Ivers Gift to School of Energy Resources Supports Distinguished Speaker Series
Published September 03, 2026
The University of Wyoming (UW) School of Energy Resources (SER) is the recipient of a key gift to support its Distinguished Speaker Series, bringing leading experts from academia, industry, government, and policy to campus.
The gift from Patrick and Nora Ivers establishes the School of Energy Resources Distinguished Speaker Fund. The Distinguished Speaker Series is an integral part of SER’s outreach program, providing students, faculty, staff, industry partners, and the public the opportunity to engage with leaders on emerging energy challenges, technological innovations, policy, and the future of energy.
The private contribution was matched dollar-for-dollar through state matching funds, significantly amplifying the reach of the initiative.
While the Distinguished Speaker Series is widely recognized for delivering public lectures on cutting-edge energy topics, the funding directly enhances the series’ broader, strategic motivation to serve as a mechanism for high-impact academic and industry partnerships. Beyond the podium, visiting experts participate in tailored, multi-departmental itineraries, meeting directly with UW faculty, student researchers, and campus departments to explore joint initiatives, solve complex energy challenges, and spark long-term research collaborations.
“We are deeply grateful to Patrick and Nora Ivers for their remarkable generosity and steadfast support of the School of Energy Resources,” said Director of Outreach Christine Reed. “Patrick and Nora are the gold standard for lifelong learners. Their passion for discovery is contagious, and we are always genuinely excited to see them sitting in the audience at nearly every presentation we host. Knowing firsthand how much this speaker series means to them makes this gift especially meaningful. Their investment not only elevates our program, but it also serves as an inspiring example of how local champions can drive transformative initiatives across the University of Wyoming.”
A hallmark of SER’s outreach efforts, the Distinguished Speaker Series hosts experts throughout the academic year for public presentations offered both in person and online to reach a wider audience across Wyoming and beyond.
“The outreach pillar is fundamental to everything we do at the School of Energy Resources,” said Scott Quillinan, Senior Director of Research. “Research doesn’t exist in a vacuum, its true value lies in how effectively we connect our scientific discoveries with the public, industry, and local communities. Generous gifts like this one from Patrick and Nora Ivers go a long way in ensuring SER remains deeply engaged, accessible, and responsive to the people of Wyoming.”
For more information on upcoming speakers or the School of Energy Resources, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/ or email Christine.reed@uwyo.edu.
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.