University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 03-08-2011

Landmark of innovation: The ribbon cutting ceremony formally dedicated the Engineering Research Building on Friday. Click on the image to see a photo slideshow.

Engineering Research Building dedication emphasizes future

Creating a brighter future was a key message at the dedication and ribbon cutting for the Engineering Research Building on Friday.

"It's historic simply for what it adds to our campus," said President James D. Spaniolo during his remarks. "The Engineering Research Building is a pathway to our future."

Also speaking were state Sen. Chris Harris, U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, Provost Donald Bobbitt, College of Engineering Dean Bill Carroll, and College of Science Dean Pamela Jansma, before they gathered for the ribbon cutting.

"UTA is focusing on the needs of our future," Harris said. "I want to see that growth continue."

The landmark center is UT Arlington's largest academic facility to date and is shared by College of Engineering and College of Science researchers. The 234,000-square-foot facility houses the departments of bioengineering, and computer science and engineering, but also integrates research teams from biology, biochemistry, genomics, math, neuroscience, and physics to foster new, collaborative initiatives.

Designed to achieve LEED Gold standards, the building, which opened in January, incorporates several energy-saving features, including green and light-reflecting roofs, and rain and condensate capture systems.

Pushing toward greatness: Senior James Patin is one of the leaders for the Movin' Mavs in their quest for another national title. Click on the image to see a video about the Movin' Mavs.

Wheelchair basketball national tournament begins Thursday

Seven men's and four women's wheelchair basketball teams vie for top honors at the 2011 National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate National Championships Thursday-Saturday, March 10-12, at Texas Hall.

UT Arlington's Movin' Mavs are seeded third in the men's division. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater men's and the University of Alabama women's teams are the top seeds. Illinois men and Alabama women won the titles last year. The Movin' Mavs have won seven men's titles, the last in 2006.

The ball starts rolling at 9 a.m. Thursday with women's competition pitting Alabama against Edinboro. The Movin' Mavs' first game begins at 5 p.m. Thursday against Southwest Minnesota State.

Semifinals are Friday, with the championship and consolation games set for Saturday. All tournament games will be streamed online at www.stickam.com/movinmavstv.

Admission is free. See the tournament schedule for details.

Spring Break travelers urged to use caution

Students are urged to use caution concerning international travel during Spring Break, whether for fun or academic interests, says UT System Chancellor Francisco G. Cigarroa.

Ongoing unrest in the Middle East, North Africa, and Mexico should be considered when making Spring Break plans, Dr. Cigarroa says. Students, faculty, and staff traveling on University-sponsored trips should check with UT Arlington's International Oversight Committee and register with the UT System's International SOS program.

The U.S. State Department website lists travel alerts around the world. Travelers should always check that website for the most up-to-date information.

The Texas Department of Public Safety asks travelers to avoid Mexico because of continued violence and to stay on the U.S. side of Falcon Lake on the Rio Grande River. While drug cartel violence is most severe in northern Mexico, it is prominent in other places, including many popular resort areas, such as Acapulco and Cancun.

During the Spring Break season, DPS will have extra troopers on patrol looking for intoxicated drivers, seat belt 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.

'The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks' named OneBook selection for 2011-12

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot is the OneBook program selection for 2011-12 with ethics as the theme for the academic year.

Immortal Life intertwines history, identity, and science to tell the story of one of the most significant developments in modern medicine and cell biology.

“Whether you’re passionate about science, history, or the law, you will find something rich and rewarding in this book,” says Christopher Conway, OneBook co-chair. “We’ll undoubtedly have a great year of programming in 2011-12.”

OneBook nominations are being accepted for the 2012-13 academic year.

Digging in Scott Willis, left, maintenance planner in facilities management, and Justin Lerberg, English graduate student, were among several who volunteered their time last week to construct plots in the Community Garden at UT Arlington. Ribbon cutting for the garden, which contains 92 plots, is scheduled for Saturday, March 26. Located next to the SWEET Center, the garden is a combined effort of the Office of Sustainability and the Arlington Parks and Recreation Department.

