VOLUME 21 • NUMBER 2 • summer 2012

Professor Don Jarvis has received awards, been selected for speeches, and started companies related to his biologics research – and credits the values instilled in him by his hardworking, blue-collar parents. see story page 16 Dear friends and colleagues, This year is the 150th anniversary of the land-grant college system. In 1862, Congress passed a bill sponsored by Representative Justin Morrill of Vermont that established colleges of agriculture and mechanical arts and forever changed higher education and applied research in America. The original act creating the land-grant system of colleges, and the subsequent Morrill Act of 1890, provided each participating state 30,000 acres of land for each member of Congress. The proceeds were to be used for “the endowment, support, and maintenance of at least one college where the leading object shall be, without excluding other scientific and classical studies and including military tactics, to teach Dean Frank Galey such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts, in such manner as the legislatures of the States may respectively prescribe, in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes in the several pursuits and professions in life.” This charge remains unchanged today (US Code, Title 7, sect. 304). The university A listing of colleges and universities with roots in the land-grant university Morrill Act is a who’s who of major public universities. Their existence has allowed many citizens, young and old, to further belongs to their educational goals. The Morrill Act also set the stage for discoveries that have changed America and the world. Discoveries and technological innovations produced in land-grant institutions include the people of the first binary computer, disease-resistant and high-yield wheat, pima cotton, and the world’s first measurable amount of deuterium, a hydrogen isotope found in “heavy water.” Heavy water allows the state. It certain nuclear reactors to operate with uranium as their fuel. The land-grant tripartite mission of teaching, research, and public service serves as a model for will justify its the world. existence only To appreciate this legislation’s monumental impact, reflect on what post-secondary educational options were available to most Americans in 1865. Post-secondary education was something beyond as it serves the the reach of most people. Most colleges and universities were private. Attendance was expensive, and their courses focused primarily on the classics, law, philosophy, medicine, and theology. people. The Morrill Act and the institutions born from this legislation expanded college curricula to include practical subjects such as agriculture, mechanical arts (engineering), and other subjects. These new Liberty Hyde Bailey public colleges were charged with providing a broad intellectual education to all individuals and later, 1907 through the subsequent Hatch Act in 1887, provided applied research about practical problems while the Smith-Lever Act (established cooperative extension service) in 1914 focused on the dissemination of useful information to the citizens of the state. Its philosophy of integrating study of both applied and classical subjects together with engagement with the citizens of the state was a concept that has helped shape American education and America. The need for well-trained people remains. Forecasts for college graduate employment opportunities for 2010-15 predict 5 percent more college graduates with expertise in agricultural and food systems, renewable energy, and the environment will be needed than in 2005-10. Today, public and land-grant institutions enroll 3.5 million undergraduates and 1.1 million gradu- ate students in every field of study and conduct nearly two-thirds of all federally funded academic research, totaling more than $34 billion annually. Founded in 1887, the University of Wyoming and the College of Agriculture and Natural Re- sources are proud to be part of this heritage. I hope you will join with us in celebrating Justin Morrill and the sesquicentennial.

Dean Frank Galey College of Agriculture and Natural Resources 2 first cutting

Assistant Professor Andrew Kniss Kniss receives From left, Associate Professor Steve Herbert, Levi Lowder, and mentor John Dick from the early career Wyoming Technology Business Center hold the very large check. award College of Agriculture and Assistant Professor Andrew Kniss received the Outstanding Weed Sci- Natural Resources team wins UW entist: Early Career Award from the entrepreneurship competition Western Society of Weed Science. Kniss, in the Department of A business plan that targets the emerg- innovative leader in providing biotechno- Plant Sciences, received the honor ing algal biomass industry and presented by logical services and products for an emerg- during the society’s March meeting a team in the College of Agriculture and ing algal biomass industry. The company in Reno, Nevada. He specializes in Natural Resources was judged top proposal provides advanced phenotype analysis and weed biology and ecology. in the John P. Ellbogen $30K Entrepre- screening services, custom algal vector de- Kniss received his bachelor’s neurship Competition at the University of sign and construction, algal transformation, degree in agroecology from the Wyoming College of Business. and gene-expression analysis. University of Wyoming in 2001, a Levi Lowder, a molecular biology doc- His partners are Stephen Herbert, al- master’s degree in agronomy from toral candidate from Durango, Colorado, gal phenotyping specialist and head of the the University of Nebraska – Lincoln and his PlanktOMICS team won $12,500 Department of Plant Sciences and senior in 2003, and his Ph.D. in agronomy and one year of free rent to further develop adviser; Jacob Miller, laboratory service from UW in 2006. the company at the Wyoming Technology and business specialist; and staff consultant His research program focuses Business Center (WTBC). Min-Hyung Ryu, a genetic engineering and on developing sustainable weed Lowder, team leader and head bioen- molecular biology consultant and a molecu- management programs in agronomic gineer, said PlanktOMICS seeks to be an lar biology doctoral candidate. crops, especially sugarbeets, winter wheat, corn, and dry beans.

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Entomology Ph.D. student earns UW’s graduate student internationalization honor

Bits of coincidence here and there Yanayacu Platform for prompted a computer science master’s Research student to switch paths and instead work Bryant traveled with the honors course toward a Ph.D. in entomology. group to the Yanayacu station last year and The output? will serve as mentor to the same this year. Miranda Bryant is UW’s U.S. Graduate She had never been out of the U.S. Student Award for Excellence in Interna- prior to the trips. tionalization recipient for 2012. “I would say what is so meaningful “I’m very honored,” says the second- about the research, what Scott has been year doctoral student, who is advised by able to do and the ability to get students Professor Scott Shaw in the Department Miranda Bryant with an image of an as-yet there, is that I have a connection now,” of Ecosystem Science and Management. unnamed parasitoid wasp. Bryant notes. “It’s not just an insect in a Bryant is Shaw’s second graduate student museum. I was there, looking at insects. I Switches from Computers touched the grasses. I talked to people at the to receive the honor. to Insects UW’s International Board of Advisers station. I know the station manager, and I The computer science major was look- selects recipients. know the local village. It made such a deep ing to attend graduate school and met UW “Everyone on the board’s awards com- impression. It was definitely a life-changing zoology Professor Carlos Martinez del Rio. mittee was impressed with what you have opportunity.” That meeting led her to switch majors. accomplished for the university, and we The internationalization award also Insects and plants replaced circuit encourage you to keep up the excellent honors her teaching efforts. More comfort- boards and processors. work,” wrote Professor Anne Alexander, able now in the classroom, she’s learned “His passion for the blending of bio- director of International Programs. more about how students learn. logical sciences with about every field that “This has led me to create lectures/labs Teaches, Conducts Research can be imagined showed me a new path,” that draw on many types of learning so each she recalls. “I could use the toolset of skills Bryant teaches insect biology classes type of student can take something from the I learned as a computer scientist and apply and conducts research of parasitoid wasps experience,” says Bryant. it to the world. Everywhere and everything and their host caterpillars, specifically, those She uses a hands-on approach. was my laboratory – he would quote great whose home is the bamboo (hollow) grass. “I believe no matter what I teach, I authors and refer to food and wine and On-the-ground research is at the Yanayacu have to focus on what the students need poems and songs as we walked through Biological Station and Center for Creative to learn the subject so I can change and the forest.” Studies in the cloud forest of northeastern adapt to evolve the course as the students She left his office looking at the world Ecuador (www.yanayacu.org/). reveal their learning styles throughout the differently. Coincidences combined to bring her semester,” Bryant notes. to UW. Bryant received undergraduate and “Although I work with Scott, and he master’s degrees at Western Florida. Hurri- is another extraordinary champion of the cane Ivan swept through in 2004, “leveling world as a research project, Carlos was the professor Pete Stahl the college,” says the Atlanta, Georgia-native. person who opened the door to that shift receives faculty award From a military family, her father was reac- in the way I view everything in life, and for internationalization, it made all the difference to me. I am not tivated following 9-11 and was stationed in see page 25. Denver. The family wanted to retire in the confined to a lab or a computer – the world West and liked the Laramie area. is my research project.”

4 Professor Don Jarvis, left, in the Department of Molecular Biology Bret Hess, left presents Assistant Professor Jeff Beck of the Department of receives the Outstanding Research Award from Bret Hess, director of Ecosystem Science and Management the Early Career Research Achieve- the Agricultural Experiment Station. ment Award. Two UW scientists receive outstanding research honors A worldwide research reputation in the the college. “In addition to being a well- up biotechnology companies. use of genetically engineered insect cells respected and very accomplished scientist, The Early Career Achievement Award and assessing and restoring wildlife habitats he has taken discoveries of his basic research recognizes achievements by junior scientists earned molecular biology Professor Don program to the next level. His multiple li- in the college. Jarvis and Assistant Professor Jeff Beck in cense agreements demonstrate his research “Jeff’s accomplishments are remarkable the Department of Ecosystem Science and has practical implications.” See more about for a scientist at this stage in his career,” Management outstanding research awards Jarvis on page 16. notes Hess. “He is on a trajectory to become from the Agricultural Experiment Station Jarvis joined UW as an associate profes- a leading expert on wildlife populations and (AES). sor in 1998 and became a professor in 2000. habitat conditions in disturbed landscapes.” Jarvis was presented the Outstanding His laboratory studies the use of genetically Beck began at UW as a post-doctoral Research Award, and Beck received the engineered insect cells for manufacturing scientist in 2006 and joined the department Early Career Research Achievement Award vaccines, diagnostics or therapeutics for use faculty in 2007 as an assistant professor. His in February. in human and veterinary medicine. research focuses on assessing and restoring The outstanding research award rec- He has five active National Institutes wildlife habitats. A particular emphasis ognizes accomplishments of established of Health grants totaling $3.8 million with studies restoration efforts relative to species scientists in the College of Agriculture and five proposals under review and has more inhabiting sagebrush steppe ecosystems. Natural Resources. than 30 previous grants. Jarvis also holds He has received grants totaling more “Professor Jarvis exemplifies the spirit eight patents based on his research and has than $3.5 million in his four years as an of this award,” says Bret Hess, director of filed 10 patent applications and invention assistant professor at UW. AES and associate dean of research for disclosures. He has participated in two start-

