BUILT TO WIN. The Chemistry and Physics Building, designed by the Dallas office of Perkins + Will, received the Best of Award for higher education design in 2006 from Texas Construction magazine. The 128,000-square-foot facility, which opened last year, boasts state-of-the-art teaching and research labs for chemistry, biochemistry and physics, as well as one of the most technologically advanced planetariums in the country. Texas Construction is an industry-leading publication whose annual competition recognizes construction and design excellence statewide. The building was featured in the December 2006 issue. See www.texas.construction.com.

CHARITY BEGINS AT WORK. UT Arlington exceeded its goal for the 2006 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC). More than 800 employees donated $92,705—a $3,211 increase over 2005. The number of employees contributing increased by nearly 100 from the previous year. Created in 1993, the SECC allows university employees in Texas to give to many of their favorite charities through an annual workplace campaign. Donations support a variety of health, environmental and human services.

FIFTEEN MINUTES OF FAME. The offices of The Shorthorn, the University's student newspaper, appeared on national television in November. The E.H. Hereford University Center basement digs were portrayed as a small-town newspaper in Inspector Mom, a Lifetime Movie Network original starring Danica McKellar of The Wonder Years fame. A UT Arlington alumnus was a member of the film crew and asked art Professor Andy Anderson for location suggestions. Anderson recommended The Shorthorn. Student Publications Director Lloyd Goodman was happy to comply. "We received $500 for scholarships and were listed in the credits," he said. "And a couple of our folks ended up as extras in the filming."

CONNECTED TO HELP. New Connections, a program that provides intervention services for parents and children from drug-involved families, is now part of the School of Social Work. Previously located at UT Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, New Connections has received national recognition from the federal Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, the National Association of State Alcohol and Drug Abuse Directors, and the National Prevention Network. Its award-winning program design was developed with input from client families. The Harold Simmons Foundation donated $100,000 to the School of Social Work to fund the relocation. New Connections continues to provide services to Dallas County residents from its Dallas location. UT Arlington social work Associate Professor Debra Woody is principal investigator for research projects.

BEST IN TEXAS. The Fort Worth Business Press named College of Liberal Arts Dean Beth Wright one of its 2006 Great Women of Texas. The award recognizes women who have demonstrated commitment and dedication to their work, family and community. Dr. Wright earned her Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley and has done extensive research on French art (c. 1760-1840) with regard to its cultural context. Her Painting and History during the French Restoration: Abandoned by the Past won the Dallas Museum of Art's Vasari Award in 1998.

RISKS YIELD REWARDS. Alumnus Jeff Smith ('88 MS, '04 PhD) recently received the Kauffman Foundation's Community Award for his entrepreneurial success in business, education and social involvement. The awards were created in 2002 to honor entrepreneurs who have made a difference in their communities and to recognize their philanthropic contributions to society. In 1993 Dr. Smith co-founded OnRamp Technologies, a leading Internet service provider. In 2002 he founded SensorLogic, considered a pioneer in the emerging machine-to-machine communications market. He also founded EntreCorps.org, an Internet-based initiative to leverage successful entrepreneurs' mental and material assets on behalf of poor communities.