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Welcome to the first issue of MavWire, the faculty and staff electronic newsletter with an exciting mix of news, events, benefits and information designed to keep you in the know about the University community. MavWire, the official communications vehicle for all employees of The University of Texas at Arlington, is produced by University Communications and will be delivered directly to your e-mail inbox each Monday and Thursday during the academic year and once a week, on Wednesdays, during the summer. For guidelines and information about submitting news or calendar items to MavWire, click here. If you receive two issues of MavWire in your inbox, you may still be subscribed to the listserv for UT Arlington Today, which has ceased publication. While we work to clean up all our lists, you may wish to unsubscribe from the old list now to avoid any duplication.

Tickets still available for UT Arlington Night at Ballpark

Join the gang for UT Arlington Night at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington Tuesday, April 28, when the Texas Rangers play the Oakland A's. President James D. Spaniolo will throw out the first pitch. The UT Arlington Symphonic Winds will play the National Anthem. The University's color guard will present the flags, and Blaze, the Maverick mascot, will rally the crowd before the game. Block seating is available for $5 per ticket. Pre-game festivities begin at approximately 6:50 p.m. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Tickets are on sale at www.utatickets.com and the lower level of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

This is the fifth anniversary of UT Arlington Night at the Ballpark. Fans are encouraged to wear UT Arlington attire. Ticket buyers have the option of sitting in the UT Arlington block of seats for $5, or they can go to the Texas Rangers ticketing site for other discounted seats. Go to http://www.texasrangers.com/uta and enter the password: rangers

Manufacturing champion: TMAC Director Drew Casani was named Manufacturing Extension Partnership Champion of the Year at the national conference.

TMAC director receives national honor

Drew Casani, director of the Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center at UT Arlington, was named Manufacturing Extension Partnership Champion of the Year at the MEP national conference in Orlando last week. He has been at the helm of TMAC, which is located in the Automation & Robotics Research Institute, since 1995.

Casani received the award for his participation and influence in guiding the MEP system. He has mentored and has been a constant resource for many other MEP center leaders. TMAC is the Texas affiliate for the U.S. Department of Commerce extension program and exists to enhance the competitive position of the state's manufacturing sector. For more information, see www.tmac.org.

'Deep Economy' featured as OneBook for 2009-10

The UT Arlington OneBook/Conversations committee has announced Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and the Durable Future as the book for the 2009-10 academic year.

"The book is a provocative volume by renowned environmental author Bill McKibben," said Christopher Conway, associate professor of modern languages and co-chair of the OneBook program. "McKibben's prose is beautiful, and his insights into the long-term challenge of sustainability are penetrating."

OneBook is a program for all UT Arlington freshmen, who will study, discuss and write about the same book in their first semester English composition classes, freshman seminars and selected other classes. Their shared experience with the book will include related co-curricular events and activities and an essay competition, culminating when possible, in an on-campus visit by the author. Faculty and staff are also invited to read the book. For more information, see OneBook.

learn more

Earth Day Plant Seekers Director of Career Services Barbara Peet (right) and Penny Driessner, administrative assistant in the Office of the Provost, look for herb plants along with students during the Earth Day event on the University Center mall Wednesday. Displays featured a Smart Car, a ZENN electric car and an eGO electric scooter. Environmentally friendly water bottles and Earth Day T-shirts were also available. A compostable lunch consisted of baked potato, fruit and drink.

Innocence Day features raffle for trip, prizes as proceeds support project

The Innocence Project of Texas at UT Arlington will host Innocence Day at 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 28 on the Central Library mall.

Raffle tickets, which are $3 each or two for $5, will raise money and awareness for the organization. Tickets are available at the event, by e-mailing shelley.wigley@uta.edu or from participating public relations campaign students who helped organize the event.

Prizes include two round-trip tickets from Southwest Airlines, House of Blues concert tickets for Snoop Dogg and Gavin Rossdale, a signed football by former Dallas Cowboys linebacker Dat Nguyen, a $100 Visa Gift Card, Six Flags and Hurricane Harbor tickets, movie passes, gift cards to Alley Cats Bowling Alley and much more.

Criminology and criminal justice Assistant Professor John Stickels started the UT Arlington branch of the Innocence Project of Texas, an organization devoted to investigating clients’ claims of innocence and freeing the wrongfully convicted. The group also works to improve the justice system.

Public relations Assistant Professor Shelley Wigley has overseen the planning and preparation of Innocence Day. Her senior-level public relations campaigns class is hosting the event.

