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 Assistant Admissions Director Katie Carroll discussed UW’s chatbot, Cowboy Joe, with The New York Times in an article on how schools are elevating the use of chatbots and virtual assistants whose speed and tone can simulate text conversation. Education Dive published a similar article.

WIRED interviewed UW economist Rob Godby for an article that focused on Wyoming’s wind energy future. The article stated that the Cowboy State could be a renewable energy juggernaut but is dominated by fossil fuels.

According to an analysis by Godby, employment reductions in the Powder River Basin have not kept pace with the deteriorating demand for coal in recent years. His study was cited in a Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) story on workforce reductions at three coal mines in the basin.

Drew Bennett, a professor of practice in UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, is quoted in a Seattle Times story about the growing popularity of conservation easements to protect lands in the American West.

The Billings Gazette reported that the Wyoming Migration Initiative and the Wyoming Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, both at UW, are among state entities that began a three-year study of mule deer in the northern Bighorn Mountains last month. The study is the first of its kind in the area.

UW graduate student Evan Booher is studying the finescale dace, a small native fish in northeast
Wyoming, according to a CS-T story on how nonnative northern pike are decimating native fish in the Niobrara River.

The National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)-operated supercomputer Cheyenne, which is used extensively by UW researchers, is joining a national COVID-19 computing consortium. The powerful system will be used to learn more about the pandemic, according to an NCAR media release.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed UW economists Godby and Linda Thunstrom for an article on how the pandemic could affect Wyoming’s housing market. Thunstrom said there is less data coming in right now because of stay-at-home orders, and the overall effect will not be known until all information is received.

Thunstrom penned an article for the science journal Nautilus about the effectiveness of using prayer to address COVID-19. While religion can promote prosocial behavior and prayer can offer comfort to people, it also can interfere with public efforts aimed at controlling a crisis, she says.

Wyo4News published UW’s release noting that UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources students and faculty members are playing a key role in the state’s COVID-19 testing program. The university is providing personnel and supplies to the Wyoming Public Health Laboratory.

Wyo4News also published UW’s release noting that the UW Student Innovation Center’s (SIC) success in printing 3D surgical masks and face shields has led to statewide interest. This week, the SIC will produce nearly 1,000 pieces of personal protective equipment for 20 of the state’s medical facilities and departments.

A study by four UW economists was cited by Resources Magazine for an article, titled “Can Economics Tell Us When It’s Safe to Return to Life as We Knew It?” Writing the study were UW professors David Finnoff, Stephen Newbold, Jason Shogren and Thunstrom, along with economics graduate student Madison Ashworth. Their work noted that the costs of slowing the economy are high, but are worth it from an economic perspective.

OnOffice Magazine interviewed Finnoff on how the coronavirus COVID-19 will change how offices will be constructed to safeguard against future pandemics.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that UW Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Kate Miller is resigning her position at the end of the fiscal year. Oil City News also published UW’s release on the announcement.

UW’s graduate programs in education have been ranked among the top institutions in the nation, UW Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing Chad Baldwin told Sheridan Media. U.S. News & World Report compiled the annual data for its national rankings.

Sheridan Media also interviewed Baldwin about the university’s top scholarship, the Trustees’ Scholars Award, for Wyoming graduating seniors. Twelve Sheridan County students received that four-year scholarship.

UW will extend its online/virtual learning class structure for graduate and undergraduate classes through the summer in response to COVID-19 pandemic concerns, according to the university’s release published by The Riverton Ranger, SweetwaterNOW and Oil City News.

106.3 Country Radio and KGAB Radio published UW’s release noting that UW graduate student Erin Bentley, from Green River, is among 40 artists and scientists selected for an Arctic Circle program. Bentley will participate in the annual expeditionary residency program as part of the summer solstice expedition in June 2021. Wyoming Public Radio published a similar story.

Laramie Live and Wyo4News published UW’s release announcing that the university has compiled data that show UW’s interactions with the state’s 23 counties. The information is available online.

Two local UW students were among 37 members selected to Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society, according to The Cody Enterprise.

106.3 Country Radio, in Cheyenne, published UW’s release announcing that the university’s debate program will help with online logistics so that the Wyoming High School State Speech and Debate Tournament can be held virtually next month. Oil City News also published UW’s release.

A series of Native American-focused billboards -- through UW Extension’s Cent$ible Nutrition Program -- is helping to promote fitness and healthy lifestyles on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Western Farmer-Stockman published UW’s release on the program.

Tri-State Livestock News published UW’s release noting that UW students facing internet difficulties can access online courses by using Wi-Fi in parking lots of UW Extension offices across the state.

UW’s Steamboat was voted the best logo in college sports through a Twitter competition, titled “2020 NCAA Division 1 Best Logo Tournament.” UW had 53 percent of the more than 32,000 votes cast and defeated the South Dakota State Jackrabbits in the finals, according to KOWB Radio.

The CS-T was among media outlets announcing that this summer’s College National Finals Rodeo in Casper was canceled because of COVID-19 concerns. Both the regional-leading UW men’s and women’s teams are among the nation’s schools affected by the cancellation.

New UW School of Energy Resources (SER) Executive Director Holly Krutka penned a column for The CS-T on how the SER is researching new ways to help the state stem the decline in Wyoming coal production.

The Denver Post republished a Wyoming Tribune Eagle article on how Wyoming technology experts, including those at UW’s SIC, are helping in the fight against the coronavirus COVID-19. The SIC is part of the statewide Wyoming Technology Coronavirus Coalition.

Documentary filmmaker Jacob Hamilton’s “Jump Shot,” which chronicles the life of UW basketball legend Kenny Sailors, will be widely screened this week, reported The Austin American-Statesman. Sailors is widely credited with creating the modern-day jump shot.