Published April 25, 2023
By Christine Reed
John Kaszuba, the University of Wyoming’s John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy and School of Energy Resources Professor of Geology and Geophysics, was named a 2023 recipient of the UW Foundation Stewardship Award.
The Award recognizes commitment to providing high-quality stewardship through meaningful and personalized interactions with donors, students, and faculty. It is designed to bring about a greater knowledge and awareness of effective stewardship practices and relationship-building opportunities and to give special recognition to those faculty members who make outstanding contributions to the culture of philanthropy at UW.
Kaszuba was nominated by SER Executive Director Holly Krutka and SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. He was recognized for his dedication to building a lasting relationship with the Wold Foundation and the Wold companies.
“John and Jane Wold established this premier endowed chair to reward faculty that are student-success oriented and with Wyoming focused research programs,” says Krutka. “Professor Kaszuba is an exemplary holder of this chair. He has built a relationship that creates incredible opportunities for his students to interact the Wolds and benefit from their extensive expertise of the Wyoming energy and extractive sectors.”
Named the John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy in December 2020 for his leadership in energy development research for Wyoming, Kaszuba has built a meaningful connection to the Wold Foundation through continued interactions — including regular visits to Casper to provide student research presentations, showcasing their accomplishments and the benefits their work brings to the state.
Additionally, Kaszuba spearheaded the successful ‘Wyoming’s Energy Future Symposium’ with the Wold Foundation that took place in the fall of 2022. The forum brought together experts in the energy sector to foster valuable dialogue about the important role that Wyoming will play in the future.
“John is so deserving of this award as it is reflective of his dedicated character,” says Cameron Wright, the Carrell Family Dean of the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. “Over the years, John has maintained outstanding relationships with alumni in the Geology and Geophysics department, regularly keeping in touch with former UW students and following their careers. It is nice to be able to honor him for a quality that is second nature to him.”
Kaszuba will be recognized for his achievement at the President’s Commencement Dinner on Thursday, May 11, and will receive a $5,000 award. Additionally, the college or department to which he belongs will receive $2,500, and the Kaszuba can direct another $2,500 to support another worthy unit or club of his choosing.
“I am humbled to be recognized for this award, but in truth, it is all in a day’s work,” says Kaszuba. “I really enjoy the work that I do and the incredibly talented students that I mentor. The Wold family and the Wold Foundation share my vision for energy excellence in Wyoming and it has been an honor and a pleasure to work with them.”
