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:

Four UW Department of Economics professors combined for a Politico article, titled “We Were Skeptical Social Distancing Was Worth the Economic Cost. Then We Modeled It.” The costs of slowing the economy are high, but are worth it from an economic perspective, wrote David Finnoff, Stephen Newbold, Jason Shogren and Linda Thunstrom, along with economics graduate student Madison Ashworth.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle interviewed Thunstrom, who discussed the need for social distancing during the coronavirus pandemic. Thunstrom recently co-wrote a new report that weighed the costs and benefits of shutting down the economy to curb the spread of COVID-19. Cowboy State Daily, The National Review and The Sheridan Press published similar articles about Thunstrom’s research into social distancing.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) and Laramie Live were among media outlets using information from a UW release noting that a statewide survey shows serious impacts and that Wyoming residents have deep concerns about the coronavirus. UW’s Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center compiled the survey’s data. The Wyoming Tribune Eagle and Gillette News Record published UW’s release on the survey results.

UW graduate Caitlin Long was profiled in Forbes Magazine. She was lauded for her efforts to introduce bitcoin legislation in Wyoming and to have such companies to do business in the state and at UW.

Bloomberg Law interviewed UW law Professor Michael Duff, who said if everybody who gets sick on the job is able to file a compensation claim and everyone is successful, it may bankrupt a company. He was responding to an article on how COVID-19 workers’ compensation claims are skyrocketing. Workers Compensation.com published a similar article.

UW Acting President Neil Theobald discussed positive developments at the university in an op-ed piece in The CS-T.

Theobald offered a digital “welcome-back” message as classes for the spring semester reconvened last week with all online classes due to COVID-19 concerns, noted Oil City News.

The CS-T highlighted the research of UW scientists Brian Toelle and Maohong Fan to reduce the flaring of natural gas at oil well sites. They have developed a method to transform produced gas into a liquid at the well site for easier transportation to pipelines.

Tyler Kerr was interviewed by The Wyoming Tribune Eagle about the UW Student Innovation Center’s (SIC) efforts to help state hospitals restock supplies. The SIC is producing 3D digital surgical masks and face shields and has donated nearly 200 to the Cheyenne Regional Medical Center. The CS-T published a similar article.

The CS-T, Oil City News, SweetwaterNOW and Wind River News Network were among outlets publishing UW’s release announcing that a $2 million fund has been established for the university’s student needs this semester. The fund is to help students affected by the COVID-19 shutdown. The Laramie Boomerang published a related article.

UW’s spring commencement and graduation ceremonies will now be virtual in the latest effort to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus among students and staff, according to The Boomerang, The CS-T and Cowboy State Daily.

UW School of Pharmacy Professor Sreejayan Nair and his team have produced hand sanitizer and have distributed containers of the product to medical facilities in Laramie, according to a UW release published by Oil City News.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported how the Wyoming Technology Coronavirus Coalition, with more than 200 volunteers, including several from UW, has contributed different ideas to help the people of Wyoming in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak.

UW economist Rob Godby commented in a CS-T article that detailed how coal production in Wyoming continued to tumble, with output during the first quarter setting a new two-decade low, data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows.

Cowboy State Daily interviewed Godby for an article as to why Wyoming’s gas prices at the pump are not as low as compared to other states.

KGAB Radio published UW’s release noting that the campus and Laramie communities are donating unused personal protective equipment in order to help increase supplies for hospitals and medical centers across Wyoming during the COVID-19 pandemic. A donation drive was held last week.

UW education majors who had their student teaching assignments cut short this semester by COVID-19 will still graduate in May, reported The Sheridan Press.

Farms.com published UW’s release in which Extension Specialist Cole Ehmke discusses how the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic is affecting the agricultural sector nationwide.

Richard Carter, a UW assistant professor, was interviewed by Education Week about his research that closely ties into the COVID-19 pandemic. Carter is co-author on the study of tele-therapy for students with disabilities.

UW psychology Senior Lecturer Scott Freng told WyoFile columnist Kerry Drake that hoarding supplies in uncertain times -- such as the COVID-19 pandemic -- is not unexpected. 

Hits 106 published UW’s release noting that, even though most students have left campus for the remainder of the spring semester, they should still consider themselves as residents of Laramie for the nation’s 2020 census.

With schools closed across Wyoming because of COVID-19 concerns, educators, museums, libraries and other entities are offering online educational lessons and activities for students to do at home, noted The CS-T.

Oil City News published UW’s release announcing that prospective students considering attending the university for the fall 2020 semester have more time to confirm their intent to enroll, if they need it.

UW Admissions Director Shelley Dodd said, in a Sheridan Press interview, that the university is trying to stay in contact with future students, sharing any information or help they need at this time.

County 17 published UW’s release noting that 37 UW students -- including two from Campbell County -- have been selected for membership into Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious academic honor society.

UW Extension Educator Blaine Horn talked with The Buffalo Bulletin about the favorable precipitation outlook for Johnson County producers.

The Fence Post interviewed John Hewlett, a UW Extension farm and ranch specialist, on some of the transition challenges some ranchers face when turning over the management side of the operation to family members.

National Intercollegiate Rodeo Association officials will decide by May 14 whether the College National Finals Rodeo will be held in Casper this June, reported The CS-T. With the spring season cut short due to COVID-19 concerns, both the UW men’s and women’s teams were named regional champions based on the fall standings.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed UW international tennis players and how the coronavirus has affected them. All UW spring sports have been canceled, and all UW students are now taking courses online.