Steve Henson Are Taking Charge on the Gridiron and Hardwood As Head Coaches

NEW COACHES HERALD A NEW ATHLETICS ERA

TEACHING AIR, LAND, & SEA DRONES TO COMMUNICATE

PARTNERING WITH S.A.’S WITTE MUSEUM

HOW STUDYING ABROAD HELPS STUDENTS EXCEL Vision QuestUTSA CONQUERS issue RESEARCH FRONTIERS 76 WITH ALTERED REALITY FALL

2016 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM Welcome to SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE features | fall 2016

From Virtual Reality 14 to Big Data Researchers are using virtual environments and data visualization to create real-world solutions to people’s everyday problems.

Collaboration That’s 22 No Ancient Study UTSA faculty members have been working on projects with San Antonio’s Witte Museum for decades.

The New Big Men 26 on Campus Frank Wilson and Steve Henson are taking charge on the gridiron and hardwood as head coaches. ORIENTATION

editor’s letter SOMBRILLA stories MAGAZINE to watch fall 2016 | issue 76 utsa is a hub of activity { 1 } Collaborating & Advancing Ricardo Romo Change on the Gridiron President new school year brings new opportunities—for incoming first- It’s football season again. And, let’s admit it, that’s no year students; for returning undergraduate, master’s, and doc- Marjie French A small event in Texas. Eyes toral students; for just-arrived faculty and staff; and for the potential Vice President for External Relations will be on UTSA as Frank of fresh educational and research collaboration as well as athletic Wilson takes the field as new head coach [see our interview ambition. Joe Izbrand with Wilson on page 28]. And UTSA is a powerhouse for research in areas of the tech indus- Associate Vice President for Communications TexasFootball.com, the bible try. A couple of these areas that you’ll be hearing more and more and Marketing of state football, has named about very soon are in the use of altered realities and big data. In three Roadrunners to “The our cover story we delve into how teams in UTSA’s College of Sci- 50 Most Important College Players in Texas”: running ence, College of Engineering, and College of Business are collabo- EDITORIAL back Jarveon Williams (9th), rating on the use of virtual reality, augmented reality, mixed reality, defensive end Marcus Daven- and data visualization [see page 14]. While some of the terms might Michael Elkins Edwards port (23rd), and quarterback sound like the stuff of science fiction, the projects are anything but. Editor & Jared Johnson (34th). art director Additionally, San Antonio’s They’re actually about solutions to problems that many people will CW station says it will televise use in their everyday lives—helping patients who have multiple Michelle Mondo the September 3 season sclerosis with physical therapy, letting children with autism design S enior Editor opener against Alabama virtual teachers so that they might more readily interact with them, State, among other games. Vanessa Davila allowing artists to explore in great detail works of art that aren’t Associate Editor easily accessible, and training cardiac bypass surgeons in special situations. There are more, and this is just the beginning for our Courtney Campbell university. Photo editor We’ve taken the opportunity to explore the Mark McClendon technology ourselves in creating this issue. You Photography didn’t notice as you first picked up this magazine, but it’s interactive. With a smartphone or Diego Aparicio tablet, you can see something special on our Erika Bruno front cover. Using an app called Layar, which multimedia editors is available on all platforms, point it at our Joanna Carver cover, and see how it comes to life to show Jesus Chavez, Kara Mireles you highlights of the technologies discussed contributors { 2 } in our cover story. We’re excited about it, Cancer in the Crosshairs and we hope you will be too. This kind of Biology professor Matthew interactivity, through apps like Layar, are coming into ev- PRODUCTION Gdovin’s research on a revolutionary method for eryday use more and more. So there will be other opportunities helping cancer patients with Shashi Pinheiro that you’ll come across, not just from Sombrilla Magazine, to use inoperable tumors, published Associate Director it. Don’t be left out of the loop on the amazing things that others of Web Services in The Journal of Clinical are seeing. Oncology, has garnered media attention worldwide. It’s not Finally, about the new faculty and staff who are coming aboard. Joaquin Herrera C reative Services Manager the only cancer research be- Among them are three new deans [see page 8] as well as new head ing tackled at UTSA, though. In our January issue, we’ll coaches of football and men’s bas- Maria Castro, Maria Corral explore in-depth the ways our ketball [see page 26]—all of whom John David Garza, Eric Ramirez researchers are working to Emanuel Rodriguez we’ve interviewed to introduce defeat this dreaded disease. you to what exciting things they Web & Print Production plan on bringing to UTSA. Enjoy! [ continues on page 3 ]

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 1 Welcome to online SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE exclusiveS for these stories and departments | fall 2016 more digital-only content, Visit us at SombrillaMag.com

7 10 Easy-Peasy Nutrition If your arrival on campus as a new, current, or former student left you confused about how to eat well—or discovering an all-new waistline—you might be glad to learn that UTSA has a registered dietitian who can work with you to sort out some eating solutions. And she offers up some tips if you can’t meet her in person. 40 available now

Plazas & Paseos 10 Bird’s-eye View ’Runner Reunion A roundup of what’s going Documenting standout UTSA alumni are making on around our campuses moments with some pretty impressive advancements in plus university accolades. brilliant underwater drone their careers and lives. 4 Educators at UTSA are technology (they’re learn- 32 Come take a bite out of our opening up exciting avenues in ing to talk to other drones celebration of alumni who are education by employing some on land and in the air) and San Antonio foodies. pretty creative topics and tools. students take in amazing 36 Jessica Elizarraras ’08 knows Anyone up for creating your views—and broaden their how to have you eating all the Reinventing Teaching own superhero or studying the right stuff. As n local food critic, In a collaboration between perspectives—when they the College of Education social world through Beyoncé? she keeps her followers watering study abroad. and Human Development 6 When U.S. travel restrictions at the mouth. and the College of Engi- to Cuba ended, a UTSA 40 Lesson Learned 37 Jesse Treviño ’14 has a special neering, faculty are em- architecture professor’s work job with the San Antonio Police barking on a grant funded at one of Ernest Hemingway’s Had enough of all the noise Department—helping people program that is designed home became big news. of the presidential campaign with mental health issues get the to hone techniques for improving learning for 8 The university is welcoming season? (And that’s just assistance they need. among your friends and fam- students in the science, three new deans for the new 39 Alana Coates M.A. ’12 looks techonology, engineering, school year. We talk to each to ily!) A UTSA expert explains at the art world with a special and mathematics fields. find out what they plan to bring how to survive it all for a few perspective: past, present, and available now to their areas. more months. future.

2 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ORIENTATION About #utsa watch stories a showcase of roadrunner pride displayed on social media SOMBRILLA to watch MAGAZINE [ continues from page 1 ] { 3 } S All Roads Lead to UTSA Named as one of San sombrilla (Sp.): umbrella Antonio’s growing “activity (sohm–BREE–yah) centers” as part of a city plan called SA Tomorrow, UTSA’s Main Campus and the sur- rounding area could expect Sombrilla Magazine is the official greater options in housing, publication of The University of Tex- jobs, and transportation. A as at San Antonio. It is published major two-year project on four times a year (two print and two UTSA Boulevard is under digital issues) and is distributed way. Improvements include without charge to alumni, students, reconstruction and expansion faculty, staff, and friends of UTSA. @utsa: Look who’s taking a campus @utsa: Even our campus squirrels of the roadway with a raised tour today. Come hit over 20 are ready for the weekend! median and new turn lanes. PokéStops at UTSA! #utsasquirrels University Communications and Additional improvements Marketing produces Sombrilla Mag- include sidewalks, curbs, and azine and other magazines that a shared path for pedestrians highlight the achievements and and bicyclists. The entire impact of UTSA Roadrunner family project is expected to be throughout the world. This division completed in 2017. is responsible for promoting the university’s mission of education and its Tier One drive by informing, { 4 } engaging, entertaining, and inspir- International Research Hub ing the diverse university family and UTSA will lead a UT System larger community. Through com- effort to enhance ties with pelling and vibrantly designed sto- Mexico’s National Council ries, UTSA magazines promote an for Science and Technology, open exchange of ideas. We strive known as CONACYT, over- to capture the intellectual, cultural, seeing new academic and and social life of the university while research exchange programs tackling relevant global issues. between the U.S. and Mexico. UT System has approved $5 million to support the @crazycyclistnic: These ’Runners @susannmarie: Now that I have my initiative; CONACYT will also know how to do it! #utsatriathlon own clacker, I can really make some CONTACT US #funinthesun #smilesformiles noise! #utsa20 #utsafamily provide funding, approxi- mately a three-to-one match. Are you interested in commenting on UTSA plans to launch an of- articles, sending an update for Class fice to oversee the exchange Notes, or have news to share with the programs this fall. S Roadrunner family?

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To be removed from our mailing list, to receive the magazine online only, or to update address information, use UTSA President Ricardo Romo with UT System Chancellor the same contact details. @soooemily: Our orientation week team won the contest for best photo! William McRaven and CONACYT #prettyproud #gorunners director Enrique Cabrero

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 3 Art history professor Juliet Wiersema goes over placement of art elements in her students’ exhibit, located outside Special Collections. CLENDON / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING MARK M c CLENDON / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS