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Plant sciences professor, director of SAREC research

A University of Wyoming ca- Krall’s father was a professor reer that began in 1976 – but with of agronomy for Montana State roots stretching back to childhood University. “So, during my for- – ended this spring for a Montana mative years, I grew up around native and plant sciences professor. ag research on research centers Jim Krall, director of research in Montana,” he says. at the James C. Hageman Sustain- Followed in Father’s able Agriculture Research and Footsteps Extension Center near Lingle, His family lived at the Cen- retired in April. An emphasis of tral Agricultural Research Center his research has been development at Moccasin, then, when he was of viable crop/livestock production 9, moved to the Southern Agri- systems for the central plains using cultural Research Center on the annual legumes capable of reestab- Huntley Project near Billings. lishment from the soil seed bank, Housing was provided at as with the Australian ley system. the centers. Krall says he has had health “I grew up admiring what concerns but is better now. “How- my dad did,” he says. Krall earned ever, at the first of the year, I his bachelor’s degree in crop sci- decided to leave UW,” he says. “I Professor Jim Krall joined the University of Wyoming in 1976. ence at MSU, his master’s degree turned 62, so it’s a good time to in crop ecology from Kansas State turn the page.” University, and his Ph.D. in crop Working with Krall as a collaborator and then returned to UW in 1984. He physiology from UW. on multiple projects has been a privilege, became a professor in 1997. He left UW for an assistant professor says Bret Hess, associate dean of research “Jim has combined an uncanny ability position at the University of Nevada in in the college and director of the Wyoming to focus both on the ground and on the 1980 but returned in 1984. Agricultural Experiment Station. horizon, even over the horizon,” says Robin “Because of my background, I had an “Jim was always a great colleague,” says Groose, an associate professor of genetics in affinity for working at a research center,” he Hess. “I found him to be an honest, fair, the Department of Plant Sciences. says, “and I admired the people who I had and generous collaborator, and as a result, Krall has conducted research with im- come to know at UW. I held people such I enjoyed working with him. I wish him mediate and applied significance for Wyo- as Professor Ron Delaney in high regard, and his family the very best.” ming agricultural producers, says Groose. so it was easy for me to return to UW. The Began as Research “Jim is also a visionary,” he says. “With 30-percent bump in salary also helped.” Agronomist his eyes and mind looking over the horizon Krall was a research agronomist with into the future, he has conducted explor- Holly Sugar in 1975-76, a UW research atory research with long-term implications Krall presents results associate 1976-79, had a stint at the Uni- for the future of agriculture on the Central of lupin research in versity of Nevada as an assistant professor, Great Plains.” this year’s Reflections magazine.

6 Plant sciences professor, director of SAREC research retires Research seeks genetic selection tool for feed efficiency in sheep Develops Ley Forage Species Research at the University of Wyo- Krall heard about ley farming at western ming to develop genetic selection tools regional research committee meetings and to improve sheep efficiency could help says he was fascinated with how sustain- sheep producer profitability. able, low input, and integrated a system ley A four-year, $499,991 grant from farming appeared. He traveled to Australia the National Institute of Food and in 1993 in the first of several visits to learn Agriculture will fund research into the more. His research led to the release of differences in sheep rumen microbial the first ley forage species suitable for the populations. Central High Plains. “Robin has been most “Producers need ways to improve instrumental in helping make this happen,” profitability; one way to do this is to re- says Krall. duce feed costs,” notes Kristi Cammack, Laramie burr clover (medic) is a winter an assistant professor in the Department Assistant Professor Kristi Cammack annual pasture forage adapted to the Central of Animal Science. “Actual measurement High Plains that fixes nitrogen and reseeds of feed efficiency requires collection of versities in the United States and offers itself from the seed bank. “These are traits individual feed intake data, which is both research-based information available to important to forage ley crops that are rotated expensive and time consuming.” everyone. with cereal grains,” he notes. “This system An alternative measure that can pre- “Incorporating such a CoP into makes it possible to fully integrate crops and dict an individual’s ability to efficiently the eXtension network will enable us to livestock production utilizing the benefits of use feed is needed, she says. provide current information to various crop rotation while boosting soil nitrogen.” “It is thought that differences in audiences, including sheep producers, A spin-off from his Australian visits is feed efficiency among individual animals industry personnel, and consumers,” release of the Forager pea variety. may be due to differences in the rumen says Cammack. “It’s a multi-purpose pea,” he says. “I microbial populations,” she says. “We first learned about peas that can be used as a will explore this in our research.” “It is thought that hay forage or harvested for grain on my first Also involved are Professor Dan visit to Australia. I brought back some peas Rule, Associate Professor Bob Stobart, differences in feed as well as medic for testing in 1993.” Assistant Professor Scott Lake, and efficiency among He also arranged collaborative research research specialist Kathy Austin in the on sweet lupins. “The grain from these animal science department, and Assistant individual animals may plants contain the highest percentage of Professor John Ritten in the Department be due to differences grain protein of any of the legume crops,” of Agricultural and Applied Economics. he notes. “It’s a work in progress, but, who The University of Missouri will over- in the rumen microbial knows? Maybe someday, like in Australia, see genomic analyses, and Montana State populations. We will grain lupins may find a place on the Central University will oversee development of explore this in our High Plains.” the sheep production community of practice (CoP) with eXtension. research.” eXtension (www.extension.org) is an educational partnership of 74 uni-

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Gamma Sigma Delta honors top students,

Top University of Wyoming agricul- Molecular biology – Honor Book, cultural and applied economics; Wahid Hs tural students were honored by Gamma Anna Justis, Eagle River, Alaska; Irene Dakhel, Laramie, Jack Leonhardt, Laramie, Sigma Delta, and state veterinarian Jim Lo- Rosenfeld Scientific Achievement Award, Amy Williams, Bad Axe, Michigan, Anna gan received its Outstanding Agriculturalist Ryan Griesbach, Laramie; Harold F. Eppson Yedinak, Rock Springs, veterinary sciences; Award. Scholarship, Madeleine Francis, Laramie Kathleen Meyers, Hagerman, Idaho, en- Receiving outstanding student awards Plant sciences – Honor Book, Tessa tomology; Megan Wilson, Crystal Lake, and their departments are: Peters, Gillette, Bailey Hallwachs, Cheyenne Illinois, entomology and botany. Outstanding Freshman Female – Ecosystem science and management McKensie Harris, Laramie, animal and – Honor Book, rangeland ecology and veterinary sciences (ANVS) watershed management, Cara Noseworthy, Outstanding Freshman Male – Shane Medford, New Jersey; Soil Science, Kristi Bell, Winnemucca, Nevada, ecosystem sci- Mingus, Powell; Entomology, Ariana Roe, ence and management (ESM) Big Horn; Graduate Student, Kyle Lilly, Outstanding Sophomore – Amanda Glenwood, Iowa O’Donnell, Spring Creek, Nevada, ESM Animal and veterinary sciences – Outstanding Junior – Erin Anders, Honor Book, Julia Ransom, Bridgeville, Cheyenne, agroecology and anthropology Pennsylvania Outstanding Senior – Sara van Knapp New undergraduate members inducted Jennings, Burbank, California, ANVS are: Outstanding Master’s Student – Sare- Keah Cross, Morrill, Nebraska, Lauren na Ann Olsen, Las Vegas, Nevada, ANVS Schiermiester, Buffalo, Amanda Thomas, Outstanding Freshman Female McKensie Outstanding Doctoral Student – Re- The Plains, Virginia, Tori Walsh, Green Harris and Bill Stump, president of Gamma becca Cockrum, Chesterfield, Maryland, River, animal and veterinary sciences; Ryan Sigma Delta ANVS. Griesbach, Laramie, Anna Justis, Eagle Receiving departmental honors were: River, Alaska, molecular biology; Louise Agricultural and applied economics Lorent, Chaumontel, France, plant sci- – WAEA Outstanding Senior Award, Kailey ences; Kelsey Tramp, Lander, agricultural Barlow, Big Piney; Honor Book, Randa communications. May, Pine Bluffs New graduate student members in- Agricultural communications – Hon- ducted are: or Book, Kaitlynn Glover, Casper, Megan Sherry Adrianos, Cheyenne, Lauren Tanaka, Laramie, Kelsey Tramp, Lander Millett, Laramie, molecular biology; Prakriti Animal science – Honor Book, Brice Bistaghimire, Chitwan, Nepal, Caleb Mcintosh, Wheatland, Stephanie Schroeder, Carter, Livingston, Montana, Carl Coburn, Douglas, Saralyn van Knapp Jennings, Tori Cincinnati, Ohio, Andrea Garfinkel, Fort Walsh, Green River Collins, Colorado, Matthew Jolivet, Colo- Family and consumer sciences – rado Springs, Colorado, Gurpreet Kaur, Honor Book, Kati Stoll, Casper Sirsa, India, Brekke Lane Peterson, Sheri- Outstanding Freshman Male Shane Bell with Microbiology – Honor Book, Lacey dan, plant sciences; Peter Burgess, Wyarno, Bill Stump Favazzo, Rock Springs Jordan Steele, Nisland, South Dakota, agri-

8 outstanding agriculturalist

From left, Outstanding Assistant Senior Award Professor recipient Sara Dannele Peck, van Knapp Jim Logan, Jennings with and former Bill Stump, assistant state left, and veterinarian Doug Hixon. Walt Cook, who is now a research scientist in the college.

Outstanding Lauren Junior Award Sinclair recipient accepts the Sarena Outstanding Olsen with Junior Award her adviser, from Bill Meijun Zhu, Stump for and Bill her mother, Stump Erin Anders.