Tickets still available for Bill Nye appearance at ACES Roundtable

Tickets are still available for the Bill Nye "the Science Guy" appearance at the ACES Roundtable at 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, in Texas Hall.

The Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES) Roundtable will feature Nye, along with members of the UT Arlington faculty, in a moderated discussion about the current state of science. This event is part of the ACES 2011 schedule and will be open only to UT Arlington faculty, staff, students, and members of the Alumni Association.

Tickets are free but required. Doors open at 3 p.m., and seating is first-come, first-served. Nye’s Maverick Speakers Series lecture later that evening is sold out.

Because the ACES event is exclusively for the UT Arlington community, tickets must be claimed using a UT Arlington log-in. To reserve your free tickets for the ACES Roundtable, visit utatickets.com. There is a limit of two tickets per person.

Graduate school colloquium, fair aimed at underrepresented students

The Office of Graduate Studies hosts the 2011 Lone Star Diversity Colloquium and graduate school fair Saturday-Sunday, March 25-26, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The colloquium is for underrepresented minorities, women, and first-generation college students enrolled at Texas colleges who are considering gradaute or professional school. Represenatives from numerous schools will be at the fair.

College-specific activities and events are set for Friday afternoon prior to the opening session. Saturday workshops focus on graduate admissions, the importance of undergraduate research, graduate funding opportunities, and other topics relevant to graduate and professional school.

A panel discussion led by graduate alumni, who discuss their firsthand experience of what to expect as a graduate student, is followed by a luncheon with keynote speaker, Dr. Maxwell Scarlett, UT Arlington’s first African-American graduate.

The student registration fee is $15. Register online. Door prizes include a grand prize of an iPod Touch.

OxFam Hunger Banquet Kaytee Schalla, mathematics junior, waits for her meager meal at the Oxfam Hunger Banquet last week. Guests at the annual banquet receive either a bountiful, average, or small meal as one way of learning about worldwide hunger and poverty.

The Big Event needs site leaders

Registration has started for the big day of community services: The Big Event on Saturday, April 16.

Students can choose from The Big Event project list for a variety of indoor and outdoor tasks, including a few that are both.

Site leaders are also needed. Applications are due by Friday, March 11, and should be returned to Bonnie Rodriguez in the Student Activities office in the E.H. Hereford University Center. The annual day of community service and outreach is coordinated by UTA Volunteers.

Women's History Month features lectures, health information

Two programs host events in March for Women’s History Month.

Women’s Studies presents its 25th annual lecture series with “women and war” as the topic. The lectures are in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library and include:

“When Women Fight: Female Soldiers in the U.S. Military and Iraqi Army” by Jean Deakyne, assistant professor of military science, at noon Wednesday, March 9.

“Islamic Feminism and the Battle for Gender Equality" by Margot Badran, senior fellow at the Center for Muslim-Christian Understanding, Georgetown University, at noon Wednesday, March 23. This lecture is co-sponsored by the OneBook program.

“Regulating Society by the Whitecap Method: Mob Violence in Nineteenth-Century America” by Helen McClure, lecturer at Southern Methodist University, at 2:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. The lecture is sponsored by the Center for Greater Southwestern Studies and Phi Alpha Theta Honor Society.

Other activities hosted by Multicultural Affairs are:

The Go Red For Women Forum on heart health, noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, March 9, Red River Room, E.H. Hereford University Center.

Sexversations, discussions on sexual assault prevention and sexual well-being, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 10, Lone Star Auditorium, Maverick Activities Center. The program is sponsored by the Relationship and Sexual Violence Prevention program.

Bookstore offers deal for graduating students

The UTA Bookstore hosts Grad Finale 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 21-24. Students will receive 10 percent off their regalia if they purchase both the Jostens invitations/announcements and the regalia during Grad Finale. A Jostens representative will be available.