4 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA CAMPUS ACCLAIM & ACTIVITY PLAZAS & PASEOS

about this approach is the possibility of showing students works of art or visual culture as they were meant to be seen—one page of several hundred, bound in a large volume,” Wiersema says. “The fact that students can actually hold the books and the turn their pages is quite special. It’s had a last- ing impact on them.” This was the second semester Wiersema held her manuscript class in Special Collections instead of a tra- Inspired ditional classroom, and she is just one example of how students at UTSA are delv- TEACHING ing into topics that approach class work in a different way. A student can study Frauds, Myths, and Mysteries. Then there’s Dogs, Wolves, and Superheroes, Beyoncé, and 18th century tomes Human Evolution. They can are among the topics and tools opening up tap into today’s cultural zeit- geist to explore the #Black- a world of creative learning for students LivesMatter movement as well as the impact of Beyon- cé. Students can even dive into the Anthropology of Superheroes, which will be returning as a staple this fall, following a successful inau- by michelle mondo gural class in 2015. “I think professors often use current events as a In one of their last classes before Special Collections on the fourth touchstone for their students and course material,” says the end of the spring semester, a floor of JPL. Their conversation Sonja Lanehart, who holds the Brackenridge Endowed group of art history students gath- bounced from topic to topic as Chair of Literature and Hu- manities. As the English ered around two glass cases near they assembled the exhibit cu- department professor who created the #BlackLivesMat- the entrance of UTSA Libraries’ rated from months of classes. ter class, she says the time was right for the class considering the emergence of “Did you find out how big the progress while offering by a bishop who collected the a #BLM student chapter on those monkeys really are?” feedback and asking her own watercolors from the native campus, UTSA’s NAACP International one student asked another. questions of the students. At population—gave the stu- student chapter, and con- Saving the Home “I think we need to bring the end they’d put together dents an opportunity to real- cerns raised by the universi- of Hemingway that forward a bit more,” said pieces that highlighted wa- ly delve into the material they ty’s black students. 7 another. tercolors from a nine-volume were studying in class, rath- “Current events make past “Do you want to see the collection of books that doc- er than being lectured via a events more real and under- Profile two sea animals on this ument Peru’s natural history PowerPoint, which can fail standable. The #BLM move- Three New side?” a third asked. of the 18th century. to get across a work’s more ment is a current event, but Deans Arrive UTSA art history profes- The facsimile of Trujillo de complex concepts. it really has a rich tradition. 8 sor Juliet Wiersema watched Peru—the volumes created “What’s most exciting It is simply an evolution of

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 5 PLAZAS & PASEOS

Utopeus and Dove, a student’s class-project superheroes.

a tradition of protest and social science through media standing for social justice.” that they already care about Fellow English professor and are actively engaged in. Kinitra Brooks also incorpo- “Anthropology is really about rates pop culture in her class- understanding ourselves as es; this fall she has a new a species,” he says. “We use offering titled Black Women superheroes to talk about and Beyoncé. Brooks says theories of myth, ideology, students can expect to work race, ethnicity, inequality, na- hard in the class, which will tionalism, human-machine expose them to different interfaces, cyborgs, dystopias ways of thinking about every- and utopias, as well as the day music, television, and lit- publishing market and cre- erary culture. “We will ‘read’ ativity.” across texts—music, film, An anthropology and En- short stories, and novels,” glish major, Meghan Glov- she adds. The course will er took the class because examine themes in the sing- it sounded different from er’s most recent visual album other upper-division courses release, Lemonade, as well as she was considering. And it her “Formation” video. exceeded her expectations. “I have students con- “We had these really fun tacting me and asking me projects,” she says, “like questions about so many doing an ethnography on things—especially black Comic-Con and creating our feminism and theories of own superheroes.” black womanhood,” Brooks For art major Megan Doss, says. “The course will be who plans to get her teach- new, fun, and exciting—but I ing certification, the man- expect my students to come uscripts class being held in in hungry for knowledge and the library and working with open to new theories about the actual material present- race and gender in popular ed plenty of inspiration for culture.” her own future as a teacher: Also returning this fall “Especially with teaching el- is anthropology professor ementary and middle school Jamon Halvaksz’s Super- kids, being able to see and heroes class. Halvaksz says touch what they are learning having superhero fans in about makes it more than class is a way to introduce just names and dates.” S

6 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA historic preservation

Cuban CONSERVATION

Architecture professor William Dupont continues his work to preserve Ernest Hemingway’s former home

by michelle mondo window to the island nation ing in Cuba constructed us- where the Nobel Prize–win- You get a real sense of ing U.S. materials since the For more than decade— ning author lived during late 1950s. while leisure travel for much of his final 20 years. Hemingway’s daily life. One During one of Dupont’s Americans to Cuba was for- Located 12 miles outside can see the pool where he latest visits, he received an bidden—UTSA architecture of Havana in the village of swam, the books he read, award from the Cuban Min- professor William Dupont San Francisco de Paula, the istry of Culture for his pres- made the trip about twice a home has remained intact the typewriter he used, the ervation work, and the first year without much fanfare. as a museum. “You get a “records he listened to, and shipment of building mate- But that changed this past real sense of Hemingway’s even the bottles of liquor rials arrived. “It’s very rare to spring when news of Du- daily life,” Dupont says. “One that he drank—all right ship anything from the U.S. pont’s longtime collabora- can see the pool where he to Cuba,” he says. “Very few tion with the Boston-based swam, the books he read, where he left them. types of products were not Finca Vigía Foundation and the typewriter he used, the subject to embargo.” the Cuban Ministry of Cul- records he listened to, and The work was even hon- ture to restore Ernest Hem- even the bottles of liquor that ored by Rep. James McGov- ingway’s midcentury home he drank—all right where he ern of Massachusetts. During collided with the loosening left them.” a speech on the House floor, of America’s embargo and Dupont is helping with McGovern praised the Fin- travel restrictions to the Ca- the construction of a new ca Vigía Foundation and all those who have helped, in- ribbean nation. archival storage facility at the × A painting of Hemingway and Suddenly, his trips be- location, Finca Vigía, which period magazines are part of cluding Dupont: “With pas- came national news, and translates to Lookout Farm. the decor in the author’s Cuban sion and professional skill, Dupont, who at UTSA is di- He calls the project one of home, where he lived in the they recognize that the life, rector of the Center for Cul- his most rewarding because 1940s and 1950s. Inset: UTSA memory, books, papers, and tural Sustainability as well as of the collaborative spirit architecture professor William home of Ernest Heming- Dupont is interviewed by local a San Antonio Conservation among Cubans and Amer- way are above politics and media at the residence. Society Endowed professor, icans. Once completed, the policies, which are fleeting, was able to provide a small project will be the first build- while art is eternal.” S

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 7 ACADEMICS We Three DEANS

8 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA PLAZAS & PASEOS

SEAN KELLY WANTS TO OPEN UP UNIQUE OPPORTUNITIES TO STUDENTS THROUGH THE HONORS COLLEGE

ean Kelly previously served lot of people ask that question is what puts them in touch with the means but would benefit to be engaging honors students Sas director of Florida Gulf plus, ‘Why do we have an all of those opportunities—it from that, so you put them in in such a big city. There are so Coast University’s honors honors college and what do makes it possible for a lot of touch with financial aid, etc. many opportunities for students program from 2007 to 2014 and we do at the college?’ I see an students who didn’t even know This is something that can be to develop relationships in San was appointed the interim dean honors college as an opportu- what was available. very helpful for first-generation Antonio. UTSA is an aspiration- of FGCU undergraduate studies nity generator on a much more college students. Maybe they al university. We want to be the in 2015. He says he sees abun- personalized level than if the What about people who say don’t know those kinds of best, and there is a focus on the dant opportunities at UTSA to students were coming in, show- it’s elitist? Well, a lot of people opportunities are available and students and student learning. expand service learning and ing up for classes, and leaving. think an honors college is elitist, don’t know they can be real for It’s not just rhetoric. I’m looking research for undergraduates. If you find the student who but what I see is, for example, them too. forward to getting creative really would take advantage of where you take students who with faculty, being unique, and Do people often ask you what all of the things the university don’t know they can study What are you looking forward to serving students in all kinds of an honors college is? Yes! A has to offer, the Honors College abroad or don’t think they have as new dean? I am very excited developmental ways.

DEAN HENDRIX IS PLANNING INNOVATIVE The new academic MARGO DELLICARPINI HAS A MISSION RESEARCH MATERIALS FOR THE UTSA LIBRARIES year marks the OF EQUITY AND EXCELLENCE FOR COEHD eturning to San Antonio or undergrad student or com- arrival of three new hen talking to Margo sional standpoint the mission Rafter 29 years, Dean Hen- munity member. Part of that deans. In between WDelliCarpini the ideas of the college and San Antonio drix (yes, he’s Dean Dean Hen- flexibility is staff development. she has for the College of Ed- community really speaks to drix) barely recognizes the city The UTSA Libraries staff is their packing up ucation and Human Devel- me,” she says. “The focus is he once called home. Change wonderful. They care about and moving to the opment rush out in excited on preparing diverse profes- is inevitable, of course, and the users here, and that’s a re- Alamo City, they descriptions. She envisions dif- sionals to work with diverse Hendrix embraces the chal- ally great piece of the puzzle. ferent academic departments populations. The core values lenge of linking the past, pres- We want them to take it to the each spoke with and centers collaborating in of integrity, equity, diversity, ent, and future through the next level by instituting a stra- Sombrilla new ways to broaden their and service are things I’m re- UTSA Libraries. He has many tegic plan in which we’re con- Magazine’s reach—like the Department of ally committed to.” goals, and they revolve around stantly assessing how we are Kinesiology, Health, and Nutri- With the current partner- a few key points. doing on projects. That way, Michelle Mondo tion becoming a hub for grant ships already in place, she adds, Knowing your history: we are always meeting our us- to share insights writing, research, and partner- COEHD could become a leader “The best university librar- ers’ needs.” ships. She imagines an inter- in state and federal research in ies are going to be distinctive Play an active role: “In- about their national campus laboratory academic language develop- and develop distinctive collec- formation literacy is really im- respective areas school that could provide even ment, behavioral health, early tions. Even now and more in portant. There’s this kind of a of oversight more opportunities to second- childhood language, and STEM the future, no one is going to thought that the students who ary education students. research. There could even be a care if you have The Old Man were born into technology al- “The work of COEHD faculty dual-language early childhood and the Sea or A Confederacy of ready know what they need to is the kind of work that drives learning center. Dunces. That’s all going to be know. It’s a trope of, ‘Oh, they the change we need to ensure “COEHD is already active online. What is going to make just know technology.’ But the equity, social justice, respect, and successful in the area your university distinctive is real skill is critical thinking, and excellence,” she says. of research and sponsored unique research materials. and that’s even more of a pre- As the former dean of edu- programs,” DelliCarpini says. Part of our mission is to serve mium. One of our missions cation at Morehead State Uni- “The space for growth that I the communities, and we have is to make sure that we’re cre- versity, DelliCarpini has exper- see is in leveraging the existing an almost reverence for his- ating global citizens who are tise in linguistics and teaching external funding to enhance tory here. History matters. In informed, know how to deal English to speakers of other private giving and additional life, everyday decision making with research, and are catalysts languages. She says what in- grant funding. The key is rele- is constantly based on what for development in their com- terested her about coming to vancy. My first few months on came before.” munities. We want to create UTSA is the broad scope in the job will be learning what Respond with flexibility: spaces with technology—3D mission that COEHD aspires the faculty will be doing, what “Every user group is a mov- printers or laser cutters, for ex- to, adding that by coming to partnerships exist, and what ing target. A tenured faculty ample—that students can use San Antonio she’s returning the needs are. There’s a lot of member is going to have dif- that also help them learn those to her philosophical roots. potential for really innovative ferent needs from a post-doc critical thinking skills.” “From a personal and profes- things.” S

