University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 10-03-2011

Dr. Therese Huston

Active learning workshop set for Oct. 14

Novice and experienced educators can discover they don't need to be an expert when using manageable active learning techniques at the Active Learning for Critical Thinking workshop Friday, Oct. 14, in the Carlisle Suite of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Therese Huston, founding director of the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Seattle University, will speak on “Active learning as a benefit for faculty: Strategies for teaching material you've only just learned." Dr. Huston works with faculty to find creative, scholarly, and sustainable ways to improve the teaching and learning experience. She is the author of Teaching What You Don't Know.

Other presenters include Lynn Peterson, associate dean of the College of Engineering and professor of computer science and engineering; Tuncay Aktosun, professor of mathematics; Carla Amaro-Jimenez, assistant professor of bilingual and ESL education; and David J. Silva, vice provost of academic affairs and professor of linguistics.

The workshop begins at 8 a.m. Huston's talk begins at 1 p.m., followed by an open discussion at 2:45 p.m.

Register by Friday, Oct. 7. For more information, contact Dr. Silva at 2-2103.

Dr. Ramon Lopez

Lopez selected for national physicist award

The American Physical Society has selected physics Professor Ramon Lopez as the 2012 winner of the Edward A. Bouchet Award. The national award recognizes a distinguished minority physicist who has made significant contributions to physics research.

Dr. Lopez specializes in space physics and is a co-investigator and the co-director for diversity for the Center for Integrated Space Weather Modeling, a science and technology center funded by the National Science Foundation. He is co-director of UT Arlington’s UTeach program, a highly successful effort to attract science majors to teaching careers.

As part of the award, he will speak to students, faculty, and administrators at three academic institutions where his visit would significantly impact minority students.

Cathy Leslie

Engineers Without Borders director to speak

Cathy Leslie, executive director of Engineers Without Borders USA, discusses "EWB-USA's Commitment to Equity, Economy, and Ecology" at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, as part of the College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series in Room 100 at Nedderman Hall.

Leslie is a licensed civil engineer in Colorado with more than 20 years experience in the design and management of civil engineering projects. In 2008 she became executive director of Engineers Without Borders–USA.

A former Peace Corps volunteer, she has worked in corporate engineering or nonprofit international development creating solutions for engineering projects that meet both client and environmental needs.

A reception starts at 5 p.m. in Room 601 of Nedderman Hall. RSVP for reception and lecture.

Campus police host National Night Out

Learn how campus police keep you safe and how you can help them during National Night Out 6-8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 4, on the University Center mall.

“This is an excellent way for faculty, staff, and students to become more familiar with the officers who work on campus and their duties and to ask questions and view police equipment,” Officer Ron Cook says.

NNO kicks off the “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign, encouraging people to contact police if they suspect a criminal activity.

“Folks often seem hesitant to call the police. They don’t want to bother anyone,” Cook says. “But to decrease crime, our community needs to keep our officers informed of any suspicious activity. And suspicious activity is what you think it is.”

Instructors for the Rape Aggression Defense, or RAD, self-defense program and bicycle patrol officers will be on hand. Look for information on crime prevention, security escort services, and the police watch tower, and enjoy free food.

Texas observes NNO in October when temperatures are cooler than August, when the rest of the nation celebrates the event.

Emmitt Smith tickets on sale today

Tickets for the first lecture of the Maverick Speakers Series, featuring Emmitt Smith, are available at 9 a.m. today, Monday, Oct. 3, through utatickets.com.

Smith, the National Football League's all-time leading rusher, appears at Texas Hall on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Free general admission tickets are available, along with a new $25 preferred package while supplies last. The package includes reserved parking, reserved entrance to avoid long lines, and reserved seating near the stage.

For more information, call the Texas Hall box office at 2-9595 or see the Maverick Speakers Series website.

Visual exposure Photojournalist Dominic Bracco ('08 BA) discussed how death is a daily occurrence in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico, during a lecture Wednesday at the Central Library. His photo exhibit "Life and Death in the Northern Pass" is on display through Jan. 14 in the library's sixth floor parlor.

Gradfest '11 provides grad school info

Learn about graduate school at GradFest '11, a free, one-day event for anyone considering graduate and professional school, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12.