Outstanding Outstanding doctoral Sophomore student Award Rebecca recipient Cockrum, Amanda right, with O’Donnell adviser Kristi and Bill Cammack and Stump Bill Stump

9 first cutting

Professors, staff members receive recognition

Tom Thurow in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management and Karen Williams in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences received Outstanding Educator Awards during the college’s annual Faculty and Staff Recogni- tion Program. Each received $2,500. The awards were presented at the end of the fall semester. An anonymous donor established the award to recognize classroom and extension educa- tors in the college. Nominations are peer- reviewed by a committee comprised of a dean’s office representative, an academic Dean Frank Galey, right, presents Marce Professor Tom Thurow, left, of the Department department head, and a previous award Vasquez of the Department of Veterinary of Ecosystem Science and Management, receives recipient. Sciences an Outstanding Staff Award. an Outstanding Educator Award from Professor Other nominees were Dawn San- and department head John Tanaka. chez, UW Extension educator in Uinta ton, plant sciences; and Brant Schumaker, County, and Professor Dave Williams in veterinary sciences. the Department of Ecosystem Science and Other adviser nominees were Associ- Management. ate Professor Roger Coupal and Assistant Two awards through the Office of Aca- Professor Dannele Peck, agricultural and demic and Student Programs are presented applied economics; Professor Doug Hixon by students. Naomi Ward, an assistant pro- and Means, animal science; and Associate fessor in the Department of Molecular Biol- Professor Steve Herbert and Norton, plant ogy, received the Lawrence Meeboer Agricul- sciences. tural Classroom Teaching Award. Students In other honors, BreAnna Bonner and also presented Urszula Norton, an assistant Marce Vasquez, laboratory technicians in professor in the Department of Plant Sci- the Department of Veterinary Sciences, ences, the Outstanding Adviser Award. Ward received Outstanding Staff Awards from and Norton each received $500. Dean Frank Galey. Each received $500. Other Meeboer nominees by depart- Other nominees were Lorraine Har- ments were Associate Professors Ed Bradley rison, Janet Marsh, agricultural and applied Assistant Professor Urszula Norton, left, of and Alan Schroeder, agricultural and ap- economics; Kelli DeCora, animal science; the Department of Plant Sciences receives the plied economics; Assistant Professor Scott Tracy Bennett, Patricia Hyson, family and Outstanding Adviser Award from student Lake, Associate Professors Paul Ludden and consumer sciences; Thoa Pham, plant sci- Sara Legg, who is vice president of Agricultural Warrie Means, and lecturer Amy McLean, ences; Marie Hanson, UW Extension; Steve Community Resources for Everyday Sustainability. animal science; Thurow, ecosystem science Mack, Ann Roberson, Wyoming 4-H Pro- Norton is the organization’s adviser. and management; Ward and lecturer Rachel gram Office; Rebecca Ashley, Tammy Jones, Watson, molecular biology; Urszula Nor- Rod Rogers, veterinary sciences.

10 awards

Latchininsky and team Earn International IPM Award for Excellence

BreAnna Bonner in the Department of Extension entomologist and Associate Professor Alex Latchi- Veterinary Sciences receives an Outstanding ninsky and his team received the International Integrated Pest Staff Award from Dean Frank Galey. Management (IPM) Award for Excellence. Latchininsky was recognized this spring during the 7th Inter- national IPM Symposium awards luncheon in Memphis, Tennessee. Members of the team, including assistant extension entomologist Scott Schell, also received certificates. The honor is for develop- ing and delivering to stakeholders the Reduced Agent and Area Treatments (RAATS) grasshopper control strategy, which saves landowners money. RAATs are a method of IPM for rangeland grasshoppers in which the rate of insecticide is reduced from levels recommended by the label and untreated swaths are alternated with treated swaths. In addition to many entomology and IPM organizations, Latchininsky has served as an international consultant for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Professor Karen Williams of the Department of Nations. Family and Consumer Sciences is presented an Symposium sessions addressed IPM Outstanding Educator Award by Reed Scull, across disciplines, internationally, in the associate dean and division head of the Out- reach Credit Programs. market place, agricultural, structural community settings, horticultural, and natural environments.

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Research eyes forage kochia for feed, reclamation efforts Researchers in the Department of Plant Sciences are studying whether or not a drought-resistant plant unfazed by poor soils is an answer to reclaiming sites disturbed by oil and gas extraction. Forage kochia is a semi-evergreen, pe- rennial shrub that can compete with cheat- grass, halogeton, and other annual weeds. Forage kochia is well-adapted to arid areas, provides good nutrition in the fall and winter, and can be used in greenstrips to stop wildfire, says Anowar Islam, University of Wyoming Extension forage agroecologist and assistant professor in the Department of Plant Sciences. Islam and master’s student Matt Jo- livet planted seeds in April at a plot west of Laramie. Assistant Professor Anowar Islam talks with producers during a summer field day. The plant could benefit agriculture and energy companies. A new forage kochia variety, Snow- Jolivet said forage kochia establishes “We want to look at it as both a forage storm, was released in March and is superior best in already disturbed soil. and a tool for reclamation in the oil and gas to the only other variety that had been avail- Islam said there is some concern forage industry,” says Jolivet. able – Immigrant, says Islam. It is taller and kochia may invade and suppress native plant The plant could hold its own against will catch and retain more snow, has better communities. Recent reports have shown weeds like cheatgrass, halogeton, and Rus- forage production, and larger seeds. that forage kochia competes well with an- sian thistle, which are often first to invade “There is significance in the name,” nuals but does not invade perennial plant disturbed sites. notes Islam. “It is named for its ability to populations, he says. “Reclamationists have tried to reclaim extend the grazing season into the fall and Conversely, he notes, research has topsoil year after year with little success,” winter.” shown that forage kochia is often the only says Islam. “This might be an important Islam said seeds are viable for only a alternative to cheatgrass and halogeton on species to grow on disturbed soil.” year. Seed is broadcast on top of the snow severely degraded rangelands. The plant is not to be confused with or ground, and seeding is recommended “Planted forage kochia can easily be the annual kochia weed, they caution. The December through February at 1 to 3 killed by Roundup,” Islam adds. “Further forage species is native to the arid areas of pounds per acre as a mix with grass or 3 to evaluation of forage kochia will determine Kazakhstan and Central Asia. “It’s a pasture 6 pounds per acre as a monoculture. The its widespread utilization or recommenda- plant like our sagebrush and has been called plant is slow to mature, providing forage tion.” the alfalfa of the desert,” says Jolivet. in the late fall and early winter.

12 College faculty members selected Top Profs Five members of the college were named Top Profs by members of the Univer- sity of Wyoming Cap and Gown Chapter of Mortar Board. They are Professors Peter Thorsness, Donal O’Toole, and Sonya Meyer, and As- sociate Professors Warrie Means and Chris Bastian. Members of the senior honor society select professors who have made a positive impact on their lives at UW. Professor Peter Thorsness Professor Donal O’Toole Professor Sonya Meyer Hometown, name of student, Top Prof, and department are: Big Horn – Melissa Hoyer, Peter Thorsness (molecular biology) Burbank, California – Saralyn van Knapp Jennings, Donal O’Toole (veterinary science) Casper – Katie Stoll, Sonya Sue Meyer (family and consumer sciences) Cheyenne – Callie Rulli, Warrie Means (animal science) Pine Bluffs – Randa May, Chris Bastian (agricultural and applied economics) Upperville, Virginia – Amanda Thomas, Warrie Means Associate Professor Associate Professor Warrie Means Chris Bastian College staff members honored at UW Staff Recognition Day College staff members received pres- tigious honors during Staff Recognition Day in April. Cindy Wood, an accounting associate in the Department of Ecosystem Science and Management, received an E.G. Meyer Family Outstanding Staff Service Award. Gail Lamb, an accounting associate in agricultural administration, received a UW Staff Incentive award. Roger Siemion, a lab technician in the Cindy Wood Gail Lamb Roger Siemion Wyoming State Vet Lab, received an UW for their years of service and contributions President, Staff Recognition Day encour- Off-Campus Staff Award. to UW. Sponsored by UW Staff Senate, ages and acknowledges the work of all UW Dozens of employees were honored with support from the UW Office of the staff members.

13 first cutting

UW range students claim top team at national

The University of Wyoming received the Trail Boss Award for the top collegiate team during competition at the 65th Soci- ety for Range Management (SRM) meeting in Spokane. In addition, two students claimed firsts and a professor received the top teaching award. This is the first year the Trail Boss Award was presented by SRM. The UW team is comprised of range- land ecology and watershed management students in the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. UW teams also claimed seconds in the Undergraduate Range Management Exam (URME) against 24 other schools and in Rangeland Cup against 11 others. Sage Askin of Douglas was first out of Members of the range team are, front, from left, Travis Decker, Craig, Colorado; Ben Jones, Den- 203 competitors in URME. He was also a ton, North Carolina; Amanda Van Pelt, Fernley, Nevada; Amanda O’Donnell, Spring Creek, member of the second-place URME team. Nevada; Sarah Kauer-Griffith, Durango, Colorado; Bailey Terry, Newcastle. Second, Blair Ben Jones of Denton, North Carolina, won Gauthier, Rozet; Allen Wellborn, Oakland, Oregon; John Wagner, Buckeye, Arizona; Kayla the undergraduate extemporaneous speak- Bish, Longmont, Colorado; Hailey Lockwood, Big Piney; Katie Mattila, Plymouth, Minnesota; ing contest in which there were 13 teams. Cassidy Comer, Gillette; Wade LaCount, Rifle Colorado; Back, Rick Comer, Gillette; Tyrell Per- Megan Taylor of Swainsboro, Georgia, ry, Clearmont; Kellen Smith, Gillette; Wilson Rogers, Pinedale; Scott Meyers, Fruita, Colorado; Sage Askin, Douglas; Tate Smith, Rye, Colorado. Not pictured, Katie Schade, Fort Sumner, New won the graduate student oral paper com- Mexico, Evan Hathaway, Star Valley. petition with “Rehabilitation seeding and soil dynamics associated with invasive spe- by Professor Ann Hild. Conclave (all university students). UW cies in a semi-desert sagebrush shrubland.” Travis Decker of Craig, Colorado, was also claimed third place in the chapter There were 27 participants. She is advised elected vice-president of the SRM Student display contest. Members of the Rangeland Cup Team were Tate Smith, Rye, Colorado, Katie Schade, Fort Sumner, New Mexico, and Tyrell Perry, Clearmont. Members of the URME Team were Allen Wellborn, Oakland, Oregon, Amanda VanPelt, Fernley, Nevada, Bailey Terry, Newcastle, Ben Jones, Denton, North Carolina, Blair Gauthier, Rozet, Cassidy Comer, Gillette, Sage Askin Ben Jones Travis Decker

