TrailBlazer 2016 Archive » TrailBlazer — Tuesday, March 22, 2016

U.S. News ranks UTA graduate programs among nation’s best for 2017

U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA's graduate programs in engineering, business, nursing, and education among the best in the country based on peer evaluations and the quality of faculty, research, and students.

Highlights about UTA in the report include:

• The 2017 Best Graduate Schools list marked a steady rise for UTA's graduate engineering programs, now ranked No. 82 among 215 doctoral-granting engineering schools surveyed.

• The Master of Science in Nursing saw a significant improvement on the U.S. News list, climbing 15 places from last year to be ranked No. 75. A total of 519 accredited nursing schools with master’s or doctoral programs were surveyed.

• The College of Business part-time MBA ranked No. 82 among 470 accredited programs surveyed, the first time the college has broken into the Top 100 on the U.S. News list.

• The Master of Education degree also ranked in the top tier at No. 120 among the 376 doctoral-granting schools surveyed as the nation’s best graduate schools of education.

The rise in rankings is evidence of progress toward excellence under UTA’s Strategic Plan 2020: Bold Solutions | Global Impact.

Read more about the U.S. News graduate program rankings.

ACES symposium displays student research

Students will show their research and creativity at the Annual Celebration of Excellence by Students (ACES) symposium 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Wednesday, March 23, at the E.H. Hereford University Center.

Poster presentations will be in the Bluebonnet Ballroom, and oral presentations are throughout the University Center. An awards presentation begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Rio Grande Ballroom. See the ACES booklet.

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.

ACES is an interdisciplinary event in which any student from any program can participate.

Lady Movin' Mavs win first national championship

The second-seeded Lady Movin’ Mavs brought an unstoppable game plan to win the team's first Women’s National Championship, defeating the No. 1 seed University of Illinois 65-51 in the National Wheelchair Basketball Association intercollegiate tournament in Edinboro, Pa.

Rose Hollermann, a 2012 U.S. Paralympian and the 2015-16 NWBA Collegiate Player of the Year, lit up the scoreboard, finishing with 35 points, nine rebounds, and seven assists.

“We’re bringing this title and trophy back to UTA and dedicating it to the late, great coach Jim Hayes, who passed about 10 years ago,” said Lady Movin’ Mavs coach Jason Nelms, also a two-time U.S. Paralympian. “Rose (Hollermann) is always fast for us. We came into this game with nothing to lose, even if we returned with the second-place trophy.”

Hollermann was named the first Dr. Tim Nugent Tournament MVP for her impressive performance, going 27 for 38 from the floor for 66 points in two games, with 16 rebounds and 12 assists. NWBA founder Dr. Tim Nugent, who died last fall, is credited with disabled sports development throughout the United States and the world.

The Movin' Mavs men’s team earned third place, defeating Illinois 63-59 in overtime. The duo of Andy Kraft and Jan Gans combined for 54 points and 21 rebounds. 

See photos of the Movin' Mavs at the NWBA tourneys.

Dan Cavanagh

Cavanagh demonstrates his unique hands-on music technology

Dan Cavanagh, associate professor of music, wants to prove that music really can work hand-in-glove with technology. He will discuss “Intersections: Musical Improvisation and the Blending of Acoustic and Electronic for Live Performance" at his Focus on Faculty talk noon Wednesday, March 23, on the sixth floor of Central Library.

Cavanagh developed fingerless gloves embedded with bend, rotation, and gyroscopic sensors that capture hand movements. The gloves connect wirelessly to a computer running software that maps the stream of sensor data to a library of sounds and controls. If a performer holds their finger up, for example, the gesture introduces a particular sound to the performance.

Focus on Faculty is a lecture series highlighting the research of UTA faculty. A reception follows the talk.

