MavWire 2014 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, November 6, 2014

Dr. Suresh Sharma

Sharma honored by physicists

Physics Professor Suresh Sharma has been awarded the 2014 Distinguished Service Award by the Texas Section of the American Physical Society (APS).

The award was given at the Texas group’s October meeting in College Station and honors individuals who have made a significant contribution to the programs of the Texas physics community. The APS is a nonprofit group working to advance knowledge of physics, with 50,000 members worldwide.

Dr. Sharma joined the College of Science faculty in 1976. His current research focuses on using laser spectroscopy to study the optical and electronic properties of advanced materials. 

Read more about Sharma's APS honor.

Dr. Ritu Gairola Khanduri

Anthropologist's book examines cartoons in Indian culture

Cultural anthropologist Ritu Gairola Khanduri has broken ground in media and South Asian studies with a new book focused on newspaper cartoons, the cartoonists, and the public reception of cartoons in India.

Caricaturing Culture in India: Cartoons and History in the Modern World was recently published by Cambridge University Press. In the book, Dr. Khanduri, associate professor of anthropology, reveals how cartoons serve as teaching moments about politics and democracy.

Read more about Khanduri's book.

Championship season: The women's cross country team and coach John Sauerhage show off the Sun Belt Conference championship trophy at the conference finals on Sunday in Mobile, Ala.

Women's cross country team nabs Sun Belt crown

The women's cross country team claimed its first league title since 2001 and the program's fifth ever on Sunday at the 2014 Sun Belt Conference Championships.

The men placed third after winning last year's SBC title.

Katelyn Hayward, fifth overall, earned first-team All-SBC accolades. Gabriela Alfonzo, sixth, and Ashly Wright, eighth, received second-team honors, while Hannah Nilsson, 11th, earned third-team.

For the men, Craig Lautenslager, third, and Eric Ojeda, fourth, made the All-SBC first team. Ryan Tilotta snagged sixth, and Michael Guerrero was eighth, with both named to the second team.

The UTA teams head to the NCAA South Central Regional in Fayetteville, Ark., on Friday, Nov. 14.

Read more about the cross country teams at the SBC championships.

Cyber safety Achieving cyber security is a constant challenge, retired Navy Adm. James Stavridis told the audience at Tuesday's Maverick Speakers Series lecture at Texas Hall.

Veterans Day events on campus Tuesday

UT Arlington veterans will be honored on campus Tuesday, Nov. 11, for Veterans Day.

Reveille begins the event at 7 a.m. in the courtyard of College Hall followed by a wreath-laying ceremony and acknowledgements of veteran graduates.

A breakfast for UTA veterans is 8-9 a.m. in the Palo Duro Lounge of the E.H. Hererford University Center. A resource fair is 10 a.m.-1 p.m. in the same location.

Enjoy music, food, and activities 5-7 p.m. on the Library mall, hosted by the Student Veterans Organization.

Pick up an "I Love UTA Veterans" or "UTA Veteran" button at the opening ceremony, breakfast, or resource fair.

Donate a pair of socks for the "Socks for Service" project, which benefits homeless veterans. Drop-off boxes are in front of College Hall, the Veterans Assistance Center, and the Central Library and in the Palo Duro Lounge.

The Veterans Day activities are sponsored by the Office of the President, Department of Military Science, Student Veterans Organization, and the Veterans Connection Committee. For details on resources for student veterans, go to the Veteran Services website.

Celebrate UT System Day on Nov. 14

Wear your Maverick attire when celebrating UT System Day 11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, on the Library mall. The second annual event includes popcorn and commemorative cups.

Departments can join the celebration with a table to distribute promotional materials.

UT System Day is sponsored by the Office of the President, Administration and Campus Operations, Staff Advisory Council, the UT System Employee Advisory Council, and the Office of Human Resources.

See more information on UTA's UT System Day website.

Roll on Students gambled on a good time last Thursday at Casino Night in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The event offered a pre-Halloween chance to dress in costumes and mingle. See more photos.

State Employee Charitable Campaign extended to Nov. 15

The deadline for State Employee Charitable Campaign gifts has been extended until Saturday, Nov. 15.

Your department representative has pledge forms and a listing of agencies and organizations that benefit from your gift. Fill out that form and return it to your SECC representative.

Pledge online at dfwmetroplexsecc.org by clicking Pledge Online, then select University of Texas Arlington, register, and create your pledge.

Make a one-time gift or pledge monthly. Donations may be made to one or more organizations.

Questions? Contact Chris Muller at cmuller@uta.edu.

