New Cohort of Prestigious Tomé Scholars Selected at UW

Five incoming University of Wyoming undergraduate students who are associated with UW's Haub School of Environment and Natural Resources have been selected for the prestigious Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program, which provides transformational experiences for future leaders in the field of environment and natural resources.

The latest recipients will receive full-ride scholarships and additional support for one or more unique experiences, such as international field courses and community service. The program was established at UW in 2021 by a major gift from the Tomé Foundation.

The fourth class of Tomé Scholars, listed by hometown and area of planned studies, is:

-- Marcus Anderson, from Santa Cruz, Calif., environment and natural resources, and zoology.

-- Sidney Armbrust, of Cheyenne, environmental systems science, with minors in leadership, sustainability and entrepreneurship.

-- Hallie Cozzens, from Rock Springs, environment and natural resources, and international studies, with minors in Middle East and North Africa studies and honors.

-- Norah McDowell, of Seattle, environment and natural resources, and environmental systems science.

-- Bailey Yeager, of Buffalo, rangeland ecology and watershed management, environment and natural resources, and honors.

John Koprowski, dean of the Haub School, led the process to select a diverse group of students whose major areas of educational focus include a connection to environment or natural resources.

Tomé Scholars bring ambition, intelligence, drive and tenacity to their UW educational experience, which is designed to elevate their career opportunities to impact the world through expertise and leadership, Koprowski says. They also have access to a network of other Tomé Scholars across the country and will build a relationship with Carol and Ramon Tomé themselves. Following graduation, the students become Tomé Fellows, a community of Tomé Scholars.

The latest scholars make up the 2028 Tomé Scholars cohort and join three earlier cohorts already on campus.

Anderson has always wanted to work with animals, specifically reptiles. He will use his planned areas of study at UW to make a difference and, to achieve those goals, he wants to run a reptile park someday.

"There are several ways to promote positive social and ecological change," he says, noting the park would have three purposes.

Anderson's vision for his reptile park is to educate the public about reptiles; the second is to rescue and rehabilitate local reptiles; and the main purpose of the facility would be to function as a place where scientific research can be conducted.

"The research section of the park would allow people like me who are focused on environmental science to do so in a way that helps humanity," Anderson says.

When looking at the variety of environmental concerns that the world is facing today, Armbrust believes that people can create solutions to many of these growing issues, and she wants to be a part of finding and implementing those solutions. To do this, she plans to pursue higher education in environmental studies and business administration.

"I believe the knowledge of those two, together, will create the best opportunities for me to seek out and apply new solutions," Armbrust says. "Whether this is on a small or large scale, today, business is intertwined with the environment. Our world runs on businesses, from local to global; the economy is a forever-driving force of our society. I find it crucial that I become completely knowledgeable in both fields to create solutions that are truly applicable to our modern world."

Cozzens' greatest aspiration is to aid in the fight against world hunger, saying she wants to help everyone -- especially farmers and corporations -- adopt sustainable food-growing practices.

"My studies in environment and natural resources will not just prepare me to help farmers in countries across the world develop and integrate sustainable farming techniques; they also will help me decrease harmful farming practices and food, water and land waste," she says. "I look forward to a day when no person in any financial situation or country struggles to obtain food. And, I know I'll be a part of making it happen."

McDowell says she grew up environmentally conscious and says education is the key to reaching out to others in the hope that they become aware of the environment. But, she adds, change takes time -- sometimes generations. This is why she hopes to work with youth in both local and global communities to make the greatest impact -- to influence tomorrow's environmental leaders today.

"This is the way in which I would like to make an impact. I thrive in experiential learning and hands-on research. I want to be in the field," she says. "But then I would like to leverage my experience and educate others to bring about meaningful change in our world."

Not enough women are in the natural resource field, says Yeager, who wants to make a difference.

"As a woman, getting people to take my study choice seriously has been a fight. They don't see women in natural resources," Yeager says. "I want to be one of the people who changes that."

Yeager comes from several generations of ranchers, and the family has a history of land stewardship and caring about the environment.

"If you don't care for the land, the land wouldn't care for you or your livestock," Yeager says. "We always spend a lot of time outside with our livestock or doing the various chores that come from having them. We see the land change throughout the years, for the good and the bad. I care about following this legacy."

About the Tomé Scholars to Fellows Program

The program exists at seven institutions around the nation and supports opportunities to bring diverse students to campus whose major area of educational focus is on programs in science, technology, engineering, arts and/or math, including medicine and nursing.

About the Tomés

The Tomés are both alumni of UW, and Carol is a Wyoming native. At the time of the gift, the Tomés wanted this program to support a diverse student body to achieve an education that will make a difference in the lives of others.

The Tomés have given generously to UW since 1995. Their previous gifts include establishing the Carol and Ramon Tomé Student Admissions Center, located within the Marian H. Rochelle Gateway Center. Additionally, they have contributed to the Mick and Susie McMurry High Altitude Performance Center and the UW Alumni Association.

Carol currently serves as CEO of UPS. Ramon served as an environmental specialist for the Georgia Department of Natural Resources Air Protection Branch.

For more information, email the Haub School at [email protected].

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