University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 02-15-2010

Snow fun: See slide show and video.

Record snowfall blankets campus

A record snowfall for one day closed the campus at 3 p.m. Thursday, and it remained closed Friday as the snow was officially measured at 12.5 inches at DFW Airport. Arlington reported 7 inches of snow.

The wintry wonderland made for some nice pictures for those brave enough to get out in it Thursday and Friday, and the white stuff brought about several friendly snowball fights on campus, while others built snowmen and igloos.

The campus was not without problems, however, as there were several fallen tree branches, plus one downed tree that damaged a bench near Preston Hall.

Some buildings experienced power outages on Thursday, but all had power restored in a short amount of time.

Barton provides lab boost: U.S. Rep. Joe Barton has helped secure funding and will be here Friday to help open a new engineering lab.

Alternative fuel lab to accelerate move toward micro-refinery

New UT Arlington lab space will speed up refinement of an alternative fuel that researchers say will lead to development of a micro-refinery later this year.

Researchers at the Center for Renewable Energy, Science and Technology (CREST) are perfecting a coal-to-crude process that has produced an energy source costing much less than traditional crude oil.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, whose Sixth Congressional District includes UT Arlington, will help open the new synthetic fuel chemistry labs at 4 p.m. Friday, Feb. 19, in Room 310 of Science Hall as part of Engineers Week on campus.

Barton has helped secure funding for CREST through the years and says this kind of alternative energy is just what the country needs.

"Thanks to the work going on here at UT Arlington, the state of Texas continues to be a leader in energy innovation. Anything we can discover that cuts into our dependence on foreign oil is a plus," Barton says.

Engineering Dean Bill Carroll said the congressman's support has been vital. "CREST is where much of the alternative energy research at UT Arlington is being conducted," Dr. Carroll says. "Congressman Barton's support has been critical for building the laboratory facilities and funding the personnel necessary to move the various projects forward."

Groundbreaking March 5 for Special Events Center

Groundbreaking for the Special Events Center is set for Friday, March 5, at the location bordered by Pecan and Center streets and Second and Third streets on the eastern edge of the campus. A reception is scheduled for 2 p.m. with the program for the groundbreaking to begin at 2:30 p.m.

The final design for the center emphasizes energy efficiency, natural light and materials, and flexible seating in a new venue for convocations, concerts and athletics. The center is expected to open by early 2012.

With seating for up to 6,500, the center will serve as home court for the UT Arlington Mavericks basketball and volleyball teams, commencement and other community events. Designed by HKS Inc., the center mixes brick and stone exteriors with windows that stretch nearly the full height of the building and bathe its concourses in natural light. The building's clean lines complement the University's modern feel.

Pow wow speaker: Roy Hawthorne was a Navajo code talker during World War II.

WWII code talker to speak at pow wow

Navajo code talker Roy Hawthorne will speak at the 15th Annual Native American Students Association Honors Scholarship Benefit Pow Wow at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 20, at the Bluebonnet Ballroom in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

During World War II, Hawthorne was among a select group of Native American Marines who used the Navajo language to cloak military messages sent across the Pacific. The unbreakable code proved to be one of the most significant military codes in modern history. The Navajo code talkers are credited with saving countless lives and helping end the war in the Pacific.

The pow wow runs from 2 to 10 p.m. at the Bluebonnet Ballroom. Items on the agenda include live music with Native Americans richly dressed in historical ceremonial outfits, vendor booths with art, jewelry and clothing; cake walks; and a caricature artist.

Contact the association at utanativestudents@yahoo.com for more information.

Magic words Former Los Angeles Lakers star Earvin "Magic" Johnson received a UT Arlington basketball jersey following his Maverick Speakers Series lecture Thursday night at Texas Hall. Johnson is now chairman and CEO of Magic Johnson Enterprises, a company that focuses on urban communities. His book, 32 Ways to Be a Champion in Business, offers advice and expertise, and is a best-seller.

Nominations due today for annual Student Employee of the Year award

Nominate that outstanding student in your office for Student Employee of the Year. Nominations are due today, Monday, Feb. 15, in the Office of Career and Student Employment Services.

For nomination forms and more information, go to hireamaverick.uta.edu, careers.uta.edu or contact Wanda Stafford at 2‑2895 or wstafford@uta.edu.

Memorial service Feb. 18 for Reaser

A memorial service and scholarship will honor geology Professor Emeritus Donald Reaser, who passed away Dec. 29 following a brief illness during the winter break. He was 78.

The service starts at 4 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 18, in the Planetarium. A reception follows in Room 303 of the Chemistry and Physics Building.

Memorial gifts may be made to the Donald F. Reaser Scholarship, UT Arlington, P.O. Box 19047, Arlington, TX 76019. Contact Lori Norris at norris@uta.edu or 2-3494 for more information.

Construction blog includes updates

The Office of Facilities Management has created a blog called Blazin' Construction, which includes updates on campus construction projects.

