University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 02-23-2010

Most Mavericks ever: The spring enrollment of 28,826 is the largest ever at UT Arlington.

Spring enrollment sets new record, increase of 19.4 percent from last year

UT Arlington has hit a new high mark with a spring 2010 enrollment of nearly 29,000, up 19.4 percent over spring 2009. And, for the first time ever, spring enrollment has exceeded the fall number.

Among the trends:

• College of Nursing enrollment has more than doubled since spring 2009, up 102 percent.

• College of Education and Health Professions enrollment is up more than 33 percent.

• College of Science enrollment is up more than 15 percent.

• Graduate School enrollment is up 9 percent.

The School of Social Work and the College of Liberal Arts also saw strong growth. Additionally, a new University Studies degree plan is helping boost University retention and giving undergraduates another path toward their college degree. A broader array of undergraduate dual credit courses is helping more high school students than ever before get a head start on their college education.

"We're becoming a regional institution of choice because of the number and quality of our programs, particularly in high-demand fields," says Donald R. Bobbitt, provost and vice president for academic affairs. "Our graduates have excellent economic prospects, and that message is resonating with parents and students, particularly in light of the current economic conditions."

Read more about the spring enrollment online.

Cart convoy: The golf cart parade through campus has become a popular part of homecoming festivities after making its debut two years ago.

What a week! Homecoming activities, career fair, Census keep campus busy

Homecoming Week 

All you need to know about Homecoming is online. The Homecoming Timeline begins in 1901 with Carlisle Military Academy. Plan your week by the schedule of events—Boom at Noon, Golf Cart Parade, Step Show, Basketball Games, Chili Cook-off and more—which are online.

Career Fair

Dress professionally, bring lots of resumes and network with employers at the Career Fair 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the Maverick Activities Center. Talk with recruiters about part-time, full-time and internship positions. Bring your student ID because the fair is only for UT Arlington students and alumni.

Census Race 

How fast could you fill out a census form? Normally, the form should take 10 minutes. Volunteers will time you on your form-filling skills, and prizes go to the fastest. The Census provides information to help the government, businesses and others to provide better services. Census forms will be mailed to homes in March.

'Dead Man Walking' production part of national project on death penalty

An upcoming production of "Dead Man Walking," which opens  Friday, Feb. 26, is part of the national Death Penalty Play Project  and a first-ever collaboration among the departments of criminology and criminal justice, political science, art and art history, communication and theatre arts.

"Dead Man Walking" will be presented in the Mainstage Theatre at the Fine Arts Building. Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 26, 27 and March 4, 5 and 6, with a 2:30 p.m. matinee March 7. Related student art will be available for viewing in the breezeway outside of Mainstage Theatre one hour before the March 5 performance.

Following the March 5 performance, audience members can listen to an After-Show Talk, featuring Sara Phillips, visiting professor of criminology and criminal justice, and show director Anne Healy, an adjunct Theatre Arts lecturer.

Read more about "Dead Man Walking" at UT Arlington.

Pie the Professor Matthew Wright, assistant professor of computer science engineering, takes one for the team during Engineers' Week. Pie the Professor, a College of Engineering tradition, raised $356 for Red Cross relief work in Haiti. Students voted with cash for which of 10 professors would receive the creamy assault, with Dr. Wright in first place with $92. Gauri Vakde, shown with Dr. Wright, had the winning bid to deliver the shot to her thesis adviser. She graduated in December with a master's in computer science engineering.

Campaign College encourages female students to tackle leadership roles

UT Arlington is one of 10 universities hosting the American Association of University Women's Campaign College. The program encourages and trains young women to run for student government on their college campuses.

The day-long, free training seminar is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, March 6, in the Carlisle Suite of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Participants can learn how to mobilize their constituency, craft their message, present themselves as candidates and other valuable leadership skills.

Fill out an online application by Friday, Feb. 26. For more details, contact Cheyenne Hernandez at 2-2128 or cheyenne@uta.edu or go to the Student Governance Web site.

Tuition raffle could provide winning student with a year's free tuition

Tickets are still on sale for the eighth annual Tuition Raffle, sponsored by the Student Alumni Association. The winner receives one year of free tuition up to $5,000 for the 2010-11 school year. Second prize is $1,000, and third prize is $500.

Tickets are $5 each or six for $25. Proceeds go toward scholarships. All UT Arlington students are eligible, as well as incoming students. Anyone can purchase tickets in a student's name.

Winners' names will be drawn during The Bash, a homecoming party for students, Friday, Feb. 26, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Buy tickets from Student Alumni members, at the University Center booth near the Computer Store, at the Alumni Association at 841 W. Mitchell St. or online at www.uta.edu/alumni. Call 817-272-1367 for more information.

