University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 12-20-2011

Opening act: Grammy-nominated superstar Drake headlines the first concert in College Park Center on March 2, 2012.

Drake concert set for College Park Center

Grammy-nominated recording artist Drake will perform March 2, 2012, in the inaugural concert in College Park Center.

The performance is part of his 17-city North American Club Paradise Tour, which kicks off Valentine’s Day in Miami. Also performing are rap artists Kendrick Lamar and A$AP Rocky.

Tickets sales are limited to UT Arlington students, faculty, and staff, though ticket holders may bring guests.

Students are eligible for a $15 discount on up to two tickets while quantities last. UT Arlington has reserved 3,200 discounted tickets for students. Tickets are limited to four per person and are $35-$80. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 19, 2012, at www.utacollegepark.com, Texas Hall box office, or by calling 817-272-9595.

Read more about the Drake concert.

Jim Baker

Baker named director of intercollegiate athletics

Jim Baker, UT Austin's associate athletic director for events and operations, has been named the new director of intercollegiate athletics at UT Arlington.

He will oversee the University’s 14 Division I intercollegiate sports programs and usher in a new era of competition as UT Arlington moves next summer to the Western Athletic Conference. His appointment is effective Feb. 1, 2012.

Baker’s 30 years of experience in athletics administration, philanthropic partnerships, and events management will serve UT Arlington well as the University prepares to debut men’s and women’s basketball in the new $78 million College Park Center, also on Feb. 1.

“We are fortunate to have such an exceptional leader join us at this critical point in the evolution of our program,” President James D. Spaniolo says. “Jim has unparalleled experience and a proven track record with one of the most respected and successful athletics programs in the nation. We will look to Jim to advance the UT Arlington program to even higher levels of regional and national competition.”

Read more about the new athletics director.

Four faculty members honored as fellows in national organizations

Two physics professors and two engineering professors have been named fellows in their respective national organizations. The honorees and their organizations are:

• Andrew White, professor of physics and co-director of the Center for High Energy Physics, American Physical Society;

• Ramon Lopez, professor of physics, American Association for the Advancement of Science;

• Zeynep Celik-Butler, director of the Nanotechnology Research and Teaching Facility and professor of electrical engineering, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; and

• Liping Tang, bioengineering professor, American Institute of Biological and Medical Engineering.

Return rented books by Thursday, Dec. 22

Books rented from the UT Arlington Bookstore must be returned to the bookstore no later than Thursday, Dec. 22. Your timely return of books will help next semester's students save money. For questions, visit the bookstore or email uta@bkstr.com.

Degree of excellence Anthony Adetomiwa waits to receive his bachelor's degree in biology last week in one of the final Commencement ceremonies in Texas Hall for most colleges and schools. Only the School of Architecture plans to continue ceremonies there while others are moving to College Park Center in the spring.

Show your stuff at Homecoming parade

The 2012 Homecoming parade promises to be bigger and better than ever, and your organization can be a part of it.

Showcase what you've got by kicking off this UT Arlington tradition and leading the community into the men's basketball game vs. Texas State on Saturday, Feb. 11, 2012, in College Park Center.

All student, faculty, staff, and community groups can participate. Sign up by Wednesday, Feb. 1. Space is limited so applicants will be taken on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information and to register, visit uta.edu/homecoming.

Renew or clean out MAC lockers

If you rent a locker at the Maverick Activities Center on a semester basis, you can renew it at the MAC Services and Information Desk.

If you do not want to renew your locker, clean out the locker and secure it with the MAC-issued lock you received when rented.

All lockers must be either cleaned out or renewed no later than Jan. 6, 2012.

Winter Break group exercise classes available

Warm up your Winter Break with group classes in step, yoga, cycle, pilates, group strength, kickboxing, and triple threat through Wednesday, Dec. 21, and Monday, Jan. 2-Monday, Jan. 16.

Participation is limited to space and equipment availability. All classes must have a minimum of two participants.

See the group exercise class schedule. For details, drop by the Information Desk at the Maverick Activities Center or call Campus Recreation at 817-272-3277.

Holiday schedules

Health Services Center—The center is closed Friday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Jan. 1.

Libraries—Libraries will be open during the winter break. Check the library schedule online for hours.

Planetarium—The Planetarium has shows throughout the winter break. Go online for the Planetarium schedule.

E.H. Hereford University Center—The UC is closed from 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22- Sunday, Jan. 1.

Dining Services—
     Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-22, and Monday, Jan. 2-Thursday, Jan. 12
          The POD Market at UC: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
     Friday, Jan. 13
          The POD Market at UC: 8 a.m.-4 p.m.
          Connection Café: Open at 11 a.m.
     Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 14-15
          Connection Café: Regular hours
     Monday, Jan. 16
          Connection Café will be closed
          The Plaza: Chick-fil-A and Pizza Hut only, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Season's greetings President James D. Spaniolo shared his version of "The Night Before Christmas" with a Maverick twist at the Faculty-Staff Holiday Reception.

