UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

Forbes, The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T), Wyoming Public Radio, The Laramie Boomerang and the Associated Press detailed UW’s proposed changes to its academic programs, including the reorganization of some of its colleges and the elimination of as many as 75 faculty and staff positions. Hits 106 and Oil City News published UW’s detailed announcement. Nebraska’s Rural Radio Network, The College Post and KGAB Radio published condensed versions of the release.

The CS-T reported that Gov. Mark Gordon supports UW’s proposed restructuring plan, which he hopes will spur Wyoming’s economy. Gordon met with the UW Board of Trustees last week during its meeting in Torrington.

Last week, the UW Board of Trustees approved a notice of intent to develop a new School of Computing as part of the university’s restructuring plan. The CS-T and Rocket Miner noted that the effort would likely take at least five years to fully launch. Wyoming Public Radio also reported on the School of Computing as well as two other new initiatives: the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative and the Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.

Three proposed hydrogen pilot projects have been chosen as finalists for grant funding by the Wyoming Energy Authority. The CS-T noted that a Tulsa, Okla.-based company is set to receive the bulk of the grant money -- nearly $1 million -- for a hydrogen feasibility study in partnership with UW. The study could inform development of a hydrogen and synthetic natural gas hub in Wyoming later this decade.

Channel 7 News in Denver cited a UW study on the economic damage grasshoppers can cause. Economic damage to crops occurs when there are more than 10 grasshoppers per square yard, according to the study. This year, those numbers are much higher as grasshoppers can number 40 or even 50 per square yard in certain parts of the country.

Slate interviewed Scott Schell, a UW entomologist, about the grasshopper invasion in the U.S. and what is being done to minimize the damage. Schell studies rangeland grasshopper ecology and management.

UW President Ed Seidel was profiled in a Jackson Hole News & Guide piece. Seidel discussed UW’s role in helping the state jump-start its economy and in training the next generation of entrepreneurs.

UW Associate Professor Michael Dillon and colleagues published a paper that was picked up by EurekAlert! The study indicates how humans can learn from animals and insects about the impacts of climate change.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide last week featured the latest Grand Teton Music Festival performances. The world-class event returned earlier this month after the pandemic canceled last summer’s festival. Among presenters at the festival last weekend was Michael Griffith, UW’s director of orchestral activities, who was invited to give preconcert lectures at Teton Village.

A new solar energy array will begin development this fall in Laramie. Oil City News noted that the solar array will provide UW students with opportunities to gain hands-on experiential learning.

The Sheridan Press reported that Ben Kern, a UW assistant professor of kinesiology and health, designed and distributed the Wyoming Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation ​and Dance survey for Wyoming public schools to review physical education standards. Wyoming is well below the national average in offering physical education to elementary school students, according to the statewide survey.

The Western Farmer-Stockman published a UW release announcing that UW’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center will host the first Growing Grapes in Wyoming Symposium next month. The symposium will focus on the management of grapes at the end of the growing season into harvest.

Two Lander students participated in UW’s Windy Ridge Foundation Astro Camp last week. County 10 published UW’s release noting that 20 students from Wyoming and two from Colorado participated in the weeklong camp, which focused on exoplanets.

Wyoming News Now published UW’s release promoting the Teton STEM Academy on the university’s campus last week. Hands-on activities in the interdisciplinary sciences were offered to 25 high school students from Wyoming and one from Colorado.

MoneyGeek interviewed Tim Zhang, a UW assistant professor of finance, for a couple of articles that offered insightful assistance for cheap renters insurance and the best homeowners insurance.

The Powell Tribune reported that UW’s Powell Research and Extension Center will host Field Days this week. Last year’s event was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns.

The CS-T reported that nearly 200 UW student-athletes were named to the Academic All-Mountain West teams for the spring season.