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 9 By Land, Sea, Air

With a new location for interact accordingly, so UTSA’s Autonomous a drone in the air could Control Engineering react to what a drone Center that includes in the sea is doing. a lab for underwater Much of the work drone testing, College on this underwater of Engineering drone has been professor Mo Jamshidi done by Australian and his students in Ph.D. student Ben the electrical and Champion, the fourth computer engineering Australian doctoral department are steps student to come closer to creating an to UTSA through a autonomous drone 10-year partnership army for the land, sea, between the ACE and air. The drones Center, Jamshidi, and would all communicate Deakin University in with each other and Melbourne. COURTNEY CAMPBELL / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING / UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS CAMPBELL COURTNEY

10 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

The Arts on the Go

Each summer as part Nationally recognized, of the UTSA Lyric Opera on the Run has Theatre’s Opera on the performed for close to Run program, a small 200,000 students and cadre of students, has become so popular faculty, and staff travel that there’s a waiting to elementary schools list. Roadrunners and to give kids a glimpse the public can see the into the world of opera. Lyric Theatre and UTSA This year’s 40-minute orchestra each spring version of Little Red when they present Riding Hood was a fully staged opera, performed more than operetta, or musical in 30 times at 20 different either the Downtown San Antonio schools. or Main Campus. CRARY / COLLEGE OF LIBERAL AND FINE ARTS OF LIBERAL / COLLEGE WILLIAM M c CRARY

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 11 Students Without Borders

Kristiana Paman ’15 snapped this photo at the abroad programs. Find out more about the Buddhist temple Wat Arun, which sits along the international opportunities available at the fall Chao Phraya River in Bangkok, Thailand. After study abroad fair on September 8 in Sombrilla she and a friend climbed the temple’s steps Plaza. And for more photos from fellow they looked back to see two monks gazing out Roadrunners be sure to check out Sombrilla across the river toward the city. Magazine’s inaugural all-digital issue in Each year UTSA sends hundreds of November, in which we’ll have an interactive students to more than 35 countries in study feature on reasons to study abroad.

12 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA BIRD’S-EYE VIEW

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 13 14 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA Advanced Reality

NAME/AFFILIATION Advanced Reality

NAME/AFFILIATION CREATING REAL-WORLD SOLUTIONS FOR HEART UTSA’S USEOFVIRTUAL ENVIRONMENTS IS SURGEONS, AUTISTIC CHILDREN,MULTIPLE PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY CAMPBELL BY MICHELLEMONDO SCLEROSIS PATIENTS, ANDMORE MULTIDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH COVER STORY FALL 2016

SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 15 ing, rehabilitating, and solving complicated problems. ing, rehabilitating,andsolvingcomplicated forteach tools andtransformingtheminto used forentertainment er’s paradise.It’s whereresearchersaretakingconsumerproducts up thelab,andstudentswhouseit, thisplaceisanexperiment some. But scienceprofessorJohn forcomputer Quarles,whoheads and mixedreality. Taking inthe entireview, itmightseemchaoticto invirtual technology bigscreenTVs,projectors, andcutting-edge with mobile phones,headsets,andgameconsolesthatintermingle In UTSA’s virtualenvironments laboratory, tablesarecoveredwith world ofMetropolis. immersed inthe a headsetandbecome man rollercoaster, wear ridersto allowing ta Texas its Super added virtualrealityto summerSan Antonio’sThis Six Flags Fies thefray.amusement parksaregettinginto VR-ready. allbe mobile phoneswill Even Techtechnologies. future predict experts reality-based theraceindeveloping tered HTC, Amazon, and Apple haveallalso en Google,exploded. Microsoft, Samsung, Rift.Oculus Since then,theindustryhas company VR-development then-obscure book’s $2billionpurchasein2014ofthe wasmorerecent—Face thetechnology to turing since2000.Yet thebiggestboon usingVRformanufac- Co.hasbeen tor more prominenceinthe1990s.Ford Mo- abit form sincethe1950sandcameto realities. augmented ofvirtualand of advancingthetechnology tism—UTSA hasitsfingeronthepulse au forkidswith virtualteachers create and safeoncomputers, be learn howto gamesforkidsto heart surgeons,create ciplinary applications—that can train new orvideogame. With multidis- er product the average consum could meanbeyond UTSA researchers exemplify what that theyearofvirtualreality,would be and it.” behind lots ofmoney bigger. arelotsofcompaniesand There VR ishuge,andit’s getting keep goingto search,” Quarlessays.“Rightnowiswhen 16 Virtual reality has been around in some Virtual aroundinsome realityhasbeen that 2016 mediaproclaimed tech The “This isthetimeforusingVRinre “This SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ------in theirownresearch. high-resolution imaging,andvirtual reality foruseofbigdata, thepotential sity unlock help facultyandstudentsacrossthe univer Me,to BigData” goalisto onpage18].The this fall[ program, whichbegins master’s ofscienceindatavisualization College ofBusiness hasestablished anew facility, thecutting-edge In additionto the establishedbyFeng Prediction, in2009. Simulation, Visualization, andReal-Time for VizWall. labispartoftheCenter The Visualization Lab,anditscenterpiece UTSA hasupgradedVizLab, theAdvanced research orforthegeneralpublic.” whetherin for usingthosetechnologies, applications develop isto stay competitive ofthattechnology.the importance How we Riftwe recognized Oculus bought book fessor Yusheng Feng. “Even Face before - UTSA,” saysCollegeofEngineeringpro anthropology. and history for disciplinesfromtheartsto up opens worldofopportunities ization—a expansiveness ofbigdataandvisual- VR andotherdigitalrealities—plusthe bycombining theuniversitylevel, sign. At as wellthearts,music,andgraphicde security, sales,andbusinessdevelopment andcommunications, marketing over into docross velopment andengineering,they of vacancies.Whilejobsaremostlyinde fill areasthatalreadyhaveanabundance to employerslooking with the jobmarket To keep the technology up to date, To date, upto thetechnology keep “We at oftechnology areearlyadopters in boom All ofthismeansanexpected see “Talk - - - - in movement. compensate forlatency with mobilityissues to studyhowpeople lab uses VR technology virtual environments student inUTSA’s computer science on-screen avatar, a to interactwithan hands, feet,andwaist placed onhishead,  Using sensors Usingsensors - -

NAME/AFFILIATION NAME/AFFILIATION and MagicLeap. living room walls!) break through your (which lets aliens Microsoft HoloLens right now are the biggest examples the real one. The and interacts with world thatmixes creating anew concepts,virtual augmented and use headsets, blends reality, whichcan the two. Mixed distinguish between reality, butexperts with augmented interchanged This isoften □ platforms. two augmented Google Glass are Pokémon Goand omnipresent world. The now seen inthereal camera—can be a smartphone using glasses or whether by information— the user. Virtual immersion for reality: □ PlayStation VR. VR, andSony’s Samsung Gear the Oculus Rift, hardware include Examples of VR environment. a new virtual “immersed” in and becomes wears aheadset reality: □ got you covered. sinking into, we’ve the reality you’re help to understand Ifyouvirtual? need Augmented, mixed, Reality Know Your Mixed reality: Augmented Virtual Less Less A user

FALL 2016 swer aphone[ Samaraweera M.S. ’14Ph.D. ’15,whohas livetheirdailylives,”people saysGayani tions” onpage20 ]. open a door forapizza delivery, adoor open andan medicinebottles, open tryto screen asthey Patients theirownprogresson canwatch chores. through ahouseanddoeveryday walk theuser to apy gamethatinstructs doctor, astudentiscreatingphysical ther aBrazilian inpartnership with conducted Inoneofthose,being ongoing projects. playVRgamestoo.”abilities whowantto dis- with issuebutjustpeople quality-of-life disabilities,”with hesays.“It’s notalwaysa persons doing alotonrehabilitationwith that earlierratherthanlater. “I’ve been cessibility, address to istrying sotheteam ac- raisequestionsabout gaming,will with the explosioninVRpopularity, especially Quarlesbelieves underserved populations. help programsto students aredeveloping atUTSA,whereQuarlesandhis oratory San Virtual Environments Antonio lab- we’re strivingfor.” people’s on tive effect lives,andthat’s what gaming,” hesays.“Games canhaveaposi virtualreality of the box when it comes to thinkoutside ideaisto on thenose.“The shark punch a too-close out to then strikes sharks.Aspartoftherapy,with theuser worldfilled the userinavirtualunderwater adivemaskplaces ond phoneattachedto auser’s smartphoneto proof chest. Asec game, whichinvolves strappingawater workingonthe year Quarleshasbeen of aquaticphysical therapy. For thepast SharkPunch,he developed aVRmethod ence, inparticular.) So project asapersonal sci gy andengineeringfields—computer thelackofwomenintechnolo bemoans science andresearchisgreatfun.(He also that daughters histwo ing themessageto play videogames,saysheisalwaysstress- could dobetterthanthis.” just wasn’t any myself, fun.Ithoughtto a realization: “It he stumbled upon later physicalstarted therapyacoupleofyears alsohas.Oncehe ease, whichhissister In 2007, thedis hewasdiagnosedwith whenthatpatientisUTSA’sdoes Quarles. formultiplesclerosispatients.But od it mindasatherapymeth cometo mediately Punching sharksinthenosemaynotim virtual world, realsolutions “Virtual reality can revolutionize how “Virtual how realitycanrevolutionize At anyAt giventime,there aremultiple messageisseenthroughoutthe That and experiment Quarles, wholovesto SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE see “Taking Solu OnVirtual COVER STORY 17 I ------We are early adopters of technology at UTSA. Even before Facebook bought “Oculus Rift we recognized the importance of Talk to Me, Big Data technology. How we stay UTSA launches a data competitive visualization master’s program is to develop ata visualization Both daytime applications Djobs are in high and evening classes for using those demand and the within the new technologies need for qualified UTSA program will whether in employees is expect- focus on traditional ed to grow. UTSA’s business-intelli- research or for the new master’s of gence analytics general public. science in big data as well as provide visualization from students specialized the College of Busi- expertise in the ness is designed to areas of data sci- meet that demand. ence management The new program and data analytic will produce highly algorithms. skilled and educated Students will data analysts who learn to analyze data can transform big sets and develop data into usable communication information for and visualiza- decision makers tion techniques, across a variety of including use of disciplines, includ- the university’s Ad- ing business, health vanced Visualization care, and national Laboratory, to share security. these insights within By 2018, “the organizations. United States “We are entering alone could face a the era of big data,” shortage of 140,000 says Harry Millwater, to 190,000 people associate dean with deep analytical for research in the skills,” according to College of Engineer- the McKinsey Global ing. “The tools in Institute, “as well as the VizLab can inter- 1.5 million managers connect data points and analysts with in the billions; then the know-how to use putting that on the the analysis of big wall means you can data to make effec- visualize it so much tive decisions.” better.”

