MavWire 2014 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, December 18, 2014

Michael Kingan

Kingan appointed vice president for development and alumni relations

UT Arlington has named Michael Kingan as vice president for development and alumni relations. His first day will be Feb. 16.

Kingan brings a breadth of experience to UT Arlington. He is a former senior vice president and chief development officer for the University of New Mexico Foundation with more than two decades of success in advancement positions. He has served in leadership positions at the University of Iowa, the University of Washington School of Law, and the University of Michigan Law School. Most recently, he served as chief advancement officer for the Singapore American School.

At UT Arlington, Kingan will lead the University’s comprehensive fundraising and alumni relations efforts to engage UT Arlington’s more than 190,000 alumni. 

“Michael brings tremendous experience to the University based on the leadership roles that he has played at prominent institutions of higher education, and his most recent role provides an international perspective that will help our philanthropic initiatives soar,” President Vistasp Karbhari says. “Michael also has a history of successfully integrating alumni and supporters in the life of an institution, and we will look to him to shape an active and mutually beneficial alumni relations program.” 

Read more about Kingan's appointment.

Dr. Daniel Armstrong and Dr. Richard Timmons

Two professors named fellows of National Academy of Inventors

Two professors known for their innovation in the world of chemistry have been named fellows of the National Academy of Inventors. They will be inducted March 20 at the NAI conference at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. 

Daniel W. Armstrong, the UT Arlington Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry, and Richard Timmons, a Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, join eight other UTA faculty and administrators previously named NAI fellows.

Dr. Armstrong is often called the “father of pseudophase separations." He holds 23 U.S. and international patents.

Dr. Timmons' research focuses on surface chemistry. He holds 10 U.S. patents and is a recipient of the UTA Distinguished Record of Faculty Research Award.

Read more about the new NAI fellows.

Dr. Matthew Fujita and Dr. Todd Castoe

Professors on international team unveiling bird evolution

Todd Castoe and Matthew Fujita, assistant professors of biology, are part of a worldwide group of genomic researchers responsible for a blockbuster series of scientific papers published in Science and several other journals.

Last week the Avian Phylogenomics Consortium released 28 papers on the genomes of almost 50 birds and three crocodilian species. The work traces the genomes of modern birds and attempts to “tell a story of how they emerged and evolved after the mass extinction that wiped out dinosaurs and almost everything else 66 million years ago.”

Dr. Castoe and Dr. Fujita are co-authors of multiple papers in the set, including one in Science on the genomes of crocodilians, the ancestor of modern crocodiles, and another in Gigascience exploring the genomes of two Antarctic penguins.

Read more about the bird evolution research.

Access control: Christina Dryden, nursing junior, swipes her MavID card at the entrance of the Central Library. The card-swipe system is credited with reducing thefts at the library.

Thefts down at Central Library in fall with card-swipe system

The Central Library has seen a 64 percent reduction in thefts since implementing a card-swipe system in September.

The system requires everyone entering or leaving the building to swipe their UT Arlington ID card at entrances and exits. Guests who are not students, faculty, or staff can use other types of photo ID.

Eleven thefts were reported in September, October, and November 2013. Only four thefts occurred during the same months this year.

"I am delighted to see these numbers," says Rebecca Bichel, dean of the UT Arlington Libraries. "The decline in thefts affirms our belief that installation of the card-swipe system would increase safety for library users and staff, their property, and library property."

Starting in January, visitors must show their MavID when entering the Architecture and Fine Arts Library in the Architecture Building and the Science and Engineering Library in Nedderman Hall.

One candidate remains for vice president for research visits

The last candidate for vice president for research will meet with administrators, faculty, staff, and students 2:30-3:15 p.m. today, Thursday, Dec. 18, in Room 228 of the Engineering Research Building.

Duane Dimos is the acting vice president for the science and technology division of Sandia National Laboratories.

A feedback survey is available until 5 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19.

Commencement rewind Take another look at fall Commencement ceremonies for the Class of 2014.

Paychecks available for pick up Jan. 2

The next monthly payday is Friday, Jan. 2, when the University will be closed for winter break. To accommodate employees who pick up their paychecks, Payroll Services will be open 8 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 2. 

