BIG-LEAGUE BALLPLAYERS When it comes to THE RIGHT PRESCRIPTION With their break- EDUCATIONAL EXCHANGE UT Arlington’s producing major league talent, UT Arlington’s throughs in drug discovery and delivery, three Asian EMBA is the largest such program in baseball program ranks among the best in the professors are leading the charge to detect and China, and its more than 2,000 graduates are nation. p. 22 combat serious health problems. p. 26 embracing American business practices. p. 34

UTATHE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTONrlington MAGAZINE | FALL 2014

Reel Life Ideas emerge as poignant stories from the minds of UTA filmmakers STRUCTURED ENVIRONMENT A typical day in aerospace engineering Professor Andrew Makeev’s Advanced Materials and Structures Lab finds students researching ways to improve the durability of aircraft parts. Contents Fall 2014 Comments HORIZONS BROADENED is discussing diversity, the FACULTY 11 Features Reading “A World of Pos- lack of diversity among the For more than 35 years, sibilities” reminded me of students featured is striking. UTArlington Robert Woods has helped my undergrad days and Vol. XXXVI • No. 2 • Fall 2014 students build award-winning WASIU LAWAL how UTA exposed a young, race cars through UTA’s Arlington, Texas EDITOR suburban, and naïve Texas Formula SAE program. Mark Permenter boy to a bigger and more Editor’s note: The story interesting world than I could FUTURE 12 focused on students from ASSISTANT EDITORS have imagined. Interacting Jessica Bridges Physics Professor Manfred India, Nepal, and Vietnam with international students Kathryn Hopper Cuntz says it’s possible that because these countries, allowed me to compare and Amber Scott life could exist in regions along with China and South contrast our cultures and around stars that burn Korea, had the largest EDITORIAL CONTRIBUTORS fueled a passion for travel. I brighter than the sun. number of international Herb Booth MAJOR LEAGUE spent four years in Germany UTA not only is focusing on dents’ reactions to the assas- students on campus. John Dycus MAVERICKS 22 (my German minor helped the academic side but also on sination of President Kennedy. Michael Eldridge COMMUNITY 15 With former Mavericks on immensely) and a lot of time student life, such as shar- In all the years of writing Bridget Lewis Students deliver school INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT the San Francisco Giants, in Asia and Mexico. UTA and ing cultures and improving scholarly articles, I never Teresa Newton supplies to classrooms in a Thanks for sharing my story Jim Patterson St. Louis Cardinals, New its students really served as a personal skills. Regardless of received a written feedback remote Himalayan village. and those of other interna- Traci Peterson York Mets, and Texas gateway for me to explore our what you are or where you that pleased me more than tional students in your “A Kristin Sullivan Rangers, UTA’s reputation for planet and cultures. are from, you will always feel this one. So thank you to World of Possibilities” article producing big-league welcome at UTA. writer Kenneth Perkins and ART DIRECTION GLEN GOLIGHTLY ’84, ’93 from the spring issue. If any- talent is on the rise. especially to my students for Brody Price West Hollywood, Calif. one ever asked me what is so TRAM CAO making a difference in some- Joel Quintans special about UTA, my answer Arlington, Texas PRESCRIPTIONS one’s life. I am truly thankful DIVERSITY NEEDED would be its diversity and UNIVERSITY PHOTOGRAPHERS OF PROMISE 26 that my students were willing “A World of Possibilities” in opportunities to learn. It’s POSITIVE FEEDBACK Robert Crosby Researchers are helping to take the time to share their the spring issue seems very easy to walk around campus I just received the spring issue Beth McHenry patients battle serious thoughts and grateful to God one-sided toward Asian and hear different groups of of UTArlington Magazine health problems through for leading me to play a small ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR international students, people speaking different and was surprised to find the advancements in drug GALLERY 16 part in a “poignant and fresh COMMUNICATIONS AND MARKETING whereas there are lots of languages. It just amazes me email from Samuel Crawford P. David Johnson discovery and delivery. Los Angeles-based alumnus take on the topic.” African, Middle Eastern, and because all I ever imag- of Phoenix about the “Words Paul Windle’s illustrations even European students on ined about America was an of Anguish” article in the fall DUANE KEILSTRUP PRESIDENT MAKING A SCENE 30 have appeared in numerous Vistasp Karbhari campus. For an article that English-only kind of country. 2013 issue relating to my stu- Arlington, Texas Fearless, unrelenting, and high-profile publications. passionate, professor and UTArlington Magazine is published GIVING BACK filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith has three times a year by University Congratulations on producing Communications for all alumni, as emerged as a major influence Alumni News from the Editor such a great magazine! I do- well as for faculty, staff, and friends in independent cinema. Message nate to UTA on a regular basis, of the University. Reproduction in Clostridium difficile isn’t on the tip of others for what they can be in the future whole or in part without written and it is a good feeling to give CHINA CONNECTION 34 the average college student’s tongue, but and not what they are in the present.” permission is prohibited. back to the college where I UTA’s Asian EMBA closes the Emmanuel Fordjour is far from your typi- Our cover article on Morgan Wood- received the education that cultural gap for students on cal student. ward Distinguished Professor Ya’Ke The comments and opinions allowed me to have a career expressed in this magazine do both sides of the globe and Not only was he familiar with the Smith and the film program offers anoth- in the medical science field. not necessarily represent opens China to American intestinal bacterium that kills an esti- er example of the impact professors have those of The University of Texas business practices. mated 14,000 Americans each year, he on their students. Smith’s protégés revere ROBERT D. SKINNER ’65 at Arlington or the staff of wanted to explore ways to fight it. So his unflinching work and praise his ability Little Rock, Ark. UTArlington Magazine. NAFEES ALAM 39 he sought out biology Assistant Profes- to draw out the artist deep inside them. Copyright © 2014, The University of Alumnus Nafees Alam works sor Julian Hurdle, who had received a Stories of faculty excellence fill this HIGH PRAISE Texas at Arlington. An equal oppor- Columns tunity/affirmative action employer. with top chefs to implement $1.9 million National Institutes of Health issue. Researchers Daniel Armstrong, Just wanted to say how great TALK 7 innovative restaurant grant to combat the hospital-acquired Kytai Nguyen, and Robert Magnusson UTArlington Magazine is. ON THE COVER A double major in biology concepts in North Texas. disease. have targeted serious health problems Very professional, laid out Illustration by Brian Stauffer and microbiology, Jessica The partnership has put Fordjour in through their pioneering work in drug well, great pictures, great Stevens is UTA’s latest NORRY NIVEN 40 an elite class. In July the senior biology discovery and delivery. Renowned physi- articles! recipient of the prestigious The founder of Stone Core and microbiology major received one of cist and National Academy of Sciences CONNIE HANSON ’96 Goldwater Scholarship, which Films in Dallas and Three- 15 United Negro College Fund Merck member David Nygren heads a group of and MARK HANSON recognizes outstanding One-O in Los Angeles, Science Research Fellowship Awards notable new-to-the-campus professors. Arlington, Texas undergraduate research. director Norry Niven ’85 has for 2014. Last spring the Washington, Dedicated faculty form the nucleus of collaborated with some of D.C.-based Council on Undergraduate every great university. At UT Arlington, CRASH COURSE 8 Hollywood’s biggest names. Research named him one of 60 winners our professors inspire and nurture within YOUR THOUGHTS? In her Sustainable in the 2014 Posters on the Hill contest. an environment that values quality, inge- Send letters to the editor Communities class, Yekang DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI 41 “Dr. Hurdle impressed upon me the nuity, and diversity. to [email protected], Ko helps students find Read about the achievements philosophy passed on to him by his men- The result: lofty achievements for or comment on magazine solutions to pressing of the UTA graduates selected tor—that the rigors of research teach you those who dare to succeed. content at uta.edu/ environmental problems. as 2014 Distinguished Alumni. lessons for life,” Fordjour says. “He sees – Mark Permenter utamagazine. CAMPUS CAMPUS YouTube Tweets Trending Yippee! #maverickspeakers WHOOP WHOOP!!! It’s of- So you think you’re a @utar- It was an honor to deliver the MAVSMEET CONVOCATION roster announced. Michio ficially Move-In Day at #UTA! lington fan? Get back to me Commencement address Kaku in February! Welcome new Mavericks! when your bushes spell out today at UTA at College Park I’m honored and excited to – @john_lamberth – @curlygirl214 UTA. – @utamavsfan Center. – @JoelBurns speak at #MavsConvocation at #UTArlington. Let’s get it UTA Target Day was a success. I had fun visiting UTA today Love getting the @utarling- Students from @UT_Dallas started today at 4 pm! MAVSMEET AFTERPARTY I won a T-shirt, tote bag and a with @Tatiyanabanks. ton magazine in the mail AND @UTSouthwestern @utarling- – @elshoboy UT Arlington kicked off $20 Container Store gift card!! – @Ooo_BigDaddy seeing friends being recog- ton team up & win $6,000 1st the fall 2014 semester with #UTA #ibleedblue #headahh- nized! – @MindaC place prize @ global health We had so much fun tonight Maverick Stampede, a week hhhhh – @KHANartistt Congrats Hebron drum contest! – @utsystem getting to know all of the new devoted to welcoming majors!! 1st place in the team I’m going to @swprophets at Mavs at #MavsMeet! We’ll see Mavericks to campus with Julius Randle wears No. conducting challenge at the College Park Center in Arling- Taking Strategic Social Media y’all tomorrow. entertainment, educational 30, which was his mother’s UTA Drum Major camp! ton, TX - Oct. 25. Communication with @shel- – @UTAZetaTauAlpha programs, and social events. number at UT Arlington. “I – @TheHebronBand – @stephenfoster28 leywigley at @utarlington. A highlight was MavsMeet got a little skill from her but I – @umairali Celebrate the fact that you are Convocation, a formal passed her up pretty quick.’’ Do you get the UTArlington President Jack Woolf led a UT Arlington Maverick for assembly that marks the – @bill_oram Magazine? It is excellent. @UTArlington when it was @utarlington magazine high- life. #MavsMeet beginning of the academic Check out their website at larger than A&M. (He also lights high speed rail in Texas. – @PerlaCabrera_ year. The more than 2,000 UT Arlington physics re- www.uta.edu/utamagazine. brought UTA air condition- Well done Dr. Mattingly! students, faculty, and staff searchers may have devel- – @ArlingtonProud ing.) – @BudKennedy – @salcedogroupinc I had a lot of fun today. attending the annual event oped a way to use laser tech- #MavsMeet #MavPride in College Park Center nology to deliver drug and #Mavericks #MavUp enjoyed remarks from gene therapy. – @inreport – @arinze_1204 popular radio DJ Edward Instagram “Shoboy” Sotelo. MavsMeet @utarlington Mav Speaker As soon as you lose your was followed by music, Series includes Bob Costas, excuses, you will find your games, food, and fun at the James Carville, Michio Kaku success. @elshoboy Great AfterParty on The Green at and more. Sign me up. speech at UTA’s #MavsMeet College Park. Throughout – @dustindangli #Convocation. – @esanchez_ the week, new Mavericks participated in other tradi- Loved watching Star Wars Haters are characters in your tions like Waffleopolis, Wet dubbed into Navajo at UT book, not authors of your ’n’ Wild, and Pajama Jam. Arlington this evening. book. #MavsMeet Watch a 2014 Maverick – @Ling_Lass – @Murtaza_95 Stampede video at youtube.com/UTArlington. Great to see @UTArlington UTA Jazz Ensemble made us expand its Bound for Success all #happy at #MavsMeet. program, a model I use in my – @soylabean education platform for Texas. – @WendyDavisTexas We’re all here at the Mavs- Meet Convocation! Let the When I received my second Clockwise from top left: school year begin! acceptance letter from @Uni- – @ExploringUTA versity of Texas at Arlington ... @dyluxx #tbt when I #gradu- that moment was priceless. ated from #UTArlington – @swagging_ham and was so happy I went to LET’S SOCIALIZE the park to #serenade my Check us out online and on I’ve committed to play base- #diploma with my #ukulele. your favorite social media ball at The University of Texas #memories sites. We welcome your at Arlington. I want to thank comments, posts, tweets, everyone who has been there @utadeltazeta Our new- and career updates. for me during this process. est VPM assistant Kathryn uta.edu/utamagazine – @JerameLittell Tranchina and the always Enjoy an interactive experience adorable Trace Le at the ori- and view Web-only content. What a great night. #Slammi- entation today! #utadeltazeta

Facebook “f” Logo facebook.com/utamagazineCMYK / .eps Facebook “f” Logo CMYK / .eps versary. @University of Texas #iotapsi #uta18 #utagogreek “Like” us and get updates in at Arlington – @Lagana #utacph #utafsl #utarlington your newsfeed.

twitter.com/utarlington Congratulations to Summit @fjar1635 Late-night shenani- Follow our tweets for the track athlete Emoni Taylor gans at Target! Ready for the latest Maverick news. who signed with University of new chapter that’s begin- linkedin.com/in/utamagazine Texas at Arlington. ning in my life. #uta #mavup Link in and tell us about your – @MISDathletics #freshman2014 #bestbuddies career achievements.

