MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Monday, March 16, 2015

Emmanuel Fordjour

Biology student earns top honors at national conference of emerging STEM researchers

Emmanuel Fordjour, a senior majoring in both biology and microbiology, earned top honors recently at the Emerging Researchers National Conference in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in Washington, D.C.

The conference was hosted last month by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, the Education and Human Resources Programs, and the National Science Foundation Division of Human Resource Development, within the Directorate for Education and Human Resources. It included more than 750 poster and oral research presentations from undergraduate and graduate students from institutions across the United States.

Fordjour received a first-place prize in the Biological Sciences division after delivering a platform presentation of his research project titled, “Anti‐Clostridium Difficile Activity of Paired Rifaximin‐based Antibiotic Combinations."

Read more about Fordjour's award and research.

Dr. Colleen Fitzgerald

Native American language revival topic of Focus on Faculty

Colleen Fitzgerald, professor of linguistics, will discuss efforts to preserve Native American languages at this week's Focus on Faculty lecture.

Dr. Fitzgerald will present "Breathing New Life into Native American Languages" at noon Wednesday, March 18, in the sixth floor parlor of the Central Library. 

Fitzgerald and the Native American Languages Lab collaborate with Native American communities and other partners to document and revitalize languages, train community members and students, and support the survival of American indigenous languages.

Focus on Faculty is sponsored by the UT Arlington Libraries.

Tailgate Tuesday at Globe Life Park for Mavs-Longhorns game

See the Maverick baseball team take on the Texas Longhorns at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 17, at Globe Life Park, home of the Texas Rangers.

Tickets are $8 at utatickets.com before game day, when the price rises to $12 at the ballpark.

Bring your grills, coolers, chairs, and beverages for the tailgate at 4 p.m. in Lot A. No time to grill? Food will be available from the Rangers' Ballpark Express food truck.

Before the baseball game, see the Maverick softball team take on Abilene Christian at 5 p.m. at Allan Saxe Field. Admission is free.

Jorgensen

Jorgensen earns mentoring award

David Jorgensen, professor of mathematics, has received the Excellence in Doctoral Student Mentoring Award from the Office of Graduate Studies. The award is given to tenured or tenure-track faculty who have a strong record of excellence in mentoring graduate students. 

Fernandes

Glass artist wins international award

Jean Fernandes (MFA '14), adjunct professor of glass art, has been selected as the winner of the 2015 Niche Student Awards in the sculptural glass category. The winning work is now part of the permanent collection of the Prague Gallery of Czech Glass in the Czech Republic.

Sponsored by NICHE magazine, the NICHE Awards program celebrates excellence and innovation in American and Canadian fine craft.

Witt

Former president named to wheelchair basketball Hall of Fame

Former UT Arlington President Robert Witt has been voted into the National Wheelchair Basketball Association Intercollegiate Division Hall of Fame.

Dr. Witt was instrumental in the growth of the adaptive sports program during his time at UTA, 1996-2003.

At the University of Alabama, he supported the start of the school's wheelchair basketball program, as well as adaptive programs in tennis, rowing, and golf. The former UA president is now chancellor of the UA System.

UT Arlington's Hall of Fame members include former Movin' Mavs players Paul Schulte and Willie Hernandez and the late Jim Hayes, founder and coach of the Movin' Mavs program.

Yep, it's rocket science Eden Rubinstein, mechanical and aerospace engineering junior, preps a rocket wing for the Aero Mavericks entry for a competition later this month. Rubinstein is the rocket chief for the team.

Make sure taxman is real before giving out personal information

Scam artists are taking advantage of tax season to steal identities and income.

A caller claims to be an Internal Revenue Service agent and tries to collect money for unpaid income taxes and other debts. The caller threatens the individual with arrest and solicits immediate payment for the alleged debts. The telephone number used has been cloned from a legitimate agency.

The IRS does not initiate any contact with taxpayers by email, text, or social media. University officials, law enforcement, and government officials will not contact you in this manner or threaten arrest for non-payment of debts.

Always be cautious about providing your personal information over the phone especially to individuals who initiate the call. In such cases, always offer to hang up, verify the nature of the call, and to call them back at a number they provide. Seek out the organization's official number and contact it directly. If you suspect attempted fraud or fall victim, contact your local law enforcement.

If you encounter this or similar scams or have information about them, contact the UTA Police at 2-3381.

Use good judgment and caution when clicking Web or email links or opening attachments related to tax returns.

