SPRING SUMMER 2019

THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT SAN ANTONIO | SOMBRILLAMAG.COM

life transforming experience UTSA STUDENTS GET IT—AND PAY IT FORWARD. HOW UTSA’S EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING CULTURE CREATES OPPORTUNITY THAT RIPPLES ACROSS THE GLOBE. Welcome to SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE

features | spring|summer 2019

Life-Changing Experiences 22 Ø A student works on the final Experiential learning project that analyzed revital- projects put students 22 ization issues in San Antonio’s into “real world” Mission San Jose and Quintana endeavors that effect Road neighborhoods. community and person- al development.

Lending a 26 Critical Eye The university’s cold- case research organiza- tion turns students into a brainpower bloc for reviewing old crime files.

Giving Voice 27 to Vets A new effort is working to expand military history by recording the often-untold stories of women veterans.

Messages for 28 the Masses UTSA’s professional writing scholars re- search topics and write documentation that serves Texans.

No Place 29 Like Home Students are research- ing historical land documents to help some Texans who find themselves in hot water with real estate.

Focus Is 30 Think & Do UTSA’s Urban Future Lab is a think-and- do tank that tackles projects to improve the way people navigate their daily lives. ORIENTATION

from the president’s desk SOMBRILLA stories by taylor eighmy MAGAZINE to watch utsa is a hub of activity spring | summer 2019 The Future Is Bright issue 81 { 1 } ’ve been known to evangelize about the power of experiential learning and its Taylor Eighmy Graduate School Rankings Iability to transform students’ lives. I know this topic well because I’ve lived President UTSA has been recognized it. Way back in 1975 I stopped-out from Tufts University after a less-than-stel- once again for the quality lar freshman year. Luckily, when I returned a year Joe Izbrand of its degree programs. later I met the faculty mentor who would change Associ ate Vice President Graduate programs placed in U.S. News and World the course of my life, Dr. Jan Pechenik. He invited for Communications and Marketing Report’s annual 2020 U.S. me into his marine biology lab, where I studied News Best Graduate Schools the larval form of adult slipper limpets, something Rankings, demonstrating few scientists were studying. The thought that I the university’s growth and was creating knowledge was thrilling. None of this EDITORIAL momentum as a destination would have transpired without Dr. Pechenik taking Jivani for student success and the time to show me the possibilities of a scientific Michael Elkins Edwards research excellence. The life. His belief in the power of undergraduate re- Editor & art director programs in this year’s search helped me find my big dreams. rankings are business Indeed, experiential learning opportunities—internships, service Shea Conner administration (ninth in learning, study abroad, undergraduate research, and the like—can associate Editor Texas and 127th in the U.S.), education (ninth, Texas; 134th, have a profound impact on student learning outcomes and their fu- U.S.), engineering (eighth, ture career success. It’s why I’m so proud of the work Provost Kimberly Courtney Campbell alonso Photo editor Texas; 148th, U.S.), public Andrews Espy and her team are doing on UTSA’s new Classroom to administration (sixth, Texas; Career Initiative. Launched in September, this initiative is putting all 123rd, U.S.),and social work Courtney Clevenger the infrastructure into place to provide our students with real-world (fifth, Texas, 77th, U.S.). Pamela Lutrell applications of their classroom learning. We have a big goal to go with Milady Nazir this big idea. By 2028 we are aiming for 75% of UTSA students to have Kara Soria { 2 } some form of experiential learning by the time they graduate. Ingrid Wright We don’t have to look far to find outstanding examples of students contributing writers Architectural Elevation who are cohering their academic studies and professional interests in boone UTSA’s master of architecture and master of science in phenomenal ways. Take, for example, Sanah Jivani, who was named a Dave Deering architecture programs have Truman Scholar in 2018 and a Fulbright semifinalist this year for her Mark McClendon been awarded a unique public service and leadership as CEO of the Love Your Natural Self Enrique Zarate STEM designation by the Foundation. We had two accomplished Truman Scholar finalists this video & Photography Texas Higher Education year, Maria Victoria Alonso and Jay’Len Boone, making UTSA one of Coordinating Board. UTSA only two Texas schools, with Rice University, to have more than one Haylee Young is now the only Texas finalist for this national program. kotzur social media Editor institution—and one of few Our National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellows are in the nation— to hold the also terrific examples. The research that Travis Mark Kotzur, Lynée designation. This will help the Massey, and Rebecca Revilla did as UTSA undergraduates resulted PRODUCTION university recruit high-caliber in competitive fellowships that will allow them to continue their re- students who want to access search at the graduate level. We have so many more students at UTSA Shashi Pinheiro STEM-related architecture who are being recognized for their excellence inside and outside the Associate Director opportunities. classroom, including 17 Gilman Scholars, 23 Mellon Fellows, 88 Terry of Web Services Scholars, and 36 Archer Fellows. All these prestigious programs are massey { 3 } clear illustrations of the success that comes from blending classroom Mitzi Shipley learning with career-engaged experiences. Creative Services Housing Plan Advances Manager The University of Texas This issue of Sombrilla Magazine is packed with stories about the System Board of Regents practical applications of experiential learning and how our students Maria Castro has approved the schematic are helping to create life-changing possibilities for the people of San Eric Ramirez design for the Guadalupe Antonio and beyond. With students like Sanah, Maria Victoria, Jay’Len, Emanuel Rodriguez Hall dorm, making it part Lynée, Travis, and Rebecca as our leaders of tomor- revilla creative & web of the system’s Capital row, our future is bright indeed. production Improvement Program. 

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 1 Welcome to SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE

departments | spring|summer 2019

PLAZAS ’RUNNERS & PASEOS & SHAKERS 4 NASA taps UTSA to 32 32 An active, innovative help develop homes for ’Runner in his day, Chris future missions to the Webb ’83 reveals the moon and Mars. story of creating the roadrunner hand sign. 6 A new stop sign by UTSA researchers 34 Administrators could help reduce traffic have a multiyear plan accidents on rural in mind when making roadways. Peggy Jo Tholen ’76 the face to help market the fledgling university. 7 UTSA’s virtual reality experts make strides in overcoming 36 Derrick Gervin talks the phenomenon of about becoming UTSA’s cybersickness. first athletics superstar when he suited up for Roadrunner basketball 8 Research reveals how in the 1980s. use of other forms of drugs could contribute to the opioid epidemic. 39 Music educator Helen Wolf M.Ed.’77 signs up as the Alumni 9 Experts uncover the Association’s first disconnect between the lifetime member. brain’s dopamine and cocaine addiction. IN EACH ISSUE 10 Experts launch an effort for the Air Force 14 Bird’s-eye View to create technology for Documenting in smartphones and other photos the important, devices that require the beautiful, and minimal charging. the memory-worthy moments of life at 12 UTSA launches UTSA. a project to look at connections between blood cells and human 40 Lesson Learned behavior. Experts weigh in on the promise and peril of genome editing. 13 Researchers study potential bias in President’s Welcome prosecutor trends of 1 filing criminal charges. 7 Discovery at UTSA Ø Alumnus Chris Webb 38 Class Notes receives a certificate in 1980 for being UTSA’s first scholarship recipient from the university’s Army ROTC Extension Center.

2 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ORIENTATION

About (#)utsa watch stories nostalgia edition SOMBRILLA to watch showcasing roadrunner pride from the archives MAGAZINE utsa is a hub of activity

 This will allow UTSA to June 3, 1976 move Guadalupe Hall into Student John Schultz checks out S the design-development the first book from the new library. sombrilla (Spanish): phase, another milestone umbrella in the advancement of the university’s strategic vision (sohm–BREE–yah) to prepare for enrollment growth of 45,000 students by 2028. Guadalupe Hall is Sombrilla Magazine is the one in a series of housing official pub­lication of The developments planned for University of Texas at San Antonio. the Main and Downtown It is published three times a campuses to enhance student year and distributed without success. charge to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of UTSA. The magazine strives to capture the { 4 } intellectual, cultural, and social Student Advisory Council life of the university while tackling President Taylor Eighmy has relevant global issues. established a President’s Student Advisory Council to University Communications provide him with insights and Marketing produces regarding the student Sombrilla Magazine and experience at UTSA. other publications that highlight The council will be made the achievements and impact up of 16 undergraduate of Roadrunners throughout the students representing world. The division is responsible various academic programs, for promoting the university’s cocurricular experiences, mission of academic and and demographic research excellence. backgrounds. The group will meet regularly with the president to provide feedback January 19, 1978 on student priorities and Students view an exhibit in JPL for the CONTACT US university strategic initiatives. fifth anniversary of the start of classes. Are you interested in sending an update for Class Notes or sharing { 5 } news with other Roadrunners? Engaging Program Send submissions to: UTSA has launched a program to boost student SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE engagement and retention. University Communications The Biomedical Engineering and Marketing Research for Active Military One UTSA Circle and Veterans will target San Antonio, TX 78249-1644 undergraduate students, including those at two-year Email [email protected] colleges or who haven’t declared majors, and place To request to be removed from them in a summer research our mailing list, to receive the lab program to work on magazine’s digital issues only, or projects such as regeneration May 25, 1979 to update your mailing address of damaged tissue and Students sign a card ahead information, use the same treating soldiers in the of UTSA’s sixth birthday. contact details. battlefield.

