UW to Honor Distinguished Law Alumnus During Homecoming

Four University of Wyoming graduates will be honored by the UW Alumni Association (UWAA) and the Office of the President for their professional achievements and support of the university during Homecoming Sept. 23-28, sponsored by UniWyo Credit Union.

Mary Behrens, John Easterbrook and Randall Luthi are the recipients of the 2024 Distinguished Alumni Award, and Clayton Hartman is the 2024 Medallion Service Award recipient.

“We are genuinely excited to highlight these outstanding alumni at Homecoming this year,” says Jack Tennant, UWAA executive director. “Each honoree showcases the best of UW and sets a great example for our students and fellow alumni.”

The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who have achieved excellence in their profession; appreciate the impact of their UW education; and are people of integrity, stature and demonstrated ability. The Medallion Service Award recognizes outstanding service to the university. The award honors alumni or friends of UW who have unselfishly given of their time, talent and support.

The UW tradition of Distinguished Alumni and Medallion Service awards has a long and notable history. In 1953, the first Distinguished Alumni Award went to U.S. Navy Vice Admiral Emory Land, who helped design the submarine during World War I. Those who have received awards since then are a “who’s who” across the globe.

Randall Luthi

Luthi grew up on the family farm and ranch in Freedom. At UW, he majored in administration of justice and went on to law school.

Luthi’s first job was as a legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. Alan Simpson. He also served as an attorney in the Department of the Interior Office of the Solicitor and as a senior counselor for environmental regulations in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Office of General Counsel.

“My law degree from UW gave me the opportunity to work on federal issues concerning management of natural resources,” Luthi says. “Wyoming was always a ground truthing to see how federal policies affect those who actually work, recreate and live in a state where almost 50 percent of the surface and 67 percent of the minerals are managed by the federal government.”

After a few years in Washington, D.C., Luthi returned to Wyoming to run the family ranch. He also established a law practice and ran for the Wyoming Legislature. Joining the House of Representatives in 1995, he went on to become speaker of the House in 2005-06. As majority leader and speaker, he was instrumental in the formulation of state budgets and served as a legislative member of the Energy Council.

Luthi then returned to Washington to work for the second George W. Bush administration. He served as deputy director of the Department of the Interior’s Fish and Wildlife Service before being named director of the Minerals Management Service. Under his leadership, the service conducted the largest Gulf of Mexico outer continental shelf and Arctic outer continental shelf oil and gas lease sales in history.

He also oversaw the highest mineral revenue collections and distributions in history and the creation of a renewable energy office. He went on to serve as president of the National Ocean Industries Association, a national trade association representing over 250 companies involved in the exploration and development of offshore energy.

In 2019, Luthi returned to Wyoming to work for Gov. Mark Gordon as an energy adviser, and he is now his policy director. He also serves as managing partner of the Luthi Ranch and sits on UW’s Energy Resources Council.

For more information about the recipients and awards, call the UWAA office at (307) 766-4166 or visit www.uwyo.edu/alumni.