University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 03-08-2010

Center of attention: Top photo, Handling the shovels for the groundbreaking of the Special Events Center on Friday are, from left, alumna Karen Borta, Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, President James D. Spaniolo, and student-athlete Marquez Haynes. Also, see groundbreaking photo gallery. Bottom: Take the tour. Fly through the Special Events Center in a video presentation and experience first-hand how the center promises to be the center of transformation.

Groundbreaking provides thrills of things to come for events center

UT Arlington's long-awaited Special Events Center moved one step closer to reality with a Maverick-style groundbreaking on Friday.

University and city leaders broke ground on the $78 million, 218,000-square-foot events center that includes athletic, entertainment, and conference venues.

Guests and local dignitaries arrived to tunes by jazz artist-in-residence Adonis Rose and the Krewe of Swing. Karen Borta ('87 BA), mistress of ceremonies, welcomed visitors before the pep band and drum line led a parade of cheerleaders, athletes, coaches, and student groups into the event tent for a mini-pep rally.

"We pledge to pack this world-class facility with sports, entertainment, and community activities," President James D. Spaniolo told the crowd. "It will play a pivotal role in making Arlington a true college town."

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck lauded the events center as key in the central business district revitalization. The city pledged up to $18 million for construction of a new parking garage that is part of the planned College Park mixed-use development just north of the Special Events Center. "It will be a catalyst for development and redevelopment in our city," the mayor said of the events center.

Basketball guard Marquez Haynes praised the center's athlete- and fan-friendly design.

After the dirt settled, guests mingled with mascot Blaze, who horsed around on a bulldozer for some snapshots.

The center is expected to open by December 2011. Read more at www.uta.edu/eventcenter.

Benefits fair will help faculty and staff celebrate Maverick spirit March 17

"Celebrating Maverick Spirit" is the theme for the fifth annual Benefits Fair from 11 a.m-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 17, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center. Faculty and staff will have the opportunity to visit the vendors and organizations that provide a service or discount to the UT Arlington community.

The event, sponsored by the Staff Advisory Council, features benefits information, free food, door prizes, and free bowling and billiards. The first 500 faculty and staff members attending will receive a Maverick spirit item.

Approximately 70 vendors are expected to attend. Faculty and staff should bring their Mav Express ID card for express automated check-in and door prize registration.

Also, Carter BloodCare will be on hand for a blood drive. Sign up to donate blood. At last year's event, 25 staff members donated enough blood to save 75 lives.

For more information, go to www.uta.edu/sac/benefitfair.

Diverse experiences Motivational speaker and author Maura Cullen talked about "Dumb Things Well-Intended People Say: Surprising Things We Say That Widen the Diversity Gap" as part of Diversity Week Wednesday night at the Rosebud Theatre. She captivated the audience through her practical examples of diversity, while adding humor and performing a magic trick.

Green team Gold Level offices named

Nine offices received Gold Level status in the Maverick Office Green Team campus-wide initiative.

These offices will be honored at a reception with President James D. Spaniolo on April 29: Career Services, Facilities Management, Fort Worth Center, Graduate Studies, Office of the President, Undergraduate Recruitment, Small Business Development Center, School of Urban and Public Affairs, and University Center/Apartment and Residence Life.

Student Enrollment Services Project Management Team won the Silver Level award, and Chemistry and Biochemistry earned the Bronze Level award.

For more information or to sign up your Office Green Team, visit www.uta.edu/greenteam.

Engineering speaker fills in the blank with lecture this evening

"The World Is _________" is the topic for John A. White's talk at the College of Engineering 50th Anniversary Speaker Series today, Monday, March 8, in Room 100, Nedderman Hall. A reception will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the lecture at 6 p.m.

Dr. White presents science and engineering issues and challenges along with their implications for engineering educators. He is a distinguished professor of industrial engineering and chancellor emeritus at the University of Arkansas.

Register online to attend.

OneBook author discusses 'Deep Economy' Wednesday

Bill McKibben, the author of this year's OneBook selection, will discuss his book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, in the Rosebud Theatre at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and Our Durable Future asserts that what we eat, what we drive, where we live, and what we feel are all related to how we use or misuse the earth's resources. He shows how our globalized economy has become addicted to the ideas of limitless economic growth and endless consumption of goods.

The lecture is sponsored by the UT Arlington OneBook program, a common reading experience for incoming freshmen.

Tips for managing your care and coverage with Blue Cross

Review your Explanation of Benefits closely after receiving medical services. If you notice anything unusual or don't understand how something was paid, contact BlueCross BlueShield of Texas customer service to have the claim reviewed and explained. If services were billed in error or the claim was improperly processed, these can be corrected by following up and may save money for both the plan and you.

If you have any questions or concerns about any UT SELECT medical claim, contact BCBSTX customer service at 866-882-2034 or visit the Blue Access for Members website.

Go to the Office of Employee Benefits website to learn more about the plan design.