14 competition

Evan Hathaway, Star Valley, Haley Lockwood, Big Piney, John Wagner, Buckeye, Arizona, Katie Matilla, Plym- Milt Geiger Milt outh, Minnesota, Katie Schade, Kayla Kuipers Tara Bish, Longmont, Colorado, Kellen Smith, Gillette, Amanda O’Donnell, Spring Creek, Nevada, Rick Comer, Gillette, Sage Askin, Sarah Kauer- Griffith, Durango, Colorado, Scott Meyers, Fruita, Colorado, Tate Smith, Kuipers, Geiger members of Travis Decker, Craig, Colorado, Tyrell Perry, Wade LaCount, Rifle, Colorado, paper’s Twenty Under 40 and Wilson Rogers, Pinedale. University of Wyoming Extension Dakota State University, and a master’s in Professor Tom Thurow in the educators Tara Kuipers and Milt Geiger education/counseling from UW in 2002. Department of Ecosystem Science and were selected to the Casper Star-Tribune’s Geiger began as energy coordinator Management received the Range Sci- Twenty Under 40 special section. also in 2009. The position is funded by ence Education Council’s Undergradu- Through honoring the 20, the paper extension and the UW School of Energy ate Teaching Award, the top teaching hopes to encourage other Wyomingites to Resources. Geiger develops partnerships award in the profession. pursue personal achievement and public with the SER and the College of Engi- Associate Professor Dan Rodgers service in Wyoming neering and Applied Science to coordinate is the Range Club adviser and coaches “Although each has a unique story, extension and outreach activities among the Plant ID Team. The URME Team they have at least two things in common: the three partners. is coached by Assistant Professor Jeff a record of achievement and the demon- A Michigan native, Geiger received Beck. Dean Houchen, a recent gradu- strated potential to help lead Wyoming a bachelor’s degree in environmental eco- ate in rangeland ecology and water- in the decades to come,” notes the paper. nomics in 2003 from Colgate University shed management, was mentor for “The list doesn’t aim to identify Wyoming’s in Hamilton, New York, and he accepted a the Rangeland Cup Team. Associate 20 smartest young people, or the 20 most position with USDA Rural Development in Professor Jim Waggoner assists with powerful, or the 20 most successful. In- Casper and then Sheridan. He served as state the extemporaneous speaking contest, stead, with help from our readers, it simply rural energy coordinator from 2005-2007. and Assistant Professor Brain Mealor recognizes 20 inspiring standouts among Geiger completed two master’s degrees and extension range specialist Rachel the many young people whose talents are at UW in 2009 in agricultural and applied Mealor coordinate the Rangeland Cup hard work and helping to build Wyoming.” economics and environment and natural competition for SRM. Kuipers is a community development resources. SRM is the professional society educator in Park County. She began with dedicated to supporting persons who extension in 2009 and specializes in orga- • To view Kuipers’ story, go to work with rangelands and have a com- nizational leadership, community develop- http://bit.ly/KqEMRc mitment to their sustainable use. ment, and coalition building. She received • To view Geiger’s story, go to a bachelor’s degree in human development http://bit.ly/KuVwvd and family studies in 2000 from South

15 Don Jarvis in his lab with postdoctoral research associates Ann Toth, left, from Tolland, Connecticut, and Hideaki Mabashi-Asazuma, from Tokyo, Japan.

blue-collar roots white collar success Don Jarvis’ blue-collar parents ingrained in son education the way to a better life

an you imagine Professor Don Jarvis as the Year Award, and then was selected to give That started with national and inter- Can accountant? UW’s 2012 President’s Speaker Series talk. national press interest in spider silk protein He couldn’t either. “The last three months have been amaz- research – he’s renowned much more for The first few months of 2012 were ing,” Jarvis says. “I’ve been here 14 years, and recombinant insect virus work – and con- invigorating for the Department of Mo- it’s been pretty quiet. It was kind of nice to tinued with receiving the awards. lecular Biology professor. Jarvis was involved just deal with the lab group, teaching, writing “The highest privilege of winning the with two start-up companies related to his papers, and getting funding. In the last three President’s Speaker Series is to sit back and research, was recipient of the Wyoming Ag- months, all the attention has been really great think about what’s happened since 1973 to ricultural Experiment Station Researcher of but maybe just a bit out of control.” bring me to this point in time,” he notes.

16 “A good work ethic has Developed Molecular Biology Interest always been a strength for me, As an undergraduate, Jarvis took a mi- and that’s driven not only by crobiology course and learned a little about viruses, then developed an interest in mo- other people but by a basic lecular biology. “That was a formative experi- ence,” he says. “And, I was lucky enough to interest in doing science.” have a number of key professors who helped to extend and solidify that experience.” “My father dropped out of the eighth Professors held vigorous and demand- grade to help support the family and went to ing classes, which helped further develop work for Electric Boat in Groton, Connecti- his career habits. cut, where he learned to weld,” says Jarvis. When he entered Baylor College of “He was very proud of the fact he worked Medicine, “I felt I walked in ready and able on the Nautilus, the first atomic submarine. to compete with anyone in that school, who Somewhere, my mother’s name, Nancy, is were among the best in the country,” he says. welded between bulkheads on the Nautilus.” “I certainly was not in that peer group at the While his father worked at Electric time. But, I had the work ethic developed by Boat, his mother labored at a factory putting my family and undergrad and master’s pro- toothpaste into tubes. The family was trans- fessors. A good work ethic has always been a ferred to Idaho, where his father continued strength for me, and that’s driven not only by to work on submarines, and his mother took other people but by a basic interest in doing a job sorting potatoes in one of Idaho’s many science. I was lucky to land in the world of potato packing plants. virology. It really turned my crank. It was A Better Life easy to spend 16 hours in a lab and look up “My father made it very clear to me at the clock and say, ‘geez, it’s 8 o’clock. I that I needed to stay in school because he better go home now.’ It wasn’t hard.” didn’t have a chance to do that,” Jarvis says. Advice to Students “He knew that was the way to a better life. That is also his advice to students: find When I was an undergraduate student, I out what you want to do, figure out what worked with my father in the construction turns your crank, forget about trends, sala- trades, and he had a lot of friends who were ries, projections over one, two, five years. first-generation Americans. Boy, they were “It doesn’t matter,” he says. “My friend hard on me. I remember many of those guys and collaborator Mac Fraser at Notre Dame telling me, ‘I better not see you here anytime has this expression I really love to quote when but summertime or you’ll have to deal with students are complaining about how hard it me.’ They were making the point, too, about is to be a scientist these days, which is that staying in school, getting an education, and Left College to Work ‘cream rises to the top,’ by which I mean that having a better life than they had.” He wasn’t sure what major to pursue as if you really love what you are doing and if Jarvis knew what they meant after an incoming freshman but tried account- you are committed and willing and able to working those summers in hot and dirty ing. He struggled and quit college, moving work hard, you are going to do just fine. It conditions. to Oregon to drive a lumber truck for nine doesn’t matter if it’s a really difficult field or “The impact of having been raised that months, then returned to school. times are tough. If it is something you really way was the lesson that education is the Jarvis believes he has benefited strongly want to do and you think it’s fun, in most ticket to success,” Jarvis says. “Besides, it’s a from a blue-collar upbringing that began cases, you are going to do pretty well. I think lot easier life in a lot of ways than having to with submarines in Connecticut and ended the most important thing for students to actually work for a living. Having been there with the same in landlocked Idaho. remember is if you love it, it won’t seem like and done that, I feel incredibly lucky to have Jarvis was the first in his family to receive hard work and you will do well.” a high school degree. the job I have today.”

17 License agreement allows commercialization of Laramie-based company will produce biologics

licensing agreement between the Uni- Aversity of Wyoming and a new UW spinout will allow Department of Molecular Biology Professor Don Jarvis to commer- cialize certain aspects of his research, which involves the use of genetically engineered insect cells for manufacturing vaccines, di- agnostics, or therapeutics for use in human and veterinary medicine. Under the agreement, UW-owned technology will be used by Jarvis’ new Laramie-based company, GlycoBac LLC, to create new genetically engineered insect cell lines optimized for this purpose. Those lines will then be broadly offered throughout the biotechnology community as a new biologics manufacturing platform. Biologics are a class of protein-based drugs that include vaccines, diagnostic test- ing reagents, and therapeutics, such as high- UW Board of Trustees President Jim Neiman, right, visits with Professor Don Jarvis, center, and value cancer-fighting antibodies and proteins Bill Gern, vice president of the UW Research and Economic Development Office, following Jarvis' President's Speaker Series presentation on the UW campus. that can be used to treat genetic diseases, including diabetes and anemia. binant virus is then added to the cells, which constellation of sugars in order to persist in “Most biologics are ‘glycoproteins’ induces the cells to make the protein for the human body and exert their therapeutic (proteins with sugar molecules on them), subsequent purification, testing, and direct effects,” he says. and the structures of the sugar molecules use as a biologic. Jarvis says most biologics are produced dramatically impact their clinical efficacy,” Being able to attach various sugars to using mammalian cells, such as those from Jarvis says. protein is an essential part of GlycoBac’s hamsters or mice. But manufacturing biolog- He and his colleagues have developed a innovative research. ics with mammalian cells takes more time. laboratory process they term “glycoengineer- “Non-glycoengineered insect cells In addition, the products can sometimes ing,” which involves genetically engineering cannot produce biologics with the correct insect cell sugar and protein production sugars. This has been a major impediment pathways. The process changes the structures in their development as a biomanufacturing t Don Jarvis has a team per- of the sugars added to the proteins and en- platform, despite their potential advantages spective about his almost 40- hances their clinical efficacy, or their ability as a faster and safer platform, as compared year academic career, his grants to produce a desired effect. to mammalian cells,” Jarvis says. received, and awards won. In its research, Jarvis’ team uses cells Unlike conventional drugs, biologics “None of the awards are derived from the fall armyworm, which is are produced using living cell systems, solely the result of what I’ve an ordinary caterpillar. The cells are put in Jarvis says. done,” he says. “It’s all been a a nutrient solution, which allows them to “Importantly, biologics with sugar team effort. I help to get us start- grow and divide in the laboratory. A recom- molecules on them must have the correct it’s a t e m ff or

