Trenton Franz recognized.
President Philip L. Dubois presented to UW trustees a report of recent major accomplishments at the University of Wyoming. Among them was Trenton Franz, an EPSCoR fellow, who in May 2004, graduated with honors and is currently working toward a graduate degree in civil engineering, is one of eight Division 1-A football players to receive a National Football Foundation and College Hall of Fame Post-Graduate Fellowship. To be eligible for the $18,000 fellowship, student-athletes must have shown superior academic application and performance; have outstanding football ability as a first-team player; and have demonstrated strong leadership.
Asher Albertson recognized as outstanding A&S Student at College of Arts and Sciences 2004 Keith and Thyra Thomson Honors Convocation.
The annual event promotes academic excellence by recognizing students listed on the President's, Dean's or Freshman honor rolls during the previous academic year.
Two undergraduate students have been selected to present their research findings at the symposium. Asher Albertson of Casper will discuss "Mice and Fireflies: A Perfect Match for Brain Research," and Garrett Schiche, Buffalo, will present "Before my Eyes: Ecotourism in Peru."
Named for the late Keith Thomson and his wife Thyra, the event originally was sponsored by the College of Arts and Sciences Board of Visitors. Thyra Thomson, a member of that board, spearheaded the effort to endow the convocation. Both Keith and Thyra are UW alumni and served as elected officials for the state of Wyoming. Keith was a member of the Wyoming Legislature, the U.S. House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. Thyra served as secretary of state for an unprecedented six terms.
EPSCoR fellow, Maureen Ryan, discovers rare nest of the Black Rosy Finch (Leucosticte atrata)
National Science Foundation story
Christopher Joel Hess recieves NIH fellowship.
Christopher Joel Hess, EPSCoR fellow, who recently received his B.S. degree in exercise and sport science, is the first UW student ever to be awarded the National Institute of Health's (NIH) prestigious postbaccalaureate Intramural Research Training Award Fellowship. The fellowship, which carries a $21,300 yearly stipend, provides opportunities for recent college graduates to spend a year engaged in biomedical investigation at NIH. Hess will conduct research at the National Cancer Institute in Bethesda, Md.
Richard Cool recieves prestigious NSF Fellowship.
Richard Cool of Casper, a UW EPSCoR fellow majoring in physics\astronomy and mathematics, has received a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship valued at $114,000.
Cool, son of Marlene and Richard Cool and a 2000 graduate of Natrona County High School, required only three years to earn B.S. degrees in both majors. He graduated spring 2004.
Fellowships are awarded for graduate study leading to research-based master's or doctoral degrees in mathematics, science or engineering. The award includes a $27,500 stipend and a $10,500 cost-of-education allowance for three years of graduate study. Cool is now pursuing graduate studies at the University of Arizona, where he is doing research involving the evolution of galaxies.
He says the UW Department of Physics and Astronomy provided extensive opportunities to use both infrared and optical telescopes during his undergraduate career.
"I couldn't have obtained this fellowship without the research experience here at UW," he says. "I spent many nights researching independently at the Red Buttes Observatory, and I often was the principal observer at WIRO (Wyoming Infrared Observatory)." He says he has helped write a paper based on studies in which researchers identified what may be "a new forming planetary system."
Faculty members in both the physics and mathematics departments were "very enthusiastic and encouraging," he says. "They really gave good advice and were very responsive whenever I needed help." He cited Danny Dale, assistant professor of physics and astronomy, as being particularly helpful and encouraging.
Cool says he plan to earn M.S. and Ph.D. degrees and will pursue a career as a university teacher and researcher.