University of Texas Arlington

UTA alum focuses attention on Mexico's drug violence

Dominic Bracco II, respected photojournalist and UT Arlington alumni, discussed what life is like for residents in drug-ravaged Ciudad Juárez, Mexico on the KERA Radio/90.1 FM radio program, Think. Bracco’s photography exhibit, "Life and Death in the Northern Pass," is on display at the UT Arlington Central Library through January 14, 2012. He will give a lecture at the library today at noon. Bracco also talked about his work on KUVN/Univision 23 and UTA Radio.com.

Social work professorship

The Dallas Morning News Education Notes section mentioned that The University of Texas at Arlington School of Social Work Advisory Council has created a $250,000 endowed professorship to support family violence research.

Natural gas drilling boom

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram and Fort Worth Business Press reported that the Barnett Shale natural gas drilling boom has had an economic impact of $65.4 billion in North Texas since 2001 and now supports, directly and indirectly, 100,268 jobs in 24 counties, according to a report by economist Ray Perryman.  MarketWatch.com, CNBC.com, and other media reported that more than $5 million in royalties has been paid to The University of Texas at Arlington since wells on campus started production in 2008.

Working with a new partner

UMED Holdings, Inc. Tuesday announced that it has retained the national public relations firm Martin E. Janis & Company, Inc. to carry out a fully integrated public relations and investor relations program for the company, MarketWatch.com reported. "We are extremely excited to be working with the Janis organization," said Kevin Bentley, Chief Executive Officer of UMED Holdings. "Their experience in the oil and gas industry in particular will be of great benefit to UMED Holdings, Inc. as we commence our activities with the planned roll out of The University of Texas at Arlington/1st Resource Group Gas-To-Liquid conversion units."

Voting district proposal

WFAA/ABC 8 interviewed Allan Saxe, a UT Arlington associate professor of political science about the Fort Worth School Board’s plan to consider a new voting district. Hispanic groups say the proposed plan does not give the community equal representation and the group suggests voting lines could set new standards in Texas.

See something, say something

KXAS/NBC 5 reported on the UT Arlington Police Department's “See something, Say something” program modeled after the U.S. Department of Homeland Security program, which encourages people to report any suspicious activity they see in public.