University Communications » Internal Communications » TrailBlazer » TrailBlazer 09-13-2011

Hoop-de-doo: Christopher Rainsberger, political science freshman, and Paul Wilkerson, nursing freshman, hula hoop for a prize at the Career Center's Chill-Out on Wednesday at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Career Month prepares students, alumni for Job Fair next week

A great resume and polished interview skills don't happen by chance, and that's why Career Month brings workshops to help students and alumni do their best at the fall Job Fair.

Career Month is filled with workshops for job-seeking students and alumni and wraps up with the fall Job Fair Wednesday, Sept. 21, at the Maverick Activities Center.

Even if you are pursuing a field that might not be represented at the Job Fair, the experience of speaking with professionals can be invaluable. More than 120 employers are registered.

Find a complete list of employers attending the Job Fair as well as a calendar of events at hireamaverick.uta.edu.

Student groups are encouraged to volunteer for one-hour shifts 7 a.m.-4 p.m. Deadline to volunteer is Friday, Sept. 16. To volunteer, visit the Career Center in Room 216 of Davis Hall or contact the Career Center at 817-272-2932 or careers@uta.edu.

Practice safety at all times on campus

UT Arlington police urge members of the campus community to be aware of their surroundings and exercise caution. Recently, two students were robbed of their cellphones, one in the evening and one in the afternoon.

If you believe someone is following you when you enter or leave a building, walk to a public area where there are people present or to an assistance call box and contact the UT Arlington police.

Students should avoid walking alone at night. Contact police if you see any suspicious persons or situations and provide information about an offense.

For a police escort, call 817-272-3381. In case of a campus emergency, call 817-272-3003.

Kickoff talk: Emmitt Smith opens the 2011-12 Maverick Speakers Series on Thursday, Oct. 20.

Speakers series to include preferred package

Now there are two ways to enjoy the Maverick Speakers Series: the general admission ticket and the new preferred seating package.

The preferred package includes reserved parking, reserved entrance to avoid long lines, reserved seating near the stage, and front-of-the-line access to book signings. Preferred packages are $25 while supplies last.

The reserved seats and free general admission tickets are available at utatickets.com.

This season's first speaker is Emmitt Smith, the National Football League's all-time leading rusher. He appears at Texas Hall on Thursday, Oct. 20. Tickets will be available at 9 a.m. Monday, Oct. 3.

For more information, call the Texas Hall box office at 817-272-9595 or see the Maverick Speakers Series website.

Dr. Kevin Schug

National center to assist doctoral students

UT Arlington is joining an elite, national organization whose purpose is to produce better university teachers in the science, technology, engineering, and math fields.

The Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching, and Learning (CIRTL)—funded through a multimillion-dollar grant by the National Science Foundation—aims to provide doctoral students with better tools to teach students in STEM fields. Each participating university will build a program on its campus, and the network of schools will share teaching methods, success stories, and key techniques to better prepare those graduate students to be successful teachers in the classroom.

Kevin Schug, an associate professor in chemistry and biochemistry, will spearhead UT Arlington’s Organizational Network for Teaching as Research Advancement and Collaboration (ON-TRAC), which will be housed in the Office of Graduate Studies.

Read more about CIRTL and ON-TRAC.

Greenovation contest seeks original product ideas on sustainability

Share your "green" product idea with Greenovation, a contest showcasing items that support sustainability, and sponsored by the Small Business Development Center for Enterprise Excellence and TMAC.

Submit one or more ideas on products that provide an immediate and future positive impact on the environment, minimize waste and maximize sustainability, and have a financial payback to the customer in five years or less.

Deadline for entries is Friday, Oct. 14. For more information, see Greenovation or contact Tom Pryor at 817-272-5930 or tpryor@uta.edu.

The SBDCEE and TMAC are at UT Arlington’s Automation and Robotics Research Institute in Fort Worth.

On the list Craig Newmark, founder of craigslist.org and craigconnects.org, discussed helping others with social media at the College of Engineering Distinguished Speaker Series on Wednesday in the Lonestar Auditorium at the Maverick Activities Center.

Revamped POD Market celebrates with grand opening Thursday

Welcome the latest campus makeover at the grand opening of the Provisions on Demand (POD) Market store in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The event begins at 11 a.m. Thursday, Sept 15. Prizes will be awarded. Vendors also will offer free samples to guests throughout the week.

For more information, see Dining Services.

Rent a bicycle this semester

Cruise across campus on a bicycle this semester by renting one. Semester packages are offered at $20, $30, $40, and $80.

The Maverick Bike Shop is open to all bike-riders, with free maintenance for those who rent a bike. The shop is at apartment 109 in the Cooper Chase apartments, 402 S. Cooper St., on the west side of Cooper Street. The bike shop has tubes, tires, slime, locks, light sets, helmets, bike racks, bells, and bottle cages.

