University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 03-09-2010

Center of attention: Top photo, Handling the shovels for the groundbreaking of the Special Events Center on Friday are, from left, alumna Karen Borta, Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck, President James D. Spaniolo, and student-athlete Marquez Haynes. Also, see groundbreaking photo gallery. Bottom: Take the tour. Fly through the Special Events Center in a video presentation and experience first-hand how the venue promises to be the center of transformation.

Groundbreaking provides thrills of things to come at events center

UT Arlington's long-awaited Special Events Center moved one step closer to reality with a Maverick-style groundbreaking Friday.

University and city leaders broke ground on the $78 million, 218,000-square-foot events center that includes athletic, entertainment, and conference venues.

Guests and local dignitaries arrived to tunes by jazz artist-in-residence Adonis Rose and the Krewe of Swing. Emcee Karen Borta ('87 BA) welcomed visitors before the pep band and drum line led a parade of cheerleaders, athletes, coaches, and student groups into the event tent for a mini-pep rally.

"We pledge to pack this world-class facility with sports, entertainment, and community activities," President James D. Spaniolo told the crowd. "It will play a pivotal role in making Arlington a true college town."

Arlington Mayor Robert Cluck lauded the events center as key in the central business district revitalization. The city pledged up to $18 million for construction of a new parking garage that is part of the planned College Park mixed-use development just north of the Special Events Center. "It will be a catalyst for development and redevelopment in our city," the mayor said of the events center.

Basketball guard Marquez Haynes praised the center's athlete- and fan-friendly design.

After the dirt settled, guests mingled with mascot Blaze, who horsed around on a bulldozer for some snapshots.

The center is expected to open by December 2011. Read more at www.uta.edu/eventcenter.

DPS urges Spring Break travelers to avoid Mexican border towns

The Texas Department of Public Safety is urging all Texas Spring Breakers to avoid traveling to border cities in northern Mexico because of an increase in Mexican drug cartel-related 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 in Mexico.

During the Spring Break season, DPS will have extra troopers on patrol looking for intoxicated drivers, seatbelt violators, and speeders.

DPS offers these tips for a safe Spring Break.

• Don't text while driving.

• Wear your seat belt.

• Don't drink and drive.

• Find a sober friend to do the driving.

• Don't leave your drink unattended, and don't accept drinks from strangers.

• Keep a fresh driver behind the wheel, or stop every couple of hours to rest and walk around.

• Make sure your vehicle is properly maintained.

• Keep your friends close.

Bill McKibben

OneBook author discusses 'Deep Economy'

Bill McKibben, the author of this year's OneBook selection, will discuss his book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, in the Rosebud Theatre at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Deep Economy: The Wealth of Communities and Our Durable Future asserts that what we eat, what we drive, where we live, and what we feel are all related to how we use or misuse the earth's resources. He shows how our globalized economy has become addicted to the ideas of limitless economic growth and endless consumption of goods.

The lecture is sponsored by the UT Arlington OneBook program, a common reading experience for incoming freshmen.

McKibben, an environmental activist, led two of the largest protests against global warming in 2006 and 2007. He also founded www.Stepitup07.org, a website designed to help pressure the U.S. government toward more sustainable policies on carbon emissions.

Jeffrey Toobin

Jeffrey Toobin final guest for Maverick Speakers Series

CNN senior legal analyst and The New Yorker staff writer Jeffrey Toobin wraps up the 2009-10 Maverick Speakers Series on Wednesday, March 24, at the Lone Star Auditorium of the Maverick Activities Center.

Toobin's most recent book, The Nine: Inside the Secret World of the Supreme Court, spent more than four months on The New York Times bestseller list and was named one of the 10 best books of the year by The New York Times Book Review, Time, Newsweek, Fortune, Entertainment Weekly, and the Economist. The Nine also received the J. Anthony Lukas Book Prize for Non-fiction and the Silver Gavel Award of the American Bar Association.

Toobin joined CNN in 2002 after six years with ABC News. In 2000 he received an Emmy Award for his coverage of the Elian Gonzalez case.

His lecture at UT Arlington is part of the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES) symposium.

The lecture is free, but tickets are required. Go to utatickets.com. For assistance with online ordering, call 817-272-2963.

