MavWire 2015 Archive » MavWire — Thursday, September 3, 2015

Digital history: Images in the Texas Disability History Collection website will include a woman receiving a Bible written in Braille in 1938 and Jim Hayes, founder and longtime coach of the UTA Movin' Mavs wheelchair basketball team, in 1986. The photos are from the Fort Worth Star-Telegram Collection in Special Collections in the Central Library.

UTA Libraries first in Texas to digitize disability history

UT Arlington Libraries have received a $25,000 TexTreasures grant from the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to digitize and publish disability history relating to UTA and Texas, becoming the only such collection in Texas or the Southwest.

The digitized items will become part of the Libraries’ Texas Disability History Collection and be made available through a website set to launch in late spring.

The disability history collection includes 40 oral history interviews with prominent disability rights advocates and Texans with disabilities, and hundreds of UTA Libraries Special Collections holdings such as personal papers, organizational records, photographs, and audio and video recordings. 

Read more about the digital disability history collection.

Mia Farrow

Mia Farrow tickets available Tuesday

Tickets to see actress and activist Mia Farrow for the Maverick Speakers Series will be available starting Tuesday, Sept. 8.

Farrow will speak on "What Falls Away: One Woman’s Journey to Fulfillment" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, at Texas Hall. An audience question-and-answer session will follow the lecture.

She is perhaps best known for her role as Rosemary in Rosemary’s Baby and has appeared in more than 50 films, winning numerous awards since her career began in 1964. Her most recent film is 2011’s Dark Horse.

Farrow has worked extensively as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and is involved in humanitarian activities in Africa. In 2008, Time magazine named her one of the most influential people in the world.

General admission is free, but tickets are required. Season and preferred ticket packages are available and include reserved seating, parking, and more. For all these ticket options, go to utatickets.com.

For VIP packages, contact Mark LaVelle at mlavelle@uta.edu or 2-5235.

Dr. Frank Lewis

Patent allows real-time learning based on previous decisions

UT Arlington electrical engineers have patented an innovative method that improves a computerized-device controller’s ability to make real-time decisions.

Frank Lewis, professor of electrical engineering, was issued a patent titled, “Control Methodology for Online Adaptation to Optimal Feedback Controller Using Integral Reinforcement Learning.” Sharing in the patent are Draguna Vrabie of United Technologies and Kyriakos Vamvoudakis of the University of California, Santa Barbara.

Dr. Lewis and his collaborators developed Integral Reinforcement Learning, a process by which a device learns and makes control decisions in reaction to a set of variables that changes based on each previous decision. This patent develops a new technology for IRL by which decisions can be made continuously in real time, online, allowing greater autonomy and faster response.

Read more about the smart controller.

Dr. Christoph Csallner

New product could help concepts become working apps

A team of UTA researchers has developed a computer program to automatically create a working mobile app from an artist’s concepts. The product, called PixeltoApp, may soon enter the marketplace, aided by a National Science Foundation I-Corps grant.

The idea is the brainchild of doctoral candidate Tony Nguyen, who noticed a possible opportunity for improvements in development during an internship at Google. Christoph Csallner, associate professor of computer science and engineering, is the team’s primary investigator.

Nguyen, who now works at Google and will soon graduate from UT Arlington, developed a technique for automatic conversion of screen designs to apps that creates user interfaces using information obtained from images. The process averages nine seconds.

Read more about the PixeltoApp development.

Ruiz-Pérez

Professor’s poetry earns international prize

Ignacio Ruiz-Pérez, associate professor of Spanish, has been named the 2015 winner of the prestigious León Felipe International Poetry Prize.

Libro de la ceniza (Book of Ashes) revolves around the metaphor of fire on two fronts: passion that creates and turns to ashes everything it touches. The León Felipe Prize jury considered Libro de la ceniza among works by more than 400 poets from 17 countries, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Morocco, and Spain, the host country.

Read more about Dr. Ruiz-Pérez's honor.