Picture yourself here with free professional photography

Next week UT Arlington will host the nation's largest continuing education program for professional photographers with more than 1,000 attendees and 46 instructors. The instructors will need to photograph more than 300 models as they demonstrate portrait techniques for their classes.

In return for volunteering, each model will receive a $200 credit per session which they can use to order pictures selected from that session. There is no charge to participate, and a wide variety of subjects, including expecting moms, children, families, individuals, young couples, older couples, wedding couples and babies are welcome. Subjects may volunteer for one or more of the following session times.

Better Understanding Richard W. Fisher, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, was the featured speaker at the President's Convocation for Academic Excellence Thursday at Texas Hall. He emphasized the importance of learning, but also stressed that understanding is more important. Student awards were presented at the convocation. Faculty will be recognized Tuesday at the Spring Meeting of University Faculty and Associates.

To volunteer, complete the online form or print the form and fax it to Iris Bruton at 817-272-2556. For more information, please email the program at iris@uta.edu.

Leadership Recognition Ceremony
set for Wednesday

The 2009 Leadership Recognition Ceremony will be held Wednesday, April 29 in the E.H. Hereford University Center Bluebonnet Ballroom. This annual event honors outstanding student, faculty and staff leaders through several different scholarships and awards. learn more.

Steam outage scheduled in May

It's that time of year when the Thermal Energy Plant must shut down steam service to portions of campus to complete inspection and repair requirements of the system components. The shutdown will begin Monday, May 18 at 1 a.m. and continue through Wednesday, May 20 at 10 p.m.

During the time designated, the buildings served by the Thermal Energy Plant will be without hot water and steam (yes, you will still have electrical power, air conditioning and cold water service). If you have any questions concerning the buildings or equipment that will be affected by this outage, call Larry Harrison in the Office of Facilities Management at 2-3458.

Official Maverick Ring Ceremony
set for Thursday

Alumni, students and their families can share a once-in-a-lifetime moment at UT Arlington's Official Maverick Ring ceremony Thursday, April 30 at 6 p.m. in the Lonestar Auditorium of the Maverick Activities Center.

The Alumni Association created the ring to serve as an ongoing symbol to represent the pride and traditions of the University.

The ring features the UT Arlington mascot, Blaze, in the middle of the graduation year. Underneath is the main Cooper Street bridge with the University seal below it. Under the seal are the historic Carlisle Cannons representing the University's military history and the beveled star from the current UT Arlington logo.

This unique ring is reserved exclusively for alumni and qualified students. Alumni who already own a UT Arlington class ring can even exchange their ring for the new official Maverick ring.

You must RSVP to attend the event. Click here to RSVP by April 29.

learn more

Microsoft Entourage

Entourage is the e-mail client for Mac OS X. This course covers the basic and advanced features of Entourage that uses the Exchange connection to connect to the UTA e-mail system. You will learn how to more effectively manage your e-mails, quota, appointments, and scheduling features. Tuesday, April 28, 2-4 p.m., Wetsel Service Center, Room 216.

For a full up-to-date list of computer training classes or to register for a computer class, please visit the OIT Training Web site.

Personal Health Manager

You can better manage every aspect of health and wellness for you and your family with a wide range of online tools and information for UT System employees, retirees and their dependents. Start by visiting the Personal Health Manager Eat Right resources to better understand the tools available to manage your weight and eat healthy.

Your Eat Right plan starts with a customized approach to match your unique circumstances and health improvement goals. Planning meals? It's no problem, thanks to the Meal Planner tool to help you build daily menus or enter your own food choices. Either way, Meal Planner does the math by graphing your daily calories and food servings then comparing them to what's recommended for you. And you can create grocery lists from your menus, too. learn more

Say What You Mean, Mean What You Say: Essential Communication Skills

Participants will learn the principles of effective communication. They will discuss assertive communication, non-verbal and verbal communication and how personality types affect communication styles. Join us to learn how to become a more effective assertive communicator. Wednesday, April 29, 9-11 a.m., Wetsel Service Center, Room 200.

For a complete list of training classes see policy.uta.edu/HRWeb/Application?cmd=classes

Tuesday, April 28 Spring Meeting of University Faculty and Associates Faculty awards for teaching, research and service will be announced. President James D. Spaniolo will provide remarks. Free. 4 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center, Bluebonnet Ballroom. Contact David Silva at 2-2103 or djsilva@uta.edu.

