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Wyoming-born author and trade diplomat Michael Punke will appear at Laramie County Community College on March 26 for two public talks, giving students and Cheyenne residents a rare chance to hear directly from the writer behind the story that inspired the Oscar-winning film The Revenant. The visit connects local audiences to a figure who has moved between literature, international policy and technology—a mix that makes the event timely for students and professionals alike.
Event schedule and access
The campus presentations take place in the Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium on LCCC’s Cheyenne campus. A student-focused session opens at 11 a.m., followed by a public evening lecture at 7 p.m. Both programs are free, but the college requests advance registration at lccc.wy.edu/CulturalSeries.
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- Date: March 26
- Student session: 11:00 a.m., Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium
- Public presentation: 7:00 p.m., Surbrugg/Prentice Auditorium
- Cost: Free (registration requested)
- Post-event: Book signing to follow the evening talk
Why this visit matters
Punke’s profile spans more than fiction: he served as the United States ambassador to the World Trade Organization and now leads global public policy at Amazon Web Services. That combination means his remarks will likely touch on storytelling and serious policy questions—trade, technology and the public role of narrative—topics with immediate relevance for students studying communications, political science or computer policy.
For Cheyenne audiences, the appearance is also an opportunity to engage with a local-born author whose work crossed into mainstream film. The 2015 adaptation of The Revenant, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, brought widespread attention to the novel and its themes; hearing the author discuss the book’s origins and adaptations offers context that goes beyond reviews and publicity.
About the author
Michael Punke is the author of several historical and Western-themed books. In addition to The Revenant, his published titles include Fire & Brimstone, Last Stand and Ridgeline, the latter of which received the Spur Award for Best Historical Novel in 2022. His professional resume also includes senior roles in U.S. trade policy and corporate public policy strategy.
The evening event is presented as part of the college’s Dineen Writer Series and will conclude with a signing where attendees can purchase or bring copies for Punke to autograph.
Practical notes for attendees
Seating at campus auditoriums is limited; organizers advise registering online ahead of time. The college’s registration page lists any updates or capacity limits, and will be the source for last-minute changes.
Whether attendees come for literary insight, policy perspective or the chance to meet a writer whose work reached Hollywood, Punke’s visit offers a compact program with direct relevance to local readers and students navigating careers at the intersection of media and public affairs.
