TrailBlazer 2014 Archive » TrailBlazer — Tuesday, December 2, 2014

Dr. Beth Wright

College of Liberal Arts dean to return to art history faculty

Beth Wright, dean of the College of Liberal Arts and a distinguished art historian, has announced that she will step down Dec. 31 after serving in her academic leadership position for more than a decade.

A national search for Dean Wright’s successor will begin immediately.

Dr. Wright plans to take a year’s leave and will return to her position as a professor in the Department of Art and Art History in 2016.

The University will rely on the college’s strong academic leadership team of associate and assistant deans to guide its 12 academic programs during the interim, says Ronald L. Elsenbaumer, provost and vice president for academic affairs. 

Under Wright’s leadership, the College of Liberal Arts has grown to include more than 4,500 students. The college awarded almost 1,200 degrees in the 2013-2014 academic year.

Read more about Dean Wright and the College of Liberal Arts.

Finals are coming, but don't stress out

Take a break from studying for final exams with some relaxation, a good breakfast, and study help. 

Study with free coffee all day through finals at the Architecture and Fine Arts Library and Science and Engineering Library. The java is free 9 p.m.-5 a.m. through finals in the Central Library.

Partake of free snacks and games 6-9 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, on the sixth floor of the Central Library.

Those positive pooches of Paws for Finals are ready to ease your stress at the Central Library through Wednesday, Dec. 10. See the schedule.

Late Night Breakfast provides students with a study break 9:30-11 p.m. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 8-9. A full breakfast menu is offered at the Connection Café for only $3. Cash, credit, MavMoney, Dining Dollars, or the meal plan are accepted.

The E.H. Hereford University Center will stay open from 7 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, through 11 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10.

When you're back to the books, find help at college-based clinics and labs, such as the Math Clinic and the Writing Center.

UT Arlington recognized for education of minority nurses

The College of Nursing and Health Innovation has been ranked third in the nation and highest in Texas for the volume of minority nurses with bachelor’s degrees it produces, according to a recent issue of Diverse: Issues in Higher Education.

UT Arlington awarded 747 bachelor’s degrees in nursing to students who identified themselves as Hispanic, African-American, or from another minority group, according to preliminary 2012-2013 statistics used in the magazine.

The University also came in at No. 21 on Diverse: Issues in Higher Education’s list of schools producing minority graduates with master’s degrees in nursing.

Read more about the diversity in nursing ranking.

Candidates for College of Science dean to visit campus

Candidates for dean of the College of Science will meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students through Friday, Dec. 5.

The name of each candidate will be released 24 hours in advance of his or her campus visit.

Visit the Senior Leadership Searches webpage to learn more about the dean search for the College of Science, as details become available.

Take online feedback surveys by Wednesday

End-of-term Student Feedback Surveys are being conducted online for all organized sections designated as lecture, seminar, or lab.

Students should have received an email message inviting them to complete an online survey for each organized section in which they are enrolled. A link to the survey is included in the body of the email message.

Students may access all of their Student Feedback Surveys through Blackboard (even if the course does not employ Blackboard) via the “My Blackboard” page.

This semester's surveys will close at 11 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 3. For more information, see Student Feedback Surveys.

Book buy-back planned by UTA Bookstore

The UTA Bookstore will buy back textbooks and offer extended hours Monday-Friday, Dec. 8-12. 

The bookstore will be open 7:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Dec. 8-11; 7:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12; and 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 13. 

Blue light special More than 30,000 Maverick blue lights illuminate the Library mall for the holidays. Deck the Mall started the glowing tradition Nov. 24 with hot chocolate, cookies, and other treats for guests.

ACES symposium now accepting abstract submissions

Abstracts are now being accepted for the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES), a University-wide symposium highlighting the best in student research and creativity. Submission deadline is Friday, Feb. 6, 2015.

To be featured at ACES, undergraduate and graduate students work with faculty mentors in their disciplines to write and submit abstracts for the competition. The approved abstracts are then turned into oral presentations or posters to be presented at the symposium. The day-long event includes a keynote speaker. 

ACES 2015 will take place Wednesday, March 25, in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Email questions to aces@uta.edu.

Participate in emergency response exercise

Students, faculty, and staff are invited to attend the Office of Emergency Management’s annual Clery Act tabletop exercise Thursday, Dec. 4. The program is 1-4 p.m. in the back gym of the Maverick Activities Center.

The exercise addresses emergency response and evacuation on a campus-wide scale.

MyMav maintenance planned for Dec. 7

Maintenance is planned for the MyMav system noon-4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7, by the Office of Information Technology. During this time, MyMav will be unavailable.

Questions? Contact the Help Desk at 817-272-2208 or helpdesk@uta.edu.

Beware of cyber criminals when shopping online

The Information Security Office encourages you to be aware of holiday seasonal scams, phishing, and malicious software distribution campaigns.

Cyber criminals often send personal messages that appear to be legitimate and include websites that look real with logos, email, or web templates.

