UW SER Receives New Excellence Fund to Support Hands-On Learning and Student Innovation

The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) is the recipient of a key gift from Dave and Mary Crum to directly support transformative educational opportunities, workforce preparation, and practical research initiatives for energy students.

The newly established Dave and Mary Crum Excellence Fund in the School of Energy Resources is designed to foster academic and professional excellence by providing financial support for high-impact student experiences.

The charitable contribution will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the state of Wyoming to double the gift’s reach and institutional impact.

“Gifts of this nature are crucial in bridging classroom instruction with real-world industry application,” said SER Executive Director Pete Obermueller. “By providing targeted support for hands-on projects, internships, and professional conferences, Dave and Mary are directly empowering our students to acquire the skills, connections, and leadership experience required to excel in Wyoming’s evolving energy economy.”

Key opportunities supported by the fund include experiential learning initiatives, industry internships, conference participation, professional development programs, and seed funding for student-led, industry-aligned projects.

To maximize the impact on Wyoming’s workforce demands, preference for awards will be given to students pursuing degrees in electrical engineering and construction management.

“Both our academic and research programs at SER are built on deep interdisciplinary collaboration,” added SER Senior Director of Research Scott Quillinan. “Dave and Mary’s support will give students more opportunities to work across disciplines and to connect their education to applied research and to tackle real-world challenges facing Wyoming’s energy industries.

Both Dave and Mary are proud UW alumni who have championed education, engineering, and student opportunities across the state for decades. Dave was honored in 1999 as a UW Distinguished Alumnus.

In 1976, Dave and Mary founded Crum Electric Supply in Casper, growing it under his leadership into a premier regional electrical distributor spanning Wyoming, Colorado, South Dakota, and Utah, serving energy and industrial sectors throughout the Rocky Mountains. A prominent leader in the electrical wholesaling industry, he served as chairman of the National Association of Electrical Distributors and co-founded the Industry Data Exchange Association to modernize digital supply chain operations. Beyond his business achievements, he has remained deeply committed to Wyoming’s growth, serving as founding co-chair of the Wyoming Business Council along with Gov. Jim Geringer and as a member of the University of Wyoming Foundation Board.

Power Grid Operations Expert to Speak at UW in Joint Seminar

Bob Frost, a retired power grid operations expert, will speak at UW as part of the School of Energy Resources’ (SER) Distinguished Speaker Series on Wednesday, September 16.

Hosted jointly with the Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, Frost will speak from noon-1 p.m. in the UW Energy Innovation Center’s Encana Auditorium. The free lunch presentation is open to all students, members of the campus community, and the public.

Frost spent 34 years at Portland General Electric, where he focused on reliable, compliant electric power grid operations. He started his career as a Nuclear Generation Plant Operator and retired as Manager of Grid Engineering and Compliance in 2023.

Throughout his career, he built expertise in generation, balancing authority operations, grid operations training, regulatory compliance, transmission operations engineering, transmission scheduling, collaboration through regional committee representation, and participation in the California Energy Imbalance Market.

His presentation will provide an overview of grid operations.

“We are pleased to have Bob here to talk about grid operations in a joint seminar with our electrical engineering and computer science colleagues,” says SER Director of Outreach Christien Reed. “So much of our focus is placed on resource extraction and development, making this a wonderful opportunity to explore the engineering side of the equation: how raw energy is harnessed, converted, and ultimately brought to consumers.”

A livestream of the presentation can be viewed at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/98159789624.

For more information, email Reed at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

UW Works with Wyoming DEQ-AML, UR Energy on Soil Reclamation Project Using Coal Char

The Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality Abandoned Mine Lands Division (WDEQ-AML), UR Energy USA and the University of Wyoming have formed a collaborative five-year research partnership to advance soil health and mine reclamation technologies. The project evaluates innovative soil amendments, including state-produced coal char, to accelerate the restoration of disturbed lands to productive native rangelands across Wyoming.

By partnering directly with UW, WDEQ-AML and industry are creating a real-world research environment to evaluate nascent reclamation practices and generate the scientific data needed to move promising applications toward commercial adoption.

“This collaboration serves as a force multiplier for our state,” says Josh Oakleaf, AML project manager and vegetation coordinator. “By combining cutting-edge research, state reclamation expertise and industry experience, we are validating Wyoming coal char technologies and bridging our energy legacy with sustainable land stewardship.”

