In the 1980s, a UW master’s student in petroleum engineering received a state teaching assistantship that allowed him and his wife to support their young family—a gift of opportunity that helped launch his successful career. That student was Joseph “Joe” Leimkuhler. Now, together with his wife Stephanie, they are paying it forward by creating similar opportunities for today’s UW students.

“UW and the state of Wyoming were there for us when we needed help,” Leimkuhler says. “This gift , along with the state match, will ensure the same opportunity is there for future students as well.”

The Joseph and Stephanie Leimkuhler Fund for Student Success in Petroleum Engineering supports graduate assistantships, scholarships, research, and enrichment opportunities for petroleum engineering master’s students, with a focus on those specializing in drilling engineering. The state match doubles the endowment’s potential, amplifying the university’s ability to develop a strong and skilled workforce in the energy sector.

“This funding directly supports the department’s Top 5 in 5 initiative, which is aimed at boosting our program’s national and global reputation,” says Vamegh Rasouli, the Le Norman Endowed Leadership Chair of Petroleum Engineering in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.

Through their continued generosity, the Leimkuhlers are shaping the future of petroleum engineering at UW. Their investments in students and faculty ensure that the next generation of engineers has the resources, guidance, and opportunities to thrive in Wyoming and beyond.