UW in the News

State, national and international media frequently feature the University of Wyoming and members of its community in stories. Here is a summary of some of the recent coverage:

National Geographic interviewed Ellen Currano, a UW paleobotanist, for an article on the discovery of fossilized tree trunks dating back to about 365 million years ago near Xinhang, China. The area covers at least 2.7 million square feet, which represents the oldest forest found in Asia.

UW was tied for 14th place with Washington State University in the list of the “50 most underrated universities in America” by the college preparation and admissions consulting firm CollegeVine, according to Business Insider. Career- and outcome-based metrics for each of the schools were evaluated, including cost of attendance, financial aid and overall return on investment.

The Casper Star-Tribune reported that UW is expecting the second-largest freshman class when classes begin in less than a month. The university is expecting about 1,800 freshmen this year, slightly down from last year’s class of 1,859 students. The Associated Press published a similar article.

UW Acting President Neil Theobald laid out his goals and priorities for the coming year, according to a CS-T article.

The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that UW officials are requesting that the Legislature appropriate $31.3 million more in biennial funding for the 2021-22 fiscal years. About $28 million will help boost the university’s standard operations.

Task & Purpose, a military- and veteran-focused news website, interviewed UW Professor Jeff Lockwood, an entomologist, about a U.S. congressman who wants the Pentagon to investigate whether military biological weapons experiments with ticks cause Lyme disease. Lockwood said ticks are not the best vector to spread bioweapons.

Safewise, a home security company, named Laramie, home of UW, among the safest college towns in the U.S. Laramie, No. 23 on the list, was cited for its low crime rate.

UW’s release, published by Oil City News and Mirage News, noted that an $8 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy will support UW researchers working on hydrocarbon gas technology. Researchers will field test a foam-assisted hydrocarbon gas injection technology that could ultimately recover a higher percentage of stranded oil from unconventional reservoirs in North Dakota’s Bakken Formation. The CS-T published a similar article.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that the UW Housing Task Force, which includes university officials, voted last week to recommend UW proceed with the demolition of Wyoming Hall and begin construction of new residence halls on the northeast side of campus. The task force also voted to recommend UW build a parking garage near Old Main.

Through a grant written by UW officials, the Equality State will receive nearly $1 million over the next three years to better prepare educators to teach computer science, according to The CS-T. Wyo 4News published UW’s release announcing the grant. The New York Times published a related article.

The Billings Gazette published a CS-T article quoting UW economist Rob Godby about the sale of Blackjewell’s two coal mines in the Powder River Basin. Even though the mines are slated to be reopened soon, several obstacles remain. The Gillette News Record and Market Screener interviewed Godby for similar articles.

Godby was quoted in China’s SX Coal website in an article about several U.S. coal-fired coal plants that will be retired, cutting back on coal production in the states.

Outdoor Wire noted that representatives of UW’s Ruckelshaus Institute, in the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources, recently facilitated the chronic wasting disease collaborative working group’s first public listening session in Lander.

UW Associate Professor Tom Minckley spoke with Aspen Public Radio about the UW-led expedition that retraced John Wesley Powell’s exploration of the Green and Colorado rivers. Researchers and artists were among those who commemorated the 150th anniversary of Powell’s expedition this summer.

WallettHub interviewed UW Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer about which credit cards are best suited for individual consumers.

UW’s release announcing that startup businesses across Wyoming will have a pipeline to student interns through the university’s Institute of Innovation and Entrepreneurship was published by Oil City News and Business Telegraph.

Mike Borowczak, a UW assistant professor of computer science, discussed with CTGN America Wyoming’s efforts to be among the nation’s leaders of blockchain technology.

Wyo 4News published UW’s release noting the Science Initiative’s Learning Actively Mentoring Program awarded seven scholarships to K-12 educators from Wyoming schools to take part in the recent Roadmap to STEAM Conference at UW.

UW art senior Ross Everett, of Monticello, Wash. recently had his “A Nightmare Epic” piece selected for the sixth annual juried exhibition “Was It Worth It” at the RedLine Contemporary Art Center in Denver, reported Hits 106.

Sheridan Media published UW’s release announcing the Art Museum’s 25th annual gala fundraiser Friday, Oct. 4, in the Centennial Complex.

Barbara Rasco, the new UW College of Agriculture and Natural Resources dean, told Wyoming Public Radio that she wants to focus more on more support for small farm and ranch entrepreneurs in the state.

The Northern Wyoming News reported that former Associated Student of UW President Alex Mulhall, of Worland, is among committee members who will help select the next UW president.

The annual Laramie Downtown Mash-Up will be Friday, Sept. 27, reported Laramie Live. The event is a collaborative program among UW and others to connect UW students with Laramie’s downtown district.

Smart Water Magazine published UW’s release on UW Professor Neil Humphrey’s research discovery that ice is sliding toward edges off the Greenland Ice Sheet. Ice actually is sliding across its bed toward the ice sheet’s edges faster than previously thought, Humphrey said.