University Communications » Internal Communications » MavWire » MavWire 09-06-2012

Ralph Hawkins

HKS Inc. CEO commits $1.5 million to support School of Architecture

Ralph Hawkins ('73 BS) and his wife, Susan, have made a $1.5 million commitment in support of the School of Architecture, funds that in part will be used to develop a strategic vision for the school’s future.

A portion of the gift has been doubled in value through the University’s Maverick Match program, which leverages natural gas royalties to attract new commitments to the UT Arlington endowment.

Hawkins is chairman and chief executive officer of HKS Inc., one of the nation’s most celebrated architectural firms. HKS Inc. has developed a worldwide reach and has designed prominent sports venues across the globe, including Cowboys Stadium and the 7,000-seat College Park Center at UT Arlington. The special events venue is a LEED Gold building that has been recognized for its sustainable design, including the use of natural light, recycled materials, and many energy-saving features.

President James D. Spaniolo said Hawkins is an inspiring example for other leading alumni and UT Arlington supporters. Ralph Hawkins serves as chairman of the University’s Development Board and has long been a supporter of the University.

“This gift to the UT Arlington School of Architecture will influence many lives for years to come,” Spaniolo says. “Ralph and Susan are an integral part of the UT Arlington family, and Ralph truly embodies what it means to be a loyal alumnus.”

Read more about the $1.5 million commitment to the School of Architecture.

UT Arlington among nation's fastest-growing universities

A new Chronicle of Higher Education list of the nation’s fastest-growing public research universities puts UT Arlington at No. 6, recognizing a more than 61 percent increase in enrollment from fall 2000 to fall 2010.

The University, which had a spring 2012 enrollment of nearly 33,500, was the highest ranked University of Texas System school on the Chronicle’s survey of public research institutions.

“We’ve worked hard over the past decade to make UT Arlington a destination for top-quality students and world-class faculty,” President James D. Spaniolo says. “Our university community is not only larger, but also more vibrant and engaged than ever.”

Improved recruiting and the expansion of online degree programs have fueled UT Arlington’s growth in recent years. Efforts to bolster the University’s role in the community include the opening in 2012 of the $78 million College Park Center, a 7,000-seat special events center, and the College Park district, an $80 million mixed-use development that accommodates 600 students in a residence hall and apartments.

The list of fastest-growing campuses is part of the Chronicle’s Almanac of Higher Education 2012.

Sensing damage: Sensors have been placed in this building in El Centro, Calif., to determine strengths and weaknesses after the building was damaged by earthquakes. Dr. Andreas Stavridis and his team will shake the building, simulating an earthquake to accumulate the data. The findings could lead to better building codes in the future.

Grant would create tools for assessing earthquake damage

Andreas Stavridis is being paid to create an earthquake from the roof down at a southeastern California building.

Through a National Science Foundation grant, the civil engineering assistant professor will develop new numerical simulation tools to predict performance and strength of buildings in future earthquakes.

His research results could lead to changes in building codes so that buildings could withstand more severe earthquakes with less damage.

“Predicting the strength of existing buildings and their performance in future earthquakes is crucial as it will allow us to determine which buildings are safe and which need to be retrofitted or demolished,” Dr. Stavridis says. “We will develop new models and provide guidelines so that practicing engineers can apply them on any building of the same type.”

Read more about the NSF grant for assessing earthquake damage.

Civil engineering research to explore manhole rehabilitation

Mohammad Najafi, a civil engineering assistant professor, is teaming with a private sector engineer to study different techniques for renewing and designing manholes.

Dr. Najafi and Firat Sever of Benton Associates of Illinois are partnering in the $242,420 grant from the nonprofit Water Environment Research Foundation to conduct the research at UT Arlington’s Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education.

Titled “Structural Capabilities of No-Dig Manhole Rehabilitation,” the project will look at structural strengths and weaknesses of common manhole rehabilitation materials.

The grant will allow the team to conduct compression tests, tensile tests, and shear strength tests to create a tool for developing a system that people can use to rehabilitate manholes.

Read more about the grant to be used in manhole rehabilitation.

Pre-law center offers support, mentoring from AT&T legal staff

UT Arlington’s new Pre-Law and Legal Studies Center is partnering with worldwide communications giant AT&T to help prepare students for law school and the practice of law.

The center launches this fall and will offer students help with course planning, preparation for the Law School Admission Test, application to law school, mock trial experience, and one-on-one mentoring from practicing attorneys.

UT Arlington alumni and supporters have raised $700,000 toward a planned $2 million endowment to sustain the center’s activities.

Read more about partnering with AT&T.

Stately sounds: Flo Rida performs his mix of musical styles Oct. 19 at the Fall Concert at College Park Center.