18 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA COVER STORY moved to Seattle to work as a software en- He got in touch with interdisciplinary gineer at Amazon. “We work with under- learning professor Lee Mason, the exec- studied special-user groups, like people utive director for the university’s Teacher with mobility issues. The sense of impact Education Autism Model Center, an ap- is quite unique.” This is the time plied behavior analysis clinic that serves the for using VR in needs of children with autism and other creative collaboration research. Right intellectual disabilities in South Texas. Ma- Standing over a patient, scalpel in hand, son supplied the expertise about children, a heart surgeon’s split-second decisions now is when VR learning, and autism that Mei needed for can mean the difference between life and is huge, and it’s his research—which later became his doc- death. With that in mind, a collaboration “ toral dissertation. “This was novel, ground- going to keep among faculty and students at UTSA and breaking stuff,” Mason says of the research. The University of Texas Health Science getting bigger. “He did see a positive difference in how Center at San Antonio was born. “We cre- There are lots of kids with autism reacted to the virtual world ated the bypass surgery simulator not really companies and and the virtual teacher, but we need more for skills training but more to train in mak- lots of money research on how it can be applied in real life ing real-time decisions,” Feng says. “We to help kids communicate with others.” wanted to be able to psychologically pre- behind it. And as more and more children at pare them for when they are in surgery, so younger ages are using computers, the if we can simulate that experience, it would need to teach them ways to stay safe online provide another training tool.” [Watch a increases. Ph.D. student Brita Munsinger video of the bypass simulator in action on and master’s student Bushra Zahed have Sombrilla Magazine online.] teamed up to create a fun way to do just The project was one of the first to be that. “Nowadays, kids are exposed to the funded by the San Antonio Life Sciences internet, online media, and sometimes cy- Institute, which provides annual grants to berbullying,” Zahed says. “We want them partnering teams from UTSA and UTHSC. to have ideas on what to do in these situ- Feng, Quarles, and their students worked ations—how to take care of their privacy, with Edward Sako, chief of UTHSC’s adult how to protect themselves from cyberbul- cardiac surgery division, to come up with lying, and how to protect their password.” the simulations. “Members of the team ob- It will be designed to be used as a regular served an operation and saw what we were computer game, but it could venture into dealing with and what it looked like,” Sako the virtual world. Instead of looking at the explains. “The idea was to look at situations room, the user would be inside the room. that don’t occur very often in real life. And This isn’t just about a different platform while it’s good they don’t occur often, that for the sake of variety, experts say. “You can also means our trainees may not see that Ù Master’s student explain to people what virtual reality is, and type of situation, making it harder to train Bushra Zahed and they think they understand it. But you don’t for situations that occur in their career.” Ph.D. student Brita really get it until you experience it,” Quarles The simulator exemplifies ways virtual Munsinger mark up says. “When you experience it, that’s when specs for their game reality can cross disciplines and research designed to help you have a stronger physiological and emo- projects. Other collaborations include stu- children learn how tional response to it.” dents working with Quarles and computer to protect themselves science professor Greg White to develop and personal ancient arts, new directions a game for kids about cybersecurity and a information in online Virtual painting, dance performances gen- recent Ph.D. graduate who reached out to environments. erated from body-tracking software, 3D the College of Education and Human De- modeling, and moving images across a velopment to research how VR could assist 24-monitor, high-resolution screen. Mark children with autism. Chao Mei ’16 was × A computer science McCoin, art professor and coordinator interested in virtual reality when he started student shows how of UTSA’s new media program, knows as a Ph.D. student in computer science fol- another VR endeavor the endless possibilities that pop up by lowing receiving his master’s from UTSA will allow children with combining the seemingly opposite disci- autism to create a cus- in 2015. After seeing autism in the news he tomized virtual teacher plines of computer science and fine art. started to consider the possibilities. “I was that they may be more “We focus on the moving image, sound thinking that, maybe, if they are not willing likely to engage with art, and digital art,” he says. “What makes to talk to the people in real life, they could than a human. new media art different is we focus on have an imaginary friend or an ideal person interdisciplinary, time-based works using they would want to talk to. That’s some- technology. If we could get into virtual thing we can make in the virtual world.” reality—using a tilt brush or 3D aesthetic

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 19 Taking On Virtual Solutions Researchers at UTSA have multiple projects under way that use virtual environments

n the San □ Walk MS □ Virtual teacher: IAntonio Virtual fundraiser: Created This game allows Environments lab in partnership autistic children to at UTSA, computer with the National create their own science students Multiple Sclerosis virtual teacher. It are using virtual, Society, students uses eye-mapping augmented, and re-created the software that is mixed reality to setting of one of programmed to create solutions to San Antonio’s make sure the universal problems. annual Walk MS kids are following Professor John events. The program the instructions Quarles heads the is made from the of the teacher. If lab and encourages vantage point of a student’s eyes his students to work a wheelchair user veer away from the across disciplines as the person page, the teacher and topics. Here’s a navigates Walk MS, stops and repeats breakdown of some an annual fundraiser instructions. of the most recent held by the National projects in the Multiple Sclerosis □ Dodgeball: Built works. Society. Quarles to help with balance says the goal is and coordination, □ Virtual car to help people the simulation lets ride: Designed to participate in such users wear a virtual make users sick, an event from their reality headset and subjects sit in a homes, whether they have to dodge it’s for the balls that come MS Society their way. or another organization. □ Latency: Using time delay in virtual □ Home environments navigation: or as a cognitive Developed function that slows for a Brazilian the brain sending a neuroscientist, message to move this virtual muscles, students virtual passenger game takes a user created an avatar seat and have through everyday that responds to their brain waves household chores, a user wearing monitored to study like answering a sensors. The avatar cybersickness, which door, picking up automatically slows can feel like motion medications, and response on one sickness to people walking down a side of the body, who experience it. hallway. It’s made which helps study Cybersickness is for patients or how a person, such one of the industry’s people who need as a stroke patient, biggest concerns for muscle coordination compensates for end users. rehab. affected movement.

20 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA NAME/AFFILIATION of researchforUTSA,” hesays.“Ourmea neering. “We the face become want thisto dean forresearchintheCollege ofEngi- awareness, saysHarry Millwater, associate and increasing shops, scheduling tours, of thelabeasier, including by addingwork access and use make pieces, the goal is to biomedicine orartistswhoarecreatingnew certain chroniccondition.” a probablydevelop will few months,they isn’tif this person the next within treated patient sothattheirphysician knowsthat says. “We each cantailorthisapproachto inthedisease,”ing themajorpatterns he disorder. isidentify mainobject “The lower-back stress pain, and post-traumatic tions, includinghypertension, depression, 32differentchronic condi forupto tored moni more than100,000patientsbeing 12years’ with beginning worthofdatafrom engineering professorAdel Alaeddiniis chronic medicalconditions.Mechanical data isanewfederallyfundedstudyof formation usingbigdataresearch. in process abilityto greater means aneven That morepowerful. that runseverything equipment andmadethesupercomputer time staffersforthelabaswellupgraded theuniversityfundedfull- full potential, Smythlike andMcCoin its usethelabto ogy offersnew,to dothat.” excitingways technol others.The sharethatwith ways to havecreativeandengaging but weneedto the center. “We allofthatdata, canharbor for erine Smyth, coordinator datasystems them,” before what happened saysKath- understand theirpastsothatthey with involved be forcommunitiesto important thepublic.“It’smade virtuallyavailableto in3Dcouldbe alreadydocumented they’ve that shelters rock future whereprehistoric forArchaeologicalResearchseea Center amongothertechnology.device, monitor, and aholographic visualization simulations,a3Dstereoscopic or injection arealone)forsurgery weretouching they as if a virtual object pressure of touching (users can feel the haptic feedback device high-resolution VizWall, thelabcontainsa inUTSA’slocked the VizLab. Alongwith this.”play aroundwith aresomany wayswecan There experience. these whole new worlds—thatis an artistic installations whereyougoinandcreate Whether scientists who are researching Whether scientistswhoareresearching Just oneexampleofUTSA’s useofbig helpresearchers Realizing theneedto In addition,staffandfacultyatUTSA’s McCoin un being seesthatpotential ------“ on to zoominevenmore × extraordinary detail. Gogh’s paint strokes in students canstudy Van The StarryNight. Vincent VanGogh’s accessible—like that aren’t readily scans ofworks ofart analyze high-resolution allows artstudentsto VizWall atUTSA powered, 24-monitor Ù their dailylives.… By usingthe VizWall can revolutionize Thesupercomputer- The StarryNight, how peoplelive impact is quite impact isquite Virtual reality The sense of unique.