The five-year initiative is structured across two distinct implementation phases. Phase I will encompass the first three years of the project, focusing on baseline testing, site setup on field plots, and initial application of coal char and other soil amendments to improve soil quality and enhance ecosystem recovery near the Little Medicine Bow River. Phase II covers the subsequent two years, shifting the focus toward a multiyear evaluation of soil health recovery, vegetation establishment, specialized microbial analysis and transferring proven technologies to active industry sites.

This effort brings together exemplary scientific research from the UW School of Energy Resources (SER) and the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. The research teams will be led by principal investigator Jennifer Bell, an SER assistant professor of soil science and reclamation in the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources; and co-principal investigator Resham Thapa, an associate research professional in SER’s Center for Carbon Capture and Conversion. Their expertise will be focused on microbial ecology, reclamation and coal char as one of the soil amendments being investigated.

UW Professor Emeritus Pete Stahl, former director of the Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center, will provide guidance on semi-arid ecosystem recovery.

“Transforming Wyoming’s coal into high-value soil amendments allows us to turn local resources into practical environmental solutions,” Thapa says. “This research directly addresses land restoration challenges by stabilizing soil chemistry and giving native plant species the foundation they need to thrive.”

“Restoring these ecosystems requires looking beneath the surface at the living soil network and rebuilding the soil,” Bell adds. “By analyzing soil microbial communities and soil nutrients, we can track long-term biological recovery and ensure these restored rangelands remain resilient for decades to come.”

On the ground, field operations drawing on local industry experience will inform reclamation strategies. As part of its acquisition of Pathfinder, UR Energy owns the Shirley Basin and Lucky Mc mine sites in Wyoming’s Shirley Basin and Gas Hills mining districts. Pathfinder and its predecessors historically produced millions of pounds of uranium from these properties, primarily between the 1960s and 1990s, before conventional operations were suspended due to low market pricing. Research findings from this collaboration will directly inform active reclamation efforts across UR Energy’s Shirley Basin and Great Divide Basin project sites.

“Partnering with WDEQ-AML and the University of Wyoming gives us an extraordinary opportunity to apply state-of-the-art soil science directly to our operations,” says Ryan Schierman, vice president of regulatory affairs at UR Energy. “By combining historical industry context with innovative reclamation techniques, we can enhance land stewardship across the Shirley Basin and the Great Divide Basin while supporting sustainable solutions for Wyoming’s mining heritage.”

Additionally, the initiative supports workforce development by funding a dedicated Ph.D. candidate and multiple undergraduate students, creating a direct talent pipeline for future Wyoming reclamation professionals.

As part of the initiative, UW SER will provide Wyoming coal char produced through its ongoing coal-conversion research for field-scale evaluation as a soil amendment. Testing and research efforts are slated to begin immediately.

UW SER’s Rachel Ferrell Selected for Inaugural Leadership Wyoming Masterminds Coaching Program

Rachel Ferrell, director of business operations at the University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER), was selected to participate in the inaugural cohort of the Leadership Wyoming Masterminds Coaching Groups program.

Launched to foster executive growth and collaborative problem-solving across the state, the Masterminds program connects established leaders from diverse industries throughout Wyoming. Participants engage in peer-led coaching, strategic dynamic discussions, and professional development designed to elevate leadership capacity and drive impactful solutions for the state’s key institutions.

In her role at SER, Ferrell oversees financial operations exceeding $100 million and leads a team of six dedicated accounting and finance professionals, playing a critical part in supporting the school’s mission to advance energy-driven economic development and innovation in Wyoming. Her selection to the competitive Masterminds program highlights her commitment to continuous management development and strategic excellence.

“The University of Wyoming and SER have enjoyed a long partnership with Leadership Wyoming, the state’s premier leadership, and professional development organization,” says SER Executive Director Pete Obermueller. “It’s a partnership that continues with Rachel’s much-deserved acceptance into their newest program, Masterminds. Rachel’s participation is a testament to her dedication to leadership and desire to grow personally and professionally. We are thrilled to see her represent SER in this exciting new program.”

The Leadership Wyoming Masterminds program builds on the foundation laid by the organization’s flagship program, offering an intentional space for its alumni to collaborate with non-alumni and top executives in true peer coaching, while investing in their own and other Wyoming leaders’ professional growth.

“I’m honored to be part of the inaugural Masterminds group and to have the opportunity to learn with leaders from across Wyoming,” says Ferrell. “I’m especially looking forward to the peer coaching aspect of the program. There is a lot to learn from people who lead in very different industries and environments, and I expect the conversations will challenge me to look at things differently. My goal is to take those perspectives back to SER and continue to grow as a leader.”