All other payroll business or any payment issues will be handled when University offices open Monday, Jan. 5.

Email payroll@uta.edu for details.

Holiday, winter hours announced

The UTA campus transitions to holiday and winter hours for the next few weeks.

The P.O.D. Market in the E.H. Hereford University Center is open 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. through today, Thursday, Dec. 18, and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 19. The market is closed Saturday, Dec. 20-Sunday, Jan. 4. Hours are 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, Jan. 5-19, and 7:30 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays, Jan. 9 and 16.

The E.H. Hereford University Center is open 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. through Monday, Dec. 22. Winter break closure is Tuesday, Dec. 23-Sunday, Jan. 4. Hours are 7 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Monday-Thursday, Jan. 5-8, and 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Friday-Thursday, Jan. 9-15.

The Central Library is closed Wednesday-Thursday, Dec. 24-25, and Thursday-Sunday, Jan. 1-3. Check the hours for the Central Library, Architecture and Fine Arts Library, Science and Engineering Library, and electronic libraries.

The Maverick Activities Center has its winter break schedule online.

Dr. Kevin Schug

Schug chosen for magazine's 'power list'

Kevin Schug, the Shimadzu Distinguished Professor of Analytical Chemistry, was named to the 2014 Top 40 Under 40 Power List by Analytical Scientist magazine.

The magazine says the list represents “the analytical movers and shakers under 40, who prove what can be achieved with determination, passion, and inspiration.”

Dr. Schug is the institutional founder and steering committee member for the Organizational Network for Teaching as Research Advancement and Collaboration (ON-TRAC) at UTA, an affiliate of the nationwide Center for Integration of Research Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) preparing future faculty program. He is a project leader in UTA’s National Science Foundation STEM Talent Expansion Program (STEP), which focuses on efforts to improve retention and graduation rates of STEM students.

In 2014, he received the UT System Regent’s Outstanding Teaching Award and the UTA College of Science Teaching Excellence Award.

Peace Ossom Williamson

Williamson named ALA emerging leader

Peace Ossom Williamson, health sciences librarian for the UT Arlington Libraries, has been named one of 50 people in the 2015 class of Emerging Leaders by the American Library Association.

“Peace’s initiative and influence have had an immediate impact on campus," says UT Arlington Libraries Dean Rebecca Bichel. "She’s organized thoughtful symposiums around health sciences topics and contributed to the scholarship of the field." 

The ALA Emerging Leaders program gives library professionals with fewer than five years of experience an opportunity to serve in a leadership role within the national organization. Members of the annual class engage in six months of online learning, problem-solving work groups, and peer networking.

Dr. Alusine Jalloh

Jalloh named to fellowship evaluation committee

Alusine Jalloh, associate professor of history and founding director of the Africa Program, has been selected to serve on the 2015 Mandela Washington Fellowship reader committee, which evaluates program applications.

The fellowship brings young African leaders to the United States for academic coursework and leadership training and is the flagship program of President Obama’s Young African Leaders Initiative.

Dr. Jalloh was a reader for the program's inaugural year in 2014, helping score more than 50,000 applications for 500 slots.

Rimmer, Khavul named to Great Women of Texas list

Susanna Khavul, associate professor of management, and Lt. Col. Lora Rimmer, commander of the Army ROTC “Maverick Battalion,” were selected as 25 Great Women of Texas by the Fort Worth Business Press. The awards were given Nov. 19 at the Omni Fort Worth.

Michele Bobadilla

Bobadilla named to advisory council

Michele Bobadilla, senior associate vice president for outreach services and community engagement and vice provost for Hispanic student success, has been named to the 2015-16 advisory council of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. 

CHCI is a Hispanic nonprofit and nonpartisan leadership development organization that educates, empowers, and connects Latino youth by providing leadership development programs and educational services.

Bobadilla has served on numerous organizations focused on Hispanics and education. She co-founded University Crossroads, a program that has provided more than 10,500 students with free SAT math preparation classes. She is also a former vice chair of the National League of United Latin American Citizens' Education Commission. 

Dr. Jim Quick

Quick appointed fellow at Lancaster Leadership Centre

James Quick, the John and Judy Goolsby-Jacqualyn A. Fouse Endowed Chair in the Goolsby Leadership Academy, has been appointed a founding fellow of the Lancaster Leadership Centre at the Lancaster University Management School in England, where he is a distinguished visiting scholar.

