Western Student Wins Outstanding Graduate Award

The American Association of Professional Landmen chose Western Colorado University senior Dalton Lorenz to receive its prestigious Outstanding Graduate Award for 2023. This is the third time a Western student has received the award.

Dalton Lorenz

Originally from Parsons, KS, Lorenz is the University’s Western Energy Management Student Association club president and a leader in the Energy Management program.

“This award is well-deserved,” EM program director Jessica Laramie said. “Dalton truly embodies the Western way, and we’re proud to have him represent our school and the Energy Management program as he moves beyond Western.”

The Qualification Process

The AAPL Landman Scholarship Trust Board chose Lorenz as this year’s recipient after he submitted an essay and was interviewed by a panel of board members at the organization’s NAPE conference in Houston.

“He leads with action, carries his weight and more, and always brings everybody with him, making sure nobody is left behind,” Laramie said. “Our program is better off for having had him in it.”

Three Outstanding Graduate Awards

In total, Western’s Energy Management program has produced three Outstanding Graduate Award winners. This is the second consecutive year the AAPL chose a Western student to receive the award after Gabe Pardue won the award in 2022. Every year, directors from each of the AAPL’s accredited college or university undergraduate programs recommend one graduating senior who is pursuing a career as a landman and has demonstrated outstanding leadership in work, extracurricular activities, and their student landmen’s association.

What is a Landman?

According to AAPL, a landman is the public-facing side of an oil, gas, mineral, or other energy sources exploration and production team who interacts and negotiates directly with landowners to acquire leases for the exploration and development of minerals or other energy resources.

Additional Winners

Lorenz was in competition with students from Colorado Mesa University, Marietta College, Texas Tech, University of Texas-Austin, University of Texas-Permian Basin, University of Tulsa, University of Louisiana-Lafayette, Oklahoma University, University of Wyoming, and West Virginia University. He will be honored this summer at the AAPL’s annual meeting in Huntington Beach, CA.

“The program has seen extensive growth and expansion in my four years, and I would not be where I am today without the support and mentorship of alumni, staff, students, friends, and family who have been helpful through my journey,” Lorenz said. “My involvement in the program has been focused on building student relationships while leading by example to show students what the program has to offer and giving them the resources they need to reach their goals.”

Post-Graduation Plans

After graduation, Lorenz will start his career as part of the new graduate rotation at Ovintiv in Denver, Colo., which is one of North America’s oldest oil and natural gas producers . Being in the new graduate rotation means the company will place him in four different departments over the coming years.

“The program is a great start to my career and will give me a great base of knowledge in surface land, mineral land, division orders, and land administration,” Lorenz said. “I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to join the team, and I am excited to see what the future holds.”

Discover more about Western’s Energy Management program.

 

 

Author Credit: Seth Mensing

Photo Credit: Courtesy