Rising Alumni Award: Megan Degenfelder

A University of Wyoming education provides the framework for a successful career in any number of fields, and alumni like Megan Degenfelder (B.A. ’12, B.S. ’12) waste no time making

a difference in the world.

Degenfelder is this year’s Rising Alumni Award recipient. The award recognizes UW alumni who graduated in the last 10 years and have attained a high level of professional accomplishment.

“It’s such a great honor to be considered a reflection of the university and what the university looks for in its alumni,” she says. “My goal is to work hard enough that future students have the same opportunities I did.”

Degenfelder’s career has often focused on the intersection of government and energy. Degenfelder earned a master’s in economics from a Beijing university and has worked in coal, state government, and oil and gas.

“I think it was there that it really made me realize my passion for energy and energy policy,” she says. “I’m interested in trying to bring those fantastic resources we have in Wyoming to people across the globe.”

Degenfelder now works for Southland Royalty Co., an oil and gas company, and serves as chair of the advisory board of the Wyoming Women’s Foundation. Years ago, at UW, Degenfelder honed her leadership and teamwork skills on the rugby team and student government. The opportunities afforded her by UW have influenced her work ever since.

“Whether it’s been government, for publicly traded or private companies, those cowboy ethics, the Code of the West—standing by your word, working hard, riding for the brand—that’s really never failed to help elevate my career,” she says.

Even as her UW background has brought her success, Degenfelder says she is compelled to give back, to support future generations through coaching and mentoring, or even to lead by example.

“My hope in doing all of these things and coming back to Wyoming is that every student in the state has as many, if not more, opportunities than I was afforded,” she says.