The University of Wyoming (UW) has announced the creation of a $1 million endowment to support petroleum engineering students, made possible by a $500,000 pledge from Joseph and Stephanie Leimkuhler and a matching contribution from the State of Wyoming, The Way Ahead reports.
The newly established Joseph and Stephanie Leimkuhler Fund for Student Success in Petroleum Engineering will provide scholarships, assistantships, research funding, and hands-on learning experiences. The goal is to enhance graduate education in petroleum engineering, particularly in drilling engineering, while helping students gain real-world experience in the industry.
Joseph Leimkuhler, a UW alumnus and Chief Operating Officer of Beacon Offshore Energy, emphasized the importance of giving back to the institution that supported him.
“UW and the state of Wyoming were there for us when we needed help, and this gift, along with the State match, will ensure the same opportunity is there for future students as well,” Leimkuhler said.
The endowment aligns with UW’s “Top 5 in 5” initiative, an effort to elevate its Department of Energy and Petroleum Engineering to a top five national ranking within five years. This initiative focuses on workforce development, industry research, and contributing to Wyoming’s energy sector.
Vamegh Rasouli, UW’s LeNorman Endowed Leadership Chair of Petroleum Engineering, highlighted the significance of the fund for the state’s economy.
“The new students joining us will be key in shaping the future of technology for developing Wyoming’s shale plays and will help supply the state’s petroleum industry with its future workforce—a crucial role in a state where oil and gas drive the economy,” Rasouli said.