A graduate and professional school fair and other events are in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The fair is 10 a.m.-2 p.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge and features graduate school information from UT Arlington and 42 other colleges. A roundtable on admissions, funding, career services, and veterans affairs is 11-11:45 a.m. in the San Saba and Palo Pinto rooms. Alumni and current grad students form a discussion panel on expectations, opportunities, and success noon-1:30 p.m. in the Red River Room.

Take a practice GRE or GMAT for free 2-5 p.m. in University Hall and the Business Building. A faculty/graduate student mixer is 5-7 p.m. in the University Club at Davis Hall.

The Office of Graduate Studies hosts the event. Find more information and register at GradFest '11.

SAC changes meeting location

The next two Staff Advisory Council general meetings will change locations.

SAC will meet Tuesday, Oct. 11, in Room 253 of the Business Building. The meeting Tuesday, Nov. 8, will be in Room 315A of the Central Library.

Meetings for the remainder of the academic year will be in the Student Congress chambers on the lower level of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

All staff members are welcome to attend the SAC general meetings, held at 3 p.m. the second Tuesday of every month.

Wear pink, get in step for breast cancer awareness

Pink is the color for Breast Cancer Awareness Day and for an info fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, on the Arlington Hall mall. Rain site is the Rio Grande Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services sponsors the event.

Stay in one place for the Pink Ribbon Run during Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Every mile logged on the pink Cybex treadmills at the Maverick Activities Center in October results in 10 cents donated by Cybex to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Mileage by each participant will be displayed, and giveaways are planned. For more information, see Campus Recreation.

Sky high The view from atop the Park Central parking garage shows progress on construction of College Park Center and, in the foreground, the south parking garage. Park Central is part of the north parking garage in the College Park District that is open to faculty, staff, and students with a UT Arlington parking permit. Park Central is accessible from Center Street, and Park North has an entrance on UTA Boulevard.

Fifth Annual Fall Festival and Concert is family friendly and free

Bring the family to the Fifth Annual Fall Festival and Concert at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 22, on the E.H. Hereford University Center mall.

The event is family friendly and includes a petting zoo, pony rides, caricatures, bounce houses, wax hands, magicians, jugglers, pumpkin painting, live music, games, a photo booth, and many more fun activities.

The annual festival coincides with Parent and Family Weekend and is sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs. There is no cost to attend or participate in the festival or concert.

For more information, see Parent and Family Weekend.

HUB fair promotes underutilized businesses in November

Representatives of historically underutilized businesses compete for your department's business at the HUB Vendor Fair, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 9, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Door prizes, snacks, and giveaways are part of the event.

For information, contact Jean Carlton, director of the HUB program, at 2-2140 or carlton@uta.edu.

Lunch and learn during Cyber Security Awareness Month

The Information Security Office presents "Identity Theft and Phishing" in the first of a series of National Cyber Security Awareness Month lunch and learns for faculty and staff at noon Thursday, Oct. 6, in the Rio Grande Ballroom at the E.H. Hereford University Center. Register for lunch.

National Cyber Security Awareness Month is a coordinated national effort that focuses on the need for improved online safety and security.

Other presentations in the series include "Social Networking" on Thursday, Oct. 13, and "Viruses, Malware & Spyware...Oh My!" on Thursday, Oct. 20.

For more information, contact the Information Security Office at security@uta.edu.

Register now for Thursday's Bed Races

Faculty and staff can push for the 31st annual Bed Races at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at Maverick Stadium.

Teams push beds on wheels while decked out in creative costumes at one of the University’s longest-running traditions. The competition is open to faculty and staff, as well as students. Other activities that night include music, dancing, games, giveaways, and a halftime competition.

Teams must register by noon Tuesday, Oct. 4, with EXCEL Campus Activities.

Connected space Bret Barrow, marketing/management senior, connects to the Internet in the Business Building. A ribbon cutting Wednesday celebrated nine new laptop-friendly spaces around campus.

Weight Watchers hosts open house

Learn about the Weight Watchers at Work series at an open house 11 a.m.-noon Thursday, Oct. 6, in Room 401 at Davis Hall.

The 17-week series begins Thursday, Oct. 20. You can experience Weight Watchers with the added convenience and support of meetings in your workplace.

For more information, contact Sandra Golightly at sgolightly@uta.edu.

Routine warning system test Wednesday

UT Arlington conducts the monthly test of its Outdoor Warning System at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5. The test, held the first Wednesday of every month, will not be conducted in the event of bad weather.

