall 2007 Outing

 

The Fall 2007 outing for the Nursing FIG began as students, three faculty members and their husbands assembled on campus for a fun-filled Saturday. The outing is taken each year to expose students to the historical features of Laramie and the surrounding area, as well as to show them the beautiful scenery in the Snowy Range.
 


Students viewed the memorial fountain next to the Aven Nelson Building and greenhouse on campus. The memorial was erected in honor of a young student named Lowell O'Brien. His story follows below...


In 1922, students and faculty organized an “Old West” greeting for new UW President A. G. Crane. He was met at the summit by an escort and then rode in a stagecoach down the hill. Before the event, student and expert rider Lowell O’Brien tested the horses to make sure they were tame enough for novice student riders. As he mounted one, the horse spooked, bolting toward some students. Trying to halt the horse, he saved several students from harm, but was struck by the horse and died of his injuries. Below is a mural depicting President Crane's arrival. The mural is found in the ballroom of the Wyoming Student Union.

 


Part of the tour ended up being a nature tour, with squirrels and the campus owls making appearances.
 


Students and nursing faculty members pose at Old Main. Dr. Norma Wilkerson, ( left) has been in charge of the nursing FIG since its inception, her husband Gary serving as driver and official "tour guide." Dr. Virginia Conley, (far right, front) has helped for 3 years, providing another driver (husband Lyman). Laura Meloche, (left of Conley), will take over the FIG next year, her husband Carl serving as our 3rd driver.

 

Everyone formed another great pose at the west end of campus before taking off to view local historical sites.

Taylor Burke from Cheyenne, WY said, "The field trip was a great way to get to know the other members. Before we went on this trip, I felt like I barely knew the other girls on our floor... the trip brought us together and also helped us to know our instructors on a more personal level."
 


The group made a quick trip to the old train depot....

Danielle Stone from Berthoud, CO said that it was "very interesting and enlightening" to learn about her college town, since she had "little to no knowledge of the history behind Wyoming and the town of Laramie."
 


... They then went outside to the bridge to oversee the train yard and look toward the Snowy Mountains, where their group would be heading.
 


...The next stop was in downtown Laramie at the Laramie Women's History Center dedicated to Louisa Swain with a sculpture by Laramie sculptor John D. Baker. Swain was the first woman voter under laws guaranteeing absolute political equality to women. The Wyoming Territorial Legislature granted such suffrage under an act signed in 1869. The 1st registered nurse in WY is also honored at this Center.
 


Leaving Laramie, the FIG touring group headed toward the town of Centennial, a small community nestled at the base of the Snowy Range Mountains.
 


Once up in the Snowy Range Mountains, the students stopped to walk up to the 11,000 foot elevation of Libby Flats...
 


...Libby Flats is a lookout area with a telescope that oversees a "stunning vista including the Laramie Valley and the massive rocky peaks and pine forest of the Snowy Range." (quote from Wyoming Tourism web site)....
 


All enjoy the beautiful view as they hiked across the field towards the Red Mountain Copper Mine shaft.

One student commented, "The FIG field trip was great. It was beautiful, and my first time in the Snowys!"
 


Here students stop to look at Medicine Bow Peak, where a tragic plane accident happened in 1955, killing all 66 aboard.

 


They also visited the site of the 1945 German Prisoner of War Camp of WWII in Ryan Park campground.
 


A lot of hiking!

Clare Hedrick of Boise, ID said, "Our FIG field trip was a great bonding experience for our floor! It was a great day for us just to talk and laugh and forget about school for a day. The areas were beautiful, too."

 
 


Students enjoy balancing on the stones around Lake Marie...

Jasmin Havelka of Gillette, WY: "The trip was an amazing bonding experience. Not only did we get a history lesson on Wyoming, we got to see the wonderful mountain side of Wyoming... We became a family of nursing students, and will be going through the same challenges over the next couple of years..."
 

The beautiful Wyoming skies looked a bit threatening at times, but never unleashed precipitation on the grateful hikers.
 

Our touring group headed back to Centennial for a trip to the gift shop...

 


... and to enjoy a meal paid for by UW Residence & Life!

Loryn Zimbelman of Northglenn, CO later said of the day's experience, "Class is more enjoyable now that I know everyone. I was pleasantly surprised to find out during the trip that I have a lot more in common with these girls than I thought!"

 


The very next day, Laura & Carl Meloche returned to the same area in the Snowy Range where the students had just been... and which was snowed over already...

 

Laura Meloche looks forward to taking over the Nursing FIG and taking the new students to see the beautiful sights in our area!

One of the students summed up the day's experience: "The FIG field trip was a great way to get to know the other people within my major, and it was a TON of fun!!"

Click HERE to go to the University of Wyoming web site for FIGS to find out more information about Freshman Interest Groups and how to apply to become part of one.

 

 

 

Last updated 10/11/2007