UW in the News

March 8, 2021

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:

UW was among public flagship and research universities revealing their plans to resume something approximating normal in-person operations for fall. Forbes noted that more colleges are moving toward in-person classes for the coming semester.

Sheridan Media, Buckrail, KGAB Radio and Laramie Live were among media outlets publishing UW’s release noting that university students and employees are playing a key role in Albany County’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts. They are scheduling appointments via telephone, providing facilities and administering the vaccine shots.

In his “State of the State” address, Gov. Mark Gordon touted the Wyoming Innovation Network (WIN), a collaboration between the state’s community colleges and UW, according to Oil City News. While in its early stages, WIN will help strengthen the state’s workforce and promote economic growth. The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T), The Gillette News Record, SweetwaterNOW and WyoToday.com also published related reports pertaining to UW in the governor’s annual address.

Cowboy State Daily, Laramie Live and Sheridan Media were among media outlets publishing UW’s release citing the Enhanced Oil Recovery Institute’s report indicating that Wyoming could lose $12.9 billion in tax revenue if the energy moratorium implemented by President Joe Biden is not lifted in a timely manner.

A research paper on the net benefits of social distancing policies during the pandemic -- produced by a UW economics team -- was named the best article for 2020 by the Journal of Benefit-Cost Analysis, which published the original study last April. Oil City News published UW’s announcement.

The Laramie Boomerang reported that 9H Energy plans to develop a solar energy facility west of Laramie that will serve as a research hub for UW College of Engineering and Applied Science students. The Gillette News Record and Oil City News published UW’s release about the project.

UW Associate Professor Christine Porter, a public health expert, was featured in a Wyoming Public Radio program to discuss the discrepancies of the COVID-19 vaccine administered among Western states. Porter said the discrepancy is largely a function of the country’s underfunded public health system.

Wyo4News, Powell Tribune, Sheridan Media and County 10 published UW’s release announcing that some 101 Wyoming high school seniors have received the Trustees’ Scholars Award, the university’s top academic scholarship.

UW Extension entomologist Scott Schell recently received the Wyoming Crop Improvement Association Excellence in Service Award for his contributions to the Wyoming seed industry. KNEB published UW’s release.

Wyoming Public Radio spoke with UW Associate Professor Amy Banic about her Interactive Realities Lab that is developing new tools to make virtual reality more lifelike, and more useful for training simulations and for educational purposes.

A candlelight vigil for four UW students who died this semester will be held today (Monday) at the “Always a Cowboy” Memorial Plaza on Prexy’s Pasture. Laramie Live and The CS-T published UW’s release.

Oil City News published UW’s release noting that the College of Business is among sponsors hosting a virtual presentation this week that details “Operation Varsity Blues,” the seminal case widely known as the college admissions scandal.

The Rocket Miner and Sheridan Media published UW’s release announcing the College of Education’s virtual teaching competition that is open to high school students.

Laramie Live published UW’s release noting that the university’s Service, Leadership and Community Engagement (SLCE) office will host a food drive for Laramie Interfaith Saturday, March 13.

Lars Kotthoff, an assistant professor in the UW Department of Computer Science, and Austin Stephen, a UW senior from Cheyenne, contributed to the 2021 AI Index. Sheridan Media published UW’s release on the announcement.

The Boomerang published UW’s release noting that Professor David Fay, a molecular biologist, received the Andrew Vanvig Distinguished Faculty Lifetime Achievement Award from the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources.