June 17, 2021 Meeting Summary

Presiding: Steve Morgan

Meeting Room setup/takedown and general problem solving: Ron Van Ekeren & Tom Mangan

Professor’s Quote: George Gill

Introduction of Guests: Amanda Givan

Guests: Prospective member Quique Girones

Visiting Rotarians: Michelle Tilley

Rotaract/Interact Students:

Foundation Drawing: Tom Wolfe won $10.

O’Dwyers Drawing: Tim Eisenhauer

 

 

Rotarian of the Week: Steve Morgan nominated Rebecca Miller for participating in Leadership Laramie this year; John Bard nominated Todd Pearson for being a softball coach.  

 

 

 

Introduction: Tony Hoch

 

John Koprowski is the new dean of the Haub School. He started in late 2020 during COVID-19.

 

Koprowski discussed natural resources and the incredible connection Wyomingites have with nature. Everyone in Wyoming has a connection to the land, which is very unique and not the same in other states.

 

He does a lot of wildlife conservation work through research worldwide. Koprowski uses the purple bike approach to making a difference at the Haub School.

 

For example, he is involved in research in the Andes where the team is working to minimize conflict between wildlife and coffee farms.

 

There is now Andean bear safe coffee and Andean bear safe beef. This means these producers can charger more for the products because they are a verified vendor that allows the bears to move freely in their areas.

 

There is also work with Ganges River dolphins in Nepal and elephants and rhinos in Africa.

 

The dolphin research was with the World Wildlife Foundation. These dolphins live in freshwater. The problem was that the dams in this area generate power, but have caused significant change to river life. Because of this runoff is decreased so there are only shallow pools for the dolphins to inhabit and hunt for food.

 

This in turn has affected fishing. Dolphins often get caught in nets. The research is working to minimize this conflict.

 

Koprowski has also worked on projects where they work with a local community to transition the economy in an effort to increase capacity for the community.

 

In relation to the dolphin research, the research team worked to bring more people to the community through tourism to increase connections and build a different revenue source.

 

During this research, Koprowski met a family with a purple bike. The purple bike was used to take their kid to a school 21 miles away daily. The ability of the research group to help provide this bike made a big difference and allowed the group to connect to the local community.

 

In South Africa, there is an anti-poaching group made entirely of women. These women work 7 days on and 3 days off. To be part of this group generates civic pride.

 

Koprowski hopes to use some of the research from these projects to work statewide. There is a tiger and leopard project in Nepal that is based on a Wyoming pronghorn project.

 

At UW, Koprowski wants to encourage excellent enrollment and provide an innovative degree program. The Haub School has consistently doubled its numbers in its 12 years. It has a new Masters Degree in Environment, Natural Resources, and Society. It will also have a new collaborative space.

 

The Haub School is working to connect with leading economic drivers in Wyoming, and recently acquired an endowed chair.

 

The school has three Bachelor’s Degrees and several minors. It will offer more online offerings for continuing education and will welcome the return of inter-experiential courses.

 

The Carol & Ramon Tome Scholars to Fellows Program includes a top 10 great lecture series, a scholarship program, and an eventual fellowship program.

 

Response: Caitlin White

Of the things we think, say, or do

•Is it the Truth?

•Is it Fair?

•Will it build Good Will and Better Friendships?

•Will it be Beneficial to All Concerned?

 

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Spoke Editor: Caitlin White, 307-630-1965, cwhite@acplwy.org