Student receives Bigler scholarship

In 2005, the Bigler family and OCI Chemical, predecessor to Ciner Resources, partnered to establish a scholarship to honor Terry A. Bigler and carry on his legacy.

The scholarship is intended to help students enrolled at Western Wyoming Community College who are entering their second year of a degree program. The scholarship is need-based with preference given to students enrolled in either mine maintenance or trades and industry programs as well as those having graduated from a high school in southwest Wyoming.

Bigler is remembered by his family, friends and coworkers as a loyal, compassionate, humorous and professional man. He had a strong mechanical ability and was recognized for his passion by his peers. He worked at the Big Island Mine and Refinery safely for 28 years as a member of the maintenance team. When speaking of Bigler amongst fellow employees, it is always with a smile and fond memories. His parents, Ken and Carol Bigler, actively participate in the selection process each year and hold the candidates to a high standard so as to properly honor their beloved son. Since its inception, the scholarship has provided more than $25,950 to students at WWCC to provide financial assistance to help meet their academic goals.

The Bigler family and Ciner are proud to announce Santiago Herrera as the 2018-2019 Terry A. Bigler Scholarship recipient. He is the 14th recipient and will receive $2,45o to apply toward his academic expenses. Herrera expects to graduate in the Spring of 2019 with an associates degree in diesel and heavy equipment technology along with a certificate in mine maintenance. He is the son of Miguel Herrera and Rebecca Romero of Lyman.

In his spare time, Herrera enjoys golfing, fishing, hunting and being outdoors. With continued hard work and dedication, the Bigler family and Ciner are confident Herrera will have a successful future and that he is the perfect candidate to receive the scholarship this year.

Those in attendance for the Bigler Memorial Scholarship presentation are from left to right, Anne-Marie Shipman of Western Wyoming Community College, Cassie Slane of Ciner, Santiago Herrera, Carol Bigler and Ken Bigler.