Longtime University of Wyoming supporters Frank and Barbara Mendicino will serve as the grand marshals of the annual UW Homecoming parade Saturday, Sept. 28.

This year's Homecoming theme is "Ragtime Reunion," which celebrates UW alumni who reunite in groups big and small. From Monday through Saturday, Sept. 23-28, a variety of events will be hosted across campus and in the community. Homecoming is sponsored by UniWyo Credit Union.

The parade is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. at the corner of 14th Street and Grand Avenue. It will travel west on Grand Avenue to Second Street; north on Second Street to Ivinson Avenue; and east on Ivinson to Ninth Street. The UW Alumni Association (UWAA) will coordinate the parade.

"It's an honor to have Frank and Barbara Mendicino as our Homecoming parade grand marshals," says Jack Tennant, UWAA executive director. "Their leadership and dedication to their alma mater have helped shape the university into what it is today. I couldn't be more excited to see them leading the charge in this year's parade."

The Mendicinos are UW sweethearts whose generosity has significantly impacted the university.

Frank Mendicino II (B.S. '62, J.D. '70) grew up in Cheyenne. His college career began at the University of Colorado on a tennis scholarship. However, after one semester, he made the decision to switch to UW. He joined Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity and became involved in student government. In between completing his bachelor's degree and starting law school, he served in the U.S. Army.

Barbara attended the UW College of Arts and Sciences from 1961-63, where she joined Pi Beta Phi. While Frank attended law school full time, Barbara raised their two boys, Frank and Michael, and shared a job with Frank while he was in class. After law school, Frank and Barbara welcomed their daughter, Marlo, into their family.

"We are very grateful for our Wyoming roots, to UW for helping us in the process of transforming from kids to adults, for the lifelong relationships we established there and, of course, for providing the starting point for our 63-year love affair," Barbara says.

Frank currently is managing director emeritus at Access Venture Partners, an early-stage venture capital fund. He has over 40 years of experience investing on behalf of limited partners.

Before entering the venture capital business, Frank practiced law and served terms in the Wyoming House of Representatives and as Wyoming Attorney General. He is a member of the Wyoming Bar Association and the American Bar Association.

Frank has served on the board of directors of more than 35 private companies, including the board of directors of the Wyoming Business Council, UW's College of Business Advisory Board and UW's Cowboy Joe Club. He is a former board member of Western Research Institute and was director of publicly traded Stratex Networks until its acquisition by Harris Communications in 2007. Frank recently retired from the UW Foundation Board of Directors. Barbara previously served on the UW Art Museum National Advisory Board.

Frank received the UW President's Best Friend Award in 2003; an honorary Doctor of Laws degree in 2005; the Medallion Service Award in 2015; and the College of Business Distinguished Alumni Award in 2017.

Frank and Barbara met in August 1961 in Frank's father's shoe store, which was located at 215 S. Second St. in Laramie. Barbara was working as a cashier. Coincidentally, Frank's parents met in the same shoe store in 1935.

In 1969, Frank and Barbara made their first gift to UW and have made gifts annually for 55 years. Together, they have left an indelible mark on UW and have given to over 85 areas across campus -- a benchmark that is hard to match. Their legacy underscores the profound power of long-term dedication and generosity.

"We and our families owe so much to Wyoming and UW. We are blessed to be able, in some small measure, to pay it back," Frank says. "For every gift we have made to UW, we have received far more than we have given."

Frank and Barbara say they are very honored to serve as grand marshals.

Other scheduled Homecoming events include:

-- The third annual Tribute to Steamboat event will be Thursday, Sept. 26, beginning at 5 p.m. with a barbecue at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena, located at 306 Highway 230. A "showdeo" will follow at 6 p.m. The evening will conclude with a swing dance hosted by UW's Cowboy Country Swing Club.

-- Homecoming check-in will be from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27, at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Saturday check-in will be available at the Alumni Tailgate from 2-5:30 p.m. Homecoming T-shirts will be given to the first 250 registered alumni both days on a first-come, first-served basis. One T-shirt will be available per registered alumnus while supplies last. Additional swag items will be available at check-in, including drink tokens that registered alumni can use during the Homecoming Happy Hour or Alumni Tailgate events. The University Store will have a pop-up shop during Homecoming check-in.

-- The second annual Legacy Lunch will begin at 11:30 a.m. Friday in the Wyoming Union Ballroom. This event honors families who have made UW a tradition and celebrates the Class of 1974 as part of its 50th reunion. Additional ticket purchase is required for this event.

-- Homecoming Happy Hour will begin at 3 p.m. Friday at Bond's Brewing Co., located at 411 S. Second St.

-- Cowboy Coffee, sponsored by UniWyo Credit Union, will take place from 9-11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 28, at UW's Ivinson Parking Garage, located between 10th and 11th Streets along Ivinson Avenue. Complimentary Homecoming mugs -- one per person -- and breakfast items will be available while they last.

-- The brand-new Alumni Tailgate, sponsored by Crest Insurance, will take place from 2 p.m. until kickoff Saturday at the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Concession-style food and drinks will be available for purchase, and the University Store will have a pop-up shop. A mechanical bull and live band also will be featured at the event. The UW Cowboys will take on the Air Force Falcons at 6 p.m. in War Memorial Stadium.

To register for the Homecoming celebration or for more information, visit www.uwyo.edu/homecoming, call the UWAA office at (307) 766-4166, or email [email protected].