Learn more about the Maverick Bike Program.

Take survey for who will perform at Fall Concert

Tell the folks at University Events which of seven performers should entertain students at the Fall Concert. The survey ends at midnight Thursday, Sept. 15.

Teams needed for annual Cyclethon for World Heart Day

Get ready to ride at the annual Cyclethon for World Heart Day on Monday, Sept. 26, at the Maverick Activities Center. Together with your teammates, you must keep your team's bike pedaling from noon to midnight.

Whether your team has five or 20 members, just make sure someone is riding the entire 12 hours. If your team completes the task, everyone will receive a World Heart Day T-shirt. Cost is $25 per team with all money donated to the American Heart Association.

Don’t have a team? Sign up as a free agent.

For more information, contact Lindsay Lookingbill at 817-272-3277 or lindsay@uta.edu.

Business Building's southwest entrance closed

The East Courtyard southwest corner entrance to the Business Building is closed for repairs this week. Facilities Management is working on the drainage system and sidewalk replacement.

Dr. Doug Richmond

Richmond's faculty session focuses on Mexico

History Professor Doug Richmond discusses "The Mexican Struggle for Independence from Spain, 1810-1821" to open the Focus on Faculty series at noon Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the sixth floor parlor at the Central Library. A reception follows the presentation.

Dr. Richmond, a member of the history faculty since 1976, focuses on how Mexico's drive for autonomy from Spain gradually developed into demands for complete independence.

Co-sponsored by the Library and the Center for Mexican American Studies, the program is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Tommie Wingfield at 817-272-2658 or wingfield@uta.edu.

Fiesta starts celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month

Kick off Hispanic Heritage Month with a fiesta at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 14, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Celebrando la Vida: Celebrating Life features the internationally renowned Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company, which provides cultural and educational insight into the rich heritage of Mexican, and Latin American culture. The show encompasses centuries of traditions that have evolved from European, Asian, Indian and American influences. The performance starts at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 21, in the Rosebud Theater of the University Center.

The People’s Voices includes the Tejano Voices Collection by Jose Angel Guiterrez, professor of political science. The program is at 6 p.m., Monday, Sept. 26, in the Carlisle Suite of the University Center.

Gather a team for the fifth annual Dancing with Mavericks at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 12, on the University Center mall. Register a team by noon Thursday, Oct. 6. In case of rain, the dance moves to Court 133 at the Maverick Activities Center.

Hispanic Heritage Month is sponsored by the Office of Multicultural Affairs.

'Arlington' authors speak to Friends of the Library

Evelyn Barker and Lea Worcester discuss the facts behind their book, Arlington: Images of America, at the Friends of the Library meeting 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, in the sixth floor parlor at the Central Library.

Barker and Worcester, librarians at the UT Arlington Library, mined the rich visual resources in the Library's Special Collections to produce the illustrated history of Arlington.

Highlights of Arlington's development include gambling at Top O'Hill casino and Arlington Downs horse track, progressive values in the Berachah Home for Erring Girls, higher education through UT Arlington, and economic expansion with General Motors, Six Flags Over Texas, the Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Cowboys.

The event is free and open to all. For more information, contact Tommie Wingfield at 2-2658 or wingfield@uta.edu.

Interpersonal therapy groups begin

Let’s Talk Interpersonal Therapy groups are organizing for the fall semester.

All students can attend sessions at either 3-4:30 p.m. Tuesdays or 1-2:30 p.m. Fridays. A group for graduate students meets 4-5:30 p.m. Thursdays.

Space is limited. For more information or to schedule a pre-group meeting, contact Counseling Services at 817-272-3671.

Silver threads Art and artists mingled during the opening reception for Silver: 25th Anniversary Exhibition on Friday, Sept. 9, at The Gallery at UTA. Artwork by 25 of the 500 artists who have shown works at the gallery is on display through Oct. 15.

University College to open late one day each month for planning

University College offices will open late one Monday each month during the fall semester for planning and meetings. The next morning closure is Monday, Sept. 26.

Offices will be closed until 1 p.m. During this time, offices will not schedule appointments or see students.

Future fall semester closure dates are Oct. 31, Nov. 28, and Dec. 19.

Register for Parent and Family Weekend

Mom and Dad and the rest of the family can learn what it means to be a Maverick at the Parent and Family Weekend, Friday-Sunday, Oct. 21-23.

Activities include faculty spotlights, a fall festival with live music and a live petting zoo, a glass blowing demonstration, a real-life game show, student performances, theater productions, Mavs volleyball, Movin’ Mavs basketball, and much more.

Everyone who attends will receive a free t-shirt, breakfast, and dinner, as well as the opportunity to participate in most of the scheduled activities at no extra cost.

UT Arlington students and children under 10 are free. All others are $30 per person. Online registration is available through Wednesday, Oct. 19.

