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:

UW Professor Jeff Lockwood was interviewed by The New York Times about the infestation of grasshoppers in Las Vegas last week. Lockwood, an entomologist, said a combination of green plants and the city’s bright lights have made the area attractive to the insects.

The 74, a nonpartisan news site covering education in America, interviewed UW economist Chuck Mason on the “dire” future of nuclear power plants. As plants close in record numbers across the U.S., small-town school districts brace for catastrophic tax losses, according to the article.

UW Department of Physics and Astronomy faculty members will use a $750,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Energy to continue their research into memory storage. UW’s release, published by County 17, mentioned that Associate Professor TeYu Chien would lead the project.

Brent Pickett, UW political science professor and UW-Casper dean, explained “natural law” theory as mostly used to justify differential treatment of LGBTQ people, according to The Stream. The article focused on U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo’s newly created Commission on Unalienable Rights, formed specifically to explore natural law and human rights.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) interviewed Chad Baldwin, UW associate vice president for communications and marketing, about phase two of UW’s successful “The World Needs More Cowboys” marketing campaign. Oil City News also interviewed Baldwin about the campaign.

Sheridan Media interviewed Baldwin about UW’s updated Brown and Gold Report that offers an in-depth look at statistics regarding many aspects of the university.

The CS-T reported that the UW Board of Trustees voted to offer more need-based aid to Wyoming students while cutting merit-based aid for out-of-state students. University Business Magazine published a similar article.

UW Associate Professor Michael Dillon received a $1.17 million National Science Foundation grant to study bumblebee cold tolerance across different elevations. Sheridan Media published UW’s release. Sheridan Media also published UW’s release on the School of Pharmacy’s Early Decision program.

The Gillette News Record published UW’s release on UW Assistant Professor Corey Tarwater’s involvement with a study on how climate changes are occurring faster than animals adapt.

The Chronicle of Higher Education noted that Sherrill Smith is the new dean of UW’s Fay W. Whitney School of Nursing in the College of Health Sciences. She previously was a professor in the College of Nursing at Wright State University.

UW economist Rob Godby told Wyoming Public Radio that, of the company’s assets, Antelope mine is the most attractive of the two coal mines closing in the Powder River Basin. He pointed to lower mining costs, higher quality coal and more diversified contracts as compared to those at the Cordero Rojo mine.

The CS-T interviewed Godby, who said the contraction of the market for coal has caused “cutthroat competition,” as too many coal companies pursue too few customers. The article focused on the bankruptcy cases of two coal mines in the Powder River Basin.

The Gillette News Record also interviewed Godby for stories on how Blackjewel LLC’s shutdown is putting its longtime contract with Jeffrey Energy Center in jeopardy; Blackjewel’s recent deal to sell the Belle Ayr and Eagle Butte mines to Contura Energy; and 24 percent of coal production in the Powder River Basin is for sale.

In a TV interview with Bloomberg Business News, Godby discussed the diminishing use of coal power.

The UW College of Education is among the top 120 undergraduate teacher programs in the country, according to a book by the National Council on Teacher Quality, reported The CS-T.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle noted that the UW Board of Trustees is expected to have a presidential search committee formed soon, according to board Chairman Dave True.

Arnold Air Force Base featured Gen. Sam Phillips, a UW graduate, who provided expert guidance to NASA teams during the early days of space exploration, including the Apollo moon landing 50 years ago. The Cherokeean Herald, in Rusk, Texas, interviewed UW graduate Ben Mims, a former NASA assistant flight director, who was in on the early days of America’s space program, including the Apollo missions.

Southern Oregon University’s Jefferson Public Radio noted that Wyoming is among seven states nationwide stepping up efforts to fight violence against indigenous women. The state’s movement was sparked during a “Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women’s March” on the UW campus.

The CS-T reported that David Jones and Peter Parolin have been selected as deans of the UW College of Health Sciences and the Honors College, respectively. Paul Flesher also was named director of UW’s American Heritage Center (AHC).

Taco John’s 50-year history was noted with “Taco Tuesday” at the AHC last week, reported The Boomerang. Taco John’s International Inc. records are housed at the AHC.

SweetwaterNow published UW’s release announcing the four recipients of new UW Alumni Association awards. Green River resident Brittany Wells Gray, program director for Climb Wyoming in Sweetwater County, was among the recipients. Wyo4News also published UW’s release.

Three area students were among 15 participants presenting research during UW’s 27th annual McNair Scholars Research Symposium, reported Wind River Radio.

Wyo4News published UW’s release announcing that the UW College of Education is collaborating with Code.org to join a nationwide network of regional partners that support efforts to expand access to computer science in K-12 schools.

UW’s release profiling artist Trey Duvall’s “Do, Do, Do, Do, Do,” which features a site-specific sculpture and a rotating frieze of video performances, was published on RAAMP-Humanities Commons website.

The CS-T noted that UW Senior Associate Athletics Director and Senior Woman Administrator China Jude has been named the 2019 Nell Jackson Administrator of the Year by the Women Leaders in College Sports.

UW golfers John Murdock, from Laramie, and Phoenix’s Dan Starzinski were both selected as Golf Coaches Association of America Srizon/Cleveland All-America Scholars, reported The CS-T.

The Rock Springs Rocket Miner reported that UW’s men’s and women’s track and field teams earned All-Academic honors from the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association. Eight UW student-athletes also earned individual All-Academic honors.

UW’s volleyball team received a 2018-19 American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award, marking the 11th consecutive year the Cowgirls have received the award, noted The CS-T.

K2 Radio posted a video interview with UW rodeo Coach Beau Clark after he competed at last week’s Cheyenne Frontier Days steer wrestling event. Clark is a professional bulldogger during the off-season.

The UW women’s basketball team was honored as a Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 team. UW finished sixth among Division I schools with a 3.688 GPA and was the only Mountain West team to make the list, according to The CS-T.