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 3 4 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA CAMPUS ACTIVITY & ACCLAIM PLAZAS & PASEOS

financial support to build extraterrestrial habitats computational models, engineering including the algorithms needed to create resilient moon and Mars future homes. “This grant will allow UTSA and its students to play a key role in solving the challenge of deep-space habitation, while building partnerships with NASA facilities, universities, and industries,” Montoya says. Through an integrated effort, RETHi will mature deep-space habitats that can operate in both crewed and uncrewed configurations. The institute plans to create a cyberphysical prototype testbed of physical and virtu- al models to develop, deploy, and validate different capa- bilities. The RETHI team WITH A VIEW includes Purdue University, the University of Connecti- cut, and Harvard. utsa to work with nasa on developing “Our participation in optimal homes for the moon and mars efforts to map a reality of extraterrestrial habitation as part of this initiative helps to support President Eighmy’s vision for UTSA by milady nazir as a great multicultural discovery enterprise and being world-engaged,” says The National Aeronautics and missions beyond Earth become JoAnn Browning, dean of the College of Engineering. Space Administration has tapped more ambitious, NASA must con- “This grant also illustrates our emphasis on multidis- UTSA researchers to join a team sider new technologies to keep ciplinary research, since it brings together the fields of that will build homes on the habitats operational when they Virtuality Reality autonomous robotics, ad- Tackling vanced computing methods moon and Mars. As exploration are not occupied by astronauts. Cybersickness for hybrid simulation, and sustainable civil infrastruc- 7 ture design.” To help achieve this the UTSA, led by Arturo adapt, absorb, and rapidly UTSA with the other col- Brain Health space agency has selected Montoya, an associate recover from expected and laborators will be funded by Understanding UTSA to be part of its Space professor with dual de- unexpected disruptions. It NASA’s Space Technology Addiction Technology Research Insti- partmental appointments plans to leverage expertise Mission Directorate, which tutes to advance space-smart in civil engineering and in civil infrastructure with 9 is responsible for devel- habitat designs, or Smart ­ mechanical engineering, advanced technology fields oping the cross-cutting, Hab. This research will will join NASA’s Resilient such as modular and auton- Technology pioneering, new technolo- complement other NASA ExtraTerrestrial Habitats omous robotics and hybrid Alternative gies and capabilities needed projects to help mature the institute. RETHi seeks to simulation. Charging by the agency to achieve its mission architecture needed design and operate resilient As part of the RETHi 10 current and future mis- to meet exploration goals. deep-space habitats that can program UTSA will receive sions. S

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 5 PLAZAS & PASEOS

driving environmental research

BrakeIT DOWN engineers develop an inexpensive, smart stop sign to improve driver safety

by milady nazir souky, professors in UTSA’s video image processors, College of Engineering, cre- and microwave radar—the It’s dark on the back road as ated a low-cost, self-powered new system consumes less a motorist speeds toward intersection detection and power and offers better ac- the intersection. Up ahead, warning system to alert rural curacy. The new technology the stop sign blends with motorists about potential is also much less expensive the night and in seconds a dangers. The next-generation to produce. Current safety deadly crash occurs. Accord- stop sign uses a multipixel systems can cost as much ing to the U.S. Department passive infrared sensor as $5,000. UTSA’s detection of Transportation, more than that detects a vehicle as it technology promises to be a half of all roadway fatalities approaches an intersection. fraction of the price—at $60 occur on rural roads. Now, Once the vehicle is within to $100 per unit. engineers at UTSA are build- the sensing range, a signal “Our off-roadway system ing and testing a system beacon triggers the stop can be installed on urban or that will detect vehicles, sign’s flashing system. rural roads completely inde- improve the visibility of stop “The sensor observes pendent of the utility power signs, and prevent deaths. thermal signatures and grid, because it is powered “Stop signs on rural roads processes them to detect by small solar panels and are difficult to notice, and passing vehicles,” says functions in all weather this leads to dangerous acci- Zachary Balcar, an electrical conditions,” Ahmed says. dents,” says Ayetullah Biten, and computer engineer- The low-power rural a doctoral candidate in the ing master’s student. “It intersection detection and Department of Electrical and distinguishes the vehicle’s warning system was devel- Computer Engineering. direction of travel, estimates oped with support from the Rural roads account for the velocity of its thermal Connect program, a collab- 70% of the nation’s byways signature, and determines orative research program and the location for 54% of the classification of the that is cofunded by UTSA all fatalities, according to the vehicle.” and the Southwest Research Federal Highway Adminis- Overall, the smart Institute. tration. Without access to a system has a 90% vehicle The project team has power supply, they are more detection rate and a vehicle filed an invention disclosure likely than other roads to classification accuracy of for the system, which was lack signals and active traffic 72%. Compared to current recently recognized nation- signs. traffic sensing technologies ally by the American Road To improve driver safety, in urban areas—such as and Transportation Builders Sara Ahmed and Samer Des- magnetic loop inductors, Association. S DISCOVERY virtual reality AT UTSA computer tech

NATIONAL ACADEMIES: Bernard Arulanandam, the Jane and Roland Blumberg Professor in biosciences at UTSA and interim vice president for research, CYBER economic development, and knowledge enterprise, has been inducted as a fellow of the National Relief Academy of Inventors. by milady nazir experts win intel grant or people using virtual re- to find a cybersickness cure Fality they may get feelings of dizziness, nausea, and loss driving forward in the car, but a virtual environment to learn of equilibrium and balance. your sense of balance will tell about lab safety. Although it might appear to you that you are not driving The Cyberwell approach be symptoms of an oncom- forward,” Quarles explains. will be undertaken by Quarles ing illness, the diagnosis is “There is a conflict between with the collaboration of possibly a state of cybersick- two sensory systems; theoret- professors Paul Rad, Dakai ness. Thanks to research by ically that’s what makes you Zhu, and Yufei Huang. This The honor recognizes cyber experts at UTSA, this nauseated.” group, which brings multi- Arulanandam for experience might be relegated The need to mitigate the disciplinary approaches to demonstrating a prolific to cyber past. effects of cybersickness is the work, including artificial spirit of innovation in John Quarles, an associate urgent. Although heavy game intelligence and bioinformat- creating and facilitating professor in the Department users may have grown accus- ics, will design a series of ex- outstanding inventions of Computer Science, has tomed to simulated environ- periments that will measure that have made a tangible won a grant from Intel Corp. ments, it’s the rest of the pop- participants’ physiological re- impact on quality of life, to create an algorithm called ulation that will experience sponses, including electrical economic development, Cyberwell, which automatical- unease. According to Quarles, brain activity through EEGs and the welfare of society. ly reduces the negative side among nonheavy users of VR and galvanic skin responses effects of virtual reality on the or games, between 50% and during a VR simulation. end user. “We are studying 80% of people will experience The feedback will be tracked PEER RECOGNITION: what is causing cybersickness some discomfort. The high and input into a computer Floyd Wormley Jr., the and how we can predict it incidence of side effects in program that will then utilize Microsoft President’s earlier,” says Quarles. “What simulated realities can serve deep-learning models to Endowed Professor in the are the aspects of each as a barrier recognize College of Sciences, has individual that we can use to for VR pen- the patterns been named a fellow of predict better and personalize etration that that indicate the American Association reducing cybersickness.” could be used when cyber- for the Advancement of Cybersickness is similar beyond the sickness is Science with his peers to motion sickness and gaming world about to oc- recognizing Wormley’s symptoms may even include and serve as cur. The end distinguished contributions dull headaches. It occurs a medical or goal is that to the field of medical when there is a conflict or educational the virtual mycology, immunology, mismatch between the visual training tool. simulation and host-pathogen system—what the user of VR Already, UTSA will immedi- interactions. Wormley’s perceives—and the vestibular has the Dex ately make research has the potential system, which is responsi- Lab, which al- individual ad- to lead to the development ble for balance and spatial lows students justments to of vaccines, immune-based orientation in a person. to simulate personalize therapies, and novel “Imagine you are driving in a work with cybersickness antifungal drugs. virtual car. You think you are chemicals in reduction. S

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 7 DISCOVERY AT UTSA

THE DEALMAKER: San Antonio Business Journal has named President Taylor Eighmy its inaugural Dealmaker of the Year. The honor is part of the publication’s new Building San Antonio Awards, which

celebrate standout SET? real estate projects in San Antonio. UTSA has been undergoing a renaissance since by kara soria researchers examine patterns is pain (62.6%). Indi- Eighmy began of prescription opioid misuse viduals with existing his service as the On average, 130 physical, behavioral, university’s sixth Americans die every and other substance use and mental health president in 2017. He day from an opioid problems may be at a has set in motion a overdose and, published their findings greatest odds of reporting higher risk of prescrip- series of key initiatives, according to the Centers in The American Journal behavioral problems (for tion opioid misuse due the first phase of a for Disease Control on Addictions. According example, stealing prop- to associated pain-related 10-year strategy to make and Prevention, almost to their study, males and erty worth $50 or more, symptoms or as a coping UTSA San Antonio’s 218,000 Americans died younger respondents selling illegal drugs, con- mechanism for psycho- premiere multicultural from overdoses related to (adolescents aged 12–17 tracting an STD), mental logical and behavioral institution. An integral prescription opioids from and young adults aged health problems (suicidal problems. part of Eighmy’s plan 1999 to 2017. Researchers 18–25) were more likely to ideation and major de- “So much of the public is to accelerate the at UTSA have studied report using more than pressive episode), and discussion focuses on development of the the opioid epidemic in one other drug in the past the need for substance the opioid epidemic as Downtown Campus a representative sample month. abuse treatment. though it is happening in as a destination for from the U.S. and have Grigsby, the lead “If we want to end the a vacuum when, in fact, producing highly skilled found that the majority author on the study, says opioid epidemic—and so many people misusing professionals across of people misusing pre- most individuals who stop another similar one prescription opioids are disciplines that include scription opioids are also reported prescription from taking its place— also engaging in other big data analytics using other licit and illicit opioid misuse in the then we need to consider substance use,” explains and cybersecurity, to substances. survey also reported the the entire clinical picture Grigsby. “I wanted to get advance economic Timothy Grigsby and use of cigarettes, alcohol, of the patient, including a better sense of what development in the Jeffrey T. Howard, who are marijuana, or hard their use of other sub- patterns of prescription urban core, and create both assistant professors drugs. In addition, the stances,” says Grigsby. opioid misuse and prosperity for San in the Department of Ki- researchers discovered National Survey on comorbid substance use Antonio. nesiology, Health and Nu- that prescription opioid Drug Use and Health existed and how these trition in UTSA’s College misusers who used more data indicate that the pri- patterns were associated of Education and Human than one other drug in mary reason for misuse with different health Development, have the past month had the of prescription painkillers outcomes.” S