THECB appointment Psychology major Pooja Mallipaddi has been named a student representative to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Apply Texas Advisory Committee. The committee is made of admissions administrators from Texas institutions of higher education and provides the board with advice and recommendations regarding application procedures and student access to higher education. Joy Frazier, associate director of admissions, also served on the Apply Texas Advisory Committee.

Expressions in Leadership conference to provide leadership skills

Register now to guarantee your place at the Expressions in Leadership Conference sponsored by UTA’s Leadership Center and Student Activities and Organizations.

The conference targets the skills development of student leaders, organizational executive boards, and members involved in student-run organizations. The day-long conference focuses on practical and leadership skills and relationship building.

Audrey Chisholm, a music industry attorney and author of Start Your Music Business and Run Your Music Business, is the keynote speaker.

The conference is 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Saturday, March 26, at the Hilton Arlington, 2401 E. Lamar Blvd.

Register online for $10 at uta.edu/leadership.

Meet candidates for parking director at forums this week

Students are invited to meet with candidates for the director of Parking and Transportation Services position. The forums will be noon-1 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 25-26. Lunch will be served. More meetings are set for Monday, April 11, and Thursday, April 14.

Input needed on proposed certificate in sustainability

Complete a survey to help UTA develop a certificate in sustainability.

The program will use a multidisciplinary approach to integrate business, society, and sustainability into a coherent program of study and engagement. The certificate would offer working professionals an opportunity to learn how to integrate the principles and values of sustainable practices.

See the new website for UTA's Institute for Sustainability and Global Impact.

Welcome Center hiring student workers

The Dan Dipert University Welcome Center is hiring MavElite student workers for summer and fall. Positions include tour guides (SNAP Job 8855) and campus visit assistants (SNAP Job 8856). Applications will be accepted through Wednesday, March 30.

The Students Needing A Part-time Job (SNAP Job) system lists a variety of jobs for students. Register at uta.edu/snapjob.

For more details, contact the SNAP Job office at snapjob@uta.edu or 817-272-3463 or come to the SNAP Job Office and computer lab in Room B200 of the Wetsel Service Center at 140 West Mitchell St. The SNAP Job office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays.

For other help in finding a job, contact the Center for Career Development at careers@uta.edu or 817-272-2932.

Mav Milestones Read President Vistasp Karbhari's notes about the recent Dream Makers Luncheon and 100 years of ROTC at UTA in his blog, Mav Milestones. Check the blog for past campus events and upcoming posts.

Artiman Ventures brings the vision of Silicon Valley startups to UTA

Silicon Valley investment group Artiman Ventures will hold a two-day session Thursday-Friday, April 7-8, at UTA to brainstorm with faculty, students, and local entrepreneurs on how to help move new technologies to the marketplace.

The fundamentals of a startup and what it takes to succeed will be the focus of a seminar 2-5 p.m. Thursday in the Lone Star Auditorium of the Maverick Activities Center. A networking session with speakers and entrepreneurs will follow the seminar.

Faculty and students are invited to a series of small group meetings and follow-up sessions Friday in the UTA StartUp Lounge.

For information about the sessions, contact Teri Schultz at tschultz@uta.edu.

Read more about the technology start-up seminar.

Sign up your kids for summer camps

Day camps are offered this summer by UTA’s academic and athletic departments. More camps will be added later.

Continuing Education hosts camps June 6-Aug. 5 for grades 1-12. Early discounts are available until April 6. Learn more about Kids and Teens University.

Tax help available at Central Library

Representatives of Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) are available to help with figuring out your taxes. The free service runs through Tuesday, April 12, in Room B20 of the Central Library. Hours are 5-9 p.m. Mondays-Tuesdays, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturdays, and noon-6 p.m. Sundays.

Midterm progress report grades on MyMav

Midterm progress reports will be posted for many undergraduates now through Wednesday, March 23. The faculty deadline is March 23, but instructors can report progress report grades at any time before then, and you can view your progress reports as soon as the grades are entered.

