The UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources hosted its annual
Ag Appreciation awards banquet Friday, Oct. 10. (UW Extension Photo)
The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
recognized exceptional alumni, valued partners and generous supporters of the college
at the 2025 Dean’s Legacy Dinner in Laramie Friday, Oct. 10. The annual event occurs
during Agriculture Appreciation weekend, a celebration of UW’s connection to the agricultural
community.
This year’s award recipients are outstanding alumni Alan Knapp, Dolly Watson and Wes
Watson; outstanding partner WEST Inc.; and legacy awardee Farm Credit Services of
America.
UW alumnus recognized as global leader in rangeland ecology
Alan Knapp earned both his master’s and doctoral degrees in botany from UW. At UW,
he laid the foundation for a career that would change how researchers understand and
manage rangelands on a global scale. Osvaldo Sala, a professor at Arizona State University,
describes Knapp as “the most influential rangeland ecologist of this generation.”
Knapp is currently a University Distinguished Professor at Colorado State University.
Known for his groundbreaking research on topics like precipitation variability and
land use, Knapp has published over 300 peer-reviewed papers, and his research has
been cited more than 48,000 times.
As a lifetime member of the UW Alumni Association, a mentor to Wyoming scientists
and a past board member of the Program in Ecology and Evolution, Knapp remains deeply
connected to UW.
Livestock entomologist develops innovative pest management solutions
Wes Watson, a native of Rawlins, earned his master’s degree in livestock entomology
from UW in 1984. Livestock entomology is the study of livestock insect pests, such
as bot flies or sheep ticks.
“(Watson) is an innovator and a leader — tackling emerging problems and pushing our
science into unexplored areas,” says Phillip Kaufman, a professor at Texas A&M University.
For example, Watson’s graduate research on cattle lice still informs Food and Drug
Administration protocols today. Watson also helped develop new pest management options,
including a walk-through fly vacuum system that provides a way for livestock producers
to control cattle pests organically.
Prior to retirement, Watson served as president of the Entomological Society of America
and head of the Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology at North Carolina State
University.
UW alumna develops new methods for studying soil microbiology
Dorothy “Dolly” Watson earned her bachelor’s degree in botany from UW in 1976 and
a master’s in agronomy in 1987. Her graduate committee chair, UW Professor Emeritus
Stephen Williams, still uses methods Watson outlined in her master’s thesis.
Watson’s research focused on arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, microscopic soil organisms
that connect to plant roots to improve nutrient uptake and soil health. Her research
helped confirm the importance of these organisms to plant health and she was often
called upon to identify samples for researchers across the country.
“Dolly brought not only technical expertise to our team, but also an unwavering dedication
to scientific integrity and discovery,” says Michelle Schroeder-Moreno, director of
the Center for Environmental Farming Systems at North Carolina State University.
Industry partnership supports student success, scientific discovery
Western EcoSystems Technology Inc. (WEST) has been an outstanding corporate partner
for UW and the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources. WEST offers
environmental and statistical consulting services both nationally and internationally
for projects focusing on ecology. The company’s specialties range from environmental
permitting, vegetation and reclamation to wetlands, water and wildlife research.
WEST was co-founded in 1990 by two researchers at UW: Lyman McDonald, a now-retired
professor of statistics and zoology, and Dale Strickland, who earned a Ph.D. in ecology
from UW in 1975.
WEST has employed 43 UW alumni over the years and has engaged in research collaborations
with UW on at least 10 different projects. WEST also has provided philanthropic support
to UW through the WEST Graduate Student Enrichment Fund for Quantitative Research
in Wildlife and Fisheries Ecology.
Mission-driven financial cooperative helps secure future of Wyoming agriculture
In a generous demonstration of its ongoing support of UW’s land-grant mission, Farm
Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) has established the Farm Credit Services of
America College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources Deanship at UW.
Endowed deanships are among the most prestigious and impactful gifts a university
can receive. They empower academic leaders to drive innovation, support faculty and
student success, and respond quickly and effectively to challenges and opportunities.
For the College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources, this means expanded
support for high-impact teaching, research and community engagement across critical
areas such as natural resource management, food systems, environmental stewardship
and rural resilience.
As Dean Kelly Crane notes, “Endowed deanships are game changers,” allowing the college
to attract exceptional talent and lead with vision. The FCSAmerica Deanship not only
elevates the college, but it also strengthens the university’s role as a national
leader among land-grant institutions.
This investment builds on FCSAmerica’s long-standing commitment to education and rural
prosperity in Wyoming and neighboring states. FCSAmerica’s support of UW affirms a
shared belief in preparing the next generation of agricultural innovators and problem-solvers.
About the UW College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
The University of Wyoming College of Agriculture, Life Sciences and Natural Resources
serves students and communities through innovative scholarship, research and outreach.
Guided by the land-grant principles of discovery and experiential learning, the college
facilitates meaningful educational opportunities in the classroom, laboratory and
community. The college offers degrees in the departments of agricultural and applied
economics, animal science, botany, ecosystem science and management, family and consumer
sciences, molecular biology, plant sciences, veterinary sciences, and zoology and
physiology. The college also offers degree programs in agricultural communications,
microbiology, and ranch management and agricultural leadership. To learn more, visit
www.uwyo.edu/uwag or call (307) 766-4133.
