MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, April 6, 2015

Bob Costas to speak next Monday at College Park Center

Tickets are still available to see Bob Costas at the last Maverick Speakers Series event for the 2014-15 season.

An acclaimed sportscaster and 26-time Emmy Award winner, Costas will discuss "Sports in America: Is It Still Only a Game?" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, in College Park Center. 

He has been on air for NBC Sports since the early 1980s, hosting the network's Olympics coverage and Football Night in America.

Preferred seating and free general admission tickets are available at utatickets.com. For VIP tickets, contact Mark LaVelle at mlavelle@uta.edu or 2-5235.

The Maverick Speakers Series provides a forum for today’s brightest minds to examine the people, ideas, actions, and solutions that impact the world around us.

Comical story Chris Conway, associate professor of modern languages, explained how comic books were used to tell Mexican history and create a sense of nationalism at last Wednesday's Focus on Faculty lecture. His discussion highlighted the exhibit "Viva Mexico! A Comic Book History of Mexico" in the Special Collections area of the Central Library.

New program streamlines book, course material adoption

Learn more about a new suite of technology solutions that can help faculty members with textbook and course material adoption. The UTA Bookstore and Follett offer the program.

Follett Discover enables instructors to explore a vast source of course materials including textbook offerings and more. The book adoption process has been streamlined, eliminating the paperwork and guesswork associated with submitting traditional adoptions.

Students benefit from the streamlined access to course materials.

Training sessions are available during open houses 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, April 21; 2-6 p.m. Thursday, April 23; and 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, April 29. All are in the E.H. Hereford University Center. 

Or watch a training webinar 3-3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16. Another online session is 4-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, April 22.

Software Carpentry workshop set for researchers

Researchers can learn how to use computing skills and techniques to their advantage in a two-day Software Carpentry workshop.

The program is aimed at researchers, including faculty, research-active lecturers, post-doctoral students, graduate students, and promising undergraduates working in labs.

The basics of three important computing frameworks using hands-on exercises are addressed. They are the Unix shell, version control with Git, and statistical analysis in R.

The workshops are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, and Sunday, April 19. The cost is $40 and includes lunch on both days.

Sponsors are the Biology Department, the College of Science, and the Office of Graduate Studies.

Learn more about Software Carpentry. For workshop details and location, email dcard@uta.edu.

Top rate Outstanding Student Employee award recipients were recently honored. From left are Ryma Mahouch, Distinguished Student Employee, The Leadership Center; Cuong Manh Nguyen, Graduate Student Employee of the Year, Electrical Engineering Department; and Kenny Jefferson, Undergraduate Student Employee of the Year, Office of Facilities Management.

International Week features food, fun, fashion

Different student-led nationality organizations participate in the annual International Week celebration, hosted by the International Student Organization.

The festivities begin with a banner parade 11:45 a.m.-1 p.m. today, Monday, April 6, from the E.H. Hereford University Center to the Library mall.

The popular International Food Fair is 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, April 7, on the University Center mall.

The I-Week Fashion Show features traditional and modern clothing from around the world modeled by UT Arlington students at 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the University Center.

See the International Week schedule for more events.

Robot workshops at library

Gain hands-on experience with UTA Libraries' new TelePresence robots at two workshops this week.

Practice using the robots and ask library staff questions. Bring your laptops, webcams, and smartphones for a full experience.

The workshops are 11 a.m.-noon Wednesday, April 8, and 3-4 p.m. Thursday, April 9, in the basement of the Central Library.

Register online. Distance education students can attend virtually by registering then emailing Marquel Anteola at manteola@uta.edu.

Watch the video of the Double robot at work in the FabLab.

Stress free Duke, a therapy dog with Paws with Partners, receives as much stress reduction as he dishes out at Tail Waggin' Wednesday last week at the Central Library.

Lectures, candidates' forum part of Political Science Week

UTA's political experts explain everything from foreign affairs to health care during Political Science Week.

Events begin today, Monday, April 6, with an alumni and faculty mixer noon-1:30 p.m. in Room 116 of University Hall. Later, an Arlington candidates' forum starts at 6:30 p.m. in Room 108 of University Hall.

Lectures by political science faculty members and a guest speaker are: 

Tuesday, April 7—Brent Sasley, associate professor, “Assessing the Obama Administration’s International Policy,” and Burcu Bayram, assistant professor, “From Class to Paycheck: What to Do with International Relations Knowledge." 12:30-1:30 p.m., Room 110, Pickard Hall.