18 Professor Don Jarvis prior to his presentation in the College of Agriculture Auditorium for the Jarvis research President's Speaker Series.

trigger an allergic reaction in humans, and mammalian cells can harbor undetected infectious agents, such as live viruses, that could infect human patients. “Insect cells are emerging as an alterna- tive production platform, which has none of these disadvantages,” Jarvis says. “We are focused on improving the utility of insect cell systems as a biologics manufacturing platform. The past 25 years we have created new genetic engineering methods and ap- proaches, and performed basic research on Jarvis delivers President’s Speaker Series talk insect cell molecular biology to enable these improvements.” on Jarvis gave the University of Wy- led to a career spent developing insect Jarvis said that federal grants supported Doming’s 2012 President’s Speaker viruses, insect cells, and insects as bio- this research and provided many jobs at Series talk on “A Virologist Gone Buggy: technological tools for many biomedical UW the past 14 years. The next step will be A Journey from Tumor Viruses to Insect applications. His talk focused on a 25-year to translate that effort to the private sector Cell Biotechnology.” effort to create insect cell and insect-based Working with Jarvis in his UW labo- Jarvis gave the talk in March at the platforms to produce vaccines, therapeu- ratory are postdoctoral research associates UW Agriculture Auditorium and at the tics, and diagnostic testing reagents. Hideaki Mabashi-Asazuma, from Tokyo, UW Outreach Center in Casper. A committee of the series’ previous Japan; Gagan Gahlay, New Delhi, India; Jarvis discussed his progression honorees nominates candidates, and the Christoph Geisler, Heerlen, The Nether- through undergraduate and graduate work selected faculty member is asked to pre- lands; Chi-Hung Lin, Taipei, Taiwan; and and the wishes of his parents to receive pare a public presentation on a topic of Ann Toth, Tolland, Conn. the highest education. He talked of the national interest. Other former UW students and staff who basic and applied aspects of his efforts to The criteria for selection include a made key contributions leading to the estab- translate his research to the private sector long-term national recognition for re- lishment of GlycoBac LLC were Jason Hol- by creating new biotechnology companies. search or creative activity and the ability lister, graduate student from Texas, and Jared His graduate studies on polio viruses to communicate with all members of the Aumiller, research assistant from Rock Springs. and human tumor viruses unexpectedly university community.

ed, I’m the glue that holds things together, have made significant contributions and trouble around the corner. So, my perspec- and I push our team to a high standard of haven’t gotten the recognition they deserve. tive is that all the recent recognition has proficiency and accomplishment. I believe “I’m absolutely thrilled and honored been just great, but it’s not all due to what that once you start something you do your to have gotten all this recognition on I’ve done. There is always another chal- best to finish.” behalf of all those who have contributed lenge just around the corner, and I hope There are many others doing the ex- to our overall lab effort. But, as my friend I’m lucky enough to hold the team together periments, washing the test tubes, he says, (Professor) David Fay says, I have a De- long enough to be able to overcome those and in this team effort there are people who pression Era mentality – always expecting challenges.”

19 Today’s forecast: Cloudy with Discover Magazine features professor’s research into bacteria as catalyst for producing ice crystals that eventually become precipitation

By UW Public Relations thousands, of feet up in the wild blue yon- ary Franc, a professor of plant pathol- der. This realization that the atmosphere is Gogy and microbiologist, is one of a more biologically diverse than once thought growing number of scientists who believe casts new light on how weather patterns that living microbes – and not just dust – are occur and their potential effects on crop responsible for producing the ice crystals in production and harvest, and groundwater clouds that end up in precipitation. recharge. Franc’s research, along with other sci- “You have this whole chain of down- entists’ similar work around the nation, is stream effects. That’s why I think there profiled in Discover Magazine’s April 2012 is so much burgeoning interest in this,” issue cover story, “Life at the Edge of Space: Franc says. “People are seeing linkages, Do High-Flying Microbes Control Earth’s that there are many potential ramifications Weather?” of complicated bioprocesses. Bacteria have “The amount of different types of a profound influence on our lives that we microbial life present in the cloud droplets are barely scratching the surface at under- that make up a winter storm are amazing,” standing.” Franc’s interest in this bacteria-in-the- Franc says in the article. “There’s a whole Professor Gary Franc ecosystem going on in the clouds that’s clouds theory goes back decades. Coinci- largely undefined.” dentally, it was deeply influenced by UW researchers who came before him. In the Lower Freeze For years, conventional science said Temperatures mineral and soil dust, and perhaps soot par- mid-1960s, Gabor Vali, a Hungarian-born At the time, most scientists were testing ticles, swept by the wind miles up into the doctoral student and future UW professor, droplets in clean and sterile environments. clouds, formed ice crystals. These crystals, was studying physics at McGill University According to the article, Vali decided to in turn, are the first seeds for forming rain, in Montreal. Vali devoted his research to test muddy snow he collected from under snow, and hail. learning what unknown particles in clouds allowed ice to be nucleated at warmer tem- his children’s swing set. He soon learned Bacteria Thrive in Wild peratures and create rain or snow, according contaminated snow froze at 23 degrees Blue Yonder to the Discover Magazine article. During his Fahrenheit much more often than his clean Now, Franc and other scientists are experiments, Vali froze drops of rainwater or samples. When Vali added rotting leaves to gaining attention for their research, some snow, which froze at different temperatures, his experiment, the snow froze at 28 degrees of which goes back decades. The research based on what kinds of microbes were inside Fahrenheit – the warmest temperature at recognizes that bacteria and other microbes the droplets. which he had seen drops freeze, according are thriving thousands, and even tens of

20 chance of microbe and bacteria flurries

to the article. In 1972, UW graduate stu- dent Richard Fresh identified a bacterium Professor Gary Franc –Pseudomonas syringae – in rotting leaves at the Storm Peak that triggered the ice. Laboratory near Steamboat Springs, “The science evolved, in my mind, Colorado. from some of the early researchers – Gabor Vali and Leroy Maki at UW – who found that some bacteria could be found in some of the ice nuclei,” Franc says. “It’s a coinci- dence I ended up here (at UW).” At the time of Vali’s discovery, Franc was an undergraduate student at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where doctoral student Steven Lindow – inde- pendent of Vali and Fresh – discovered P. syringae’s ability to nucleate ice at warm temperatures. During his college plant pathology irrigation water used to water potato fields Research Feeding Frenzy course, Franc says one of Lindow’s co-work- in Colorado. Through samples, he traced “Paul and I thought about this for ers demonstrated ice-nucleating bacteria by the potato pathogen to a nearby river and many years, and now it’s becoming sexy triggering freezing. then to headwaters in remote areas of the for people to start thinking that microbes “It really piqued my interest,” Franc re- Rockies. and biology can play a role in such a large calls. “I wondered, ‘For what reason would “If it (Erwinia) was in the headwaters, process like storms and weather,” Franc says. bacteria cause ice to form?’ What was the I figured it must be in the snowmelt,” Franc “The ice-nucleating part of the science is evolutionary pressure for that?” says. “I found it in snow. Snowpack comes almost like a feeding frenzy. There is a lot from storm systems that come from the to summarize and get out into the scientific Starts with Potatoes ocean. I found it in the ocean and rain.” community. We’re gathering data faster than As a doctoral student at Colorado As a professor, Franc later collabo- we can write.” State University, Franc got an opportunity rated with Paul DeMott, a senior research There are a handful of different bacte- to learn more. There, he studied a potato scientist in Colorado State University’s rial species capable of initiating ice forma- pathogen called Erwinia caratovora. Department of Atmospheric Science. The tion, he continues. “Although they each “I found it (Erwinia) in irrigation water two have worked together on a National may be potentially involved in atmospheric and traced it back to the ocean,” Franc says. Science Foundation-funded project for the precipitation processes, we have not deter- “I wondered if bacteria could be involved past three years that centers on research mined the extent to which they are involved in weather and be transported in storm studying biogenic nuclei in the atmosphere and have not determined if one species is systems. I believe that is the case.” and looking for bacteria in precipitation. more important to atmospheric precipita- For his dissertation, Franc began tion processes compared to another. The stringing the clues together, starting with research needs to be carefully conducted.”

