Casper Student Receives Award from UW Outreach School

Andy J. Kulikowski II, of Casper, who received a Bachelor of Science degree in biology through the University of Wyoming Outreach School, is one of two recipients of the 2015 Maggi Murdock Scholars Award.

The other recipient is Sheila McGuire, of Evanston, who graduated with a Master of Public Administration degree. The award is named after Maggi Murdock, former Outreach School dean and current political science professor.

Kulikowski was selected for the award based on his impressive academic achievements and research contributions, and also for his history of honors and awards, and community activities.

He is both a current and past recipient of a UW summer independent study/IDeA Networks for Biomedical Research Excellence (INBRE) Fellowship; the recipient of an American Society of Mammalogists Undergraduate Honorarium for research; the UW College of Arts and Sciences Summer Independent Study Scholarship; the Rocky Mountain Power Education Enhancement grant; and the only Wyoming student selected to attend the 2013 Clinton Global Initiative University.

While attending UW, Kulikowski has served as a research, teaching and biology laboratory assistant. His mentoring and community work includes stints as an organizer and co-administrator of the entomology section of the Science Olympiad and the Natrona County Library Day; a mentor for Wyoming INBRE fellows and evolutionary biology students; and an organizer of the biology section of Casper College's Fourth Grade Day.

Kulikowski has been accepted to the University of California-Santa Cruz, where he will pursue a Ph.D. in environmental studies and work in Costa Rica to restore tropical rainforests. His dissertation will involve social approaches to rainforest recovery, and he hopes to use his teaching skills and scientific background to integrate rural Costa Ricans into science and conservation.

“My years at UW-Casper have been transformative. With the guidance and support of the outstanding faculty, peers and community of Casper, I've achieved more than I ever thought possible, and am excited to move forward with my career,” Kulikowski says.

The Maggi Murdock Scholars Award recognizes and supports outstanding nontraditional students attending UW through Outreach Credit Programs or UW-Casper. To be eligible, students must excel in academic endeavors and have made a positive impact in their communities, state, nation or world. Students are nominated for the award by faculty, staff, advisers and regional academic coordinators who have worked with them while they pursue their degrees.

Nominees must be Wyoming residents; have been registered in two or more outreach courses for the past three semesters; demonstrate academic excellence; graduate in the year the award is given with a degree or certificate offered through the Outreach School; show a propensity toward civic activity and humanistic endeavors; and demonstrate strong qualities of character, professionalism and respect for peers and colleagues.

Outreach Credit Programs and UW-Casper support the Outreach School’s mission to deliver the university’s learning opportunities to Wyoming residents and outside the state.

For more information about the Outreach School, visit the website www.uwyo.edu/outreach.