University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 03-23-2010

The Big Event projects available in small, medium, and large

The Big Event has a big list of volunteer projects for its annual day of community service Saturday, April 24. The projects, however, are small, medium, and large, so individuals, a group of friends, or an organization can find the right fit.

This is a truly big event with UT Arlington joining the Arlington Alliance for Youth on Global Youth Day, making it the biggest day of community service in North Texas. The 943 opportunities for The Big Event volunteers to assist community-based, non-profit agencies are at 54 different project sites.

Here are a few: Plant a garden. ... Renovate a ball field. ... Assist a nonprofit group with event preparations. ... Create a Facebook account for an organization. ... Clean a library or historic cabin. ... Lead a step team workshop. ... Wash windows. ... Pick up trash or eradicate invasive plants at a park. ... Build a wheelchair ramp. ... Play games with children while teaching them about conservation, nature, or fitness. ... Paint a room. ... Sort and shelve books.

Work times are flexible, depending on the project. The day officially starts at 8 a.m. and ends at 4 p.m. Afterward, volunteers are invited to a free meal at 5:30 p.m. at SpringFest on the Central Library mall, with concerts starting at 6:30 p.m.

Go to www.uta.edu/thebigevent and click on a project name for more details. When you've found the right task, click on the volunteer link to sign up.

For more information, contact Tiffany Kaminski, The Big Event director, at tiffany.kaminski@mavs.uta.edu or 817-272-2963.

The annual day of community service and outreach is sponsored by EXCEL Campus Activities, UTA Volunteers, Student Activities, and the Division of Student Affairs.

RecycleMania wraps up Saturday

UT Arlington's RecycleMania campaign is averaging 6.25 pounds of recycled material per person, but the collegiate competition isn't over yet. The campus community has until Saturday, March 27, to drop plastic, paper, cans, and other recyclable materials in the recycle bins throughout campus.

RecycleMania is a friendly competition and benchmarking tool for college and university recycling programs to promote waste reduction activities to their campus communities.

UT Arlington is ranked 89 out of 346 nationally and fifth out of 21 statewide in the "gorilla" category with 143,178 cumulative recyclable pounds.

To learn more, contact Becky Valentich, University recycling specialist, at becky@uta.edu. Check out the nationwide competition at recyclemaniacs.org/.

Jeffrey Toobin

Annual ACES symposium shows students' best work

The best of student research and creativity is displayed at the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students, or ACES, symposium Thursday, March 25, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

ACES entries have ranged from gene therapy and pain control to better tools for builders and works of art. Various awards are given, including some for sustainability topics.

Jeffrey Toobin, CNN legal analyst, starts the ACES events by speaking to a sold-out audience at 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at the Lone Star Auditorium of the Maverick Activities Center.

Posters are on display from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2-3:30 p.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge. Graduate oral presentations are 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-4:30 p.m. in the upper level rooms. Undergraduate oral presentations are also 1-4:30 p.m. The symposium concludes with a reception at 5 p.m. and awards at 5:30 p.m. in the Rio Grande Room B.

To find out more about ACES, go to www.uta.edu/aces, e-mail aces@uta.edu, or call 817-272-2315.

Finishing the 'Long March' More than 40 cadets in UT Arlington's ROTC program enter the north gate at Fort Hood, near Gatesville, Wednesday to complete the 126-mile march commemorating the 50th anniversary of a similar journey known as the "Long March." Cadets started Saturday, March 13, from Maverick Stadium, covering 25-mile legs each day. In 1960 a handful of cadets marched to Fort Hood to show support for Arlington State College, which was evolving from a two-year institution to a four-year university.

Registration ends Wednesday for annual Spring Leadership Institute

Register by Wednesday, March 24, to participate in the Spring Leadership Institute, The Millennial Generation: Blazing New Trails in Leadership. The free leadership program is 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, March 26, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The institute provides an opportunity for students to learn about leadership and interact with outstanding professionals. Keynote speaker is Molly Rockamann, co-founder of Earth Dance Farms.

