UW Welcomes New Cohort of Prestigious Tomé Scholars

Four incoming undergraduate students to the University of Wyoming who are associated with the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources have been selected for the prestigious Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program, which provides transformational experiences for future leaders in the field of environment and natural resources. The program was established at UW in 2021 by a major gift from the Tomé Foundation.

Tomé Scholars Shayla Babits, of Lander; Gabriella Paterson, of Powell; Lilly McGever, of Phoenix, Ariz.; and Mariela Via-Reque, of Sarasota, Fla., will each receive full-ride scholarships and additional support for one or more unique experiences such as international field courses and community service.

John Koprowski, dean of the UW Haub School, led the process to select a diverse group of students whose major area of educational focus includes a connection to environment or natural resources.

“We embolden our students -- through their experiences and broad training -- to take on the grand challenges in the environment that require passion and determination to bring people together to solve complex problems,” Koprowski says. “Through this generous gift, our Tomé Scholars are on a path toward a lifetime of impact.”

Tomé Scholars bring ambition, intelligence, drive and tenacity to their UW educational experience, which is designed to elevate their career opportunities to impact the world through expertise and leadership, Koprowski says. They also have access to a network of other Tomé Scholars across the country and will build a relationship with Carol and Ramon Tomé themselves. Following graduation, these exceptional students become Tomé Fellows, a community of Tomé Scholars.

Over the next four years, Babits plans to study environment and natural resources at UW.

“Since I can remember, I have been passionate about conserving our environment and informing others to do the same,” she says. “There is a profound need for influential scientists with technical skills as well as communication skills for effective world collaboration.”

Paterson will study environment and natural resources, and kinesiology and health promotion, along with taking Honors College courses.

“Although we must do everything in our power to protect the environment, we also must remember there is no perfect fix,” she says. “Our modern society will inevitably cause us to leave a harmful impact on the world, but we can minimize the harm with environmentally friendly solutions. The Tomé Scholarship allows me to continue to learn about those solutions and strive to implement them not only in Wyoming but also in our nation.”

McGever will major in environment and natural resources, along with geology.

“Nature, including rocks, is a great relief and asset to human mental health because it connects us to something bigger, slower and more powerful than anything we can imagine,” she says. “By studying geology and working in geological research, I will not only research more sustainable ways to use the earth’s resources, but I also will impact the world by helping to create a humanity that is more connected to the earth they walk on; more passionate about conserving the life that surrounds them; and more focused on what really matters in life.”

Via-Reque will major in outdoor recreation and tourism management.

“There are no words to express how grateful I am, let alone the amount of excitement I feel to arrive on campus,” she says. “I am positive that, with this scholarship, I will be able to do amazing things. I desire to share the outdoor experience with others; to work in nature alongside my peers; aid in conserving this beautiful Earth; and, most importantly, to make a lasting impact.”

These four scholars make up the 2027 Tomé Scholars cohort and join two earlier cohorts already on campus. Last year, UW welcomed Paula Medina, of Powell, as well as Megan Yarborough, of Mountain Home, Ark., as the 2026 Tomé Scholars. The first group of Tomé Scholars to arrive at UW, anticipated to graduate in 2025, is composed of Jennifer Bautz, of Lander; Iris Kurz, of Wylie, Texas; Addison Potts, of Cheyenne; and Benjamin Piña, of Kingwood, Texas.

The Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program exists at seven colleges around the nation. The program supports opportunities to bring diverse students to campus whose major area of educational focus is on programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and/or math, including medicine and nursing.

The Tomés are both alumni of UW, and Carol is a Wyoming native. At the time of the gift, the Tomés wanted this program to support a diverse student body and enable underrepresented students to achieve an education that will make a difference in the lives of others.

The Tomés have given generously to UW since 1995. Their previous gifts include establishing the Carol and Ramon Tomé Student Admissions Center, located within the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Additionally, they have contributed to the Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center and the UW Alumni Association. Carol is the CEO of UPS.