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:

The BBC interviewed UW Professor Jeff Lockwood for a piece titled “Why so many of us are casual spider-murderers.” Lockwood said that the insect, over time, has developed traits that are uniquely repulsive to people.

UW graduate Bertine Bahige, a nationally recognized Campbell County elementary school principal, was mentioned in a Washington Post article that focused on some Wyoming church leaders wishing to host displaced Afghan families. Bahige, a Congolese refugee, previously joined UW College of Law faculty members and students in talking to state leaders about creating a refugee resettlement program. The article noted that Wyoming is the only state that has no refugee resettlement program.

The Gillette News Record and WyoToday Media published UW’s release noting that a thorough review of the history of sage grouse hunting and populations across the Intermountain West shows that declines in the bird’s numbers have prompted significant reductions in hunting opportunities in recent decades. UW Professor Jeff Beck and a former UW postdoctoral researcher led the study. Earth.com and Bioengineer.org published similar articles.

A UW report from research scientists at the Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center on missing Indigenous people in Wyoming continues to be cited in national media outlets. The New Yorker published an article titled “The Long American History of ‘Missing White Woman Syndrome.’”

The Casper Star-Tribune and Sheridan Media noted that a UW laboratory is testing influent water from Wyoming towns for the virus that causes COVID-19 to help the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory determine trends of the disease in the state. The effort is part of an $800,000 grant from the Wyoming Department of Health.

UW Associate Professor Shane Murphy is among scientists working at 12 established U.S. sites that will provide long-term measurements of the properties of atmospheric particulates known as aerosols, which have significant effects on health and climate change. Science Magazine reported that the Georgia Institute of Technology-led study was awarded a $12 million National Science Foundation grant.

UW is part of a consortium that will build and operate an experimental research facility to study soil at depths greater than at any research facility in the world. The Moscow-Pullman Daily News reported that the Deep Soil Ecotron, housed at the University of Idaho, is supported by an $18.9 million National Science Foundation grant.

Sheridan Media and County 10 published UW’s release noting that a contest for Wyoming youth to share their vision for the Cowboy State’s future is underway, with an opportunity to win cash prizes up to $700. UW’s Ruckelshaus Institute of Environment and Natural Resources and the Creative Writing Program are among the contest’s sponsors. Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Emilene Ostlind, communications coordinator with the UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, about the youth contest.

Gail Zimmerman, a retired UW-Casper faculty member and former Casper College professor, donated $250,000 to establish a first-of-its-kind fellowship for UW-Casper faculty members. Oil City News published UW’s announcement.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide interviewed UW Professor Cecilia “CC” Aragon about the importance of the annual Wyoming Latina Youth Conference, which was held on the UW campus last weekend. The conference, for Wyoming Latina students in grades 5-12, offers workshops centering on wellness, cultural identity, leadership and higher education.

The Pinedale Roundup noted that Brett Butler, a UW MBA student from Pinedale, is among six finalists in the annual Fisher Innovation Launchpad, a competition for budding entrepreneurs sponsored by UW.

The Wind River Transportation Authority will provide a Thanksgiving bus for UW students, especially those from Fremont County, to help ensure public safety for the holiday break. KGAB Radio published the announcement.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release noting that the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources will host Mountainfilm on Tour later this month with both live and virtual screenings of environmental and outdoor adventure films and documentaries.

Green River and Rock Springs high school bands competed last weekend in a marching band invitational at War Memorial Stadium. SweetwaterNOW published UW’s release noting that the university’s Western Thunder Marching Band hosted 14 regional bands for the event. Wyoming News Now also published the release.

The Rocket Miner and The Laramie Boomerang published UW’s release announcing that six UW graduates will be honored for their professional achievements and support of the university during Homecoming Oct. 16-23.