Milson

History’s Milson wins national teaching award

History Professor Andrew Milson won a distinguished teaching award from the National Council for Geographic Education.

Dr. Milson, who joined UT Arlington in 2010, includes ample student discussion in his geography classes. Throughout the course, he assigns weekly readings and challenges his students to engage in conversations related to the topics.

Read more about Milson's honor.

Rodriguez

Communication lecturer wins industry accolades

Julian Rodriguez, lecturer of communication, was honored by the Association of Opinion Journalist for his work with students and Spanish-language media.

Rodriguez is the 2015 recipient of the Barry Bingham Sr. Fellowship, an award that “recognizes an educator’s outstanding efforts to encourage and mentor college students of color in the field of journalism.”

Read more about Rodriguez's recognition.

Campus closed for Labor Day holiday

The UT Arlington campus will be closed Monday, Sept. 7, for the Labor Day holiday.

All UTA Libraries locations will be open Monday with a reduced schedule. Check the library hours.

UTA Night with the Rangers Top, Klyde Warren throws the first pitch at UTA Night with the Rangers on Friday. After his feat, the youth enjoyed the game with, from left, Lisa Karbhari, Amy and Kelcy Warren, and President Vistasp Karbhari. Kelcy Warren (BS '78) is CEO and chairman of Energy Transfer Partners.

Inaugural class of Terry Foundation Scholars announced

UT Arlington welcomes 20 student leaders who have demonstrated strong academic ability into its charter class of Terry Foundation Scholars for the 2015-16 academic year.

The Terry Foundation was established by Houston philanthropists Howard and Nancy Terry and is the largest private source of scholarships in Texas. The scholarships benefit outstanding Texas high school graduates and transfer students who attend public colleges and universities within the state.

Read more about the Terry Foundation Scholars.

University Center offers online view of room availability

University departments and student organizations can now view room availability for the E.H. Hereford University Center and Central Library before submitting paperwork to book the room.

Visit the University Center Plan your event here link and navigate to the Log In to View Room Availability. Enter your NetID and password to go to the Virtual Event Management System page, then click on Browse in the upper left to see space availability by date, room type, or setup type.

For questions, email ucrequest@uta.edu. 

Hungry? Texadelphia heads to College Park; find later hours at The Plaza

Texadelphia, home of the original Texas cheesesteak, plans to open its latest restaurant in the College Park District after Labor Day. Other food sources in the district are La Blue Casa, Pie Five Pizza, and Coolberry Frozen Yogurt.

Some old favorites have returned at the University Club, a result of a recent survey. Back are the turkey avocado sandwich, chicken salad croissant, and ranch chicken salad. Lunch is 11 a.m.-2 p.m. in Davis Hall.

On campus late and need a bite to eat? Stop by the P.O.D. Market for a snack or a new JambaGo smoothie, now open until 11 p.m. Mondays–Thursdays. Both are in the E.H. Hereford University Center.

The Plaza Food Court is now open until 5 p.m. Choose from Chick-fill-A, Moe’s Southwest Grill, Panda Express, Subway, and Sushic.

Read more about on-campus dining locations and hours.

Cast stone repairs continue in College Park District

Cast stone repairs are underway in the College Park District.

During the repairs, traffic barriers will be placed on Spaniolo Drive between First and Second streets Tuesday, Sept. 8-Friday, Sept. 25. The entrance to Vandergriff Hall will be open, and A-frame caution signs will be placed on the pedestrian pathway.

The sidewalk east of the Dan Dipert University Welcome Center will be closed to pedestrian traffic through Thursday, Oct. 22. To reach the Welcome Center, go through the parking garage and enter from the west.

Questions? Contact Don Lange at donlange@uta.edu.

Swap meet Rachel Kroener, exercise science freshman, shows off her new T-shirt from Monday's MavSwap, a part of the Maverick Stampede.

Emergency generator test on Friday

Facilities Management will test the emergency electrical generators 1-2:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 4.