Fuel the research U.S. Rep. Joe Barton helps Rachaneewan Charoenwat, mechanical engineering doctoral student, pour fuel into a car after Friday's ribbon cutting on the new Center for Renewable Energy, Science and Technology labs. The new synthetic fuel chemistry labs in Science Hall will speed up refinement of an alternative fuel that researchers say will lead to development of a micro-refinery later this year. Read more about CREST's research.

Vote on campus through Thursday

Vote in Texas' primary elections to decide who will be on the November ballot. Cast your ballot on campus in early voting through Thursday, Feb. 25, to choose candidates in primaries for Democratic and Republican parties. Early voting across the state runs through Friday, Feb. 26.

The campus polling station is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center, courtesy of the Student Congress.

The spring primaries include candidates running for Texas governor, as well as congressional District 6 and state representative District 94, both of which include the UT Arlington campus.

Learn more about early voting from the Texas Secretary of State's Web site.

Learn to relax, screen for anxiety and more at Mind/Emotion Wellness Day

Mav Talk: Mind/Emotion Wellness Day lets students, faculty and staff take part in activities to support their emotional health and wellness. The free event is 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Participate in a relaxation exercise, create your own stress ball and learn about campus and community resources. Complete anonymous screenings for stress, anxiety, depression, ADHD, alcohol, relationship concerns, and eating and sleeping problems.

Counseling Services and Mental Health Services host the event.

Scientific Ride Sally Ride, the first American female astronaut in space, talked about her experience with NASA as part of the Maverick Speakers Series last week before a full house in Texas Hall. Dr. Ride, who directs the Sally Ride Science Foundation, urged students to pursue their interests in science and engineering. Watch the video clip.

UTA Volunteers' March lineup features banquet, social, Spring Break options

March is packed with opportunities to give (a helping hand) and receive (awareness, knowledge and a meal) offered by the UTA Volunteers.

The annual Oxfam Hunger Banquet Monday, March 1, is a free meal that will either fill you up or leave you wanting more while learning about worldwide hunger.

The Big Event Spring Fever Social Tuesday, March 2, invites students to learn how they can be part of The Big Event 2010, one of the largest one-day community improvement and outreach efforts in the history of North Texas.

Lend a hand to the Boys & Girls Club Thursday, March 4, and the Arlington Native Plant Life Preserve (or The Wildscape) and Mission Arlington Saturday, March 6.

Lose that long hair at Locks of Love Wednesday, March 10. Signup now for an Alternative Spring Break option. Late March events include an animal shelter visit and a blood drive.

For more details, go to the UTA Volunteers Web site or contact Tiffany Kaminski at 817-272-2963 or tiffany.kaminski@mavs.uta.edu.

McNair Scholars announces 13 new members to program

Thirteen students were named McNair Scholars, a program that prepares undergraduates for graduate study culminating in the Ph.D. degree.

The McNair Scholars Program assists Scholars in becoming more competitive in the graduate school application process, leading to their admission to top-ranked programs and facilitating a smooth integration into graduate-level work.

The new McNair Scholars are Brocke Addison, interdisciplinary studies/neuroscience ; Elizabeth Awad, psychology; Melanie Buckner, biochemistry; Justin Erdmann, mechanical engineering; Thomas Brandon Gallagher, computer science engineering; Ashley Liggins, art history; Cam Liu, biology; Jacob Narvaez, architecture; Gabriela Romero, biochemistry; Kimberly Sams, history/English; Christian Torres-Lopez, economics; Sharie Vance, interdisciplinary studies/communication; and Daniel Wagner, sociology.

Experienced panelists Members of the African American Experience Panel discussed their own college experiences as minorities Wednesday in the Concho Room of the E.H. Hereford University Center. From left are Carter Bedford, associate director of Student Governance and Organizations; Jessica Williams, communication senior; Dr. Ayanna Jackson-Fowler, associate professor of English; Dr. Damon Bryant, visiting assistant professor of psychology; Ricky Irving Jr., finance junior; and Dr.Jason Shelton, assistant professor of sociology. The panel was hosted by Multicultural Mavericks and was part of Black History Month festivities.

Arlington Archosaur Site featured on Discovery Channel on Sunday

The Arlington Archosaur Site, a prolific fossil site in North Arlington, will be featured on the show "Prehistoric Dallas" on The Discovery Channel at 7 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 28.

The disassembled skull of a crocodile with two-and-a-half-inch-long teeth that lived nearly 100 million years ago was unearthed here last year.

Read about discoveries at the Arlington Archosaur Site in the current issue UT Arlington Magazine or dig deeper at www.arlingtonarchosaursite.com.