Heard campus-wide through strategically placed loudspeakers, the test includes electronic chimes and is followed by the test announcement. At the conclusion of the test, an announcement will be broadcast to resume normal operations.

The City of Arlington's outdoor weather warning system has 51 sirens that alert people who are outdoors to seek shelter. Weather permitting, the city's system is tested on the first Wednesday of every month at 1 p.m.

Prescription Drug Awareness

Learn about the dos and don'ts of prescription medication. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Friday, Oct. 7, Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Health Services, 2-2771.

Mediation and Dispute Resolution Open House

Learn more about the Mediation and Dispute Resolution Professional Certificate Program. Meet instructors and get your questions answered. Free. 7-8 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 12, Room E200H, Continuing Education Workforce Building. Continuing Education, 2-2581.

Introduction to Stained Glass Mosaics

Explore stained glass design in a mosaic format. No art or mosaic experience necessary. Material costs included in the course fee. Call 2-2581 to receive a faculty/staff discount fee of $99.50. 9:30 a.m.-noon, Saturdays, Oct. 8-29, Room A101, Continuing Education Workforce Building. Continuing Education.

Real Issues/Real Talk: Do I Know Harassment When I See It?

Learn what constitutes harassment, how to know if it is illegal, and some scenarios that could be considered harassment. Lunch will be served. Register. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 25, Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. compliance@uta.edu, 2-5100.

Mindful Moments

Take a break with Mindful Moments. Free. 12:15-12:45 p.m. Wednesdays, Room 236, 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 email employment@uta.edu. The University of Texas at Arlington is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer.

Tuesday, Oct. 4

Multiscale Biomechanics of Osteoporotic Bone Fracture Ashfaq Adnan, assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, discusses bone fractures from nanoscale to macroscale. Free. 9:30-10:30 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Samir Iqbal, smiqbal@uta.edu.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

Challenges in Designing a Hybrid Race Car Mechanical engineering Professor Bob Woods talks about UT Arlington's Formula SAE racing team and how it is converting one of its race cars to hybrid power. Light breakfast provided. Reservations. Free to ATA members, students, and first-time guests. Others $5. 7 a.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. College of Engineering, Arlington Technology Association. Roger Tuttle, 817-924-1850.

Thursday, Oct. 6

Biology Colloquium Series Dr. Lora V. Hooper, the J. Wayne Streilein M.D. Professor in Immunology at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, discusses "Immune Defense of the Intestinal Epithelial Surface." Free. 4-5 p.m., Room 124, Life Science Building. Biology, 2-3280.

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

Monday, Oct. 3

Voice Division Recital Features UT Arlington vocal students. Free. Noon, Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Faculty and Friends Chamber Orchestra Concert Features performances by faculty and students. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Wednesday, Oct. 5

$2 Movie: Gremlins A boy inadvertantly breaks three important rules concerning his new pet and unleashes a horde of malevolently mischievous monsters on a small town. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 7, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 8. Planetarium, 2-1183.

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Texas State. $6, utatickets.com. 7 p.m., Texas Hall, Athletics, 2-2261.

Thursday, Oct. 6

Guest Jazz Recital A jazz recital featuring vibraphonist Dave Hagedorn, artist-in-residence at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 2-3471.

Friday, Oct. 7

Friends of the Library Eddie Robinson reviews his book Lucky Me: My Sixty-five Years in Baseball along with collaborator C. Paul Rogers III. Open to everyone. Book signing and reception will follow. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, 2-2658 or wingfield@uta.edu.

Ongoing

Silver: 25th Anniversary Exhibition A group show of 25 artists who have shown works from The Gallery at UTA's 1986 beginning as the Center for Research in Contemporary Art to the present. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Saturday, Oct. 15. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building, 2-5658.

Life and Death in the Northern Pass Photojournalist Dominic Bracco II ('08 BA) provides a view of drug violence in Ciudad Juarez. Free. Through Jan. 14. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Impressions of the West: Works of Art from Special Collections The American West comes alive in more than 30 paintings, sculptures, and prints. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays. Through Jan. 14. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library, 2-3393.

Planetarium We Are Astronomers reveals the global collaboration, technology, and dedication required to answer the unresolved questions of the universe. 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 1:30 p.m. Sundays. Planetarium, 2-1183.

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