These phishing and malware campaigns include fake shipping/courier notifications; electronic greeting cards or links to holiday screensavers; requests for charitable contributions that appear to be from the real organization; and credit card or gift card applications or enticing discounts that lead to unfamiliar websites.

Never click on links in emails that you’re not expecting, open attachments in emails that you’re not expecting, nor provide personal information in an email or on a website unless you are confident of the source.

If you do receive suspicious email messages, contact the Information Security Office at security@uta.edu.

Read more online security tips.

Recruit for your program at transfer New Maverick Orientation

During the fall and winter months, Involvement Fairs take place at orientation sessions for students transferring to the University in the upcoming spring term.

University departments and registered student organizations may host a table to provide information about their programs to incoming students.

Upcoming sessions are Saturday, Dec. 6; Wednesday, Dec. 10; Monday, Jan. 12; and Wednesday, Jan. 14.

Learn more and register online.

Claim your Commencement tickets

Graduation candidates can claim guest tickets for the fall 2014 Commencement ceremonies by noon Monday, Dec. 8, at utatickets.com. Detailed instructions have been sent to your UT Arlington email account.

Claim only the tickets you intend to use. All guests over age 2 must have a printed Commencement ticket to enter College Park Center. All candidates must have a printed ticket to participate in Commencement, Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 11-13.

If you experience technical difficulty claiming your Commencement tickets, contact the Box Office at 817-272-9595.

Fall final exam schedule available

The final exam schedule for the fall term is available online. Finals are scheduled Dec. 6-12.

Spring registration is open; see your adviser now

Make plans to register for the winter intersession and spring 2015 terms. The schedule of classes and the registration timetable are available on the MyMav portal page.

Check your Student Center in MyMav to see if you need to meet with your academic adviser before registering. A list of advising offices is online. Call to schedule an appointment or check walk-in hours.

Transcripts available in PDF format

UT Arlington now offers transcripts in PDF format. Students can send PDF transcripts by email to another university, a potential employer, or themselves. Read more about ordering transcripts.

German students unveil original play Students in Sabine Harvey’s German drama class have written an original play, “Murder Abroad.” The performance will be in German—with English subtitles—at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, in Room 204 of the Architecture Building. Admission is free. Last summer, Harvey, a senior lecturer and coordinator for German Studies in the Department of Modern Languages, led a student group on a study abroad trip to Berlin and Erfurt. Many of their experiences were written into the play. “The students came up with the idea and wanted to put some of their experiences, some of the funnier incidences, into a play,” she says. “Putting this together, we realized more about ourselves and more about Germany. It’s been a very enlightening experience.” Harvey says students used the modern German dramas they read this semester as a template for their original work. Students researched the history of places they visited and worked those details into the play. They also met regularly for an hour before class to work on acting, staging, directing, and other elements necessary to build a successful performance. "They used research, their own experiences, and immense creativity to work on the dialogue, acting, and music," she says. "I also noticed they were more aware of the language and pronunciation throughout the whole process.”

Through Wednesday, Dec. 10

Paws for Finals Therapy dogs help with the stress of final exams. Free. Second floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Wednesday, Dec. 3

CAAS: An Evening with Authors Meet the authors from UT Arlington. 5:30–7:30 p.m., Carlisle Suite, E.H. Hereford University Center. Center for African American Studies.

Friday, Dec. 5

BFA Exhibit Opening Reception The Bachelor of Fine Arts Exhibition showcases works by 47 graduating seniors in painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking, film/video, photography, and visual communication. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays, noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Reception 5-7 p.m., The Gallery at UTA. Through Dec. 13. Art and Art History.

Friends of the Library Chants Encounters performs holiday music. Free. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor Central Library. Friends of the Library.

Dance Ensemble Concert The UTA Dance Ensemble presents works by Danielle Georgiou, Martin Godoy, and student choreographers. $5 with student ID, $7 general admission. 8 p.m., MainStage Theatre, Fine Arts Building. Also, Saturday, Dec. 6. Theatre Arts.

Saturday, Dec. 6

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Weber State. Tickets $3 with student ID. 2 p.m., College Park Center. Also, Howard Payne, Saturday, Dec. 20. Athletics.

Thursday-Saturday, Dec. 11-13

Commencement Ceremonies Graduating students celebrate their achievements. See the Commencement schedule. College Park Center.

Ongoing

MavsArt 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.

Digital Photography Student artwork showcased. Gallery hours 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free. University Center Gallery, E.H. Hereford University Center. Through Dec. 12. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Max Sullivan Gallery: Statera-Hymns of Balance Paintings by Andrew Kochie. Gallery hours 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Free. Max Sullivan Gallery, Room 206, Architecture Building. Through Dec. 15. Architecture.

Cuba: Histories of the Present Explore daily life in modern Cuba through photographs by David LaFevor, assistant professor of history. Sixth floor, Central Library. Through Dec. 22.

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 winter schedule, Dec. 4-21, features Season of Light; Holiday Music Magic; Back to the Moon for Good; Experience the Aurora; One World, One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure; Pink Floyd; and Spacepark 360 Infinity. Planetarium.

