University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 04-20-2010

Have compostable lunch, get a free plant Wednesday at Earth Day celebration

"Celebrating People and Planet" is the theme for UT Arlington's 10th annual Earth Day event 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Wednesday, April 21, on the E.H. Hereford University Center mall. The outdoor festival, hosted by the Office of Sustainability, promotes environmental education and action to faculty, staff, and students.

This is the 40th anniversary of the nation's first Earth Day celebration in April 1970.

The completely compostable/recyclable lunch consists of a baked potato, fruit, and drink for $1. Herb plants and environmentally friendly water bottles are freebies, while they last. Student Winston Triolo will provide music. Buy an Earth Day T-shirt for $10, and visit with vendors about how they are helping the environment.

Contact Becky Valentich, recycling coordinator in the Office of Sustainability, at becky@uta.edu or 817-272-0199 for more details.

Prize speaker: William McKenzie is part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning editorial team at The Dallas Morning News.

Maverick Celebration brings speakers, music, food, and fireworks to Levitt Pavilion

Join the fun as UT Arlington recognizes the Class of 2010 and its achievements at Maverick Celebration, the end-of-year bash formerly called Graduation Celebration, at 8 p.m. Friday, May 7.

UT Arlington has great neighbors, so we're also taking the party to them. This year, Maverick Celebration will be at Levitt Pavilion, at Abram and Center streets, about two blocks north of the UT Arlington Bookstore, in amphitheatre space designed for staging top acts.

UT Arlington is about smart people sharing big ideas, so it is only fitting that our guest speaker, William McKenzie, is both a recent Pulitzer Prize winner and an alumnus. As the editorial columnist for The Dallas Morning News, McKenzie provides timely insights on topics ranging from politics to education. A Fort Worth native, he spearheaded the launch of Texas Faith, a weekly online discussion about religion, politics, and culture. He is a 1979 graduate with a master's degree in political science.

Also speaking are President James D. Spaniolo and UT Arlington student Wendy Okolo, who is graduating with a degree in aerospace engineering.

Of course, the highlight of Maverick Celebration will be the spectacular fireworks show that ends the year with a bang. Then dance under the stars, with Texas music icons Micky and the Motorcars, the UT Arlington Festival Band, and others.

No tickets are needed for this free event, which includes free food and drinks. If it rains that day, head to Texas Hall for the festivities.

President's Convocation highlights Academic Excellence Week

Academic Excellence Week culminates with the President's Convocation for Academic Excellence at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, April 22, in Texas Hall. Tom Luce, chief executive officer of the National Math and Science Initiative, is guest speaker, with music by the Wind Symphony.

Students honored at the convocation include:

• University Scholars;

• All "A" Honor Roll recipients;

• Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES) competition winners;

• Service Learning Award recipients; and

• OneBook Program winners.

Created in 1995-96 as part of the University's Centennial observance, Academic Excellence Week is a campus-wide celebration of the achievements of students and faculty who exemplify the University's commitment to excellence. Individual colleges and schools honor students at various events during the week.

Helping hands: Tiffany Lewis, left, biology junior, staffs a sign-up booth for The Big Event last week while Rodolfo Guerrero, Spanish junior, checks out volunteer projects online. More than 900 volunteers will participate in the annual community service event Saturday, April 24.

More than 900 signed up to help Saturday for The Big Event

The Big Event has met its volunteer goals for the day of community service on Saturday, April 24.

A total of 929 people registered to lend a helping hand for 977 opportunities at 55 project sites, which easily surpassed the UTA Volunteers' goal of 800. Volunteers will assist at project locations in Arlington, Fort Worth, Dallas, Mansfield, and North Richland Hills.

The last day to sign up was Friday, but anyone interested in being placed on a waiting list should contact Bonnie Rodriguez at 817-272-2963 or bonnie@uta.edu.

For its 10th year, The Big Event has joined with the Arlington Alliance for Youth for Global Youth Service Day for the biggest day of community service in North Texas. The Big Event is sponsored by UTA Volunteers, Student Activities, and the Division of Student Affairs.

Go to www.uta.edu/thebigevent for more information.

No parking on Doug Russell Road

Members of the UT Arlington community are reminded not to park along Doug Russell Road on the southeast side of campus, near Lots 49, 50, and 52. The street runs east-west between South Cooper and South Pecan streets, south of West Mitchell Street.

No Parking signs are posted along the north and south side of Doug Russell Road. Violators may be ticketed.