Brooks to Open SER Distinguished Speaker Series for UW Energy Day

The University of Wyoming’s School of Energy Resources (SER) will host a special Distinguished Speaker Series presentation Friday, Sept. 11, as part of its Energy Day celebration in partnership with the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

UW alumnus Doug Brooks, a member of the Industry Advisory Board for SER’s Professional Land Management Program, will be the first featured speaker in the series.

Brooks will speak from noon-1 p.m. in the UW Energy Innovation Center’s Encana Auditorium. The free lunch presentation is open to all students, members of the campus community and the public.

Brooks is an energy industry executive with over 40 years of leadership experience in exploration, production and corporate growth. Throughout his career, Brooks has held chief executive and board leadership roles at prominent energy firms, including Oasis Petroleum, Yates Petroleum Corporation, Energy XXI Gulf Coast and Aurora Oil & Gas. He began his career with a 24-year tenure at Marathon Oil Co., rising to director of upstream mergers and acquisitions, and business development for the Americas. He went on to found two private equity-sponsored firms focused on unconventional resource projects in the western United States.

Brooks holds a Bachelor of Science in business management from UW and a Master of Business Administration in finance from Our Lady of the Lake University in Texas.

The event also will recognize a recent philanthropic gift from Patrick and Nora Ivers in support of the Distinguished Speaker Series.

“We have an exceptional lineup planned for Energy Day weekend, and Doug’s Distinguished Speaker presentation is an ideal way to launch the festivities,” says Christine Reed, SER director of outreach. “This event seamlessly highlights both our academic and outreach missions, and we look forward to an engaging presentation as we celebrate the energy industry.”

As part of the Energy Day activities, attendees also are invited to attend an evening reception at the Energy Innovation Center from 4:30-6:30 p.m. All events are free and open to the public, though online registration for the evening reception is required here.

A livestream of the lunchtime presentation can be viewed at https://uwyo.zoom.us/j/99572645217.

For more information, email Reed at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

UW School of Energy Resources and Wold Foundation to Host Wyoming’s Energy Future Symposium Oct. 22

The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) and the Wold Foundation will host a joint symposium Thursday, Oct. 22, that focuses on the state’s energy future, with a specific focus on critical minerals in critical energy industries.

The “Wyoming’s Energy Future” symposium will begin at 10 a.m. in UW’s Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Registration is currently open for the in-person forum, and the day’s events and speakers will be recorded and made available on the SER website at a later date.

Examining topics from both industry and academic perspectives, the free event brings together leading experts across the spectrum of energy development and state stakeholders to collaborate and learn about what comes next for energy in Wyoming.

This year’s conference theme will specifically explore how the state’s traditional oil, gas and coal infrastructure can be integrated in mineral extraction operations, as well as examine how emerging areas — such as advanced nuclear power and the rapid growth of data centers — create new demand for specialized materials.

Gov. Mark Gordon will provide the keynote address.

Led in part by John Kaszuba, SER professor of geology and geophysics and the John and Jane Wold Centennial Chair in Energy, the conference advances the chair’s directive of energy-related research and teaching for the benefit of Wyoming.

“The Wyoming Energy Symposium serves as a vital platform for the kind of open, collaborative dialogue that drives real progress in our energy landscape,” Kaszuba says. “A key goal of the generous investment from the Wold Foundation and the endowed chair position is to advance energy education, not just across our campus, but throughout the entire Wyoming community. By bringing together students, researchers, industry leaders, government officials, nonprofits and neighbors, this event highlights how vital informed education and shared ideas are to shaping a resilient energy future for our state.”

Students will have the opportunity to display their energy-related poster projects throughout the day to share with conference attendees. The posters will be reviewed by a panel of judges, with the top three posters to be selected for cash prizes from the Wold Foundation.

For more information about the event and poster competition or to register, visit the conference website at www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/conferences/wyomings-energy-future/index.html.

About the Wold Foundation

Created in 1985 by John and Jane Wold and the Wold family, the Wold Foundation exists to assist, encourage and promote charitable, scientific, literary and educational endeavors. The foundation supports institutions and programs that promote traditional values and free enterprise and gives a preference to projects benefiting Wyoming citizens and the state’s youth.

