University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 05-06-2010

Golf course sculpture: Lauren Papan's sculpture "Rilly" is one of 13 that can be found on the Lake Arlington Golf Course.

Student sculptors display intermedia works at Lake Arlington Golf Course

Plane Air, a unique exhibit of sculpture by UT Arlington students, has been installed at Lake Arlington Golf Course, 1516 W. Green Oaks Boulevard, and remains on display through June.

The 13-sculpture exhibit is sponsored by the city of Arlington, Lake Arlington Golf Course, and the Department of Art and Art History at UT Arlington.

Darryl Lauster, assistant professor of sculpture, says he approached golf course officials with the idea of an exhibit on the course where people would not expect to see it. The exhibit's name is borrowed from the French plein air, which means painting or drawing outside, as in the open air.

Students changed the phrase to "Plane Air," as a nod to the carving tool, a sculptor's plane.

Evonne Sandas, the city's golf director, says her team was "intrigued by the idea of doing something out of the box and exposing our golfers to art. But we really did not know what to expect."

Some of the sculptures are site specific and address the landscape of the course, such as a low wood sculpture in eight parts. The work is heavily coated in polyurethane so that it glitters like diamonds in sunshine. Other pieces are abstract constructions designed to contrast with their environment, such as a huge jellyfish hung from a tree.

The exhibit is the product of a semester's research and creation by students in Lauster's classes in 3-D Forms and Intermedia. In contrast to painting or sculpting in clay, intermedia work involves making art with less traditional materials. Pieces may include found objects, film, video, and performance art, Lauster says.

The venue was inspirational in itself, he says. "In the studio environment, they typically would be told to create a piece within a limited range of sizes. This project freed them from those kinds of boundaries."

Have a blast: William McKenzie is the featured speaker at Maverick Celebration, which will include fireworks and music from Micky and the Motorcars.

Fireworks, music, speakers ready for Maverick Celebration

The night sky lights up when UT Arlington honors the Class of 2010 and its achievements at Maverick Celebration at 8 p.m. Friday, May 7, at the Levitt Pavilion in downtown Arlington.

Dallas Morning News columnist William McKenzie ('79 MA) returns to his alma mater to address the Class of 2010. Earlier this year, he won a Pulitzer Prize for editorial writing.

President James D. Spaniolo shares a few thoughts, along with Wendy Okolo, who graduates with a degree in aerospace engineering a few days later.

The 85-member UT Arlington Festival Band will welcome guests and later play favorites such as "America the Beautiful," the national anthem, and the UT Arlington alma mater.

Micky and the Motorcars headlines the entertainment. A popular item on the Texas music circuit, the alt-country band released its "Live at Billy Bob's Texas" album last fall.

A fireworks display welcomes the graduation season, and guests are invited to stay and dance under the stars.

No tickets are needed for this free event, which includes free food and drinks, at the pavilion, 100 W. Abram St. In case of inclement weather, the festivities will move to Texas Hall.

Holiday schedule for 2010-11 announced

The holiday schedule for 2010-11 includes 12 days off for faculty and staff. The holiday schedule is:

Inspiring display Jean-Pierre Harrison looks at a photo of his late wife, Kalpana Chawla ('84 MS), at the Monday opening of a memorial display to the Space Shuttle Columbia astronaut. The exhibit in the Nedderman Hall atrium includes one of Chawla's flight suits, several photographs, and historical and biographical information about her and the space program. Also included is a flag flown over Johnson Space Center during the memorial for the fallen astronauts from the Columbia disaster, and other memorabilia. On hand for the dedication were astronauts Janet Kavandi and Dominic Gorie, both colleagues of Chawla.

Commencement begins May 13

Commencement ceremonies for graduating students are Thursday-Monday, May 13-17. For the complete Commencement schedule and detailed information about tickets, attire, parking, formalities, photography, special accommodations, Maverick Celebration, and more, go to uta.edu/commencement.

