University of Texas Arlington

Great things happening

If you were a student at the University of Texas at Arlington in the 1970s, even the late 1960s, you might have heard talk of plans to build a special-events center for such things as basketball games and other gatherings on campus. All good things come to those who wait. And maybe sometimes wait and wait some more, a Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial said, noting: College Park Center has arrived. UT Arlington plans grand opening events at the $78 million center Feb. 1, two years after its groundbreaking. Besides basketball and other athletic events, the new 7,000-seat arena is expected to be used for UTA graduation ceremonies, Arlington-area high school graduations and convocations and as a venue for major speakers, including those from the Maverick Speakers Series. It's also available for rental for other community events. The editorial credited President James D. Spaniolo's "well-rounded vision and his team's keen choice of projects to implement that vision have begun to pay off."

• The Fort Worth Star-Telegram editorial

Exiting the stage

UT Arlington's College Park Center also was a topic on the KLUV/98.7 FM morning show with Jody Dean, who poked fun at Texas Hall, the traditional theater where the University has staged basketball games for four decades. The radio show is televised on KTVT/Channel 21.

• KLUV/98.7 FM audio

Providing airline insights

Roger Meiners,  John and Judy Goolsby Distingushed Professor of Economics and Law at UT Arlington, was quoted in a WFAA/ABC 8 report on rumors that Delta Airlines or TPG Capital will buy the bankrupt American Airlines parent company AMR. Meiners said the $4 billion that AMR had on-hand when it filed for bankruptcy allow it to operate without fear of a court-ordered sale.

• WFAA report