8 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA PLAZAS & PASEOS

that a disruption in dopa- drugs mine production can lead to brain health neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s but also drug addiction. Wanat’s previous research showed that there is a larger dopamine response when we delay gratification for food. Now his work on cocaine aims to solve the complex puzzle of the impact of illicit drug use on brain chemistry. His latest research will be published in The Journal of Neuroscience. Professor Wanat and post- doctoral fellow Idaira Oliva, the lead researcher on the SWITCH project, used rats that were trained to work for infusions by milady nazir utsa uncovers the disconnect of cocaine. In order to obtain between the brain’s dopamine the desired stimulant, the Researchers at UTSA have rodents had to engage in a revealed significant insight and cocaine addiction progressive series of nose into cocaine addiction, a pokes before getting another phenomenon that has grown illicit substances like cocaine, that this new finding into the dose of cocaine. Later, mea- significantly in the United the harder the effort put into dopamine production com- surements of the dopamine States since 2015. New data by getting cocaine, the less likely plex could help guide future levels in the rats’ brain were UTSA shows how the release there will be a large jolt of solutions for drug addiction. taken while they worked to of the neurotransmitter dopa- dopamine. “By identifying these differ- obtain cocaine. mine changes when working With the new understand- ences,” says Matthew Wanat, As to why there is an for cocaine. The human brain ing that there is a difference assistant professor in the opposite effect of dopamine naturally releases dopamine between how the brain Department of Biology, “you surge in cocaine usage with to reward us for working hard responds to additional effort can come up with pharmaco- added effort is still not fully for something gratifying, such in relation to a specific object logical or behavior strategies understood. However, UTSA as enjoying a piece of choc- of desire, either food versus so that you can maintain scientists don’t necessarily olate. Yet when it comes to illicit drugs, the data suggest normal responses for natural think it’s related to the actual rewards but at the drug. same time manage “We think there might be the responses for a change in the subjective drugs.” value. It’s just perceived as Dopamine is a less valuable. It fits in with neurotransmitter the idea that you don’t like the that plays key drug as much,” says Wanat. roles in the brain Drug users “want it, but they and body. The don’t like it as much as they chemical messen- would.” ger is involved in Although much of the regulating physical recent U.S. drug crisis has movement. It’s centered on opioids, cocaine a catalyst for a usage in the U.S. has surged person to be able since 2015. The latest Centers to engage in mo- for Disease Control data tivated behaviors suggest that, after marijuana, and also facilitates cocaine is the second most learning. Scien- abused illicit drug, and deaths tific studies show have grown by 37%. S

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 9 DISCOVERYDISCOVERY ATAT UTSAUTSA

BELOW THE SURFACE: UTSA has received an in-kind donation of software, known as MOVE, valued at $2.2 million from Europe-based company Petroleum Experts. The software will facilitate the study of the geometry of rock deposits in the earth’s subsurface while also helping students and researchers better identify underground liquids like groundwater, oil, and gas. Alexis Godet, assistant pro- fessor in the Department of Geological Sciences, will lead the university’s efforts to test and use the software.

ALTERNATIVE FUELS: The U.S. Department of Energy has tapped UTSA to assist with the development of new accident-tolerant fuels that will permit nuclear plants to better sustain accidents like the one in 2011 at the nuclear power plant in Fukushima, Japan. “What we are looking at is actually changing out the fuel,” says Elizabeth Sooby Wood, an assistant professor who specializes in materials physics. “We want to replace conven- tional fuel with something that has higher thermal conductivity so that if we do have an accident, the stored energy in the core is reduced. The great thing about nuclear energy is that it produces an enor- mous amount of energy, but the nature of these reactions doesn’t give us a precise off button.”

10 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA PLAZAS & PASEOS

electronics military research

LEAD THE

researchers aim to harness electrons’ spin to power tech devices

by milady nazir power source. With this new enhance spin injection. By con- approach, devices will require trolling the amount of oxide on uilding on the Air Force’s fewer electrons to operate. the graphene layers,” Ahn says, Bneed to develop tech devices There are hurdles, however, “we can fine tune electrons’ that require minimal charging in harnessing the power of spin. conductivity.” in the field, UTSA experts are In quantum computing that har- Graphene has widespread using principles in quantum nesses spin of electrons to trans- appeal because it’s the world’s science and engineering to mit information, the challenge strongest nanomaterial. In fact, build a graphene-based logic for researchers is how to capture the room temperature con- device. This new technology will spin as efficiently as possible. “If ductivity of graphene is higher improve the energy efficiency you have 100 electrons injected than that of any other known of battery-dependent devic- to the channel to power the next material. es—from smartphones to logic circuit, you may only get If successful, the intercon- computers. “We are developing to use one or two spins because nect that Ahn is creating with devices that can operate almost the injection efficiency is very his collaborators at UT Austin batteryless,” says Ethan Ahn, low. This is 98% spin lost,” says and Michigan State University assistant professor in electrical Ahn. would be integrated into the logic engineering. To prevent the loss of spin, component of a computer chip. UTSA engineers are using Ahn has developed the new The device, once developed, will spintronics, the study of an idea of the zero-power carbon be submitted to the U.S. Air Force electron’s intrinsic quantum me- interconnect by using nanoma- Office of Scientific Research, chanical property called spin, to terials as both the spin transport which is supporting UTSA’s work allow low-power operation with channel and the tunnel barrier. with a three-year grant. a possible application in quan- These nanomaterials are like a “The military needs smaller tum computing. “An electron is sheet of paper, a two-dimension- devices that can operate in a little but very strong magnet,” al layer of carbon atoms just a remote fields without need to Ahn says. “Just imagine that an few nanometers in thickness, recharge batteries,” says Ahn. electron spins on its own axis, and it’s the point of contact “If we are successful, it will im- either up or down.” where spin injection is input prove the efficiency of graphene Traditional tech devices use into the device. Ahn’s prototype spintronics—a crucial step in the electronic charge of elec- is an interconnect built with a advancing the next generation trons for power. In spintronics, reduced graphene oxide layer. of low-power electronics like researchers are tapping the in- “It’s novel because we are using quantum computing.” S herent spin of electrons as a new graphene, a nanomaterial, to

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 11 athletics brain health

GOING

TSA researchers researchers will test blood Uhave launched a project combining cells in volunteers to see behavioral data with if data can predict disease cellular testing, an effort that could shed be analyzed using Cell Core, peripheral light on the develop- computer models that cells from a person’s ment of diseases like will “predict individual blood will be extracted dementia and Alzhei- people’s behavior and and injected with a mer’s. what someone who is solution that changes a Called the Quantu starting to have cogni- cell’s gene expression. Project, the research tive decline’s behavior The process reprograms seeks to predict the would be,” says lead re- the cells to form parts of progression of neuro- searcher Amina Qutub, functional brain tissue, degenerative disease an associate professor according to Qutub. by tracking individuals’ in the Department of If researchers could day-to-day behaviors and Biomedical Engineer- predict early changes physiological indicators. ing. The goal, she says, associated with cognitive Participants will wear is to identify how daily decline, Qutub says, Fitbits, devices that pro- behavior correlates with there would be an vide a wealth of personal neurodegenerative dis- opportunity to step in health information such ease and its progression and provide treatment as heart rate, daily steps, in the body. or adjust a person’s and sleep patterns. “We’re mapping daily behavior. “Can we pick That information will behaviors to the ability up decline 10 or 20 years be compared against of new neurons to form before there’s any of the an individual’s cells, as for the same individu- symptoms that would extracted from blood als,” Qutub says. “Our show up clinically?” she samples. goal is to figure out if says. “Can we intervene Researchers hope to there’s something that at that point and even collect an enormous you’re doing on a daily reverse what would amount of data for the basis that changes the happen?” project by recruiting ability of your cells to The Quantu Project more than 100,000 repair.” team plans to partner local participants over Researchers cannot with health institutions the next five years. The expect participants to in the area to help pool will include healthy volunteer their brain recruit participants, col- individuals as well as cells. Instead, Qutub laborations that can give people with cognitive says, they will use cells researchers access to conditions like dementia taken from blood draws additional information or sleep disorders. every six months. Work- from clinical assess- Information will ing with UTSA’s Stem ments and tests. S

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justice system crime research

WHAT MAKES A

by ingrid wright utsa experts are studying potential bias enter into a plea agreement and There is evidence in prosecutor case-filing trends the prosecutor has that federal charging to examine how practices vary across plea bargaining. The of the main obstacles in of data, but this per- the case might be district courts, according purpose of the UTSA re- exploring these cumula- centage varied by type viewed at trial, which to experts who say that search is to understand tive effects has been the of offense. Violent and could result in a higher several court characteris- prosecutorial discretion lack of, or availability of, drug cases were most likelihood of declining tics impact what charges and its influence as data.” likely to be declined for to prosecute the case. It might be pursued for gatekeeper of the federal To overcome the prosecution, while im- may also be that a state- similarly situated defen- criminal justice system limitation of a lack of migration offenses had or county-level prosecu- dants. UTSA professors and whether this might knowledge of prose- the highest likelihood to tor agrees to prosecute of public policy Richard benefit or disadvantage cutorial decisions, the be prosecuted. the case due to overlap- Hartley and Rob Tillyer certain types of defen- researchers linked data Regarding legally ping jurisdiction and have studied what fac- dants. on federal arrests to relevant factors, the therefore the federal tors affect the determi- Reporting their work data on prosecutorial researchers found prosecutor declines to nation by prosecutors in the journal Justice charging decisions offenders with more prosecute the case in to decline to charge Quarterly, Hartley producing a data set that charges were more federal court. someone arrested for a and Tillyer examined covers 10 years and has likely to have their case The UTSA research- federal crime. charges and prosecutor’s nearly 1 million cases. declined for prosecution ers also found some Research regarding decisions to decline The source of the data in a federal court. Part differences in these decision making in to pursue a case. “We sets they merged is the of the explanation for decisions across gender federal criminal courts know that the decisions Federal Justice Statistics this might be that in the and race. Their analyses has revealed disparities made by prosecutors database house within federal system 90% of revealed that men and related to charging [prosecutorial decisions] the National Archive of defendants plead guilty nonwhite defendants decisions, charge reduc- are highly discretionary Criminal Justice Data. through some sort of were more likely to tions, guilty pleas, pleas and that these decisions The research showed plea agreement. Having have their cases de- rewards, trial penalties, affect later stage deci- that federal prosecutors more charges against clined for prosecution; selection processes in sions such as those of declined to prosecute in you, therefore, may however, men also made screening, and between sentencing judges,” says about one quarter of all increase the possibility up 90% of offenders in prosecutor variation in Hartley. “However, one cases across the 10 years that defendants do not the data. S

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 13 BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

And They’re Off!

1982: Two ’Runner hurdlers take to the track on Ù February 2 to help the university promote the upcoming track and field season.

2018: Patrick Prince leads the pack at the Ø Roadrunner Invitational Track & Field Meet on March 24 at the Park West Campus. UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY ARCHIVES / UTSA LIBRARIES SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA ARCHIVES AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

14 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW JEFF HUEHN / UTSA ATHLETICS JEFF HUEHN / UTSA

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Forever a Tradition

1979: Liz Landez crowns David Soto with a Ù cascarone at the second Fiesta UTSA, on March 27.

