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:

UW’s Western Thunder Marching Band was among 22 bands nationwide featured by FloMarching that will perform in the 2025 Tournament of Roses Parade Wednesday, Jan. 1, in Pasadena, Calif. With origins back to the 1890s, the parade allows marching ensembles to entertain a global audience of sports fans and fans of the arts that will be strutting down the 5.5-mile parade route. FloMarching is part of the FloSports family -- a streaming service of live sporting events based in Austin, Texas.

CNN published a feature on a UW and state archaeological team’s discovery of key tools that helped early Americans survive the ice age. An earlier university release noted that UW-based research showed that North Americans made needles from fur-bearer animals at a site in Converse County that also was featured in the related CNN article.

Davin Bagdonas, a UW School of Energy Resources research professional, was quoted in another CNN report that focused on scientists who discovered that huge troves of rare metals needed for clean energy are hidden inside toxic coal waste. Bagdonas was co-author of a research paper led by University of Texas at Austin scientists.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW received a $5 million gift from Jay and Karen Kemmerer and, with state matching funds pushing the impact to over $6 million, the investment will help elevate the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Initiative into an institute, advancing innovation, education and economic growth in Wyoming’s tourism sector. The WORTH Initiative has been renamed the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, according to UW’s media release.

A major gift from an anonymous donor, matched by the state of Wyoming, will establish an endowment-- named the Phil Roberts Faculty Fellowship in Wyoming History and the West. The gift honors Roberts, a beloved professor emeritus and renowned expert on the state’s history. Philanthropy News Digest, The Casper Star-Tribune and Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UW’s announcement.

UW Firearms Research Center Director George Mocsary and Senior Fellow David Kopel filed -- and Fellow Dru Stevenson joined -- amicus briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court in Smith & Wesson Brands Inc. v. Estados Unidos Mexicanos. Mocsary and Kopel’s brief analyzes Mexico’s claims and provides the court with an in-depth exploration of the protections granted to U.S. firearms manufacturers under the Protection of Lawful Commerce in Arms Act (PLCAA), arguing that Mexico’s case should be dismissed. Stevenson’s brief analyzes the PLCAA and the common law of third-party liability, arguing that Mexico’s case should be allowed to proceed.

The Riverton Ranger and Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that a reclamation project by a UW researcher will be conducted in the Gas Hills area in Fremont County. UW’s release noted that Kristina Hufford, an associate professor in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, recently received a three-year, $450,000 National Science Foundation grant to lead the project.

Baylee Drewry, a UW history senior from Greybull who is the reigning Miss Wyoming, was interviewed at length by Wyoming Public Radio to discuss her daily life as a student and youth sports coach. She also talked about her platform as Miss Wyoming to bring awareness to mental health issues.

Cowboy State Daily featured Randy Haas, a UW assistant professor of anthropology, who wanted to know if it was possible for ancient people to hunt huge beasts, such as mammoths, while packing their children. As part of his research, Haas practiced with an ancient weapon called an atlatl, with his 2-year-old son packed to his torso. Read Haas’s UW research here.

Oil City News and GoCo Now reported that UW Extension is accepting applications for its 2025 Master Gardener training, an online program for people interested in expanding their gardening knowledge and assisting fellow gardeners. GOCO Now also published UW’s release on a new invasive weed economic impact report, as did County 10 and SweetwaterNow.

Chief Washakie Memorial Endowment Scholarship applications for 2025-26 are now available at UW. WyoToday Media and County 10 published UW’s announcement. WyoToday Media also published the Northern Arapaho Scholarship application release.

County 10 also published UW’s release noting that the university’s meat judging team recently completed a successful two-event fall season. Cap City News published UW’s release on its website.