Gwynne Robb - Lifelong Educator and Loyal CSU Alumna

On the streets of Cheyenne, Wyoming, former students approach Gwynne Robb and say, “Ms. Robb! You were my teacher!” She must have left quite an impression, because in many cases it has been several decades since these students have been under Gwynne’s guidance. Even though she has taught hundreds of students, Gwynne still enjoys hearing each update. “Often they will tell me how many kids - and grandkids - they have,” Gwynne recalls.

Born and raised in Kansas, Gwynne’s teaching career began in 1949, after she attended Colorado Women’s College and received her teaching degree from the University of Denver. Her first teaching job took her to Oregon for a stint, and then back to Colorado where she taught in Alamosa and Estes Park. After taking a break from teaching to explore other avenues, the teaching profession called her back – this time to Cheyenne, a place she’s called home for nearly 50 years.

It was while teaching girls’ physical education classes in Cheyenne in the late 50s that Gwynne decided to pursue her master’s degree at Colorado State. Her parents were living in Loveland at that time, and Gwynne stayed with them during several summers while earning her degree in Fort Collins. Her 1962 Master’s in Education allowed her to expand her horizons and work as a counselor and later as an assistant principal – at a time when mostly men held those administrative roles.

While counseling junior high students, Gwynne had a keen ability to help kids find out who they were, what they wanted, and how they would get there. “Most of the time I would go by feel on what they needed from me. Sometimes it was a pat on the back, and sometimes a ‘kick in the pants.’” Gwynne adds, “my goal was to give them the foundation to build on. I think students got some good out of those conversations.”

Gwynne has always enjoyed working with kids, but admits there were some students she couldn’t ever reach, in particular when she was an assistant principal in a disciplinary role. “They would spend a lot of time in my office, but they just wouldn’t respond or talk.” While she dealt with some disappointment, the happy memories far outweigh the sad ones. A further testament to Gwynne’s impact on her students and school was the reaction from fellow teachers when she planned to retire. Many times over, Gwynne heard three words - “please don’t leave!”

Since retirement, Gwynne has kept busy volunteering at the local animal shelter, playing bridge, participating in the retired teachers association, staying involved in church, and spending time with her loveable dog, Pookie.

For the past 40 years, Gwynne has been a loyal supporter of the College of Applied Human Sciences and specifically, the School of Education, where she has also designated a planned gift through her estate. When asked what has inspired her long-time giving to the College, Gwynne responds simply, “I got my education there. Being an alumna is an honor, so I give what I can.”

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Contact:  Kim Winger
Telephone:  970.491.2797
Email:  Kim.Winger@colostate.edu