Cadets' 126-mile trek marks 50th anniversary of Long March

More than 40 cadets in UT Arlington's ROTC program will embark on a 126-mile march to Killeen's Fort Hood starting Saturday, March 13, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of a similar journey, called the Long March, in 1960 from what would become UT Arlington.

Cadets will start out at 5 a.m. Saturday from Maverick Stadium, making 25-mile legs each day. The march concludes Wednesday, March 17, at Fort Hood's north gate, near Gatesville.

A send-off event is scheduled from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 10, at the E.H. Hereford University Center mall.

Read more about the 2010 Long March.

Humble meal Biology senior Dy Chin eats his bowl of rice at the annual OxFam Hunger Banquet last week. Participants received either a large, medium, or small meal, resulting in some having a better understanding of hunger.

Women's History Month will feature leading lecturers, conferences

Women's History Month on campus includes lectures on contemporary issues, healthy lifestyle choices, leadership training, fashion, and even karaoke.

Events include:

Living a Healthy Lifestyle Conquer the challenge of living a healthy lifestyle with practical tips from guest presenters. Free refreshments and door prizes. Free. 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, March 9, Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

'Women Behaving Badly' Karaoke Night Open karaoke adds a "Women Behaving Badly" Karaoke Contest for student organizations. Free. 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 11, Bowling & Billiards, University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.

Success: A Woman's Leadership Conference This conference is dedicated to working women and the enhancement of their leadership skills. $95. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Thursday, March 11, Sheraton Fort Worth, 701 Commerce St., Fort Worth. Megan Topham, 817-272-5988.

RAD: Self-Defense Course Female students, faculty, and staff can learn self-defense. Registration required; go to www.uta.edu/police and scroll down to crime prevention. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Saturday, March 13, Maverick Activities Center. Ron Cook, rwcook@uta.edu, 817-272-3902.

Women in Leadership Retreat Sign up by Wednesday, March 10, for this day-long event Saturday, March 27. Register online at www.uta.edu/multicultural.

For a list of Women's History Month events, go to the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Women's History Month Lecture Series websites.

Symposium opens discussion on sustainability, academics, and research

The Sustainability Across the Curriculum Symposium will feature faculty members and graduate students discussing what sustainability means for their discipline and their own research. The symposium is set for 9 a.m.-noon Thursday, March 25, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center, and in conjunction with the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES).

The symposium extends this year's OneBook discussions on the theme of sustainability by providing a range of topics, perspectives, and research projects.

Read the schedule of events online.

Diversity on wheels Simon Cox, business senior, center, negotiates the wheelchair obstacle course with assistance from Ada Hawley, finance junior, left, and Kasey Stelter, criminal justice junior. The challenge was part of Diversity Week on campus. See the photo gallery for other events during the week.

Residence halls need some green tenants

EcoReps is a new program for students who live on campus, care about the environment, and want an exciting and meaningful leadership opportunity. Campus ecoReps from each residence hall will be involved in planning events such as:

• green movie screenings

• organic iron chef

• green speed-dating

• residence hall gardens

• bike/car sharing programs

• lights-off events

Students interested in becoming an ecoRep should contact their resident adviser or resident director.

For more information, visit www.uta.edu/sustainability or the Office of Sustainability in Room 204 of Preston Hall.

Leadership institute looks at Millennials

"The Millennial Generation: Blazing New Trails in Leadership" is a free, all-day leadership workshop for students on Friday, March 26, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Keynote speaker Molly Rockamann, cofounder of Earth Dance Farms, will speak at the luncheon. Breakout sessions will be led by business professionals and students leaders. A Greek leadership session is planned.

The Leadership Center sponsors the event in partnership with Greek Life and the University Sustainability Committee.

Contact Susan Asebedo at 817-272-9234.

University honored for community service

For the fourth year in a row, UT Arlington has been named to the President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, which recognizes colleges and universities for their commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

Service-learning occurs when students combine course content outcomes and the search to solve community issues that result in deeper content learning, personal growth and appreciation of others. More than 100 UT Arlington faculty members integrate service-learning into their courses.

UT Arlington students gave 790,516 hours to general community service and 146,376 hours to this year's focus area of youth from disadvantaged circumstances. The students' volunteer efforts included clinical practice, internships, student teaching, as well as service-learning projects.

