UW School of Energy Resources, Wold Foundation Host Symposium on Wyomings Energy Future

The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) and the Wold Foundation will host a joint symposium Thursday, Sept. 15, that focuses on the state’s energy future.

“Wyoming’s Energy Future” will be from 11 a.m.-6:30 p.m. in the UW Conference Center. A networking reception and student poster session are scheduled from 5-6:30 p.m.

Examining different topics from an industry perspective as well as an academic perspective, the in-person forum features leading experts across the spectrum of energy development and various state stakeholders to collaborate and learn about what comes next for energy in Wyoming.

Heavily invested in energy education at UW, the Wold Foundation established the John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy in 1990 as an opportunity for growing instruction in energy-related topics at the university.

Peter Wold, the president and owner of Wold Oil Properties Inc. and a Board of Directors member for the Wold Foundation, says the conference is intended to “carry on the legacy of energy education in Wyoming.”

“Many years ago, I attended a UW Stroock Forum with Ambassador Tom Stroock focusing on energy and Wyoming,” Wold says. “My brother, Jack Wold, and sister, Priscilla Longfield, and I believe that the endowed Wold Energy Chair can help UW, students and all of Wyoming continue in the great footsteps of Ambassador Stroock to look for ways to focus on solutions for Wyoming’s energy future.” 

Led in part by John Kaszuba, SER professor of geology and geophysics and the John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy, the conference is a tool to advance the chair’s directive of energy-related research and teaching for the benefit of Wyoming.

“Earlier this year, I chaired energy-focused sessions for two days at a prominent international conference,” Kaszuba says. “None of the sessions at the conference, or previous conferences for that matter, possessed the depth or breadth of energy topics we have in store for the (upcoming) conference. I am delighted to be a part of this conference and truly look forward to the engagement from the UW community with leaders in the energy sector.”

Panels composed of industry leaders, academic experts and state administrators will explore coal, oil and gas, rare earth elements and nuclear energy development in Wyoming while tackling issues related to current policy, economic and social challenges. Gov. Mark Gordon will headline the event and provide the keynote address during the luncheon.

In addition to fostering valuable dialogue about the important role that Wyoming will play in the future as it advances its “all of the above” energy strategy, a major focus of the event is to bring students into the fold.

They will feature prominently in the conference, with select students showcasing their energy-related projects in a poster display and competition. Conference attendees will be able to learn about ongoing research throughout the event, and the top three posters will be selected for cash prizes from representatives of the Wold Foundation.

“It is very important to the Wold Foundation to involve the next generation of students,” Wold says. “Our family foundation supports education and, specifically, scientific education for Wyoming students. Our mom and dad would be very proud of the entrepreneurial spirit this conference brings toward focusing on Wyoming students and our future energy solutions.”

The conference has reached the maximum capacity for attendees -- registration is now closed. However, the day’s events and speakers will be recorded and made available on the SER website at a later date.

For more information about the event, visit the conference website at www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/conferences/wyomings-energy-future/index.html.

About the Wold Foundation

Created in 1985 by John and Jane Wold and the Wold family, the Wold Foundation exists to assist, encourage and promote charitable, scientific, literary and educational endeavors. The foundation supports institutions and programs that promote traditional values and free enterprise and gives a preference to projects benefiting Wyoming citizens and the state’s youth.