Expanding Horizons

 

Thanks to generous supporters, the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources offers students the chance to learn in ecosystems across the state and around the globe. 

 

By Sunnie Lew

 

From Yellowstone to Mongolia, University of Wyoming students are immersing themselves in unforgettable landscapes while learning to understand today’s most pressing environmental challenges. 

Through its field and global programs, the Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources is redefining what it means to learn about land, water and environment by placing students directly in the ecosystems they are studying. The results have been remarkable, yielding meaningful outcomes for students in both their personal development and professional readiness.

“The generosity of such wonderful friends of the Haub School and UW is what creates transformational student opportunities across Wyoming, the West and the world,” says John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School and a Wyoming Excellence Chair.
Students are challenged to travel, observe, engage and reflect. The program listings comprise a rich variety of opportunities, ranging from canaries and climate in Spain, 

to conservation and sustainability in the Arctic Circle, to wild and working lands in Nepal, just to name a few.
What makes these programs special is the alignment of real-world environmental challenges with students learning in spectacular landscapes. For example, in the Canary Islands, UW students discover the complex environmental challenges facing island ecosystems on Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands, which is a volcanic archipelago off of Morocco’s coast.

 

Students collaborate with faculty from Universidad de La Laguna and UW during an intensive field experience combining real-world experience with classroom discussions. Most days are spent exploring Tenerife’s diverse ecosystems — from coastal zones to volcanic highlands — while investigating the intersection of climate change, environmental conservation and sustainable development.

The transformative experiences offered through the Haub School’s field and global programs are made possible in part through philanthropic support, such as the Dr. Steven Rodermel Student Enrichment Fund. Established to encourage unique learning opportunities for students engaged in environmental studies, this endowment was created to help remove financial barriers so that all students can participate in hands-on, high-impact learning. Through this support, students gain the confidence, perspective and practical skills to address complex environmental challenges, enriching education both inside and outside the classroom. 

 

Thanks to the generosity of Brad and Yancy Bonner, more Wyoming students can expand their horizons beyond state and national borders through the Bonner Family Wyoming Explorers Fund. The fund was established to help Haub School students — especially Wyoming residents — add an international experience to their education, fostering a global perspective that complements their understanding of the landscapes they call home. In honoring students who share a passion for the environment and natural resources, the Bonner family’s support celebrates both exploration and empowerment. Their endowment makes it possible for students to take part in field courses, research and study-abroad opportunities that deepen their connection to place, broaden their worldview and prepare them to lead with confidence in a rapidly changing world.

The Tomé Scholars to Fellows Excellence Program stands as one of UW’s most transformative opportunities for Haub School students. Through the generosity of the Tomé family, this program provides full scholarships for exceptional students pursuing STEM degrees who bring new perspectives and diversity to the Haub School community. In addition to covering tuition and room and board, the program funds participation in both an international field course and a community service experience — ensuring that every scholar graduates with global awareness and practical leadership skills. By investing in these future leaders, the Tomé family has helped create a pathway for students to engage deeply with the world and elevate their potential to make a lasting impact in their careers and communities.

 “The world needs more Cowboys, and our Cowboys and Cowgirls benefit when they learn and share about the environmental and societal opportunities and challenges around the world,” Koprowski says. “These endowed and expendable gifts guarantee that students will forever have experiences that provide perspective and empower our graduates to have impact not only across Wyoming but also around the globe.” 

Together, these programs and the donors who support them exemplify the Haub School’s belief that education should extend far beyond the classroom. When students stand in the landscapes they study, they gain perspective, purpose and the confidence to lead. Through hands-on experiences and the generosity that makes them possible, UW continues to prepare the next generation of environmental stewards — ready to meet the challenges of a changing world.