Read more about the President's Community Service Honor Roll online.

Participate in Dining Services survey

Dining Services wants your feedback on its spring 2010 DiningStyles Survey. Visit uta.edu/dining, and click on the second banner on the left. By taking the survey, you can participate in a drawing for Best Buy gift cards: one worth $250 and two worth $25. You also can withhold your personal information to remain anonymous.

Pressure point Ethan Harrell, finance senior, has his blood pressure checked during the Fun in the Sun Health Fair on Wednesday at the E.H. Hereford University Center mall. The event was sponsored by Health Services.

TrailBlazer goes on Spring Break, returns March 23

TrailBlazer joins students in taking time off for Spring Break next week. There will be no issue on March 16. TrailBlazer returns Tuesday, March 23.

Here are a few things going on when you get back. Check the University calendar for more details.

Monday, March 22

• Dan Cavanagh Trio Jazz Recital

Tuesday, March 23

• Women of Excellence Fashion Show

• Music Honors Recital

Wednesday, March 24

• Maverick Speakers Series: Jeffrey Toobin

Thursday, March 25

• Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students

• Movie Night: Juarez: The City Where Women are Disposable

Friday, March 26

• Spring Leadership Institute

• Battle of the Bands

Planetarium closed during Spring Break

The Planetarium will be closed March 15-18 to complete the upgrade to Digistar 4. This new software will change the way you view the universe.

Be the first to see the complete system when the Planetarium reopens Friday, March 19, with its regular public schedule. The Planetarium at UT Arlington is the largest in the Metroplex and the only planetarium in Texas with Digistar 4.

Advising open for summer and fall registration

Advising for summer and fall terms has begun. The landing page for the MyMav portal is your gateway to the Schedule of Classes and the Registration Timetable as you make your registration plans for the summer and fall terms. Priority registration opens Monday, April 5.

Check to see if you will need to see your academic adviser before you register. If your academic department requires that you be advised, you will see a service indicator ("DEP" hold) under the "Holds" section of your Student Center in MyMav.

Progress report grades available

Through Friday, March 12, instructors are entering progress report grades for many students. Check your UT Arlington e-mail account to see if you are in the group to receive progress reports. Unlike final grades, you can see your progress report grades as soon as they are entered. Check your MyMav Student Center regularly for the next few weeks to see how you are doing in each course.

Webb Lectures highlight Mexican Revolution More than any other event, the Mexican Revolution was responsible for creating the modern Mexican nation-state, leading to broader democratization, land reform, anticlericalism, and sweeping changes in Mexican business practices. To commemorate the centennial of the Mexican Revolution, the Department of History and the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography have organized the 45th annual Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures titled "The Mexican Revolution: Conflict and Consolidation, 1910-1940." Lectures will be Wednesday-Thursday, March 10-11, at the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. Three inter-linked Mexican Revolution Centennial exhibits are running this semester in the library, mounted by the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and the History of Cartography. Photographs from the exhibit are from a variety of sources. Watch the online slide show.

Tuesday, March 9

Baseball TCU. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Women's Basketball Southland Conference Tournament. UT Arlington vs. UT San Antonio. 8:30 p.m., Merrell Center, Katy, Texas. See southland.org for the complete tournament schedule.

Wednesday, March 10

Men's Basketball Southland Conference Tournament. UT Arlington vs. Stephen F. Austin. Noon, Merrell Center, Katy, Texas. See southland.org for the complete tournament schedule.

Baseball Creighton. Free with student ID. 3 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

$2 Movie: Little Shop of Horrors A dentist and his plant have a complicated relationship. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. 817-272-1183. Also showing 5:30 p.m., Friday, March 12, and 2:30 p.m., Saturday, March 13.

Open Mic Coffeehouse Night Free. 7 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. excel-entertainment@uta.edu, 817-272-2963.

Thursday, March 11

Softball UT Austin. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m., Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Faculty Composers Concert New works composed by music faculty members Dan Cavanagh, George Chave, Micah Hayes, and Linton Powell are performed. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. www.uta.edu/music/calendar, 817-272-3471.