College Park Center's West Corridor unveiled at reception Nov. 19

Faculty and staff are invited to a reception showcasing the newly branded West Corridor on the College Park Center concourse. The corridor reflects the partnership between UTA Athletics and Texas Trust Credit Union.

The event is 4:30-6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19, at the West Corridor. RSVP to Amanda Keomanivong at 972-595-1765 or akeomanivong@texastrustcu.org.

Float in Homecoming with parade entry

Claim your spot in the Homecoming parade lineup. Register online by Wednesday Nov. 12, with an entry that shows your Maverick spirit.

The parade starts at 5:45 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, on Spaniolo Drive outside College Park Center.

Thursday, Nov. 6

Biology Colloquium Thomas DeWitt of Texas A&M University presents "Predators Drive Replicated Phenotypic Evolution in Prey Fishes." Free. 4 p.m., Room 118, Life Science Building. Also, Aaron Bauer of Villanova University, Thursday, Nov. 13. Biology.

Friday, Nov. 7

Powerful Presentation Skills Register online. Free. 10 a.m.-noon, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Materials Science and Engineering Seminar Series Anton Malko of UT Dallas presents “Semiconductor Nanocrystals: From Quantum Phenomena to Applications in Energy Sustainability.” Free. 11 a.m.-12:30 p.m., Room 103, Engineering Research Building. Materials Science and Engineering.

Chemistry and Biochemistry Speakers Series Yinsheng Wang of the University of California, Riverside, discusses “Quantitative Proteomics for Research in Cancer Biology and Environmental Toxicology.” 3 p.m., Room 114, Chemistry Research Building. Also, Yaron Paz of Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Friday, Nov. 14. Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Saturday, Nov. 8

Engineering Saturday Engineering faculty, student organizations, and partners provide fun and intriguing hands-on engineering activities for elementary through high school students. See schedule. Free. 8:30 a.m.-3 p.m., atrium, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Monday, Nov. 10

Engineering Speaker Series Michael Hay of the Nuclear Regulatory Commission presents "2011 Tsunami Impacts to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in Japan." Free. Noon-1 p.m. Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

How to Commercialize Your Research Tools with KeraFast KeraFast facilitates the availability of research materials from institutions around the world in an online platform. KeraFast is committed to reinvesting in research by providing royalty payments to scientists and their institutions when their materials are purchased. For details, email otm@uta.edu. RSVP required. Free. 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. Technology Management, Research Administration.

Tuesday, Nov. 11

Developing Assertive Communication Skills Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Wednesday, Nov. 12

Focus on Faculty: Anne Healy Anne Healy, assistant professor of theatre arts, discusses the Master of Fine Arts program in musical theatre. Free. Noon-1 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries. 

Customer Service 101 Register online. Free. 9-11 a.m., J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, Nov. 13

LINK Research Lab Speakers Series Tom Reeves of the University of Georgia presents "Inquiry with Impact: The Promise of Educational Design Research" and a workshop on educational design research. RSVP to both. Lecture, 11 a.m.-noon; workshop 12:30-4:30 p.m.; both Room 303, Chemistry and Physics Building. LINK Research Lab, Education.

Coming up

EMBA Info Session Experience a class session with current EMBA students and network with the class members, faculty, and EMBA alumni. Register online. Free. 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, The Fort Worth Club, 306 W. 7th St., Fort Worth. Fort Worth Center.

Engineering Speaker Series Ali Erdemir of Argonne National Laboratory discusses "Facing the Hard Truth about Friction and Its Impact on Global Energy Consumption." Free. 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Human Resources Training Time Management: Keys to Everyday Office Success, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Nov. 19; and Welcoming Diversity, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 21. Register online. Free. J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Hunter Pence among Hall of Honor class

Two-time World Series champion Hunter Pence is among the inductees in the 2015 Athletics Hall of Honor class. The ceremony is Jan. 30, 2015, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Inductees are Pence (baseball), Elston Cawley (men's track and field), Valeria Whitfield (women's volleyball), Mike Stamps (football), and the 1996-2000 men's track and field teams.

The evening begins with a cocktail reception at 6:30 p.m., followed by dinner and the induction ceremony. Individual tickets are $50 at utatickets.com. Purchase tickets by Jan. 21.

To reserve a table or for questions, contact Kimberley Jardine at kjardine@uta.edu or 2-0694.

Volleyball Mavs look to rebound Friday

The volleyball team takes on the University of Arkansas-Little Rock at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7, and South Alabama at noon Sunday, Nov. 9, at College Park Center.

The team fell to Appalachian State in a road match last Sunday, snapping an eight-match winning streak. The loss followed a 3-2 win against Georgia State on Friday night.