Ivers Gift to School of Energy Resources Supports Distinguished Speaker Series

The University of Wyoming (UW) School of Energy Resources (SER) is the recipient of a key gift to support its Distinguished Speaker Series, bringing leading experts from academia, industry, government, and policy to campus.

The gift from Patrick and Nora Ivers establishes the School of Energy Resources Distinguished Speaker Fund. The Distinguished Speaker Series is an integral part of SER’s outreach program, providing students, faculty, staff, industry partners, and the public the opportunity to engage with leaders on emerging energy challenges, technological innovations, policy, and the future of energy.

The private contribution was matched dollar-for-dollar through state matching funds, significantly amplifying the reach of the initiative.

While the Distinguished Speaker Series is widely recognized for delivering public lectures on cutting-edge energy topics, the funding directly enhances the series’ broader, strategic motivation to serve as a mechanism for high-impact academic and industry partnerships. Beyond the podium, visiting experts participate in tailored, multi-departmental itineraries, meeting directly with UW faculty, student researchers, and campus departments to explore joint initiatives, solve complex energy challenges, and spark long-term research collaborations.

“We are deeply grateful to Patrick and Nora Ivers for their remarkable generosity and steadfast support of the School of Energy Resources,” said Director of Outreach Christine Reed. “Patrick and Nora are the gold standard for lifelong learners. Their passion for discovery is contagious, and we are always genuinely excited to see them sitting in the audience at nearly every presentation we host. Knowing firsthand how much this speaker series means to them makes this gift especially meaningful. Their investment not only elevates our program, but it also serves as an inspiring example of how local champions can drive transformative initiatives across the University of Wyoming.”

A hallmark of SER’s outreach efforts, the Distinguished Speaker Series hosts experts throughout the academic year for public presentations offered both in person and online to reach a wider audience across Wyoming and beyond.

“The outreach pillar is fundamental to everything we do at the School of Energy Resources,” said Scott Quillinan, Senior Director of Research. “Research doesn’t exist in a vacuum, its true value lies in how effectively we connect our scientific discoveries with the public, industry, and local communities. Generous gifts like this one from Patrick and Nora Ivers go a long way in ensuring SER remains deeply engaged, accessible, and responsive to the people of Wyoming.”

For more information on upcoming speakers or the School of Energy Resources, visit https://www.uwyo.edu/ser/events/ or email Christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

UW SER Launches 20th Anniversary Celebration in Conjunction with Energy Day

The University of Wyoming School of Energy Resources (SER) is celebrating its 20th anniversary in 2026, marking two decades of impactful research, education and innovation in Wyoming’s energy sector.

To acknowledge this milestone, SER and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences will once again celebrate Energy Day — in partnership with Wyoming Sports Properties — at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, when the Cowboys take on Northern Colorado at War Memorial Stadium.

Building up to the game, SER and the college will host engagement opportunities and events beginning Thursday, Sept. 10, to recognize Wyoming’s energy sector and to share some of the accomplishments in energy research and development at UW.

Kicking off the festivities, SER and the college will host a joint industry careers panel featuring professionals specializing in oil and gas. The panel will discuss subsurface technologies and career strategies in an evolving energy landscape. The free event is geared toward UW students and will take place in the atrium of the Engineering Education and Research Building Sept. 10 from noon-1 p.m. Lunch will be provided.

Activities will resume Friday, Sept. 11, with SER’s Distinguished Speaker Series presentation featuring UW alumnus and industry veteran Doug Brooks. The free public presentation will begin at noon in the Energy Innovation Center (EIC) Encana Auditorium. A livestream option also is available.

The evening will culminate with a networking reception at the EIC from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to launch the celebration of SER’s 20th anniversary. The event will include a local food truck, Energy Bingo, and a brief video about the creation of SER, what it has accomplished and where it is headed.

All events are free and open to the public, though online registration for the evening reception is required here.

“This is an exciting year for our Energy Day celebration,” says SER Director of Outreach Christine Reed. “We love to recognize the impact of energy on Wyoming, but being able to recognize the impact of SER as a major success story in support of the energy industry in Wyoming will be meaningful, especially as we are about to embark on a new chapter. Energy Day officially kicks off a full semester of celebration for us, which will culminate with some incredible events in October.”

Gameday activities include a tailgate hosted by the UW Student Chapter of Energy Resources in Tailgate Park. The students will host a raffle to help fund the club. Proceeds will support experiential learning opportunities for students in the energy resource management and development degree program, such as visits to industry sites and professional networking events.

