Governor Matt Mead announced the appointment of a “task force on science and facilities” that will focus on improving science standards at the University of Wyoming on Friday, Aug. 22.
The task force is made up of accomplished scientists, industry leaders, lawmakers and other prominent Wyomingites, including Former Gov. Dave Freudenthal, according to the news release.
“These outstanding individuals have agreed to contribute their time and expertise to help UW,” Gov. Mead said. “These are some of our nation’s best and brightest. Their insights will be invaluable as we work for a top-tier program at UW.”
The group’s initial meeting is planned for Sept. 9 and 10 in Laramie, during which the collective will work alongside a team of senior UW faculty from several scientific departments, who have already been working on UW’s science initiative for several weeks.
Associate Professor Cyntia Weinig of UW’s Department of Botany and Molecular Biology is one of the professors charged with aiding the task force. Weinig said that she would like to first and foremost see the task force work toward improving science, technology, engineering and mathematics programs for undergraduates.
“Our two main objectives going into these meetings will be to enhance STEM programs for undergraduate students and to raise UW into the top quartile of schools that offer STEM undergraduate programs,” Weinig said.
She said she was initially approached about joining the meetings by Associate Dean Greg Brown of the UW College of Arts and Sciences. He will also serve as a member of the task force.
The task force also plans to focus on the remodeling and upgrading of UW’s laboratory facilities on campus and emphasizing research strengths that already exist.
“If Wyoming and its people are to prosper in an increasingly competitive global economy, UW’s students must be educated to meet head-on the challenges of that environment. And if Wyoming is to develop its own entrepreneurs and grow a diversity of businesses, then UW’s extraordinary scientific talent must have world-class laboratory facilities in which to teach and to undertake research,” UW President Dick McGinity said in the news release. “The university is delighted to work with the Governor’s Task Force to carry out this exciting, important project.”
The task force intends to have a report released by Nov. 1. Following the report, Gov. Mead will submit funding recommendations to the Wyoming Legislature’s Joint Appropriations Committee.