Flo Rida to headline annual Fall Concert; tickets on sale today

Hip-hop artist Flo Rida brings his “Good Feeling” to UT Arlington when he performs in the Fall Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at College Park Center.

Tickets will be available to UT Arlington faculty, staff, and students only beginning at 4 p.m. today, Thursday, Sept. 6, through 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 7, at utacollegepark.com. After that, any remaining tickets will also be available for purchase at the College Park Center Box Office, 601 S. Pecan St., or by calling 2-9595.

There is a four-ticket limit per person, including one ticket at a discounted rate for UT Arlington faculty, staff, and students only.

The Division of Student Affairs traditionally brings an annual concert to campus. The Flo Rida performance serves as this year’s Fall Concert.

As for his embrace of electronic and dance music, Flo Rida says he grew up listening to all kinds of music, including the church songs his seven sisters sang in a local gospel group. “I like to take music from everywhere and put it in my style and let it be accepted,” he told MTV.com.

Read more about Flo Rida, the concert, and ticket details.

Dr. Xueming Luo

Marketing program earns top five ranking

UT Arlington ranks in the top five of pre-eminent doctoral marketing programs worldwide, according to an article published by the American Marketing Association. The study also ranks marketing Professor Xueming Luo first among marketing scholars worldwide for the scholarly impact of his published works.

The rankings were determined by measuring scholarly excellence and research impact based on top-tier marketing journal citations. UT Arlington ranks fifth with 195 citations, higher than Harvard University (185 citations), Stanford University (156 citations) and UT Austin (117 citations) in top-tier marketing journals between 2006 and 2010.

Dr. Luo was recognized as the most cited individual scholar worldwide with 195 citations of his eligible works in top-tier marketing journals between 2006 and 2010.

Read more about the marketing program rankings.

Travelers must submit documentation

For all point-to-point mileage reimbursements, University travelers must submit payment vouchers and documentation from either the traveler’s odometer reading or the University’s approved mapping service at mapquest.com.

Mileage is reimbursed at $0.555 per mile.

For assistance with mileage reimbursement or any other travel-related question, call Travel Support Services at 2-2194.

Voice of choice Texas Secretary of State Hope Andrade discussed encouraging youth participation in elections Tuesday in the Central Library parlor. Her talk was sponsored by the UT Arlington Women's and Gender Studies program and the League of Women Voters-Arlington Area. Learn more about upcoming elections or register to vote.

Cast your vote by Friday

Voting is now open for the UT System-Wide Insurance Advisory Committee, and your vote can help select the UT Arlington representative.

Candidates are Eunice Currie, assistant vice president for human resources management and development, and Yvette Rodriguez, human resources specialist. Voting is open until 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7.

For more information and the ballot, see SWIAC elections.

Job Fair volunteers needed

Volunteers are needed for the Fall Job Fair Wednesday, Sept. 19, at the Maverick Activities Center. The fair, hosted by the Career Center, has shifts available in one-hour increments 7 a.m.-4 p.m.

Faculty and staff are needed most 7-9 a.m. during set up, and 11 a.m.-2 p.m., which will allow a lunch break for the Career Center staff while ensuring the job fair is still supervised. Volunteer duties include set up, clean up, loading dock, and check-in tables.

Organizations also may volunteer. Fill out the Job Fair volunteer form or contact the Career Center at 2-2932 or careers@uta.edu.

New policy to affect electronic access privileges

Effective Monday, Oct. 1, Mav Express will automatically remove electronic access privileges to campus doors and parking gates based on various conditions that affect a cardholder’s status with the University.

For example, access privileges will be automatically removed 10 days after an employee no longer has an active employment assignment. For students, access privileges will be automatically removed 10 days after the student is no longer enrolled.

While departments will continue to be responsible for immediately requesting removal of electronic access privileges when an individual is no longer eligible, this automatic removal of privileges is an important safeguard to enhance campus safety and security.

See more details and examples. Send questions or concerns to mavexpress@uta.edu.

Arabic Level I

Start with the basics and move to a level that's perfect for many social situations. Call 2-2581 for faculty, staff discount fee of $64.50. 6:30-8:30 p.m., Mondays, Sept 10-Oct. 29, Continuing Education Workforce Building. Continuing Education.

Introduction to Autism Spectrum Disorder

This online webinar course provides an overview of autism spectrum disorders, examining the psychological, physiological, social, and educational characteristics of individuals who have been identified as having Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Call 2-2581 for faculty, staff discount fee of $79.50. 6-8 p.m., Tuesdays, Sept. 11-25. Continuing Education.

Digital Media Studio Workshops

Free introductory software workshops for Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, and more are offered throughout the semester and are open to all faculty, staff, and students. See the workshop schedule. For one-on-one training or assistance with a multimedia project, request an appointment.

