UW in the News

October 18, 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:

The Casper Star-Tribune (CS-T) and The Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported that the UW Board of Trustees voted last week to extend the university’s mask policy. Masks will continue to be required for most indoor spaces at UW where 6-foot social distancing isn’t possible. K2 Radio, Hits 106 and WyoToday Media published UW’s release on the announcement.

UW Senior Research Scientist Emily Grant talked with Wyoming News Now about data compiled on missing Indigenous people in Wyoming. The Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center’s (WYSAC) report shows that Indigenous people represented a disproportionately large number of missing and murdered cases, but they did not receive equal attention from media outlets as compared to white people. The report has been cited by national and international media outlets in articles related to the death of Gabby Petito, a young white woman. Australia’s ABC News published a related article, which also referred to the WYSAC report.

Wyoming Public Radio noted that the Laramie City Council proclaimed the second Monday of October as Indigenous Peoples Day. An official announcement was made last week at UW, which featured speakers, including UW law student Aly SoundingSides.

UW scientists were among researchers who helped drill 32 holes from atop a Greenland glacier, through nearly a kilometer of ice, to measure water conditions at the interface between ice and bedrock, which forms an important boundary controlling groundwater flow below. A Smart Water Magazine article noted that Greenland’s groundwater is changing due to a thinning ice sheet.

The World Economic Forum published an article on blockchain technology and noted that UW is among entities that have developed the decentralized consortium funding model. The model supports the effective use of funding, assures achievement of strategic objectives and applies to any process involving funds and resource allocations.

Committees charged with reviewing and advising on proposed changes to academic programs at UW have submitted final reports. WyoToday Media, Oil City News and Sheridan Media published UW’s announcement that indicated UW administrators will make the recommendations to the Board of Trustees next month.

Pejman Tahmasebi, a UW associate professor, and doctoral student Tao Bai have developed a machine learning model that improves the accuracy of detecting earthquakes by 14.5 percent compared to the most accurate current existing model. Wyoming News Now published UW’s release on its website.

Wyoming Public Radio interviewed Laura Vietti, museum and collections manager for the UW Geological Museum, for an article on Earth Science Week. The museum partnered with the Wyoming State Geological Survey and the Science Kitchen to offer 300 water science boxes to elementary school students.

UW alumnus Mark Pedri’s documentary “Morfar’s View of the Winds,” featuring former UW Professor Conrad Smith, premiered on Wyoming PBS last week, according to County 10 and KGAB Radio. Smith has spent nearly a decade trying to locate the exact rock where Charles Preuss sat in 1842 to sketch the first published image from within the Rocky Mountains.

The CS-T interviewed UW political science Professor Jim King for an article on the U.S. House primary race between incumbent Liz Cheney and challenger Harriet Hageman.

The future of Wyoming’s economy may lie in an overhaul of its tourism industry, as well as a statewide move into more renewable energy. Economists, including UW’s Anne Alexander, made those comments during an economics forecast meeting in Cheyenne last week, according to The Laramie Boomerang.

The Laramie Reporter reported that the Laramie City Council met with UW student leadership and President Ed Seidel concerning issues of importance to the campus and students. Among topics discussed were food insecurity and tenant rights.

UW graduate student Tanner Hoffman was interviewed for a Laramie Boomerang article on how the invasion of cheatgrass following a fire, such as last year’s Mullen fire, is a concern. His thesis research project, “Recovery of Below- and Above-Ground Biodiversity Following the Mullen Wildfire,” focuses on interactions between plants and microorganisms.

Wyoming News Now published UW’s release promoting “The World Needs More Cowboys” community event next week in Torrington.

UW economics Professor Emeritus Sherrill Shaffer was featured in WalletHub’s recent review of a credit card company’s “Double Cash Card.” Shaffer discussed the program that offers rewards and has a $0 annual fee.

The Jackson Hole News & Guide interviewed UW Assistant Professor Abby Sisneros-Kidd for an article focusing on how outdoor recreation activities affect wildlife. Experts weighed in on how to keep human disturbances to a minimum throughout the year.

IMPACT 307, Sheridan’s business incubator, announced six finalists for the 2021 Sheridan Start-Up Challenge entrepreneur competition. The Sheridan Press noted that Pitch Night will be next month.

The Cody Enterprise noted that “The Butterfly Series: From the Collection of Jordan W. Finkelstein MD, MSc,” a UW Art Museum touring exhibition, is on display in the Cody Library this month and will be on display in the Powell Library next month.

The Riverton High School marching band recently competed in a contest at War Memorial Stadium. County 10 published UW’s release, noting that 15 regional high school bands competed.