School of Energy Resources Celebrates Class of 2025 at Spring Commencement Ceremony

Published May 16, 2025

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The School of Energy Resources (SER) is set to celebrate the graduation of fourteen students in the spring 2025 commencement ceremony at the University of Wyoming on May 17.

 

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 prepare students for careers in all types of energy development. It addresses environmental considerations and works collaboratively with energy law and policymakers.

The program offers two concentrations for specialization: professional land management (PLM), and energy and environmental systems (EES).

 

Professional Land Management Concentration:

Connor Fleming of Huntersville, N.C. is graduating with a B.S. in ERMD and a certificate in Remote Sensing and Geographic Information System (GIS). During his time at SER, Fleming has leveraged multiple opportunities to grow professionally, interning for Tallgrass Energy where he conducted rights-of-way work. He was also part of the inaugural University of Wyoming Leadership Academy program during the 2024-2025 academic year. He also served as the Chief Financial Officer for the Student Chapter of Energy Resources for a year.

 

Fleming recently obtained his Registered Landman credential through the American Association of Professional Landmen (AAPL) and was a featured guest on episode three of the SER podcast, “Energy Frontier: The Wyoming Landscape,” where he discussed how the academic program is preparing students for the future energy workforce.

Addison Potts of Cheyenne, Wyo., will graduate with dual degrees in ERMD at SER and Environment and Natural Resources from the Haub School. She also recently became a Registered Landman through the AAPL.

A Tomé Scholar with an outstanding academic record, Potts was also active outside the classroom to enhance her educational experience. She studied abroad in both Puerto Rico, Australia, and the Canary Islands, as well as having attended many of the active industry field tours available to SER students. In recognition of her scholastic achievements, Potts was nominated and named as a finalist to receive the Tobin Memorial and Rosemarie Martha Spitaleri Awards, UW’s prestigious recognition for outstanding graduates. She was one of 28 students to be considered for the honor, and one of 14 finalists.

She also gained professional experience serving as an officer for the Student Chapter for Energy Resources and held an internship with EOG Resources. She will officially join their team to embark on her career after graduation.

Gwendolyne Andela is graduating with a B.S. in ERMD and a minor in Real Estate Finance. A member of the Student Chapter for Energy Resources, she served on the club’s leadership team as the Media Relations Officer. She also participated actively in the SER Mentorship program, gaining practical training and knowledge in the field through various experiential learning opportunities.

Andela has worked as a land intern with the Wyoming-based company Pacer Energy to learn about critical land services relating to surface and mineral title, right-of-way, oil and gas leasing, and surface negotiations. She also completed her Registered Landman status through AAPL.

Madalynn Gower of Parker, Colo., is earning her degree in ERMD. Gower was extremely active in extracurricular opportunities provided at SER through the Mentorship Program and the Student Chapter for Energy Resources, of which she is the outgoing Vice President. She attended multiple field tours, visits to the Wyoming Oil and Gas Conservation Commission, and the NAPE Summit in Houston.

During her time at SER, Gower also worked as a research assistant for SER Professor of Law and Occidental Chair in Energy and Environmental Policies Tara Righetti, where she worked on a Department of Energy-funded project determining pore space valuation.

Kendal Klos of Johnsburg, Ill., is graduating with her B.S. in ERMD and is a newly certified Registered Landman through AAPL. Klos has excelled as a leader among the Energy Resource Management and Development students. A top performer in the classroom, she has pursued opportunities to gain valuable experiences as a professional land manager, including a competitive internship with ConocoPhillips. Additionally, she worked as a land intern at the energy law firm of Shanor and Franklin, LLC.

Klos has served on the executive board of the Student Chapter for Energy Resources, the student-led organization at SER, for all four years of her education and is the outgoing President. She has also served as a mentor to other University of Wyoming students through the SER Mentorship Program and the UW Cowboy Coach program.

In recognition of her leadership and involvement, Klos was nominated for the AAPL’s Outstanding Graduate Award as part of the Landman Scholarship Trust (LST) and was the runner-up.

Rachel Reese Gaukel of Johnstown, Colo., is completing her degree in ERMD as a standout student. A regular name on the President’s Honor Roll, she also obtained her certification as a Registered Landman through AAPL and was selected to represent UW students as the commencement speaker during the ceremony.

In addition to her superior academic performance, she has continued to display a passion for service and staying involved within her academic unit and among the wider campus. She participated in the SER Mentorship Program and the Student Chapter for Energy Resources, where she served a year as Chief Operating Officer.

 

Following her freshman year, she worked as a Land Negotiator Intern with ConocoPhillips for ten weeks in Midland, Texas. She also gained valuable governmental experience through the Wyoming Legislative Internship Program. She rounded out her professional experience as a land intern for PureWest Resources.

 

After graduation, Gaukel plans to continue working with PureWest and running cattle with her husband in Keeline, Wyoming.

McKinzie Barnes, a non-traditional student from Douglas, Wyo., will be completing her degree in the summer months celebrated at the spring graduation ceremony. Additionally, she will be sitting for the AAPL’s registered landman exam in the coming months.

Initially earning her associate’s degree in wildlife biology from Salt Lake Community College, Barnes then attended Utah State University, studying Wildlife Biology, before transferring to the University of Wyoming to pursue her studies in Wildlife, Fish, and Wildlands Science and Management. After a brief hiatus, she returned to UW and is completing her bachelor’s degree in ERMD.

Barnes has actively paired her prior studies and experience with the new opportunities in the ERMD degree program. She has been involved in the SER Mentorship Program and is currently serving as an intern with the Wroble Family Trust, a position she will continue to hold throughout the summer.

 

Energy and Environmental Systems Concentration:

Aiden Kaus of Cheyenne, Wyo., is the sole ERMD spring graduate in the EES concentration. Deeply interested in hydrology, he hopes to use his degree in the air, water, and waste program management industry. Following graduation, he will join Wyoming Analytical Laboratories, analyzing data on coal, water, and soil samples.

 

“This is always such a bittersweet time of year for us as we bid farewell to another group of outstanding students,” says SER Academic Director Kami Danaei. “We have been so privileged to watch these students flourish in the ERMD program and take the initiative to make incredible connections in industry, get involved in activities on campus, and excel in their coursework. We will miss them but are so excited to see all of the wonderful things they will accomplish in their futures.”

 

Energy Resources Management Minor and Land Administration Certificate

Students expanding their education and complementing their degree with a minor in Energy Resource Management through SER include Deegan Foley of Afton, Wyo., majoring in Geology; Keegan March of Tacoma, Wash., also majoring in Geology; Yan Zambrano-Molinar of Parker, Colo., majoring in Petroleum and Energy Engineering; and Sean Kraemer of Evergreen, Colo., earning dual degrees in Environmental Systems Science through Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, and a degree in Geography. He also completed a certificate in Remote Sensing and GIS.

 

Additionally, Gabriella Haigler of Casper, Wyo., and Lena Schiller of Monument Colo., will be receiving a certificate in Land Administration. Haigler is earning her degree in Wildlife and Fisheries Biology and Management and an additional certificate in Remote Sensing and GIS, while Schiller is earning her degree in Agricultural Business.

 

“We love to see the diversity of majors and backgrounds in the students who have opted to pick up one of the excellent credentials from SER,” adds Danaei. “It really goes to show how applicable the energy industry is to every degree, and we are excited for these students who will have more doors opened to them in their careers.”

 

Details on the commencement ceremony can be found at:  https://www.uwyo.edu/commencement/index.html.