Tiny tunes Dareen Suleiman, communications junior, demonstrates how to play sagat, or finger cymbals, at last week's MavFest, a Diversity Week celebration on the University Center mall.

Library's old website will end soon

The Library’s old website will soon be going away. By the end of Spring Break, web pages in the library’s old site will not be directly accessible, although bookmarks and other direct links will continue to work until after spring semester final exams.

Visit the new website at uta.edu/library. For more information, contact Karen Horsfall, coordinator of digital library services, or call 817-272-7431.

Surveys seek feedback, offer prizes

Surveys are one way UT Arlington departments and offices can fine-tune services for students. Take one of these and enter for prizes, too.

The Office of Institutional Research, Planning and Effectiveness will invite selected students via an e-mail invitation to participate in an anonymous online survey. The survey takes around 15 minutes to complete. Students completing the survey can register for a chance to win one of two iPads.

The Dining Services survey seeks to better understand the University community's dining preferences and satisfaction. At the end, choose to participate in a drawing for one of four prizes: a $150 MasterCard gift card grand prize or one of three $50 MasterCard gift cards.

LibQual+ is a standardized survey of library service quality to help the library serve you better. This survey should take five minutes to complete and includes a text box for comments. Complete the survey and enter a drawing to win one of four Best Buy gift cards. The survey runs through Friday, March 11.

Spring Break schedule

Campus Recreation—Check the Campus Recreation schedule online for hours.

• Maverick Activities Center and Physical Education Building—Closed Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13, and Saturday, March 19. Open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 14-18, and noon-midnight, Sunday, March 20.

• Field Complex—Closed Friday, March 11-Saturday, March 19. Open 6-11 p.m. Sunday, March 20.

• Indoor Pool—Open noon-1:20 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Monday, March 14; Wednesday, March 16; and Friday, March 18.

Health Services Center—The center is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, March 14-18.

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

Planetarium—The Planetarium is open. Go online for the Planetarium schedule.

E.H. Hereford University Center—Open 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, March 14-16, and Friday, March 18; 7 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday, March 17; closed Saturday, March 19. Regular hours resume Sunday, March 20.

Dining Services

• Monday-Friday, March 14-18—Starbucks and the Maverick Market are open 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Other locations closed.

• Saturday, March 19—All locations closed.

• Sunday, March 20—The Connection Café is open at 5:30-8 p.m.

TrailBlazer goes on Spring Break, returns March 22

TrailBlazer joins students in taking time off for Spring Break next week. There will be no issue on March 15. TrailBlazer returns Tuesday, March 22.

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

Apply now for next year's financial aid; complete the FAFSA for grants, loans

It’s time to apply for financial aid for summer 2011, fall 2011, and spring 2012. Students should complete the 2011-2012 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to be considered for need-based grants, work study, and loans. A full summary of available programs and additional information is online.

If you plan to enroll for at least six hours for the 2011 summer at UT Arlington, complete the Enrollment Plan information online. Summer enrollment information is no longer collected on the FAFSA, and completing the Enrollment Plan will serve as your request for summer aid.

Advising for summer, fall begins in March

Advising for summer and fall terms is under way. MyMav is your gateway to the Schedule of Classes and the Registration Timetable for making registration plans for the summer and fall terms. Priority registration opens Monday, April 4.

Progress reports available

Through Friday, March 11, instructors are entering progress report grades for many students. Check your UTA e-mail account to see if you are in the group to receive progress reports.

Unlike final grades, you can see your progress 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.