2016: A pair of Roadrunner festivalgoers christen Ø each other with confetti eggs on April 15.

16 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW COURTESY OF FIESTA SAN ANTONIO SAN OF FIESTA COURTESY

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New Year, New Digs

1986: Students move into the newly opened Ù Chisholm Hall on August 27 for the fall semester. Chisholm is the first dorm at UTSA, which had been designated a “commuter campus,” without residence halls.

2012: Students carrying possessions to their new Ø dorm rooms during fall semester Residence Hall Move-in, part of the welcoming Roadrunner Days. GIL BARRERA PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION / UTSA LIBRARIES SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA COLLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY GIL BARRERA

18 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

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Capping It Off

1974: E.D. Hodo, founding dean of the College Ù of Business, stands with Susan Bolado, who became UTSA’s first graduating student, receiving her M.B.A. degree, on August 18 at the university’s inaugural commencement ceremony.

2018: President Eighmy extends a celebratory fist Ø bump to a student graduating on May 14. GIL BARRERRA PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION / UTSA LIBRARIES SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA COLLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY GIL BARRERRA

20 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW COURTNEY CAMPBELL / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS CAMPBELL COURTNEY

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 21 22 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM transforming experience UTSA life

CREDIT / AFFILIATION COVER STORY EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

UTSA helps its students create their future by providing an immersive educational experience. The university’s goal is to have, by 2028, at least 75% of all students participating in hands- on research and engagement. Just as important as students gaining life-changing proficiency, life these opportunities enable every participant to have an impact on the lives of others as they take transforming on projects not just locally but globally. Here, Sombrilla Magazine explores some of these endeavors and how they are transformational experience for Roadrunners.

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Submersed in San Antonio citymester takes utsa students out of the classroom to help solve civic issues

b y s h e a c o n n e r to Spanish. “I have gotten a committed to being civically through his contributions at different perspective of San engaged and learning about Caritas and the Institute of Jay’Len Boone is a jovial guy, Antonio,” she says, “and its San Antonio in ways that hav- Texan Cultures. “Not many the kind who flashes a big most pressing needs.” en’t really been in the curricu- 18-year-olds can say that they smile by the minute. That Gaining a different perspec- lum before,” program manager have 300 internship hours at a warm charm never fades tive of San Antonio is exactly Elisa Perkins says. credible immigration law firm,” as the junior and Truman what Citymester is all about. Civic engagement has been he says, “or 75 hours learning Scholarship finalist speaks with The Honors College program the most rewarding aspect of how to market and put togeth- excitement about Sustainable takes UTSA students out of the senior psychology major Kristi- er exhibits at a Smithsonian-af- Youth in Action—the nonprofit classroom for a semester and na Gonzalez’s experience. This filiate museum.” he founded to empower stu- places them in local intern- spring she has been working From Freetail Brewing to dents to solve social issues—or ships in addition to part- with the Texas Department of CivTechSA, there are several his hometown of Ypsilanti, nering them with nonprofit Family and Protective Services success stories of Citymester Mich. When he brings up the organizations or civic offices on cases in which parental internships leading directly work he’s done with Caritas throughout the city. Citymester rights were up for termination. to job offers. That said, most Legal Services as part of the students also explore essential She has also been pitching in Citymester participants would Citymester program, however, local landmarks and institu- at the Guadalupe Community tell you that the connections he becomes solemn. He takes tions each Friday. Center, where she’s contrib- they’ve made in the program a deep breath and says, “It’s While Citymester was uted to gardening projects, are what really lasts. Network- been, in one word, humbling.” created to give students more afterschool programs and food ing with city leaders and col- Boone describes some of valuable internship experienc- pantry efforts. “I leave every laborating with their ingenious the tales he’s encountered at es and bolster their sense of shift,” she says, “feeling like peers through Citymester Caritas—from the Russian service, the program was also I’ve made a positive impact in has already given a few dozen man who’s missing one small intended make their bond my community.” motivated UTSA students the piece of documentation that’s with San Antonio stronger. By Another goal of Citymester opportunity to envision a great- preventing him from living exposing students to the city’s is to provide experiential learn- er future for San Antonio. in America with his love to greatest assets and getting ing opportunities to students “We’re members of the the politically impassioned them involved with solving the earlier during their college community and we’re not immigrant who was repeat- city’s most prominent issues, years. Perkins says that while distant from our community,” edly turned away from voting San Antonio benefits from the program happily welcomes says Boone, who interned booths. Regina Parra, a junior community improvement seniors, the Honors College with CivTechSA and saw majoring in political science, while sporting a better chance would like to see more juniors, his SYA nonprofit expand is another Citymester student of retaining talented students sophomores, and even sec- significantly with the aid of a who has helped out at Caritas, after they graduate. On the ond-semester freshmen apply. few Citymester companions. and she echoes those sen- flipside, program coordinators Jonathan Gonzales was the “Citymester is a program that timents. Over the course of seek out Honors College stu- lone freshman of the spring not only UTSA needs; they the spring semester she has dents that are passionate about 2019 cohort, and although he need this at Trinity and at San researched legal pathways for the Alamo City. admits Citymester was incred- Antonio College, a program refugees and undocumented “We want to know that ibly challenging, the history where the students can come immigrants and translated they’re interested in more than major already sees the value out of their bubbles and unite legal documents from English just an internship—that they’re of what he’s accomplished for the city.” S

24 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Since its pilot was launched breviated summer session). students work with nonprofit city leaders in government, Citymester at UTSA in 2017, more than Students are matched with organizations or civic part- industry, and philanthropy three dozen Honors College partners that not only align ners on a weekly basis to to discuss related issues. Trifecta students have participated with their career interests but identify and come up with Students are often inspired in the Citymester program. will provide them with valu- solutions that will improve to share and promote these three steps With an emphasis on able experience. The interns the San Antonio community. experiences and critically to ensure real-world experience, com- have been placed at locations Students have partnered with think about any improve- real-world munity service, and creating like the Witte Museum, the entities such as the Gua- ments that could be made. solutions to civic issues, San Antonio Police Depart- dalupe Community Center, These City Sites periods experience Citymester participants must ment, Freetail Brewing, the RAICES, Caritas Legal Ser- have included meetings fulfill three requirements over San Antonio Zoo, the Texas vices, and Sustainable Youth with Robert Rivard of the the course of a semester. Department of Family and in Action, among others. Rivard Report and the San City Skills: For this intern- Protective Services, the City Sites: For this explor- Antonio Spurs organization, ship component students Metropolitan Health District, atory component, participat- a downtown scavenger work at a local business or CivTechSA, and Bandera ing students visit important hunt, and visits to the Ala- institution for 300 hours Family Medical Group. San Antonio destinations mo, the Pearl, Confluence during the spring semester City Solutions: For this and landmarks where they Park, and the First Friday Art (or 150 hours during the ab- service-learning component, learn while connecting with Walk. S

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learning and says there is a balance to be made between more traditional classroom lectures and gaining real-world experience. “Criminology has always fascinated me,” Daniels says. “Once I started taking classes with Terri Earnest, the organization fueled my passion, and this became my first outlet With a Critical Eye It’s truly to get a glimpse of how this can truly be part wonderful of my career path. Right now I’m working transdisciplinary research efforts on my doctorate in demography with an help to shed new insights because it emphasis in sociology. It’s truly wonderful on criminal cases gone cold links sociology, because it links sociology, psychology. psychology. You You get a gist of emotions and human get a gist of behavior, and for me that’s allowed me to apply the social psychology method to my emotions and research.” b y m i c h e l l e m o n d o who brought something up on a case that human behavior, Students often find out about the orga- I hadn’t thought of. And it was something and that’s nization through Earnest’s classes, which Experiential learning doesn’t have to be that might help investigators move forward allowed me to is how current organization president associated with a class, as the student with the case.” Brendon Decker learned about the group. organization Cold Case Investigative One recent case involved a person who apply social “I took Dr. Earnest’s behavioral profiling Research Institute proves. Launched by was shot to death while driving. Earnest psychology to class last semester and was hooked,” he sociology professor Terri Earnest and stresses the group isn’t out to solve crimes, my research. says. “I have a keen interest in how serial student-turned-lecturer Colton Daniels, the in that they aren’t knocking on doors, killers are created via the nature-versus-nur- organization brings together students of interviewing those involved, or collecting ture debate, such that I hope to conduct all disciplines to review cold case files that evidence. “The goal is to help solve it, but research on the topic upon earning a Ph.D. are passed on to them through the national we do that by reviewing the case folder, and in psychology.” organization of the same name. we issue a report of recommendations and For undergraduate student and organiza- The cases need fresh eyes, Earnest says, things we might have seen that could help.” tion member Amber Trevino, the group fits and having a multidisciplinary group can For Daniels, a sociology lecturer and with her path to getting her master’s degree help see things that others didn’t. “They are Ph.D. student, the organization helps him in forensic psychology and landing a job young, they think outside the box, and they with his research and also understand with a federal agency. She says even though aren’t as conditioned,” she says. “We’ve more about what he wants to pursue in she knows what career path she wants, the had an engineering student and one study- the future. As a lecturer, Daniels says he work done by the organization has taught ing business, and it was the business major sees that students want more experiential her about the kinds of skills she will need to bring to the job. “Before this I knew what I wanted to do but you go off what you think the job might be or what you see on TV,” she says. “That’s how people think cases work, that they get solved quickly. But they don’t. They come with dead ends, or some evidence gets ruined, and this organization shows you how much work it takes to solve a case. We work on cases an entire semester and even in that you gain only an inch or two.” The mentorship provided by Earnest and Daniels has also been beneficial, according to Trevino. “For students consid- ering joining,” she says, “you should join, no matter what the discipline. Everyone can bring different dynamics. I’s not a hinderance but a big plus.” S

