UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

Inside Higher Education featured UW’s search for a new president, saying the university is “looking far and wide” and is taking unconventional steps to receive input.

UW economist Rob Godby told The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) the coal industry in the Powder River Basin will be productive for some years to come, but the state must make sure that “it’s as healthy as possible to minimize disruption during any transitions.”

Nature World News published UW’s research release that found how memory explains much of deer behavior during migration. UW researchers noted that mule deer navigate in spring and fall mostly by using their knowledge of past migration routes and seasonal ranges.

Pakistan’s Express Tribune, The London Free Press, Canada.com and Yahoo! News were among media outlets that published a Thomson Reuters Foundation article about “The Bearded Lady Project: Challenging the Face of Science,” a way to celebrate women who work in the geosciences. Ellen Currano, a UW associate professor of paleobotany and co-founder of the project, was quoted in the article. The World Economic Forum and The Daily Californian also published similar articles.

Politifact interviewed UW law Professor George Mocsary for an article on closing the “boyfriend loophole” when purchasing a firearm. If a person commits a serious crime of domestic abuse against a wife, that individual cannot get a gun, but against a girlfriend, the individual is permitted to purchase a weapon.

UW law Professor Michael Duff was quoted in a Dallas Business Journal story on how American Airlines has asked a U.S. district judge for sanctions against the unions that represent its mechanics. The company alleged the unions did nothing to stop a mechanic slowdown after a temporary restraining order issued in June ordered mechanics not to interfere with American’s operations.

The Sheridan Press reported that UW has paused plans to convert Sheridan County’s Wyoming Technology Business Center into an “innovation center” while the university conducts an internal assessment of its programs and departments.

Tim Robinson, director of UW’s WWAMI Medical Education Program, was quoted in a U.S. News & World Report story, titled “Rural Western States Work Together to Tackle Physician Shortages.”

The Gillette News Record reported that a U.S. Bankruptcy Court judge approved the sale of Cloud Peak Energy Corp.’s Antelope and Cordero Rojo mines in Campbell County and the Spring Creek mine in Montana to Navajo Transitional Energy Co. UW economist Rob Godby noted that the Navajo Nation could benefit from tax advantages that make the coal operations more competitive. Wyoming Public Media and The Salt Lake Tribune carried similar stories.

UW’s involvement in the 150th anniversary of explorer John Wesley Powell’s expedition in Wyoming and the West was featured in The Las Vegas Review-Journal.

The Powell Tribune interviewed UW graduate student Lindsay Martinez for a story on the study of moose in the Bighorn National Forest. Martinez is working with Wyoming Game and Fish Department personnel to study the demography and habitat use of moose in the forest.

According to a new study by UW researchers, oil and gas development disrupts mule deer eating habits, The CS-T reported. In the study, which was conducted in the state’s Green River Basin, oil and gas activity had a negative impact on mule deer foraging patterns. SweetwaterNOW published UW’s release on the research. U.S. News & World Report published a similar article.

The CS-T interviewed Jerad Stack, director of the Wyoming Technology Business Center (WTBC) in Casper, about this year’s Casper Start-Up Challenge. The program, which is run by UW’s WTBC, provides seed funding and the business support needed for contestants to act on their ideas.

Steven Winberg, assistant secretary of fossil energy for the U.S. Department of Energy, lauded the state’s cutting-edge research in fossil energy technology. He also toured UW’s School of Energy Resources as part of his Wyoming visit, reported The CS-T and Coal Zoom.

Sheridan Media interviewed Scot Rendall, WTBC director in Sheridan, about the Sheridan Start-Up Challenge.

Chad Baldwin, UW associate vice president for communications and marketing, touted the “cute as can be” Cowboy Joe, UW’s Shetland pony mascot, for an article published in The Jamestown Sun. The article focused on North Dakota State University’s lack of a live team mascot, which is the Bison.

Big Horn Radio Network noted that UW Extension has published “The Hemp in Wyoming” publication that provides an overview of the annual herbaceous flowering crop, cannabis sativa.

UW is sponsoring a startup challenge to give away $25,000 each in seed money to two tribal entrepreneurs with innovative and sustainable business ideas benefiting the Wind River Indian Reservation, reported The CS-T.

Big Horn Radio Network reported that UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources is developing plans to focus its Collaborative Solutions Program on helping communities grow their recreation economies while stewarding their environmental resources. The Laramie Boomerang also noted that UW’s Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources has developed a program that will help stakeholders work together to help Wyoming communities expand their outdoor recreation industries.

DNA samples from two euthanized Colorado mountain lions were sent to UW’s forensics laboratory, Denver’s 9News and CBS4 television reported.

Mike Borowczak, a UW assistant professor of computer science, spoke with The Laramie Boomerang about Wyoming’s Schools and Libraries Integrating Computer Science Education (WySLICE) program, which will support integration of computer science education in K-8 classrooms and public libraries across the state. WySLICE recently received a nearly $1 million grant from the National Science Foundation.

The Riverton Ranger published UW’s release announcing that UW religious studies Professor Paul Flesher has been named director of UW’s American Heritage Center.

According to UW’s IMPLAN economic impact simulator, the collapse of an irrigation tunnel along the Fort Laramie irrigation canal could total $90 million, reported The Wyoming Tribune Eagle. The cost to surrounding communities in lost income could total $250 million, reported Cowboy State Daily.

Sheridan Media and Oil City News published UW’s release announcing Campus Pass is scheduled Sept. 14. The one-day program provides prospective students with information about UW, including tours and free tickets to the football game against Idaho.

Rock band American Authors will headline the UW Cowboy Kickoff Concert Sept. 13, reported Laramie Live.

Mike Moore, the manager of UW’s Seed Certification Service in Powell, received the Excellence as an Agriculture Industry Supporter Award from the state Department of Agriculture, according to The Powell Tribune.

The Fence Post covered a North Platte, Neb., meeting for goat and sheep producers where UW Extension’s Bridger Feuz told ranchers that the key to avoiding pitfalls in agriculture, especially with livestock, is paying attention to profit margins.