Excused absence letters are available for students who would need to miss class to attend.

Register online. Space is limited and is on a first-come, first-serve basis. For details, call the Leadership Center at 817-272-9220.

Greeks compete during week of events

Greek Week pits fraternities and sororities against each other in friendly competition March 29-April 2. The fun starts with a lip-sync competition on Monday. Tuesday features a philanthropy food sale, a chalk-drawing competition, and intramural games. A Quiz Bowl highlights Wednesday, and the annual Bed Races keep the action going Thursday. The week wraps up Friday with an awards luncheon, tailgating before the Mavericks baseball game, with Greek Week winners announced at the game. Find out more at www.utagreeks.com, greeklife@uta.edu, or 817-272-2963.

Battle of the Bands set for Friday night

Four bands perform at 7 p.m. Friday, March 26, in the annual Battle of the Bands at Bowling and Billiards in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The winner will perform at the University's SpringFest on Saturday, April 24.

Walking Alice, The Pajammas, The Dirty Dandies, and Man Factory will perform 15-minute sets. Each band has a student member. Judges include a representation from the Music Department.

Spring Break challenge Bianca Benavides, right, nursing freshman, assists a camper on an obstacle course along with Jessica Miller, assistant director of Camp Summit in Argyle. Benavides spent her week off from classes volunteering at the alternative Spring Break offered by the UTA Volunteers. Camp Summit provides barrier-free outdoor experiences for children and adults with disabilities.

Graduate forums under way

These free information sessions provide you with a chance to speak with graduate advisers and admissions professionals about graduate programs, admissions requirements, and other valuable information.

College of Business: 6-8 p.m., today, Tuesday, March 23, Room 147, Business Building. 817‑272‑3005.

College of Education and Health Professions: 5-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, Room 101, College Hall. 817‑272‑0149, 817‑272‑0116.

College of Engineering: 9:45 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 27, Nedderman Hall. 817‑272‑2571.

School of Social Work: 10 a.m.-noon, Saturday, March 27, Room 109, Social Work Complex. 817‑272‑3613, 817‑272‑1044.

School of Urban and Public Affairs: 5:30-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 24, Room 521, University Hall. 817‑272‑3071.

Go to the Graduate Forums website to make reservations and check for other dates.

Faculty, grad students share discussion on sustainability, 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.

The symposium extends this year's OneBook discussions on the theme of sustainability by providing a range of topics, perspectives, and research projects. It is hosted by the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students and the Curriculum, Research, and Community Engagement Work Group of the University Sustainability Committee.

Charitable cutoff Feiran Huang, electrical engineering graduate student, donated 14 inches of hair for the fifth annual Locks of Love event March 10. A total of 915 inches of hair was donated, with the longest single donation being 24 inches. Locks of Love is a nonprofit organization that provides hairpieces to children with long-term medical hair loss.

Downtown Farmers Market now open for spring, expands to Saturdays

Arlington's downtown farmers market has returned with locally grown produce and locally made baked goods, arts and crafts, and more. The market is open 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at 215 E. Front St.

Market shoppers can find fruits, vegetables, spices, dip mixes, olive oil, fresh pasta, dog biscuits, desserts, beef, chicken, pork, relishes, salsa, tamales, eggs, soaps, and more.

World-class glass sale offers beautiful objects at bargain prices

Paperweights, vases, and other functional items priced at $25 or less, along with dazzling display creations priced at hundreds of dollars, will be available Friday, April 2, at the annual glass art sale. The sale runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Studio Arts Center, 810 S. Davis Drive. Shoppers will have the opportunity to buy professional pieces for a fraction of what they would pay in galleries. Ample free parking is available near the building.