Many of the messages will have an urgent tone in the subject line and contents, such as "Final reminder: Tax Refund Notification" and "Your IRS tax bank transfer is not approved."

If you receive an email that appears suspicious, send it to security@uta.edu. Do not click on the links or open attachments. 

Finalize outside activity disclosures by March 31

Finalize your disclosures for the 2014 calendar year in the Outside Activity Portal by Tuesday, March 31.

Significant interest in a business or gifts received are required to be disclosed. Disclosure may be required for your spouse and dependents.

If you previously have requested approval for outside employment, service on a board, or uncompensated activity outside of UTA and additional disclosure is required, the information will appear on the Disclosure tab when you log in.

To request approval for outside activities, use the Request Approval tab.

If you have any questions, contact Jennifer Chapman in University Compliance Services at 2-2080 or uts180conflictsofinterest@uta.edu.

Mavericks look to next year Freshman forward Kevin Hervey goes up for a rebound in UTA's 68-62 loss Thursday to Texas State in the first round of the Sun Belt Conference Basketball Championship in New Orleans. The fifth-seeded Mavericks nearly rallied from a 12-point deficit in the second half, but couldn't overcome the No. 8 Bobcats. UTA ends its season with a 16-15 record.

Encourage students to file for upcoming campus elections

Students can now apply for spring elections. Positions include Student Congress president, vice president, and senators, Mr. and Ms. UTA, UTA Ambassadors, and Student Services Allocation Committee representatives.

Applications are available in the Student Activities and Organizations office in Suite B120 of the E.H. Hereford University Center. The deadline to file  is 5 p.m. Thursday, March 26. Learn more on the campus elections website.

Business Week brings top entrepreneurs to campus

Business Week stretches beyond seven days when 34 speakers share their insights into globalization and the future of business.

The College of Business hosts speakers Monday, March 16-Wednesday, March 25. Among them are Andrew Conders (’92 MBA, ’02 MPA) of the Securities and Exchange Commission, Roland Dickey Jr. of Dickey’s Barbecue, and many other North Texas executives and entrepreneurs. See the schedule.

Jacqualyn Fouse (’82 BA, ’84 MA, ’12 PhD) is the keynote speaker at the Executive Dinner at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 26, in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E.H. Hereford University Center. Dr. Fouse is president of Global Hematology and Oncology at Celgene, a global biopharmaceutical company based in New Jersey. Tickets are available online.

Business Week is co-hosted by the Arlington Chamber of Commerce and the College of Business.

Texas Hall area lots used for event parking

The Trinity and Trinity West parking lots will be used for the Stage One Dance Event parking at Texas Hall beginning at 2 p.m. Thursday, March 19-Sunday, March 22.

Lots F8, F9, and Trinity South will be used starting at 6 a.m. on Saturday-Sunday, March 21-22. Parking staff will collect a fee at these lots. 

Faculty, staff, and students should make alternate arrangements for parking during this time.

Contact Parking and Transportation Services at parking@uta.edu or 2-3907.

Support team Students on the Alternative Spring Break trip joined President Vistasp Karbhari to cheer on the Mavericks at the Sun Belt Conference men's basketball championship tournament in New Orleans.

Demonstrate projects at UTARI's Robotics Week Showcase in April

The Robotics Week Showcase features today’s most innovative technology by UTA faculty and industry collaborators.

The event is 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, April 8, at the UT Arlington Research Institute, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S., Fort Worth. A shuttle will run between the UTA and UTARI campuses.

To reserve space for your department’s entry, call 2-5900 or email utari-events@uta.edu.

Performance reviews due March 31

Annual performance reviews for employees must be completed by Tuesday, March 31. The reviews do not include faculty members and graduate assistants.

Performance Management Forms and Procedures for supervisors is offered 10-11 a.m. Friday, March 20, and 2-3 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, both in Room 200 of the J.D. Wetsel Service Center.

Evaluation forms are online.

For questions, email hrperformreviews@uta.edu or call 2-5554.

Tuesday, March 17

Payment Vouchers For employees who process vouchers. Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education. Business Affairs.

'Fixed: The Science/Fiction of Human Enhancement' Common beliefs about 'disability' and 'normalcy' are questioned when radical technology is involved. A panel discussion follows. 7 p.m., Room 108, University Hall. Disability Studies, Office for Students with Disabilities, Women’s History Month.

Wednesday, March 18

Statement of Account and the Reconciliation Process For employees who reconcile the statement of account (SOA). Register online. 8:30-10:30 a.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education. Also, 2:30-4:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 24. Business Affairs.