He also has been appointed to the publications and communications board of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Quick is a professor of leadership and organizational behavior for the Goolsby Leadership Academy in the College of Business.

Police Department recognized for National Night Out

The UT Arlington Police Department is one of 20 universities or communities to receive the National Night Out Award. The award in the neighborhood/communities category included seven winners from Texas.

The awards are presented annually to honor individuals, organizations, or programs for outstanding participation, leadership, or assistance during the National Night Out campaign. The honor recognizes exceptional or innovative accomplishments.

The city of Arlington also was honored for its National Night Out activities.

No worries Jacob Daniell, history freshman, enjoyed some beautiful fall weather last month on the library mall. MavWire wasn't able to share his relaxing moment until now.

Health Services reaccredited

Health Services has received renewed accreditation from the Accreditation Association for Ambulatory Health Care.

At the time of its first accreditation in 2011, Health Services was one of nine accredited student health centers in Texas. That list has grown to 15. Health Services continues to lead in college health by serving as a resource to other student health centers in the state and across the country seeking consultation in preparation for their first accreditation review.

Accreditation is an external, independent review of a health care delivery organization against nationally accepted standards and its own policies, procedures, processes, and outcomes. Read more about the Health Services’ accreditation.

UTA police officers note achievements

Officer John Morrison of the UT Arlington Police Department was named UT System Police Officer of the Month for November. He was selected from over 500 officers in the UT System.

Sgt. Jim Randles graduated from the 114th class of the Institute for Law Enforcement Administration’s School of Police Supervision.

Mavericks of the Month named

Mavericks of the Month for fall were honored for exemplifying The Maverick Way.

Faculty/staff winners were Ginny Marzoni, support specialist, economics, College of Business, September; Rebekah Black, academic adviser, College of Nursing and Health Innovation, October; and Tammy Montgomery, systems manager, Office of Information Technology, November.

To nominate a faculty/staff member or a student, go to the Maverick of the Month website.

Renew your locker at MAC

Renew your locker at the Maverick Activities Center by Monday, Jan. 5, to save the space for the spring semester. If you choose not to renew, please clean out the locker by that date.

For details, email Blair Schuyler or call 2-0207. Visit the Campus Recreation website for MAC programs and services.

UTA Bookstore hiring temps

The UTA Bookstore is hiring temporary workers. Retail or cashiering experience is preferred. You’ll be eligible for discounts on textbooks, clothing, and gifts. Apply at follett.com.

Prepare for electrical outage set during winter break

Plan now to accommodate an electrical outage Friday-Saturday, Jan. 2-3.

Facilities Management has scheduled the outage to complete major electrical updates in Davis Hall, Fine Arts Building (Main Stage Theatre only), Central Library, Life Science Building, Physical Education Building, Preston Hall, Science Hall, Smart Hospital, Texas Hall, Trinity House, and University Hall.

For those buildings with emergency generators, power will be supplied to support egress lighting, life safety, UTA Police dispatch, and all research facilities currently connected to the generator. All buildings will remain locked during this time.

To prepare:

• Clean out all refrigerators and freezers before leaving on Monday, Dec. 22.
• Turn off all electronic equipment including computers, scanners, and copiers before leaving on Monday, Dec. 22. These devices do not need to be unplugged.

If you have questions or concerns, special requirements during this time, or newly established research that must retain power, contact either Toby Buhrkuhl at 972-832-1490 or Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

MavWire will return in January

Today's MavWire is the last issue until after the winter break. The next issue is Thursday, Jan. 8.

Send your stories or photos for MavWire to mavwire@uta.edu to be considered for publication.

Find previous issues in the MavWire archives.

Coming up

Integrating the A380 Jumbo Jet at DFW Airport Two consulting engineers describe changes to DFW Airport facilities that were required to accommodate flights by airlines using the double-decked Airbus A380 jumbo jets, which can hold more than 800 passengers. Light breakfast provided. RSVP. Free. 7-8 a.m., Wednesday, Jan. 7, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Arlington Technology Association.

