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Texas Workforce Commission grant supports job growth

UT Arlington has received a $272,162 grant from the Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) as part of the Texas Youth in Technology (TYT) Strategic Workforce Development initiative. Supported with federal Workforce Investment Act Statewide Activity Funds, the workforce development strategy supports job-growth opportunities that align with Gov. Rick Perry's Texas Industry Cluster Initiative.

Through its participation in TYT, the University has clear-cut goals for supporting the governor's initiatives and Texas employers.

"UT Arlington is proud to partner with the Texas Youth in Technology initiative because there is no substitute for a highly skilled, well-educated workforce," President James D. Spaniolo said. "Just as UT Arlington is working for a better, stronger, more educated Texas, so is the TYT."

The University’s workforce development initiative will collaborate with community colleges, independent school districts, corporate partners, national professional societies and other stakeholders to increase enrollment, retention and graduation rates in the College of Engineering. This will include a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Faculty adviser guides students toward energy challenge Dr. Rasool Kenarangui (left), senior lecturer in electrical engineering, has three undergraduate students going to the International Future Energy Challenge. He serves as faculty adviser for the group, which includes, from left, James Edwards, John Barkley and Rockne Ardoyno, along with doctoral student adviser Wei Jiang. Seven university teams were selected for the final competition: two from the United States (UT Arlington and the University of Central Florida), two each from Germany and China, and one from Brazil. The finals will be held July 15-17 at Montash University in Victoria, Australia. Teams select one of two design/build challenges: an integrated starter/alternator motor drive for automotive applications or a low-cost, wind turbine energy maximizer. The UT Arlington team chose the latter. The teams' devices will be judged on technical innovation and experimental verification of claimed performance, plus the overall organization and preparedness of the team.

TYT and resulting projects will establish programs to increase postsecondary enrollments, retention and graduates in engineering and computer science. Working with the Texas Engineering and Technical Consortium, the grant program will also increase collaboration among Texas employers, institutions of higher education, and collegiate engineering and science departments.

For more information about the grant, see the press release.

Executive MBA program adds graduate certificate in Asian Business Studies

In response to student desires for enriched learning about multinational and multicultural business environments, UT Arlington is now offering its Executive MBA students the opportunity to earn a graduate certificate degree in Asian Business Studies while they earn their EMBA degrees.

Make it your business: The 15-month EMBA program now features a graduate certificate degree in Asian Business Studies.

"UT Arlington's EMBA program is the only program in Texas and perhaps the only EMBA in the United States to offer this advanced certificate," said Jim Ellis, EMBA executive director. The certificate is available only to UT Arlington's EMBA students.

Building upon UT Arlington's vast footprint in China, the EMBA certificate expands lectures by the faculty at Tongji University, Shanghai, and the University of Science and Technology, Beijing. As a result, EMBA students have the opportunity to develop greater expertise in key areas that affect East Asian trade with the United States: financial, workforce, marketing, manufacturing and regulations.

"This unique graduate certificate will enhance the students' knowledge of the dynamic field of Asian business and provide a platform of graduate learning, real-world experiences and high-level networking," Ellis says.

Graduate courses, including the new course, Special Topics in Asian Business, comprise the academic portion of the program. Certificate completion will be posted on each student's graduate transcript.

See more about the EMBA.

UT Arlington professor to perform
with jazz orchestra during June

Jazz drummer Adonis Rose, an artist-in-residence at UT Arlington, will perform with the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra on Thursday nights in June at the Keller Town Hall. The first performance will be Thursday, June 4 at 7 p.m.

Jazz in June will feature the orchestra performing original music as well as songs of Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. Rose is the founder and director of the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra.

Rose became a visiting professor with UT Arlington's Jazz Studies program in 2007. He teaches jazz combo, drums and jazz history. He landed in North Texas in 2006 after Hurricane Katrina struck his hometown of New Orleans.

The third-generation drummer began touring at age 17 and has performed with Grammy Award-winners Harry Connick Jr., Wynton Marsalis, Aaron Neville, Dr. John and others. He has four solo recordings and has performed on more than 50 recordings. New Orleans magazine named him a "Contemporary Jazz All-Star."

Rose also will perform July 2 at the Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth, and Sept. 12 at Jazz on the Boulevard in the Fort Worth Arts District.

Read more about Rose in the spring edition of UT Arlington magazine. Learn more about the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra and listen to the music.

The Keller Town Hall is located at Keller Parkway and Rufe Snow Drive. The outdoor concert is free, and visitors should bring lawn chairs or blankets. Limited table seating is available by contacting 817-743-4010 or publicarts@cityofkeller.com.

Myrtle Bell receives diversity award

Myrtle Bell, associate professor of human resource management, has been selected as a DiversityFIRST Awards winner by the Texas Diversity Council. She will be recognized as one of the 2009 individual winners at the Best Practices and DiversityFIRST Awards Luncheon, Wednesday, June 10 at Southern Methodist University. Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins will be the keynote speaker.

The award honors individuals who have demonstrated dedication and continuing commitment to advocating and raising issues of diversity and to protecting civil and human rights. Other criteria include leading the development of innovative or contemporary measures to fight discrimination and prejudice.

Dr. Bell's 2007 research-based book, Diversity in Organizations, broke new ground for teaching organizational diversity.