Parking is available in campus lots with a University decal. For more information, visit the Parking Office website at www.uta.edu/parking or call 817-272-3907.

Springfest rocks and so should you; The Bravery, Waking Alice play

Springfest is the annual outdoor concert that celebrates The Big Event volunteers 5:30-10:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24, on the Central Library mall.

Music is by alternative rock band The Bravery, pop-rock/electronic band The Secret Handshake, and Waking Alice, the winner of the EXCEL Campus Activities Battle of the Bands.

Food and drinks are free for The Big Event volunteers and only $2 per plate for others.

Novelty entertainment items have a "Capture the Moment" theme and provide attendees an opportunity to leave the event with a picture memento to remember the day of service and celebration.

Superheroes promote importance of philanthropy

A lucky member of the faculty, staff, or student body could win an Apple iPad through a new giving campaign offered by the Office of Development.

The "League of Philanthropy" initiative is a comic book-style multimedia program that educates faculty, staff, and students about the importance of providing financial support to UT Arlington. The "League of Philanthropy" comic book will arrive on campus newsstands today, Tuesday, April 20, as an insert in The Shorthorn.

To be eligible to win the iPad, fill out an entry form and solve a secret message. The drawing will be Friday, April 23.

Visit www.uta.edu/giving/hero for entry forms, contest rules, and other information.

Candidates' forum Carter Bedford, Student Governance and Organizations associate director, introduces campus office contenders at Wednesday's candidates' forum. Voting is 9 a.m.-6 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 20, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the University Center and in the Maverick Activities Center.

Order MavPacks for finals by Friday

MavPack Finals Goody Bags are back. Order by Friday, April 23, at www.uta.edu/alumni/saa. The kits, $25 each, are packed with office and school supplies, spirit items, snacks, and study tips. The Student Alumni Association sponsors MavPacks.

Get $5 tickets now for UT Arlington Night at the Texas Rangers

Get the gang together for UT Arlington Night at the Rangers Ballpark on Monday, April 26. Game time is 7:05 p.m. as the Texas Rangers play the Detroit Tigers.

President James D. Spaniolo will throw the first pitch, and the UT Arlington Symphonic Winds will play the national anthem. The University's color guard will present the flags, and Blaze, the Maverick mascot, will rally the crowd before the game.

Block seating is available for $5 per ticket. Buy tickets at utatickets.com and at the Department of Student Activities in Room B140 of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Discount tickets will not be available at the ballpark for purchase on game day.

Tickets must be picked up in person by 4 p.m. Monday, April 26, in the Student Activities office.

House talk Lauren Miller, left, conference coordinator for Housing, discusses housing options with Vicki Luu, nursing sophomore, and Mindy Chen, business sophomore, at Wednesday's Housing Fair. The Shorthorn sponsored the fair, where students could learn about on-campus and off-campus living opportunities.

'My Emperor's New Clothes' concludes Theatre Arts 2009-10 season

My Emperor's New Clothes, the classic tale of a self-obsessed emperor and his motley court, concludes the Theatre Arts 2009-10 season this weekend. The musical-comedy is directed by Joe Chapa, associate professor of theatre arts.

Performances are scheduled at 8 p.m. Friday, April 23; 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 24; and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, April 25, in the Mainstage Theatre of the Fine Arts Building.

For ticket prices, go to the Theatre Arts website.

Scholarship offered for student committed to Native Americans

Applications for the Native American Student Association scholarship are due Monday, May 3. The $1,100 scholarship is for a student who has demonstrated a commitment to a Native American community. Applications are available from Professor Kenneth Roemer in the Department of English. Call 817-272-2729 for more details.

Alumni Association offers scholarships

The Alumni Association offers 13 different scholarships for the 2010-11 academic year. Application forms are available in the Financial Aid Office in Davis Hall and online at www.uta.edu/alumni/scholarships. Return applications to the Alumni Association, 841 W. Mitchell St, or to P.O. Box 19457, Arlington, TX 76019. Call 817-272-2594 or e-mail scholarships@uta.edu for details. Deadline to apply is June 4.

Summer camps, courses available for youth

A wide variety of camps and programs for youth will be available on campus this summer. Some are free while others charge a fee. Day and residential camps are offered.

Summer camps and courses on campus include athletics, adaptive sports, engineering, music, nursing, SAT prep, science, and spirit/cheer. Read more about summer camps at www.uta.edu/summercamps.php.

