HIGH RATINGS. Graduate programs in the School of Urban and Public Affairs and the School of Social Work are ranked among the nation’s best by U.S. News & World Report. The magazine’s annual list of America’s top graduate schools ranks SUPA’s urban policy program 26th and the social work master’s program 33rd. Overall, SUPA ranked 76th of approximately 300 schools reviewed.

LEADERSHIP TEAM FORMING. Dana Dunn has been appointed provost for an 18-month period that began March 1. Dr. Dunn, who had been serving as interim provost, retains her position as vice president for academic affairs. John Hall has been named vice president for administration and campus operations, and Rusty Ward has been appointed vice president for business affairs and controller. Hall and Ward had been interim vice presidents since August.

SWEET DREAMS. The School of Nursing’s Dream Makers scholarship program has raised more than $120,000 to help nursing students fund their education. With a goal of $1,000 scholarships for at least 25 percent of bachelor of science in nursing candidates, the school hopes to decrease the nurse shortage in Texas by increasing enrollment and graduation rates. Major sponsors are the United Service Association for Health Care Foundation, Texas Health Resources and the Star-Telegram.

NEW DEANS APPOINTED. Associate Director of Libraries Gerald Saxon has been named dean of the UTA Libraries effective July 1. Since joining the library staff in 1986, Dr. Saxon has served as assistant director for Special Collections; associate director for Special Collections, branch libraries and development; and associate director of libraries. He will replace Tom Wilding, who is retiring. Psychology Department Chairman Paul Paulus has been named interim dean of the College of Science. He replaces Neal Smatresk, who left in May to become vice chancellor for academic affairs at the University of Hawaii-Manoa. Dr. Paulus joined the UTA faculty in 1970 and is a former associate dean of the College of Science. He received the University’s Outstanding Research Achievement Award in 1989 and the Psi Chi Outstanding Teacher Award in 1993. His appointment began May 1.

LONG-DISTANCE DEGREES. Nearly 100 Chinese business leaders graduated from UTA’s executive M.B.A. program during March ceremonies in Beijing. The 95 senior-level executives were part of a joint venture between UTA and the University of Science and Technology–Beijing. The program is larger than that of any other U.S. university with such offerings in China.

FUTURE PERRY MASONS. UTA students Mark Melton and Andrew Stubblefield won first place in the National Moot Court Competition in February. Stubblefield, who plans to attend law school at Southern Methodist University this fall, also won the award for best advocate. The competition features two-person teams arguing in a simulated court proceeding, complete with judges and written briefs. This year’s tournament drew 58 teams from 20 states.

DRIVING AMBITION. Students on UTA’s Formula SAE racing team recently received an unusual salute from the Texas Region of the Sports Car Club of America. At its annual banquet in March, the SCCA awarded UTA the Driver of the Year award, which normally goes to one person. The team won in the autocross category, which involves single cars negotiating a weaving course marked by traffic cones in a parking lot.

TOOTING OUR OWN ’HORN. UTA’s student newspaper, The Shorthorn, recently won the Columbia Scholastic Press Association’s Gold Crown Award for general excellence. It was the only college newspaper in Texas and one of eight nationwide to receive the honor. More than 650 college newspapers entered the competition.