The blog came about in response to a Student Congress resolution calling on University administrators to do more to update the campus community about ongoing projects.

See blog.uta.edu/facilities.

Plan to order official Maverick Ring this week

Place your order for an official Maverick Ring 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Feb. 17-18, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

This unique ring is reserved exclusively for qualified undergraduates who have completed 60 credit hours and graduate students who have completed 15 hours, as well as alumni. Rings will be presented by President James D. Spaniolo at the Official Maverick Ring Ceremony in April, and recipients will have the opportunity to sign the Official Maverick Ring Registry.

Read about the ring design.

For more information, contact the Alumni Association at 2-2594 or uta_alumni@uta.edu.

Crisis of Stress

"Food for Thought–Crisis of Stress" addresses the difference between crisis and stress, how stress affects our everyday lives and how we can tackle it. Learn how to take control and get your life back. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 17, Room 101B, Maverick Activities Center. See the complete list of HR training classes.

Take a break with Mindful Moments

Health Services is offering a break from stress with Mindful Moments at 12:15 p.m. each Wednesday in Room 235 of the Business Building. The program is free.

Employment information

Check out UT Arlington employment opportunities at www.uta.edu/jobs. Have questions? Call Human Resources/Employment Services at 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.

Monday, Feb. 15

Faculty/Staff Happy Hour This week's exercise session is Yoga. Free for faculty/staff MAC members. 5:30-6:20 p.m. Room 102B, Maverick Activities Center. 2-3277.

Islamic Art: Patrons and Patronage Alnoor Merchant, acting head librarian of The Institute of Ismaili Studies in London, speaks. 6:30 p.m. Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. 2-3291.

Maverick Speakers Series: Sally Ride Sally Ride, the first American woman astronaut in space, lectures on "Leadership and America's Future in Space." Free, but tickets required. 8 p.m., Texas Hall. 2-2963, utatickets.com.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Focus on Technology David Shulenburger, vice president for academic affairs at the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, speaks on "The Research University Imperative to Distribute Scholarly Materials." Noon. Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center, Focus on Technology. 2-2658.

African American Experience Panel Faculty, staff and students share their thoughts and advice on what it takes to succeed in college. Free. Noon, Concho Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. 2-2099.

African American Issues Forum Donald Payton of the Dallas Black Genealogical Association speaks on “Preserving African-American History and Culture.” Free. 6 p.m., Red River/Concho Rooms, E.H. Hereford University Center. 2-9068.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Behavior Intervention Team Overview Presentation will provide an overview about BIT and how it works. You will receive information and tips on how to deal with incidents you may encounter as well as additional resources on our campus and in our community. Register online. Free. Noon, Carlisle Suite, E.H. Hereford University Center. 2-5554.

Monday, Feb. 22

Faculty/Staff Happy Hour This week's exercise session is Corepole conditioning. Free for faculty/staff MAC members. 5:30-6:20 p.m. Room 102B, Maverick Activities Center. 2-3277.

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

Engineers construct week-long celebration Join in the celebration of the College of Engineering's golden anniversary during Engineers Week, a week-long showcase of achievements and activities by faculty and students. Former astronaut Sally Ride, the first American woman in space, speaks at 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 15, at Texas Hall as part of the Maverick Speakers Series. Tickets are free and available at utatickets.com. Opening ceremony for Engineers Week starts at noon Monday in the atrium of Nedderman Hall as Mr. and Ms. Engineer are crowned. Other highlights include a career fair, displays, tours, industry speakers and faculty lectures. For fun, engineers have Bingo Night, Pie the Professor and Engineering Olympics. The week wraps up Friday with the ribbon-cutting for the Center for Renewable Energy, Science and Technology (CREST) Lab and the annual awards banquet.

Tuesday, Feb. 16

Music Honors Recital Features performances by music faculty members and outstanding students in solo and chamber music settings. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Wednesday, Feb. 17

Vocal Division Recital Features vocal students. Free. 4:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Southeastern Louisiana. Halftime events include Engineering recognition, blindfold musical chairs and the Points for Pluckers shooting contest. $4 faculty, staff. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. 2-2261.

Brass Quintet Recital A brass recital with the United States Marine Band Brass Quintet. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Thursday, Feb. 18

Clavier Series Piano Recital Piano students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Friday, Feb. 19

Guest Pianist George Lopez, artist-in-residence at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine, performs the complete etudes for piano by Frederic Chopin. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Saturday, Feb. 20

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Central Arkansas. $4 faculty, staff. 4 p.m., Texas Hall. 2-2261.

Through March 6

Prime Perception Visual communication professors and active designers and artists Robert Grame and Robert Hower exhibit their work. Free. 10 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. The Gallery at UTA, Room 169, Fine Arts Building. 2-5658.

Through March 31

Creativity Test Artists Marilyn Jolly and Maraya Lopez bring a new perspective to paint-by-the-numbers. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Ongoing

UT Arlington Planetarium programs See the complete Planetarium schedule. $3 faculty, staff. 2-1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

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