Published April 28, 2025
International Studies Graduate Student Wins Field Study Award
Erin Brorsen-Duncan, a graduate student at UW in international studies, won a Conference of Latin American Geography (CLAG) "Field Study" award at the MA/MS level, for her upcoming field research in Mexico in summer 2025. The award comes with $1000 in financial support.
A Message from Interim Dean Freng
As graduation draws near, we find ourselves in one of the busiest and most exciting
times of the academic year. With just a few short weeks left in the semester, the
energy on campus is high as students, faculty, and staff work hard to cross the finish
line. As always, thank you for supporting the College of Arts & Sciences.
In this issue of the A&S newsletter, you'll learn about student awards, a faculty
spotlight video, upcoming events, and much more. Please enjoy this month's news!
Adrienne Freng
Matt Gray, professor of clinical psychology, researches traumatic stress
UW’s Riley Coburn Selected for International Exchange Program in Germany
UW Researchers Receive NSF Grant to Study Perceptions of Forensic Evidence
UW Psychology Faculty Receive Innovation Award
Clinical Assistant Professor Anne Stevens and Lecturer in Clinical Psychology Tara Clapp recently received the Innovation Award from the Association of Psychology Training Clinics. They were recognized for developing training and service delivery programs that serve adjudicated and/or at-risk youth, while also providing psychology students with mentorship and service opportunities through the program Campus Connections. This program includes mentee exposure to a college campus, academic support, dinner, pro-social activities, and integrated mental health services.
International Studies Graduate Student Wins 'Best Paper Award'
Mariam Asaba, a UW graduate student in International Studies, recently received the "2025 Best Paper Award" for graduate students in the Latin America Specialty Group of the American Association of Geographers.
UW Student Receives AHC Award for Indigenous Boarding School Project
Ava Olson, a UW student from Cheyenne, is the recipient of a UW American Heritage Center Undergraduate Research Award for her work on an Indigenous boarding school project. Olson’s paper, “St. Michael’s Mission: A Supposed Sanctuary,” examines the history and impact of an Episcopal boarding school for Northern Arapaho children in Ethete on the Wind River Indian Reservation.
UW Sociology Student Awarded NSF Graduate Research Fellowship
Sociology major and senior, Carissa Fostervold, was recently awarded the prestigious and highly competitive National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship to support her Doctoral studies.
UW History Professor Receives Eccles Institute Visiting Fellowship
Assistant Professor of History Peter Walker recently received an Eccles Institute Visiting Fellowship. This fellowship offers funding for researchers working in the Americas across the arts, humanities, and social sciences, to spend some time with the British Library’s collections in London.
UW Associate Professor's Research Published in Police Chief Magazine
UW Associate Professor of Criminal Justice Clair Uding had a research brief recently published in Police Chief Magazine. Her article focuses on co-responder models for responding to people in mental distress, which have becoming increasingly used in policing in the U.S. over the last decade.
Colter Speaks at National Conference on Higher Education in Prison
Department Head Rob Colter was part of a panel "Technology and Private/Public Partnerships in Prison Higher Education" at the 14th National Conference on Higher Education in Prison, held April 10-11 in New Orleans, LA. He will also be on a panel "How Inter-agency Collaboration has Sewn the Seeds for Transforming Correctional Education in Wyoming" at the 2025 Forum of the Correctional Education Association, held April 27-29 in Omaha, NE.
Choral Conducting Graduate Student Presents at National American Choral Directors Association
At the end of March, Emily Peterson, a graduate student in Choral Conducting, presented an invited poster session at the National American Choral Directors Association convention in Dallas, Texas. Her research focuses on the accessibility and artistry of the choral works of composer Susan LaBarr.
UW Philosophy Professor Speaks at MIT and the UK
Earlier this month, Associate Professor of Philosophy Brad Rettler spoke at the MIT Freedom Tech conference; the title of his talk was “What Bitcoin is Freedom From." He also spoke at CheatCode in Bedford UK; his panel title was “Rethinking Money.”
From public speakers to student engagement events, join the College of Arts & Sciences at our next event! For more information, visit the full calendar at https://www.uwyo.edu/as/calendar.html.
Carmina Burana Performance May 3
Carmina Burana featuring the UW Wind Symphony and Choirs will take place May 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the BCPA Concert Hall. This performance will feature the Laramie Children’s Chorus; UW Choirs; UW Wind Symphony; Dr. Matthew Schlomer, conductor; Dr. Brian C. Murray, conductor; Dr. O’Neil Jones, chorus master; Dr. Theresa Bogard & Alisson Garcia, pianists; Dawna Rae Warren, soprano; Javier Abreu, tenor; and Andrew Garland, baritone. UW Choirs will also be performing the piece with the Cheyenne Symphony Orchestra on May 10. Learn more here.
UW Symphony Ends Season Thursday, May 8
The UW Symphony is proud to end this season with Mahler’s Symphony No. 4. The performance is Thursday, May 8, at 7:30 p.m. in the Buchanan Center Concert Hall. Purchase tickets here.
Strata Gallery Announces Exhibition: Shelby Shadwell – Drawings
Located in Sante Fe, N.M., Strata Gallery presents an established member’s second solo exhibition, "Drawings," by Wyoming based artist Shelby Shadwell. The exhibition opens May 6, with a live drawing demonstration on Tuesday, May 6, from 1-3 p.m., where the artist will be drawing in the gallery to show viewers how the work is made. There will also be a reception on Friday, May 9, from 5-7 p.m. with an artist talk at 6 p.m.
Robert M. Shine UW Symphony Orchestra Scholarship
The Bob Shine Symphony Orchestra was founded in the 2024-2025 academic year. A generous
endowment enables the UW Symphony to recruit top-tier students from Wyoming and across
the country. Recipients must participate in the UWSO, with preference given to students
whose talents and contributions enhance the music department’s diverse ensembles.
This includes those who can also perform in other groups, such as the Wind Symphony
or Jazz Ensemble I. The UW Symphony regularly tours the state and region, performing
at various Wyoming schools and concert venues. This outreach has proven to be an effective
and successful strategy for recruiting talented students.
The 2024-25 academic year marked the first Shine Scholarship award, granted to graduate
student Emily Ewing. Emily reflects the excellence the scholarship was intended to
recognize. She was a finalist in the most recent Jacoby Concerto Competition and has
been an outstanding leader in the Department of Music. For 2025-26, Emily received
the scholarship again. Additionally, an offer was extended to Colin Miller, a prospective
transfer student from Tennessee and an exceptional clarinetist. This award is renewable
for a second year. Colin’s scholarship reflects his extraordinary talent and the financial
challenges he faces as a transfer student, who typically receives limited academic
funding.
