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 Laramie Boomerang -- in the wake of Mikhail Gorbachev’s death last week -- republished an Oct. 11, 2011 article that featured the former Soviet leader’s visit to the UW campus. The article described Gorbachev as a “man who once helped his country walk away from the likelihood of nuclear war.” He offered advice for the future to a crowd of more than 6,000 at UW.

Ahead of the Labor Day weekend, UW economist Rob Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) that as long as the conflict between Ukraine and Russia continues, fuel prices worldwide will remain high.

Wyoming Public Radio reported that UW was recently selected as among a few research institutions nationwide to receive approximately $1 million in grant funding for research that looks into pandemic modeling. UW economists David Finoff and Linda Thunstrom -- who were among team members who reported on the issue during the early days of the pandemic -- were interviewed for the report.

UW molecular biology Assistant Professor Thomas Boothby recently received a grant from NASA to study the long-term effects of radiation on tardigrades and nematode worms to help better prepare astronauts for space flight. The CS-T and Laramie Live published UW’s release on the announcement.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW economics Associate Professor Sasha Skiba, a Ukrainian native, who discussed the ongoing conflict in his home country. UW student Anastasiia Pereverten, also from Ukraine, talked about her ongoing fundraising efforts for her native country.

The Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO), a consortium of nine regional scientific agencies that includes UW, recently released a new 10-year plan to improve monitoring and hazards assessment of volcanic, hydrothermal and earthquake activity in the Yellowstone Plateau region. The Laramie Boomerang published UW’s release on the Yellowstone plan, as did The CS-T.

Blockchain News reported that Avanti Financial Group, the crypto-focused bank led by UW alumna Caitlin Long, has raised an angel round worth $5 million in an important step toward becoming a chartered crypto bank in the country.

UW is among several universities collaborating on a $2.5 million National Science Foundation project to study climate change and biodiversity. Led by the University of Kentucky, scientists will study the food web in Lake Tanganyika, one of sub-Saharan Africa’s most prolific inland fisheries, according to Bioengineer.

Wyoming Business Report published an article on how hydrogen can be added as an energy source in Wyoming. Eugene Holubnyak, director of UW’s Hydrogen Energy Research Center, was among experts commenting on the piece.

Anthony Bergantino, director of the Resources Data System-Wyoming State Climate Office at UW, was among experts who discussed flooding issues in a Cowboy State Daily article titled “Yellowstone Flood a 1,000-Year Flood? It Was Significant But Not Likely.”

The CS-T reported that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, Wyoming teachers have observed more incidents of aggression, according to a joint report from UW and the Wyoming Education Association. The article focused on Wyoming school district officials who “overwhelmingly” emphasized that addressing mental health among students and staff is crucial to school safety.

UW economist Rob Godby was interviewed by Marketplace for an article on how the high cost of diesel is driving up the cost of doing business in rural areas. Godby said that there is more competition among gas stations in urban areas, which can cause prices to drop -- however, not in rural areas where there is less competition.

Wallethub interviewed Sherrill Shaffer, UW Emeritus Guthrie Distinguished Professor of Banking and Financial Services, for a question-and-answer column on car insurance. Shaffer offered advice on how to shop for lower rates and if car insurance companies really do save consumers money as advertised.

UW scientists are among researchers studying how genetic effects in interacting species impact the diversity of life. AZo Life Sciences reports that Utah State University researchers lead the seven-school team’s study.

County 10 published UW’s release announcing that a “UW in Your Community” event will be held on the Wind River Indian Reservation this week. UW President Ed Seidel, and local UW students and officials, will be speakers at the public event at Fort Washakie School.

UW Scholarships and Financial Aid Director Anna Terfehr commented in a Laramie Boomerang article that focused on President Joe Biden’s move to relieve a portion of student debt. The Gillette News Record published a related article on student debt.

Cointelegraph interviewed Steve Lupien, director of UW’s Center for Blockchain and Digital Innovation, who said that university research hubs, such as UW’s center, offer distinctive, hands-on learning opportunities. He touted the university’s innovative Blockchain research and teaching curriculum.

A special Harlow Speaker Series event last week was held at the renovated UW-National Park Service Research Station, located at the AMK Ranch in Grand Teton National Park. Buckrail published UW’s release that featured UW geology and geophysics Wyoming Excellence Chair Bryan Shuman, the current research station director, who discussed “Imagining the Future of the Tetons.”

Sheridan Media reported that UW’s Sheridan Research and Extension Center will host a panel discussion this week on invasive grass management. The Institute for Managing Annual Grasses Invading Natural Ecosystems will lead the discussion.

Registrations are now being accepted for 19 World Language and Culture Program nonformal language and culture sessions offered through UW. Wyoming News Now published UW’s announcement.

KOWB Radio published UW’s release noting that UW Extension will offer a one-day educational program on growing grapes in Wyoming next week at Central Wyoming College’s campus in Lander.

A groundbreaking ceremony for a coal byproduct demonstration facility was recently reported by Wyoming Public Radio, which noted that the objective is to find new uses for coal. UW’s School of Energy Resources is among entities that will use the facility for research.

Laramie Live published UW’s release noting that UW’s Army ROTC Cowboy Battalion cadets last week tested new rounds in the M116 75mm Pack Howitzer that is shot off when the Pokes football team scores.

UW Extension recently published a bulletin that provides a valuable new resource for public officials, community planners, local business owners and citizens interested in personal income trends in Wyoming. Sheridan Media published UW’s release.