University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 03-07-2011

Landmark of innovation: The ribbon cutting ceremony formally dedicated the Engineering Research Building on Friday. Click on the image to see a photo slideshow.

Engineering Research Building dedication emphasizes future

Creating a brighter future was a key message at the dedication and ribbon cutting for the Engineering Research Building on Friday.

"It's historic simply for what it adds to our campus," said President James D. Spaniolo during his remarks. "The Engineering Research Building is a pathway to our future."

Also speaking were state Sen. Chris Harris, U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, Provost Donald Bobbitt, College of Engineering Dean Bill Carroll, and College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma, before they gathered for the ribbon cutting.

"UTA is focusing on the needs of our future," Harris said. "I want to see that growth continue."

The landmark center is UT Arlington's largest academic facility to date and is shared by College of Engineering and College of Science researchers. The 234,000-square-foot facility houses the departments of bioengineering, and computer science and engineering, but also integrates research teams from biology, biochemistry, genomics, math, neuroscience, and physics to foster new, collaborative initiatives.

Designed to achieve LEED Gold standards, the building, which opened in January, incorporates several energy-saving features, including green and light-reflecting roofs, and rain and condensate capture systems.

Pushing toward greatness: Senior James Patin is one of the leaders for the Movin' Mavs in their quest for another national title. Click on the image to see a video.

Wheelchair basketball national tournament begins Thursday

Seven men's and four women's wheelchair basketball teams vie for top honors at the 2011 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate National Championships Thursday-Saturday, March 10-12, at Texas Hall.

UT Arlington's Movin' Mavs are seeded third in the men's division. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's and the University of Alabama women's teams are the top seeds. Illinois men and Alabama women won the titles last year. The Movin' Mavs have won seven men's titles, the last in 2006.

The ball starts bouncing at 9 a.m. Thursday with women's competition pitting Alabama against Edinboro. The Movin' Mavs' first game begins at 5 p.m. Thursday against Southwest Minnesota State.

Semifinals are Friday with the championship and consolation games set for Saturday. All tournament games will be streamed online at www.stickam.com/movinmavstv.

Admission is free. See the tournament schedule for details.

'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' named OneBook choice for 2011-12

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the OneBook program selection for 2011-12; the theme for the academic year is ethics.

Immortal Life intertwines history, identity, and science to tell the story of one of the most significant developments in modern medicine and cell biology.

“Whether you’re passionate about science, history, or the law, you will find something rich and rewarding in this book,” says Christopher Conway, OneBook co-chair. “We’ll undoubtedly have a great year of programming in 2011-12.”

OneBook nominations are being accepted for the 2012-13 academic year.

Women's History Month features military speaker, red forum

Three events this week promote Women's History Month. They include:

• “When Women Fight: Female Soldiers in the U.S. Military and Iraqi Army” by Jean Deakyne, assistant professor of military science, at noon Wednesday, March 9, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Part of the Women’s Studies 25th annual lecture series on “women and war."

• The Go Red For Women Forum on heart health, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, Red River Room, E.H. Hereford University Center.

• Sexversations, discussions on sexual assault prevention and sexual well-being, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. The program is sponsored by the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention program.

Digging in to help Scott Willis, left, maintenance planner in facilities management, and Justin Lerberg, English graduate student, were among several who volunteered their time last week to construct plots in the Community Garden at UT Arlington. Ribbon cutting for the garden, which contains 92 plots, is scheduled for Saturday, March 26. Located next to the SWEET Center, the garden is a combined effort of the Office of Sustainability and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department.

Distinguished Alumni Award nominations now being accepted

Nominations are sought for the 2011 UT Arlington Distinguished Alumni Award, the highest honor a Maverick graduate can receive from UT Arlington.

Award criteria and a nomination form can be found on the Alumni Association website. Submit nominations by Friday, April 8. Awards will be presented at the 2011 Distinguished Alumni Gala on Saturday, Oct. 15. For more information, contact Stephanie Thompson at 2-2594.

Library's old website will end soon

The Library’s old website will soon be going away. By the end of spring break, Web pages in the library’s old website will not be directly accessible, although bookmarks and other direct links will continue to work until after spring semester final exams.

Visit the new website at uta.edu/library. For more information, contact Karen Horsfall, coordinator of digital library services, or call 2-7431.

SAC Spirit Days provide discounts

This week's Spirit Days provide faculty and staff free admission to the Maverick Activities Center, free bowling and billiards, plus discounted Planetarium tickets and half-price admission to Dallas Stars games. The Staff Advisory Council hosts the week's benefits.

Surveys seek feedback on dining, library, information tech services

Take the Dining Services survey to share your thoughts on dining preferences and satisfaction. At the end, you can choose to participate in a drawing for one of four prizes: a $150 MasterCard gift card grand prize or one of three $50 MasterCard gift cards.

LibQual+ is a standardized survey of library service quality. This survey should take five minutes to complete and includes a text box for comments. The survey runs through Friday, March 11.

Give your feedback on the Office of Information Technology's services through its survey at uta.edu/oit/survey.

DPS urges spring break travelers to avoid Mexico

The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging all spring break travelers to avoid going to Mexico because of continued violence.

The U.S. State Department website lists several travel alerts related to violence in Mexico. Travelers should always check that website for the most up-to-date information related to security issues.