21 Thurow receives prestigious Ellbogen teaching honor elating course work to real-life situa- “He has a unique Rtions and dedication to students are only a few attributes that earned Professor ability to bring his Tom Thurow in the Department of Eco- system Science and Management this year’s personal experiences John P. Ellbogen Meritorious Classroom Teaching Award. into the lessons and “Tom Thurow is consistently rated by the highest proportion of students taking help fill the gap from his courses as in the top 10 percent of in- class-based theory to structors on campus,” notes Professor John Tanaka, head of the department. real-world application.” The award was established in 1977 by businessman John P. “Jack” Ellbogen, to Brandon Reynolds “foster, encourage, and reward excellence Professor Tom Thurow former student in classroom teaching at UW.” Other recipients this year are Nicole His courses do not earn a student’s love lives and helping to maintain a sustainable Lamartine, assistant professor in the De- for being easy but for developing profession- environment,” says Reddy. partment of Music, and Cameron Wright, alism, she adds. “Tom helps students see the Thurow promotes long-term learning associate professor in the Department of larger picture and their own fit into a broad and understanding, says Melanie Matthews, Electrical and Computer Engineering. array of natural resource professions. Then, a former graduate student of Thurow. Thurow joined UW in 1999 as depart- he gives them the tools and critical thinking “He frequently explains concepts ment head after five years as an associate skills to become professionals,” she says. through real-life anecdotes facilitating professor at Texas A&M University. He Peers have also been mentored. recollection and comprehension,” she says. returned to a non-administrative position Professor K.J. Reddy, who has received Other students talk about that. in 2005 conducting research and annually numerous awards for his teaching and re- “He has a unique ability to bring his teaching introduction to forest manage- search at UW, says he appreciated Thurow’s personal experiences into the lessons and ment, wildland watershed management, mentoring as he was establishing his teach- help fill the gap from class-based theory to ecological applications for wildland man- ing and research program. “His advice was real-world application,” says former student agement, and environment and natural both practical and profound,” he says. Brandon Reynolds. resources problems and restoration. He is a positive force in the life of any Adds Brian Sebade, former student and “He epitomizes what each of us should student, faculty member, or client who has now a University of Wyoming Extension be striving for in our courses,” adds Tanaka. the good fortune to interact with him in educator, “I found these real-world examples He excels in challenging and inspiring teaching, research, service, and administra- helped cement the ideas with students. It students and demonstrates a genuine com- tive roles, Reddy adds. was apparent he cared greatly about each mitment to provide the best experience “At the heart of what motivates this student’s education and always pointed out possible for students in range, says Professor positive energy is his profound desire to why it was important students give their best Ann Hild, a colleague in the department. be a force for good in improving people’s effort and paid attention in class.”

22 Wyoming agriculture fashioned state’s international reputation

hat famous bucking horse symbol Twithout Wyoming would be like Paris without the Eiffel Tower. The prairies, plains, and mountains and the people who labored here not only grew food and fiber but a Cowboy State image that became internationally known. Only about 7 percent – or 34,000 out of about 500,000 people – now live on Wyoming farms and ranches, but the symbol and state phrase endures. The fa- mous symbol is branded on coffee cups, football helmets, T-shirts, bumper stickers, billboards, and countless other items. The entire state, including UW, counts on agriculture, especially ranching, to up- hold the image used in many Wyoming marketing and branding campaigns, says Assistant Professor Dannele Peck. “Wyoming’s tourism campaigns College of Agriculture and Natural Resources student Ethan Oberst, front, of Findlay, Ohio, would be much less convincing without halters a horse. the occasional momma beef cow and calf State” or a cowboy guarding cattle on the Illinois’ state motto was “The Sucker State” – standing in the middle of a dirt road when lonesome prairie, notes Chris Bastian, an its origins are still debated – before it became tourists drive through,” says Peck, in the associate professor in the department. “The Land of Lincoln” in 1955. Its new moni- Department of Agricultural and Applied “Our brand is associated with a large ker was fortunate for public relations experts. Economics. “The power of Wyoming’s suite of characteristics and attributes that There are other examples, although not image depends on having real cowboys attract people to the state: rugged and hard- so dramatic. and farmers out on the ground, getting working individualism, a simpler way of “A public relations company asked their boots dirty, living by the code of the life, wide-open spaces, cattle roundups and people what they thought of when they West – or the ‘Cowboy Ethic.’” rodeos, camping, fishing, wildlife watching thought of Delaware,” says Associate Proud Wyoming National Guards- and mountains,” he says. Professor Cindy Price in the Depart- men sported a bucking horse insignia on There has to be consistent follow- ment of Communication and Journalism. their uniforms while traversing World through to maintain the power of that “People either said they couldn’t think War I battlefields. In 1936, in an effort to brand, he says. If not, prices charged for and of anything, or they said the state was stop license plate counterfeiting, the state quantity of tourist goods and services could small. When they think of Wyoming, it’s copyrighted then slapped the bucking horse fall, translating into lost revenues. a cowboy. Our state has an identity and insignia on Wyoming vehicles. Wyoming’s popular slogan differs from that identity translates into economic People just don’t think “Cowboy some other states and mottos. At one time, benefit when people visit here.”

23 Professor Stephen Ford Spring 2012 Faculty Series Speaker award recipient

rofessor and Rochelle Chair Stephen PFord was the Spring 2012 Award Re- cipient of the Faculty Senate Speaker Series. His presentation “You Are What Your Mothers Ate” was given at the UW/Casper College Center and on the UW campus in April. Most people have heard the old adage, “You are what you eat.” Ford would alter that slightly to “You are what your mother or grandmother ate.” Ford drew from results of studies con- Faculty Senate President Warrie Means, associate professor in the Department of ducted with cattle and sheep at the Center Animal Science, helps Professor Stephen for the Study of Fetal Programming for his Ford, right, prior to his Faculty Senate presentation. According to test results, it Speaker Series presentation. doesn’t appear to matter whether female sheep or cattle were underfed or overfed during pregnancy in order for the females Ford gave credit to fellow UW faculty interesting across all majors and disciplines to pass on serious postnatal health issues to members and visiting scientists; post-doc- across campus.” their offspring. toral, graduate and undergraduate students “We have developed very relevant bo- These results on animals are similar to and technical staff with both agricultural vine models of maternal undernutrition and what medical researchers throughout the and biomedical backgrounds; and an ongo- overnutrition/obesity, which has allowed us world have found in babies born to under- ing collaboration with Peter Nathanielsz, a to obtain specific insights into the physi- nourished or overnourished mothers. These professor at the University of Texas Health ological mechanisms whereby maternal babies were more prone to health problems Science Center at San Antonio, Center for malnutrition leads to health problems of – including obesity, insulin resistance, type Pregnancy and Newborn Research. offspring in postnatal life,” Ford says. “The II diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascu- Doug Hixon, head of the animal sci- research has implications both for improv- lar disease – later in life. ence department, says he nominated Ford ing the quality of livestock offspring and in “I am very happy that the research, for the award because of Ford’s research the birth of normal, healthy babies.” conducted over the last decade at the on the potential human health impacts of Ford accepted his position after serving Center for the Study of Fetal Program- maternal obesity during a woman’s early as a faculty member of the Department of ming, is finally being highlighted to the pregnancy; specifically the subsequent de- Animal Science at Iowa State University for university community,” Ford says. “The velopment of diabetes (in the newborn) 23 years. Upon his arrival at UW in 2001, goal of the center is to better understand after the baby becomes an adult. Ford established the Center for the Study of the impacts of maternal malnutrition “There is a lot of interest now on the Fetal Programming. Ford is a reproductive (over- and undernutrition) on fetal impact of early pregnancy (in humans) physiologist by training. Prior to that, Ford growth and development, as well as on and what we end up realizing in later life,” was a research physiologist at the Roman L. postnatal health, growth efficiency, and Hixon says. “I thought that this (subject) Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center body composition.” was something that would be extremely in Clay Center, Nebraska.

24 Stahl receives UW’s 2012 Faculty Award for Internationalization ete Stahl learned the value of • Stahl and other UW scientists Pinternational relations from are developing a program his grandfather, a Spaniard who on international watershed worked his way to the New World hydrology and ecosystem res- by rolling cigars in Havana in toration science with faculty exchange for a ticket. members from Universidad Putting this knowledge into del Valle de Guatemala. action has been a hallmark of Anne Alexander, director of this year’s 2012 Faculty Award International Programs at UW, for Internationalization recipi- says Stahl’s most outstanding ent. Professor Stahl has pursued international work is a collabora- research that has had real-world tive partnership he has developed consequences for people across with Tribhuvan University in Wyoming and the globe and Kathmandu, Nepal. She says the expanded opportunities for Wyo- partnership began as a memoran- ming students to study abroad. Professor Pete Stahl dum of understanding that has The award was established in grown into a model program of 2001 by the UW International international cooperation. Board of Advisers to recognize excellence in promot- “Through this program, the number of Nepalese ing international activities at UW. students at UW has grown to the second-largest inter- A professor of soil ecology and director of the national student population on campus,” Alexander Wyoming Reclamation and Restoration Center, says. “The research that Dr. Stahl has coordinated his research seeks to improve technologies for land with his colleagues in Kathmandu has led to several reclamation and ecosystem restoration in sagebrush major publications, visiting scholar exchanges, and steppe ecosystems. results that will improve reclamation practices across Stahl has developed collaborative relationships several continents, including in two similarly situated with colleagues worldwide: mountain regions, Nepal and Wyoming.” • Working with colleagues from the Czech Republic, His colleagues in the United States and abroad he has examined recovery of soil organisms on re- praise him both as a first-rate scientist and a true claimed surface coal mines in Wyoming, Canada, diplomat and ambassador of Wyoming. Australia, Germany, and the Czech Republic. “He serves as a role model for UW faculty and • He has developed, with colleagues from UW staff members and students in his pursuit of solutions and Peabody Energy, an international exchange to common global problems,” Alexander says. program to train students from Mongolia and Stahl joined the UW faculty in 2000. He received Wyoming in the latest technologies and manage- a bachelor’s degree in 1978 in agriculture from Okla- ment practices in reclamation and restoration. homa State University, and his master’s and Ph.D in botany from UW in 1982 and 1989, respectively.

