Turnell Cattle Company Scholarship Endowment

Jack Turnell grew up in Meeteetse, Wyoming, and graduated from NWC in 1967. After obtaining his degree in Agriculture from the University of Wyoming and teaching for a year, Jack and his wife, Lili, returned home to Meeteetse to manage the family’s Pitchfork Ranch. They operated the ranch, while raising their three daughters, until its sale in 1999. Jack retained ownership of the lower ranch property and formed the Turnell Cattle Company. He had a great passion for the land and worked with the UW Range department to improve the range and watershed areas for the benefit of cattle, wildlife, and multiple use.

Jack was passionate about conservation and giving back to the community. He was the first National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Environmental Stewardship Award recipient for his work with black-footed ferrets. He was instrumental in starting the Belden Museum to preserve the history of the Pitchfork Ranch and helped start the Meeteetse Museum. Jack served on various boards, including Northwest College’s Board of Trustees and the NWC Foundation Board. He was honored as a Distinguished Alumni for Community Service from NWC in 1992. Jack and Lili started the Turnell Cattle Company Scholarship Endowment in 1996, funding the scholarship by selling a steer annually. The award supports students studying agriculture and mathematics.