Buildings involved are the Business Building, College Park Center, College Park Central and South Parking Garages, Hammond Hall, Pickard Hall, and Trimble Hall.

The test will only affect the electrical services tied to each building’s generator, not the entire building. There will be a slight “blip” lasting a half-second as the electrical service transfers to the generator and another as it is transferred back to the normal building service. Keep computer work in progress saved during this time to prevent any possible data loss.

Questions? Call Toby Buhrkuhl at 972-832-1490 or Jeff Johnson at 817-798-8456.

Summit Avenue closed for repaving

Summit Avenue is closed for resurfacing and will reopen by Monday, Sept. 21, weather permitting.

Summit Avenue is closed from Fourth Street to Greek Row Drive and from Greek Row to UTA Boulevard. Greek Row will remain open. 

Parking for the Swift Center, the Veterans Assistance Center, and Summit Avenue parking will be relocated to the Meadow Run lot, accessed from Greek Row, and the YWCA Child Care Center overflow lot at Summit and UTA Boulevard.

Facilities Management has asked University Parking Enforcement to not write tickets during the resurfacing. Vehicles parked on Summit during this time will be towed by the city.

MavWire takes off Monday

MavWire will take a holiday Monday. The next issue is Thursday, Sept. 10. Send your announcements and events to mavwire@uta.edu to be considered for publication. See previous issues in the MavWire archives.

Thursday, Sept. 3

Qualitative Research Brown-Bag Series Debbie Cockerham of the Fort Worth Science Museum is guest speaker. Noon-1 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Qualitative Research Networking.

Wednesday, Sept. 9

Food for Thought Rodney Caffey, a USA Olympic sports performance coach and a personal trainer, discusses “Exercise Frequency and Intensity: Is the Bro-science Really Science?” Free. Noon-1 p.m., Room 213, Maverick Activities Center. Campus Recreation.

Conducting Effective Meetings Register online. 9-11 a.m., Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Friday, Sept. 11

Peer Observation of Teaching Training Learn about this powerful tool for professional growth, documenting great teaching, and sharing new ideas. Register online. 1-4 p.m., Room 415, Central Library. Also, 9 a.m.-noon Oct. 9; 1-4 p.m. Nov. 20; 9 a.m.-noon Dec. 11. Center for Teaching and Learning Excellence, Faculty Affairs.

Monday, Sept. 14

UT Arlington Photonics Symposium For the International Year of Light, this daylong symposium includes presentations by faculty, a poster session, panel discussion, and a final reception. 7:30 a.m. Bluebonnet Ballroom, E.H. Hereford University Center. Engineering.

Coming up

Human Resources Training Register online. Fundamental Skills for Supervisors and Managers, 9-11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16; Partnering with Your Boss, 10 a.m.-noon Friday, Sept. 18; Leadership Skills for Supervisors, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22; Managing Stress in the Workplace, 9-11 a.m. Thursday, Sept. 24; Developing Assertive Communication Skills, 9-11 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29; and Advanced Supervisory Skills, 9-11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30. All in Room 200, Wetsel Service Center. Human Resources.

Engineering Speaker Series Mary "Missy” Cummings of Duke University discusses the state of automation and autonomy in our everyday lives. Free. 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16, Room 100, Nedderman Hall. Engineering.

RADS Self-Defense for Women Self-defense course for female faculty, staff, and students. Register online. Free. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, Room 102-B, Maverick Activities Center. Also, Oct. 17, and Nov. 7. UT Arlington Police.

Architecture Lecture Joshua Nimmo presents “Someplace Else.” Free. 4 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Room 204, Architecture Building. Architecture.

Second Annual Women in the Americas Series Lori Celaya of the University of Idaho is guest lecturer for the topic "Human Trafficking at the U.S.-Mexico Border and the Role of the Commercial Sex Trade Client." Free. Noon-1 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, Neches/Pedernales Rooms, E.H. Hereford University Center. Free and open to the public. Women’s and Gender Studies, Center for Mexican American Studies, Department of Modern Languages.