26 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

Giving Voice a new effort aims to expand military history through the stories of women veterans

b y s h e a c o n n e r that’s so much bigger than most realize. That goal is what drew UTSA ssociate history professors graduate student and Army veteran AKirsten Gardner of UTSA and Jason Boan ’18 to the project, but he Valerie Martinez of Our Lady of the also realizes the benefit that he and Lake University were awarded a others will gain from their partici- $100,000 grant in late January from pation. “Having the opportunity to the National Endowment for the Hu- learn from experts in the field,” he manities to create a digital archive of says, “and then guide other students oral histories from women who have in learning about collecting oral served in the military. The expec- histories is a bonus.” tations of the project were clear: to The multiple-semester project is broaden the scope of military history launching in May with the Oral His- to include more firsthand accounts tory Institute. During the institute, from female veterans, particular- faculty and graduate students will ly minority women, and to give hear from five experts on oral history, humanities students at UTSA and while learning best practices in OLLU the opportunity to conduct collecting veterans’ oral histories to oral histories. implement during their courses next What they didn’t expect was the year. Over the course of the project, outpouring of support they’d receive graduate and undergraduate human- from female veterans, from San An- ities students will learn hands-on tonio and beyond, when funding for about the oral history process—from the two-year project was announced. interviewing, transcribing, and and women servicemembers are of a big military family from the west “We’ve already had so many women annotating to digitizing, analyzing, perceived as equals on paper, military side of San Antonio. All six of his reach out to share their stories,” and writing interview synopses. “It history and the surrounding culture aunts and uncles served in the mil- Gardner says. “They want to be really gives them a professional skill have yet to catch up. itary. His brother has served for six part of the project, and that’s very set that they can put on their CV,” “Their work has been perceived as years in the Navy, and his sister left humbling.” Gardner says. “But it also gives them less important, like they’re playing an for Naval boot camp in January. “I Since World War II, when approx- the independence of applying what auxiliary role,” Gardner says. “I think genuinely understand the saying that imately 350,000 women enlisted, they’ve learned in the classroom in women in the military, and the men ‘the whole family serves,’” Martinez the percentage of women serving the real world.” who have served with them, know says. as U.S. military personnel has When the research project is how untrue that is.” By documenting these women’s increased exponentially. Women now completed in 2020, UTSA Libraries Roberto Martinez will be working stories, Martinez hopes to draw make up more than 16.5% of active will host and maintain a digital re- on the oral history project, and he connections to the history of San duty military personnel, and since pository of the interviews and photos knows all too well about the strength Antonio to better understand how the barriers that kept women from of the women’s notable keepsakes. and breadth of women veterans. being in the military shapes identity, direct combat roles were eliminated Gardner and Valerie Martinez Martinez is both a junior at UTSA culture, familial dynamics, and the in 2013, women in the military have hope to write an edited anthology studying communication with a geospatial landscape of the commu- gained new service opportunities and that highlights selections from the concentration in digital media and nity. In other words, the students additional paths to promotion and veterans’ stories that could serve as a Mellon Pathways Fellow pursuing and researchers participating in career specialization. Although men assigned reading in history courses humanities research. He’s also part this project aim to honor a legacy across the country. S

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audiences, edit by style guide, and create communication plans in the specialized professional writing class, Caitlin Capps ’18 found the course’s introduction to grant writing “immensely helpful” as she embarked on her career. She works in media relations and partner engagement Sending a Message Writing about a for 1HOPE for Kids, a foster care and real need using adoption agency. 1HOPE for Kids has won utsa’s specialized professional writing two grants in Capps’ time at the agency, real data makes and she often wonders if her grant writing scholars get hands-on experience the assignment with real clients would have been as effective had she not feel more like taken Abdo’s class. a job than an “I would have had to spend a lot of time at my current job googling grant writing assignment. and wondering if the information I read b y s h e a c o n n e r all lessons learned.” online was accurate,” Capps guesses. “I Erin Boren ’14 says the hands-on inter- still refer to my notes and practice grant There’s a decent chance that you’ve seen action with clients that she experienced in from Specialized Professional Writing the handiwork of students from Diane Abdo’s class, as well as the mix of short- when I write grants for my current job.” Abdo’s specialized professional writing term deadlines and long-term projects, Abdo assigned grants using the grant class at some point in your life. The dis- fully prepared her for the expectations she template from the San Antonio Area tinguished senior lecturer in the Writing would need to meet in her career. Boren Foundation in an effort to show her stu- Program at UTSA will never forget the now serves as a flight operations commu- dents what information real foundations day when her husband, an attorney, came nication specialist for Southwest Airlines. would ask from nonprofit organizations. home from the Bexar County courthouse She doesn’t hesitate to compare the Capps says, “Writing about a real need with a pamphlet distributed by the Na- messages she crafts in collaboration with using real data makes the assignment feel tional Alliance of Mental Illness. “He said, Southwest’s flight operations teams—bal- more like a job than school.” ‘Isn’t this the brochure your class created? ancing edits and changes they request During that fall 2017 semester Capps They’re handing them out at Probate with best practices in communication— also designed and wrote materials for Court 2!’” to the work she did on the classroom the Book Buddies initiative, which aims That brochure was only one of many incivility and mental illness brochure in to provide children in underprivileged professional materials that have been Abdo’s class. In both cases she absorbed schools with free books. Abdo hopes that developed in Abdo’s class. Other exam- constructive criticism and implemented more San Antonio nonprofits reach out ples include biographies and articles for it in a productive way. “It was helpful to Ú Erin Boren’ 14, a to her in the future to use the skills of her the Honeynet Project, various materials learn then,” she says, “what is true to my flight communica- specialized professional writing students. tion specialist with for San Antonio Youth Literacy’s Book everyday career—the first iteration of “It helps the nonprofits, yeah, but it also Southwest Airlines, a newsletter, memo, or presentation is helps the students,” she says. “Shirley Buddies initiative, and a reference guide credits the UTSA distributed to all UTSA faculty regarding almost always completely different from Writing Program Chisholm once said that ‘service is the classroom incivility and mental illness. the final draft.” experience with rent we pay for the privilege of living on Each fall specialized professional writing While Boren and many other stu- preparing her for this earth,’ and that’s an attitude I’d like to students work in teams with a nonprofit dents learned how to write for specific her career. instill in everyone in my class.” S client to create written materials that will be widely distributed. The benefits are twofold. The clients get to pick and choose elements from several student submissions to craft much-needed content, while the students experience the all-too-real process of catering material to fit a client’s needs. Throughout the semester students devel- op skills in writing for public relations, business communications, advertising, and marketing, which has included teach- ing moments about brand voice, strategic messaging, and even the occasional rejec- tion. “We’ve had clients come in and say, ‘I don’t really like this,’ and they’ve had to start over,” Abdo admits. “But those were

28 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

When All’s Right at Home research is uncovering insights to help local homeowners with rights problems

b y m i c h e l l e m o n d o Asset Builders, and LiftFund Council for assistance. RHEP collaborated on the project, opened 78 cases, closed 27, From a meeting between San which focused on residents of and referred five cases to other Antonio councilwoman Shirley low or moderate income. organizations. Gonzales and university faculty RHEP students have created Along with the experience of to discuss needs of residents a resource guide, written in helping the residents, Project in her district and, in particular, both English and Spanish, to RHEP paired UTSA students creating additional opportu- raise awareness of the issues with a licensed attorney to nities for home ownership, that can arise from not having receive simple estate-planning UTSA’s Policy Studies Center a clear title to a property. The information, such as details re- launched a new initiative called resource guide has encouraged garding wills or so-called deeds Project RHEP, or Roadrunners homeowners to be proactive on death. Participating students Helping with Estate Planning, about maintaining a clean could become a certified notary to help residents with proper- and marketable title to their in Texas and receive one-on-one ty-title issues and estate plan- property and to make certain to training to help prepare simple ning in an effort to prevent or have a succession plan in the estate-planning documents. resolve homeownership issues. event of their death. A housing Project RHEP also has assisted Along with Gonzalez’s fair held last year attracted in identifying resources for res- district, the Mexican American more than 400 residents and idents who may have complex Unity Council, National Asso- 327 registered with RHEP or concerns, such as title clearing ciation for Latino Community the Mexican American Unity and rehab loans. S

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Think & Do students translate community vision For me, into value and aspiration this project in utsa’s urban future lab was quite personal. The b y m i c h e l l e m o n d o mechanisms necessary to deliver them. This Quintana Road has been a long process and we listened to neighborhood is Getting ready for an end-of-semester exhi- the community. The trust we’ve developed is bition late last year, architecture students in remarkable, and it made all of this possible.” where I grew up. professor Antonio Petrov’s Urban Future Lab Petrov has directed the Urban Future Lab But then, at the busied themselves with last-minute details. for two years within the College of Archi- end, I realized There was a projector to set up, pieces tecture, Construction and Planning. The maybe I realized needed to be attached to models of two interdisciplinary lab functions as a think-and- south side San Antonio neighborhoods, and do tank and as a teaching laboratory that maybe I don’t the wealth of information on panels hanging calls for action through research and public know as much from the ceiling required a review. interest design to address challenges of con- as I thought One of the students, senior Azelya Alvarez, temporary urbanization reshaping the future about where I was born and raised on San Antonio’s south of San Antonio and the region. side, but she says she didn’t expect to see Students in the lab have done an extensive came from. her community in a whole new light before amount of research, including presenting to she became involved in the project that re- the public information on the searched the Mission San Jose and Quintana Broadway Avenue corridor, part- neighborhoods. “For me, this project was nering with the Witte Museum quite personal,” Alvarez says. “The Quintana for tricentennial exhibits, and Road neighborhood is where I grew up. I’m amassing a whole new data set familiar with all of this. But then, at the end, on the Quintana and Mission I realized maybe I don’t know as much as San Jose neighborhoods as part I thought about where I came from. I really of the south side pilot project. learned a lot.” This project was featured at the The Urban Future Lab collaborated with 2018 International Downtown the Southside First Economic Development Association’s annual conference Council, local tech startup Cityflag, and Local and tradeshow, “Retropolitan: The New Initiatives Support Corp. to research the American City,” which was hosted in collabo- economic past and present of the com- ration with Centro San Antonio. In addition, munities to help bring revitalization in the the project was the subject of a featured future. The Mission San Jose and Quintana article and cover of the San Antonio Business neighborhoods are two of the lowest income Journal, an article in the Rivard Report, and a communities in the city, existing in proximity feature by KSAT TV. to major economic entities. The Urban Future Lab is also an example The exhibit was a culmination of a year of the push to create experiential learning and a half of work that created whole new opportunities for students to work within Ø the community and get experience in their Students finalize data sets for the neighborhoods. One displays of their discovery was that the neighborhoods have chosen field. That kind of learning is all a part research as part a cash-based economy that mirrors that of President Taylor Eighmy’s classroom-to-ca- of UTSA’s Urban of the Rio Grande Valley more than it does reer initiative. The initiative will drive UTSA’s Future Lab that its neighboring north side of San Antonio. institutional goal to have 75% of students focused on San An- Just one detail like that can change the way graduate with some form of experiential tonio’s Mission San learning. Jose and Quintana revitalization and development comes into a Road neighbor- neighborhood, Petrov says. “At the Urban Fu- “I believe that experiential learning hoods. ture Lab we care about how visions translate opportunities can greatly enhance classroom into values, responsibilities, and collective instruction and have a profound impact on aspirations to catalyze new inquiries and the student learning outcomes,” Eighmy says.