Before the football game, the public also is invited to visit with energy vendors from around the state at booths in the Indoor Practice Facility. SER and the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences each will host a booth with giveaways and information on the cutting-edge research projects conducted at SER as well as information about the school’s academic programs.

For more information about the Energy Day schedule of events and gameday information, email Reed at christine.reed@uwyo.edu or visit www.uwyo.edu/ser/events.

SER Researcher Madeleine Lewis Transitions to Academic Faculty Role

The School of Energy Resources (SER) is maintaining its academic instructional capacity by filling a faculty vacancy as Madeleine Lewis transitions full-time to the academic division as an Associate Lecturer.

Lewis is a familiar face to SER students and faculty alike. Her appointment as a full-time Associate Lecturer formalizes her growing presence at SER Academics, where she initially took on a single course alongside her research duties before expanding to a half-time workload last year. In this new capacity, she will focus on core student instruction and curriculum delivery.

With expertise in energy, property, contracts and estate law, Lewis will teach seven courses per academic year across SER’s undergraduate major, minor, and certificate programs, bringing high-level legal and policy insight straight into the classroom.

Joining SER in 2022, Lewis previously served as a Senior Research Scientist within SER’s Jurisprudence of Underground Law and Energy research group, and in the Center for Energy Regulation and Policy Analysis. Her work focused on complex legal frameworks surrounding subsurface resources, environmental regulation, and energy policy. She has published extensively in top legal journals, contributing critical analysis to energy law discussions across the region and nation.

Additionally, Lewis continues to serve as the Principal Investigator on a high-profile grant project funded by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Her leadership on the Sloan project has showcased her ability to spearhead interdisciplinary research addressing pressing challenges in modern energy systems.

Lewis’s background as a top-tier researcher remains a tremendous asset for SER’s academic programs. By bridging the gap between exemplary legal research and practical coursework, she will equip SER students with applied knowledge of energy regulation, policy, and resource management as they prepare to enter the workforce.

“Energy law and policy isn’t just theory; it affects real communities and real industries,” says Lewis. “I love pushing our students hard and setting high standards, but my door is always open. My goal is to make sure every single student leaves my class confident, challenged, and ready to tackle the real world.”

A native of Cheyenne, Wyoming, Lewis attended Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., for her undergraduate degree, graduating cum laude in sociology and anthropology before attending the University of Wyoming for her postgraduate education. She earned her M.A. in Environment and Natural Resources from the UW Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources concurrently while earning her law degree from the UW College of Law. While in law school, she was honored as the 2018/2019 Salt Creek Energy Excellence Scholar in recognition of her academic achievement and a commitment to the study and practice of energy law.

Following graduation, Lewis clerked for the Honorable Nancy Freudenthal in the United States District Court for the District of Wyoming before joining the regionally based law firm, Crowley Fleck PLLP. While in private practice, Lewis primarily focused on oil and gas litigation, title work, commercial litigation, estate administration, and estate planning.

“Maddie has spent years proving she’s a standout educator who balances rigorous coursework with incredible student support,” says SER Senior Assistant Dean Kami Danaei. “She brings deep legal expertise into the classroom, but more importantly, she brings a genuine enthusiasm for teaching that’s completely contagious. We are so grateful to have her serving in a much larger capacity on our academic team—as are the students!”

UW Energy Resources Council to Meet Aug. 14

The University of Wyoming Energy Resources Council (ERC) will meet at 8 a.m. Friday, Aug. 14, at Laramie’s Hilton Garden Inn for the council’s regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.

During the meeting, UW School of Energy Resources (SER) Acting Executive Director Scott Quillinan will provide an overview of major SER activities. This will be followed by SER division reports and a finance update.

This meeting marks a notable transition for the ERC. It will be the final council meeting led by Quillinan, concluding his period of leadership in this interim role. Additionally, the ERC will welcome UW President Shane Reeves, who will attend his first official meeting as an ex-officio member of the ERC.

Interested members of the public wishing to listen in on the meeting may attend in person or request access to the Zoom link by emailing Christine Reed at christine.reed@uwyo.edu.

The ERC was established by the Wyoming State Legislature in 2006. Made up of industry, state government and academia representatives, the council provides direction to SER priorities for research and outreach.

SER provides undergraduate education and graduate research opportunities; conducts research on existing and emerging energy resources; and disseminates scientific, engineering and economic information to support Wyoming’s near- and long-term energy future.

For more information about SER, go to www.uwyo.edu/SER.