AS THE NEW YEAR APPROACHES CWC CELEBRATES EMPLOYEES THAT RETIRED IN THE PAST YEAR

Jeanie Cottenoir

GED Examiner/ABE Instructor

An Arapaho resident since 1970, Jeanie Cottenoir earned her Bachelor of Science in Recreation and Park Administration from the University of Wyoming.

She first started working at CWC part-time in the adult basic education program in 2001. 

“At the time my husband and I had our own business and the part-time position at CWC allowed me to work to help supplement our income,” Cottenoir said.

Her position expanded to data manager and examiner in 2006. In her 18½ years at the college, Cottenoir most enjoyed working with her students. 

“I have learned about their personal lives and their goals they hope to attain to better themselves,” she said. “It has been very rewarding to be able to help the students and the program to succeed.”

Director of College and Career Readiness Michael Konsmo said Cottenoir made quite an impact on students.

“Her positive presence helped guide hundreds and hundreds of students toward their high school equivalency degrees, toward careers, and toward attendance at CWC,” he said. “Overall, Jeanie is a great person in all ways and she has made many positive contributions to our college and community.”

Cottenoir has two children and three grandsons. She enjoys anything to do with nature. This includes gardening, traveling, camping, and working on her ranch. She is looking forward to the next chapter of her life.

“I really enjoy retirement and hope to enjoy many more years of it,” Cottenoir said.

Sharon Dalton 

Professor of Music

Sharon Dalton started working for CWC’s music department in 1991. In her 29 years of service, Dalton directed choir, taught music and humanities courses, gave private lessons in voice, piano and guitar, and provided accompaniments for both vocal and instrumental solos.

Dalton was dedicated to the music program.

“Her primary focus was working with students,” Nordeen said. “She selflessly did her part to help each student reach their musical potential and career goals. It was common for Sharon to spend extra hours, whatever it took, to help students prepare for their solos or tryouts for parts in plays.”  

Her impact extended beyond campus as well. 

“The loyalty of her choir members was amazing,” Nordeen said. “That only happened because they knew that they would be a part of something special because Sharon was the director.”

Rita Duty

Bookstore Coordinator

Rita Duty began working at CWC in 1985 as an Information Office Assistant. She moved to the bookstore position in 2002 and was both assistant and in managing roles. Duty was promoted to Bookstore Coordinator in 2016, which is where she finished her CWC career in October 2019. 

David Hockett

Campus Safety Officer

Dave Hockett retired in 2019 after working as a campus safety officer at CWC for four years. Prior to his time at CWC, he served in the US Army from 1978-81 as a military police officer. From there he worked at the Wyoming Life Resource Center as a security officer from 1984-86. He then worked for the Lander Police Department until 2007 as a patrol officer, detective and patrol sergeant. Hockett also worked on the Federal Drug Task Force as a narcotics investigator. 

Hockett retired from LPD as chief of police in 2007 and moved to the Wyoming Highway Patrol as a state trooper. He also did background investigations of potential applicants. He retired from WHP in 2015 and that’s when he came to work at CWC.

Hockett plans to enjoy his retirement relaxing and enjoying his cabin in the mountains.

Kirk Clark 

Maintenance Supervisor

Kirk Clark started at CWC as a maintenance technician in 1991. He was promoted to supervisor in 1998 and had this position until February 2020. When he retired, Clark expressed gratitude for the campus community.

“I wanted to thank all of you for your help over the years in helping me do my job,” he said. “It really does take a “team” to do what most of us do.”

Though he said he knew he would miss CWC, Clark was looking forward to the future and new adventures. 

“I hope to catch you all around either on the fishing waters, in the hunting woods, or even Walmart,” he said.