4 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 5 CAMPUS Jessica Stevens, Goldwater Scholar Talk

You are UT Arlington’s third of theory. As odd as it may recipient of the prestigious sound, I feel like I get more Goldwater Scholarship. opportunity to use my cre- CampusBuzz It feels surreal. I wasn’t sure ative skills in my current field. UT ARLINGTON AND THE WORLD I could compete against Ivy League schools in research What is your primary because I was so new to sci- research focus? ence and there was no way I’m currently examining the I could be up to their level. I effects of an invasive species Destination for Discovery guess my overzealous, hands- of zooplankton in Texas lakes. on attitude helped me experi- Invasive species can drasti- National Academy of Sciences member heads list of renowned new faculty ence so much in a short time. cally change ecosystems, and because zooplankton are More and more of the nation’s top scholars are choosing edge and innovation,” says Ronald Elsenbaumer, provost And you share the Gold- at the bottom of the food to advance their life-enhancing explorations at UTA. and vice president for academic affairs. water Scholarship honor chain, they can be more likely David Nygren, a renowned physicist and member Another new faculty member, Kay-Yut Chen, is a with your husband, who to change an ecosystem’s of the National Academy of Sciences, joined the Uni- noted behavioral and experimental researcher from was UT Arlington’s second structure. Understanding versity this fall as Presidential Distinguished Professor Yahoo! and Hewlett-Packard. A professor in the Infor- recipient. what happens ecologically in the College of Science. He will establish a unit to mation Systems and Operations Management Depart- It gives a lot of people the in various environments will research particle detector technologies and train the ment in the College of Business, Dr. Chen’s research on impression that we are a allow us to respond to and next generation of detector experts. how data-driven analytics can improve a company’s power couple, but honestly hopefully prevent environ- A scientist at the Lawrence Berkeley National Labo- decision-making has been featured in Nature, Entre- it’s more than us having won mental problems. ratory since 1973, Dr. Nygren is known for creating preneur, The Wall Street Journal, and Newsweek. this honor. What it took to the Time Projection Chamber, used worldwide in a Paul Componation became chair of the Industrial, get it is what we really have Why do we need more variety of applications in particle detection and dis- Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering Department in common. We both work women in STEM fields? covery. Forty years after its invention, the chamber in July. He most recently was a professor and director hard not just to learn, but Women think and solve remains integral to three-dimensional particle track- of graduate education for engineering management at to master the material we problems differently than ing and identification at major international research Iowa State University. are presented. We seek out men. Without that additional facilities, including the Large Hadron Collider near Much of Dr. Componation’s research has focused opportunities to test that perspective, the best solution Geneva, Switzerland, and the Long Baseline Neutrino on improving launch system development for NASA. mastery and then move on may never be realized. We Experiment at Fermilab near Chicago. He also has worked on the application of decision- to the next challenge, not need that balance in all “Researchers are increasingly finding that UT Arling- analysis tools to support Defense Department aviation necessarily because we have aspects of science to attain ton is an optimal place to anchor their pursuit of knowl- and missile systems. to but because we want to. the greatest scientific achievements possible. “Researchers You started at UT Arlington are increasingly as an architecture major. How is UT Arlington help- Now you’re a double ing you achieve your educa- finding that major in biology and tional and career goals? microbiology. I would not have had UT Arlington Architecture was my dream, anywhere near the number so when I changed majors I of research experiences, is an optimal had no idea what I would do. connections with professors, place to anchor I considered the kinesiology recognition of potential as program, which required a Goldwater candidate, or their pursuit of both biology and chemistry. had the opportunity to find During my first college biol- myself. knowledge and ogy class, I fell in love with innovation.” it and knew it was the path What do you plan to do for me. after graduation? I’ll go to graduate school Do you see any overlaps to pursue environmental between architecture and research. I want to help make your current field? the world a better place and What I liked about architec- give back to my community. ture was creating spaces Performing research will within constraints in order definitely help me accomplish to solve a problem. With those goals and hopefully put Known for inventing the Time Projection Chamber, biological research, you are me in a position to educate physicist David Nygren is essentially solving a complex others. a member of the National problem with the added Academy of Sciences. understanding of a vast array

6 UTArlington Magazine CAMPUS CAMPUS Crash Course Sustainable Communities Awards LORA RIMMER Unexpected discovery The U.S. Army Cadet Com- mand has named Lt. Col. Lora may aid cancer therapy Rimmer, commander of UTA’s Army ROTC Maverick Bat- While searching for a better looking at this for a long time,” talion, the nation’s Professor method to detect radiation, a Chen says. of Military Science of the Year. UT Arlington physicist may Photodynamic therapy She was selected from among have discovered something harms cancer cells by intro- 275 professors at colleges and even more important: an ducing a photosensitizer into universities nationwide that advancement in cancer therapy. tumor tissue, which produces offer Army ROTC. When testing a copper- singlet oxygen when exposed cysteamine complex created to light. Some studies generate CIRP 4320 in his lab, Professor Wei Chen light via visible or near-infra- Call it a laboratory without noticed unexplained decreases red lasers, while others intro- the beakers, test tubes, and in its luminescence—light- duce luminescent nanopar- petri dishes. In Yekang Ko’s emitting power—over a time- ticles into the tumor. Sustainable Communities lapse exposure to X-rays. Look- Neither method is ideal for course, students research ing further, he found that the treating deep tissue because real-world solutions to nanoparticles, called Cu-Cy, the light doesn’t penetrate far pressing environmental were losing energy as they enough. But X-ray-inducible problems. “Our students emitted singlet oxygen. Cu-Cy particles do. Further, acquire an ability to out- Because Dr. Chen has the Cu-Cy nanoparticles don’t All-inclusive KENNETH ROEMER reach to communities and extensive experience in can- need other photosensitizers, so University receives designation as English Professor Kenneth raise public awareness on cer research, he recognized the the treatment is more efficient Roemer has been inducted sustainability,” says Dr. Ko, importance of this discovery, and cost-effective. Hispanic-Serving Institution into the UT System Academy an assistant professor of as singlet oxygen is a toxic Lun “Kevin” Ma, a research UT Arlington is now officially a Hispanic-Serving of Distinguished Teachers. city and regional planning. byproduct used to attack can- assistant professor on Chen’s Institution (HSI), making it the highest-profile public An expert in American Indian “They also come to under- cer cells in photodynamic ther- team, co-authored a paper on research university in North Texas to receive the des- and utopian literatures, stand broad environmental apy. Additional testing revealed the research in the Journal of ignation and one of about 300 nationally. Dr. Roemer received the and social issues in building that the Cu-Cy nanoparticles, Biomedical Nanotechnology Awarded by the Department of Education, the HSI UT System Regents’ Out- sustainable communities.” combined with X-ray exposure, with Chen and research associ- recognition makes the University eligible for federal standing Teaching Award in Through lecture, discussion, significantly slowed tumor ate Xiaoju Zou. grants supporting institutions with large numbers of 2011. He is also a UT Arlington site visits, and team-based growth in lab studies. “For cancer, there is still Hispanic students. Distinguished Scholar Profes- service-learning projects, “This is the most promising no good solution,” Chen says. “This designation is aligned with the mission of our sor and Distinguished Teach- the course covers topics thing we have found in these “Hopefully this nanoparticle University, which is to be an internationally recognized ing Professor. like urban ecology, en- cancer studies, and we’ve been can provide some possibilities.” research university distinguished by excellence in every ergy and resources, and regard and by the access we provide to students from ENGINEERING STUDENTS community planning. Past all backgrounds,” President Vistasp Karbhari says. “It Two student electrical engi- outreach includes develop- builds on the tremendous diversity, talent, and dedica- neering teams won first ing a wildlife conservation tion of our faculty members and will help us provide place at the 2014 IEEE Interna- campaign for Arlington’s appropriate levels of support to ensure that each and tional Conference on Robot- River Legacy Living Science every student has the opportunity to excel in all aspects ics and Automation in Hong Center, creating a regen- of their academic careers.” Kong. One team located the erative community garden To receive HSI status, a university’s full-time under- most land mines through its model for the East Fort graduate enrollment must be at least 25 percent His- mine detection code, and the Worth Montessori Academy, panic. While qualifying institutions do not receive other prevailed in a challenge and devising a public transit direct awards, they do become eligible for funding from to move triangles from one plan for Arlington. “The programs aimed at promoting academic success, and part of a millimeter-sized field experience was invalu- not only for Hispanic students. For the 2014 fiscal year, to another. able to my education and the total appropriation for the federal HSI program personal knowledge,” says exceeded $100 million. VICTORIA FARRAR-MYERS Kailey Renaud (right), a Robert Estrada, a University Advisory Council The American Council on recent graduate who helped member and former UT System regent, calls the Education has selected politi- install native landscaping WORK WALKERS Treadmill workstations may be designation a critical step toward providing greater cal science Professor Victoria at an Arlington library. “It unsightly, but they’re effective. Research conducted by UTA, resources and opportunities for all students. Farrar-Myers for its 2014-15 taught me more than any the Mayo Clinic, and the University of Minnesota shows “This is a clear reflection of the changing demograph- class of the ACE Fellows Pro- other class structure I’ve that employees who use such devices receive physical ben- ics of the North Texas region, and I am proud to see gram. ACE is the major coor- experienced.” efits and are more productive. School of Urban and Public UT Arlington pursuing available resources to serve its dinating body for the nation’s Affairs Assistant Professor Darla Hamann and her colleagues diverse student population,” he says. “Diversity is part colleges and universities and surveyed about 200 employees for 52 weeks and found that of what makes UTA the world-class institution it is, advocates on higher educa- those using treadmill workstations burned an average of 74 and its students and faculty are worthy of additional tion issues in Washington and

PHOTOGRAPH BY MICHAEL CONROY/AP/CORBIS (TREADMILL) CONROY/AP/CORBIS MICHAEL BY PHOTOGRAPH more calories per day than they did at their regular desks. federal support.” around the world.

8 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 9 CAMPUS CAMPUS Grants Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty HIGH ENERGY PHYSICS The Energy Department has Quinnan named student awarded a $2.5 million grant to the College of Science’s affairs vice president Center of Excellence in High Timothy Quinnan looks for- Energy Physics. Team mem- ward to helping UT Arlington bers are Professor Kaushik become renowned for student De, who directs the center; engagement and success. He professors Andrew White, begins leading the way this fall Andrew Brandt, and Jaehoon as the new vice president for Yu; and Associate Professor student affairs. Amir Farbin. ROBERT WOODS Most recently Dr. Quinnan For more than 35 years, was associate vice president for Robert Woods has helped campus life at San Diego State students build high-per- University. He previously held formance race cars through leadership positions in student Quinnan earned his bach- UT Arlington’s Formula affairs at the University of elor’s degree in literature and SAE program, which ranks Michigan, the University of a master’s degree in college among the best in the world. Cincinnati, and Florida State student personnel from Miami Recently, the mechanical University. University in Oxford, Ohio. He and aerospace engineer- “Dr. Quinnan has built an received his doctorate in higher HENG HUANG ing professor challenged impressive career as a student education administration from The National Science Founda- himself to build one of the affairs professional, educator, the Union Institute & Univer- tion has awarded more than most iconic race cars of all global thinker, and sought- sity in Cincinnati. $600,000 to computer sci- time—Ford’s Carroll Shelby after expert on student devel- He has published two books, ence and engineering Associ- Grafts-be-gone GT40. After seeing the low- opment issues at some of the Generations Lost in 2002 ate Professor Heng Huang slung, ’60s-era endurance nation’s leading institutions and Adult Students at Risk to develop an interactive Method attracts stem cells that grow bone car last year, he bought a of higher education,” UTA in 1997, and written articles database of gene expressions Traditional bone grafting may eventually be a thing of replica kit from a British President Vistasp Karbhari in national publications and of the fruit fly. the past, thanks to a pair of researchers from UT Arling- manufacturer with all the says. “His commitment to indi- peer-reviewed journals, includ- ton and Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. parts necessary, from brake vidual student success, student ing Academic Leadership, The PURNENDU DASGUPTA Bioengineering Professor Liping Tang (above left) fluid to touch-up paint. life, diversity, and excellence in Chronicle of Higher Education, AND ADITYA DAS and physician Joseph Borrelli are investigating whether “The whole planning process leadership will help guide our Journal of College and Charac- Purnendu “Sandy” Dasgupta bone grown from the body’s own stem cells can provide and the building have been University to new heights at a ter, and Black Issues in Higher and Aditya Das have received a more effective replacement for bone grafts. fun. Then I’ll get to drive time when we are ready to soar.” Education. a National Science Foundation Today, if a patient suffers from a bone defect or it,” says Dr. Woods, who is grant to make an affordable complex tibia fracture, for example, a surgeon may constructing the vehicle in field analyzer for arsenic lev- perform an iliac crest bone graft. The surgeon uses a his garage. “I don’t know els in water. Dr. Dasgupta, the mechanism that scrapes or shaves bone from the pelvis, what will be the most enjoy- Jenkins Garrett Professor of then places those shavings directly into the defect or able. I suspect it will be the Chemistry and Biochemistry, combines them with other proteins. driving.” The manufacturer will direct the project with Dr. The researchers’ procedure would eliminate this estimates assembly at 350 Das, senior research scientist grafting technique. It instead uses biodegradable hours, but Woods thinks he at the UT Arlington Research polymer scaffolding material, bone morphogenetic has exceeded that by “be- Institute, and Scott Evans, protein, and erythropoietin to attract stem cells that ing a bit more meticulous.” president and co-founder of produce bone. That in turn allows surgeons to establish While he’s looking forward Chipotle Business Group. a “mini-bioreactor” in a patient’s body. to road trips, the thrill “This research will help us formalize a specific type of can’t compare to seeing his SAMIR IQBAL scaffolding mixture that could eliminate the use of cur- students cross the finish A research team has received rent bone grafting techniques,” says Dr. Borrelli, chair line. Last year the Society of a National Science Foun- of orthopedics at Texas Health Arlington Memorial. Automotive Engineers dation grant to build an The scientists successfully tested the process on mice, International honored inexpensive device that uses determining that the abdomen of the animal effectively BIRD BREAKTHROUGH Pigeons are providing key Woods with its annual nanotechnology and a simple mimics the traumatic and foreign body environmental insights into how genes change over time. Researchers led Excellence in Engineering urine test to detect tiny response that takes place during various bone repair by biology Assistant Professor John Fondon are unraveling Education Award. “What amounts of bladder cancer procedures in humans. Bone tissue was generated in the molecular basis for the color palette of domestic breeds really motivates me,” he cells. Electrical engineering just a few days, rather than the weeks or months cur- known as “fancy pigeons.” The team has identified muta- says, “is to watch these stu- Associate Professor Samir rent processes take in a lab. tions in six genes that interact to create color variations. dents grow professionally.” Iqbal leads the group, which “In the future, a physician will be able to inject the Dr. Fondon and his student colleagues also discovered that includes bioengineering scaffolding material with the ideal protein into the some color varieties arose independently multiple times Associate Professor Young- area where the patient’s bone needs to grow or repair,” through recurrent mutations of the same genes. The genes tae Kim and UT Southwestern Borrelli explains. “The patient’s cells will never have in the study have been linked to skin and hair color variation urology Professor Yair Lotan. to leave the body.” in humans, as well as the development of melanoma.