Wednesday, April 29 Building a Veteran Friendly Campus This Web conference will highlight the unique needs of veterans and explore how colleges and universities can deploy a support network to meet those needs. Free. 12 noon. Chemistry and Physics Building, Room 303. Lunch will be provided by the Office of the Provost. RSVP to Anita Perez today (April 27) at 2-3373 or alperez@uta.edu.

Wednesday, April 29 Study Abroad Info Session: Focus on Intern/Volunteer/Work Abroad Sponsored by Office of International Education. Free. 12 noon. E.H. Hereford University Center, Blanco, Room 220B. Contact Blake Hart at 2-1120 or studyabroad@uta.edu.

Thursday, April 30 What's Your Company Worth? The Automation & Robotics Research Institute's Business Extension Center presents a workshop for business owners who are considering divesting their ownership. Experts provide guidance in evaluating worth, developing an exit strategy, establishing a selling price and more. Open to everyone. Lunch provided. $15. 11:30 a.m., 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. Contact Jennifer Wilson at 2-5909 or jwilson@arri.uta.edu.

Thursday, April 30 Global Grounds International Coffee Hour The International Coffee Hour is held every other Thursday and is a great way to meet and mingle with friends from around the world. Come sip Indian Chai, coffee, or your favorite tea and enjoy a variety of both local and imported light snacks. Those who attend are welcome to bring contemporary as well as traditional music from their home country. Free. 4 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center, Palo Duro Lounge. Contact Julie Holmer at 2-2355 or jholmer@uta.edu.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar)

Wednesday, April 29 $2 Movie – The Matrix See The Matrix on the Planetarium screen. $2. 6 p.m., Planetarium, Chemistry and Physics Building. Contact the Planetarium at 2-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu.

Now through April 30 Gallery 76102 at the UT Arlington Fort Worth Center The Fort Worth Art Dealers Association presents "Fort Worth Art Today," an exhibition of several artists. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Band concert slated for Thursday For their final concert of the spring, three UT Arlington bands—Symphonic Band, Symphonic Winds and Wind Symphony—present programs in the annual Scholarship Awards Concert Thursday, April 30 at Irons Recital Hall in the Fine Arts Building, starting at 7:30 p.m. Matthew Luttrell conducts the Symphonic Band and Symphonic Winds. Douglas Stotter conducts the Wind Symphony. The program will feature Jonathan Schmittou, student recipient of the Susan Lichtenwalter Award for the most outstanding musician in the UT Arlington bands. Schmittou will perform the Marimba Concerto by Ney Rosauro. Also scheduled are works by Arnold, Grainger and Sousa.

Now through May 16 Collecting Our History: 35 Years of Special Collections The exhibit features photographs, documents and artifacts from the UT Arlington Library's Special Collections. Five areas of interest within the collection are University archives, local history, Texas history, labor union archives and cartography. The exhibit is free and open to the public. Sixth floor, Central Library. Hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Call 2-3393 or e-mail spcoref@uta.edu for more information.

Friday, May 1 $2 Movie – The Matrix See The Matrix on the Planetarium screen. $2. 6 p.m., Planetarium, Chemistry and Physics Building. Contact the Planetarium at 2-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu.

Friday, May 1 Movie – Coraline Sponsored by EXCEL Campus Activities. Free. 8 p.m., Lonestar Auditorium, MAC. Contact Leslie Angela Mack at 2-2963 or excel-traditions@uta.edu.

Ongoing UT Arlington Planetarium Shows Shows Friday, Saturday and Sunday every week. See the Planetarium Web site for schedule. Contact the Planetarium, 2-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu for tickets.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar)

Editors: Jim Patterson, Teresa Newton Web Developer: James Barberousse Photographers: Beth McHenry, Robert Crosby Executive Director for University Publications: Mark Permenter Associate Vice President for Communications and Marketing: David Johnson Vice President for Communications: Jerry Lewis Published by University Communications © 2009 The University of Texas at Arlington

MavWire is published by the Department of University Communications on Mondays and Thursdays (except for holidays) during the fall and spring semesters, and on Wednesdays during the summer. To submit items for possible inclusion in MavWire, e-mail mavwire@uta.edu. Items must be received three working days before distribution. Inclusion of events and activities in MavWire does not necessarily constitute an endorsement by the University. Read the MavWire Guidelines. MavWire welcomes any non-employees of UT Arlington who would like to subscribe.