Trinity tribute: Dr. Robert Fairbanks comments on the history of the Trinity River on KERA-TV and online.

History chair featured on 'Living with the Trinity'

Robert Fairbanks, professor and chair of the Department of History, is featured in the original documentary "Living with the Trinity," which airs at 8 p.m. today, Tuesday, April 20, on KERA-TV and statewide on public television stations throughout April.

The documentary also is online at www.trinityrivertexas.org, where it includes interactive maps and videos about the geography, ecology, and cultural history of the river. Dr. Fairbanks' comments are featured in videos in the "Explore" and "Voices" sections of the website.

The documentary explores the conflict that developed in the early 1970s over plans to transform the entire length of the Trinity River into a barge canal. The plan was to link Dallas and Fort Worth with the Gulf of Mexico.

The film is shown in connection with the 40th anniversary of the nation's first Earth Day celebration in April 1970.

Registration for summer intersession, summer, and fall under way

Priority registration for summer intersession, summer, and fall terms is under way. The registration timetables are available online. Advisers are clearing students for summer and fall registration now.

To determine if you need adviser clearance, check your portal page at www.uta.edu/mymav. Click on Student Center. You will see a section on the right titled Holds. Click the details link for specific hold information. If your academic department requires advising, you will see an academic department service indicator (a hold). A list of advising offices is online.

Students who want to register only for fall must have their summer and fall Academic Department Service Indicators released by their adviser.

The schedule of classes for summer intersession, summer, and fall is accessible at www.uta.edu/catalog. The graduate catalog is available at grad.uta.edu/catalog.

Prerequisite checking now enforced

Prerequisite checking will be enforced in MyMav prior to the summer term. If you have either already successfully completed the pre-requirement(s) or are currently enrolled in a course prerequisite, you will have been able to register for the next-level course for summer or fall.

• If you are enrolled for summer and do not successfully complete the prerequisite in the spring term, you will be dropped from the next-level course when spring grades are posted.

• If you are enrolled for fall but not summer, prerequisite completion will be checked when summer grades are final in August.

Prerequisites not only include courses that must be taken in sequence, but also some restricted to class level, GPA, or concurrent enrollment. Check Class Details in the MyMav Class Search.

Questions regarding prerequisites should be directed to your academic adviser. A list of advising offices is online.

Concerts offer a little night music Enjoy a wealth of musical talent this week offered by the Department of Music. The Spring Big Band Concert features the UT Arlington Jazz Orchestra, directed by Tim Ishii, and the UT Arlington Jazz Ensemble, directed by Dan Cavanagh. Guest trombonist is Steve Wiest. 8 p.m. Thursday, April 22, Texas Hall. UTA Bands in Concert features all three concert bands: the Wind Symphony, Symphonic Winds, and Symphonic Band. Conductors are Douglas Stotter, Matthew Luttrell, and Timothy Kaiser. Adam Hanna is the student soloist. 3 p.m. Sunday, April 25, Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Admission for these concerts is $5 for adults, faculty, and staff, and $3 for students and seniors. Upcoming free concerts include Spring Percussion Ensemble Concert, 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, April 21, Irons Recital Hall; and a faculty voice recital by Professor Jing Ling-Tam, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, April 25, Irons Recital Hall. Contact the Department of Music at 817-272-3471 for more details.

Wednesday, April 21

MGC/NPHC Yard Show Music, entertainment by the Multicultural Greek and the National Pan-Hellenic councils. Free, noon-1:30 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center mall. greeklife@uta.edu, 817-272-9234.

$2 Movie: An American in Paris Aspiring artist, two girls, romance, and dance. Planetarium. 817-272-1183, www.utaplanetarium.com. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 23, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

Through April 23

Master of Fine Arts Exhibit Graduate student Clinton Rawls' film/video exhibit. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-5658.

Friday-Sunday, April 23-25

Baseball Central Arkansas. Free with student ID. "Free Friday" where the first 100 hot dogs are free at the concession stand. 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. Clay Gould Ballpark. www.utamavs.com, 817-272-2261.

My Emperor's New Clothes Directed by theatre arts Associate Professor Joe Chapa, this production is a delightful comic play suitable for the whole family. The classic tale of a self-obsessed emperor and his motley court is full of fast-paced action and hummable songs. $7 students with ID. 8 p.m. Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. Mainstage Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Theatre Arts.