10 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 11 CAMPUS CAMPUS Future Habitable Planets, 2080 Press OLIVER BATEMAN Study investigates link History Assistant Professor Oliver Bateman wrote an to breast cancer op-ed for The Atlantic about grade inflation. He says that A compound found in many cate BPA in tumor growth in in a system that requires most plastic products may be pro- a variety of cancers because students to pay for their own moting breast cancer growth. when HOTAIR is expressed, it education, professors should In a recent study, chemis- can suppress genes that would not impose harsh grading try and biochemistry Associate normally slow tumor growth standards and other obstacles Professor Subhrangsu Mandal or kill cancer cells. that prevent graduation. and doctoral student Arunoday “We can’t immediately say Bhan found that when breast BPA causes cancer growth, cancer and mammary gland but it could well contribute cells were exposed to the syn- because it is disrupting the thetic compound bisphenol-A genes that defend against (BPA), the BPA worked togeth- that growth,” Mandal explains. er with naturally present mol- “Understanding the develop- ecules like estrogen to create mental impact of these syn - abnormal amounts of HOTAIR thetic hormones is an impor- expression. tant way to protect ourselves.” HOTAIR is an abbre - BPA is widely found in viation for long, non-coding plastics like food storage con- SHAKEELA HUNTER RNA. Under normal circum- tainers, the lining of canned U.S. News & World Report stances, estrogen regulates it, goods, and, until recently, baby Feed Your Mind featured Shakeela Hunter, turning its expression on and bottles. It belongs to a class of director of the Student Money off through interaction with endocrine-disrupting chemi- Lineup set for Maverick Speakers Series Management Center, in a molecules called estrogen cals that have been shown to Entertaining stories and engaging discourse take cen- story about how parents can receptors (ERs) and estrogen mimic natural hormones. ter stage at UT Arlington with the 2014-15 Maverick save for their children’s col- receptor-coregulators (ER- These endocrine disruptors Speakers Series. lege education. She suggests coregulators). But Dr. Mandal interfere with hormone regula- The seventh season includes a fiery political couple, a exploring dual credit and and Bhan discovered that BPA tion and the proper function of world-famous theoretical physicist, a legendary sports- advanced placement courses, disrupted the normal function human cells, glands, and tis- caster, a politician-turned-advocate, and a decorated which count as college credit of the ERs and ER-coregula- sue. Studies have linked BPA Navy officer known for his leadership and thought- hours. tors both when estrogen was to problems with reproductive provoking analysis. present and when it was not. development, early puberty, Husband-wife duo James Carville and Mary Matalin ALI KOYMEN AND This finding may impli- obesity, and cancers. (above) kick off the series Oct. 20 at Texas Hall. Known SAMARENDRA MOHANTY for their diametrically opposed political views, the The work of physics research- couple are authors of the national best-seller All’s Fair: ers Ali Koymen and Samar- Love, War, and Running for President. endra Mohanty appeared in The fall schedule continues Nov. 4 in Texas Hall a Science Daily article. Their with a discussion of personal safety and security in method of using laser technol- the cyber age by retired Adm. James Stavridis. ogy to deliver drug and gene Spring 2015 speakers begin Feb. 19 at Texas Hall therapy at the cellular level with Michio Kaku, a renowned theoretical physicist without damaging surround- who is attempting to complete Einstein’s unified field ing tissue could help patients theory. The season resumes March 26 at Texas Hall suffering from genetic condi- with Henry Cisneros, a two-term San Antonio mayor tions, cancers, and neurologi- who has made a career of advocating for affordable cal diseases. public housing since he left office. The appearance of award-winning NBC sportscaster ROBERT GATCHEL Bob Costas, originally set for September, will be resched- Fitness Magazine and Yahoo! Could life exist in regions around stars that planets to develop and sustain life. Stars fall our sun. Their increased ultraviolet radiation ELITE COMPANY Emmanuel Fordjour was a sopho- uled. Check uta.edu/maverickspeakers for the new date. Shine reported tips for dealing burn brighter than the sun? Physics Professor into seven lettered categories according to has been thought to be a limiting factor for more when he asked biology Assistant Professor Julian Hur- In addition to his regular coverage of the prime-time with pain after working out. Manfred Cuntz says scientists should not their surface temperature, but they also differ sustaining life. In addition, there just aren’t as dle if he could help research ways to fight Clostridium difficile, Olympics and contributions to Nightly News and The In the article, psychology dismiss the possibility. In a paper published in other factors such as mass, luminosity, and many of them. But Cuntz contends there’s hope a dangerous, hospital-acquired disease. Just two years later, Today Show, Costas hosts Football Night in America. Professor Robert Gatchel says in the International Journal of Astrobiology, abundance in the universe. Scientists looking for F-type stars. “There is a gap in attention Fordjour’s work with Dr. Hurdle has put him in an elite class. The Maverick Speakers Series has attracted thou- that stress and anxiety lower Dr. Cuntz teamed with doctoral student Satoko for habitable planets typically have focused on from the scientific community when it comes The double major in biology and microbiology was named sands of people to hear some of today’s brightest minds the pain threshold so minor Sato and researchers from the University of the less massive end of the spectrum, where to knowledge about F-type stars, and that is a winner of the Council on Undergraduate Research’s 2014 address current events and timely issues. Previous aches feel more intense. Guanajuato in Mexico. They argue that F-type our own G-type sun as well as the even smaller what our research is working to fill,” he says. Posters on the Hill competition. He is one of 60 undergradu- speakers include Seth Meyers, Cokie Roberts, Mark Dr. Gatchel is the Nancy stars have a wide habitability zone—the area K- and M-type stars reside. F-types are in the “It appears they may indeed be a good place to ate scholars selected from 600 applicants across the nation. Kelly, Soledad O’Brien, and Anderson Cooper. P. and John G. Penson where conditions are right for Earth-type middle of the scale, larger and hotter than look for habitable planets.” Fordjour also received one of 15 United Negro College Fund The lectures are free, but tickets are required. For Endowed Professor of Clinical

ILLUSTRATION BY STEPHEN DURKE STEPHEN BY ILLUSTRATION WIREIMAGE (MATALIN/CARVILLE) PHOTOGRAPH BY Merck Science Research Fellowship Awards for 2014. more information, visit uta.edu/maverickspeakers. Health Psychology.

12 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 13 CAMPUS CAMPUS Outreach Global Community for Education Community STEM ACADEMY A partnership between UTA Device helps student and the Arlington Indepen- dent School District will veterans with PTSD offer high school students UT Arlington researchers have deficiency is associated with classroom and enrichment successfully used a portable dysfunction in a portion of the experiences to boost their brain-mapping device to show right frontal cortex. INTERNATIONAL AID success in science, tech- cognitive dysfunction among Dr. Smith-Osborne has Before students can change nology, engineering, and student veterans with post- used the findings to guide the world, they may need to math. The STEM Academy is traumatic stress disorder. treatment for veterans through let the world change them. scheduled to open in August The study by bioengineer- her work as principal investi- That’s what Bob Hopkins, a 2015 at Martin High School. ing Professor Hanli Liu, social gator for UTA’s Student Vet- marketing and management When fully implemented, work Associate Professor Alexa eran Project, which offers free lecturer in the College of the program will include 100 Smith-Osborne, and two other services to veterans who are Business, has witnessed students each from grades collaborators used functional undergraduates or are con- when he takes students on 9 through 12. near-infrared spectroscopy to sidering returning to college. what he calls “an experi- map brain responses during “When we retest those ential journey.” In May he cognitive activities requiring student veterans after we’ve led a group of educators memory recall. provided therapy and interven- and students, including Published in the May 2014 tions, they’ve shown marked Hailey Chivers (left), Jason NeuroImage: Clinical, the improvement,” she says. Suggs, and Dylan Binkert study involved 16 combat veter- Numerous neuropsycho- from UTA, to Nepal where Seeds of Change ans diagnosed with PTSD who logical studies have linked they hand-delivered school were experiencing distress and learning dysfunctions such as supplies to classrooms in a Urban youth farm planned for West Dallas functional impairment affect- memory loss, attention deficits, remote Himalayan village. ing cognitive and academic and learning disabilities with “We were met with two rows BOUND FOR SUCCESS Progress is taking root in La Bajada, a small neighbor- performance. Number-order- PTSD. of 350 students all clap- The University has expanded hood in West Dallas. ing tasks were performed on Dr. Liu says this type ping their hands, cheering its Bound for Success With the opening of the Margaret Hunt Hill Bridge, a computer while researchers of brain imaging enables us,” Hopkins says. “They early-admissions initiative to La Bajada is now just a short drive from downtown monitored brain activity using researchers to “see” which thought we built the school. include the Grand Prairie and and a magnet for developers. The area also caught the the noninvasive neuroimaging brain regions fail to memorize We didn’t build the school; Mansfield school districts. eye of architecture Professor Don Gatzke, who had a technology. or recall learned knowledge. the community there did The pilot program began last different sort of development in mind. Participants with PTSD “It also shows how PTSD can that. But we did provide fall with the Arlington school After a visit to Grow Dat Youth Farm, a partnership experienced significant diffi- affect the way we learn and our financial support, and district and aims to increase between Tulane University and a New Orleans park, culty recalling the digits com- ability to recall information,” now we were delivering the number of high school Gatzke spotted a vacant lot in La Bajada and thought pared to the control group. The she says. paper, pads, and pencils.” students who earn a college it would be perfect for a similar initiative between the The school is a project of degree. The partnership neighborhood and UT Arlington. the Global Community for provides high-achieving stu- The La Bajada Urban Youth Farm began taking Education, a nonprofit that dents deferred, unconditional shape in a graduate architecture design studio course partners with communi- admission provided they taught by Associate Professor Kevin Sloan. Students ties to provide educational graduate with a recognized designed the site and associated structures and cre- opportunities to children college preparatory diploma ated a master plan. who lack access. While the and satisfy the Texas Success “The response from the community and the city of organization donates funds, Initiatives requirements. Dallas has been overwhelmingly positive,” Gatzke says. local citizens build and “A project like this can only strengthen the La Bajada maintain the classrooms. HOMETOWN RECRUITING community and further define its sense of identity.” The group also visited High school students con- Plans cover about three acres and include an open- an orphanage and made sidering jobs in law enforce- air pavilion, greenhouses, raised beds for planting, a presentations at two MBA ment have a new option. playground, and a youth baseball field. The farm will program conferences on UTA’s Hometown Recruiting hire at-risk teens to help grow organic vegetables, herbs, social entrepreneurship Program allows them to earn and fruit. The produce could then be taken home for and social responsibility in nine credit hours toward a their families, given to food banks, or sold at farmer’s TAKING FLIGHT Drones, bots, and other unmanned ve- Kathmandu. bachelor’s degree in criminal markets or local restaurants. hicles continue to make headlines. Although the industry is justice, with courses in law Gatzke, who secured a partnership with West Dal- still young, economists predict that it eventually will create enforcement, ethics, and las Community Centers, is finalizing the design and thousands of jobs and generate billions in economic activ- criminal justice. Arlington securing financing. ity. To prepare students for this next wave of transportation, school district students who “Being a part of this project and all the hands-on UTA now offers unmanned vehicle systems certificates for complete the program and work it involves is essentially what architecture is all undergraduate and graduate students. Both programs are earn their UTA degree receive about,” says Tyler Shafer, a student in the design studio a collaboration between the College of Engineering and the an interview with and pre- course. “Not only does the project have the ability to UT Arlington Research Institute, which won Federal Aviation ferred consideration from the shape the future of Dallas, it’s a great representation Administration approval early this year for unmanned air- Arlington Police Department. of what UTA has to offer our local communities.” craft system test flights at the institute’s Fort Worth campus.

14 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 15 CAMPUS CAMPUS Gallery Illustrations Numbers University teams with 15,000 More than 15,000 UTA PAUL WINDLE Jordanian institutions students live within 10 miles As a sophomore in 2007, UT Arlington’s global reach ment of physical and technical of campus. More than 5,000 Paul Windle decided now stretches a bit further. infrastructure that connects of those live in University- he’d taken a wrong turn, New agreements with four Jor- people to resources, our ongo- owned housing. figuratively, on the way to danian institutions are the first ing dialogue will support our architecture class. So he step toward establishing stu- common interests in advancing changed course—literally— dent exchanges and research the physical and economic well- and walked directly to the collaborations with the key U.S. being of those we strive to serve.” 2,000 Fine Arts Building to switch ally in the Middle East. Her Royal Highness Prin- UT Arlington’s new Guar- his major to graphic design. In March representatives cess Muna Al Hussein, mother anteed Tuition Plan allows “I was thinking about how from UTA and the Jordanian of His Majesty King Abdullah students to lock in current people get to draw these tuition rates, avoid future Nursing Council, Hashem- II of Jordan, accompanied the INCOMING CALL awesome, exciting graphics, ite University, the Jordanian group to UT Arlington. She tuition increases, and earn and it’s their adult job. I University of Science and Tech- had high praise for the Col - up to $2,000 off the cost of a wanted to do that, too.” As nology, and the Aqaba Special lege of Nursing, commending four-year degree. The plan is a freelance illustrator in Economic Zone Authority in its “tireless efforts in provid- available to all freshmen and New York City, Windle ’10 Jordan finalized details of the ing quality, innovative nurs- undergraduate transfer stu- had work featured in The partnerships. The arrange- ing programs and emphasizing dents entering the University Atlantic, The New York ment eventually will lead to nursing competencies to meet in fall 2014 or thereafter. Find Times, and GQ, among many collaborative research initia- the challenges of increasingly Ringing Success more information at uta.edu/ other publications. He also guaranteedtuition. tives, academic exchanges with complex health problems.” Student’s top-selling remix of iPhone has illustrated for compa- the Jordanian universities, and In Jordan the princess nies like Adidas, NIKE, and projects addressing Jordan’s helped found the Nursing ringtones garners worldwide recognition ESPN and was named a 2012 special sustainability concerns Council and has been honored Three years ago Umair Ali and his family were sitting ADC Young Gun, which and environmental needs. for her commitment to provid- around the table when they heard the familiar marimba recognizes outstanding “Our dream is that, through ing quality nursing through the ringtone on someone’s iPhone. achievement in communica- the power of advancing and advancement of practice and “I’m looking at my phone, my dad’s looking at his, tion arts for professionals sharing knowledge, our world education. 8The Masterth of Science in and my mom is looking at hers,” Ali says. “It was an age 30 or younger. These can be a better place,” UTA “I am convinced that, with Taxation program in the awkward situation.” days, he lives in Los Angeles President Vistasp Karbhari the diligent efforts of both College of Business ranks But it spawned an idea. Why not remix a ringtone and is developing a career says. “Whether it is through sides, our collaboration will No. 8 in the nation, according that would be more distinctive? The communication in storyboarding for car- our commitment to training yield greater results,” she says, to a 2014 taxtalent.com technology major used his budding music production toons. “The art department and empowering nurses, the “and our bilateral ties will survey. The program ranked skills to alter the tone and added it to his phone. at UTA was so open that advancement of allied health embrace a brighter future for ninth last year. “A lot of my family members loved it so I gave it to it taught me to follow my initiatives, or the develop - both sides.” them, and they came back saying their friends wanted interests and develop my it, too,” he says. “I put it on iTunes, and from there it ideas,” he says. “I feel like went crazy.” all of my experiences at UTA Ali’s iPhone remix started climbing the charts, 60,000 and in New York have pre- About 60,000 people have hitting No. 1 in Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, pared me to push for this attended Maverick Speakers and Norway. In the United States, he has made the next step in my career.” Series lectures since the top 10 with multiple ringtones, outselling artists such program debuted in 2008. as Beyoncé and Luke Bryan. Worldwide, his creations The 2014-15 lineup features have been downloaded more than 150,000 times. Clockwise from top: luminaries from sports, politics, “It started off as a hobby and turned into something “Camp Adventure,” the military, and science. Read “Hockey Fights,” awesome.” more on page 13. and “Deviation” He credits his family for encouraging his love of music and his UT Arlington professors, including Brian Horton and Chyng-Yang Jang, for their guidance. BEETLE MANIA A study by two UTA biologists has “There are great mentors here,” Ali says. “Our classes 130,000 yielded a new theory about why some species lose their are highly project-based, and the professors work with The Biology Department’s Y chromosome. Doctoral candidate Heath Blackmon and you one-on-one all the time.” Amphibian and Reptile Diver- Associate Professor Jeffery Demuth studied genetic infor- Ali is enjoying his newfound success but realizes it sity Research Center houses mation from more than 4,000 beetle species. Their “fragile Y won’t last forever. an internationally recognized hypothesis” purports that the Y chromosome is heavily influ- “I’m saving my money, hoping to create some new collection of more than enced by how meiosis (the production of sperm) works in an things and build my own start-up,” he says. “Our major 130,000 specimens from 90 organism. Previous studies have attributed Y chromosome teaches us graphic design, Web communication, and countries. The collection fea- loss to the lesser importance of genes that the chromosome how to make apps. That’s what I love doing.” tures the world’s largest hold- carries. Researchers study the evolution of these chromo- To hear and download the ringtones, search “iPhone ing of reptiles and amphibians somes to learn more about human evolution and disease. remix” or “Umair Ali” on iTunes from a mobile device. from Guatemala.

