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:

In a lengthy Deseret Magazine article that delves into Wyoming’s coal industry, the story focused on how miners are adjusting to the slowdown of production. UW economist Rob Godby was quoted in the piece, discussing how the energy industry has changed and also providing much of the article’s economic data.

Coal News also added Godby’s comments for an article titled “U.S. Coal Supply May Tighten.” Godby said he and others expect new renewable generation and transmission projects to eventually accommodate projected electricity demand growth.

Jerrod Bock, a UW psychology lecturer, and two colleagues recently had a paper published in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin that highlights a connection between honor culture and military service in the U.S. According to a Psy Post article, the researchers aimed to address a gap in understanding why individuals enlist in the military, particularly in a country reliant on voluntary service.

Cowboy State Daily featured UW’s Western Thunder Marching Band that was among more than 20 participating bands performing during the annual Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, Calif., New Year’s Day. To view the band performing, click on the YouTube page here.

MayPall Inc., a UW startup company, has developed a safe-to-swallow mouthwash, according to DrBicuspid. The company is led by a team of UW pre-dental and business management students, with Professor Mark Gomelsky serving as president. MayPall is committed to advancing accessible, child-friendly solutions for dental health.

Maria Forzan, a UW veterinary science associate professor, offered comments for a Yahoo! News article focusing on Chytridiomycosis, a fungal skin disease that has wiped out at least 90 species of frogs. The disease has been called the most devastating infectious disease for wild animals in recorded history.

Newsweek included comments from Max Gilbraith, UW planetarium coordinator, about the rare black moon phenomenon last week. The next black moon will not happen for another two and a half years. Gilbraith also spoke with Cowboy State Daily about what Wyoming citizens can expect -- including a lunar eclipse and meteor showers -- in the coming year.

Ryan Williamson, a UW assistant professor of political science, was interviewed by Wyoming Public Radio about threats to Wyoming political figures that have gone up in recent years.

Cowboy State Daily included comments from UW’s Merav Ben-David, a zoology and physiology professor, and Donal O’Toole, a retired UW veterinary science professor, who spoke against the proposed removal of otters from Wyoming’s protected species list.

According to Philanthropy Digest News, the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and its partner organizations have provided grants totaling more than $7.8 million in support of wildlife, conservation and hunting efforts across Wyoming. UW is among partners receiving some of the funding.

Ammo Land published an article noting that, in a move to foster legal scholarship and advocacy for the Second Amendment, Smith & Wesson -- in partnership with UW’s Firearms Research Center -- has launched the inaugural 2A Research & Writing Competition.

Baylee Drewry, a UW student from Greybull, was among 52 women competing for the title of Miss America last weekend in Orlando, Fla., according to The Greybull Standard. Drewry was crowned Miss Wyoming last June. 

Students from Cody’s Livingston Elementary School participated in a recent interactive science workshop exploring various STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) concepts through hands-on activities. The program was led by UW graduate and undergraduate students and local specialists, according to The Cody Enterprise.

County 17 published UW’s release noting that Mark Guiberson, professor and director of UW’s Division of Communication Disorders, received two awards at the recent American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Convention for significant contributions to multicultural research and education.

UW’s Sheep Program and its partners recently created the program “Sheep Innovators Exchange: Wyoming to New Zealand,” according to a UW release published by Northern Ag Network. The international program gives Wyoming sheep producers and industry entrepreneurs a chance to gain fresh insights by engaging with global peers who face similar challenges.

Oil City News published UW’s release noting that the Firearms Research Center, housed in UW’s College of Law, recently received a sizable gift from Joseph Olson, a professor emeritus of law at Hamline University in St. Paul, Minn.

UW’s Department of Music has launched a new bachelor’s degree program in music industry studies, which is designed to support music makers, entrepreneurs and recording studio engineers with the most in-demand skills in the music industry. Sheridan Media, Wyoming News Now and Wyoming Tribune Eagle published UW’s release on the announcement.

GoCo Now and Buckrail published UW’s release noting that Kelsey Brock, a UW Extension invasive plant specialist, and U.S. Geological Survey scientists have developed a model to predict invasive weed hot spots. Sheridan Media published another UW Extension media release noting that Johnson County officials will host a public meeting for ranchers and other land managers affected by this past summer’s wildfires in northeast Wyoming.

Winter Moose Day, coordinated in part by UW’s Biodiversity Institute, is scheduled Feb. 8-9 in the Vedauwoo/Happy Jack, Snowy Range Mountain and Arlington areas, according to The Wyoming Tribune Eagle. UW’s release noted this will be the 11th year in a row that community scientists will be called upon to help spot and count moose populations in the mountains outside of Laramie.

A UW Extension educator will help teach a six-week online course in collaboration with University of Idaho Extension for those interested in learning how to safely preserve food at home, according to The Lovell Chronicle.