Published May 10, 2024
By Christine Reed
The School of Energy Resources (SER) is set to celebrate the graduation of eleven students in the spring 2024 commencement ceremony at the University of Wyoming on May 11.
Festivities will acknowledge the achievements of students completing a Bachelor of Science degree in Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD), a minor in Energy Resource Management (ERM), as well as students that have earned a certificate in Land Administration.
The interdisciplinary ERMD program is designed to meet the needs of the energy industry and prepares students for careers in all types of energy development while addressing environmental considerations and working collaboratively with energy law and policy makers.
The program offers two concentrations for specialization: professional land management (PLM), and energy and environmental systems (EES).
PROFESSIONAL LAND MANAGEMENT CONCENTRATION
Jacob Burns, of Wheatland, Wyo. is earning his ERMD degree in the PLM concentration. While at SER, he has served as President of the Student Chapter for Energy Resources and was actively involved in many of the opportunities afforded to ERMD students, including representing SER at the NAPE Expo in Houston. He also gained valuable experience working as an intern for Peabody Energy at their Gillette operations in the Land Division.
A native of Denver, Colo., Micah Brandt is also earning his ERMD degree in the PLM concentration. An active member of the Army ROTC Cowboy Battalion, he plans on commissioning as an officer in the United States Army following graduation and then work as a landman upon the completion of his military career.
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS CONCENTRATION
Tyler Schlagel of Cheyenne, Wyo. is earning both his ERMD degree with an EES concentration, and a certificate in Land Administration. During his tenure at SER, he was extremely involved in the experiential learning opportunities provided to students including multiple visits to industry sites. Additionally, he participated in the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program. Following graduation Schlagel will be applying to law school.
Read Sunn of Wasilla, Alaska, is earning his ERMD degree in EES. With similar traits in natural resources, land, and energy development between Alaska and Wyoming, Sunn chose to pursue his degree at SER because of the versatility and applicability to his intended career in the energy industry in Alaska. In addition to his studies, Sunn was also a student athlete, representing the Cowboys as a linebacker on the football team. Following graduation, Sunn plans to pursue an MBA at UW while take advantage of two more years of NCAA eligibility.
Hallie Jette of Buffalo, Wyo., has had a long-term interest in working in the oil and gas industry in Wyoming, which inspired her to earn her ERMD degree in the EES concentration. An extremely engaged student, she participated in industry site visits, field tours, and helped to organize the annual Rocky Mountain Professional Land Management program. She is separately continuing her education to complete the Land Administration Certificate in the fall.
Russell Ferrell, of Green River, Wyo., will graduate with the ERMD in the EES concentration. During his time at SER, he completed an internship working as a Plant Safety Intern at the trona mine operated by Genesis Alkalai, and hopes to apply his education and experience in the varied energy sector in southwest Wyoming.
Drawn to the diversity of energy development in Wyoming, Drake Richards, of Sundance, Wyo., is also earning his ERMD degree in EES.
“This is another wonderful group of young professionals that we are excited to send out into the world and represent SER,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “Our ERMD degree program remains strong with high-caliber students setting their sights on a career in the energy sector or energy adjacent fields.”
ENERGY RESOURCE MANAGEMENT MINOR & LAND ADMINISTRATION CERTIFICATE
Students expanding their education and complementing their degree with additional programs offered through SER include Sean Hartigan of Berthoud, Colo., majoring in Construction Management; Sloan Monks of Franktown, Colo., majoring in Petroleum Engineering; and Hailey Allison of Green River, Wyo., majoring in Geology. All three students picked up the minor in ERM.
Additionally, Katie Odom of Medford Ore., is earning her degree in Agricultural Business and has also earned SER’s Land Administration certificate.
“We are also very pleased to see consistent interest and participation in our minor from students in other programs on campus, and we are equally proud of all that they have achieved,” adds Danaei. “We are also delighted to award more certificates in Land Administration. We are looking forward to seeing that become a permanent fixture in our graduates, as well as the CCUS certificate.”
Details on the commencement ceremony can be found at https://www.uwyo.edu/commencement/index.html.
