SER’s Koski Recognized as ‘Top Prof’ by UW Mortar Board Chapter

Kris Koski of the School of Energy Resources (SER) was named among the ‘Top Profs’ by the Mortar Board Chapter at the University of Wyoming.

Mortar Board is the premier national honor society recognizing college seniors for outstanding achievement in scholarship, leadership and service. Mortar Board provides opportunities for continued leadership development; promotes service to colleges and universities; and encourages lifelong contributions to the global community.

Chartered in 1933, the UW Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board members participate in many projects and activities throughout the year, both on the UW campus and in the Laramie community.

‘Top Prof’ is a student driven selection process in which members of the Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board select professors who have positively influenced their lives at UW. These professors go beyond normal classroom expectations to help their students succeed.

Nominated by Energy Resource Management and Development (ERMD) senior and Mortar Board chapter member Molly Murnane of Crofton, Md., Koski was honored among other ‘Top Profs’ at the annual recognition dinner last week.

“I nominated Professor Koski because he cares about his students and encourages us all to succeed — even in his challenging legal classes,” says Murnane. “He brings in real world situations, applies them to the concepts we are learning and ensures we develop critical thinking skills. He is an amazing professor and a real inspiration for anyone interested in land work or legal work. He has inspired me to become a lawyer. I can only hope that one day I will be as confident and knowledgeable of a lawyer as he is.”

Murnane is poised to graduate as a top scholar in spring 2023 with a Bachelor of Science degree in ERMD with a concentration in Energy and Environmental Systems, as well as minors in math and the Honors Program. Motivated from the beginning of her academic career, Murnane landed a coveted, funded research position with the Laughlin Lab on campus through the Wyoming Research Scholars Program (WRSP) as a sophomore. She gained valuable experience as an intern with Disa Technologies in Casper, Wyo., and is currently working on a project for the Nuclear Energy Research Center.  

In addition to advancing her own education and career, Murnane has been extremely active in mentoring others in the ERMD program, serving as an academic tutor. She also volunteers with the organization Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Koski is an associate lecturer and the director of the Professional Land Management program in SER. A Wyoming attorney, Koski brings his expertise in oil and gas, natural resources, and property law to the classroom, guiding students to successful careers in land management and beyond.

“It is an honor and quite humbling to be nominated, but really all of the credit goes to Molly,” says Koski. “Only the top of the top students, who have demonstrated not only excellence in the classroom but significant service to the community, get selected to the Mortar Board. She is such a brilliant, hardworking and thoughtful student. Working with Molly, and our other students in the program, makes teaching an absolute joy. I am very excited to track Molly’s career because she is going to make a tremendous, positive impact wherever she ends up. I’d also like to congratulate all students who made the Mortar Board and the diverse and outstanding faculty who they selected.”