30 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

“These signature learning experienc- es—including internships, service learning, undergraduate research, and study abroad—directly contribute to a student’s success in college and in his or her chosen career.” Senior architecture major Ana Vasquez joined the Urban Future Lab because she wanted something outside the traditional architecture classroom framework. “I got frus- trated with architecture that seemed self-serving,” she says, “and wanted a method more grounded in the real world with real people.” The experience of going out into the community, not once or twice but over and over again, she says, helped her understand how architecture and the role of architects can be rooted within a community. Challenges facing the future are sig- nificant, Petrov explains. “Globalization and rapid urbanization have wid- ened the territory, and inquiries have become more complex and broader in scope. The proliferation of misinforma- tion, climate change, environmental damage, demographic shifts, and global inequality have further increased the stakes for architecture, institutions, and the knowledge economy. In ques- tion are the ways we respond to the inflections the world is undergoing. At stake is the imbalance between global currents and local particularities––it seems as if one system is functioning on top of the other––and the policies that shape these conditions.” Petrov argues for a recasting of teaching methodologies. More than ever, he says, it is about identifying institutional blind spots in learning, research, policy, and execution to safe- guard the environmental trust. “Rather than continuing to float between new definitions of the problem, it is urgent to determine the scope of finding solu- tions,” he says. “At the Urban Future Lab we believe in active engagement, inside and outside of the classroom. As a result we care about how visions translate into values, responsibilities, and collective aspirations to catalyze new inquiries and the mechanisms necessary to deliver them. We are pas- sionate about these opportunities and how they thrive at the intersection of the university and its local and global communities.” S

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 31 Ø Chris Webb receives a certificate in September 1980 recognizing him as the recipient of a three-year Army ROTC scholarship. A sophomore at the time, Webb was the first cadet from UTSA to be honored with the Army scholarship. UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION / UTSA LIBRARIES SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA COLLECTION AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

32 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA THE INFLUENCE OF ALUMNI & FRIENDS ’RUNNERS & SHAKERS

had selected the roadrunner as its mascot in 1977, Webb profile noticed a significant lack alumni of school spirit on campus. He sought to change that. He recruited pals Matthew Murguia and Don Cork to form the Ootsa Men—a trio that would drape themselves in orange and blue to pump up their peers at events. “If there was something going on, man, the Ootsa Men showed up,” Webb says. From 1979 through the early ’80s, the Ootsa Men were a huge hit. The group expanded to six members, RUNNERSSANCE giving opening speeches at Fiesta events and entertain- ing fans at basketball games during the inaugural season. “We were writing poems and doing cheers and just having a good old time with it,” Webb says, adding that MANFrom being a student government president and ROTC “I tried to get more people, corps commander to innovating school spirit, but it’s hard to get someone to put on blue towels, a cape, CHRIS WEBB ‘83 has left a historic mark on his alma mater and do calisthenics and cartwheels.” The Ootsa Men were so well-established that Webb was invited to join the by shea conner panel to select UTSA’s first cheerleaders. However, his greatest Chris Webb says he feels like he’s No, Webb never became an inter- contribution to UTSA’s school spirit came on a the real-life Forrest Gump some- national Ping-Pong star or invest- fall day during that first semester in 1979. He and times. “I’ve always just walked back- ed in “some kinda fruit company” Murguia were hanging out near the walkway between ward into the best things,” he says. called Apple, but he can weave an the Humanities Building and Sombrilla Plaza trying It’s tough to disagree with him. endless thread of Gumpian tales. Alumni to come up with a hand sign The First that was different from UT Roadrunners Austin’s Hook ’em Horns. While he was a second Schwarzkopf, and John those postcollege achieve- That’s when Webb says he 34 lieutenant in the U.S. Army Shalikashvili. He ran oper- ments, Webb’s impact will extended his thumb and his his first post was in dark, ations to misdirect Saddam likely endure longest at his pinky to mimic a roadrun- Profile frigid Fairbanks, Alaska; he Hussein. He twice received alma mater. ner’s beak and tail. He says First Athletics chose Fairbanks because the Meritorious Service During Webb’s freshman he and Murguia realized Superstar it was home to the closest Medal. He would go on to semester in fall 1979, UTSA that they’d struck gold. The military base to the Soviet join the board of directors was relatively isolated and 36 Ootsa Men introduced the Union during the Cold War. for the Burleson Chamber of frequented exclusively by hand sign at a few events, He later served in public Commerce in North Texas commuter students. While Alumni and it didn’t take long for affairs during Desert Storm, and even write a spiritual the university’s athletics pro- Class Notes “Birds Up!” to become a briefing four-star generals self-help book called The grams were two years away 38 bona fide tradition. “It was Colin Powell, Norman Gittite Way. Yet despite all of from fruition and students just instant,” Webb says. He

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 33 ’RUNNERS & SHAKERS says they’d also wiggle their though he wasn’t listed on university history hands when making the the ballot. When President alumni sign to make it look like “the Steve Southers graduated roadrunner was running,” after the fall semester, Webb but it never caught on. was elevated to the SRA For his part in founding presidency for the spring the Ootsa Men and culti- 1983 semester. “I’m maybe vating the hand sign, Webb the only president of the was the recipient of the SRA that was never running School Spirit Award in 1983. for office,” he says with a He continues to hang the chuckle. “I guess life unfolds plaque proudly in his North the way it’s supposed to even first Texas home. “It’s probably if you try to derail it.” Details in the 1970s of San Antonio’s my favorite one,” he says. Between meetings about FACE That’s saying something flag contests and new new university were practically inseparable considering the numer- laminated student ID cards, from PEGGY JO THOLEN M.ED. ’76 ous military and ROTC Webb recalls his shining accolades he’s collected. moment as SRA president. Webb’s decorated military In April 1983 students were by michael edwards made opportunities to career began at UTSA, vocal and vehement in their create a public face for where he was the very first support of raising salaries he city and state power the university. On March recipient of a scholarship for both tenured and non- Tbrokers who champi- 30, 1973, Flawn, university from the university’s Army tenured faculty. It reached a oned UTSA into existence registrar Richard Lewis, ROTC Extension Center, in fever pitch during a rally in were marketing geniuses and UT System regent September 1980. At the time Sombrilla Plaza that drew who readily took advan- James Bauerle gathered for students attending military the attention of local news tage of any opportunity to another photo op—with science classes at UTSA outlets, as well as a fairly promote San Antonio’s Peggy Jo Tholen, the first were a detachment of the new national cable network new public university. In person whose application St. Mary’s University Army called CNN. Webb chan- fact, the mere act of signing was received by UTSA ROTC program, but the neled his inner Ootsa Man the document that legally and who would be given success of cadets like Webb and fired up the crowd with created the university was a her letter of acceptance in went a long way in UTSA es- a short but impassioned well-orchestrated landmark person, all for the cameras. tablishing its own program speech in support of faculty occasion. Subsequently a photogra- just before his senior year in pay raises. Sure enough, he On June 6, 1969, guests pher followed Tholen, a San 1982. To no one’s surprise, saw his remarks broadcast gathered in front of a raised Antonio elementary school Webb was selected as a on CNN that evening while stage decorated with red, teacher, to her classroom corps commander. he was playing pool on white, and blue bunting— to be photographed with As if the Ootsa Men and campus. “I was trying to tell at the Alamo, no less. Gov. her students; the event was the ROTC didn’t keep him my parents about it. I was on Preston Smith was there to featured in UTSA newslet- busy enough, Webb served CNN! And they were like, sign the law—the first time ter The Discourse, headlined on the Student Representa- ‘Uh…OK.’” They didn’t have in state history that a gov- “The Kids Love Her.” tive Assembly—now called cable, but they were proud ernor had signed a law out- Cameras continued to the Student Government As- of their son nonetheless. side Austin. And if all the follow Tholen around—for sociation—for three years as The day after Webb grad- pomp and circumstance just over three years: on well. He says he was largely uated from UTSA he was weren’t enough, Smith had UTSA’s first day of classes, frustrated by his experiences commissioned as a second San Antonio state Rep. June 5, 1973, while she as a sophomore and junior lieutenant. The day after Frank Lombardino, who was attending a lecture; representative because the that, he was traveling to Fort authored the UTSA-creat- in multiple setups with a SRA lacked student interest Benning, Georgia, his last ing legislation, stand and cake in celebration of the and didn’t wield much brief stop before Fairbanks. face away from him so university’s first birthday, power. He decided to give Webb never really had a mo- that Smith could sign the including taking the cake up the SRA as a senior, but ment to reflect on his college law against his back in a to Austin to share with the student body wouldn’t years at the time, but now dramatic photo op. Gov. Dolph Briscoe; and let him. The popular that he’s retired, he relishes So it’s really no at commencement on OOTSA Man was an equally the legacy he left at UTSA. surprise that UTSA’s May 16, 1976, when she COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA COLLECTION PHOTOGRAPHY GIL BARRERA popular write-in candidate “My life has unfolded really early leadership, guided graduated with a master’s in fall 1982—so much so well,” he says, “much to my by President Peter Flawn, in education. S that Webb was elected satisfaction. And it all began SRA vice president even at UTSA.” S

34 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA Ù Tholen receives her acceptance letter March 30, 1973, from UTSA registrar Richard Lewis, UT System regent James Bauerle, and President Flawn.

Ø Tholen in an education class on UTSA’s opening day, June 5, 1973.

Ø Tholen lights a candle to celebrate UTSA’s first birthday on June 5, 1974, with Gov. Dolph Briscoe and wife Janey Briscoe.

Ø Tholen graduates on May 16, 1976.

Ú UTSA also promoted the university with other “first” students. Flawn gives accep- tance letter to junior Margaret Aguilar, the first undergraduate, on January 28, 1975.

