It was the dry air that made Martin Knauss feel at home.
The climate in Laramie is both an ache and a gift. The valley wind is filtered through the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains. It cracks the skin on your hands, on your lips. It’s thin and clear, scattering more light across the horizon. Our sunsets humble the mountains. Here, at 7,220 feet, you learn to breathe with gratitude.
Martin had never seen Laramie, not until the day he moved here for college in 1976. He drove in by himself, making the trip from Bullhead City, Arizona, a little over 900 miles. The arid Wyoming plains reminded him of his desert home.
The decision to attend the University of Wyoming had come down to value and cost. Arizona didn’t offer petroleum engineering at the time, and his first semester at UW was only $120. He’d learn that $120 would buy him much more than an education. Through UW, Martin got to see snow for the first time. He became close with renowned educators and spent evenings playing racquetball with his mentor. He also made the networking connections that would eventually lead to a prosperous 35-year career with multinational oil and gas company, Chevron.
“I was accepted on a scholarship grant that covered my out-of-state tuition,” Martin says. “That was part of what inspired me to give. I don’t like the fact that kids are going into debt to go to college. I think Wyoming does a good job at lowering the cost of tuition, especially compared to these other schools. I’m hoping this endowment will keep student costs even lower.”
The Martin Knauss Energy Student Enrichment Fund supports students who are enrolled in the energy degree programs at the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the School of Energy Resources. The fund provides scholarships and enrichment opportunities both inside and outside the classroom. Most importantly, it creates greater access to higher education for students aspiring to make an impact.
By 1980, Martin graduated with a bachelor’s in petroleum engineering. His Wyoming education would lead him around the world, bringing his Cowboy integrity and resilience with him.
Between 1988 to 1991, he’d find himself in another desert, Saudi Arabia, during the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait. Martin worked as a lead petroleum engineer just 20 miles from the Dhahran barracks. He and his wife Gail would witness the flash of the Iraqi Scud missile that struck the U.S. military base—an attack that resulted in the greatest combat loss taken by any single Army unit since Vietnam. During the air raids, they bunkered in a windowless room.
“Living internationally shaped my perspective on life,” Martin says. “I’ve always thought that one of the best things a U.S. citizen can do is live in a thirdworld country for at least six months. It will teach you how other people live and how they survive.”
Eventually, the Knausses became desensitized to the sirens. They would sometimes stand outside, watching thin lights trace arches across the desert sky.
In 1991, Martin and Gail moved back to the United States but continued to travel throughout Europe, Southeast Asia, and Africa. They would visit an array of cultures including Thailand, Vietnam, China, Japan, Brazil, Argentina, and many more. Along the way, they would connect with other travelers who are also passionate about experiencing the world firsthand.
“My favorite part is the people I meet,” Martin says. “We’ve become close with friends who live in different parts of the country and the world.”
The Knausses feel blessed in the opportunities they’ve received. As Martin shares his experiences, his widespread appreciation brings together the events that detail his life—both the triumphs and the challenges. He shares his gratitude for natural resources and his appreciation of the relationships he’s built over the years. Martin carries the Western ethos through his respect for land, people, and life itself.
“The university provided me the glide path to be successful in my career, and I used my career to be successful in my retirement and my life,” Martin says. “I feel good about giving back to UW because of what it means to me. I love the Wyoming mentality and culture of responsibility. I am disturbed by the amount of debt students are facing when they choose to pursue a university degree. I want to give back to help with that. I want to give students the same opportunities that were given to me.”