The weekend is sponsored by the Parent and Family Center and the Division of Student Affairs.

Permission granted: Grants from NASA will help Dr. Sandy Dasgupta develop technology that could set up missions to Mars.

NASA taps chemistry professor to build machine for Mars geology

Chemistry Professor Purnendu “Sandy” Dasgupta, renowned for his innovations in the field of ion chromatography, has been awarded a nearly $1.2 million grant from NASA to develop technology that could help pave the way for human missions to Mars and beyond.

Dr. Dasgupta will use the funds to develop an ion chromatograph for extraterrestrial explorations. The goal is to create a new system for testing the chemical composition of extraterrestrial soil. The project was one of eight nationwide recently funded by the Astrobiology Science and Technology for Instrument Development grant program of the NASA Astrobiology Program.

“By creating an easily portable and robustly designed ion chromatograph, we’re hoping to rapidly expand scientists’ knowledge of extraterrestrial geology and geochemistry,” Dasgupta says. Proving organic ions exist in Martian soil could be a first step to identifying organic compounds, the building blocks of life.

Read more about NASA, Dasgupta, and Mars.

University, Navy craft patent program

Students enrolled this fall in the MBA Professional Cohort at UT Arlington will craft business plans for select Navy patents with a goal of moving new technology to the marketplace as a new component of the degree plan.

The University has signed a memorandum of understanding allowing the College of Business to receive 210 patents from the U.S. Navy. These patents have not yet been commercially developed. MBA students participating in the team-based programs at the University’s Fort Worth and Frisco campuses will review the patents and create business plans for the most marketable technologies.

Read more about the MBA patent program.

Dr. Xueming Luo

Marketing professor recognized for research

Xueming Luo, the Eunice and James L. West Distinguished Professor of Marketing, has won one of the prestigious 50 Emerald Management Reviews Citations of Excellence Awards for 2011.

Now in their 15th year, these distinguished annual awards recognize the 50 most outstanding articles published by the top 300 management journals in the world. Dr. Luo’s article “Neglected Outcomes of Customer Satisfaction," co-authored with University of Mannheim Professor Christian Homburg, originally was published in the Journal of Marketing in 2007.

Luo’s research focuses on customer metrics, econometric modeling, and the marketing-finance interface. Between 2005 and 2010, he ranked first among marketing scholars in North America contributing to the Journal of Marketing.

Read more about Luo and the award.

Enrollment verifications are now official in MyMav

Enrollment verifications for the fall semester are now official and available online. To print your verification, log on to MyMav, go to Student Center, and click on Request Enrollment Verification to access the National Student Loan Clearinghouse. Read more about enrollment verification.

Freshman progress reports online

Early progress reports are available through My Mav as soon as they are entered through Friday, Sept. 23. Meet with your academic adviser to discuss your progress and explore campus resources. A list of advising offices is online.

Start Strong offers free tutoring to freshmen

Start Strong Freshman Tutoring provides up to six hours of free tutoring in selected courses for all first-time freshmen. Students must register for and complete their first hour of tutoring by Friday, Sept. 16. To register, visit the University Tutorial and Supplemental Instruction office in Room 205 in Ransom Hall.

Success Series offers workshops to all students

University College's Success Series covers a variety of topics for all students. This month topics are moving away from home, note-taking skills, campus safety and awareness, getting connected on campus, student organizations and campus involvement, and being the first college student in the family.

Deadline approaches for inclusion in Commencement booklet

Students who graduated in summer or will graduate this fall and want to be included in the printed souvenir Commencement booklet must set or change their privacy settings by Saturday, Oct. 1. Follow instructions on Inclusion in Commencement Booklet on the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) restrictions page.

FERPA specifies your rights and limitations regarding the release of information in your educational record and the procedures for review of your record.

Night on the Town features food, fun, music Ready for a night out, right in your own backyard? Then join in for UT Arlington Night on the Town on Friday, Sept. 16. It's a neighborhood party with good food, good music, and good company. The fun starts with a mixer and wraps up with specials at local restaurants. The highlight is a free concert at Levitt Pavilion. The mixer is 5:30-7 p.m. at Mavericks Sports Grill. Cost is $10 per person and $5 for Alumni Association members. RSVP at 2-2594 or uta.edu/alumni. Visit the Info Fair at Founders Plaza next to Levitt Pavilion 6:30-7:30 p.m. to learn about year-round entertainment, cultural, and educational opportunities in College Town UTA. As part of the Levitt Pavilion fall concert series, The Burning Hotels, above, perform 7:30-9 p.m. Bring lawn chairs or plop down a blanket on the grass and enjoy the music. The Fort Worth band is described as “1980's New Wave meets today’s catchy, hook-driven indie rock.” Then indulge in after-hours specials 9-11 p.m. at participating downtown restaurants, including the Flying Fish, Grease Monkey, J. Gilligan’s, J.R. Bentley’s, Mavericks Sports Grill, and Old School Pizza & Suds.

