*Photo Above: University of Wyoming officials tour the Rocky Mtn. Power Plant in Kemmerer. Pres. Ed Seidel was part of the group touring the plant, coal mine and proposed nuclear site. The trip also included a stop at the Soda Ash production in Sweetwater County.

After touring and meeting with key companies and leaders in Southwest Wyoming on an extensive three-day tour, June 14, 15 and 19, University of Wyoming Pres. Ed Seidel advised a gathering in Kemmerer the school is focusing on deliverables as it pertains to business in the states.

“We’re not just doing pointed headed research”, he said. “We are looking at things that have economic output, things that advance the economy and things the prepare a student for jobs in this state.”

The University President made the comments following a two-day tour that included  conversations with companies and employees involved with soda ash, nuclear power, coal and an electric power in southwest Wyoming.  Stops included Genesis Alkali near Green River and the TerraPower Nuclear site, Kemmerer Operations Coal and Rocky Mountain Power, all associated with Kemmerer.

“I want to make a couple of points that are heart felt,” he told the Kemmerer gathering. “I have had a few different jobs where I have worked on economic development and how a university can have impact on the state.” He continued, “I wake up every day thinking about what we can do at the university to help advance the state. We are focused on energy and extraction and do the best we can to do that better and stronger than ever.”

He added the question, “How do we use technology to expand existing technologies in the state? We are really interested in that.”

The university president added, “And, what do we do to expand digital literacy. If you are English major, an elementary ed major or a business major, you can have a minor in computing. You can learn the digital skills you need and how they apply to that area. And, you employable and you can help move the state forward.”

Referencing new technology, “We want to bring that to Wyoming and we make sure everyone understands what it is and what we can do with it to help advance our state. It’s only about advancing our state, we are focused on that.”

Additional stops included Fossil Butte National Monument near Kemmerer and the Intermittent Spring by Afton.

“We went out to Fossil Butte; I really loved Fossil Butte,” he said. “What can we do to enhance that activity. Take it and advance the tourism around that.”

Dr. Seidel concluded, “The initiative — advancing hospitality to grow the tourism into the state and so there is a more vibrant economy — We want to do things to advance the state.”