16 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 17 CAMPUS CAMPUS Champs Volleyball Sports ACADEMIC HONORS The women’s tennis and Record six Mavericks volleyball teams were among seven Sun Belt Conference selected in MLB draft recipients of the NCAA’s Major League Baseball teams the draft’s final day. The Hous- Public Recognition Awards for continue to view UT Arling- ton Astros selected Bottger in posting academic progress ton as fertile ground for top the 12th round, the Boston Red in the top 10 percent of their prospects. Sox chose Miller in the 23rd TAYLOR GROSS sport. The APR tracks the Junior pitcher Zach round, and the Pittsburgh The journey for senior grades of every student- Thompson was the first Sun Pirates drafted Amedee in outside hitter Taylor Gross athlete on scholarship. Belt Conference player and the the 27th round. has taken her from an initial first of a record six Mavericks The six selections are two stop at Stephen F. Austin selected in the 2014 draft in more than the previous single- State University to a leader- June. The Chicago White Sox draft high and bring UTA’s all- ship role for the Mavericks. chose him in the fifth round. time total to 48. Transferring from SFA after “I’ve worked my entire life Shortall and Bottger her freshman season, Gross to play professionally,” Thomp- were named to the All-Sun had instant impact. She son says. “To see my name up Belt Conference first team. was named to the 2012 UTA there is the greatest feeling. I’m Shortall batted .344 with 10 Hilton Invitational All-Tour- absolutely pumped.” home runs and a team-high 57 nament team in her first Senior catcher Greg McCall RBIs in 2014. His 26 doubles weekend and was second went in the ninth round to set a single-season UTA record. team All-Western Ath- the Milwaukee Brewers, and Bottger hit a team-best .368 letic Conference. “At first NINA VILLANUEVA senior designated hitter Matt with seven homers and 42 I thought it was going to Junior shortstop Nina Clean Sweep Shortall was a 10th-round pick RBIs. be more difficult,” she says Villanueva was named an of the Philadelphia Phillies. It The Mavericks won 17 of of the transition between all-conference softball Men’s track team captures triple crown marked the first time three their final 20 games to finish schools. “When I came here, first-teamer for the second The men’s track and field team completed its first triple UTA players were selected in 33-26 overall and 22-12 in their coach (Diane) Seymour and consecutive year. The San crown in May by winning the Sun Belt Conference the top 10 rounds. first Sun Belt season. UTA was the girls were really wel- Diego native earned All-Sun Outdoor Track and Field Championships. Junior outfielders Ryan second in the regular season coming. The reason I loved Belt Conference honors The Mavericks took the cross country title in Novem- Bottger and Derek Miller and runner-up in the confer- it here was that it felt more in 2014 after making the ber and the indoor championship in February in their joined junior pitcher Jess ence tournament to nationally like home to me.” Gross Western Athletic Conference inaugural year in the Sun Belt. Amedee as Mavericks taken on ranked Louisiana-Lafayette. entered her senior season first team last year. She led The outdoor title was the ninth in UTA history and as one of the top returning the Mavericks in batting first since 2007 when the men claimed the Southland players for a program that average (.348), hits (56), RBIs Conference crown. No SBC school had won all three reached the 2013 Sun Belt (39), and home runs (8). sports in the same season since Western Kentucky Conference Championship in 2008. game. She finished second TAMERAH GORHAM “From the athletes to the coaches to the staff, it’s been on the team in kills and Tamerah Gorham helped the a team effort all year,” coach John Sauerhage said. “We blocks last season and was women’s team finish sixth came up with clutch performances across the board. a second team All-Sun Belt by capturing the 800-meter We have a group of seniors who wanted it so badly.” selection. “Being a senior, crown at the Sun Belt Confer- UT Arlington finished with 145 points to edge West- regardless of if you are a ence Outdoor Track and Field ern Kentucky (138) and South Alabama (132). starter, means you’re in a Championships in May. The All-American sprinter Clayton Vaughn paced the leadership role. I know we freshman from Arlington Mavericks. He tied for first in the 100 meters, finished have to step up and get our also won the 800 at the SBC second in the 200, and teamed with Christian Clark, little babies in the basket indoor championships in Quentin Butler, and Cameron Newson to win the 4x100 ready so they can learn February. relay. from us.” Craig Lautenslager finished first in the 10,000 meters ELIZABETH THOMS by more than four seconds, and Emil Blomberg won Sophomore Elizabeth the 3,000-meter steeplechase. Thoms was named to the Sauerhage earned his own triple crown. He was Sun Belt All-Conference FAST TRACK Sprinter Clayton Vaughn made UTA his- named Sun Belt Conference Men’s Outdoor Track and singles first team. The West tory last spring. He earned first team All-America honors in Field Coach of the Year after winning SBC coaching Sussex, United Kingdom, both the 100 and 200 meters, becoming the first Maverick accolades for men’s cross country and indoor track. native delivered nine wins to score multiple All-America awards in individual events in “This is a team award,” he said. “This group has given while playing in the top two the same season. One of just three athletes to advance to its all from day one and has been so enjoyable for us singles positions in the 2014 the NCAA final in both events, Vaughn placed sixth in the to coach.” season. The women’s tennis 100 and eighth in the 200. He also anchored the 4x100-meter The outdoor coaching honor was the third of Sauer- team finished 12-8, losing relay team that received second team All-America recogni- hage’s 18-year career. He has amassed 25 conference in the semifinals of the SBC tion. With the relay award, he became the first UTA track and coach-of-the-year awards in men’s and women’s cross championships. field athlete to earn three All-America honors in one season. country as well as indoor and outdoor track and field.

18 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 19 CAMPUS CAMPUS Scene & Noted U.S.-Mexico War Exhibit

‘A CONTINENT DIVIDED’ When the United States an- nexed Texas in 1845, it start- 1 2 ed a chain of events that led to what we now know as the U.S.-Mexico War. But despite its historical signifi- cance—the conflict resulted in the United States gaining more than half of Mexico’s territory—collective knowledge of the war is fil- tered through an American 10 13 lens. As one of the premier repositories on the topic, the UT Arlington Library’s Special Collections is trying to correct this imbalance. Its “A Continent Divided” 6 11 12 14 project makes available for 3 4 the first time online one of the largest collections of primary source materials on the U.S.-Mexico War. The 7 8 items are presented with a bi-national focus, which allows an examination of the war’s place in the larger history of North America. An exhibit featuring some of the materials, including those at right, was on dis- play in the Central Library over the summer. Learn more at library.uta.edu/ usmexicowar.

9 1 A letter dated April 2, 1849, to Kendall (c. 1850). Made from the table and a dog representing 10 “Los Gobernantes de 13 A hand-colored lithograph Maj. John B. Butler regarding horn, silver, and cut glass. an unknown political figure Mexico” by Manuel Rivera by Carl Nebel showing Gen. the presidential campaign and chained to his chair (c. 1846). (1872). The page on the left Winfield Scott’s entrance 5 A “Map of Mexico, including election of Zachary Taylor. features a lithograph of Antonio into Mexico. This was part of Yucatan and upper California,” 8 A lithograph featuring Lopez de Santa Anna from 1829. the larger War Between the 2 Letters from DeLancey Floyd- by S. Augustus Mitchell (1847). Mexican Gen. Pedro de Ampudia United States and Mexico Jones to his sister dating from It’s an engraved transfer color “treating for the capitulation 11 The journal of John F. Illustrated (1851), which featured 1846-48 and discussing current lithograph, 43 x 64 cm. of Monterey” with U.S. Gen. Meginness, an American soldier Nebel’s renderings of all the Mexican politics. Zachary Taylor on Sept. 24, 1846. stationed in Mexico City (1848). 6 “Burying the Dead after the principal conflicts, along with Meginness would later become 3 “Henry Clay’s Advice to His Battle of Monterey” (1848). A 9 A lithograph featuring descriptions of each battle by a newspaper editor. Countrymen,” a speech about decalcomania depicting the President James Polk and Vice George Wilkins Kendall. the war with Mexico by the aftermath of the bloody, three- President George Dallas, along 12 Sheet music for “The Field of 14 “Manifiesto del Congreso del Kentucky politician at a Whig day siege. with small inset maps of the Monterey Ballad” (1846). The Estado de Veracruz, a la nacion” Party rally Nov. 13, 1847. Oregon and Texas territories, Battle of Monterey took place 7 A political cartoon that shows broadside (1847). This was which Polk pledged to acquire in September 1846 when Gen. 4 A decorative powder horn President James Polk carving issued one day after U.S. forces during his presidential Zachary Taylor led 6,500 troops inscribed with “G.W.K.” for a pie labeled “Mexico,” with a landed near Veracruz. campaign (1845). and volunteers. former owner George Wilkins bottle labeled “Monterey” on

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20 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 21 MICHAEL CHOICE DILLON GEE HUNTER PENCE Outfielder Pitcher Outfielder Texas Rangers New York Mets San Francisco Giants MLB: 2013-14 MLB: 2010-14 MLB: 2007-14 major UTA: 2008-10 UTA: 2005-07 UTA: 2003-04 league mavericks

RYAN ROBERTS Infielder Boston Red Sox MLB: 2007-14 JOHN LACKEY UTA: 2002-03 Pitcher St. Louis Cardinals MLB: 2002-14 UTA: 1998

IN THE BIGS Five former Mavericks played for major league teams in 2014.

harles choice’s phone rang on his birth- “I’m dead serious, Dad. You can look at it on the Internet,” Michael replied. “He thought I was trying day last December, son Michael on the line. to prank him. It was a great day for me to be traded to the team I grew up watching.” UT Arlington has gained a Well-wishes weren’t the first order of business. When the 2014 season began, Choice was one of C four former UT Arlington players in the major leagues, “Michael told me that the Oakland A’s assistant general joining San Francisco Giants outfielder Hunter Pence, national reputation as a pipeline New York Mets pitcher Dillon Gee, and Boston Red manager just called and he’d been traded to the Texas Sox pitcher John Lackey. The number grew to five to the big leagues for talented when the Red Sox signed infielder Ryan Roberts in Rangers,” Charles remembers. “I was out shopping early April. baseball players. BY ART GARCIA At the time, only 12 college programs in the country and thought it was some kind of joke. I said, ‘Get out had more big leaguers. The count dropped to three after Roberts and Choice were optioned to their teams’ Triple-

PHOTOGRAPH BY MARK LOMOGLIO/ICON SMI/CORBIS (CHOICE), BILL KOSTROUN/AP/CORBIS JOHN (GEE), HEFTI/ICON SMI/CORBIS (PENCE), CHARLES REX ARBOGAST/AP/CORBIS (ROBERTS), SCOTT KANE/ICON SMI/CORBIS (LACKEY) of here.’ He said he was serious.” Not just serious. A affiliates but jumped back to four when Choice rejoined

FALL 2014 23 That player was now on everyone’s radar. He was the Rangers in August. The total could grow again “That was heartwarming for us,” Charles says. “I chosen for the U.S. national team and batted .350 as other Mavericks climb through the minor leagues. wouldn’t trade it for anything. Michael wouldn’t, either.” during the 2009 World Baseball Challenge. In 2010, “Any time one of those guys gets called up, you fol- Thomas became UT Arlington’s head coach before following his junior season, Oakland selected Choice low him and want him to do well,” UTA coach Darin the 2007-08 school year and moved Choice from sec- 10th overall in the MLB draft. Thomas says. “We do our best to stay in contact, but ond base to the outfield. The switch paid off. Choice He views his trade to the Rangers from a business it’s a challenge because they’re working hard and it’s a was named Southland Conference Freshman of the angle, smiling at the turn of events that took him from long season. You’re extremely proud of them.” Year, second team All-SLC, Rivals.com Freshman All- one American League West rival to another. He broke American, and first team National Collegiate Baseball into the big leagues with Oakland last September LOCAL KID MAKES GOOD Writers Association Freshman All-American. and thought he would be a fixture in the A’s outfield Michael Choice’s first baseball memories were shaped Tales of his feats are legendary. He hit balls out of for years. with his father as a 4-year-old fan at The Ballpark Clay Gould Ballpark over Park Row Drive and into the “You never really know how baseball goes,” says Choice, in Arlington. While the stadium has changed names front yard of houses beyond the left field wall. The bat- who lives in Mansfield with wife Jade and their son, twice since then, the images of those 1990s Texas teams ter’s eye in center field is littered with holes courtesy of Blair. “It’s a giant chessboard and players move around haven’t faded for the kid who idolized Pudge Rodriguez, his monster blasts. Even his bats took a beating. Choice all the time.” He was on the move again in July when the Juan Gonzalez, Rusty Greer, and Mark McLemore. thought they were defective, but they were just stressed. Rangers sent him to Round Rock, their Triple-A minor Michael would sit in the summer sun and dream. “If you dented up your bat, you wanted a new one,” league team, before recalling him seven weeks later. Major League Baseball is a long shot for most young Thomas says. “I finally had to tell him, ‘It’s not the men. Having support at home can be crucial, and bat, it’s you.’ He would take one swing and generate NAME RECOGNITION Charles provided that as soon as his son could swing enough power and bat speed that there would be a big Staying in the majors may be tougher than getting there. a bat. The retired Bell Helicopter engineer coached ol’ ding in it.” “A lot of guys make it to the major leagues,” Gee says. Michael from age 6 to 12, the last two years as part The dents Choice left in UT Arlington’s record book “They may get a day here or there when they get called of a traveling team named the Kansas City Monarchs are as prodigious as his swing. He owns the all-time up. The real number is the guys who stay and spend after the famed Negro League club. mark for home runs (34), is second in career batting multiple years in the majors. You have to work even Despite excelling as a catcher and second baseman average (.392), second in RBIs (162), third in runs (170), harder to stay. You never stop learning.” at Mansfield Timberview High School, college scholar- and third in hits (242). Gee made his MLB debut in 2010 as a September ships failed to happen. Thomas, then a UTA assistant “I had a great time there,” he says of UTA. “Made a call-up and became a regular in the Mets’ rotation the coach, and fellow assistant Jay Sirianni scouted Choice. lot of good friends, got a chance to develop and mature following year. Along the way he battled back from a Soon after, the University offered him a scholarship. as a person and a player.” blood clot in his shoulder in 2012 and a stint on the disabled list earlier this summer. The Cleburne native frequently visits campus during ARMED FOR SUCCESS the winter to use the Justin D. Wilson Batting Facility. HANDS ON Dillon Gee became a He’s aware of the program’s continued improvements, Michael Choice regular member of including the clubhouse complex currently under greets fans at a the Mets’ starting construction. Whataburger in rotation in 2011. “It’s good to see where they’re headed, and it seems Grand Prairie. they get better every year,” he says. “I know the coach- ing staff is great. It’s exciting for me to go back every off-season to see how much this program has grown.” “The culmination of everything—your teammates, the Lackey has fashioned a solid career over a decade as camaraderie, the friendships that go beyond your col- “The real a starter with the Los Angeles Angels, Boston Red Sox, lege years. If you roll that up, I think that’s what you number is the and St. Louis Cardinals. The Abilene native played at would say is my best experience.” UT Arlington in 1998 under coach Butch McBroom, Other former Mavericks likely feel the same. The guys who stay though he didn’t pitch much back then. Lackey logged program continues to produce quality players who most of his playing time at first base, occasionally pitch- could one day find themselves in The Show. UTA is and spend ing out of the bullpen. coming off a record-setting MLB draft that saw six multiple Traded from Boston to St. Louis in July, the right- players taken, including a school-record three in the hander owns the distinction as the first pitcher in MLB top 10 rounds. years in the history to earn the clinching World Series victory for Since Thomas’ arrival, more than 40 Mavericks two clubs. He did it the first time in 2002 with the have been either drafted or signed with major league majors. You Angels and again in 2013 with the Red Sox. teams. Of the 10 UTA players who have ascended to Lackey’s title last fall completed a back-to-back for the majors, he has coached seven. have to work the Mavericks. Pence proved to be an integral part of “It’s a testament to the fact that players get better even harder the 2012 World Series champion San Francisco Giants. when they come here,” Thomas says. “Hopefully, that A two-time major league all-star, Pence says playing helps us attract more quality players if their goal is to to stay.” at UT Arlington in the competitive Southland Confer- get drafted and play professional baseball.” ence helped him prepare for professional baseball. The Gee says the players are proud to represent TOUCHING BASE second-round pick in 2004 by Houston also has played UT Arlington. Hunter Pence is for the Houston Astros and Philadelphia Phillies dur- “I’ll be watching a game with my teammates and a World Series ing an eight-year career. Hunter is up to bat and I’ll say, ‘Hey, there’s a UTA champion and two- The Arlington High graduate returned to UTA in guy.’ I’ll do the same for Choice. To have not just one time MLB all-star. 2013 as the keynote speaker for the First Pitch Banquet. or two guys but multiple guys speaks highly of what His memories run deep. we’re doing at UTA, and hopefully we’ll get a little