Team Building for Supervisors Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Women's History Month Lecture Series Mylynka D’Ann Kilgore-Mueller, history doctoral candidate, presents “Gendered Geographies: The African Explorations of Alexandrine Tinne, 1860-1864.” Free. Noon, Room 108, University Hall. Women’s and Gender Studies, Women’s History Month.

Architecture Speakers Series Cliff Welch of Dallas discusses his recent work and his exhibit "Abstractions: Sketches, Paintings and Photography through the Eye of an Architect." The exhibit runs March 16-27 in the Architecture Gallery. Free. 7 p.m. Room 204, Architecture Building. Also, Tom Kundig, 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 25, and Joe Self, 4 p.m. Wednesday, April 8. Architecture.

Thursday, March 19

Position and Workforce Management Focus on position management, onboarding, and workforce administration business processes. Register online. 2:30-4:30 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education. Business Affairs.

Qualitative Research Networking Come ready to share a very brief update on qualitative-focused research. Noon-1 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Qualitative Research Networking. 

Sexual Assault Awareness Month: 'You Are the One' A film about two women who have made it their mission to empower communities to stomp out sexual assault. Free admission and popcorn. 6 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. Relationship Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Program.

Friday, March 20

Faculty Peer Review Training Become a certified peer reviewer. Register online. 9 a.m.-1 p.m., Room 115, Central Library. Also, 1-5 p.m. Friday, March 27; 1-5 p.m. Monday, April 6. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence.

Performance Management Forms and Procedures Register online. 10-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Monday, March 23

Women's and Gender Studies Mini-Conference Free. 1-4 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Women’s and Gender Studies, Women’s History Month.

Tuesday, March 24

Developing Assertive Communication Skills Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Cancer Support Network at UTA Faculty and staff who have experienced or are in treatment for cancer can be part of private, respectful support group discussions. Free. 11 a.m.-noon, Room 314, Central Library. Also, April 8 and 22, May 6. Contact Jody Bailey at jbailey@uta.edu or Bruce Bower at bower@uta.edu.

Women's History Month Lectures: Charlaine Harris The best-selling science fiction novelist, Charlaine Harris, known for her fiction that inspired the HBO drama series True Blood, speaks on her science fiction novels and her impact as a prominent female science fiction writer. Free. 7 p.m., sixth floor atrium, Central Library. Women’s and Gender Studies, Women’s History Month.

Wednesday, March 25

Travel and Expenses For employees responsible for managing travel requests and reimbursements. Register online. 1:30-4:30 p.m., Room E200C, Continuing Education. Business Affairs.

CMAS Speaker Series A panel discussion on "Ser Bilingue Es Un Regalo (Being Bilingual Is a Gift): Dual-Language Education in Texas K-12." Free. 4-6 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. Center for Mexican American Studies.  

Performance Management Forms and Procedures Register online. 2-3 p.m., Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Thursday, March 26

Engineering Speakers Series Pallab Bhattacharya of the University of Michigan discusses "III-Nitride Nanostructures: A Formidable Technology." Free. 6 p.m., Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

Friday, March 27

The Art of Listening Register online. 10 a.m.-noon, Room 200, J.D. Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

UTARI Seminar Hyejin Moon, associate professor and director of UTA’s Integrated Micro and Nanofluidics Laboratory, presents “Electrowetting-on-dielectric (EWOD) Digital Microfluidics and its Applications.” RSVP to ride shuttle. Lunch included. Free. Noon-1 p.m., boardroom, UTARI, 7300 Jack Newell Blvd. S. UT Arlington Research Institute.

Saturday, March 28

Juneteenth in Texas: 150 Years of Freedom Lectures Juneteenth in Texas: 150 Years of Freedom Lectures include “Understanding Juneteenth from Emancipation to Jim Crow,” Juneteenth from the Texas Centennial to Civil Rights,” and “Teaching About a Missing Chapter in American History.” Free. 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., sixth floor parlor, Central Library. History, Center for Greater Southwestern Studies.

TEDxUTA Be among the 100 audience members when TEDxUTA hosts some of the most innovative minds in technology, entertainment, and design, including UTA faculty members and students. Only 100 tickets are available. Tickets $15 students, $25 faculty and staff, $30 general public. 1-5 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. TEDxUTA.

Coming up

Safe Zone Ally Training Learn to create a visible network of support for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning individuals, and their allies. Register online. 9 a.m.-noon Tuesday, March 31, Concho Room, E.H. Hereford University Center. Also, 1-4 p.m. Thursday, April 16, Neches Room, University Center. LGBTQA Program.

