Ted Cramer, a graduate student in Environmental Engineering, received the UW Student Volunteer of the Year Award for his work with Habitat for Humanity.

Ted was nominated for this award because of his outstanding service to Habitat for Humanity, having taken over the construction operation of the affiliate during the spring of 2005. This was also during his first year in graduate school. He coordinated, supervised and organized the build of the 2005 Habitat home during the summer and fall of 2005. During that time, Ted truly opened the home construction for participation to the university and the community of Laramie.

During no other time before has the participation of young volunteers, from the University of Wyoming, from the High School and from area churches increased to record numbers. Additionally, the participation of female volunteers at the job side has increased dramatically also. The Habitat organization has gained tremendous local respect and interest through Ted's understanding of Habitat building philosophy – to teach and guide even unskilled volunteers so that they can gain ownership in the home, the organization, and the community; to accept and foster that everyone has something to contribute to Habitat's mission. "I helped build it," is the message that our volunteers leave with at the end of a workday. And this message is given to Habitat volunteers by Ted every day.