PHOTOGRAPH BY MORRY GASH/AP/CORBIS (PENCE), TIM CLAYTON/CORBIS (GEE) “It’s hard to roll that up into one experience,” he says. more attention. We definitely like to rep the name.” ✪

24 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 25 With their advancements in drug discovery and delivery, three professors are leading the charge to detect and battle serious health problems. BY O.K. CARTER • ILLUSTRATION BY HARRY CAMPBELL

hether patients live or die often depends on their medical treatment, but too many pharmaceuticals produce W side effects that slow healing. Researchers Daniel Armstrong, Robert Magnusson, and Kytai Nguyen are devising novel methods to diagnose illnesses and develop and deliver drugs with life-saving potential.

FALL 2014 27 Dr. Armstrong’s chemical breakthroughs have including drugs, is one of the most required tests done Magnusson holds—is in commercial use by Resonant alized medicine and in-field medical screening,” he “Our goal is improved the way pharmaceutical companies create in the world,” Armstrong says. “Current methods have Sensors Inc., a company he co-founded with alumna says, “with test results achieved in just a few minutes.” drugs, thus aiding disease identification and treat- many shortcomings, but I believe our new ionic liquid Debra Wawro Weidanz. In simple terms, it works like to develop ment. Dr. Magnusson’s drug test kits can help with method offers improvements.” this: A clinician places the biological materials to DELIVERING HOPE early cancer detection and numerous health screenings. He also has investigated DMAA, a popular sports be tested on the sensor and, based on the resulting With an equally keen focus on the future, Kytai Nguyen ultra-sensitive Dr. Nguyen’s nanoparticle drug-delivery systems show supplement embroiled in controversy involving profes- color changes in the nanostructures, analyzes the is developing nano-based medical treatments to battle promise in assisting cancer, lung, and heart patients. sional athletes and even the Army. His team found it bioreaction. lung and prostate cancer and help heart patients heal methods that The researchers have garnered millions of dollars in unlikely that DMAA comes from the geranium plant “There are clearly applications of the technology to arteries damaged by angioplasty procedures. The bio- will extend funding and earned their fields’ most prestigious honors. or its extracted oil, as companies have claimed. all kinds of diseases, for example identifying biomark- engineering associate professor concentrates on drug “They are great examples of how UT Arlington Armstrong casually dismisses being ranked No. 16 ers for specific types of cancer to expedite diagnosis,” delivery using nanoparticles targeted to the affected the window of researchers work diligently to help people live lon- on The Analytical Scientist magazine’s 2013 list of the Magnusson says. “While some medical applications areas. ger, healthier, and happier lives,” Vice President for world’s most influential people in analytical sciences. may take many years to be approved, there are other The particles are incorporated with a protein or detection, and Research Carolyn Cason says. “They are truly dedicated His vita is a roll call of chemistry’s highest honors, fields in which our sensors can be useful right away. biomolecule that is attracted to a particular cellular we may have to turning their ideas into products and systems that including being named a 2013 fellow of the American These include veterinary medicine, drug research and structure. Once they arrive, the nanoparticles slowly benefit society.” Chemical Society. development, and environmental monitoring.” deteriorate, releasing a medication over days or weeks developed before being eliminated by normal body processes. “It is specific treatment for a specific area as opposed one of the to having to medicate the whole body, as would occur in traditional chemotherapy,” Nguyen says. “The outcome most sensitive should be maximum efficiency with the least damage methods in to the patient.” Armed with a $1.4 million National Institutes of the world.” Health (NIH) grant, Nguyen is creating a nanoparticle system to shore up arterial walls following angioplasty and stenting procedures to treat coronary arterial dis- ease. Since a million Americans a year undergo such procedures, her work could have vast implications. Angioplasty expands arteries using a balloon-like device, allowing blood to flow more easily but often damaging the arterial wall. If the wall repairs itself with larger, smooth muscle cells, more blockage will occur. This arterial narrowing is called restenosis. Nguyen’s nanoparticles attract stem cells from the blood, result- ing in repairs by smaller, smoother endothelial cells that serve as a natural barrier. “It’s just like Mother Nature intended,” she says. “A lot of what we do is designed to encourage the body to fix itself.” LAB WORK TEAM CHEMISTRY He holds 23 U.S. and international patents and has To better understand the scale of the product, Mag- Through another NIH-funded project, Nguyen is Above: Robert For Armstrong that means catching bad behavior in written more than 550 scientific publications, including nusson says imagine thousands of sensors fitting in teaming with a UT Southwestern Medical Center col- Magnusson and Ph.D. the sports world. He and graduate student Hongyue one book and 29 book chapters. He founded a syndi- a space the size of a fingernail. The antibody-loaded league to develop a nanoparticle drug-delivery system student Manoj Niraula Guo recently unveiled a way to test for performance- cated National Public Radio show on science and has test kits can do a thorough, almost immediate health that will stimulate lung growth and function after examine a nanophotonic enhancing drugs that could be up to a thousand times mentored more than 100 graduate students, many of analysis. partial lung removal or destructive lung disease. The chip. Right: Graduate more sensitive than present tests. whom were the first in their families to pursue college “This is a unique technology,” the Iceland native says. work could offer an alternative to transplantation. student Lillian Frink “Our goal is to develop ultra-sensitive methods that degrees. “I call it the ‘complete biosensor’ because it quantifies “The frustration is that it can take decades to gain researches drug purity will extend the window of detection,” says Armstrong, “Basically, I do what I find interesting,” he says. “My all aspects of a given bioreaction in every spot on the Food and Drug Administration approval for a treat- under the direction the University’s Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry, main motivation has always been to develop and explain biochip in real time. Competing sensors lack this ability.” ment as we move from the lab to small animals and of Daniel Armstrong. “and we may have developed one of the most sensitive things that are new, interesting, and potentially useful.” Magnusson holds UT Arlington’s Texas Instruments then larger animals, and from small groups of human Opposite page: Kytai methods in the world.” But research is only part of Armstrong’s job. Distinguished University Chair in Nanoelectronics. patients to larger groups. For example, we’re just now Nguyen’s nanoparticle When testing athletes, technicians use mass spec- “The rest is teaching. That includes not just lectur- A member of the elite National Academy of Inven - using a cancer treatment drug that took 30 years to drug-delivery systems trometry to find bits of drugs in blood, urine, or other ing but helping students do clear scientific writing and tors, he leads UT Arlington’s Nanophotonics Device get FDA approval. I’m convinced that the potential for show promise in fluids after the body breaks down the substances. speaking. It means answering questions about their Group, which pursues theoretical and experimental nano treatments is massive and lifesaving. But when assisting cancer, lung, Armstrong’s method, called paired ion electrospray research and techniques for coming up with their own research in periodic nanostructures, nanolithography, it comes to medicine, the proof of safety and effective- and heart patients. ionization, gathers drug bits together, making them ideas, as well as working in collaboration. That’s just nanoelectronics, nanoplasmonics, and optical bio- and ness has to come first.” easier to detect. as rewarding as the research, perhaps more so.” chemical sensors. He’s adept at moving research from Like Armstrong and Magnusson, Nguyen has Renowned for his work in chemical separations, the lab to the marketplace, one reason the Institute received recognition from industry heavyweights for Armstrong and his team are leading efforts to find a PIONEERING PLATFORM of Electrical and Electronics Engineers named him a her work. She is a fellow of the American Heart Asso- more accurate way to measure water content in phar- From his office in Nedderman Hall, Robert Magnusson 2014 IEEE fellow. ciation and has received the organization’s Scientist maceuticals—a major quality issue for drug manufac- flips a small device in his fingers. About the width of a He is currently working with his graduate students Development Award. turers. Water content can affect the stability and shelf dime, it resembles a tray loaded with tiny petri dishes. and postdoctoral fellows on new display technology, All three researchers share a passion for addressing life of a drug and, when it’s too high, cause microbial It’s actually a nanostructured sensor platform capable solar absorbers, and semiconductor lasers. He envi- urgent health challenges and a strong desire to bring growth. The new technique could be a hundred times of identifying chemicals and their characteristics at sions a cellphone-sized, self-contained advanced sensor the results into the mainstream. They believe it’s their more sensitive than a popular current practice. the nano level with extreme accuracy. platform. obligation to change lives, enhance lives, and save lives “The analysis for water in many consumer products, The patented platform—one of more than 25 patents “This technology would be a leap forward in person- now and for generations to come. ✪

28 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 29 Making a Scene

Fearless, unrelenting, and passionate, professor and filmmaker Ya’Ke Smith has emerged as a major influence in independent cinema.BY KENNETH PERKINS

hen bart weiss saw Ya’Ke Smith’s short film The Second Coming, it stayed with him far lon- W ger than expected. Like a sucker punch to the gut, it left him a bit limp. Weiss’ first thought: From whose brain did this originate? The Second Coming is a brutally honest portrayal of fatherly love lost and found, a vivid solilo- quy about a wayward dad whose last, unselfish deed turns