If you are interested in attending Commencement exercises, contact the individual colleges or schools for tickets. No tickets will be available at Texas Hall, where Commencement will be held.

Thursday, May 13

7 p.m., College of Nursing

Friday, May 14

1 p.m., School of Social Work and University Studies

4 p.m., School of Architecture

7 p.m., College of Education and Health Professions

Saturday, May 15

10 a.m. and 1 p.m., College of Engineering

4 and 7 p.m., College of Liberal Arts

Sunday, May 16

1 and 4 p.m., College of Business

7 p.m., School of Urban and Public Affairs

Monday, May 17

4 p.m., College of Science

Flexible Summer Hours Program available again this year

The Flexible Summer Hours Program is being offered again this year. It begins June 1 and ends Aug. 13.

Participating employees will work a compressed work week consisting of four 10-hour days with one day off during the work week. Departments or employees who choose not to participate in the program will continue to work their regular schedules.

Employees who wish to participate are required to have their manager's written approval of their flexible schedules before beginning the program. Schedules for non-exempt employees also must include a minimum 30-minute lunch break.

If you have questions about the program, contact Robert James (rdjames@uta.edu) or Eunice Currie (currie@uta.edu) in the Office of Human Resources at 2-5554.

Join The Blazing Race for a wellness walk May 19

Are you up to the challenge of The Blazing Race? Join UT Arlington's faculty and staff 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Wednesday, May 19, for National Employee Health and Fitness Day.

Participants will walk a campus adventure course and receive prizes and giveaways. The UT Arlington Wellness Committee hosts the free event.

Individual and team registration ends Tuesday, May 18.

Find details and registration information online or e-mail wellness@uta.edu.

Symphonic sounds Sarah Frisof, left, and Scott Pool, both assistant professors of music in the College of Liberal Arts, perform Associate Professor George Chave's "Scherzo for Flute, Bassoon, and Orchestra" with the UT Arlington Symphony Orchestra in the Irons Recital Hall last Thursday. Clifton Evans, director of orchestras, conducted the final concert of the spring.

Three Dog Night heads concert list for Levitt Pavilion this summer

About every music genre is represented during the Levitt Pavilion's summer season in downtown Arlington. The summer schedule of free concerts is online at levittpavilionarlington.org.

The College of Engineering sponsors the Friday, June 4, Band of Heathens concert, while UT Arlington is a sponsor of the Three Dog Night Benefit Concert on Saturday, June 26.

All concerts begin at 8 p.m., except for the Wednesday Children's Series, which are at 10:30 a.m. and 7:30 p.m. The pavilion is at the south side of West Abram Street at South Pecan Street in downtown Arlington.

All concerts are free, except for the benefit concert with Three Dog Night. Those tickets are $25 for general admission and $150 for VIP seating.

Renovation of third floor in library among summer construction projects

As spring classes end, various campus construction projects will begin, including renovation on the third floor of the Central Library, work on a utility line near Hammond and Trimble halls, and preparation for work on the Special Events Center in parking lot 40.

Log on to Blazin' Construction, a blog of Facilities Management construction and maintenance news, to get the latest updates on campus construction projects.

Get information on Ethics Hotline, compliance

Updated information on the Ethics Hotline, 1-877-507-7314, is available online at University Compliance Services.

The hotline can be used to report suspected fraud, theft, and other unethical behavior. The Ethics Hotline is answered by The Network in Atlanta, Ga.

For more information, contact University Compliance Services at 2-2080.

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, Wednesday, May 12, Training Room, Environmental Health and Safety Building, 500 Summit Ave.

Fresh Start from Tobacco: Session 1

The Fresh Start from Tobacco program is a four-seminar series designed to educate and assist individuals who are ready to make a fresh start from tobacco use. These seminars cover steps to understanding addiction, quitting and coping strategies, and receiving help. It is important to attend all four sessions. All participants are eligible for a limited supply of nicotine replacement therapy patches and gum. 10 a.m.-noon, Thursday, May 13, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center.

Employment information

Check out the 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.