FALL 2016

and thesearethejobsoffuture.” stage,” Viejo says.“But thisisthe future, reality, weareallinthelearning-to-walk anddevelopers. signers, animators, allsortsoftalent,together graphicde like tacklegaming,whichbrings programs to science sible, suchasexpandingcomputer - pos areas wherefutureexpansioncouldbe more computing resourcesandseeseven of onthesetypes isfocusing alma mater forms thisyear. Viejo sayshe’s pleasedhis have a game released on all major plat- will virtual realitycompany 2VR,which Level He’s isgrowing. market apartnerinlocal athowtheVRjob jo ’15hasaninsidelook College ofBusiness Vie alumnusRoberto meeting real-world demand many collegesoncampusare using it.” whatresearchisgettingdonebuthow be sure ofsuccessforthelabisn’t justgoingto nologies isjustincredible.” S ofthesetech potential Samaraweera. “The ent virtualexperiences,” saysUTSAalumna providing differ manipulating perceptions, racial, gender, biasesvia andothersocietal breakdown to hasthepotential VR even well. “With all of the different applications, regularly. immersivestories produces Google used with be and now Cardboard Times, forexample,launchedaVRappto theVRfield. into jumped newsagencieshavealso andeven sports military, and education fields. Professional themedical, expandinto continueto will that thejobs hiring forVR.Expertspredict more than 200 companies in 2015 with grow isvisiblycontinuingto the market yearsaway; be mayeven the jobmarket ofthedemandfor VR,thefullimpact to moreartists.”work with players.Iwouldloveto tidisciplinary team mul- that wouldhelpourstudentsbecome artsandsciences, tion, whichfallsbetween or anima- 3D modeling cused on teaching creative ones, so ifwehadsomeonefo artistsarethe program.“The development expanditsofferingsbystartingagame ty to Quarles sayshewouldlovefortheuniversi partnerships across UTSA’stivate colleges. end, heandGreg cul arehopingto White inthegamingindustry.especially To that artandbusiness, among disciplines,like existforsynergy moreopportunities even grow,tries continueto Quarlesbelieves As the cybersecurity and VRindus As thecybersecurity “As far asvirtualreality and augmented But there’s forotherprogressas potential According industry publication to SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE COVER STORY The NewYork The Road Road 21 ------22 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA RESEARCH The Witte

Ù This bison specimen is part of the exhibit Affinıty “Splendor on the Range: American Indians and Horses,” which explores how life changed for Amer- ican Indians after the WITH A MULTIMILLION-DOLLAR EXPANSION Spanish arrived in the Americas with horses in the 1500s. DUE TO BEGIN OPENING THIS YEAR, THE PREMIER MUSEUM OF SOUTH TEXAS × Indian figurines that are part of the WILL EMERGE AS THE NEW WITTE, “Splendor on the Range” exhibit. BUT A LONG HISTORY OF COLLABORATION WITH

×× A carved stela, an UTSA RESEARCHERS IS CERTAIN TO ENDURE inscribed stone pillar that tells the history, usually of a royal individual, is part of the “Maya: Hidden Worlds Revealed” exhibit. PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY CAMPBELL

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 23 findings are a big part of “The Mind of the findings are a big part of “The Maya Some sites. of their mostrecent part oftheirsummerinBelize studying students—spend 15 UTSAundergraduates son Yaeger andKathrynBrown—plus10to very year, professorsJa anthropology □ Indians andtheHorse” exhibit. seum’s “SplendorontheRange: American forthemu research onComanchehistory over theyears.Most recently, heproduced Texas andAmericanPlainsIndians history served asaconsultantforotherexhibitson theSmithsonian.Gelo ordination with has Horse CultureinAmerica” exhibitinco elo, COLFA’s dean,hasbeen Hooves: 500Yearsthe “Thundering of for including aspartoftheplanningteam sincethe1990s, theWitte working with □ in thecollegeofliberalandfinearts UTSA the past—and thefuture. the past—and to effortsthatbridgethepresent these collaborative Magazine Sombrilla the Witte. at someof a look takes andFineof Liberal closestwith Artshaveworked researchers remainsstrong. museum andUTSA’s ofpremier numbers growing the between for continuedcollaboration the potential thissummerandin2017— open exhibit areasdueto San Park—with RiverinBrackenridge Antonio new alongthebanksof expandsatitssite as theWitte ofsomeUTSA’s theexpertise years to faculty. And attributable inpartoverthe life dioramas,havebeen - andwild cavedrawings, include dinosaurskeletons, ry, culture, andnaturalscience. Its exhibits, which is thecity’s premiermuseumofSouth Texas histo San Antonio’s researchinstitution, theWitte top-tier partnerships fordecades.Andjustasouruniversityis 24

Typically, theCollegeofSciences andtheCollege E Dan G SOMBRILLAMAG.COM a nd t he Wi tt e M UTSA us - - - e exhibit. on display in the Witte be that will tifacts 20ar 15to letting theresearchersborrow Belizeangovernmentis on herhead.The that Yaeger wore god anancestor believes pendant more fascinatingfindsisacarved back1,500years.Oneofthe ry—dating taining mostlyceramicsandshelljewel ago, they found two royalburials—con foundtwo ago, they ontheexhibit.consulted Two summers UTSAresearchersalso two exhibit. The the“Maya:with Hidden Worlds Revealed” Maya” series,whichisconjunction lecture opment, educationalprogramming, and management,collections exhibitiondevel stitutions, andincludesareasof curating, A alsohas anewmuseumstudies for acareerinmuseumsandcultural in- minor thathelpsstudentsacquire skills □ um

COLF have been building building havebeen - - - - - body weight. theirown to trylift rope-and-pully device Jenny Conterás usea Kaylee Clellandand health andnutrition, teaches childrenabout interactive exhibitthat an Body Adventure, Ø being lost. tracks areindangerof Park wheredinosaur Canyon StateNatural area ofGovernment department explorean UTSA’s anthropology researchers from Ø organs. system andinternal the humanskeletal to teachchildrenabout Body Adventure H-E-B Anatomy Table inthe Weinkam uses the Ù In the H-E-B IntheH-E-B A team of Ateamof TheWitte’sMarshal

GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL PARK COURTESY OF ALEX GODET / UTSA DEPARTMENT OF ANTHROPOLOGY

NAME/AFFILIATION NAME/AFFILIATION San Antonio. Park, locatedwestof Canyon StateNatural tracks atGovernment one ofthedinosaur × H-E-B Body Adventure. H-E-B nutrition optionsinthe takes aquizon × Revealed.” Hidden Worlds“Maya: is partofthe Witte’s archaeological site temples inaMaya Ù An example of Anexample of Kaylee Clelland A scale model of Ascalemodelof FALL 2016 in thecollegeofsciences in thecommunity. health interventions for effective support more misconceptions,therecanbe fying thatbyidenti believe Americans. They amongMexican ofdiabetes higher rates ethnichealthdisparities,suchas perceive understandhowSanwant to Antonians inSandisparities prevalent They Antonio. of causesandsolutionsethnichealth examinepublicperceptions to ing together arework community healthissues.They understanding and reducing mitment to andcom adeepinterest with thropologists Witte’s medicalan BryanBaylesareboth □ themuseum. in onlineinformationabout assistmuseumstaffandensureaccuracy to attheWitte program areplacedasinterns Studentsinthe administrative operations. ZIP codes. S ZIP codes. cating childrenontheseissues in various hibit asagaugeforhowwellwe’re edu- and Wormley usetheex areplanningto health informationconfidentially. Perry exhibit tracks healthy and mind. The body maintain a learn how to lows children to four-floor thatal- experience interactive in theWitte’s Adventure, H-E-BBody a usedatafromstations researchers will UTSA health educationforchildren.The and health, on research in of anthropology BryanBayles,theWitte’sing with curator loyd Wormley andGeorge Perry in the DepartmentofBiology- arecollaborat □ new mainbuilding. People ofthePecos Gallery intheWitte’s part oftheKittieWest Nelson Ferguson inthespringas open installation issetto of thenightskybyusingLEDlights.The facsimile thatrepresentsanaccurate Witte chlegel andChrisPackham inthe omy adisplayatthe create arehelpingto UTSA DepartmentofPhysics andAstron- □ serve thesite. pre to canattempt the tracks so that they areaffecting how environmental factors andgeology, ofpaleontology rator study to Adams, Museum’s theWitte Thomas cu- UTSAresearchersareworkingwith The Natural 1604. Park,westofLoop located saur tracksatGovernment Canyon State logical Sciences areresearchingdino Alexis Godet intheDepartment ofGeo □

UTSA professorJ Eric S UTSA professorsM F SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE RESEARCH ill Fleuriet andthe arina Suarez and 25 ------D

building new teams building new confidence building new roadrunner pride

26 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA D

ATHLETICS

teams The 2016–2017 athletics season at UTSA sees two new head coaches taking the helm of their respective sports programs. Sombrilla Magazine caught up with the gridiron’s Frank Wilson and the hardwood’s Steve Henson confidence to talk about their drive and ambitions for their Roadrunner teams. roadrunner pride

FEATURE PHOTOGRAPHY BY COURTNEY CAMPBELL INSET PHOTOS BY JEFF HUEHN BY INSET PHOTOS EFALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 27 ATHLETICS

D COACH FRANK WILSON All Hands on deck

by michelle mondo top recruiters—with more than 20 years by example” ethos to coaching. All of the of coaching experience—Wilson came to There’s an coaching staff, he stresses, should be Born and raised in the Big Easy, Frank UTSA after six years at Louisiana State someone the players can look up to for in- Wilson grew up in a city known for its University. There, he was assistant head expectation to spiration. But he wants not just family and parades—from the tourist magnets of the coach, running back coach, and recruiting deliver, and all friends to be proud of UTSA football but French Quarter to the neighborhood-cen- coordinator. Six LSU running backs were the coaches and the entire city. tered jazz funeral processions that date selected in the NFL draft during Wilson’s I appreciate that “We hit a home run by hiring Frank Wil- back to the 1800s. So when UTSA’s new tenure there. He’s also helped to lead teams son,” says Lynn Hickey, UTSA’s athletics head football coach found out he would to eight bowl games and says he’s eager for “opportunity. I want director. “He has brought so much energy, be floating along the San Antonio River in the same opportunity at UTSA. to give fans and enthusiasm, and excitement to our pro- April during Fiesta’s Texas Cavaliers River Wilson knew UTSA was the perfect fit the university gram and university.” In just a few months Parade he didn’t expect any surprises. “I’m for his foray into becoming a head coach. on the job, she adds, he’s done a wonderful from New Orleans,” Wilson says. “I mean, Having a football program ready to go to a brand they can job of engaging fans and alumni and get- I’ve done parades.” the next level—as well as being an edu- be proud of. ting the community excited about UTSA But surprised he was. “When we got to cational leader, even though it’s a young football. the judging area and the crowd began to university—UTSA was everything he was “That’s why you hear me talk about all chant ‘U-T-S-A!’ it was overwhelming. And looking for, he says. hands on deck,” Wilson says. “The battle it was humbling” he says. “I didn’t have an If there’s pressure, though, it comes cry for all San Antonians is to get in the expectation of people being so generous. It from within. “There’s an expectation to de- stands—to cheer, to be proud of your city was a beautiful thing.” liver,” Wilson explains, “and all the coaches program. We’ve made a commitment to go Wilson’s appreciation that night was and I appreciate that opportunity. I want to out and put our best foot forward in this clear to people who follow him on Twit- give fans and the university a brand they state and this conference, and we need that ter. Savvy at social media (Wilson’s emoji can be proud of.” same commitment from fans and family.” game is on par with his recruiting skills), His family’s input was crucial as well, “It’s always good to look at stands and he posted video and photos of the crowd, he says. His wife, Tiffany, and their kids— hear that rally cry,” he adds. “Is it the reason tweeting, “Speechless. San Antonio, you Alaina, Sa’bree, and Frank IV—were on  Coach Frank you win or lose a game? No, not at all. But are lit,” along with hashtags #birdsup and hand at his introductory press conference. Wilson, photographed does it help out? Of course it does.” #allhandsondeck. He thanked them while talking about the at UTSA’s Rec Wilson knows, though, that there are That kind of energy has been conta- long road they’d been on from the time he Field, will lead the challenges ahead. He wants to keep an em- gious, ushering in renewed excitement for started as a high school football coach until Roadrunners into their phasis on what he calls the “full measure of sixth year of NCAA UTSA’s football program as it enters its the morning he accepted the UTSA job. success,” having players excel in both aca- football. sixth year. With family being such an important demics and athletics as he brings in quality Considered one of college football’s theme in Wilson’s life, he extends a “live student players.