Wednesday, April 8—Thomas Marshall, professor, and Allan Saxe, associate professor, “Off to the Races: Electing a President in 2016.” Noon-1 p.m., Room 108, University Hall.

Thursday, April 9—Daniel Sledge, assistant professor, “Dismantling Obamacare? King v. Burwell and the Future of American Health Insurance.” 12:45-1:30 p.m., Room 110, Pickard Hall.

Friday, April 10—Joshua Kertzer of Harvard University speaks on foreign policy, international security, and the political psychology of international relations. Noon-1 p.m., Room 116, University Hall.

UTA wins new recycling challenge

UT Arlington won in the large university division of the first 3R Actions Challenge, part of RecycleMania, a national competition for universities.

UTA students participated in 5,257 actions of recycling, reusing, and reducing waste. 

The final results of RecycleMania 2015 will be announced Monday, April 13.

On tap Elizabeth Walsh, kinesiology freshman, tap danced for her Mavs Got Talent performance last Tuesday. Students auditioned for the talent show earlier this semester.

University College seeks peer educators for fall term

Motivated students are needed to become peer educators with TRIO-Student Support Services and University Tutorial and Supplemental Instruction.

Peer educators are students who are successful in their courses and have completed at least one semester at UTA. All students must have an A or B in the course for which they are applying. Positions include one-on-one tutors, small group tutors/mentors, and Supplemental Instruction leaders.

Faculty and staff recommendations are needed. If you know a student who would be a good peer educator and who would represent the best and brightest of UT Arlington’s student body, refer them to uta.edu/tutoringjobs.

The application deadline for all peer educator positions is April 30.

Texas Digital Humanities Conference begins Thursday

The three-day Texas Digital Humanities Conference looks at combining traditional humanities aspects with the latest technology. The second annual conference is Thursday-Saturday, April 9-11, at the Central Library.

Digital humanities scholars throughout Texas will present information on everything from resources, applications, funding, and projects in different humanities disciplines. See the schedule. 

Register online. Cost is $60 due by Wednesday, April 8. Student tickets are $25 by Thursday, April 9.

Evening at Six Flags to benefit Student Emergency Assistance Fund

Enjoy an evening at Six Flags Over Texas with discount tickets that help Arlington schools. The theme park hosts Education Celebration 6-11 p.m. Friday, April 17, benefiting UTA and AISD through the AISD Education Foundation.

Tickets are only $20 plus tax. Advanced tickets are limited. No tickets will be sold at the gate. Special discounted parking is $10 per car at the gate.

With each ticket, $5 goes directly to the UTA Student Emergency Assistance Fund. See the gift codes on the website. Use the code UTA.

Discount deadline extended to Tuesday for HBO's boxing championship at College Park Center

Receive a 20 percent discount on tickets to the World Junior Welterweight Championship through Tuesday, April 7.

Undefeated WBO world lightweight champion Terence Crawford, the BWAA 2014 Fighter of the Year, will take on top contender Thomas Dulorme in an HBO After Dark rumble Saturday, April 18, at College Park Center. Doors open at 5:30 p.m.

For discount tickets, use the promo code UTAHBO at utatickets.com or call 2-9595.

Tuesday, April 7

PUBlic Knowledge Speaker Series James Grover, interim dean of the College of Science and professor of biology, presents “Earth Day Warm Up: Toxic Algae and Managing Texas Water Resources in a Changing World." Free; must be 21. 7 p.m., The Pour House, 2725 W. Seventh St., Fort Worth. Fort Worth Museum of Science and History.

Wednesday, April 8

National Robotics Week Showcase Today’s most innovative technology by UTA faculty and industry collaborators. To reserve exhibit space, call 2-5900 or email utari-events@uta.edu. A shuttle will run between campuses. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m., UT Arlington Research Institute, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. UTARI.

Conducting Effective Meetings Register online.  9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, April 9

Documentary: 'Alive Inside' Social worker Dan Cohen, founder of Music and Memory nonprofit organization, demonstrates music’s ability to combat memory loss and restore a deep sense of self to those suffering from it. A panel discussion follows. Free. 5:30-8 p.m., Room 109, Social Work Complex Building A. Social Work. 