See your grades in the MyMav Student Center. See your academic adviser with questions or concerns. A list of advising offices is online.

Drop or withdraw from spring classes only after meeting with advisers

After the Census Date, you may drop classes through the last drop date, Friday, April 1, and a grade of W will appear on your transcript. Students must meet with their academic adviser or designated representative in the major academic unit to drop one or more classes. Check the list of advising offices.

Students who entered a Texas public college or university in fall 2007 or later are subject to the state law that limits undergraduate drops to six courses. Work with your academic adviser to ensure you know how this limit will impact you.

If a class is dropped after the Census Date and you remain enrolled, you are financially responsible for the full cost of the course. If you drop all classes, you are responsible for the pro-rated share of tuition, fees, and charges. Financial aid recipients should meet with a financial aid officer to determine how dropping will affect their financial aid package. The Financial Aid Office is in Room 252 of Davis Hall. Call 817-272-3561 for details.

Registration begins for summer and fall 2016

Priority registration opens for summer and fall terms Monday, April 4. Advising is already available in your academic department.

Check for your appointment time on the registration timetable, which is available in your MyMav Student Center, along with information on whether you need to see an academic adviser before you’re eligible to register. A list of academic advising offices is online.

The MyMav schedule of classes is being updated daily. Plan to validate your course selections when registration opens.

Print your own enrollment verification

Enrollment verification is available online. To print your verification, log on to MyMav, go to the Student Center, and click on Request Enrollment Verification to access the National Student Loan Clearinghouse.

Transcripts available in PDF format

UTA now offers transcripts in PDF format. Students can send PDF transcripts by email to another university, a potential employer, or themselves. Professional application services that now accept PDF transcripts from UTA include: AMCAS (American Medical College Application Service), LSAC (Law School Admission Council), SOPHAS (Schools of Public Health Application Service), and others. Read about ordering transcripts on the UTA transcript website.

Tuesday, March 22

Baseball Mavericks vs. Baylor. Tickets $5, $3 students. 6:30 p.m., Clay Gould Ballpark. Also, vs. Incarnate Work, 6:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, March 24-25, and 2 p.m. Saturday, March 26; vs. TCU, 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 29. Athletics.

Wednesday, March 23

UTA Flute Studio and Maverick Flute Choir Concert Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, March 24

University Singers Concert Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Game Night Enjoy video games or board games and fresh, hot popcorn. Free. 6-9 p.m., basement, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

Friday, March 25

Friday Night Film: The Hateful Eight Rated R. Free popcorn. Concessions for sale. $2, $2.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities.

Saturday, March 26

Track and Field: Bobby Lane and UTA/Bowie Invitational See the schedules. Maverick Stadium. Athletics.

Monday, March 28

Spirit Week Social Media Challenge, all week; “Get the Scoop” about the UTA Ambassadors, Monday, March 28; tailgate and baseball game, Tuesday, March 29; Mavs Take Over: Grease Monkey and Trivia Night, Wednesday, March 30; canned food drive, Thursday March 31; pep rally, Friday, April 1. UTA Ambassadors.

Faculty Vocal Recital with David Grogan Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Coming Up

Music Concerts and Recitals Free. Clavier Recital, Tuesday, March 29; Double Bass Studio Recital, Wednesday, March 30; and Faculty Double Bass Recital with Jack Unzicker, Thursday, March 31. All 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Film screening: 'The Head of Joaquin Murrieta' Filmmaker John Valadez goes on a quest for the remains of Joaquin Murrieta, a legendary Mexican outlaw who was killed by bounty hunters in 1853 and had his head placed in a jar for public display across California. Free. 3 p.m. Tuesday, March 29, Room 148, Fine Arts Building. Center for Mexican American Studies.

Maverick Speakers Series "Gombe and Beyond: An Evening with Dr. Jane Goodall." Sold out. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 31, College Park Center. Maverick Speakers Series.