Friday-Sunday, March 12-14

Baseball Sam Houston State. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Clay Gould Ballpark. 817-272-2261.

Saturday-Sunday, March 13-14

Softball Central Arkansas. Free with student ID. 2 and 4 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday, Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Through March 31

The Mexican Revolution and Beyond A collection of 52 works by renowned photographer Agustin Vicente Casasola, on loan from the Mexican government, provides a unique and compelling visual chronicle of Mexican life in the early decades of the 20th century. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library. 817-272-3997.

Creativity Test Artists Marilyn Jolly and Maraya Lopez bring a new perspective to paint-by-the-numbers. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center. 817-272-5988.

Ongoing

UT Arlington Planetarium programs See the complete Planetarium schedule. $2 with student ID. 817-272-1183, planetarium@uta.edu.

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

Tuesday, March 9	Fresh Start from Tobacco: Understanding Addiction 11:30 a.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. Financial Aid Night Hear about financial aid requirements, the financial aid application process, and the award process from representatives from the UT Arlington Financial Aid Office. Presentations at 6:15 and 7:45 p.m. Register online. Free. E.H. Hereford University Center. Living a Healthy Lifestyle Conquer the challenge of living a healthy lifestyle with practical tips from guest presenters. Free refreshments and door prizes. Part of Women's History Month. 6:30 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. multicultural_affairs@uta.edu, 817-272-2099.
Wednesday, March 10	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. Food for Thought: Dispelling Diet and Exercise Myths Learn some common myths surrounding diet, supplementation, training, and fitness. Bring a sack lunch. Noon-1 p.m., Room 101B, Maverick Activities Center. 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. Rethinking Assessment at Small Colleges Chad Chisholm of the Department of English lectures. Bring your lunch. Noon, Room 211, Preston Hall. 817-272-1329. Desert Urbanism Nan Ellin speaks as part of the School of Architecture Spring 2010 Lecture Series. 4 p.m., Room 204, Architecture Building. 817-272-2314.
Saturday, March 13	RAD Self-Defense Course Female faculty, staff, and students learn self-defense. Registration required; go to www.uta.edu/police and scroll down to crime prevention. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m., Maverick Activities Center. Ron Cook, rwcook@uta.edu, 817-272-3902.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

Double threat: Senior Meghan Nelson leads the women's basketball team in scoring, with 18.2 points per game, and in steals with 47.

Basketball teams start conference tournament play

Earning the No. 5 seed in the Southland Conference Tournament, the women's basketball team will begin play at 8:30 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 9, against fourth-seeded UT San Antonio at the Merrell Center in Katy, Texas. Women's semifinals are Thursday afternoon. The championship game is set for 7:05 p.m. Friday and will be televised on Southland TV.

The men's tournament begins Wednesday, March 10, at the Merrell Center. The Mavericks are seeded seventh and will play second-seeded Stephen F. Austin at noon Wednesday. Men's semifinals are Thursday night. The championship game is set for 3:05 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on ESPN2.

Baseballers take two from BYU, host seventh-ranked TCU

Scoring 34 runs in three games, the baseball team took two of three from Brigham Young last week. All-American outfielder Michael Choice leads the team this season with a .417 batting average and four home runs.

The Mavericks will host seventh-ranked TCU at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Tuesday, March 9, before entertaining Creighton at 3 p.m., Wednesday, March 10. Both games will be at Clay Gould Ballpark. Students are admitted free with student ID.

Pitching highlights softball wins over SE Louisiana

Senior Cara Hulme and freshman Teri Lyles both hurled shutouts as the softball team rolled past Southeastern Louisiana 9-0 and 6-0 in Southland Conference games Saturday. Sunday's game was canceled due to rain.

After a twinbill at Prairie View A&M today, Tuesday, March 9, the Mavericks will host UT Austin for a single game at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, March 11, at Allan Saxe Field. Students are admitted free with student ID.

Movin' Mavs finish regular season, national tournament next

With two wins over the UroSport Texans and a narrow loss to the undefeated Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks, the Movin' Mavs finished regular season play this past weekend in the Physical Education Building gym.

Next stop for the Movin’ Mavs is the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Championships March 19-20 at Southwest Minnesota State University. The Movin’ Mavs are seeded third behind the University of Illinois and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

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