UTA is 21-6 this season and 11-4 in Sun Belt play.

Sports shorts

• The men's golf team's sophomore Zach Galliford tied for ninth at the 2014 Royal Oaks Intercollegiate in Dallas. The Mavericks finished eighth. The team competes at the Barona Collegiate Cup in San Diego starting Feb. 9, 2015.

• The men's and women's tennis teams wrapped up their fall seasons this past weekend by bringing home five titles and several more victories at two tournaments.
• The Movin' Mavs men's wheelchair basketball team is 4-1 after a home tournament last weekend. The team won two games over the University of Alabama, defeated the Austin Rec’ers and Oklahoma City, and lost to the Dallas Wheelchair Mavericks. The Lady Movin' Mavs are 2-2 with wins over the Dallas Lady Mavericks and losses to Alabama. Both teams compete Nov. 21-22 in Whitewater, Wis.

• The Maverick baseball team's Fall World Series continues Friday at Clay Gould Ballpark. The three-game series between the blue team coached by Troy Dean Conkle and the orange team coached by Fuller Smith winds up with a 3 p.m. game Friday, Nov. 7. The Fall World Series is free and open to all fans.

• Maverick basketball begins next week when the women's team plays Missouri Valley College at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14, at College Park Center, and the men's team faces Bradley that evening in Peoria, Ill.

• Outfielder Hunter Pence made it three straight years that a Maverick played for the World Series-winning team. The San Francisco Giants won Game 7 of the World Series 3-2 over the Kansas City Royals last week.

Intramural entries due for poker

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include poker, Monday, Nov. 17.     

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 2-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

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

Thursday, Nov. 6

Global Grounds Coffee Hour Enjoy free chai tea, refreshments, music, and networking with a Bollywood theme. Free. 4-5:30 p.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. International Education, Multicultural Affairs, Asian Heritage Month.

UTA Faculty Jazz Concert Jazz faculty members perform with saxophonist Glenn Kostur of the University of New Mexico. Free. 7:30 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Music.

Friday, Nov. 7

Volleyball Mavericks vs. Arkansas-Little Rock. Tickets $5. 6:30 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. South Alabama, Sunday, Nov. 9. Athletics. 

Friends of the Library Peter Szok highlights his new book Restaurantes, Rumba y Más: A Gringo’s Guide to Latino Fort Worth. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries, Friends of the Library.

Friday Night Film: Guardians of the Galaxy Rated PG-13. Free fresh-popped popcorn while supplies last; other concessions for sale. Tickets $1, $1.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Monday, Nov. 10

Blood Drive Carter Blood Care will have mobile units on the Library and University Center malls. Through Thursday, Nov. 13. University Events.

Wednesday, Nov. 12

Cultural Extravaganza Enjoy a Chinese lion dance, a Bharata Natyam performance, games, calligraphy, henna booths, and prizes. Free. 6:30-9 p.m., Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Multicultural Affairs, Asian Heritage Month.

Coming up

'A Streetcar Named Desire' The Maverick Theatre Company presents a Tennessee Williams classic. Tickets $7 faculty, staff, students, seniors; $10 public. Box office 2-2669. 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 19-22, and 2:30 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 23, Mainstage Theatre. Theatre Arts.

Holiday Extravaganza Attend the annual family-oriented holiday celebration with arts and crafts representing a variety of winter holidays, cookie decorating, and pictures with Santa. Free. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. Freshmen Leaders on Campus.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: Philip Van Keuren and Liz Ward Philip Van Keuren presents atmospheric black-and-white photogravures. Liz Ward's work includes colorful watercolors and meticulous silverpoint drawings. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays, The Gallery at UTA, Fine Arts Building North. Through Nov. 15. The Gallery at UTA.

Gallery 76102: Above & Beyond Kalee Appleton's series is inspired by time and time’s tendency to both transform and preserve. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Gallery 76102, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth. Through Nov. 30. Fort Worth Center, Gallery 76102.

MavsArts The semi-annual UTA community art show features 67 works by 25 artists who are UTA students, faculty, and staff. Through Dec. 3. UT Arlington Libraries, MavsArt.

Special Collections: The Price of Manifest Destiny Discover how maps and war interlock in the 19th century in a new exhibit. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Feb. 7, 2015. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th-20th century art and artifacts. Free. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, Suite 2109, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Planetarium The fall schedule includes Astronaut; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure; Pink Floyd; Spacepark 360 Infinity; Two Small Pieces of Glass; and We Are Astronomers. Planetarium.

(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)