25 program notes

Agricultural AQ competition in Phoenix, and Applied Arizona, in July. Professor Stephen Ford was Economics the Spring 2012 Faculty Senate Master’s student Alex Gor- Speaker Series Award recipient. ski will present results of his car- Steve is the Rochelle Chair in the bon capture and strorage system department and is a reproductive economics research during the biologist who serves as director 2012 International Advanced at the Center for the Study of Coal Technologies Conference Fetal Programming at UW. His in Xi’an, ShaanXi Province in presentation, entitled “You Are China this June. What Your Mother Ate,” was Gorski, of Meadville, Penn- given at the UW/Casper College Professor sylvania, for his master’s thesis Tom Foulke Center April 17 and the UW conducted an economic analysis Stephen Ford campus on April 26. of the carbon capture and storage system at the Jim Bridger Power portunities, and economics of outstanding students have the ecosystem Plant near Rock Springs, says his low-carbon technology and coal opportunity to purchase a text- Tom Foulke science and adviser, , a research conversion alternatives for fuels, book of their choice for up to a scientist in the department. The products, and chemicals. $150 value as a result of being management research focuses on the patented recipients of this award. “We are all getting used to SequesTech carbon dioxide min- The Department of Ani- our new department name and eralization process developed mal Science’s 2012 Academic we hope you are as well,” says by Professor K.J. Reddy in the Animal Science Quadrathlon (AQ) competition Professor John Tanaka, head of Department of Ecosystem Sci- The Department of Ani- took place March 30-31 on the the department. “We still do ence and Management. Flue gas mal Science recognized four UW campus. Three, four-mem- rangeland ecology and water- and fly ash combine in a reactor outstanding senior students as ber teams participated in this shed management, soil science, to mineralize carbon dioxide, recipients of their 2012 Senior year’s contest, which was com- and entomology. Our faculty resulting in a potentially low- Honor Book Award based upon prised of a written exam, an oral members and students have been cost carbon dioxide sequestra- their academic achievements and presentation, a lab practicum, recognized with several awards.” tion solution. Overall costs and extracurricular activities. and a Quiz Bowl competition. Professor Thomas Thurow per-ton carbon dioxide costs are They includedBrice Mc- The winning team was Rebecca hit a trifecta with the College estimated for the carbon capture Intosh, an ag education/animal Vraspir, an ANVS major in of Agriculture and Natural Re- and storage system. and veterinary science (ANVS) the production and business sources Outstanding Educa- The UW School of Energy concurrent major from Wheat- double option from Emerson, tor Award, the University of Resources with colleagues at the land; Stephanie Schroeder, Nebraska; Lauren Schier- Wyoming’s John P. Ellbogen ShaanXi Provincial Institute of an ANVS major in the pre-vet miester, an ANVS major in the Outstanding Classroom Teacher Energy Resources and Chemical option from Douglas; Saralyn business option from Buffalo; Award, and the Society for Engineering will host the con- van Knapp Jennings, an ANVS Keah Cross, also an ANVS, Range Management and Range ference. The conference is de- major in the pre-veterinary business option student, from Science Education Council’s signed to continue collaboration medicine and business double Morrill, Nebraska; and Dexter Outstanding Undergraduate between Wyoming, ShaanXi, option, who is also in the Hon- Tomczak, an ANVS major in Teaching Award. and Queensland, Australia, on ors Program, from Burbank, the production option from Miranda Bryant (entomol- carbon capture and utilization California; and, Tori D. Walsh, Longmont, Colorado. These ogy) was recognized with the technologies, geological stor- an ANVS major in the pre-vet students will represent UW UW Internationalization Award age, enhanced oil recovery op- option from Green River. These in the 2012 Western Regional for Graduate Students. She is

26 The Wyoming Reclama- communities, and she acquired tion and Restoration Center a familiarity with ranching and has been very active throughout agriculture through the people the region, notes Tanaka. They she came to know in multiple recently completed a work- Wyoming communities, says shop in Utah that drew about Professor Donna Brown, head 130 reclamationists. WRRC of the department. “Chelsea will present a series of two-day also gained an understanding of Wyoming Regional Reclamation disabilities and support services Schools this summer across the through her education in social state. The first day of the school work, as well as her position as is a classroom presentation of job coach for persons with dis- Professor reclamation basics tailored to abilities,” says Brown. She may Tom Thurow the specific region of the state be reached at champto4@uwyo. Chelsea Hampton in which it is presented. The edu or (307) 766-3052, and is second day is taught in the field in room 107 in the College of and discusses pre-disturbance Agriculture Building. recipient at the same event. site assessment and inventory, Several senior students in As the elderly population including soils, vegetation, and the textiles and merchandising/ grows over the next several wildlife. A regional school was apparel design option within decades, elder financial exploi- in Powell in May. Other schools the department have had suc- tation, the most prevalent form are in Rock Springs on June cesses in competitive garment of elder abuse and the most 27-28, in Ucross July 11-12, design. Three students had under-reported, is expected to and in Laramie on August 15- designs accepted as finalists for escalate. Because elder financial 16. Registration is $50 for both the juried Textiles and Design exploitation can be a painful days or $30 for one day. Lunch Showcase at the American Asso- family secret, there is relatively is provided both days. For more ciation of Family and Consumer little available data, notes Brown. information on the topics and Caley Gasch Sciences National Conven- A particularly pernicious form registration, go to www.uwyo. tion in Indianapolis this June: of financial exploitation is abuse edu/wrrc/workshops. Morgan Martin designs Purple of powers of attorney (POA). working in Ecuador with Profes- Mountain Majesty and Ferum Research conducted by Professor Kati sor Scott Shaw. Professor Pete Surgentes were selected; Virginia Vincenti and two Uni- Stoll Stahl was recognized with the Family and , the 2011 Undergraduate versity of Wisconsin-Madison UW Internationalization Award Consumer Best of Show winner’s design researchers will use in-depth, for Faculty. Beaute Feroce was selected; and open ended (phenomenologi- Sciences Michelle Adams’ Renee King was recognized design Busi- cal) interviews to gather data on with the National Association of Wyoming AgrAbility wel- ness is a Jungle was chosen. Mar- POA financial exploitation of College Teachers in Agriculture comed new project coordinator tin’s design Retro Hope was the elder family members. The goal Chelsea Hampton Outstanding Graduate Student last spring. winner of the recent Condom is to reduce the problem and the Teacher Award. Chelsea has lived all over Wyo- Couture event on campus guest negative impact on the lives of Caley Gasch, a Ph.D. stu- ming but considers her home judged by the Project Runway elders and their families. dent in ecology, won third place to be the Greybull/Cody area. all-stars winner Mondo Guerra, for her poster in the Front Range Her experiences and education and Stoll’s design Live Joyfully Ecology Symposium at Colo- have cultivated an understand- was selected as second place rado State University. ing and appreciation of rural and the People’s Choice award

27 program notes

Plant Sciences promoted the use of Australian ley farming for dryland wheat Plants provide a great di- production in southeast Wyo- versity of useful materials and ming. This is a method of crop chemical compounds in addi- rotation in which nitrogen-fixing tion to food for humans and forage legumes are planted in animals. Faculty members in the alternation with winter wheat. department are similarly diverse During their rotation period, in their research interests, notes forage legumes enrich the soil, department head and Associate provide feed for animals, and Professor Steve Herbert. make productive use of the land Valtcho Jeliazkov is an as- while populations of specific sociate professor recently hired wheat pests are allowed to die into plant sciences. He is also Professor Associate Professor down. Jim has also explored the the director of the Sheridan David Fay Valtcho Jeliazkov production of biodiesel feed- Research and Extension Center stock crops in Wyoming, includ- on Wyarno Road east of Sheri- fuming the air and waiting to ing camelina, brown mustard, Molecular dan. Valtcho’s research spans have new knowledge extracted and canola. “Jim’s active partici- Biology many aspects of horticulture, from them, says Herbert. His pation in our department will be one of which is the production Professor David Fay re- research involves horticultural missed, but we look forward to and use of medicinal and aro- ceived the Distinguished Gradu- and biofuel crops. Valtcho is a continuing relationship with matic plants. In a recent series ate Faculty Mentor Award. Fay also field-testing peppermint, him as an emeritus member of of papers, Valtcho showed that is director of the Molecular and spearmints, sweet wormwood, our faculty,” notes Herbert. wastewater produced by distilla- Cellular Life Sciences Program. and other essential oil plants as tion of essential oils from some “The award is among the new cash crops for Wyoming. In aromatic plants may be used university’s highest faculty hon- addition to his research, Valtcho Veterinary as foliar spray for spearmints ors, recognizing outstanding has also developed two new Sciences and peppermint. Utilizing this faculty commitment to graduate horticulture classes by which to wastewater this way improved A new course co-taught by mentoring,” notes Andrew Han- share his expertise. One of the the growth of the plants and the animal science and veterinary sen, associate provost for Under- classes is titled Organic Food modified their oil composition sciences departments expands op- graduate and Graduate Studies Production. The other is Herbs, by means of the plant hormones portunities for students interested at UW. “It is testimony to his Spices, and Medicinal Plants. and oil precursors remaining in horses and the equine industry, remarkable leadership skills and Both are taught by distance in the water. In another study, says Professor William Laegreid, dedication to the University of methods from Sheridan. Valtcho analyzed the composi- head of the department. Wyoming.” Professor James Krall re- tion and antimicrobial activity Equine Health and Disease The award carries a $5,000 tired this year after more than 30 of oils extracted from lavender (PATB/ANSC 4111) is an upper honorarium. years of service to the University and hyssop plants. division course for students Fay’s laboratory studies the of Wyoming. In this time, Jim Since his arrival in Sheridan, interested in equine science. molecular and genetic mecha- authored or co-authored 66 Valtcho has collected hundreds Coordinated and taught by nisms that govern animal devel- refereed publications and 45 of samples from medicinal and senior lecturer Amy McLean opment. One research focus is invited presentations. He also aromatic plants growing at the (animal science) and Professor understanding the consequences released 10 new crop varieties center and in the surrounding Donal O’Toole (veterinary sci- to human health that occur and was the recipient of the 2007 mountains. They hang from ences), this course complements when the normal functions of Wyoming Crop Improvement the rafters of the historic barn other equine science courses, developmental genes are dis- Association Excellence in Service adjacent to his laboratory, per- such as nutrition and physiol- turbed. Award. In recent years, Jim has ogy, management, behavior

