In Memoriam

James Butler, Oct. 1 in Arlington. Dr. Butler retired from the Biology Department in 1987. He was an active member of the Faculty Senate and played a major role in the University’s transition from Arlington State College to The University of Texas at Arlington. He was a well-known microscopist and innovator who pioneered the use of thin sections and plastic embedding agents to produce high-quality slides for light microscopy. He maintained a laboratory in the Biology Department and continued to conduct research until his death.

Lorna Joyce Bailey Lorenzetti, 65, July 20 in Fort Worth. An artist and retired pharmacist, Ms. Lorenzetti graduated magna cum laude from UTA in 1998 with a bachelor of fine arts degree, fulfilling a lifelong ambition. She also held a bachelor’s degree in pharmacy and a master’s in pharmacology from Ohio State University. She was a sculptor and painter and loved to travel.

Robert Maxwell, Sept. 11 in Arlington, Va. Mr. Maxwell, who graduated from UTA in 1971, was killed in the terrorist attack on the Pentagon. He was the civilian equivalent of a lieutenant colonel and worked in the Pentagon’s Information Management Support Center for the Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He lived in Manassas, Va., with his wife, Karen, and 19-year-old son, Tanner.

Elizabeth Eavenson Robertson, May 11, 1999, in Dallas. Ms. Robertson graduated from North Texas Agricultural College (now UTA) in 1935 with an associate’s degree. She lived in Lubbock most of her life.

M. Coleen Shannon, 60, Oct. 11 in Arlington. Dr. Shannon joined the UTA faculty in 1970 and served as an assistant professor of social work for more than 31 years. An integral part of the UTA School of Social Work, she founded the school’s Community Service Clinic, which provides a variety of counseling services. From 1996 to 1999 she also served on the board of directors for the Handicapped Resource Association. Internationally known for her work in biofeedback, she used the technique in her counseling and was a member of the Biofeedback Society of Texas and the Biofeedback Certification Institute of America. She was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Tarrant County chapter of the National Association of Social Workers.

Gina Michelle Smith, 30, Aug. 25 in the Bahamas. Ms. Smith, who graduated from UTA in 1993 with a marketing degree, was a product manager for Blackground Records and handled marketing, packaging and sales for Grammy-nominated singer Aaliyah. She was on board a private airplane with Aaliyah when the plane crashed just after takeoff. She lived in North Bergen, N.J., and worked in New York City. She had traveled to the Bahamas for a music video shoot.

Hongwei Ye, 25, Nov. 10 near Abilene. Ye, a graduate student from China, was studying for a doctorate in chemistry with an emphasis in electrochemistry. He was a member of UTA’s Friendship Association of Chinese Students and Scholars and was working on a collaborative research project with chemistry Professor Krishnan Rajeshwar.