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.

Elite coach: Scott Cross has been selected as one of the nation’s top young coaches by ESPN.com.

Cross tabbed as 'elite' by ESPN

Head men’s basketball coach Scott Cross has been tabbed as one of the nation’s “coaches on the verge of elite status” in an article on ESPN.com.

The article, which listed 11 coaches nationwide, says “... armed with a new arena, an NCAA appearance last season and an invitation to the Sun Belt Conference, the Mavericks are a hot commodity in the state of Texas, and Cross is largely responsible for that.”

Cross, who guided the Mavericks to a school-record 24 wins last year, will enter his seventh season as head coach in November.

Volleyball hosts weekend tourney

Competing in its third straight weekend tournament, UT Arlington's volleyball team hosts the Hilton Classic Friday-Saturday, Sept. 7-8, at College Park Center.

The Mavericks face Marist at 7 p.m. Friday, which is Orange Out Night with fans urged to wear orange. The first 50 fans receive a UTA Mavericks wristband.

On Saturday, the Mavericks play Northwestern State at 1:30 p.m. and Southern Mississippi at 7 p.m.

UT Arlington is 3-5 for the season, losing two of three at the Illinois-Chicago Invitational last weekend before falling to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi on Monday.

Cross country opens season Saturday

UT Arlington men’s and women’s cross country teams begin the year with the UTA Season Opener on Saturday, Sept. 8, at Vandergriff Park. Competition starts at 8 a.m.

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

Thursday, Sept. 6

Linton Powell Organ and Harpsichord Recital Linton Powell, right, professor of musicology, performs his 37th annual recital to open the season for the Department of Music. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building.

Friday, Sept. 7

Distinguished Scholar Series Toni Whited, the Michael and Diane Jones Professor of Business Administration at the William E. Simon Graduate School of Business at the University of Rochester, discusses "Testing Dynamic Tradeoff Theory: Evidence from Rebalancing Points." Free. 10:30 a.m.-noon, Room 609, Business Building. Department of Information Systems and Operations Management, College of Business.

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Marist in the Hilton Classic. First 50 fans receive a UTA Mavericks wristband. Tickets $6. 7:30 p.m., College Park Center. Athletics.

Movie: Men in Black 3 Rated PG-13. Free fresh-popped popcorn with admission; other concessions for sale. $1. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Saturday, Sept. 8

Cross Country UTA Season Opener. Men's and women's teams compete with other Metroplex area schools. Free. 8 a.m., Vandergriff Park. Athletics.

Volleyball Hilton Classic. Mavericks vs. Northwestern State, 1:30 p.m.; Mavericks vs. Southern Mississippi, 7 p.m. Tickets $6. College Park Center, Athletics.

Heart Walk Join Team Arlington, an entry in the American Heart Association's Tarrant County 2012 Heart Walk, which lets residents partner with city officials, the Arlington school district, and UT Arlington to raise $60,000 for cardiac research and education. Register. Fort Worth Stockyards. Heart Walk.

Monday, Sept. 10

Voice Division Recital Performances by vocal students. Free. Noon-1 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, Sept. 11

Music Honors Recital Performances by music faculty members and outstanding students. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Coming up

Passion Pit An American electropop band. Tickets $21.50-$29.50. 8 p.m., Friday, Sept. 14, College Park Center, 2-9595.

Maverick Speakers Series Sportswriter and commentator Frank DeFord, right, speaks on “Journalism: Sports and Beyond.” Free, but tickets required. Premium seating $25. 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Sept. 25, Texas Hall. Maverick Speakers Series.

Toby Mac Christian recording artist Toby Mac with special guests Chris August and Jamie Grace, along with the Diverse City Band. Tickets $15-$40. 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Oct. 4, College Park Center, 2-9595.

Ongoing

Texas Rangers Baseball Get tickets for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password MAVS12 for designated games through Wednesday, Sept. 26.

Gallery 76102: Power Grid Greg Bahr and Josh Fletcher offer critical scrutiny of power structures in their art exhibit. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, Gallery 76012. Through Saturday, Sept. 29. Fort Worth Center.

The Gallery at UTA: The State of Drawing Group exhibition showcasing drawing by artists living and working in Texas. At right, "Fat Girls with Nest" by Karin Broker. Opening reception 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 7. Free. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Exhibit continues through Saturday, Oct. 6. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

India Unveiled: The Photography of Robert Arnett A collection of images highlighting the diversity of India and its various regions. Free. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Through Jan. 5, 2013. Special Collections.

Planetarium Join two children on a magical journey through the solar system, aided by a talking astronomy book, a cardboard rocket, and a vivid imagination in Secret of the Cardboard Rocket. 1 p.m. Saturdays. Planetarium.

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