Wine Appreciation Explore the history of wine in a four-course food and wine pairing. Call 2-2581 for faculty, staff discount fee of $80. 7-9 p.m., Tuesday, March 31. Continuing Education.

Termini Distinguished Anthropologist Lecture Cemal Pulak, the Frederick R. Mayer Faculty Professor of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, presents "Excavating the World’s Oldest Shipwreck: Uluburun and Late Bronze Age Trade in the Mediterranean.” Free. 7 p.m. Thursday, April 2, auditorium, Architecture Building. Sociology and Anthropology.

Walter Prescott Webb Lecture Series “Beyond Attics and Activists: Rethinking Family in Disability History" will be rescheduled for April. History, Disability Studies, Office for Students with Disabilities, Women’s and Gender Studies, Movin’ Mavs Adapted Sports and Recreation.

Social Works Ethics Forum “Big Data, Privacy, and Your Agency’s Functioning: A Forum on Social Work Ethics in the Age of Electronic Record Keeping and Coordination of Care.” Free but registration required. 1-4 p.m. Friday, April 10, Room 245, Business Building. Social Work.

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

Monday, March 16

Visiting Artist Talk Photographer Meggan Gould, assistant professor of art at the University of New Mexico, discusses her work of examing the practice of photography and photographs as objects. 1 p.m., Room 148, Fine Arts Building. Art and Art History.

Tuesday, March 17

Afternoon Variety Showcase Nashville-based trio Wisewater performs. Free. 11 a.m., Palo Duro Lounge, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities. 

Softball Mavericks vs. Abilene Christian. Free. 5 p.m., Allan Saxe Field. Also, vs. Georgia Southern; tickets $5-7, $3 students; 1 and 3 p.m. Saturday, March 21, and noon Sunday, March 22. Athletics.

Baseball Mavericks vs. UT Austin. Tickets $8 in advance; $12 at game. 7 p.m., Globe Life Park. Also, vs. Dallas Baptist; tickets $5-7, $3 students; 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 18, Clay Gould Ballpark. Athletics.

Honors Recital Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, March 19

Third Thursday Game Night Video and board games are available, but you can bring your own to share. Free. Basement, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries.

Monday, March 23

Faculty Trombone Recital Dennis Bubert, visiting assistant professor of trombone, performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, March 24

Clavier Piano Recital Piano students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Wednesday, March 25

Faculty Bassoon Recital Scott Pool, assistant professor of bassoon, performs. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Thursday, March 26

Faculty Vocal Recital Jennifer Ciobanu, adjunct instructor of voice, performs. Free. 5:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Maverick Speakers Series Henry Cisneros discusses "Smart Growth: Developing the Economy, Infrastructure, and a Sustainable Future." 7:30 p.m., Texas Hall. Preferred packages and free general admission tickets at utatickets.com. For VIP tickets, contact Mark LaVelle at mlavelle@uta.edu or 2-5235. Bob Costas, an acclaimed sportscaster, presents "Sports in America: Is It Still Only a Game?" 7:30 p.m. Monday, April 13, College Park Center. Maverick Speakers Series.

Trumpet Studio Recital Trumpet students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, March 27

Glass Art Show and Sale Stunning works by glass art students and faculty. Faculty-staff only show and sale 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Studio Arts Center, 801 S. Davis St. Also, public sale and show 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, March 28. Glass Art Show and Sale.

Friday Night Film: 'The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies' 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.

Trombone Choir Concert Trombone students perform. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Coming up

Mavs Got Talent Show A showcase of talented students. Free. 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities. 

Ongoing

Gallery 76102: 'The Ties That Bind' Artist Kelly Ingleright-Telgenhoff's work elevates an isolated single object in her personal quest for beauty, calm, and serenity. Gallery hours noon-6 p.m. Wednesdays-Saturdays. Through March 28. Free. Gallery 76102, Fort Worth Center.

Special Collections: ¡Viva México! A Comic Book History of Mexico A rare look inside the rise of comic books in 20th century Mexico, their literary, cultural, and entertainment value, and influence by the Mexican government. Hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays, sixth floor, Central Library. Through Aug. 8. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

The Gallery at UTA: 'Subject Disability' Nine artists address disability by illustrating the ways art can challenge and inform our experience of others. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. Through April 4. The Gallery at UTA.

Visual Resource Commons and Gallery The African Art Collection is a multi-dimensional collection of 11th- to 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 spring schedule features Black Holes, Dynamic Earth, Pink Floyd, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

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