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:

eCampus News, a website that helps the public navigate the ever-changing world of higher education innovation, reported on Research.com’s ranking of UW’s online Master of Social Work program as the most affordable among U.S. colleges. UW’s program was noted for its annual tuition fee costs ranging from $9,000 to $17,000 and an estimated cost of $299 per credit. The length of this program ranges from two to three years, according to the survey.

Ellen Aikens, a UW School of Computing assistant professor, was among researchers interviewed for a Yale Environment 360 article that focused on how scientists studying migrations, endangered species and global change are placing tracking devices on thousands of animals that will be monitored by a satellite-based system that will launch next year. Aikens is currently studying the golden eagle population in Wyoming.

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) announced the addition of three new members, including UW’s Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative. New ORR members will help grow the outdoor recreation economy nationwide. WORTH helps support, expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy through outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries.

Gov. Mark Gordon has awarded $9.63 million in new competitive funding to 27 essential workforce development, innovation and research programs through the Wyoming Innovation Partnership (WIP), according to a Wyoming Tribune Eagle article. To date, WIP has supported 52 programs across UW, all eight community colleges, the Wyoming Department of Education, the Wyoming Community College Commission, the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Workforce Services.

In an article titled “Powdered Peanut Butter Isn’t As Healthy As You Thought,” Health Digest cited a UW Extension report on just how much sugar is in two tablespoons of powdered peanut butter.

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) featured a new study that adds to a growing body of evidence that raccoons demonstrate innovative problem-solving skills when faced with new foraging challenges. Using a UW media release, the article notes that Lauren Stanton, a UW Ph.D. graduate who is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of California-Berkeley, led the study. ZME Science published a similar story.

The announcement of Bradley Rettler, a UW associate professor of philosophy, as the new UW Bitcoin Research Institute director continues to draw worldwide attention in such publications as Inside Higher Ed. A bitcoin article in Finance Magnates mentioned the Bitcoin Research Institute. The CS-T published a related article.

Wyoming Public Radio (WPR) interviewed Gregg Cawley, a UW professor who studies environmental politics, for a segment titled “Wyoming offers to sell land to Grand Teton park -- or it could go to developers.” National Public Radio picked up the WPR report.

UW College of Law Professor George Mocsary’s comments were added to an article published by Sheridan Media on a bill introduced by Wyoming U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis. The bill aims to protect Wyoming citizens’ right to own and use firearms for lawful purposes as well as preserve the nation’s firearms heritage by allowing museums and researchers to have access to a wide variety of weaponry to display for the public.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide interviewed UW botany Professor Daniel Laughlin, who co-wrote a paper about trees’ heat resilience that was recently published in the journal Science. Laughlin’s interview focused on a local angle in the newspaper article titled “Trees in Greater Yellowstone could buffer against warming temps.”

UW’s release announcing that alumni Paul and Judy Lerwick have donated $1 million to UW’s School of Energy Resources was published by The CS-T. The gift, matched by the state of Wyoming, will support applied research on new forms of energy production and technologies specifically in the areas of nuclear, wind, solar and other renewable-related energy.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UW Extension’s release noting that UW Extension has updated and expanded its signature food preservation publication, “Preserving Food in Wyoming.” The resource guide is designed to help Wyoming residents safely can or freeze their harvest at home.