30 UTArlington Magazine around the life of a seemingly unforgiving son. The tion’s Spring 2014 Festival at the Modern Art Museum not having that male figure,” Smith says. “We’re all film is stark and bare, shot mostly on a street corner of Fort Worth. looking for role models. You don’t have a father in the Film program offers hands-on direction and lasting a mere dozen minutes. The defining scene “He knows the situation we’re in because he’s still home, you’re always looking for a replacement.” In Production features a scuffle, a gunshot, and death. out there doing his thing. And doing it his way, you Weiss says of Smith: “He’s had a difficult life, one The best way to learn filmmaking is to make Founded in 1970, the UTA film program “It is,” Weiss says, “pretty extraordinary.” know? He puts it out there. No fear. I mean, have you that certainly could have turned another way. He was films. That may seem obvious, but at many of has built a reputation for turning out innova- seen his work?” one of the lucky ones. You see that clearly in his work. the nation’s largest film programs, students tive filmmakers who take top prizes at major EVOKING EMOTION Those who have often leave reeling from emotional None of the characters he creates gets the easy way out.” spend much of their time in classrooms festivals. With a hundred undergraduates Weiss is no casual moviegoer. An associate professor in exhaustion. Smith gravitates to characters beaten down The big out for Smith was filmmaking, which tugged learning theory. and a small cadre of graduate students, the the UTA Art and Art History Department and artistic from the turbulence of life. In Katrina’s Son, he tells on him at age 11 when he saw John Singleton’s Boyz At UT Arlington, classes operate much program is large enough to offer a variety of director and co-founder of the Dallas Video Festival, the heartbreaking story of an 11-year-old boy looking ’n the Hood about a teen and his father navigating the like a film set. Students create production classes and small enough that students can he dissects cinema for a living. for love from a mother who can’t give it. Then there’s inescapable violence of street life. Characters weren’t companies and work on all aspects of film work one-on-one with professors. Yet The Second Coming moved him in a way few short Wolf, an unflinching tale of sexual molestation that used as device props but elicited real emotions. production, from writing the screenplay A state-of-the-art projection room films do. He’d never heard of Smith, a San Antonio also tackles such taboos as morality within the walls “I was like, ‘Wow,’ ” Smith recalls. “That film really to operating the cameras to producing to, debuted this fall and offers a movie-theater native who had remained in Austin after completing of religious institutions. touched me. Up to that point, I hadn’t seen a film ultimately, directing. experience for showings. The program also a Master of Fine Arts degree from The University of “What he does best is evoke emotion,” says Barbara where anyone talked about the humanity and what “To graduate, they have to direct a film,” welcomes back prominent alumni as guest Texas. Smith’s hang-loose manner mixes nicely with Morgan, co-founder and executive director of the Austin these families go through. I wanted to make media says Bart Weiss, an associate professor and lecturers, including Norry Niven ’85, one of what one film festival executive once called a “smoldering Film Festival, where Katrina’s Son was shown. “He has that touched people in that way.” award-winning independent film producer, the top commercial directors in the South- relentlessness.” His short filmHope’s War, about a U.S. a unique voice—not just in the vision of the films but Produced at age 15, A Cry for Help, Smith’s first film director, and writer. “It’s important to have west. In return, Niven and other Texas film- soldier’s difficult transition to civilian life, already had in the actual writing. And he’s relentless. Yet nothing while a student at Sam Houston High School in San that experience even if you don’t do that makers are happy to recruit UTA graduates. screened at the 2006 Cannes International Film Festival. is more important than staying true to himself.” Antonio, was “a very bad movie about a young girl’s anymore in your career. It’s important to “The great thing is, if you’re at UTA, you’re “The first time I saw Ya’Ke’s work, I fell in love with struggle after getting pregnant by her boyfriend. It know the pressures on the director and to rolling up your sleeves and getting it done it,” Weiss says. “I knew that whenever we had a posi- HUMBLE BEGINNINGS was my way of making something socially conscious.” understand the mindset of a director.” as opposed to some other universities that tion open in the department, I’d want to bring Ya’Ke Smith grew up on the east side of San Antonio, a place An aware teacher handed him a screenwriting book While it may be fun to do a zombie flick, teach theory,” Niven says. “Bart always has a in. When that happened a bit later, the first moment I that often hit the evening news for all the wrong reasons. and even allowed him to take home a camera on week- Weiss and fellow faculty demand that stu- student coming out of his class that I know I possibly could I called and asked him to apply.” “It was rough, I won’t lie,” he says. “Gangs. Drama. ends to shoot, which he did, rounding up friends as dents make their projects more personal. can count on.” That was five years ago. Smith now holds the Mor- My mom was like, ‘You’re not going to get involved.’ actors. His mother would make pounds of spaghetti. “We encourage them to look into their – Kathryn Hopper gan Woodward Distinguished Professorship in the But she didn’t shelter me. She wanted me to see the “We didn’t know what we were doing,” Smith says. own lives, to tell stories that mean some- College of Liberal Arts and has emerged as one of the world and stay in school.” “There was no script. I was just pulling my friends, ask- thing to them,” he says. “Our films touch Note: Weiss will present a compilation of University’s most popular instructors. It helps when Smith’s father was not around; his hard-working ing them, ‘You want to act? Come on then.’ ” people at a deeper level. They resonate on films made by UT Arlington students on you’re considered a rising voice in independent cin- mother raised him and two older sisters with firmness, One of those friends, Ralph Lopez, has worked on a different plane.” KERA’s Frame of Mind at 10 p.m. Oct. 16. BOLD DIRECTION ema and when, at 33, you’re not much older than your giving him just enough hope to keep him dreaming. every Smith project as a producer through their Exodus Whether helping students graduate students. A male’s presence is a lingering theme in many of his Filmworks production company. on the set of their films “What I like best is that it’s not like we’re listen - films, including the critically acclaimedWolf , which “He knows what he wants and knows how to get it. everyone else. It’s a hands-on atmosphere that students “I don’t want or working on his own ing to a professor who did something back in the day,” is as much about a well-intentioned but often absent He’s always been that way,” Lopez says. “His excitement treasure. projects, Ya’Ke Smith says grad student Gabriel Duran, whose filmThe Mule, father as it is the title’s pedophile preacher. and energy on set bring up morale. I bet he does that Undergraduate Malina Miller took a narrative class to shy away tackles tough subjects about tragic outcomes of the drug trade, was screened “I watched so many of my friends go down the path with his students.” with Smith. “You’d think after writing the film, that without flinching. at the UT Arlington Student Film/Video Organiza- of drugs and gang activity, and a lot of it stems from Ryan Britton, who graduated in May, says that fierce would be it. Not with Ya’Ke. He’d ask stuff like, ‘What from my passion sustained him through the master’s program— were you trying to convey? How is this moving the story? not to mention the professor’s willingness to take late- What is the essence of the story?’ He really makes you truth. If you’re night phone calls. At home. think about every little thing. He really has this drive not being “He didn’t just chat with you about your film and let for authenticity.” you go and say, ‘Hope you come back with something So does this authenticity in tough subjects prevent transparent, good,’ ” says Britton, whose film about a family meth Smith from reaching a wider audience? Even while business, Not Abel, was shown at the UTA spring fes- winning awards—his work has been honored at more you can’t be tival. “He wouldn’t let you go until he knew you knew.” than 40 festivals, broadcast nationally on HBO, and an effective In April the College of Liberal Arts honored Brit- nominated for a Student Academy Award—his films ton and Smith with a Dean’s Accolade Award, which often are deemed challenging to market. He is unapolo- storyteller.” recognizes high-achieving students and their faculty getic, saying that of course he desires a wider audience, mentors. but not at the cost of his vision. “Ya’Ke is a dedicated and gifted teacher,” liberal arts “It’s what I know. I don’t want to shy away from my Dean Beth Wright says. “He works side by side with truth. If you’re not being transparent, you can’t be an his students, and he inspires them.” effective storyteller.” Consider his next two projects—dawn., the story of ART AND SOUL an ex-convict readjusting to life, and Heaven, about Smith’s classes are like discussion workshops where a ballet prodigy who is sexually and psychologically he’s more motivator than lecturer. manipulated into the world of sex trafficking. “I’m not one of those people who thinks he has all For Smith, real art is a reflection of the soul. He the answers and everything I say is right,” he says. “My wants people to re-evaluate the way they think. classroom is open dialogue. I’m listening to them, giv- “A lot of time we only see part of the story. We never ing feedback. My goal is to pull out the real artist that’s get a chance to understand the humanity of people who locked inside.” come out of bad situations,” he says. “Nobody wants to He gets ample opportunity in the small, tightly knit be a drug addict. No one really wants to be a deviant of program. Smith shares teaching duties with Weiss and any kind. We often find ourselves in situations. Some of Senior Lecturer Mark Clive. Everyone gets exposed to us make it out and some don’t. I want to show that.” ✪

32 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 33 china the connection

UT Arlington’s Asian EMBA closes the cultural gap for students on both sides of the globe and opens China to American business practices. BY NANCY B. STRINI • PHOTO BY JAMES WASSERMAN

he graduation reception in the E.H. Hereford University Center in May was much like others around campus that day, but with a twist. These Executive MBA graduates and their families were greeted in Chinese, Tnot English. Another difference: None of the students had ever been to UT Arlington. Many had never visited the United States. All had attended UTA’s EMBA classes at one of three Chinese universities, but they wanted to be in Texas for commencement. Sharry Du ’14, a business owner in Shanghai, figures the Texas ceremony was just one more way to expand the valuable relationships she developed while a student. SHANGHAI IMPACT “We have spent a year and a half making friends, not Asian EMBA graduates only in Shanghai but in all the UTA programming in Louise Ji and Michael Chinese cities,” says Du, who attended commencement Wang are putting and is one of 55 Chinese students who earned the cov- American business eted UTA degree last spring. “We have close contact, concepts to practice.

FALL 2014 35 and through things like WhatsApp we keep in touch You have to follow their rules. Now I have freedom. I UT Arlington is certainly impacting the Chinese IDEA EXCHANGE FAR-REACHING with each other. It can extend our relationships.” can do things I want. I can go anywhere in the world business culture. For example, about 30 percent of Christina Chin ’03, director of international programs Opposite page: Xi’an if I want.” the executives at state-owned Sinosteel have been at UTA’s Center for Global Academic Initiatives, man- Jiaotong University is BREAKING GROUND ABROAD And he does. He travels the globe half the year to through the UTA EMBA program. Other graduates ages details for the Chinese students coming to campus. one of three Chinese Strong personal relationships, an essential part of doing build and maintain work relationships. He appreciates hold high-ranking positions at McDonald’s China, GE She arranges housing and transportation and helps partners for the Asian business in Asia, have grown exponentially between the the American way of thinking so much that he enrolled China, Walmart China, and IBM China, among other them adjust to American culture. EMBA. Above middle: University and China since 2002, when the College of his teenage daughter in a boarding school in Austin. companies. Chin says the students return to China armed with Graduates often travel Business began its Asian EMBA program. The move “They now have a common point of reference and business concepts Americans take for granted. They’re to UTA to participate put UTA at the top of the food chain for EMBA degrees GLOBAL INFLUENCE understanding of the things we’ve taught,” Mack says. impressed with the practice of periodic performance in commencement in China. It was one of the first programs of its kind in China opened for international business about 25 years “Over time, as they adapt these ideas, these companies reviews that include employees rating the supervi- ceremonies. Above the country and is now the largest international EMBA ago. Now the Chinese clamor to embrace the global are going to change from the inside out.” sor’s effectiveness. In China employees are expected right: David Mack has there, with partnerships at the University of Science business trend, especially in the U.S., says David Mack, Louise Ji ’12, who earned her EMBA in China, says to simply take direction and never question the boss. taught in China 31 times and Technology Beijing, Tongji University Shanghai, assistant dean in the College of Business. He has taught the degree gave her a “sky-high view” of businesses that “They think that is such a good idea,” Chin says. “When in the past 11 years. and Xi’an Jiaotong University. in China 31 times in the past 11 years. helped her advance to her current position as operations they go back, they are in a high enough position that It is also the only EMBA program approved by the “All business is global now,” Dr. Mack says. “I don’t director at Emerson Climate Technologies. Emerson they will incorporate some of these practices. You can- Ministry of Education to partner with three Chinese care what your business is, there’s a global aspect, is an international heating and air conditioning pow- not help but think that our program has done much to universities. Chinese MOE approval is an essential whether it’s where you get your raw materials or who erhouse that operates in every major market in the promote free enterprise and grow China in that regard.” accreditation for schools that educate employees of your competitors are.” world. Ji is responsible for production, quality, supply The learning goes both ways. Mack, who also directs state-owned enterprises (SOEs). That means successful companies must navigate chain management, and finance for refrigeration in the University’s domestic EMBA program housed in That accreditation launched a second opportunity myriad cultural challenges. In China business relation- the Suzhou plant. the Fort Worth Center, brings his China experiences in 2003—the chance for SOE employees to experience ships are vital, says Daniel Himarios, the founder of “This education gave me a complete view of meth- into every U.S. class, lecture, and speaking assignment. a 12-month, residential EMBA in Arlington. Today the UTA’s Asian programs and vice provost and executive odology, a more consolidated way to see, and a link “People are just stunned at the extent to which China in-country and in-Texas Asian EMBA programs have director of the Center for Global Academic Initiatives. to better understanding,” she says. “It provided me has changed,” he says. “Today, the Chinese are among graduated more than 2,000 businessmen and women. “The fundamentals of business are the same. What is more opportunity for personal advancement and for the best capitalists in the world.” Many own or have recently started companies; others different is the culture,” Dr. Himarios says. “Business new possibilities.” Maybe because they’ve learned from the best. ✪ “Business in have moved to the top ranks of SOEs. in China is more relational. It’s a much different way of China is more Both programs give students much more than busi- doing business, over drinks, over meals. The personal ness acumen. They’re vehicles for cultural exchanges touch and the personal relationship are much, much that reverberate far beyond individual students, says more important.” relational. By the Numbers

AN JIAOTONG UNIVERSITY) JIAOTONG AN Degree of Distinction Michael Wang ’08, who worked for state-owned Anshan Mack says that translates to “being treated to lunch ’ The Asian EMBA is the largest international EMBA in The personal Steel when he was selected for the Arlington program every day” when teaching there. Those who attend Students credit the UTA Asian EMBA with advancing their careers. Milestones in the China and the first to gain approval by the Chinese in 2007. “Education here changed my mind,” he says of classes at UTA get an even more intimate view of life program’s evolution include expansion to three Chinese universities. government to train its business executives. touch and living in Texas for a year. “But not only the education, in America during their year here, visiting businesses 2001 2002 2003 2003 2005 the American culture. The American dream influenced and enjoying social activities with churches and other the personal Twenty-six First EMBA Twelve-month In-country In-country me a lot.” local organizations. executives from class enrolls at EMBA program program program 2000+ 368 25 It gave him the confidence to leave a stable position Himarios says the students who come to Texas are Alumni Current students Current students relationship PetroChina the University at UTA begins. expands expands to at Anshan Steel a year and a half after graduating smart, sophisticated executives at major Chinese cor- in China in Texas come to UTA of Science and to Tongji Xi’an Jiaotong are much, and open his own business, Steelvision International porations. “They leave here with a very positive view of for six months Technology University University. Trading Co., Ltd. the U.S. and Texas. They wear cowboy hats and boots much more of training. Beijing. Shanghai. “I now think freedom is most important,” Wang says. and go back and say they are Texans. I’m sure that

important.” “If you work with a big state company, you are not free. they have an influence on what is going on in China.” (XI IMAGINECHINA/CORBIS BY PHOTOGRAPH