Events center to include energy-efficient features as groundbreaking draws near

Designed by HKS Inc., the Special Events Center is expected to achieve LEED Silver standards, incorporating many energy-efficient features. Groundbreaking for the center is scheduled for 2 p.m. Friday, March 5.

The building will include low-emittance glazed windows, a highly reflective roof that will reduce the solar load on the building and a low-use water system. Plans include using regional materials and native landscaping.

The 218,000-square-foot center will open onto a new pedestrian mall on what is now Second Street between Center and Pecan streets. A four-story, mixed-use residence hall and parking garage will be built immediately north of the events center. The University is partnering with the city of Arlington to develop a pedestrian parkway along Center Street and a green space on the building's south side.

Dan Phillips, HKS senior project designer, said his team worked to ensure that the center engages the planned Center Street Green. Patrons will be able to step outside to enjoy the setting at various points along the concourses, he said.

"The building will feel like it is in a park. It will be very welcoming," Phillips says. "With all the glass, at night the building will glow. You'll sense that something is going on inside, and you'll want to be part of it."

Diversity Week begins Monday with comedienne

Start off Diversity Week with a few laughs on Comedy Night with Muslim comedienne Tissa Hami on Monday, March 1. Move on to a challenge at MavFest outdoor festival with the Movin' Mavs obstacle course Wednesday. Fill in the rest of the week with lectures, workshops, 3-on-3 basketball and a dance performance.

University adopts National Incident Management System standards for Emergency Response

UT Arlington has adopted the National Incident Management System (NIMS) Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions as the basis for the University's overall and ongoing Emergency Management planning efforts.

By adopting the NIMS standards, UT Arlington will implement an all hazards preparedness approach, clear communication and information management, resource management, on-going exercises, credentialing and compliance of emergency responders, and incident command structure, implementation and training.

In February 2003, the Homeland Security Presidential Directive created the NIMS, which established a single, comprehensive national approach to domestic incident management. This was instituted to ensure that all levels of government—including but not limited to federal, state and local governments, and institutions of higher education—work together to prepare for, respond to and recover from domestic incidents regardless of the cause, size or complexity. Governor Rick Perry designated the National Incident Management System in 2005 as the incident management system for the State of Texas.

In 2009, the U.S. Department of Education's Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools designated the NIMS Implementation Activities for Schools and Higher Education Institutions as the standard for emergency response procedures in educational institutions.

For additional information, contact Cindy Mohat, emergency management coordinator, at 817-272-0117 or mohat@uta.edu or visit NIMS Web site.

Vaccaro surveys creative exchanges of Renaissance Mary Vaccaro, associate professor of art and art history, will discuss how drawings record an artist's ideas, map a project's genesis and even preserve broad patterns of creative exchange at noon Wednesday, Feb. 24, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. Her presentation is part of the Focus on Faculty series. Dr. Vaccaro will survey the use and exchange of drawings in Renaissance art, particularly among draftsmen in Parma, Italy. She received the Outstanding Research Achievement or Creative Accomplishment Award in 2009. For more information, contact Tommie Wingfield at wingfield@uta.edu or 817-272-2658.

Wednesday, Feb. 24

$2 Movie: Terminator Salvation See your favorite movies on the really big screen. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183. Also showing 5:30 p.m., Friday, Feb. 26, and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 27.

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Lamar. Homecoming court introduced at halftime. Halftime performance by Willy Brown's Jumpin' Eagles jump rope team. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall. 817-272-2261.

Thursday, Feb. 25

Wind Symphony Concert Music from the 17th-19th centuries has been "reimagined" by contemporary composers. Guest conductor is David Woodley of Indiana University. $5 adults, $3 students and seniors. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-2533.

Saturday, Feb. 27

Women's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Sam Houston State. Homecoming coronation at halftime. Free with student ID. 4 p.m., Texas Hall. 817-272-2261.

Faculty Voice Recital David Grogan, visiting assistant professor of music, performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471.

Monday, March 1

Movies Without Borders: Pan's Labyrinth A fairy tale set in 1940s Spain. Free admission, free popcorn. Rated R. 7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center.

Tuesday, March 2

Percussion Ensemble Recital UTA Percussion Ensemble performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471, music@uta.edu.

Wednesday, March 3

$2 Movie: Casablanca Bogie, Bergman and The Resistance. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium.

Men's Basketball UT Arlington vs. Nicholls State. Free with student ID. 7 p.m., Texas Hall.

Through March 6

Prime Perception Visual communication professors and active designers and artists Robert Grame and Robert Hower exhibit their work. Free. 10 a.m-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. The Gallery at UTA, Room 169, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-5658.