Saturday, April 24

Paralympic Military Sport Clinic Disabled veterans, UT Arlington students, and community members with a physical disability participate in track and field, wheelchair tennis, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, and adapted swimming. Fencing demo noon-1 p.m. in Physical Education Building gym. Free. 8 a.m.-6 p.m. dgarner@uta.edu.

TRiO Upward Bound Garage Sale Tools, housewares, toys, children and adult clothing, and baked goods. All proceeds go to graduating senior scholarships. 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Parking lot 49 at the corner of Mitchell and Cooper streets. TRiO, 817-272-2610.

Through April 24

Outside Influences Features works by American artists Michael Noland and Fred Stonehouse, along with pieces from their outsider/folk art collections. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-5658.

Saturday-Sunday, April 24-25

Softball McNeese State. Free with student ID. "Super Sunday" where the first 100 hot dogs are free at the concession stand. 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, noon Sunday. Allan Saxe Field. www.utamavs.com, 817-272-2261.

Tuesday, April 27

Maverick Ring Ceremony Watch juniors and seniors receive their Official Maverick Ring and sign the Official Maverick Ring Registry. This is a great Maverick tradition. Reception to follow. 6 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. sathompson@uta.edu, 817-272-2594.

Wednesday, April 28

Homerathon The Homerathon is a day-long oral recitation of Homer's epic poem, "The Odyssey." Enthusiastic readers and performers are needed and can sign up online. Texts in English translation are available in advance in Room 305, Carlisle Hall. Recitation in Greek and other arcane languages is encouraged for those who dare. 7 a.m.-10:30 p.m., E.H. Hereford University Center mall. Charles C. Chiasson, chiasson@uta.edu, 817-272-3216.

$2 Movie: Sherlock Holmes The original detective story retold. Planetarium. 817-272-1183, www.utaplanetarium.com. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 30, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, May 1.

Through May 31

Timpani: New Works Artists Carol Benson, Susan Harrington, and Chris Powell use disparate media but approach inspiration in a similar manner by allowing ideas to rise intuitively to conscious form in this art exhibit. Free. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center. 817-272-5988.

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 programs See the complete Planetarium schedule. $3 students with ID. planetarium@uta.edu, 817-272-1183.

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

Power-hitting pitcher: Senior Cara Hulme leads the softball team in home runs with nine and in pitching victories with 13.

Softball Mavericks win pair from Sam Houston, host McNeese this weekend

Riding a six-game winning streak that includes five straight Southland Conference shutouts, the softball team will host McNeese State for two games starting at 2 p.m. Saturday, April 24, and one game at noon Sunday, April 25, at Allan Saxe Field.

Behind the pitching of Teri Lyles and Cara Hulme, the Mavericks won both games at Sam Houston State Saturday before Sunday's game was rained out. UT Arlington is now third in the SLC with a 15-7 record.

Baseball team at UT Austin today, then returns home for series against Central Arkansas

Taking a break from Southland Conference action, the baseball team plays at UT Austin at 6 p.m., today, Tuesday, April 20. The Mavericks will host Central Arkansas in an SLC series Friday-Sunday, April 23-25, at Clay Gould Ballpark.

Coach Darin Thomas' squad is 10-8 in conference play after winning two of three at McNeese State last weekend. Outfielder Preston Beck led the Mavericks with six hits and four runs batted in during the series.

Paralympic sport clinic slated for Saturday

Disabled veterans, UT Arlington students, and community members with a physical disability can participate in the Paralympic Military Sport Clinic 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, April 24.

The free clinic includes track and field, wheelchair tennis, table tennis, wheelchair basketball, and adapted swimming on campus at various venues. A fencing demo is noon-1 p.m. in the Physical Education Building.

Contact Doug Garner at dgarner@uta.edu to participate or for more information.

Sports shorts

Senior Tommy Moffitt earned second-team men's basketball Southland Conference All-Academic honors. It is the third straight year that Moffitt, a criminal justice major, has been named to the team. ... Cordero Gray won the 200-meter dash for the men's track team in the John Jacobs Invitational at Norman, Okla., on Saturday. Men's and women's track teams will compete in the Drake Relays this weekend at Des Moines, Iowa. ... The women's and men's tennis teams are both seeded second in their respective Southland Conference tournaments Friday-Sunday, April 23-25, at Corpus Christi. ... The golf team won the Jim West Intercollegiate last week in Victoria as senior Bryce Easton earned medalist honors. Coach Jay Rees' team will play in the Southland Conference Championships Monday-Wednesday, April 26-28, in Springfield, La.

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