Glass Art Sale and Show Vases, paperweights, platters, and other glass art by art students and faculty. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., silent auction 2 p.m. Saturday, April 2, Studio Arts Center, 810 S. Davis St. Art and Art History.

International Week Soccer tournaments, Saturday, April 2; Parade of Banners, Monday, April 4; International Food Fair, Tuesday, April 5; fashion show, Wednesday, April 6; Global Extravaganza, Friday, April 8. Office of International Education.

Earth Day 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 12, University Center mall. Institute of Sustainability and Global Impact.

Maverick Film Festival The competition features four-minute films by students. 7 p.m. Friday, April 22, Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Art and Art History.

Ongoing

The Gallery at UTA: 'Whew…That’s a Relief! The Madcap World of John Hernandez' A retrospective exhibition by San Antonio artist John Hernandez that spans four decades. Gallery hours 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through March 30. The Gallery at UTA.

Gallery 76102 'The More I Build You' Within paintings and drawings, artist Layla Luna constructs and deconstructs spaces and architectural structures. Artist talk, 6-8 p.m. Thursday, March 24. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays, Fort Worth Center, 1401 Jones St., Fort Worth. Through March 31. Gallery 76102.

UTA Libraries: 'Score' Using Special Collections photos, the exhibit showcases the early days of baseball, basketball, and track; the end of Maverick football; and Olympians and Paralympians from UTA. Through April. Also, Academic Evolution: The University of Texas at Arlington runs through August. Sixth floor, Central Library. UTA Libraries.

Planetarium Explore the secrets of the universe in the new show Dark. The spring schedule includes Astronaut, Cosmic Colors, From the Earth to the Universe, Pink Floyd, and SpacePark 360: Infinity. Through May 29. UTA Planetarium.

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

Men's basketball advances to CIT quarterfinals

UTA claimed the first postseason victory in program history with a 75-59 victory over Savannah State in the first round of the CollegeInsider.com Tournament.

The men's basketball team received a bye through the second round and advanced to the CIT quarterfinals Tuesday-Thursday, March 22-24. The Mavs face New Jersey Institute of Technology on Thursday, March 24, in Newark, N.J.

In the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championships, the Maverick men made it to the semifinals with a 72-63 win against Texas State, but fell 82-71 to Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday afternoon. UTA was playing for its first conference final berth since reaching the WAC championship game in 2013.

The Mavericks (24-10) also tied a school record for most victories in a single season after winning for the sixth time in the last seven games.

Sports Shorts

• Alexus Henry was the star for the Mavericks at the TCU Invitational, winning the high jump with a mark of 5 feet, 10 inches. UTA hosts the Bobby Lane Invitational for the first time in three years on Saturday, March 26.

• Maverick baseball plays Baylor at 6:30 p.m. today, Tuesday, March 22, at Clay Gould Ballpark before hosting Incarnate Word in a three-game seiries beginning Thursday, March 24.

• Softball Lady Mavs claimed a 3-1 victory over No. 5 Louisiana on Sunday. The team opens a three-game series against Georgia Southern at 4 p.m. on Friday, March 25.

• UTA's men's golf team capped the Bob Sitton Invitational to finish sixth in Las Colinas Thursday. The team travels to West Point, Miss., for the Old Waverly Collegiate Championship beginning Monday, April 4.

• The Lady Mavs basketball team ended its run in the Sun Belt Conference championship play in the first round with a 59-53 loss to Louisiana-Lafayette.

Intramural deadline for NCAA Sweet 16 bracket, fantasy baseball

Upcoming intramural sports deadlines are NCAA Sweet 16 bracket challenge and fantasy baseball, Thursday, March 24; sand volleyball, Friday, March 25; badminton doubles, Friday, April 1; table tennis, Thursday, April 21; wheelchair football, Monday, April 25; battleship, Monday, May 2; FIFA video game, Wednesday, May 4; and poker tournament, Thursday, May 5.

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.)