The UT Arlington glass art program is widely acknowledged to be one of the nation's premier programs, attracting top students from across the country. The annual sale has been a major factor in the program's development. For student work, half the proceeds go to the student artists.

Read more about the annual glass art sale.

Last day to drop is April 2

The last day to drop courses for both undergraduate and graduate students is 5 p.m. Friday, April 2. After this date, students may not drop a course except with special permission. All students must meet with their academic adviser or designated representative in the major academic unit in order to drop one or more courses or to withdraw (resign) from all courses. A list of advising offices is online.

• Impact of dropping on freshmen and sophomores: Undergraduate students who entered college for the first time in fall 2007 are limited to a total of six dropped courses during their undergraduate career. Read more about this state law.

• Impact of dropping if you receive financial aid: Financial aid recipients should meet with a financial aid officer to see how dropping will affect their financial aid package. For details, call 817-272-3561 or go to Room 252 in Davis Hall. Read about the federal regulations.

Grade exclusion request site closes after drop date

UT Arlington will process grade exclusion requests submitted online by 5 p.m. on the last day to drop—Friday, April 2—as part of the grading and academic standing process for the spring 2010 term. The grade exclusion site will be unavailable April 3-June 6. It will reopen on the first day of classes for the summer term and be available through last drop date for Summer 2. For a grade to be excluded, students must be registered at UT Arlington on the census date for the term in which their grade exclusion request is processed.

Spring progress reports available

Mid-term progress report grades are being entered by faculty. Students who received progress report grades online are freshmen with less than 30 semester credit hours, undeclared students regardless of the number of semester credit hours, undergraduate students whose UT Arlington grade point average is less than 2.25, new transfer students, and student athletes. As soon as the grade is entered, you can view it. Check your Student Center in MyMav regularly. Select Progress Report Grades under Grades.

Folk art highlighted in 'Outside Influences' "Outside Influences" features works by two well-known American artists, Michael Noland and Fred Stonehouse, along with pieces from their outsider/folk art collections. Their exhibit continues through Saturday, April 24, at The Gallery at UTA. Noland, from Chicago, brings fierceness (his Reluctant King shown), a density of thinking and seeing, a strong desire to impose onto chaos a kind of discipline and order. Stonehouse is a Wisconsin painter whose prints incorporate haunting portrait heads with antique motifs. His portraits are "transmuted self-portraits," often with strange characteristics, such as an alligator-like snout. In conjunction with their exhibition, the artists will discuss their work at 12:30 p.m. Thursday, March 25, in Room 148 of the Fine Arts Building. An opening reception will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, March 26, in the gallery. The Gallery at UTA is located in the Fine Arts Building. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday, and noon-5 p.m. Saturday.

Tuesday, March 23

Women of Excellence Fashion Show Female student leaders represent their organizations in the closing gala of Women's History Month. 6:30 p.m. Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. 817-272‑2099.

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

Music Honors Recital Music faculty members and outstanding students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-3471.

Wednesday, March 24

$2 Movie: G Force A specially trained squad of guinea pigs saves the world. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 26, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 27.

Maverick Speakers Series: Jeffrey Toobin CNN legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin speaks to a sold-out audience. 8 p.m., Texas Hall.

Thursday, March 25

Exhibiting Artists' Talk Michael Noland and Fred Stonehouse discuss their exhibition Outside Influences at The Gallery at UTA. Free. 12:30 p.m., Room 148, Fine Arts Building. phealy@uta.edu, 817-272-5658.

Movie Night: Juarez: The City Where Women Are Disposable Juarez is a feature-length documentary that shows the theories as to why the Mexican government has not thoroughly investigated the brutal murders of more than 450 women in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua. Part of Women's History Month. Free. 7 p.m., Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. 817-272-2099.

Friday, March 26

Bobby Lane UT Arlington Invitational Track and field events. Free with student ID. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Maverick Stadium. 817-272-2261.