Through March 31

Creativity Test Marilyn Jolly and Maraya Lopez bring a new perspective to paint-by-the-numbers. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Ongoing

UT Arlington Planetarium programs See the complete Planetarium schedule. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

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

Tuesday, Feb. 23	Fresh Start from Tobacco: Understanding Addiction 11:30a.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Fresh Start from Tobacco: Steps to Quitting 3 p.m., Pecos Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. RefWorks I: Save Time, Avoid Plagiarism Learn the basics of RefWorks to organize and store article citations for later use and to cite articles for your paper. Register online. Free. 4 p.m., Room 136, Business Building. Writing Literature Reviews The "literature" of a literature review refers to any collection of materials on a topic. 4:30 p.m., Room 411, Writer's Studio, Central Library.
Wednesday, Feb. 24	Fresh Start from Tobacco: How to Cope 10:30 a.m., Blanco Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Exhibiting Artist Talk: Robert Grame Robert Grame discusses his creative process through a guided tour of his works on exhibit at The Gallery at UTA. Free. 12:30 p.m. Room 169, Fine Arts Building. Patricia Healy, 817-272-5658, phealy@uta.edu. Fresh Start from Tobacco: There is Help 3 p.m., Blanco Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu.
Thursday, Feb. 25	Introduction to Adobe Illustrator Learn the advantages of creating with Adobe Illustrator instead of using other bitmap graphic programs. Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Digital Media Studio, Room B29, Central Library.
Saturday, Feb. 27	MBA and Graduate Business Information Forum Learn about pursuing a master's degree in business. Reservations required. Free. 10 a.m., Room 147, Business Building. 817-272-3005, reserve@uta.edu.
Monday, March 1	Copyright and Publishing Learn about your copyright and available options before signing a contract to publish. Register online. 4 p.m., Room 315A, Central Library. Effective Use of Charts and Figures in Academic Writing This workshop is aimed at graduate students. Bring data to incorporate into charts and figures or their own charts and figures for review and critique. 4:30-6 p.m., Writer's Studio, Room 411, Central Library. Lisa Berry, lberry@uta.edu.
Wednesday, March 3	SHAC Fun In The Sun Health Fair Health Services sponsors a day of fun, food, prizes and education on the effects of the sun on our skin. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center; Central Library and University Center malls. Nekima Booker, 817-272-2716, nekimab@uta.edu. Brown Bag Series: The Interplay of Orality and Literacy in the Exeter Book Riddles Thomas Tutt of the Department of English lectures on "Eating Our Words and Having Them Too." Free. Noon, Room 211, Preston Hall.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Scoring machine: Marquez Haynes ranks as the nation's third leading scorer, averaging 23.4 points per game.

Men's basketball continues hot streak; women upended

The men's basketball team won its seventh game in eight tries as the Mavericks rolled to a 71-47 win Saturday at Central Arkansas. Marquez Haynes led the scoring for UT Arlington with 19 points while Tommy Moffitt scored 14 points and grabbed 10 rebounds. The Mavericks are now 7-5 in the Southland Conference and will host Lamar at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at Texas Hall.

Central Arkansas halted the women's four-game winning streak, downing the Mavericks 67-59 Saturday at Texas Hall. Now 7-5 in SLC play, the women will play at Lamar on Wednesday before returning home Saturday, Feb. 27, to face Sam Houston State.

Movin' Mavs win three at Illinois tournament

The Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team finished 3-2 at the University of Illinois tournament last weekend, as they defeated the Illinois women, Edinboro and Southwest Minnesota, but lost to the Illinois men and Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Now 12-4, the Movin' Mavs will take a break from collegiate competition when they host the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks and the URO Sport Texans on Saturday, March 6, in the Physical Education Building.

Intramural entries due for video tourney, soccer competition

Registration for the intramural NBA video game tournament begins at 7 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, Feb. 23, at the Maverick Activities Center second-floor game lounge. Competition begins at 8 p.m.

Entries for intramural outdoor soccer are due at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 24, at the MAC services and information desk. See more information on intramurals.

Sports shorts

After winning three of five in the Baylor Tournament last weekend and improving their overall record to 7-3, the softball team will open its home season this weekend in the UTA Invitational against Wichita State, Texas Southern and Prairie View A&M. ... Cordero Gray won the 60-yard dash at the Sooner Open indoor track meet last weekend. For the women, Jerono Patrober won the 3000-meter run. The Mavericks will compete in the Southland Conference indoor championships this weekend at Norman, Okla. ... After dropping their first three games to Dallas Baptist last weekend, the baseball team will host Missouri State for a three-game series starting Friday. ... The women's tennis team will open its home season with conference matches against Southeastern Louisiana and Nicholls State this weekend.

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