Scholarships endure, but political influence is distant
Former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney, who passed away recently at the age of 83, remains one of Wyoming’s most nationally recognized political figures of the recent years. Cheney served as a congressman representing Wyoming’s at-large district, Secretary of Defense under President George H.W. Bush, and several other roles. He held significant influence in shaping the U.S. response to the Sept. 11 attacks and was widely known as a key advocate for the War on Terror. Cheney earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Wyoming, later supporting the institution with scholarship funding and a study-abroad program aimed at promoting global learning opportunities.
However, on campus today, Cheney’s legacy is not a frequent topic of conversation, according to three UW students interviewed in a group discussion for this story. These students do not represent the University of Wyoming nor any campus organization, and their comments reflect personal opinions only.
All three students said they were already aware of Cheney’s ties to UW before this interview. The anonymous student noted that Cheney’s impact was most visible through alumni connections and international scholarship opportunities.
“He did a lot with alumni, and he had a large legacy at the university, particularly through scholarships and global engagement that helped students participate in study-abroad experiences,” they said.
Eric Swingley emphasized Cheney’s academic path. “He was a bachelor’s student in political science and then received his master’s here,” Swingley said. “He also went on to pursue Ph.D. work at the University of Wisconsin, Madison.”
Logan Robinson added that Cheney’s proximity to UW life was known, even if not deeply discussed. “I have heard of him and his influence here at UW,” he said.
When asked about Cheney’s roles in government, the students named his most prominent offices: Vice President during the Bush administration’s time, Secretary of Defense, and a long history of executive and advisory influence under several Republican presidential administrations, whilst supporting several Democratic pushes and ideals as well, working with both parties from time to time. Robinson also highlighted his position as Wyoming’s representative in Congress, saying it was significant for the state to have “a voice of Wyoming and its people at the national level.”
The students had differing perspectives on whether Cheney’s actions and political ideology influence UW’s identity today.
The anonymous student believed Cheney’s direct contributions had a meaningful impact. “I think that he did have a very big impact on the University of Wyoming. He was very proud of his Wyoming roots,” they said. “He and his wife, Lynne, helped endow scholarships that allow students to experience other cultures and places in the world. That had a huge impact.”
Swingley, however, described the influence as primarily administrative rather than personal. “I think his foundation had a far greater impact than he did individually,” he said. “That will probably be his lasting legacy here.”
Robinson agreed, noting that political disagreements with Cheney did not meaningfully influence how the university is viewed. “If he did something people disagreed with, they didn’t take it out on the university,” he said. “The impact was what he directly chose to support here, not the political decisions he made nationally.”
When the students were asked if Cheney’s politics affected UW’s reputation, a surprising yet common answer was given. All three students said, “No.”
“When I came to UW, I didn’t come because Cheney went here,” the anonymous student said. “I came because it was affordable.”
Swingley added, “There’s no real correlation there.”
Robinson described how Cheney is not a defining association for most students. “If you say ‘University of Wyoming,’ people think, cowboys, football, Wyoming,” he said. “They don’t think of Dick Cheney.”
When reflecting personally, the students expressed differing but thoughtful perspectives.
The anonymous student raised concerns about Cheney’s involvement in national policy and mentioned the 2006 hunting accident as part of their discomfort with some aspects of his public life. They also noted Cheney’s break with the Republican Party, alongside his daughter, Liz Cheney, reflecting on his political division.
Swingley focused on Cheney’s structural impact on the federal government. “His legacy will be largely within his political sphere,” he said. “He redefined the role of the vice presidency and its influence within the federal system.”
Robinson viewed Cheney’s legacy for Wyoming specifically more positively. “I think the legacy he left behind for Wyoming was positive and impactful,” he said. “It showed someone from here could go on to shape national policy, even if there were parts of his national records I disagreed with.”
All three students agreed that most UW students today have little to no opinion about Cheney.
“I don’t think there is any opinion,” the anonymous student said.
“There isn’t animosity or support, there’s just no conversation,” Swingley said.
Robinson explained that Cheney’s name appears on features like a rock monument as well as the student International Center that his foundation funded and established, but added, “People don’t need to know who he was to be impacted by the scholarships and programs.”
When asked what Cheney’s lasting impact will be, the anonymous student said that the scholarships should continue, but Cheney’s personal influence will remain small. “His foundation should continue its work, but his personal impact on the university will be minimal moving forward.”
Swingley emphasized Cheney’s cultural identity. “He will always be known as one of the notable figures from Wyoming,” he said.
Robinson concluded that future students will likely learn about Cheney through online summaries, not campus culture. “He’s just going to be another name on Wikipedia for people from Wyoming,” he said.
All three students agreed that the university should maintain the current approach in memorializing Cheney’s role.
“We are not highlighting him, but we are not moving on,” Robinson said. “The programs he contributed to are what should be elevated, not the individual.”