Biology Colloquium Series Rayna Bell of the University of California, Berkeley presents "The Evolution of a Novel Coloration Phenotype in African Reed Frogs." 4 p.m., Room 124, Life Science. Also, Michael Ryan, the Clark Hubbs Regents Professor in Zoology at UT Austin, Thursday, April 16. Biology.

Friday, April 10

Social Work Ethics Forum “Big Data, Privacy, and Your Agency’s Functioning: A Forum on Social Work Ethics in the Age of Electronic Record Keeping and Coordination of Care.” Free but registration required. 1-4 p.m., Room 245, Business Building. Social Work.

Engineering Speakers Series President Vistasp Karbhari, professor of engineering, discusses “Engineers: Technicians, Scientists, or Futurists? Where Are We Headed?” Free. 2-3 p.m., Room 105, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Management Lecture Series Margaret Shaffer of the University of Wisconsin Milwaukee discusses “Global Work Experiences: A Research Journey from Concept Creation to Scale Development to Model Testing.” Free. 2 p.m., Room 140, Business Building. Business.

Tuesday, April 14

Customer Service 101 Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, April 15

CMAS Distinguished Lecture Vicki Ruiz, chair of Chicano/Latino Studies at the University of California, Irvine and president of the American Historical Association, presents "Why Latino History Matters to U.S. History." 7 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Center for Mexican American Studies.

Thursday, April 16

Qualitative Research Networking Alexa Smith-Osborne, associate professor of social work discusses "The Student Veteran Project and Military Youth Resilience Project." Noon-1 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Also, Dorothy Kalanzi, visiting assistant professor of sociology and anthropology, "HIV/AIDS Studies and Designs from Previous Research," Thursday, April 30. Qualitative Research Networking.

Friday, April 17

Leadership Skills for Supervisors Register online. 10 a.m.- noon, Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Coming up

Walter Prescott Webb Lecture Series "Beyond Attics and Activists: Rethinking Family in Disability History" has been rescheduled for Friday, April 24, Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. History, Disability Studies, Office for Students with Disabilities, Women's and Gender Studies, Movin' Mavs Adapted Sports and Recreation.

Human Resources Training Register online. Administrative Professionals’ Recognition Luncheon, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Monday, April 20; Powerful Presentation Skills, 9-11 a.m., Thursday, April 23; Partnering with Your Boss; 9-11 a.m., Tuesday, April 28; Time Management: Keys to Everyday Office Success, 9-11 a.m., Thursday, April 30. All in Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Monday, April 6

Disability Studies Meet and Greet Meet faculty, staff, and students interested in disability studies and learn about projects and fall classes. For disability-based accommodations, contact Sarah Rose at srose@uta.edu or 2-2861. Noon-1 p.m., Room 25, University Hall. History, Disability Studies.

Tuesday, April 7

Zumbathon Join the third annual Dance for a Cause. Snacks, door prizes, giveaways. Proceeds benefit Safe Haven of Tarrant County. Register. $6 students, faculty, staff; $8 public. 5:30-7:30 p.m., Maverick Activities Center. Campus Recreation, Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program.

Honors Recital Honor students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Wednesday, April 8

Afternoon Variety Showcase: So Long Solo Indie folk/pop duo performs. Free. 11 a.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities. 

Homerathon A marathon recitation of Homer's "The Odyssey." Homerathon T-shirts and coffee mugs for sale. Register to volunteer. 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m. on the University Center mall. Classical Studies.

Thursday-Sunday, April 9-12

Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival UT Arlington sponsors the Main Stage at Main and Ninth streets in the Sundance Square area of downtown Fort Worth. Saturday performances by UTA's Jazz Band, 11 a.m.; Jazz Ensemble, 12:30 p.m.; and Jazz Orchestra, 2 p.m. Find information and swag at the UTA booths. Free. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday. Main St. Fort Worth Arts Festival.

Friday, April 10

Friday Night Film: 'Interstellar' Rated PG-13. Free, fresh-popped popcorn while supplies last; other concessions for sale. Tickets $1, $1.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Ongoing

MavsArt The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through May 15. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Special Collections: !Viva Mexico! A Comic Book History of Mexico A rare look inside the rise of comic books in 20th century Mexico, their literary, cultural, and entertainment value, and influence by the Mexican government. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Aug. 8. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Planetarium The spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)