Institutional Review Board Mini-Conference Learn about the IRB submission process, how to conduct ethical research studies with human subjects, and more. See the schedule and RSVP. Free. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 25, second floor lounge, Maverick Activity Center. Regulatory Services, Research Administration. 

Focus on Faculty: Ritu Khanduri Ritu Khanduri, assistant professor of anthropology, is guest speaker. Free. Noon-1:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 30, sixth floor, Central Library. UT Arlington Libraries. 

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

Big hit: Marisah Ingram takes aim during a victory over Grambling State on Saturday at College Park Center. The Mavericks defeated North Texas on the CPC court Wednesday evening.

Mavericks take down rival North Texas

The volleyball team swept North Texas 3-0 Wednesday night before the third-largest College Park Center volleyball crowd in UTA history. Sophomore Qiana Canete led the way with a match-high 16 kills.

UTA won two of three matches last weekend in the season-opening Maverick Classic at College Park Center. The Mavericks defeated Campbell 3-0 Friday night and Grambling 3-0 Saturday afternoon before falling 3-2 Saturday evening to Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.

Junior Cassidy Wheeler and senior Stacey Koch were named to the all-tournament team. The next home match is at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 8, against Abilene Christian.

Cross country teams begin season

The men’s and women’s cross country teams began the year Tuesday night at the Bear Twilight Invitational in Waco. Just three athletes with previous experience for the Mavericks competed at the season-opening meet.

UTA’s top men’s finishers were sophomore Michael Guerrero, junior Tyler Forde, and freshman Chris Myers. For the women, senior Ashly Wright and freshman Anamarija Petters paced the squad.

The men are ranked sixth and the women 11th in the preseason Regional Team Rankings released Monday by the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association.

Sports Shorts

• The Maverick Open, formerly the Chip-N-Classic, will take place Thursday, Sept. 10, at Texas Star Golf Course in Euless. To reserve your place, contact Kris Wood at kriswood@uta.edu or 2-9613.

• Senior volleyball player Stacey Koch was named the Sun Belt Conference Offensive Student-Athlete of the Week for her performance last weekend in the Maverick Classic.

• Assistant golf coach Casey Devoll won the National Car Rental NTPGA Assistant Championship on Monday in Plano. He fired rounds of 67 and 66 to finish at 11-under par.

• Junior pitcher Joel Kuhnel was named the top prospect from the Jayhawk League by Baseball America and Perfect Game.

Fall intramural sports deadlines approaching

Upcoming intramural sports deadlines are co-rec flag football, fantasy football, and college football pick 'em, Thursday, Sept. 3; tennis, Friday, Sept. 4; foosball, Tuesday, Sept. 8; softball, Wednesday, Sept. 9; racquetball, Friday, Sept. 11; outdoor soccer, Wednesday, Sept. 16; billiards tournament, Thursday, Sept. 17; and flag football and volleyball, Wednesday, Sept. 30. 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.)

Gallery unveils UTA’s diverse collections Historic artwork and hidden treasures are part of The Gallery at UTA’s opening exhibition for the 2015-16 school year. “Building: Selections from the University Art Collection” features works chosen from several art and artifact collections at UT Arlington. The exhibit illuminates some “rare gems” not widely seen by the general public. Media includes contemporary prints, photographs, and paintings; early- and mid-20th century prints by Ruscha, Picasso, Dali, Miro, Baskin and others; modern and contemporary glass works; as well as wood, ceramic, and bronze pieces. The exhibit opens Tuesday, Sept. 8, and runs through Oct. 10. Gallery hours are 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Mondays-Fridays and noon-5 p.m. Saturdays. The Gallery is located in Room 169 of the Fine Art Building. A reception for the exhibition is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18. Read more about Building: Selections from the University Art Collection.