28 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 29 30 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ATHLETICS

COACHE STEVE HENSON looking forward

by VANESSA A. DAVILA the NBA, Henson says the two jobs are To be honest, drastically different. Basketball is king in San Antonio. The “You’re not dealing with many things Lone Star State overall might be football I hope there is other than basketball at the pro level,” he country, but in the Alamo City it’s all about some pressure says. “Staffs are so large that there’s just roundball, courtesy of the five-time-cham- on us. We need not many duties outside of basketball. pionship Spurs. New UTSA basketball That’s not the case in college. To have the coach Steve Henson doesn’t think this adds to raise the opportunity to help kids develop—to help pressure on Roadrunner basketball, but he “expectation them grow and prepare for life—that’s the would welcome it. right now. rewarding part. That is the part that I want, “To be honest, I hope there is some pres- and that’s why I came back to the college sure on us. We need to raise the expecta- side.” tion right now,” says Henson. “The Spurs Henson comes to UTSA after five sea- have lit a fire under a lot of basketball fans sons with the University of Oklahoma in this area, and we want to piggyback off Sooners as assistant coach, culminating of that.” with a Final Four appearance in 2016, the Henson comes from a rich sports back- team’s first since 2002. ground, thanks to his small-town upbring- Hired in April, Henson says his first ing. In the “old days,” as he jokingly recalls, three weeks at UTSA were an absolute it was common for kids to play a number whirlwind. Because of NCAA rules, he and of sports, especially in a small town like his his coaching staff had a small window of native McPherson, Kansas. Henson grew opportunity to interact with players. So he up participating in an array of sports. In hit the ground running to fit in court time addition to playing high school basketball with the team, attend recruitment events, and four years of college basketball at Kan- connect with assistant coaches, and hire sas State, followed by seven seasons in the new staff. But his motivation, he says, was NBA, during his high school days Henson a vision of the future and to build the best was a Junior Olympic national champion team possible. in the decathlon and the high jump. “We’re looking forward,” Henson says. Henson’s coaching career began in 1999 × Coach “We’re going to talk to the recruits about as an assistant at University of Illinois un- Steve Henson, the opportunity to come in and be part of der coaching mentor Lon Kruger. After a photographed in the group that makes the change. And it’s 22–10 winning season with the team the UTSA’s Convocation an exciting change to be part of. Our guys NBA came calling again. He spent the Center, shows off the will be able to look back years from now skills he developed as next two years with the Atlanta Hawks as and say, ‘Hey, I was part of that group that a lifelong athlete. an advance scout and then assistant coach. came in here and helped rebuild the Road- While he enjoyed coaching in college and runner program.’” S

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 31

ALUMS WITH TASTE

Nothin’ Fishy About These Tacos from Rebel Mariposa’s La Botánica Catch our@ videos and photo restaurant (as well as galleries of these alumni foodies in action by visiting her vegan cocktail on the Sombrilla Magazine online. facing page). Read about the chef on page 34.

32 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ALUMNI IN ACTION ’RUNNER REUNION

East Side Meat Feast ANDREW SAMIA REIMAGINES THE DELI

At Dignowity Meats, Foodie the mom-and-pop delis of Andrew Samia’s childhood in the northeast U.S. meet the barbecue flavors of the Alamo FERVOR City. And while his restaurant’s in-house-made pastrami itself may be traditional, sandwiches like the KC Brisket Burnt UTSA alumni are helping to revitalize Ends, which tops macaroni and cheese and pears on San Antonio’s culinary landscape brisket, take the deli concept to a whole new level. The brick-and-mortar location was born from the by michelle mondo success of Crazy Carl’s food truck, started by Samia and photography by courtney campbell Shane Reed. The two part- nered with Denise Aguirre and Noel Cisneros, the owners The Alamo City loves its classic cocktails to beer, Sombrilla Maga- of The Point Park & Eats, to zine launch Dignowity Meats. tacos and beer. But there’s always talked to five alums who have “When people think of room for experimentation, as sev- been part of an epicurean renais- sandwiches they think of their mom making peanut butter eral UTSA alumni have discov- sance that is even helping to re- and jelly,” Samia says, “and that nostalgia plays a role. If ered. From vegan to meat lovers, vitalize San Antonio’s city center. Pro Tips you get all the different pieces Cocktails at once, it’s going to come on a Budget together for that perfect bite.” 37 With the opening of La wiches. Manisse Davison Botánica, Rebel Mariposa gives her tips on stocking Profile has created a space for a great home bar. And An Officer the marginalized, while Nick Kenna talks cocktail and a Citizen serving up an all-vegan creativity. 37 menu—even the drinks. And how could we For the meat lovers, An- leave out beer? Scott Profile drew Samia at Dignowity Metzger, owner of Freetail Knowing the Meats helps bring a Mid- Brewing Co., talks about Arts Scene west-cum-Northeast flair turning a hobby into a 39 to barbecue and sand- thriving brewery.

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 33 ’RUNNER REUNION

Cocktail Shaker NICK KENNA RAISES THE BAR

New cocktails are born sources but always goes from pushing boundar- back to experimentation ies, says bartender Nick as the key to creativity. Kenna. In the business “You have to escape that for more than a decade, bubble,” he says, referring he started as a barback at to pushing himself out of P.F. Chang’s and worked his comfort zone. his way up to mix at some That is how one of San Antonio’s most signature cocktail—the prominent restaurants Southern Gentlemann— and bars, such as his was born (the two ns are current gigs at Brigid and an homage to Thomas George’s Keep. Osborne Mann, the win- He’s also been called ery founder who created on by the San Antonio the Osborne sherry used Museum of Art to craft in the drink.) And while drinks for special events, watching the kitchen staff like a party highlighting at Brigid use cinnamon the work of sticks in different famed Mex- ways, he decided ican painter to also use them Rebel with a Cause Miguel Covar- in the cocktail. rubias. “Never be REBEL MARIPOSA CREATES A PLACE TO VEG OUT Using food, comfortable,” art, history, Kenna adds. “Just and names, like anything As owner and chef at La Botánica, San Antonio’s pectations. Also, you have Kenna derives else, your palate only fully vegan restaurant and bar (yes, drinks can be to be able to be brave inspiration for is learned, and if vegan too), Rebel Mariposa wants to spread the word enough and love yourself his cocktail you don’t use it, it creations will become rather that vegetables don’t have to be boring. enough to deal with how much you’ll be judged [for from many mundane.” What are some of your go-to meat substi- your choice to go vegan]. tutes? First, try to match the consistency in How do you stay close to your cultural texture. And second, use the same cooking roots when the food associated with that method you would use for the meat, if pos- is far from vegan? There is such a miscon- sible. In terms of substitutes, mushrooms ception when people say Mexican food isn’t are great because there are so many differ- healthy. It’s the colonization of Mexican food ent types. Squash, avocado, eggplant and that isn’t healthy. Mexican food is extremely nuts are also all excellent. You can throw clean and healthy. Take what has happened almonds in a lot of different dishes as well over last 100 years and add poverty. My dad, to give them some texture and crunch. I’ve he has vivid memories of being a migrant used cashews as a base for vegan cheese- farmer and getting blocks of cheese from cake. Dessert is my favorite thing to play the government. Add that flour costs less with. Just remember to have fun with it. It’s than corn, and now you have flour tortillas an experiment. I’ve often failed many times and extremely processed cheese. I remem- to “veganize” a recipe. ber when I would go to water polo practice; What if people aren’t certain they want afterward, we’d be so hungry, and I’d order to change their entire lifestyle? It can be half a dozen flour tortillas and a side of but- extremely overwhelming. Start with one ter. So even though I was active, I wasn’t thing—something really simple like stop necessarily healthy. It’s all tied together. drinking cow milk and replace it with al- mond or soy or cashew milk. Then try one Visit Sombrilla Magazine online to read our meal a day without animal products, maybe full Q&A with Rebel Mariposa and watch a breakfast or lunch. Dinner is a lot harder video of how to make one of her most popular Natural-Born Tastemaker to shift because there are often family ex- dishes. Get a preview of it on page 32. MANISSE DAVISON STOCKS THE BEST BARS