Institute for Broadening Participation opens UT Arlington office

The Institute for Broadening Participation, a nonprofit organization to help increase minority access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education and careers, has opened a regional office at UT Arlington. Ashanti Johnson, executive director of the Maine-based institute, will office in the University's College of Science about 40 percent of her time.

Mavs Book Club needs spring picks

Share your ideas for the spring reading list by choosing your favorites on the Mavs Book Club blog.

Get flu vaccine before holidays

Influenza immunizations are still available at Health Services. Cost is $15 for students. Hours are 8:30 a.m.-noon and 1-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday at the Health Services Center. Walk-ins are welcome.

For more information, contact Health Services online or at 817-272-2771.

Dallas Stars discount tickets available

Discount tickets are available for students, faculty, staff, and friends of UT Arlington to see the Dallas Stars this month. Order tickets online and use the code stars to order your choice of games through Saturday, Dec. 31 at the American Airlines Center in Dallas.

TrailBlazer takes a holiday

This will be the final issue of TrailBlazer before the holidays. TrailBlazer will resume Tuesday, Jan. 17.

Send your stories or pictures to trailblazer@uta.edu to be considered for publication.

Find previous issues of TrailBlazer in the archives at uta.edu/trailblazer.

Grades available online

Grades for fall 2011 are expected to be official and available in MyMav by 5 p.m. today, Tuesday, Dec. 20. Students can check their Student Center in MyMav.

Some grades are viewable before they are official. UT Arlington consider grades official when the Office of Records announces them as such, and they are subject to change until that time. An announcement will be placed on the MyMav portal when grades are official.

Order final transcript

Order end-of-term transcripts in MyMav or through the alternative order form site.

Open registration continues for winter intersession, spring terms

Open registration continues for the winter intersession and spring term for all new and returning students. Register early. The schedules of classes are online.

To determine if you need adviser clearance, check your portal page at MyMav and click on Student Center, then Holds and Details. If your academic department requires advising, you will see an academic department services indicator, or hold. Check the list of academic advising offices.

Wednesday, Dec. 21

The Santa Clause 3: The Escape Clause Holiday magic mixes with comical chaos at the North Pole. Rated G. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 23. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Wednesday, Dec. 28

$2 Movie: A Christmas Story Ralphie dreams of a Red Ryder BB-gun for Christmas. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Saturday, Dec. 31

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. Houston Baptist. Free with student ID. 1 p.m.; also 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 3, vs. Fresno State; and 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14, vs. Lamar. Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Wednesday, Jan. 4

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Southeastern Louisiana. Free with student ID. 7 p.m.; also 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, vs. Nicholls State; and 7 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, vs. Sam Houston State. Texas Hall. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

$2 Movie: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part 2 Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 6, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Wednesday, Jan. 11

$2 Movie: Super 8 Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m.; also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 13, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 14. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Ongoing

Life and Death in the Northern Pass Photojournalist Dominic Bracco II ('08 BA) provides a view of drug violence in Ciudad Juarez. Free. Through Jan. 14. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Impressions of the West: Works of Art from Special Collections More than 30 paintings, sculptures, and prints of the southwest and west. Free. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Jan. 14. UT Arlington Library, 817-272-3393.

Planetarium Holiday Music Magic features a variety of holiday songs from Mannheim Steamroller and Burl Ives to Brenda Lee and Kurt Bestor. 6 p.m. Thursdays. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

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

Volleyball players earn academic honors

Tara Frantz and Alicia Shaffer earned first-team Southland Conference All-Academic Volleyball Team honors, while Amanda Aguilera was named to the second team.

Frantz, a kinesiology major, led the Maverick contingent with a 3.71 GPA, while Shaffer, a business management major, has a 3.65 GPA.

Movin' Mavs win six at Kansas tourney

The Movin’ Mavs wheelchair basketball team won all six games to repeat as champions of the Gorilla Invitational last weekend at Pittsburg, Kan.

Next tournament for the Movin’ Mavs is Jan. 13-15 at the Pioneer Invitational in Birmingham, Ala.

Mav men lose at Tulsa; Utah tourney next

Senior LaMarcus Reed scored 20 points, but Tulsa downed the men’s basketball team 70-65 in overtime Saturday at Tulsa.

The Mavericks compete in the Athletes in Action Classic Tuesday-Thursday, Dec. 20-22, at Logan, Utah, facing host Utah State tonight, followed by Kent State on Wednesday, and St. Peter’s (N.J.) on Thursday.

After a trip to UT Pan American on Thursday, Dec. 29, the Mavericks return home to open Southland Conference play against Southeastern Louisiana on Wednesday, Jan. 4.

Women drop pair in Beach Classic

The women’s basketball team lost to Wichita State and Western Michigan in the Beach Classic at Long Beach, Calif., Sunday and Monday.

The Mavericks play at UT Pan American on Wednesday, Dec. 28. Next home game is against Houston Baptist at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 31.

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