Thursday, Sept. 3-Friday, Sept. 4

Blood Drive Give the gift of life with a blood donation. Register to donate. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m., Library mall and University Center mall. University Events.

Friday, Sept. 4

Friday Night Film: 'Jurassic World' Rated PG-13. Free popcorn. $1; $1.50 with credit card. 8 p.m., Rosebud Theatre, E.H. Hereford University Center. EXCEL Campus Activities. 

Tuesday, Sept. 8

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

Thursday, Sept. 10

40th Linton Powell Organ Recital Linton Powell, right, retired professor of music, performs his 40th recital for organ and harpsichord. Free. 7:30 p.m., Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Friday, Sept. 11

Friends of the Library Guest speaker is Russell Gold, author of The Boom: How Fracking Ignited the American Energy Revolution and Changed the World. 7:30 p.m., sixth floor, Central Library. Friends of the Library. 

Monday, Sept. 14

Guest Double Bass Recital Milton Masciadri of the University of Georgia performs. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Tuesday, Sept. 15

Clavier Piano Recital Performances by UTA piano students. Free. 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Coming up

Free Music Recitals and Concerts Faculty Bassoon Recital with Scott Pool, Thursday, Sept. 17; Voice Division Recital with UTA vocal students, noon-1 p.m., Monday, Sept. 21. All free, at 7:30 p.m. Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

Volleyball Tickets $5 per game. Faculty-Staff All-Season Ticket $99, all 2015-16 sports. Mavericks vs. Louisiana-Lafayette, 6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Fiesta Friday, Hispanic Heritage Night, Los Mavericks shirt giveaway; vs. Georgia State, 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, volleyball alumni reunion, Camper Reunion Day, Boys and Girls Club Night, post-game autographs; vs. Georgia Southern, 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 1, tailgate, OctoberFest/beer tasting, Pink Night, Greek Out; vs. Arkansas-Little Rock, 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3, Jersey Day, Blaze's Kids Club, Youth Day, International Frugal Fun Day, post-game autographs. All at College Park Center. Athletics.

Discount Rangers Tickets Discount tickets are available. Upcoming games are Oakland Athletics, Sept. 11-13; Houston Astros, Sept. 14-17; Seattle Mariners, Sept. 18-20; Detroit Tigers, Sept. 28-30; and Los Angeles Angels, Oct. 1-4. Visit texasrangers.com/grouptickets, click on UT Arlington, and use the password GOMAVS to get your discounted tickets.

Oozeball This mud volleyball tournament is a long-standing campus tradition. 1-6:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, Fourth Street at Summit Avenue. Campus Recreation. 

UTA Symphony Orchestra Concert The UTA Symphony Orchestra performs, conducted by Clifton Evans. Tickets $9 general admission, $6 students and seniors, 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, Irons Recital Hall, Fine Arts Building. Music.

UT Arlington at the Levitt UTA Wind Symphony performs Saturday, Sept. 26, and UTA Jazz Orchestra with jazz master Stefan Karlsson and Swedish jazz trumpeter Magnus Broo on Sunday, Sept. 27. Free. 8 p.m., Levitt Pavilion, 100 W. Abram St. Levitt Pavilion.

Ongoing

Gallery 76102: Tshuchigama/Earthen Kiln Tsuchigama or “dirt kiln” is recognized by scholars as Japan's earliest high-fire kiln type. Free. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Saturdays; 4-8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, Gallery 76102. Through Oct. 10. Fort Worth Center.

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

Special Collections: Ringside: Memories of WCC Wrestling Photos by Cirrus Bonneau of World Class Championship Wrestling at the Will Rogers Coliseum in Fort Worth in 1982-83. Gallery hours 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Mondays, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesdays-Saturdays. Free. Sixth floor, Central Library. Through Jan. 16. UT Arlington Libraries Special Collections.

Planetarium Two new shows—Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and From the Earth to the Universe—are part of the fall schedule. Also showing are Astronaut, Pink Floyd, and Spacepark 360: Infinity. Planetarium.

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