36 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 37 ALUMNI NEWS Events Alumnus Nafees Alam creates culinary brands “We’re extending our exist- ing brands and creating new AlumniTHE WORLD AND UTNews ARLINGTON ones,” he says. “The goal is to have these concepts run seam- lessly while delivering exactly what our customers want.” As his personal and profes- sional accomplishments mount, JAMES STAVRIDIS Alam continues to give back. The retired U.S. Navy admiral DRG employees volunteer with will discuss “Sailing the Cyber The Bridge, a homeless shel- Sea: The New Realities of 21st- ter in the heart of downtown Century Security” as part of Dallas. The company also gives the Maverick Speakers Series. regularly to the Salvation Army, 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4, Vogel Alcove, and the YMCA Texas Hall. More information: in Dallas. Through DRG, Alam uta.edu/maverickspeakers created a scholarship and internship program in UTA’s ‘A STREETCAR NAMED College of Business. DESIRE’ “I am truly appreciative of The Maverick Theatre Nafees Alam has a taste for region’s leading independent they do,” Alam says. “And that everything UT Arlington has Company presents the 1948 success. The 2002 information restaurant brands. Alam and devotion to my business has done for me,” says Alam, who Pulitzer Prize-winning play systems graduate is changing business partner Mike Hoque translated into success.” received an award for out - by legendary American the area dining landscape have brought several eateries As vice president, he directs standing early career devel- playwright Tennessee Wil- through his company, DRG to North Texas, including Chop a 250-member team and is opment from the college in liams. Directed by Natalie Concepts, which works with House, Chop House Burger, responsible for every facet of 2013. “I hope our contribution Gaupp. Nov. 19-23, Mainstage top chefs to implement innova- Dallas Fish Market, Wild Salsa, corporate operations, from is able to support promising Theatre. More information: tive restaurant ideas. Urban Wok, and Oven & Cellar. culinary and mixology pro - business students and shape uta.edu/theatre Founded in 2005, DRG “I’m one of the lucky few who grams to ingredient procure- their future so they can pursue has grown into one of the can truly say they love what ment and concept branding. their dreams just as I did.” ILLUSTRATION BY CHI BIRMINGHAM CHI BY ILLUSTRATION Camera Ready Elizabeth Dinh makes her mark at CBS affiliate Engineered to Succeed In front of the TV camera, Elizabeth Dinh ’03 is calm and self-assured—qualities you’d expect in someone Bioengineering alumni include top researchers and industry leaders doing work she enjoys. But getting to this point in her Forty years ago UT Arlington teamed with the Uni- of Engineering and bioengineering chair from 2002-13. career wasn’t easy. HOMECOMING 2014 versity of Texas Health Science Center, now UT South- One of those is Kevin Nelson, who earned his doc- “A number of “I was afraid to admit it as a freshman,” she says, Catch up with former western, to offer something unique in Texas—a joint torate in 1995 and went on to become a UT Arlington our graduates “but I didn’t know for sure what I wanted to do.” classmates and check out graduate-level bioengineering program. faculty member. In 1996 he joined a team to develop The KTVT/CBS 11 news reporter changed her major what’s happening on campus. The ability to study both engineering and life sci- a fiber-based, biodegradable vascular stent to deliver are professors, twice before settling on broadcast communication. Events include a parade, ence to develop life-saving procedures and materials gene therapy. Eventually patented, the technology is “I fell in love with my classes, and for the first time street festival, Homecoming attracted students like Mark Strauss. the focus of Dr. Nelson’s work and led him to found but we also I realized that I was heading in the right direction.” basketball game, alumni “I already had two engineering degrees, but I wanted TissueGen in 2000. have alumni After graduation Dinh moved to Amarillo to work receptions, and more. more of the human and life science,” recalls Dr. Strauss, Alumnus Michael Sacks received his Ph.D. in 1992 as a reporter and weekend anchor at KAMR-TV. Her Friday-Saturday, Nov. 21-22. who earned his Ph.D. in 1987. “I really believe I got what and is one of the world’s leading authorities on the who have been career then took her to Tampa, Fla., and Seattle before More information: uta.edu/ I came there for. At the time, it was unique.” mechanical behavior and function of heart valves. A the North Texas native landed back in the Metroplex. homecoming Now an engineering professor at the University of Illi- UT Austin biomedical engineering professor, Dr. Sacks successful “Even though I grew up in the area, I constantly find nois at Urbana-Champaign, Strauss has built a national directs the Center for Cardiovascular Simulation at the myself learning about a person, place, or thing I hadn’t ALUMNI AWARDS reputation for forensic accident reconstruction. This Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences. entering known about before. I also love knowing that my job Mark your calendars for the year he launched Impact Injury Analysis, a firm that Last year the National Institutes of Health awarded business.” can help people. It informs, and occasionally I’ll do a 49th annual Distinguished uses biometrics to find the cause of vehicular accidents. him a $6.6 million grant to develop detailed computer story that brings a smile to people’s faces.” Alumni Awards recognizing He is among the more than 600 alumni of the bio- simulations of normal and diseased heart mitral valves. The former Miss Asian-American Texas is an ambas- graduates for their profes- engineering program, which has grown into a full- Four decades after it began, the Bioengineering sador for Against the Grain Productions, a local non- of the Asian Student Association. sional achievements, service fledged department offering courses to graduate and Department continues to thrive with its focus on tissue profit that promotes awareness and unity of Asian- “I always felt that anything was possible when I to the community, and loyalty undergraduate students alike. engineering, biomaterials, and optical medical imaging. American culture, artistry, and identity. She’s also a was at UTA,” she says. “I was surrounded by people to UT Arlington. Friday, Nov. “A number of our graduates are professors, but we “The future of bioengineering is bright,” Dr. Beh- member of the Asian-American Journalists Associa- who encouraged me to follow my heart, and that is 21, E.H. Hereford University also have alumni who have been successful entering behani says. “These new technologies allow a greater tion. Her activism for the Asian-American community so important. It has helped me become the confident Center. More information: business,” says Khosrow Behbehani, dean of the College success rate with diagnosis and treatment of disease.” started at UT Arlington, where she was vice president woman I am today.” 817-272-2584

38 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 39 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS Alumni Los Angeles, California Snapshot

NORRY NIVEN ’85 Director Norry Niven is on a roll. His commercials DFW AIRPORT AT 40 EVENT promoting the Fox series DFW International Airport 24: Live Another Day kept CEO Sean Donohue and Fort Super Bowl XLVIII viewers Worth Mayor Betsy Price ’72 riveted despite a lopsided were among the panelists for Seattle win. His feature The 2014 Distinguished a symposium at College Park From Above starring Danny Alumni honorees are, Center in May addressing the Glover is winning film festi- clockwise from top left, airport’s future. val accolades, and Niven Baron Concors ’93, Fred recently returned from Perpall ’96, ’98, Jim Greer shooting promos in South ’84, Serena Simmons Africa for the upcoming Connelly ’95, and Vicki ’79 season of Showtime’s and Bruce Tanner ’90. Emmy-winning Homeland. “It’s been an interesting few years,” he says. “We’ve done a mixture of regular commercials and on-air EXECUTIVE DINNER promos, which has been Goolsby Leadership Academy really fun. As a director, Honoring Excellence scholars Thao Le and Nariman doing promos is a lot like Musayev and alumna Linda doing a film. The creativity University celebrates alumni for career success, service to community Dipert ’01 attended the Col- is limitless.” Niven, a 1985 UT Arlington will recognize six alumni for their pro- and measurement activities. He joined the Texas Utili- lege of Business Executive film graduate who founded fessional achievements, community engagement, and ties Co. system in 1984 after completing his bachelor’s Dinner in April. Dallas-based Stone Core loyalty to their alma mater at the 49th annual Distin- degree in electrical engineering at UT Arlington. A Films and Los Angeles- guished Alumni Awards on Nov. 21. registered professional engineer in Texas, he has held based Three-One-O, has The Distinguished Alumni Award is the highest numerous leadership positions at Oncor and its pre- three Texas-based film proj- honor bestowed on alumni by the University. The 2014 decessor companies spanning engineering, operations, ects in the pipeline, includ- honorees are Baron Concors ’93, Serena Simmons Con- and governmental relations. ing a children’s story with nelly ’95, Jim Greer ’84, Fred Perpall ’96, ’98, and Bruce Perpall, who received bachelor’s and master’s degrees Michael Caine and Woody ’90 and Vicki Tanner ’79. in architecture at UT Arlington, is chief executive officer Harrelson about a talking Concors, who earned a bachelor’s degree in anthro- of The Beck Group. He oversees all aspects of the firm’s dog named Olio. The Arling- pology from UT Arlington, is chief digital officer for domestic real estate, design, and construction practice FIJI FRATERNITY REUNION ton native says his hands- Pizza Hut, an operating company of Yum! Brands. He and focuses on driving Beck’s strategy to eliminate Justin Matthews ’98, ’03, Ryan on UTA education and the is responsible for digital technology, digital marketing, waste in the implementation of real estate assets. He Kimball ’01, and Jeff Stovall ’01 tight-knit North Texas film and digital ventures to ensure that Pizza Hut fully began his career in the design and construction industry attended a Phi Gamma Delta community are a big part of engages its technology-connected consumers. Previously in 1996 and has been a registered architect since 2003. reunion in August on Greek his success. “When you’re he was chief information officer for Yum! Restaurants Bruce Tanner is executive vice president and chief Row Drive. at UTA, it’s that Texas men- International, overseeing KFC and Pizza Hut informa- financial officer for Lockheed Martin Corp. He is tality of, ‘Hey, let’s go cre- tion technology in more than 120 countries, as well as responsible for all aspects of the company’s financial ate. Here’s the theory, here chief information and digital officer for Pizza Hut U.S. strategies, processes, and operations. He previously are the tools, now go make, Connelly is the director of philanthropy for the Har- served as vice president of finance and business opera- go do.’ Not many colleges old Simmons Foundation. Established in 1988, the tions for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co., oversee- offer that in filmmaking.” foundation supports programs that advance human ing financial management, accounting, estimating, dignity, a safe and enriching environment, and com- contracts, and program finance. He earned an MBA prehensive support systems for individuals, children, in finance from UT Arlington. and families. She holds a master’s degree in social work Vicki Tanner worked 12 years in various financial from UT Arlington and worked in Dallas nonprofit analysis positions with General Dynamics before pur- 4TH OF JULY PARADE agencies as a case manager before joining the Sim- suing a career in education. She has taught elementary Jeannie Deakyne ’98, ’11 and mons Foundation as a grant reviewer in 1999. She has school for more than 20 years in Texas and Maryland. husband Will Deakyne ’11 with served on numerous advisory councils of organizations She graduated from UT Arlington with a BBA in the UT Arlington float at the in North Texas and beyond. accounting and holds a master’s degree from Johns Arlington 4th of July Parade. Greer is senior vice president and chief operating Hopkins University. The Tanners, who are receiving the Support from the Deakynes officer for Oncor Electric Delivery, overseeing all dis- Distinguished Alumni Award as a couple, established has funded the University’s tribution and transmission engineering construction, the Bruce and Vicki Tanner Endowment for Math and official parade entry for the

PHOTOGRAPH BY WIREIMAGEPHOTOGRAPH BY maintenance and operations, and system operations Science Education in the UTA College of Science. past 14 years.

40 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 41 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS Spotlight College of Engineering Giving Support for center aids pre-law students When Jeff Leuschel realized in pursuing a career in law.” that UT Arlington’s resources Leuschel was back on cam- for pre-law students hadn’t pus in April when the Pre-Law evolved much since he gradu- Center hosted a master class by EXXONMOBIL GIFT GEORGE PICKETT ated in 1977, he was motivated NPR legal affairs correspon- President Vistasp Karbhari, George Pickett and his to change things. dent Nina Totenberg and held a center, accepts a check from wife, Elizabeth, have long A partner in the Dallas reception prior to her Maverick ExxonMobil representatives supported higher education. office of McCall, Parkhurst & Speakers Series engagement. Walter Dueease, left, and The Atlanta couple estab- Horton LLP, Leuschel became He and Andrew Sommerman David Curtis. ExxonMobil lished scholarships at Duke actively involved in creating ’83, an attorney in the Dallas provides a three-to-one University, her alma mater, the Pre-Law Center. Since office of Sommerman & Que- match on donations to UTA and at Wesleyan College in launching in 2012, the center sada, urged fellow attorneys by its employees and retirees. Macon, Ga. “It was time to has partnered with alumni as to support the center. do something for UTA,” says well as local corporations such “Many have answered the George, who earned his as AT&T to provide financial call, and as a result the center is Making Cents degree in industrial engi- support and one-on-one men- reaching more students,” Som- neering in 1967. “I’ve always toring for aspiring lawyers. merman says. “But there is still John Merrill establishes endowment had fond memories and “Much of the groundwork more to do.” to improve financial literacy been appreciative for what that led to my having a suc - Housed in the College of the school did for me.” After Alumnus John Merrill sees a disturbing lack of financial cessful legal career was the Liberal Arts, the Pre-Law graduation, he landed a job skills among young people. result of my UTA education,” Center helps students travel to at regional carrier Southern NINA TOTENBERG EVENT That’s why the Houston-based financial adviser is he says. “I am fortunate to give seminars and moot court com- Airlines, rising from mainte- Tim Moloney, Nina Totenberg, working with UT Arlington to endow initiatives to back to UTA and its students petitions and funds internships nance reliability engineer to and Mary Jean Moloney at promote financial literacy in future generations. in this way. My hope is that the and scholarships for LSAT head of marketing. He went a reception in April before “There’s a large lack of understanding of basic finan- Pre-Law Center will provide preparation. on to help found Atlantic Totenberg’s Maverick cial principles among young people that extends well our students with the tools To learn more about how Southeast Airlines in 1979, Speakers Series lecture. into adulthood,” says Merrill, president and chief invest- and means to compete with to contribute, contact Christy serving as its chairman and ment officer at Tanglewood Wealth Management. “Many students around the country Pierce at [email protected]. chief executive officer. parents are failing to teach them, and school districts UT Arlington named Pickett are not including it in their curriculums.” a Distinguished Alumnus in Merrill is working with the College of Business to 2003. The couple’s gener- improve money management among both college-aged osity has helped establish and younger students through an endowment that will the George and Elizabeth fund research symposia, development of interactive Pickett Professorship. It is media to teach money skills, and support for a student the first endowed profes- money management center. STRATEGIC PLANNING sorship for the Industrial, The author of several books, Merrill was a pioneer Marvin Applewhite ’64, Mike Manufacturing, and Systems in the fee-only financial investment community and Greene ’69, and Taylor Gandy Engineering Department in has been recognized as one of the nation’s top financial attended a reception in June the College of Engineering. advisers by Barron’s, the Financial Times, and Worth before a strategic planning “We are pleased to be able magazine. His firm manages more than $850 million meeting. to give back,” George says. in assets. “The education I received In 2011 he spoke at the College of Business com - there has been very benefi- mencement and received his undergraduate degree cial to me, and this can make at the same ceremony after finishing his coursework it an even better school.” online following a 40-year hiatus. “I had completed everything I needed to graduate except a couple of courses to wrap up my degree,” he FIELD OF DREAMS UT Arlington’s baseball and soft- says. “I signed up for those courses in the summer of ball complexes are undergoing a $5.5 million upgrade fea- 1970, and then an opportunity interceded. I dropped turing state-of-the-art clubhouses and training facilities. A NEDDERMAN SOCIETY those courses to start a business.” 5,859-square-foot baseball clubhouse is rising on the north- President Emeritus Wendell Merrill hopes that providing better financial edu- east end of Clay Gould Ballpark, and a 5,842-square-foot soft- Nedderman talks with Presi- cation will empower college students grappling with ball clubhouse is being built on the west end of Allan Saxe dent Vistasp Karbhari at the rising debt. Field. Both facilities will have expanded player and coach annual Nedderman Society “I’m just a concerned citizen doing my small part to lounges and sports medicine training rooms. Construction Cookout in May. The society change things in one place, in one institution, in one is scheduled to be complete by early 2015. For information recognizes faculty, staff, and area in the country,” he says. “Hopefully it can serve as on how to help the Maverick baseball and softball programs retirees who contribute a template for many institutions and school districts build their field of dreams, contact Craig Shaver, senior ath-

financially to UT Arlington. in other parts of the country.” letics director for development, at [email protected]. PHOTOGRAPH BY TROY STAINS