28 and welfare, and evaluation and but there are plenty of exciting selection, notes Laegreid. developments to include in the Twenty-seven students en- bulletin,” notes Hess. “All of us rolled in its inaugural offering. at the Wyoming AES are anxious In addition to core lectures on to explain the latest results of health and disease, students our work, and we certainly look heard from three invited speakers forward to seeing you at one or to address lameness and lower more of our field days.” limb amputation (veterinarian Ted Vlahos, Sheridan Equine Hospital), foot problems (Mike UW Extension Sussex, a Wyoming farrier), and Joeli CrazyThunderjoined complementary medicine (vet- Amy McLean AES Director Bret Hess the Wind River Reservation erinarian Vicki Burton, Heal- extension office in March and ing Ways veterinary practice). will work for the next year as the Students completed the course by O’Toole (a diagnostic pa- summer is a period in which part-time 4-H program assistant with oral and written presenta- thologist in the Wyoming State the centers take the opportunity on the Wind River Indian Res- tions on diverse topics including Veterinary Laboratory in addi- to communicate much of their ervation. Joeli is taking classes Hendra virus encephalomyelitis, tion to his research and teaching hard work to the public through at Central Wyoming College the ancient practice of firing in- interests) to focus on diseases of demonstrations at field days.” in Riverton. She was a Fremont jured tendons, seasonal pasture food animals alone. The food A Field Days Bulletin will ac- County 4-H member while in myopathy, clenbuterol use for animal disease course will be company field day demonstra- high school. She will be working horses with chronic obstruc- amended to include poultry and tions to give attendees a chance with extension staff members to tive pulmonary disease, and an swine, beef and dairy cattle, and to follow along with speakers. administer the 4-H Tribal Youth iris-based horse identification small ruminants. The bulletin includes two-page Mentoring Program and devel- system. research summaries highlight- oping afterschool programs. The course will be offered ing activities at all the centers. Hannah Swanbom began each spring. In 2013, the class Publishing all of the centers’ in April as the new community will go from its two-credit form Agricultural activities in a single document development education area ed- to a three-credit class and will be Experiment gives participants up-to-date ucator based in Natrona County. offered to upper division under- She will also provide educational Station access to research information graduates and graduate students. from all four centers. The first programming in Converse and There is considerable in- The amazingly beautiful field day is Tuesday, July 17, at Niobrara counties. She gradu- terest among students in the spring weather we had brings the Powell Research and Ex- ated in December 2009 with a college in terms of pursuing hopes of a bountiful 2012 grow- tension Center. The James C. bachelor’s degree in sociology careers within the equine in- ing season, notes Bret Hess, Hageman Sustainable Research from Iowa State University. She dustry. McLean also serves as associate dean and director and Extension Center field day completed her master’s degree equine extension specialist. Her of the Wyoming Agricultural and open house is Thursday, in agriculture majoring in ag- students have opportunities to Experiment Station.“Our re- August 23. The Laramie Re- ricultural extension education learn about equine including searchers and staff members search and Extension Center’s and graduated in May from gaining hands-on experience in at the Wyoming Agricultural Greenhouse Complex will host Iowa State University. Hannah the industry in general through Experiment Station and its an open house the following grew up in Colorado and says an internship program. The four research and extension week. “A field day has not yet she is excited to return to the equine diseases class was devel- centers likewise look forward to been scheduled for the Sheridan West, notes Susan James, federal oped in part to allow another the growing season with much Research and Extension Center, relations and staff development class (PATB 4110/5110) taught anticipation,” he says. “The coordinator.

29 program notes

• Why is that class im- portant? • Isn’t earning my degree enough for employers? • Shouldn’t I hold out for that perfect job? “Our faculty members do their best to communicate with students about the qualities employers seek in graduates, and this project reinforces that with direct messages from the employers themselves,” says Associate Dean Joeli CrazyThunder Hannah Swanbom Jim Wangberg, associate dean and director of the office. “We Jim Wangberg appreciate these advisory board Sara Fleenor began as the education. Her graduate research member’s interest in student Harriet M. Hageman of Hage- 4-H youth educator in Crook investigated Arizona’s senior 4-H career placement.” man & Brighton, P.C. County in April. A Crook Coun- members’ perception of life skill The videos grew from con- “All participants of the ty native, Sara was a nine-year development. She is a 4-H and versations with Ken Hamilton, Alumni Advice videos are gradu- 4-H member in the county. FFA alumna and brings strong executive vice president with ates from either the College of She has an associate’s degree in experience to the Teton County Wyoming Farm Bureau Federa- Agriculture and Natural Re- general agriculture from Laramie program, notes James. tion, Jason Fearneyhough, di- sources, College of Arts and Sci- County Community College, rector, Wyoming Department of ences, College of Business, or the received a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture, and Kara Brighton, College of Law,” says Jones. “All agricultural communications Academic partner, Hageman & Brighton, value their UW education and in 2000, and in 2002 a master’s P.C., during a College of Agri- Wyoming roots and expressed degree in public administration and Student culture and Natural Resources their desire to be of assistance to from the University of Wyo- Programs advisory board meeting, says any UW student as they begin Ann Jones ming. She has worked in higher University of Wyoming , assistant director their professional careers.” education since 2003 in sev- alumni, including those from the for the Center for Advising and eral positions at Laramie County College of Agriculture and Natu- Career Services. Community College. Her strong ral Resources, suggest in videos “Each expressed an interest College in the career committee and in youth background will be an ways students can be successful Relations asset to the Crook County 4-H in their job searches. seeking ways to “give back” to program, says James. The videos, at http://bit.ly/ UW students,” says Jones. Each Earlier this spring, the col- Amanda Zamudio began I35mz7, offer advice on several is now in a hiring position and lege mourned the passing of May 30 as the 4-H youth educa- topics, including: more fully understand what skills two long-time faculty members: tor in Teton County. Zamudio • What skills do employ- and qualities new candidates former department head of has a bachelor’s degree in animal ers really want? should possess to be successful in family and consumer sciences Margaret Boyd Tom Dunn science and graduated cum laude • Life after graduation the job market, she notes. and , in August 2011 from the Univer- is intimidating; am I The project grew to include a long-time faculty member in Dominique Giroux sity of Arizona. She is completing ready for my first real , member- animal sciences and former dean her master’s degree in agricultural job? ship coordinator at Wyoming of graduate studies at UW. Dur- Farm Bureau Federation, and ing their tenures, Margaret and

30 Tom helped thousands of people In 2004, large numbers who graduated decades ago, or through teaching, research, and of elk in the Red Rim area of people who have worked with an outreach. Often, when I talk southern Wyoming started to exceptional extension educator, with alumni or others, they relate die. While looking for potential will effortlessly remember these stories about a faculty member or answers, a faculty member read people as someone who made a extension educator who made a a 1953 Agricultural Experiment difference in their lives. difference in their education, Station bulletin by Dr. O.A. In this issue of Ag News, businesses, or lives. This is still Beath. This publication, Poison- Dean Frank Galey highlights the true today. ous Plants and Livestock Poison- 150th anniversary of the legisla- Recently, I had three stu- ing, helped the Wyoming State tion that created the land-grant dents to my house who were hav- Veterinary Laboratory identify college system. Together, the ing trouble baking successfully lichen as a probable cause of Morrill Act and the Wyoming at 7,200 feet. What book did I the outbreak. Laboratory re- Territorial Legislature created show them? High Altitude Bak- searchers, with some help from Director of College Relations the University of Wyoming. The ing by Margaret Boyd. Originally a former UW faculty member, Anne Leonard College of Agriculture and Natu- published in 1965 by Margaret helped the college tackle a cur- ral Resources is fortunate to have Boyd and Mayme Schoonover, rent problem. This is an example students passionate about their it is as relevant today as it was of applied research’s impact and or good science, or applying sci- education, citizens who believe then. Not only did we success- importance. ence to practical problems. They in our work, and faculty mem- fully bake gingerbread, but UW My colleagues do not focus view them as equally important. bers who are equally dedicated helped three Wyoming citizens exclusively on the importance This is why those students who to teaching and disseminating solve a problem. of access to higher education, graduated in May, like the alumni useful knowledge to all citizens.

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AG NEWS Senior Editor: Steve Miller • Layout and Design: Tana Stith • The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution

UW Extension publications receive top national awards Magazines and publica- CONNECT, published The publications are pro- munications contest during its tions produced by the Uni- annually, received a silver award duced by Tana Stith, office man- winter meeting: versity of Wyoming Extension for four-color popular publica- ager, Steve Miller, editor, and • Ag News, published three received gold, silver, and bronze tions. The magazine showcases Bernadette van der Vliet, graphic times yearly, was runner-up awards from the international examples of University of Wyo- designer, in the Office of Com- in publications. The maga- Association for Communica- ming Extension educators en- munications and Technology. zine features people and tion Excellence (ACE) and gaging the people of Wyoming. The Association for Com- programs in the college. received runner up and third- Entry evaluations are based on munication Excellence in Ag- • Barnyards & Backyards maga- place honors from the Wyo- the same criteria. riculture, Natural Resources, zine placed third in publica- ming Press Association (WPA). Reflections, published an- and Life and Human Sciences tions. Barnyards & Backyards nually, received a bronze award is an international association of Other awards were: magazine, published quar- in electronic publications. The communicators, educators, and • Van der Vliet, second in page terly, received the top award for magazine highlights the teach- information technologists. It layout and design for the magazines and periodicals from ing, research, and outreach offers professional development publication “Impacts 2010,” ACE. Barnyards & Backyards efforts of faculty and staff mem- and networking for individuals which highlights efforts of provides information from land bers in the College of Agricul- who extend knowledge about educators and specialists in resource professionals to be of ture and Natural Resources. agriculture, natural resources, extension. help to small-acreage landown- Electronic publications are and life and human sciences. • Miller, second place in maga- ers in Wyoming. evaluated on overall ease of use, The awards were presented at its zine writing for an Ag News Entries are evaluated for design, editorial quality, content annual conference June 11-14 feature about retired pro- content, editorial quality for- delivery, appropriate use of elec- in Annapolis, Maryland. fessor Larry Held in the mat, graphics, photography, tronic techniques, and appeal to Awards received in the Department of Agricultural design, and reproduction. the intended audience. WPA Associate’s Group com- and Applied Economics.