Tuesday, Sept. 13

Music Honors Recital 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, Sept. 14

$2 Movie: Limitless A writer discovers a top-secret drug that bestows him with super human abilities. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 17. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Texas Rangers baseball Get tickets for faculty, staff, students, alumni, family, and friends. Access texasrangers.com/uta and use the password rangers. Starting time is 6:05 p.m.

Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off Fiesta Free. 6:30 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs.

Thursday, Sept. 15

MAC Birthday Sing "Happy Birthday" as the Maverick Activities Center celebrates its fourth birthday. Cake and beverages served. Free. 4 p.m., Maverick Activities Center. Campus Recreation, 817-272-3277.

Jazz on the Lawn An outdoor performance of UT Arlington jazz bands and ensembles. In the event of rain, the performance is canceled. Free. 7 p.m., Architecture Building courtyard. Music, 817-272-3471.

Friday, Sept. 16

Friends of the Library Evelyn Barker and Lea Worcester, authors of Arlington: Images of America, are guest speakers. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Tommie Wingfield, wingfield@uta.edu, 817-272-2658.

Wednesday, Sept. 21

$2 Movie: Thor A powerful but arrogant warrior's reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Rated PG-13. 5:30 p.m. Also 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, and 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrating Life The Ollimpaxqui Ballet Company performs. Free. 7 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicutural Affairs.

Guest Brass Artists Recital Mark Houghton, principal horn of the Fort Worth Symphony, and Joe Sellsmanberger, former tubist of the Memphis Symphony, perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music, 817-272-3471.

Ongoing

Levitt Pavilion Concert Series The fall Levitt Pavilion Arlington concert series includes the UTA Jazz Orchestra performing Sunday, Sept. 25. Concerts through Saturday, Oct. 1. Free. Levitt Pavilion Arlington, 100 W. Abram St.

Broken Sugar Exhibit An exhibition of 22 mixed-media sculpture and two-dimensional works by Melba Northum. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays; 2-6 p.m. Wednesdays and Fridays. Through Friday, Sept. 30. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Natural Perceptions Marilyn Jolly, associate professor of art and art history, has work featured in Natural Perceptions, an exhibit at the University of Dallas. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays. Through Sunday, Oct. 2. Beatrice M. Haggerty Gallery, University of Dallas.

Silver: 25th Anniversary Exhibition A group show of 25 artists who have shown works from The Gallery at UTA's 1986 beginning as the Center for Research in Contemporary Art to the present. Free. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through Saturday, Oct. 15. The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building. 817-272-5658.

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

Planetarium Why is it called a planetarium? Read about this and more in The Starry Messenger. Planetarium, 817-272-1183.

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

Diggin' it: Alicia Shaffer set a season high with 31 digs against Nevada in the California Classic on Saturday. Last week against Arkansas-Pine Bluff, she became the seventh player in UT Arlington history to reach the 1,500-dig plateau.

Volleyballers open home season Friday

Following a rugged season-opening road schedule that featured No. 1-ranked California, the Maverick volleyball team opens the home season this weekend with the UT Arlington Invitational.

The Mavericks face Louisiana-Lafayette at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16. On Saturday, Sept. 17, they meet Prairie View A&M at 1:30 p.m. and Texas Tech at 7:30 p.m.

The Mavericks lost to California, Georgetown, and Nevada in the Cal Classic over the past weekend.

Men finish second at cross country opener

The men's cross country team finished second and the women placed fourth at the UT Arlington Season Opener at Vandergriff Park on Saturday.

Sophomore David Rayo led the men's team with a fifth-place finish as the Mavericks were second behind Baylor in the team standings. TCU was third.

Sophomore Emily Koenig, the returning Southland Conference individual champion, led the women's team with a fourth-place finish.

Next action for the cross country teams is Saturday, Sept. 17, at the Baylor Invitational.

Basketball schedules announced

Schedules for the women’s and men’s basketball teams have been announced for the 2011-12 season, which will be the final year in Texas Hall and in the Southland Conference.

The women’s schedule includes George Washington and Fresno State at home with road games at Arkansas, Oklahoma State, and Memphis.

The men’s schedule features home games with Louisiana Tech and North Texas. The Mavericks face road tests at Baylor, UT Austin, and Tulsa.

Teams will move to the College Park Center late in the season although no date has been announced. The Mavericks join the Western Athletic Conference in the fall of 2012.

Intramural entries due for flag football, racquetball

Intramural entries for the pre-season flag football are due today, Tuesday, Sept. 13. Other entry deadlines this week include flag football Wednesday, Sept. 14, and racquetball Friday, Sept. 16.

For more information, see intramural sports.

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