Food for Thought: Dispelling Diet and Exercise Myths

This presentation will reveal some common myths surrounding diet, supplementation, training, and fitness. Come learn the truth. Bring your sack lunch and a notepad. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, Room 101B, Maverick Activities Center. See the complete list of HR training classes.

Take a break with Mindful Moments

Health Services offers 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.

AHA HeartSavers: First Aid with CPR and AED

Would you know what to do if someone around you was having a heart attack? The skills you learn here could save a life. Participants will receive a CPR certification card. 9 a.m.-noon. Thursday, March 11, Training Room, Environmental Health and Safety Building, 500 Summit Ave.

Fort Worth Center presents women's conference

The Institute for Professional Development at the UT Arlington Fort Worth Center will host "Success: A Woman's Leadership Conference," a one-day event Thursday, March 11, in downtown Fort Worth. The conference is an initiative of the center and is dedicated to helping women enhance their leadership skills, both professionally and personally. Go to uta.edu/successconference or call 2-5988 to register or for more information. $95 registration, 10 percent discount for faculty and staff. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Sheraton Fort Worth Hotel and Spa, 1701 Commerce St., Fort Worth.

Employment information

Check out UT Arlington employment opportunities at 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, March 8

Issues in Scholarly Communication Heather Joseph, director of the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition, speaks. 10 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. 2-2658.

Tuesday, March 9

Living a Healthy Lifestyle Conquer the challenge of living a healthy lifestyle with practical tips from guest presenters. Free refreshments and door prizes. Part of Women's History Month. 6:30 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 2-2099.

Wednesday, March 10

Rethinking Assessment at Small Colleges Chad Chisholm of the Department of English lectures. Bring your lunch. Noon, Room 211, Preston Hall. 2-1329.

Desert Urbanism Nan Ellin speaks as part of the School of Architecture Spring 2010 Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Room 204, Architecture Building. 2-2314.

Saturday, March 13

RAD Self-Defense Course Female faculty, staff, and students learn self-defense. Registration required; go to www.uta.edu/police and scroll down to crime prevention. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Maverick Activities Center. Ron Cook, rwcook@uta.edu, 2-3902.

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

Webb Lectures highlight Mexican Revolution More than any other event, the Mexican Revolution was responsible for creating the modern Mexican nation-state, leading to broader democratization, land reform, anticlericalism, and sweeping changes in Mexican business practices. To commemorate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, the Department of History and the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography have organized the 45th annual Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures titled "The Mexican Revolution: Conflict and Consolidation, 1910-1940." Lectures will be Wednesday-Thursday, March 10-11, at the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. Three inter-linked Mexican Revolution Centennial exhibits are running this semester in the library, mounted by the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography. Photographs from the exhibit are from a variety of sources. Watch the online slide show.

Monday, March 8

Downtown Arlington Music Mondays A 30-minute lunchtime concert featuring Music Department faculty and students is followed by a free lunch. Free. 12:15 p.m., First Baptist Church Sanctuary, 300 S. Center St. Martha Walvoord, 2-2439.

Vocal Division Recital A recital with UT Arlington vocal students. Free. 4:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

Faculty Cello Recital Elizabeth Morrow of the music faculty performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 2-3471.

One Mic Stand Comedy Loni Love, named among the Top 10 Comics to Watch by Variety and Comedy Central, performs. Sponsored by EXCEL Campus Activities. Free. 7:30 p.m. Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Tuesday, March 9

Baseball TCU. $2 faculty, staff. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. utamavs.com. 2-2261.

Women's Basketball Southland Conference Tournament. UT Arlington vs. UT San Antonio. 8:30 p.m., Merrell Center, Katy, Texas. See utamavs.com for complete schedule.

Wednesday, March 10

Long March celebration A send-off for more than 40 ROTC cadets who will embark Saturday on a 126-mile march to Killeen's Fort Hood. The trek commemorates the 50th anniversary of a similar journey in 1960. Story to come in Thursday's MavWire. Noon, E.H. Hereford University Center mall.

Men's Basketball Southland Conference Tournament. UT Arlington vs. Stephen F. Austin. Noon, Merrell Center, Katy, Texas. See utamavs.com for complete schedule.

Baseball Creighton. $2 faculty, staff. 3 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark.

$2 Movie: Little Shop of Horrors A dentist and his plant have a complicated relationship. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 2-1183. Also showing 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 13.

Thursday, March 11

Softball UT Austin. $2 faculty, staff. 6:30 p.m., Allan Saxe Field.

Faculty Composers Concert New works composed by music faculty members Dan Cavanagh, George Chave, Micah Hayes, and Linton Powell performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. uta.edu/music/calendar, 2-3471.

Friday-Sunday, March 12-14

Baseball Sam Houston State. $2 faculty, staff. 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Clay Gould Ballpark.

Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14

Softball Central Arkansas. $2 faculty, staff. 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Allan Saxe Field.

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. 2-5988.

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.)