Ú President Flawn gives Gino Chincarini, UTSA’s first freshman student, a tour around campus on June 2, 1976.

Ù Tholen poses for the university’s photographer while lighting a candle for UTSA’s birthday.

× A contact sheet of photos shot in Tholen’s elementary school class.

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 35 profile athletics

FIRST HOOPS

Roadrunner basketball great DERRICK GERVIN stays close to the game through mentorship and a new podcast

by shea conner to graduation in 1981. He field of 48, the Roadrun- Superstarrenewed his focus on educa- ners were the second-best errick Gervin didn’t suit tion in San Antonio, earning independent team in Dup for the Roadrunners his high school diploma Division I college basketball when UTSA played its inau- and committing to playing that year, notching a better gural men’s basketball game for coach Abe Lemons and record than independent against Arkansas in San his Texas Longhorns. When powerhouses Notre Dame, Antonio’s Hemisfair Arena Lemons was fired at the end Marquette, and Dayton. For in November 1981, but he of the 1981–1982 season, his efforts in 1984 Gervin was watching intently in the however, Gervin flipped his was named Sportsman of stands. “I can tell you the commitment to UTSA. He the Year by the San Antonio score. I’ll never forget it,” he liked the university, he had Express-News. He was truly says. “UTSA, 42; Arkansas, good friends on the team, UTSA’s first athletic super- 71.” It sticks in his memory and his mom and brother star. “Every week George because that was the night would be able to watch him was on one side of the he began seriously consid- play more often. “Coming newspaper, and I was on the ering a college basketball to UTSA was a blessing for other,” he proudly states. career at UTSA. “I could me,” he says. Gervin left the university see that they needed some Roadrunner Nation felt after his junior season in help.” equally blessed. Gervin 1985 to pursue a career in At that time Gervin and quickly became a scoring the NBA. Nevertheless, his mother had just moved sensation for the fledgling his three seasons at UTSA from Detroit to San Antonio UTSA basketball program. were absolutely prolific. He to be closer to his broth- After winning a total of only was named an Honorable er, Spurs legend George 18 games in its first two sea- Mention All-American by Gervin. Although Derrick sons, UTSA broke through the Associated Press in both Gervin was a fantastic with a 20–8 campaign in his sophomore and junior basketball player at King Gervin’s sophomore year, campaigns. He averaged High School in Detroit, he the 1983–1984 season. 21.1 points per game, which ran around with the wrong Although UTSA fell short remains a UTSA men’s crowd and dropped out prior of the NCAA Tournament’s basketball record. In fact,

36 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ’RUNNERS & SHAKERS

× Derrick Gervin snags an he still holds 10 individual bygone memories, and he’s offensive rebound in a game program records, including managed to fetch some against Southwest Texas Don’t Trade most field goals made in a incredible guests of his own State on February 9, 1985, These Two! at the Convocation Center. game, season, and career. in the podcast’s first year. Famed college basketball UTSA would win the game If you picked up a pack His number 30 jersey is 83–76. A feature article broadcaster Dick Vitale, of Upper Deck NBA one of only three retired in about Gervin was published sports trivia sultan Howie trading cards in 1991, the rafters of the Convo- the following morning in the Schwab, and basketball roy- there’s a chance you cation Center (along with Dallas Times Herald and Devin Brown’s and Monica alty Julius “Dr. J” Irving and Los Angeles Times. would have scored cards Oscar Robertson have all for former UTSA basket- Gibbs’). appeared on the show. “It’s ball star Derrick Gervin His professional bas- saying something when you and current UTSA men’s ketball career, though, was have people reaching out to basketball head coach checkered with highs and you and you’ve only been Steve Henson. Both lows. He was drafted by the in the podcast business for were featured in the Philadelphia 76ers in 1985 eight months,” he says. “It’s same series during the and promptly cut before a pretty good feeling.” 1991–1992 NBA season. the season started. He then When he’s not develop- Gervin was drafted by became one of the best ing his podcast Gervin is the Philadelphia 76ers in players in the Continental working with grade-school 1985 and played for the Basketball Association be- kids through his youth New Jersey Nets from fore finally getting his shot mentorship program at 1989 to 1991. Henson in the NBA with the New the George Gervin Youth was drafted by the Mil- Jersey Nets. He cracked the Center. Aiming to improve waukee Bucks in 1990 Nets’ starting lineup during their fundamentals in both and ended his NBA the 1990–1991 season, but a basketball and life, his career with the Detroit nagging back injury left him lessons were inspired by Pistons in 1999. The two searching for longevity in a his sister, Texas State Rep. are friends. Gervin occa- league that scheduled fewer Barbara Gervin-Hawkins. “I sionally visits team prac- games. After parting ways learned from her that you tices and games, and with the Nets, he played pro- have to have a plan A, a plan Henson has appeared fessional basketball for an- B, a plan C, and a plan D. on Gervin’s podcast. other decade in Argentina, Italy, Turkey, and Israel. The more you try to learn He was the top scorer different things and the in the Israeli Basketball more you keep your options Premier League in open, the more valuable 1996 and 1998. you’ll be,” he says. Gervin It’s hard not to be knows that most kids won’t intrigued by the many grow up to be college or tales he’s amassed NBA standouts, so he teach- throughout his es them about other careers basketball journey— in basketball, such as video from frustrating coordination, coaching, and Michael Jordan at event management. Meadowlands Arena He says he’ll keep coach- to getting crushed ing and mentoring for as by his brother in long as he physically can. their only profes- Nothing excites him more sional face-off. than seeing San Antonio He’s a natural fifth- and sixth-graders conversationalist, which trying to make the finger made him a sought-after rolls that his brother made radio show and podcast famous or knifing toward guest for many years. the basket the way he did at Gervin has since parlayed UTSA. “Being around that that success into his own kind of stuff gets me on a podcast, As Good as It Gets. high,” the 56-year-old says. The sports podcast mixes “That’s something I hope to current commentary with do until the day I die.” S UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY COLLECTION / UTSA LIBRARIES SPECIAL COLLECTIONS SPECIAL LIBRARIES / UTSA COLLECTION AND MARKETING PHOTOGRAPHY UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 37 1999 2008 CLASS NOTES Jeanette Ball, M.A. in educa- Christopher B. Davis, B.B.A. tional leadership, is now superin- in accounting, M.Acy. ’11, has tendent of Judson ISD. been promoted to senior tax Keep up with fellow Roadrunners as they make their mark on the world. manager at Sol Schwarz & Helen Petry Stowe, B.A. in Associates. If you’ve had some life change, be sure to let us know. Whether a strategic career English, was elected in November move or promotion, being honored with an award, or even cementing your roots with as a Bexar County judge. She 2012 a new marriage, a new baby, or even a new pet (alma mater gear for any kind of family has worked as a middle school Will Garrett, M.B.A. in teacher in the San Antonio ISD business, has become Port San newborn or new adoptee always gets a birds-up)—whatever the news—share! and as a Bexar County assistant Antonio’s new vice president district attorney. and director for cybersecurity development. 1977 Leadership Recognition 2000 Sara Dysart, M.A. in educa- Brett Seybold ’09, M.B.A. in business, has been named Man of Cathy Dizon, B.A. in criminal 2013 tion, has been named an justice, has been named chief Program manager of the the Year by the San Antonio Business Journal. For the past 15 Outstanding Lawyer operating officer of Active Capital, Embrey Real Estate Finance years he has worked his way up the ranks at USAA from by the San Antonio a San Antonio venture capital and Development Program in Business Journal. an analyst to middle management. He was given lati- firm that she helped found. UTSA’s College of Business, She is the tude at the Fortune 100 company to explore aspects Laura Gilliland, M.Ed., has owner of Dysart of finance and the organization from creating credit Rick Reed, B.B.A. in finance and been named director of com- Law Firm. card securities to enterprise planning and financial a former UTSA basketball player, munications of the Commercial forecasting, SABJ says. Woman of the accepted a position with Avant Real Estate Women of San 1978 Year is Meghan Garza-Oswald ’10, Communications as senior Antonio board of directors. Gilbert “Gil” M.P.A in public administration, who is director of channel sales Gonzalez, B.B.A in CEO of Community Housing Resource for the south-central Caleb Chance, M.C.E. in accounting, has been named Partners, a national housing nonprofit that em- region. civil engineering, has been U.S.D.A. Rural Development’s promoted to vice president at powers families to grow and thrive beyond the chief of staff. Gonzalez has Alejandro “Alex” San Pape-Dawson Engineers. constraints of poverty. more than 30 years’ executive Martin, B.A. in com- experience in community munication, a legislative 2014 economic development. intern for the Texas House Tessa A. Benavides, M.P.A. in More Honors of Representatives, has been public administration, has been 1982 Five UTSA alums have been honored by the SABJ in its 40 under appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott named a New Leaders Council Crowdstrike Inc. has announced 40 list of rising stars. They are Joshua Cude ’02, B.S. in civil engi- to the State Independent Living San Antonio fellow. A diversity the appointment of Roxanne neering, CEO of Cude Engineers; InGenesis director of contract- Council, which develops resources specialist at H-E-B, Benavides Austin, B.B.A. in accounting, ing and legal compliance Andrew Casillas ’07, B.B.A. in market- to state and local organizations is passionate about growing to its board of directors. She is ing; Ryan Parker ’05, B.B.A. in finance, CEO of BBVA Compass on independent living and issues a community that supports, president and CEO of Austin for people with disabilities. embraces, and is inclusive of San Antonio; UTSA associate professor Kelly Nash ’09, Ph.D. in Investment Advisors, a private all the cultures and people who physics; and Michael Sindon ’07, M.P.A. ’10, assistant director of investment and consulting firm. 2001 make the community unique. economic development for the City of San Antonio. San Antonio Business Journal has The mission of the NLC is to Farnam Jahanian, B.S. in named Joshua Frandsen, B.S. train and support the next gen- computer science, math, and B.B.A. in management, the 1997 in biology, who is a lieutenant eration of progressive political systems design, has been with the San Antonio Fire Depart- entrepreneurs. company’s senior vice president Todd Wyatt, B.B.A. in account- named the 10th president of ment’s EMS unit, as one of its and Fort Worth branch manager, ing, has been named CFO at Carnegie Mellon University. 2019 Health Care Heroes. Kimberly Field, B.B.A. in infor- has received the Minority Leaders Conifer Health Solutions. He is a nationally recognized in Business Award from the Fort mation systems, has marked 30 computer scientist, entrepre- Worth Business Press. 1998 2006 years of federal service with the neur, public servant, and higher Laura Cabanilla, M.P.A. in Defense Information Systems Danny Derrick, B.S. in architec- education leader. Being a Road- public administration, vice pres- Agency San Antonio, located 1996 ture, has been named principal at runner runs in his family. ident for community relations at Port San Antonio, where Robert “Bob” Bryant, B.A. Wigodsky & Derrick Architects. He and community development for she works as a cybersecurity in history, M.Ed. ’99, has been joined the firm in 2005. 1987 appointed director of educational Wells Fargo, has been elected to specialist. Diana Barrera, B.A. in technology at the U.S. Air Force chair the Southside First Econom- elementary education, M.A. in Robert Garza, M.P.A. in public ic Development Council. 2015 Academy. administration, has taken over as educational leadership ’00, has John Teeter, M.B.A. in busi- president of Palo Alto College. been named superintendent of Maria Villagómez, B.B.A. in Alyssa Hartlage, M.B.A. in ness administration, has been Kenedy ISD. accounting, has been promoted business, senior vice president at promoted to senior associate Northside ISD superintendent Broadway Bank, has been named and is the department manager from San Antonio assistant city Brian Woods, M.A. in educa- 1990 manager to deputy city manager. treasurer of the Commercial Real for the mechanical group at Hilltop Securities Inc. an- tion, Ed.D. ’12, was named the Estate Women of San Antonio Dewberry’s Raleigh, North Texas Superintendent of the Year. nounced that Victor Medina, board of directors. Carolina, office. S