Human Resources Training Register online. Effective Delegation , 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 13; Advanced Supervisory Skills, 9-11:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 15; Managing Projects and Making Decisions, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 21; Dealing with Difficult Employees and People, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27; Motivating Your Employees, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Jan. 30. All in Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Faculty Peer Observation of Teaching Info Sessions Information sessions for faculty and academic administrators. 2-3:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15, Room 601, Nedderman Hall, and 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Jan. 16, Room 601, Nedderman Hall. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Faculty Affairs.

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

Final flash: Sophomore guard Drew Charles hit a final-minute 3-pointer to help the Mavericks beat UC Irvine 70-62 last Saturday. The team plays Howard Payne at 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, at College Park Center.

Men’s basketball defeats UC Irvine

Sophomore guard Drew Charles hit a go-ahead 3-pointer in the final minute, and the Mavericks finished strong to beat UC Irvine 70-62 Saturday night in Irvine, Calif.

The Mavericks improved to 5-4 with their second consecutive win while snapping a three-game road losing streak. Charles and freshman forward Kevin Hervey each scored 15 points.

The next home game is 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, against Howard Payne at College Park Center.

Women’s basketball dominates McMurry 82-25

Guard Tahlia Pope scored 17 points and center Rebekah Van Dijk added 12 as the women's basketball team routed McMurry 82-25 Wednesday night at College Park Center.

UTA (5-3) opened the game with a 19-0 run and scored 49 points in the first half, five short of its all-time mark for a half. The victory clinched a winning nonconference record for the first time since the 2005-06 season.

Last Saturday, the Mavericks won their first road game of the season, defeating Texas A&M-Corpus Christi 42-28.

The Mavericks close nonconference play Sunday, Dec. 21, when they face Metroplex rival North Texas at 3:30 p.m. in Denton.

Track teams excel at indoor meet

The men’s and women’s track teams enjoyed strong performances Saturday at the Texas A&M Reveille Invitational, the program’s first-ever appearance at a December indoor meet.

Ryan Tilotta and Roland Sales led the men to a second-place finish. Tilotta cruised to victory in the 5000 meters, and Sales won the high jump. The women placed fourth.

The Mavericks return to College Station on Saturday, Jan. 17, to kick off the spring indoor season at the Texas A&M Invitational.

Volleyball coaches name Sharratt to first team

Sophomore Briana Sharratt was selected to the 14-member All-Southwest Region first team and the All-American honorable mention team by the American Volleyball Coaches Association.

In her second season with the Mavericks, she led the team in blocks with 165 (1.32 per set) and registered a school-record hitting percentage of .414. 

Sharratt earned Sun Belt First Team All-Conference honors in November.

Table tennis first intramural deadline for 2015

Upcoming entry deadlines for intramural sports include table tennis, Wednesday, Jan. 7; badminton, Tuesday, Jan. 13; and poker, Thursday, Jan. 15.

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.)

Saturday, Dec. 20

Men's Basketball Mavericks vs. Howard Payne. Tickets $7. 2 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. Georgia Southern, 7:15 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 30; vs. South Alabama, 7:15 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. Athletics.

Tuesday, Dec. 30

Women's Basketball Mavericks vs. Georgia Southern. Tickets $7. 5 p.m., College Park Center. Also, vs. South Alabama, 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 3. Athletics.

Coming up

Friends of the Library Tour the Fabrication Laboratory—FabLab—with cutting-edge technology for research in digital and data visualization, including nine 3-D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, 3-D scanners, and digital media software and hardware. Free. 7:30 p.m. Friday, Jan. 9, first floor, Central Library. Friends of the Library. 

Music Concerts and Recitals Free. Faculty Flute Recital with Terry Sanchez, Friday, Jan. 16; Tessitura Trio, 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 17; Guest Flute Recital with Christina Jennings, 5 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 17; Faculty Bass Recital with Jack Unzicker, Thursday, Jan. 22; and Guest Violin Recital with Alessandra Jennings Flanagan, Monday, Jan. 26. All 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Ongoing

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 interlocked in the 19th century. 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 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. The Planetarium will be closed Christmas Day, Thursday, Dec. 25, and New Year's Day, Thursday, Jan. 1. The spring schedule begins Thursday, Jan. 8. Planetarium.

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