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

Tuesday, Dec. 2	Resident Assistant Interest Sessions Discover what it takes to be an RA. Noon, San Saba Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, Friday, Dec. 5. Housing.
Wednesday, Dec. 3	Big Data Exploration and Analytics in Social Media and the Deep Web Gautam Das, professor of computer science and engineering, describes the technical challenges and algorithmic innovations encountered in novel application domains, such as collaborative/social media and deep web databases. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association. Let's Talk Sexy Break the taboo around talking about sexuality to improve communication between partners and obtain consent before engaging in sexual activity. Free. Noon, Rio Grande Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention. Women's and Gender Studies Speaker Anne Boring of Effective Gender Equality in Research and the Academia presents "Gender Biases in Student Evaluation of Teachers." Free. Noon-1 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Women's and Gender Studies.
Monday, Dec. 8	Engineering Speakers Series Michael Cho of the University of Illinois at Chicago presents "Functional Biomechanics of Stem Cells: Launch of Single Cell Analysis." Free. 11 a.m.-noon, Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.
Wednesday, Dec. 10	Faculty Research Incubator Seminar Series David Rakowski, right, associate professor of finance and real estate, is guest speaker. Free. 1:30-3:30 p.m., Room 609, Business Building. Business.
Thursday, Dec. 11	Engineering Speakers Series Fengnian Xia of Yale University discusses "Graphene Photonics and Plasmonics." Free. 3:30-5 p.m., Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.
Saturday, Dec. 13	2014-15 Health Insurance Marketplace Enrollment Information sessions and enrollment assistance for the 2014-15 Affordable Care Act Insurance Marketplace. Patient navigators who speak English, Spanish, and Vietnamese available. Co-sponsors are the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid and the United Way of Tarrant County. Free. 10 a.m.-2 p.m., Guadalupe Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Nursing and Health Innovation, Rural Health Outreach Program.
Ongoing	Center for Students in Recovery Celebrate Recovery is a 12-step program, 7 p.m. Mondays, Room 107, Social Work Building B. Mavericks Group AA Meeting, noon Wednesdays, Room 314, Central Library. Center for Students in Recovery Student Group is a non-12-step social meeting. 4 p.m. Wednesdays, Sabine Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Center for Students in Recovery. Career Development Job search assistance, including resume reviews and interview and networking tips; employer events, such as information sessions and on-campus interviews; and career development assistance are provided. Upcoming events are on the website. Call 817-272-2932 for an appointment. Career Development Center.
(For an expanded list of events, see the UTA calendar.)

Team spirit: Sophomore Briana Sharratt was named a first-team All-Sun Belt Conference performer after posting 262 kills with a hitting percentage of .419. The Mavericks ended their season with a 25-9 record.

Volleyball team earns most wins since 2006

The volleyball team dropped a 3-0 decision to top-seeded Arkansas-Little Rock in the Sun Belt Conference Tournament semifinals Friday in San Marcos.

The loss ended the fourth-seeded Mavericks’ season with a 25-9 record, the team’s most wins since 2006. UTA defeated Appalachian State 3-1 on Thursday in the first round of the tournament.

Sophomore Briana Sharratt was named a first-team All-SBC performer after posting 262 kills with a hitting percentage of .419 this season. Freshman Qiana Canete, who recorded a team-high 361 kills, was a second-team selection.

Six players were recognized for their performance in the classroom. Taylor Story was selected to the Commissioner’s List while Sharratt, Caitlyn Cooney, Taylor Gross, Karli Nanny, and Cassidy Wheeler were named to the Sun Belt Academic Honor Roll.

Women's basketball seeks fourth win tonight

The women’s basketball team cruised to an 80-62 victory Wednesday over Northern Arizona in College Park Center. The win improves the Mavericks’ record to 3-1 overall and 3-0 at home.

Senior guard Chaun Williams led the way with 14 points off the bench. Freshman center Rebekah Van Dijk added 11 points and 10 rebounds for her third double-double of the season.

The Mavericks return to action at 7 p.m. tonight Tuesday, Dec. 2, against UT San Antonio in College Park Center. A victory would match UTA’s win total from last season.

Men's basketball travels to UT Austin tonight

The Mavericks fell to 3-3 after losing at top-ranked Kentucky and at Montana State last week.

Through six games, senior guards Lonnie McClanahan (12.0) and Jamel Outler (10.3) are the team’s leading scorers. Outler has hit 15 of 36 three-pointers on the season.

The schedule doesn’t get any easier as the Mavericks hit the road to face sixth-ranked UT Austin at 7 p.m. tonight Tuesday, Dec. 2. Watch the action on the Longhorn Network. The next home game is against Weber State at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, in College Park Center.

Final intramural sports wrap up semester

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include MavStrong, Wednesday, Dec. 3, and College FB Bowl Pick 'Em, Saturday, Dec. 13.

See the intramural sports schedule. Pick up entry forms at the Services and Information Desk of the Maverick Activities Center. For questions, call 817-272-3277 or email imsports@uta.edu.

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