Dario Grana, a School of Energy Resources (SER) Professor of Geology and Geophysics and Wyoming Excellence Chair, was named as the recipient of the prestigious 2026 John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award.
Grana was formally recognized for the achievement on Thursday, May 14, at the annual President’s Commencement Dinner, where he received the award directly from UW President Ed Seidel.
The award recognizes excellence in classroom teaching, rewarding faculty members who demonstrate an exceptional commitment to student learning, innovative instructional methods, and profound impact on the academic community at UW.
Grana, an internationally recognized expert in geophysics and reservoir characterization, was selected for his ability to transform complex, quantitative scientific concepts into accessible, engaging, and deeply impactful classroom experiences.
“Dario perfectly balances deep academic rigor with an incredibly approachable teaching style,” says Kami Danaei, SER Senior Assistant Dean. “He constantly challenges our students to tackle complex geosciences topics, yet he ensures they have the guidance to truly understand and apply that knowledge. He is preparing the next generation of energy leaders, and this is a well-deserved honor.”
Since joining the UW faculty, Dr. Grana has sustained a reputation for mentorship and teaching excellence. Students and peers alike frequently commend his approachable teaching style, his dedication to student research, and his integration of real-world energy and environmental challenges into the curriculum. His coursework bridges mathematical physics with practical geological applications, a critical intersection for Wyoming’s energy economy.
“Teaching is the most rewarding part of my academic career,” said Grana. “To be recognized with the Ellbogen Award is an incredible honor, but the true reward is watching our students grasp these complex concepts and go on to achieve great things in their professional lives. I am deeply grateful to my students, colleagues, and the University for this recognition.”
The John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award is made possible by an endowment established by the late John P. “Jack” Ellbogen, a UW alumnus and prominent Wyoming business leader, to reward and encourage excellence in classroom teaching at the university.
To read some of the comments made by Grana’s nominators for the prestigious award, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/news/2026/05/uws-grana-receives-john-p-ellbogen-meritorious-classroom-teaching-award.html
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming's only four-year university with the top research universities in the United States.