Introduction to Office 2010

Review the differences in Word, Excel, Power Point, and Access in the newest Office version. Download handout. Free. 9-11 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Room 123, Hammond Hall. See more information on OIT Training.

Performance Management Forms and Procedures

An overview of the new forms and procedures for performance management. Free. 2-3 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. See a complete listing of HR training classes.

Mindful Moments

Take a break from stress with Mindful Moments. Mindfulness draws on one's internal resources to cultivate awareness and to practice being present in each moment of our lives. 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Room 235, Business Building. Health Services, Marie Bannister, 2-2771.

Employment Information

Check out 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.

Tuesday, March 8

Fun in the Sun Health Fair Fun, food, prizes, and information on the effects of the sun on our skin. To volunteer, contact Latoya Oduniyi. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge and Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center; University Center mall; Central Library mall. Health Services, 2-2771.

Wednesday, March 9

Fifty Years of Lasers Elsa Garmire, right, of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, outlines laser history, its basic concepts, and how this technology has advanced science and our daily lives. Free. RSVP. Reception begins at 5 p.m. in Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Lecture is at 6 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series.

Thursday, March 10

Biology Colloquium Series Brendan Bohannan, associate professor of biology at the University of Oregon, speaks on the impact of architectural design on the microbial diversity of built environments. 4 p.m., Room 124, Life Science Building. Biology, 2-2872.

Making the Metroplex: Fort Worth John Robinson of the Amon G. Carter Foundation explains how Fort Worth has emerged as a city of influence in culture and planning, yet still retains and promotes its Western heritage. Part of the Institute of Urban Studies Speaker Series. 6 p.m., Room 204, Architecture Building. School of Urban and Public Affairs, 2-3301.

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

Webb lectures highlight Soviet Bloc "Transnational Perspectives on the Soviet Bloc, 1944-1991" is the theme for the 46th Annual Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures on Thursday, March 10, in the Rio Grande Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The goal of the day-long conference, sponsored by the Department of History, is to reflect critically on the need and opportunities for studying flows of people, objects and ideas across the Soviet Bloc during the Cold War. The lectures are: 9:30 a.m., "Meeting at a Far Meridian: American-Soviet Cooperation in and on Film in the 1960s," Marsha Siefert, Central European University. 11 a.m., "The Soviet-African Partnership in the Cold War: Political, Cultural, and Scientific Dimensions," Constantin Katsakioris, the Hellenic Literary and Historical Archives. 1:30 p.m., "Seeds of Doubt: How Polish Peasants Toured Soviet Collective Farms, 1949-1952," Patryk Babiracki, assistant professor of history at UT Arlington. 7:30 p.m., "Beyond the Iron Curtains," Michael David-Fox, University of Maryland, Rosebud Theatre, University Center. The lecture series is named for Webb (1888-1963), a 20th century U.S. historian and author noted for his groundbreaking historical work on the American West. A UT Austin history professor, Webb was a long-time supporter of UT Arlington in its early days.

Monday, March 7

Mozart Requiem UTA A Cappella Choir, University Singers, and the Faculty and Friends Chamber Orchestra perform. Karen Kenaston-French conducts with soloists Soo Hong Kim, soprano; Natalie Arduino, mezzo-soprano; Kwan Kyun Joo, tenor; and David Grogan, baritone. $5. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Tuesday, March 8

Tennis Mavericks vs. Xavier. Free. women, 11:30 a.m.; men, 2:30 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 2-2261.

Music Honors Recital 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. Music, 2-3471.

Wednesday, March 9

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. Southern Mississippi. Free. 2 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 2-2261.

$2 Movie: Dinner for Schmucks Steve Carell and Paul Rudd star in an unforgettable feast about two unlikely friends and one very memorable dinner. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Open Mic Night A night of poetry and song features Shihan, 2004 National Poetry Slam champion. Sign up to perform. Free. 7 p.m. Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

UTA Percussion Ensembles Chamber Concert Percussion music majors, directed by Michael Varner, associate professor of music, perform Gillingham's "Normandy Beach-1944" and Rouse's "KuKaIllimoku." The UT Arlington World Music ensemble performs West African music. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Ongoing

Gallery 76102 "A Certain Shade of the Aftermath," an exhibit by Timothy Harding, deals with U.S. history, corporate infrastructure, heavy metal music, terrorism, and popular culture. Free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Through March 31. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

The Gallery at UTA Sedrick Huckaby, assistant professor of art, displays paintings, and Barbra Riley, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi professor of art, provides digital photographs. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through April 2. Closed during Spring Break. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

Six Flags Over Texas Exhibit Celebrate 50 years of an Arlington landmark with the free interactive exhibit "What You Wish the World Could Be: The Early Years of Six Flags Over Texas." 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Through May 14. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library.

Combat Narratives: Stories and Artifacts from UT Arlington Veterans Artifacts, memorabilia, and gear on loan from UT Arlington military veterans and objects carried, used, or found by U.S. servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Free. Through May 21. Sixth floor atrium, Central Library. Library and OneBook.

Exposure: Photos from the Second Battle of Fallujah Photographs from the Second Battle of Fallujah taken by UT Arlington student and Marine Corps veteran Joel Chaverri. Free. Through May 21. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Library and OneBook.

Planetarium The beauty of a starlit sky conceals the violent forces at work within our universe in Violent Universe. 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Saturdays. See the complete Planetarium schedule, 2-1183.

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