Tuesday, March 8

Tennis Mavericks vs. Xavier, women, 11:30 a.m.; men, 2:30 p.m., Walnut Creek Country Club. Free. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Music Honors Recital Performances by music faculty members and outstanding students in solo and chamber music settings. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Wednesday, March 9

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. Southern Mississippi. Free. 2 p.m., UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

$2 Movie: Dinner for Schmucks Steve Carell and Paul Rudd star in an unforgettable feast about two unlikely friends and one very memorable dinner. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 11, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 12. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Open Mic Night A night of poetry and song features Shihan, right, 2004 National Poetry Slam champion. Sign up to perform. Free. 7 p.m. Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Percussion Ensembles Chamber Concert Percussion music majors, directed by Michael Varner, associate professor of music, perform Gillingham's "Normandy Beach-1944" and Rouse's "KuKaIllimoku." The UT Arlington World Music ensemble performs West African music. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Thursday, March 10

Mavs Book Club Members discuss the Pulitzer Prize-winning Cleopatra: A Life by Stacy Schiff. Free. 5 p.m. reception, 5:30 p.m. meeting, basement, Central Library. Mavs Book Club.

Sunday, March 13

Women's Tennis Mavericks vs. Lamar. Free. 10 a.m. UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Tuesday, March 15

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

Wednesday, March 16

Baseball Mavericks vs. Louisiana Tech. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m. Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

$2 Movie: Life As We Know It Two single adults become caregivers to an orphaned girl when their mutual best friends die in an accident. Rated PG. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, March 18, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, March 19. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Friday, March 18

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. Columbia. Free. 2 p.m. UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Baseball Mavericks vs. UT San Antonio. Free with student ID. 6:30 p.m. Also 2 p.m. Saturday, March 19, and 1 p.m. Sunday, March 20. Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Sunday, March 20

Men's Tennis Mavericks vs. New Mexico State. Free. 11 a.m. UTA Tennis Center. Athletics, 817-272-2261.

Ongoing

Gallery 76102 "A Certain Shade of the Aftermath," an exhibit by Timothy Harding, deals with U.S. history, corporate infrastructure, heavy metal music, terrorism, and popular culture. Free. Gallery hours are 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Through March 31. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

The Gallery at UTA Sedrick Huckaby, assistant professor of art, displays paintings, and Barbra Riley, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi professor of art, provides digital photographs. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through April 2. Closed during Spring Break. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building.

Six Flags Over Texas Exhibit Celebrate 50 years of an Arlington landmark with the free interactive exhibit "What You Wish the World Could Be: The Early Years of Six Flags Over Texas." 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Through May 14. Special Collections, sixth floor, Central Library.

Combat Narratives: Stories and Artifacts from UT Arlington Veterans Artifacts, memorabilia, and gear on loan from UT Arlington military veterans and objects carried, used, or found by U.S. servicemen and women in Iraq and Afghanistan. Free. Through May 21. Sixth floor atrium, Central Library.

Exposure: Photos from the Second Battle of Fallujah Photographs from the Second Battle of Fallujah taken by UT Arlington student and Marine Corps veteran Joel Chaverri. Free. Through May 21. Sixth floor parlor, Central Library.

Planetarium The beauty of a starlit sky conceals the violent forces at work within our universe in Violent Universe. 6 p.m. Tuesdays, 1 p.m. Saturdays. See the complete Planetarium schedule, 817-272-1183.

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

Tuesday, March 8	Fun in the Sun Health Fair Fun, food, prizes, and information on the effects of the sun on our skin. To volunteer, contact Latoya Oduniyi. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge and Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center; University Center mall; Central Library mall. Health Services, 817-272-2771. Financial Aid Night Financial Aid Nights focus on financial aid requirements, the financial aid application process, and the award process. Representatives from the Scholarship Office, Financial Aid Office, and admissions counselors will answer questions. Presentations are in both English and Spanish. 6:15 p.m. check-in for 6:45 p.m. presentation; 7:15 p.m. check-in for 7:45 p.m. presentation; E.H. Hereford University Center.
Wednesday, March 9	International Education Fee Scholarship Workshop Learn about scholarships for studying abroad. Free. Noon-1:30 p.m., Room 200, Trimble Hall. International Education, studyabroad@uta.edu. Fifty Years of Lasers Elsa Garmire of the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College, outlines laser history, its basic concepts, and how this technology has advanced science and our daily lives. Free. RSVP. 5 p.m. reception, Room 601; 6 p.m. lecture, Room 100; both in Nedderman Hall. College of Engineering.
Thursday, March 10	Biology Colloquium Series Brendan Bohannan, associate professor of biology at the University of Oregon, speaks on the impact of architectural design on the microbial diversity of built environments. 4 p.m., Room 124, Life Science Building. Biology, 817-272-2872. Making the Metroplex: Fort Worth John Robinson of the Amon G. Carter Foundation explains how Fort Worth has emerged as a city of influence in culture and planning, yet still retains and promotes its Western heritage. Part of the Institute of Urban Studies Speaker Series. 6 p.m., Room 204, Architecture Building. School of Urban and Public Affairs, 817-272-3301. 46th Annual Walter Prescott Webb Memorial Lectures This year's theme is "Transnational Perspectives on the Soviet Bloc, 1944-1991." Free. 9:30 a.m.-9 p.m., Rio Grande Ballroom and Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. History, 817-272-2861.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UT Arlington Calendar.)