The Best Practices sessions, which are free to the public, will be held 9-11 a.m. See the Texas Diversity Council Web site and the UT Arlington Diversity Web page for more information.

Employee discount available for Scottish Festival

UT Arlington employees can enjoy the Texas Scottish Festival & Highland Games at a reduced price Friday, June 5 and Sunday, June 7 at Maverick Stadium.

Since 1987, the festival has been a regular feature in Arlington, attracting thousands each year to celebrate Scottish music, dance, history, foods, Highland athletics and more. It is among the largest Scottish gatherings in the United States and is rated the No. 1 Scottish music venue.

Two-for-one tickets for UT Arlington employees showing an ID are available at the front gate at Maverick Stadium. Regular price is $10 for adults.

See the Festival Web site for a full schedule and other details: www.texasscottishfestival.com.

Introduction to SAS

This course is an introduction to the basics of the SAS statistical software package. It includes basic data set creation, data set manipulation and use of some of the more common procedures. This training section is for faculty, staff and students. No registration is required. Learn more about Statistical Services. Thursday, June 4, Noon-2 p.m., University Hall, Room 4. See a complete list of OIT training classes.

CPR anytime

Now everyone can learn the valuable lifesaving skill of CPR, anytime, anywhere in less than 30 minutes. Teach your family and friends and learn to save a life–maybe yours. Each participant will receive a kit that includes a reduced-size practice mannequin, a CPR Anytime Skills practice DVD, a CPR resource booklet and other instructional accessories. Tuesday, June 9, 2-3 p.m., Wetsel Service Center, Room 200. See a complete list of training classes.

Employment information

Employment opportunities may be found at www.uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call 2-3461 or TDD 2-8139 or e-mail employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Jumping ahead: High jumper Andrew Duncan finished fifth at the NCAA regional to qualify for the national track championships.

Duncan, Gray qualify for national meet

Cordero Gray and Andrew Duncan qualified for the NCAA National Track and Field Championships next week with strong performances at the NCAA Regional last weekend in Norman, Okla.

Gray, a sophomore, finished third in the men's 100 meters Saturday at the regional, turning in a 10.26. Duncan, a junior, cleared 6-10 1/4 in the high jump Friday to finish fifth. The top five finishers automatically qualify for the national meet. Both Gray and Duncan will be making their first trip to nationals June 10-13 in Fayetteville, Ark.

Several others could receive at-large invitations. Isiah Clements finished sixth in the high jump, right behind Duncan. Gray also could get a berth in the 200, where he finished seventh.

The men's 4x100 (seventh) and 4x400 (eighth) relay teams also are in consideration for an at-large bid. On the women's side, the 4x100 relay team put itself in contention for an at-large berth with a sixth-place finish. See Athletics for more information.

Monday, June 8 Unmanned Air, Ground and Water Vehicles The College of Engineering hosts a meeting of the Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International Lone Star Chapter. Guest speakers Francis Govers and Kevin Conrad of Elbit Systems of America will describe some of the unmanned vehicles the company produces, including Skylark, a small, hand-launched aerial vehicle. Everyone welcome. A reception begins at 6 p.m. Reservations to RSVP@AUVSI-LoneStar.org. Free. 7 p.m. Nedderman Hall, Room 105.

June 3-August 9 Summer Group Exercise Cycle, cardio remix, pilates, yoga and water fitness are among the classes available to Maverick Activities Center members. Classes are free the first week of the semester. Participants must have an activated ID and will only be granted access to class up to five minutes after the posted class time.

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

Thursday, June 4 Adonis Rose and the Fort Worth Jazz Orchestra Adonis Rose, UT Arlington visiting professor of music, performs with the group every Thursday in June. Featuring the music of the orchestra, Duke Ellington, Ray Charles and Louis Armstrong. Free. 7 p.m., Keller Town Hall.

Saturday, June 6 Natural Perspectives Reception for artists Deanna Wood and Elisabeth Schalij. 5-9 p.m., Eclectic Expressions Artists' Studios & Galleries, 201 E. Sanford, Arlington. Faculty, staff and students receive a 15 percent discount on all paintings. Classes also available. eclecticexpressions.biz.

Monday, June 8 Texas Stargazing in the Historic Roundhouse Planetarium Discover the myths and mysteries of the constellations in the night sky in special showings each Monday at the Roundhouse Planetarium. See the moon as the Apollo astronauts saw it 40 years ago. Fly out of the Milky Way galaxy to see it from above. All this and more awaits audiences in Texas Stargazing. $5 adults, $4 children. 1 p.m., Roundhouse Planetarium, Preston Hall. Contact the Planetarium at 2-1183 or planetarium@uta.edu for tickets.

Now through June 30 Cynthia Ann and Quanah Parker Trail Exhibit Heritage tourism exhibit sponsored by the Texas Lakes Trail Regional Heritage Tourism Program. Free and open to the public. Noon to 6 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday. Special visiting times can be arranged through the Gallery. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center, Santa Fe Station. Contact Megan Topham at 2-5908.

Ongoing UT Arlington Planetarium programs Summer shows include Ice Worlds, Bad Astronomy, Rock on Demand, The Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, matinees and $2 movies. Check the Planetarium Web site for upcoming shows. Contact the Planetarium at 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.