34 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ALUMS WITH TASTE

The Brew Master IN HIS OWN WORDS: SCOTT METZGER TAKES A HOBBY TO NEW HEIGHTS

If you want to open a busi- was not a good idea—but ness, make sure your passion our belief in San Antonio to is really there. When you’re support a business like ours only 90 percent passionate, it overrode everything else. comes across. If you are go- I’m a native San Antonian, ing to make that leap, be fully and I take a lot of pride in living, breathing, and sleep- that. When it was time to find ing that idea all the time. the location for Freetail, I re- When it consumes you, that ally wanted to take part in re- is when you know it can be juvenating the parts of town successful. that had a lot of history and Now, there has to be some culture. There were a lot of sense of realism, but the logistics that go into putting passion is the greatest thing. an operation downtown, but Don’t rush to execution. Re- it was important to me to not ally take your time under- just be in an industrial park standing what you are trying outside of town. to accomplish. I worked on a I don’t home-brew any- “Food is in my blood,” Manisse Davison “When I moved to San Antonio, I knew that business plan for three years more. The few hours I have says of growing up with parents who were I would be good at this line of work—and before I opened. You need to free I spend with my family. caterers and a grandmother who was a home for a 17-year-old it paid pretty well. I love the think about every single sce- It’s not like I’m not involved economics teacher. speed and accuracy nario—and think about the in making beer in any way After years of work- $100 or less and allure that comes answers. anymore; it’s just a different □ Ranger Creek .44 Texas Rye whiskey and Ranger ing in the hospitality Creek Rimfire whiskey with being a bartender. Maybe on paper, some vibe. But being able to take industry—including □ Cinco vodka Plus, spending most of consultant or bank manag- home a six pack of beer that □ Bacardí Ocho Años rum as beverage manag- □ Roca Patrón Reposado tequila my career on the River er will think it’s not a good we made here certainly fills er for Boiler House □ Angels Envy Cask Strength bourbon Walk, I was always idea—a lot of people thought whatever void that there Texas Grill & Wine □ The Botanist gin meeting new and inter- opening a brewery in San might be from not home □ Dorcol Kinsman Rakia brandy Garden—Davison now esting people.” Antonio in the mid-2000s brewing. $200 or less is a transatlantic sales “Always pay for a good cognac and Scotch.” Want to wow your consultant for Glazer’s □ Rémy Martin XO cognac own guests at home? Distributors, stocking □ Glenmorangie Nectar D’Or Scotch whisky or We asked for Davison’s Yamazaki 12-year Scotch whisky some of the city’s best advice on setting up a $350 or less bars. □ Clase Azul Añejo tequila own home bar—with “I developed my □ Gran Patrón Piedra tequila a selection that can be love and appreciation □ Whistle Pig The 15 Year rye whiskey created on a moderate splurge item for service and quality □ Clase Azul Ultra Añejo tequila (“It’s about $1,500 budget to combining early in life,” she says. but it’s worth the investment!”) pricier items.

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 35 by vanessa a. davila

essica Elizarraras is a pio- Jneer of sorts. As San Anto- What’s Good? nio has changed over the past Jessica Elizarraras is a pro decade, she has been quick at documenting her favorite to embrace the Alamo City’s dishes on Instagram: @ progessive food landscape. jesselizarraras. She says She’s been the food and night- that nowadays sharing life editor at the San Antonio snapshots of your food is so commonplace, it would Current since June 2013. It’s almost be weird if I didn’t a position that didn’t exist share it. I usually share new before the Brownsville native dishes or fun drinks with became the first person to fill cheeky names. it. For Elizarraras, it meant Her tips for shooting: she could put her unique stamp on what it means to be 1. Never use flash under any circumstances. Ever. a food critic in San Antonio. Before becoming the city’s 2. Use natural light when authority on cuisine, Elizarr- possible. I usually sit by windows. aras worked at the San An- tonio Express-News, starting 3. Overhead shots are usu- as an intern in 2008 and ally the easiest way to go, while still making everything filling various positions over look good. I’m big on circles, the next four years, including so bowls, plates, etc., are writing for the paper’s food usually in my feed. Though section. Her insight on food, I am terrified of dropping though, began after college my phone in ramen one of when she decided to start a these days. blog as a way to document her journey into balancing her health while still eating out and cooking more at home. “That had me taking my own photos, trying recipes, going out to eat, and talking about it,” says Elizzararas. “And that’s how I was brought on board with the food section at the Express-News. I was famil- iar with the growing scene.” Food in San Antonio has become a major part of the fabric of the ever-evolving city. The Current has become the place many residents turn to ALUMS for the latest and greatest in food. “San Antonio is in this WITH really great moment where TASTE things are changing fast, and there’s got to be some authority behind it,” she says. JESSICA ELIZARRARAS ’08 has become “I’m in the scene day in and San Antonio’s go-to expert on local eats day out. I’m always at restaurants. I’m always at bars. I’m talking about what’s new on The Food the menu. I’m talking about what new ingredients they’re using.” AUTHORITY

36 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA ’RUNNER REUNION

Making a DIFFERENCE

by vanessa a. davila SAPD officer JESSE TREVIÑO ’14 helps the this might not be so bad.” Elizarraras’ career in jour- He’s since flourished, nalism began her second After finishing up his city’s mentally ill via a special policing unit even becoming the first semester at UTSA when she service in the U.S. Marine UTSA student to receive joined The Paisano student Corps, Jesse Treviño found assistance, instead of plains. “I got excited about the Texas Higher Educa- newspaper. She stayed there himself behind a desk arresting them. The unit’s the fact that you could tion Coordinating Board’s for 4½ years, making her way working in mutual funds. training model has become use research to influence Kenneth H. Ashworth Fel- up to editor in chief. “My time Then the 2008 financial a national standard. policy.” lowship. This prestigious at The Paisano was really fun, crisis happened, and he “There are differences In fact, if it weren’t for $5,000 award is granted and now that I work at the encountered a lot of angry in the way the public re- his professors, he says, he to graduate students who Current, it’s the same kind of people who lost everything. sponds to its law enforce- would have never consid- show exceptional promise thing,” she says. “It’s a small “I grew up very poor, and ment,” Treviño says. “Gen- ered attending graduate in a field of public service. office, we shoot our own pho- I had just come back from erally speaking, we don’t school, especially consid- The accolades keep tos sometimes, and we deal parts of the world that were have a strong negative ering his trepidation about coming in his profession- with a lot of freelancers who extremely poor,” Treviño perception of law enforce- heading back to school at al life as well. This past don’t turn stuff in. And that’s says. “I got the sense that ment in San Antonio that all. “I remember thinking, January, Treviño and his kind of what you do when the corporate world just you might find across the It’s not for me. I don’t know SAPD partner helped the you’re at a student paper.” wasn’t for me.” United States. I think cri- how I’m going to do,” says department implement the After a short stint as one of Because of his military sis-intervention programs Treviño. “But then I took a Integrated Mobile Partners two senior editors at the Cur- experience, he was drawn like the mental health unit violent-crimes course, and Action Care Team, a home- rent who filled in for the editor to public service, so he help to foster that.” when I got my midterm lessness decriminalization in chief, Elizarraras is back to joined the San Antonio It’s a position Treviño test back, I was really program that focuses on finding delicious drinks and Police Department in 2010. wanted, he says, thanks in bummed about getting an jail diversion, treatment, food and telling her readers Five years later Treviño part to his undergraduate 86—because I’d studied and sustainable housing. about it. And she says she has decided to join the SAPD’s experience at UTSA. “UT- really hard. When I found It’s an initiative he is says no plans on going anywhere mental health unit, which SA’s professors really care out from the professor that he’s proud of: “I’ve been because she wants to grow tries to help people with about the science behind it was the highest score in very fortunate to be put in a with the Alamo City. S mental health issues get criminal justice,” he ex- the class, I thought, OK, position to help people.” S

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 37 ’RUNNER REUNION

CLASS NOTES

1983 mans, B.A. in interdisciplinary nio Express-News and founder of 2003 taken a position at Texas Chris- José L. Parra, B.A. and M.A. studies with a concentration The Rivard Report, received the Pedram Afshar, B.B.A. in tian University as a coordinator in English ’89, had his second in biology, has said goodbye to Community Voice award. information Systems, has been for student development. anniversary as superintendent San Antonio and is now look- named senior vice president for of Irving Independent School ing forward to connecting with 1998 service experience at New York Ericka Avila, M.Ed. in District. In the past two years alumni in Colorado. Rummans, Annette Goodson, B.B.A. in ac- Life Insurance Co. educational leadership, has Irving ISD was named a 2015 formerly with the San Antonio counting, has been honored by been named vice principal of AP District of the Year by the Independent School District, UTSA’s accounting department April Ancira, M.B.A. in busi- Villarreal Elementary School College Board; several of the has taken a position at the as its 2016 Accounting Alumna ness, completed the Ironman in San Antonio’s Northside district’s high schools earned Cherry Creek School District. of the Year. The award has been Texas North American Champi- Independent School District. a Silver Badge from U.S. News He was recognized in 2014 as recognizing alumni for their onship in 13 hours 5 minutes. & World Report, ranking them the SAISD Joel C. Harris Acade- outstanding contributions to among the top 10 percent of my Teacher of the Year. the school for the past 13 years. 2004 ALUMNAE EXCEL high schools nationwide. Goodson is a member of the Bonnie Berlanga, B.A. in Laura J. Campa, B.S. in physical UTSA accounting advisory communication, who records Three Honors College 1986 education, has moved to Baton board and has been an active music under the name Bonnie alumni are recipients Jeanie Wyatt, M.B.A., founder Rouge, Louisiana, following a volunteer for the college and Lang, has released her third of National Science of South Texas Money Manage- promotion to office manager the department. A local CPA album, The Road Is Wide Open. Foundation Graduate ment Ltd., made her debut, at at Terracon Consultants Inc., and manager at ATKG LLP, Research Fellowships: number 23, in the Barron’s 2016 where she has worked since Goodson has been instrumen- 2006 Jessica E. Burch ’15, ranking of Texas’ top 90 finan- 2003. Campa has participated tal in the UTSA department’s The San Antonio Business B.S. in chemistry, cial advisers. The publication in numerous 5K runs and is the mentoring program as well as Journal has recognized Zar will enter the Ph.D. networking efforts. Haro, B.B.A. in finance, of firm program in chemistry JLL among San Antonio’s top at the University of Rio Grande Valley Alumni 25 real estate brokers. YES, SIR, COLONEL! Association chapter president California, Berkeley. Robert G. Ramirez ’93, B.A. in criminal justice, and UTSA Alumni Association Brittany Pratt, B.A. in com- Christine DeMyers has been promoted to the rank of colonel in board member Armando munication, has been named ’15, B.A. in anthropol- the U.S. Air Force. The promotion ceremony Marroquin Jr., B.B.A. in man- director of social responsibility ogy, is in the Ph.D. took place at Offutt Air Force Base in Nebraska agement, has been nominated at WellMed Medical Manage- program in anthropol- and was officiated by U.S. Air Force Col. Mark to be a member of the Order of ment. ogy at Arizona State Williamson, the 55th Wing vice commander. Alhambra in McAllen. The fra- University; and Audrey In June Ramirez was reassigned as the director ternal organization is dedicated 2010 Ynigez-Gutierrez ’14, to assisting people who are for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnais- Ross Langham, B.B.A. in man- B.S. in chemistry, is developmentally disabled. agement, and wife Amanda sance for Air Force Global Strike Command at now in the Ph.D. pro- are the new parents of twins, gram in chemistry at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana. 2001 Clara Bell and Ross Graham, The San Antonio Business born just one minute apart in Vanderbilt University. Journal has recognized Lindsey March. ranks the advisers based on founder of the Revenge of the Tucker, B.A. in communica- assets, revenue generated, and Nerds 5K Run/Walk, annually tions, of CBRE Group Inc. 2012 MEETING NOTICE the quality of their practices. held in San Antonio during among San Antonio’s top 25 Maricela Alarcon, Ed.D in The Alumni Association’s Wyatt’s firm has $2.6 billion Engineers Week. real estate brokers. educational leadership, has annual meeting will convene of assets under management, been appointed principal at October 25 at 4 p.m. in UTSA’s with a typical account size of 1996 2002 Knowlton Elementary School Faculty Center Assembly Room, about $1 million and average The San Antonio Hispanic Mirella Campbell, B.A. in inter- in San Antonio’s Northside JPL 4.04.22. UTSA is located at client net worth of $2.8 million. Chamber of Commerce has disciplinary studies, has been Independent School District. One UTSA Circle, San Antonio, honored Robert Rivard, B.A. in appointed to principal at Scar- TX 78249. Current members 1995 political science, at its annual borough Elementary School 2014 are invited to vote on the Former Alumni Association business luncheon. Rivard, a in San Antonio’s Northside Darryl Wyrick, B.A., M.Ed. in bylaws, which can be reviewed board member Orlando Rum- former editor of the San Anto- Independent School District. educational leadership ’16, has online at utsa.edu/alumni.