38 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ’RUNNERS & SHAKERS

elen Wolf mastered that job.’ He said an educa- multitasking before tion is the best insurance Hthe term existed, di- policy you can buy.” recting choirs for six decades So she took the job but while raising a daughter and also enrolled at San Antonio teaching elementary and Junior College, as San high school music. Now 92, Antonio College was then she was the first lifetime called, and then at Our Lady member of UTSA’s Alumni of the Lake University. In Association. seven years she had earned Wolf’s strong work ethic a bachelor’s degree in music formed early in life. At 17, education. Along the way, she was directing a church Wolf taught elementary, choir and teaching seven junior high, and high school pupils in a one-room school- music. “I did not get the house in LaSalle, Ill. By that degree to teach,” she says. “I time she already had worked got the degree to be a better in an ice cream shop. “We choir director. But then had a potbelly stove to keep when UTSA came here, I us warm,” she recalls of the got the [graduate] degree to school. be a better teacher.” Wolf’s music education It took Wolf five years to began when she was 10 with earn her master of education piano and voice lessons. from UTSA in 1977 because Her mother, a single parent, she took classes during paid for her two daughters’ her summer breaks from lessons by laundering shirts. teaching elementary school “My mother never knew I music. went back to college,” she After her first marriage says. “She never knew that, ended, she married the profile but it was her sacrifices that manager of the Municipal alumni made that possible.” Auditorium, Solomon Wolf. At 18, Wolf married an She met him while taking Army private who had seen her high school chorus to her picture in a newspaper the storied venue. while stationed in the Aleu- Wolf taught for 26 years tian Islands. They corre- in the San Antonio Indepen- sponded, visited, wed, and dent School District while moved to New Orleans and continuing to direct choirs eventually to San Antonio. at local churches. She threw When Wolf was offered herself into all aspects of the the job of choir director programs she and her stu- MULTITASKER at her church, Highland dents put on, from writing Terrace Methodist Church lyrics and playing the piano on the city’s South Side, she to sewing costumes when Music educator HELEN WOLF M.ED. ’77 holds the distinction hesitated. “I said, ‘No, I am necessary. She retired from of being the Alumni Association’s first lifetime member not going to be your choir SAISD in 1982. Master director. I have not had theo- Yet Wolf’s full schedule ry or harmony,’” she recalls. continued. In 1991, when had she had scholarships, master’s. Instead I didn’t her college degree. “When I was a little girl my her husband died, Wolf she would have been get my master’s until the “It’s too bad we had to teacher would teach only the soon took up ballroom and able to reach her goals year I turned 50. So it just go through all of this,” boys [theory and harmony] round dancing. She was 65. much faster. “If I had had shows how scholarships Wolf says of their delayed on Saturday. And I felt bad She kept on dancing for 19 a scholarship right out can shape a person’s life.” education. “We could about that all my life. I told years, stopping only after a of high school, I would Wolf’s sister achieved have probably contribut- my husband, ‘If I could use stroke. have been able to get my professional success in ed more. But I tell you that salary to get a course in Looking back on her degree in four years and nursing, she says, but I couldn’t have worked theory and harmony, I’ll take education, Wolf reflects that probably continue my also had to wait to pursue harder.” S CLENDON / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MARK M c CLENDON / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

SPRING | SUMMER 2019 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 39 LESSON LEARNED THE PRACTICAL nonmutant gene, so in AND THE WOW theory you can eliminate OF RESEARCH the cause of diseases AT UTSA such as type 1 diabetes, cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, or anything that’s a genetic defect. CRISPR has such great potential. It’s exciting because it’s a great new tool for us to use in our standard research program, but it’s exciting well beyond that because it holds great promise for cut. paste. therapeutic application. It will undoubtedly be a Nobel Prize winner in the revolutionize. next three to five years. Hermann: That relative ease is light-years from cancer treatment to “designer babies,” ahead of the ease with news about genome editing is wildly prominent which it would occur before we had this tech- due to the innovative crispr technology. but nology. CRISPR allows what is the potential? and what’s the peril? you to make that break in the DNA sequence at a much, much higher frequency. by shea conner How much thought have you given to making The discussion surrounding gene editing has been getting a little nutty in changes that could recent years. Sure, we’ve seen stories about genetic engineering break- There are a lot of eradicate certain genetic diseases? throughs in leukemia treatment or a potential cure for malaria. But just diseases that arise from Hermann: There are a as many have highlighted “designer babies” with a dash of eugenics fear, very small changes in lot of diseases that arise biohackers who are experimenting on their own genes, and a Harvard re- gene sequences. If those from very small changes search team that’s aiming to resurrect the woolly mammoth by developing in gene sequences. If could be corrected, then those changes could be elephant-mammoth embryos. None la Magazine sat down with both of “they could potentially corrected, then they could of this madcap media coverage would them to discuss the vast potential of eradicate that disease. potentially eradicate that be happening without the rise of this powerful scientific tool. disease. Dr. McCarrey an innovative technology known as and I happen to work in CRISPR. How do you typically explain what the reproductive system, UTSA’s John R. McCarrey and CRISPR is to someone who knows so if those changes could Brian Hermann are well-acquainted very little about it? be made in cells that give with CRISPR. Hermann, a biology McCarrey: You see these cut-paste rise to either sperm or professor and director of the UTSA comparisons to a pair of scissors eggs, you could theoreti- Genomics Core, uses the technology sometimes, and it really has afforded cally pass on an otherwise to make genetic changes in mice to us the opportunity to go into cells and normal genome to a study spermatogenesis and male change the DNA sequence in a very child that has that defect fertility. McCarrey, the Kleburg precise and targeted manner. You Do you have a question about corrected. That’s the science or literature or any Distinguished University Chair in can re-create a mutant gene that is topic that’s always made you kind of thinking he and Cellular and Molecular Biology, uses existing in the population so you can wonder “What? How? Why?” I have put toward using CRISPR to re-create the development study it in the lab, or more impor- but you never got around to CRISPR to address genet- looking into it? Let us know at of mammalian germ cells for studies tantly, you can take a mutant gene [email protected] and we’ll ic disease. of epigenetic programming. Sombril- and put it back to being a normal, find a UTSA expert to explain it. McCarrey: Some of it

40 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA is going out for beer and sounds like you two constantly live talking about fantasies with that same kind of caution. [laughs]. But we actually McCarrey: But it’s worth it. Right have a combination of now, a lot of the gene therapy skills in our labs—as approaches can be done only on well as knowledge be- cells other than your germline cells, tween the two of us and so it will only impact that individ- the other folks in our ual. Let’s suppose you had cystic labs—that make it not fibrosis, and I could go into your far-fetched. brain and cure it there. That’s great. You don’t have the problem. But Realistically, how far are your kids are still going to have that we from a big break- problem. If we can help you and fix through in which we it in your germline, we’ve eliminat- eliminate a disease that’s ed propagation of that disease in plagued humanity for your offspring and your subsequent generations? lineage. To me, if we can feel like Hermann: Wiping out we’re doing it safely, that’s a pretty malaria–that’s actually significant accomplishment. being done experimen- tally right now. I’m not What impact has CRISPR had on sure if it’s field work or if teaching here at UTSA? it’s still laboratory work, McCarrey: In both the undergrad- but they’re currently and graduate-level classes we want making mosquitoes our students to be as up-to-date as that can’t breed properly possible. Within the labs that are in order to eradicate using CRISPR students are getting certain strains or types hands-on experience with it so that of malaria-carrying if they want to go from undergrad mosquitoes. There’s to grad school or grad school to certainly debate about postdoc or into industry, they can whether that should be say they’ve had some experience done because once you with this technology. release a genetic variant into the wild, you cede Is there anything else you’d like control over that brand. the readers to know about your You have to consider all research? of the possible conse- McCarrey: It’s a very exciting quences when you make time. There are always advance- a new genetic version of ments, but I see a lot of tech- an organism and let the nologies coming into play now. organism out. Brian’s heading up an effort to analyze gene expressions at the That reminds me of a level of single cells, as opposed segment from Nova to mass quantities of cells. That’s about Kevin Esvelt, a paradigm shift in what we can who’s an evolutionary do. The single-cell thing will be a and ecological engi- huge advance. CRISPR is a major neer at the MIT Media advance. And that’s why you’re Lab. He’s developing seeing things like immunotherapy a heritable immunity that’s treating cancer. That came to the Lyme bacteria in from research like what’s done in wild mice, and he said, universities. The life expectancy “I worry every day that I went up about 30 years in the 20th might be missing some- century. Hopefully, it’s going to thing profound about the keep rising because of those kinds consequences of what of advances–some that we couldn’t × A DNA strand, we’re developing.” It even think of 50 years ago. S the target of genome editing. The University of Texas at San Antonio One UTSA Circle San Antonio, Texas 78249