NCAA competitor: Heptathlon athlete Romain Martin will compete in the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships this weekend at College Station.

Martin competes in NCAA heptathlon this week

Romain Martin represents UT Arlington in the heptathlon at the NCAA Indoor Track and Field Championships Friday-Saturday, March 11-12, at College Station. Martin won the heptathlon at the Southland Conference meet in February.

SLC names Mavericks as top athletes for indoor track, field

Freshmen Romain Martin and Pamela Vinson were named the Southland Conference indoor track and field athletes of the year following the conference championship meet.

Martin, a native of Le Mans, France, cruised to an all-time conference record with 5,728 points with wins in the long jump (22 feet, 11.25 inches), high jump (6-8), pole vault (16-0.75) and 1,000 meters (2:46.33). His total beat Justin Youngblood's (UTSA) 2004 Southland Conference championship record of 5,483 and the all-time conference record of 5,532 points set by UT Arlington's Adolphus Jones last year.

Vinson also was named the women's outstanding runner, women's freshman of the year, and high-scorer, tied with Texas A&M-Corpus Christi's Kassandrea Son as the women's high-point scorers (22 points).

Other titles went to:

• Cordero Gray, men's outstanding runner

• Clayton Vaughn, men's freshman of the year

• Lindsey Putman, women's newcomer of the year

The annual Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Awards are voted on by the league's men's and women's head coaches and sports information directors and are based on the performances of the student-athletes' indoor track and field season.

Baseball takes hot streak to TCU tonight

Riding a four-game winning streak, the Maverick baseball team plays seventh-ranked TCU at 6:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 8, at Lupton Stadium in Fort Worth.

The Mavericks, 6-5, swept three games in the Dallas Baptist Invitational and added a win over 19th-ranked Wichita State at Clay Gould Ballpark on Sunday. It was their second victory over the Shockers during the week.

Softball off to good start in conference play

A three-game sweep of Texas State got the Maverick softball team off to a good start in the Southland Conference last week. The Mavericks continue SLC action against Southeastern Louisiana Saturday-Sunday, March 12-13, at Hammond, La.

Coach Debbie Hedrick’s squad is 14-9 overall after winning three of five in the North Texas Courtyard Classic over the weekend.

NCAA tournament entries due during break

Intramural entries for the NCAA tournament pick ‘em contest are due by 9 p.m. Wednesday, March 16. Check online for entry forms beginning Monday, March 14.

Entries for sand volleyball and the NCAA sweet 16 bracket challenge are due Wednesday, March 23.

Sports shorts

• Men’s and women’s tennis teams host Xavier today at the Walnut Creek Country Club. The women, who are 2-0 in the Southland Conference and 5-2 overall, play at 11:30 a.m., followed by the men, 0-1 in the SLC and 3-4 overall, at 2:30 p.m.

• The golf team plays in the San Diego Intercollegiate Classic Monday-Tuesday, March 14-15.

• Men’s and women’s basketball teams both lost their final regular season games Saturday and did not qualify for the Southland Conference Tournament.

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