38 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA Alana’s WONDERLAND

by michelle mondo Curator ALANA COATES M.A. ’12 immerses herself Coates’ connection to UTSA continues in multiple ways. Like Alice’s wonderland, art for Al- in the past, present, and future of the art world Throughout August, the gallery ana Coates is a rabbit hole she’s all is hosting an exhibit from artist too eager to jump into. “I really do get to meet some of the most fasci- as well as a graduate certificate and guest curator Jesse Amado enjoy all art from all time periods,” nating people,” Coates says. “The in nonprofit administration and that includes work from a recent she says. “Once you start diving a artists are amazing, but I don’t leadership. The fact she got her graduate, ceramist Kaela Puente little bit deeper it just keeps get- think people realize how special degree at UTSA helped in her M.F.A. ’16. Coates is also facili- ting more and more interesting, and unique collectors are too.” hiring, says gallery founder and tating a three-person exhibition and before you know it you’re 20 The Rhode Island native says owner Patricia Ruiz-Healy ’05, in 2017 at UTSA’s Main Campus books deep into research.” her path to art history wasn’t an who is back at UTSA as a Ph.D. art gallery that will focus on mul- As associate director of the gal- expected one. Calling herself an student. “I knew that she was tigenerational artist inspirations lery Ruiz-Healy Art for the past “odd duck” among a sports-loving coming from a very strong pro- and feature the art of John Her- three years, an art history lecturer family that wasn’t really interest- gram,” Ruiz-Healy says, “and nandez, Louie Chavez, and Me- at Northwest Vista College and a ed in the arts, Coates found her- that really gave me lots of com- gan Solis ’16. curator of independent projects, self on a path out of New England fort. She has strong language Gallery work, independent Coates has plenty of reasons to in- to San Antonio in 2009. “When skills and does a great job with projects, and even teaching keeps dulge her life’s passion. I explored best schools for Latin press releases. And she is very Coates incredibly busy. “I love At the gallery, she’s responsible American and Latino art histo- professional and reliable. Since them all equally, and I’m very pas- for overseeing the day-to-day oper- ry,” she says, “UTSA was one of I travel a lot for the business sionate about it, so I basically work ations and promoting exhibitions. them.” growth of the gallery, I feel com- seven days a week,” she says, add- But one of her favorite parts of the She earned her master’s de- fortable leaving her in charge of ing, “Oh, and I do try to squeeze in job is client and artist relations. “I gree in art history and criticism the day-to-day activities.” some yoga every day.” S

FALL 2016 SOMBRILLA MAGAZINE 39 LESSON LEARNED

THE PRACTICAL themselves, especially if they’ll be surrounded AND THE WOW by people who might be boasting over their OF RESEARCH “win”? It is easier to walk away from a strang- AT UTSA er at a party than your uncle. It can be hard to accept that people you care about think very differently than you do. The key, of course, is Feeling Some knowing your triggers, recognizing the nature of a relationship in question, and assessing whether you have any obligation to change someone’s mind. There is actually quite a bit of research suggesting that the way our brains Campaign process information is a major factor in our political orientation. Of course, that doesn’t mean reasonable people can’t change the way they view things, but it does mean that argu- ing in a social setting, especially if alcohol is Fatigue? involved, is likely not to result in a beneficial discourse. Realizing that you can choose how UTSA clinical psychologist Mary McNaughton-Cassill you respond is a great help. There is a book I love called Rapid Relief from Emotional Dis- studies stress and coping. With presidential bids going tress, which has the ACT formula. full bore, we decided to check in for insight A stands for “accept reality.” As long as you are thinking “if only” a person would listen or see reason, you are trying to change someone. To move forward, you have to decide to cope with the reality of the situation Presidential campaigning seems to start earlier and earlier each cycle. And since C stands for “create a vision.” Given the news comes at us through social media now, not only TV, radio, and newspa- reality of your family member, that person’s pers, there’s just no escaping someone’s opinion or rant. With campaigning It is easier to walk away views, your relationship, what is the optimal revving up toward the general election, compounded with coming holiday gath- from a stranger at a way for you to respond? Will they acquiesce erings with family and friends, we turned to psychology professor Mary Mc- if you suggest a change in topic? Can you Naughton-Cassill to find out how to cope with the stress of it all. party than your uncle. structure an event so you don’t spend a lot of It can be hard to accept time talking with that person? (I have known To start, let’s not avoid what’s probably central to many people’s stress right that people you care adults who chose to eat at the “kids’ table” so now—difference of opinion. Are people with a particular political affiliation ac- about think differently they could avoid talking to relatives.) tually any less or more confrontational with their opinions? There are definitely “ T stands for “take action.” Sometimes differences in the characteristics of liberals and conservatives. Conservatives than you do. things still get away from you. At that point typically prefer concrete answers and are more sensitive to threatening events. you have to take a look specifically at your ir- Liberals, ironically, say they are more socially aware but are often less happy than rational beliefs—thoughts that focus on neg- conservatives. Of course, even within groups there are variations. ative consequences. If you believe you have to have everyone’s approval, then you are bound Is there a particular medium for receiving news that has more impact on people? to fail. If you treat conflict as a catastrophe, My research suggests television has a major effect, probably because it is vivid you are bound to be anxious and worried after and visual and often occurs very rapidly. By the time you realize you don’t want to a disagreement. Learning to challenge those see something, you already have. However, the same thing can happen online. assumptions is a key component of stress And with radio, television, and the internet, things get amplified and repeated management. The trick is to assess your un- exponentially more than they did in the print age. The biggest difference, howev- derlying assumptions and to learn to generate er, is that in a world of 24-hour news coverage we have more access to informa- alternatives. Will your cousin really hate you if tion than people ever have, and we can choose to expose ourselves to coverage you disagree on health care? that simply reinforces what we already want to believe. Finally, with these sorts of topics, people’s Is it ever OK to ask friends or family to tone it down with political talk? Well, you behavior is often deep seated in emotion, can try asking people not to talk about the things they want to, but it is hard to Do you have a question about not logic. Any personal advice you can give enforce. A central tenet of stress management is realizing that we can’t control science or literature or any to help people cope? When my father-in-law topic that’s always made you the things around us; we can only control how we allow them to affect us. wonder “What? How? Why?” was alive, there were a couple of news topics but you never got around to you didn’t want to discuss with him. The en- With the holiday season coming up and families getting together, even though the looking into it? Let us know at tire family became adept at bailing out of the [email protected] and we’ll general election will have past, the sense of “pain” over a particular candidate’s find a UTSA expert to explain it. room if one of those topics came up on the loss might still be too real for some people. Is there a way people should prepare news. And that solved a lot. S

40 SOMBRILLAMAG.COM UTSA 8 TIPS TO HELP YOU GET THROUGH THE ELECTION AND BEYOND

Professor McNaughton-Cassill offers some useful advice for getting along with family members who don’t see eye-to-eye with you.

 Use the ACT formula to plan for possible negative encounters. This can work in terms of political conflict but is also a useful way to manage and respond to the heightened expectations and conflict that can accompa- ny the holidays.  Be aware of your own triggers and irrational beliefs and choose how you want to respond.  Assess what is more important to you, losing a relationship, being right in an argument, or changing another person’s mind. You don’t have to agree on everything to like or love someone else.  Take care of yourself physically. We all get more emotional when we are tired or hungry. Getting seven to eight hours of sleep, eating well, and spending time outside can all decrease stress.  Remember that alcohol and other substances can alter emotions, thoughts, and behavior and rarely contribute to clear, cogent discus- sions. It is unlikely that talking politics with someone who has had too much to drink will have a positive outcome.  Identify people who can help you maintain your perspective. Even if they aren’t at the event, you can touch base through social media.  Distract yourself when you need to calm down. Reading, watching movies, and playing with kids or pets can all help. If you decide that you really can’t handle a get-together, try volunteering. It is harder for people to get mad at you for missing an event if you were volunteering to serve turkey at a homeless shelter at the time!  Concede some ground. Your ideas may not be perfect, and your family members may not be idiots for having a different point of view. Look for common ground.

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