Home run king: Michael Choice set a school record for career home runs with his 32nd Saturday in Corpus Christi.

Choice sets home run record as Maverick baseballers sink Islanders

Michael Choice broke the school record for career home runs as the Mavericks swept a three-game Southland Conference baseball series at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi last weekend. Choice, who has 14 homers this season, set the record Saturday with his 32nd career homer, bettering the mark of 31 set by Matt Mize (1998-99).

Shortstop Jesse Payne boosted the Mavericks past TAMU-CC with 10 hits and seven runs batted in for the three games. UT Arlington outscored the Islanders 41-12 in the series.

The Mavericks have won eight straight SLC games and are now third in the conference with a 16-8 record. Coach Darin Thomas' club hosts second-place Stephen F. Austin in a key three-game series starting Friday, May 7.

Tracksters run strong at Northwestern as Southland Conference meet nears

Jerono Patrober won the women's 1500- and 5000-meter events at the Northwestern State Invitational track meet in Natchitoches, La., last weekend. Also winning for the women were Esther Abuto in the 800 along with the 4x400-meter relay team.

First-place finishers for the men were Dwight Robinson in the 800, Aundrea Williams in the 400 hurdles, and Isaiah Clements in the pole vault.

UT Arlington will host the Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championships Friday-Sunday, May 14-16, at Maverick Stadium.

Sports shorts

Former UT Arlington infielder and current Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman's number will be retired prior to Saturday's game between the Mavericks and Stephen F. Austin. It was also announced this week that Hillman will be inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor in June. ... Texas A&M-Corpus Christi took two of three games from the UT Arlington softball team last weekend. The Southland Conference Tournament is Thursday-Saturday, May 13-15, at San Marcos. ... Junior Zack Fischer was named to the All-Southland Conference golf first team while junior Wes Worster, who transferred from Lon Morris Junior College, is the conference newcomer of the year. ... Top student-athletes were named at the All-Sports Banquet on Monday. See the award recipients and photos online.

(For more sports news, go to utamavs.com, utamovinmavs.com, or uta.edu/campusrec.)

Friday, May 7

Maverick Celebration Dallas Morning News columnist William McKenzie, a 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for editorial writing, will deliver the keynote address. Faculty, staff, students, friends, and family are invited to stay and dance under the stars, with Texas alt-country band Micky and the Motorcars, the UT Arlington Festival Band, and others. Free admission, free food and drinks. 8 p.m. Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St.

Friday-Sunday, May 7-9

Baseball Stephen F. Austin. $2 faculty, staff. 6:30 Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Clay Gould Ballpark. utamavs.com, 2-2261.

Saturday, May 8

One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure Big Bird, Elmo, and Hu Hu Zhu explore the night sky. $4 faculty, staff. 1 p.m., Planetarium. Also, 1:30 p.m. Sunday, May 9. Planetarium, 2-1183.

UTA Dance Ensemble: Creative Expressions Spring concert features the work of Liza Grove, director, and Danielle Georgiou, assistant director. Guest artists are Lauren Guyer of Musical Memory Dance Theatre and Timothy Brown, UTA and CATS. $7 general admission. 8 p.m. Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Danielle Georgiou, georgiou@uta.edu.

Through May 15

Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition BFA graduating students show their works. Reception 5-7 p.m. Friday, May 7. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. uta.edu/gallery, 2-5658.

Through May 31

Timpani: New Works Artists Carol Benson, Susan Harrington, and Chris Powell use disparate media in this art exhibit. Free. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center. 2-5988.

Ongoing

Downtown Farmers Market Arlington's downtown farmers market features locally grown produce and locally made baked goods, arts, and crafts. Co-sponsored by UT Arlington Dining Services. 8 a.m.-1 p.m., Fridays-Saturdays, 215 E. Front St.

Planetarium Shows this week include the $2 Movie: Princess and the Frog plus One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure. See the complete Planetarium schedule. $4 faculty, staff. planetarium@uta.edu, 2-1183.

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