Artists' reception A reception for artists Michael Noland and Fred Stonehouse includes a gallery talk for the exhibit Outside Influences. Free. 6 p.m., The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. phealy@uta.edu, 817-272-5658.

Battle of the Bands Local musicians compete. 7 p.m., Bowling and Billiards, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Friends of the Library Journalist and author Bob Ray Sanders discusses his book Calvin Littlejohn: Portrait of a Community in Black and White. A book signing and reception follows. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. 817-272-7421.

Saturday, March 27

Bobby Lane UT Arlington Invitational Track and field events. Free with student ID. 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Maverick Stadium. 817-272-2261.

Alumni Picnic Alumni and friends. Bring lawn chairs. Register online. $5. 11 a.m.-2 p.m., Doug Russell Park, Cooper at Mitchell streets.

Softball UT San Antonio. Free with student ID. 2 and 4 p.m., Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Sunday, March 28

Softball UT-San Antonio. Free with student ID. First 100 fans get free hot dogs. Noon, Allan Saxe Field. 817-272-2261.

Choir Concert The University Singers and A Cappella Choir perform. Free. 3 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272-3471.

Monday, March 29

Blood Drive No appointment necessary. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Central Library and E.H. Hereford University Center malls.

Faculty and Friends Chamber Orchestra Concert Performances by students and faculty featured. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272-3471.

Tuesday, March 30

Blood Drive No appointment necessary. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Central Library and E.H. Hereford University Center malls.

Guest Piano Concert Pianist Ian Hobson of the University of Illinois at Champagne Urbana performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272-3471.

Wednesday, March 31

Blood Drive No appointment necessary. 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Central Library and E.H. Hereford University Center malls.

$2 Movie: Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Optimus Prime kicks some Decepticon cans. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m., Planetarium. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, April 2, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, April 3.

Faculty Percussion Recital Jim Yakas of the music faculty performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. music@uta.edu, 817-272-3471.

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

All-American: David Wilkes earned first team All-American honors for the second straight year.

Movin' Mavs finish third at national wheelchair basketball tournament

The Movin' Mavs downed the University of Alabama 63-48 to take third place in the National Intercollegiate Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Saturday at Southwest Minnesota State University. The University of Illinois outscored the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 66-59 in the championship game.

Coach Doug Garner's squad opened the tournament with a 62-42 win over the University of Missouri on Friday, but lost in the semifinals Friday night to Wisconsin-Whitewater 64-49. Senior David Wilkes led the Movin' Mavs with 51 points and 27 rebounds in the three games and was named first-team NIWB All-American for the second straight year.

James Patin earned second-team All-American while Aaron Patterson and John McPhail were named to the All-Freshman All-American team. Tim Caldwell was selected to the Academic All-American team.

Sand volleyball, basketball sweet 16 entries due Wednesday for intramural sports

Entries for sand volleyball are due Wednesday, March 24, at the Maverick Activities Center service and information desk. You can also enter the NCAA basketball sweet 16 bracket challenge by contacting Tak Momose at tak@uta.edu.

Sand volleyball play begins Sunday, March 28. Entry fee for sand volleyball is $20 per team. See intramural sports for more information.

Sports shorts

There were three winners for the women's track team at the Horned Frog Invitational on Friday in Fort Worth. Caroline Erlingson won the 1500-meter event, while Kisha Gaspard took first in the 800, and the 4x400-meter relay team was also victorious. Keaton Mata took first in the long jump for the men's track team. ... The baseball team will host Louisiana-Monroe at 6:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 23, at Clay Gould Ballpark before hitting the road for Southland Conference games at Northwestern State this weekend. The Mavericks won two of three at UT San Antonio last week to even their conference record at 3-3. ... The softball team will play at 6 p.m. Wednesday, March 24, at North Texas before hosting UT San Antonio for a three-game series Saturday-Sunday, March 27-28, at Allan Saxe Field. The Mavericks are 6-5 in the SLC.

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