42 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 43 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS Class Notes Notable 1965 ceived an award for 40 years numerous teaching awards as he oversees branch banks Texas Tech University Health 1991 police chief in Arlington, she 1998 certification in labor and MARSHALL COTHRAN Robert D. Skinner (BS, Phys- of service from the Mansfield a clinical lecturer at the Uni- in Fort Worth, Weatherford, Sciences Center, filling vari- Greg Barron (BBA, Finance) chaired the 2014 Regional Santos Cadena (MA, Criminal employment law. She is an Cothran (’75 BBA, Accounting) ics), professor of neurobiol- Independent School District. versity of Oklahoma School of Arlington, Colleyville, and ous teaching and administra- received the Dean’s Award Public Safety Planning Com- Justice) is deputy chief of the attorney and partner at the received the Medical Execu- ogy and developmental sci- She is principal at Erma Nash Community Medicine. Donna Mansfield. tive posts at the TTUHSC for Extraordinary Service at mittee where she oversaw Dallas Police Department’s Fort Worth law firm Cantey tive Meritorious Achievement ences and associate professor Elementary School. Dunn (BA, English) is coordi- School of Nursing in Lubbock the UTA College of Business security operations for the Southwest Patrol Division. A Hanger. Paulette Hartman Award from the American of radiology at the University nator of secondary guidance 1983 and TTUHSC Gayle Greve Alumni and Service Awards NCAA Men’s Final Four Bas- 24-year veteran of the de- (MPA, Public and Urban Ad- Medical Association. He is of Arkansas for Medical Sci- 1975 and counseling in the Cypress Lester Simpson (BA, General Hunt School of Nursing in ceremony in February. He is ketball Tournament at AT&T partment, he previously was ministration) is assistant city chief executive officer of the ences, has begun a phased Ignacio Nuñez (BS, Biol- Fairbanks Independent Studies) is head of the Texas El Paso. Michael E. Langley CEO of the Barron Companies, Stadium. Derrick Kinney (BA, a major in the Narcotics Divi- manager for North Richland Travis County Medical Society. retirement. He has taught ogy) was named to the Texas School District. Previously she Army National Guard. Brig. (BBA, Systems Analysis) is lead an engineering, architectural, Speech) has again earned a sion. Jeannie Deakyne (’98 Hills. Previously she was neuroscience and researched Health Resources board of was a counselor in the CFISD Gen. Simpson is a veteran Marine adviser to the Afghan and construction firm in Fort spot on the chairman’s advi- BA, ’11 MA, Political Science) city manager of Joshua. She spinal cord injuries at UAMS trustees. Dr. Nuñez is an OB- and taught in the Arlington of the war in Afghanistan, National Army’s 215 Corps Worth. Cathy Pritchett (BM, sory council of Ameriprise Fi- is president of the Junior received the Linda Keithley since 1970. GYN and former president ISD. Jeffrey Dunn(BS, Archi- served a 10-month tour in in Helmand. He oversees Music) performed a song and nancial, where he is a private League of Arlington for 2014- Award for women in public of the medical staff at Texas tecture) is superintendent of Bosnia, and worked with training and advises one of dance routine as Sister Mary wealth adviser in Arlington. 15. She is the first military management from the North 1970 Health Arlington Memorial Gamma Construction Co. in NATO officials on peacekeep- the six regional corps. He Leo in Nunsense at Theatre The company’s top advisers veteran to lead the organiza- Central Texas Council of Gov- Shirlee Gandy (BA, Political Hospital. He also serves on Houston. ing assignments in Eastern deployed to Afghanistan in Arlington in May. She is direc- in the nation sit on the coun- tion in its 40-year history. She ernments in 2013. Science) and her husband, the UTA College of Science Europe. He was inducted into 2013 to assume command of tor of programming for the cil. He was Student Congress is manager of learning and Taylor, received the Distin- Advisory Board. Lico Reyes 1981 the UTA Military Science Hall Regional Support Command UTA Honors College. president in 1992-93. Dan development at UTA. 2002 guished Philanthropist Award (BA, Mathematics) plays the Sylvia Leyba Hernandez of Honor in 2010. Southwest. Kirkpatrick (MSN, Nursing) Mark Kammlah (MEd, Educa- primarily for efforts that part of Blind George in the (BA, History) was appointed 1992 was elected president of the 1999 tional Administration) was funded the Kennedy Tribute movie Joe, which stars Nico- by President Barack Obama 1984 1986 Carri Eddy (BS, Biology) is Ohio Nurses Association. A Chris Goodson (MEd, Edu- one of 83 principals nation- in downtown Fort Worth. UT las Cage and was released to lead the U.S. General Nan Batten Ketcham (’84 Vivian Wong (BSN, Nursing) principal at Fort Worth’s V.R. retired Air Force colonel, he cational Administration) is an wide selected to participate LILLIE BIGGINS Arlington and Casa Mañana earlier this year. Reyes is a Services Administration’s BSN, ’90 MSN, Nursing) is is program director of the Eaton High School, which is a clinical instructor at the assistant superintendent in in a summer program at The Biggins (’74 BSN, Nursing) was also have benefited from the longtime leader of the Ar- Greater Southwest Region. As the undergraduate program Wound and Ostomy Educa- will open in fall 2015 in the Wright State University-Mi- the Richardson Independent Principals’ Center at the inducted into the Texas Wom- Gandys’ fundraising expertise. lington branch of the League regional administrator she director at the Baylor Univer- tion Program at San Jose Northwest Independent ami Valley College of Nursing School District. Amir Ja- Harvard Graduate School of en’s Hall of Fame in May. She The Association of Fundrais- of United Latin American oversees all GSA activities sity Louise Herrington School State University. The blended School District. Previously and Health. He also is mayor vidinejad (PhD, Mechanical Education. He is principal at is president of Texas Health ing Professionals presented Citizens. He performs a com- in Arkansas, Louisiana, New of Nursing in Dallas. She has online and on-site program she was director of campus of Fairborn, Ohio. Kimberly Engineering) has written an Williams Elementary School in Harris Methodist Hospital the award. edy routine as Father Vito and Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. been a member of the Baylor provides a pre-certification services for the Rockwall Loveday (BBA, Account- engineering textbook, Es- Arlington. Frank Moore (BS, Fort Worth and a member of has made other movie and TV During her 34 years of service nursing faculty since 2006 course for registered nurses Independent School District. ing) co-authored Brooklyn’s sentials of Mechanical Stress Mathematics) is an assistant the advisory council for the 1971 appearances. He played the with the GSA, she has worked and is pursuing her Ph.D. in seeking certification in Christine Eliseev (BA, Battle: A Daughter’s War Analysis, which CRC Press will professor in the Department UTA College of Nursing. She Loyd Dowd (BS, Biology), a lead role as a homeless man in numerous leadership leadership studies at the Gary wound or ostomy care. Russian) is managing partner with Anxiety and Depression publish in November. It is of Mathematics at Wake chairs the Dallas/Fort Worth dentist in Tyler, offers a new in the short movie Wally and positions, including posts at Cook School of Leadership at at QMAT Solutions, which with her daughter. The book intended for use by U.S. and Forest University. Sharon International Airport board dental laser for soft tissue had a role in the made-for-TV the GSA headquarters in Fort Dallas Baptist University. Lisa 1987 specializes in providing offers insight into the daily international engineering Phillips (Cohort MBA) is and serves on other Tarrant treatment that improves the movie Pancho Barnes, which Worth. Lankes (BBA, Systems Analy- Mark Miller (BBA, Manage- software testing. Previously challenges the family faced universities for teaching in executive vice president and County and Dallas/Fort Worth process for oral surgery and starred Valerie Bertinelli. sis) is chief marketing officer ment) is vice president of pro- she was director of quality after Brooklyn was diagnosed solid and structural mechan- chief of population health at councils and boards. soft tissue management in 1982 for Fort Worth-based Justin curement packaging services management and testing at with a complex regional pain ics. Cindy Pearson (MEd, Parkland Memorial Hospital in cosmetic dentistry. The laser 1978 Jacqualyn Fouse (’82 Brands, where she oversees for McKesson Pharmaceu- PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. syndrome as a teenager. Jim Educational Administration) Dallas. She oversees the hos- ERIN VADER reduces pain, swelling, and Sheri Innerarity (’78 BSN, ’81 BA, ’84 MA, Economics; ’12 digital marketing, public ticals in Carrollton. Cathey Wilkinson (BBA, Finance) was named Elementary pital’s community and spe- Vader (’94 BA, English) is bacterial infections during MSN, Nursing) received the PhD, Finance) was named relations, communications, Bloom Wise (BA, Journal- 1993 is senior vice president Teacher of the Year in the cialty outpatient clinics and president of Nolan Catholic dental procedures. Kristy 2014 American Association to the board of directors of licensing, event marketing, ism) is executive director of E. Elizabeth Brown (BA, and head of international Grapevine-Colleyville Inde- the Dallas County Jail health High School in Fort Worth. Libotte Keener (BFA, Art) of Nurse Practitioners’ Nurse the Perrigo Company, an and advertising. Michael the Emergency Medicine Interdisciplinary Studies) corporate affairs for Alibaba, pendent School District. She program, among other duties. She is the first Nolan gradu- won a Platinum International Practitioner State Award for Ireland-based health care and Rushing (BBA, Marketing) Residents’ Association. EMRA was elected in May to a which operates online and teaches third grade at Dove She has worked at Parkland ate, first woman, and first Hermes Creative Award in Excellence. Dr. Innerarity is an pharmaceutical supplier. She is general manager at Fort is the world’s largest and two-year at-large seat on the mobile marketplaces in retail Elementary School in Grape- since 1985. Darwin Spiller local Catholic educator to graphic design for a commu- associate professor for clini- is a member of the Univer- Worth’s Colonial Country oldest independent resident City Council in the Village of and wholesale trade. Previ- vine. Jennifer Wichmann (MEd, Educational Adminis- lead the school. nity information guide. She cal nursing in the UT Austin sity’s Development Board Club, home of the annual organization. Surfside Beach near Freeport. ously he was a senior PepsiCo (MSSW, Social Work; MPA, tration) is executive director designed the booklet for the School of Nursing, where she and the College of Business PGA Tour event, the Crowne Chris Goad (BBA, Marketing) executive and served as Public and Urban Administra- of elementary operations in Transportation Department has taught since 1989, and Advisory Board and is a UTA Plaza Invitational at Colonial. 1988 is executive director of RISE senior adviser for Treasury tion) is director of manage- the Richardson Independent of the North Central Texas works as an adult clinical Distinguished Alumna. Nor- Previously he was general Timothy M. Klob (BS, Civil Adaptive Sports, a nonprofit Secretary Henry Paulson and ment resources for the city of School District. Council of Governments, nurse specialist and family man Ward (’82 BS, Architec- manager of The Golf Club Engineering) is a lieutenant based in Irving that helps Secretary of State Condo- Arlington. She has worked for where she is the graphic nurse practitioner in Smith- ture; ’92 MArch) received at Dove Mountain in Tucson, colonel in the Army Reserve make athletics accessible for leezza Rice. the city for 10 years and also 2003 design coordinator. ville, La Grange, and Bastrop. the Charles R. Adams Award Ariz., home of the World Golf JAG Corps and recently people with disabilities. RISE will work with the Arlington Erin Roseman (’03 BA, for Design Excellence from Championships Accenture completed active duty at offers a variety of programs, 1994 Tomorrow Foundation. Political Science; ’06 MCRP, 1972 1980 the Fort Worth chapter of Match Play Championship. Fort Hood. He represents including adaptive skating, Scott R. Gardner (BS, City and Regional Planning; Nancy Roper Willson (’72 Martha Moore Brothers the American Institute of wounded warriors in disability boating, camping, fishing, Computer Science Engineer- 2000 ’06 MPA, Public and Urban BS, ’81 MA, Biology; ’82 MSN, (’80 BS, Microbiology; ’92 Architects. It is the highest 1985 benefit appeals to ensure hunting, golf, handcycling, ing) retired as a lieutenant James “Dusty” Clem (BBA, Administration) is assistant Nursing) is president of Texas BSN, Nursing) is a school honor awarded by the AIA. Wrennah Gabbert (’85 BSN, they obtain compensation soccer, kayaking, rugby, commander after 20 years in Marketing) is chairman, presi- director of finance for the city Nurses Association District 4. nurse in the Fort Worth He established the Norman ’90 MSN, Nursing) chairs and medical benefits from the sailing, swimming, tubing, the Navy. dent, and chief executive of- of Arlington. Previously she SCOTT SCARBOROUGH She is a nurse attorney and a Independent School District. D. Ward Architect firm in the Department of Nursing Veterans Administration. He is and water skiing. Lauretta ficer for DGSE Companies, was cash and debt adminis- Dr. Scarborough (’03 PhD, clinical assistant professor in Michael S. Charles (BS, Biol- Fort Worth in 1995 and is a Rehabilitation Sciences at managing partner of the Klob Hill (BA, Criminal Justice) 1997 formerly Dallas Gold & Silver trator for the city. Business Administration) the UTA College of Nursing. ogy) is a practicing trauma past adjunct professor in the Angelo State University. A Law Firm in Loganville, Ga. is deputy chief of police Ben Renner (’97 BA, English; Exchange. became president of the surgeon and director of the UTA School of Architecture. professional specialist in the Andrew Pryor (BA, Journal- in Miami Beach, Fla. She is ’02 MEd, Educational Leader- 2004 University of Akron on July 1. 1974 neuro-trauma-surgical ICU Mark Warren (BBA, Finance) ASU nursing department ism) is chief human resources the city’s first black deputy ship and Policy Studies) is an 2001 Nick Barber (BBA, Market- Previously he was provost and Rennda Branson (BA, Physi- at St. John Trauma Center in is Fort Worth region chair from 1997-2007, Dr. Gabbert officer of Dallas-based Anthe- chief and its highest-ranking assistant principal at Summit Caroline Harrison (BA, Politi- ing) received the award for executive vice president at cal Education/English) re- Tulsa, Okla. He has received for PlainsCapital Bank, where spent the last six years at the lio Healthcare Solutions. black officer. As an assistant High School in Mansfield. cal Science) has earned board Outstanding Early Career the University of Toledo.

44 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 45 ALUMNI NEWS ALUMNI NEWS Briefly Achievement at the UTA Col- tor of financial reporting. tional Leadership) is executive student at UTA. Shahrzad (MEd, Educational Leadership and Policy Studies) is principal Arts degree in orchestral assistantship and the Othmer in Chickasha, Okla. Jordan lege of Business Alumni and Leigh Dietrich (BA, Criminal director for transformational Pakbin (’07 BA, ’10 MA, Crim- and Policy Studies) is principal at Spencer Elementary School conducting at the University Fellowship. George Sanders Victorin (BA, Broadcast Service Awards ceremony in Justice) received the Larry learning in the Arlington inal Justice and Criminology) at Coppell Middle School in Mansfield. of Houston. Yujeong Choi III (BA, Criminal Justice Communication) is co-host of February. He is owner and W. Fultz Memorial Award for Independent School District. was named Technical/Exempt West in the Coppell Indepen- (PhD, Linguistics) co-wrote and Criminology) has been “The Starting Lineup” at radio CEO of Sigma Relocation Excellence from the Texas Aaly Meherali (BS, Biology; Professional Employee of the dent School District. Sandi 2011 an article with linguistics promoted to staff sergeant station KCLE in Cleburne. Group in Irving. Eric Bishop Association of College and BS, Chemistry) was named Year by the Arlington Police Greer (MSSW, Social Work) is Micah Beck (Cohort MBA) Assistant Professor Cynthia in the Texas Army National Natalie Webster (BA, (BBA, Management) is an University Police Administra- 2014 Secondary Teacher of Department. She is a crime a social worker for the Lake is a vice president at CBRE, a Kilpatrick. “Hypothesis Guard. He is a legal assistant Journalism) is a newspaper account manager at Consuro tors. She is assistant chief for the Year in the Irving Inde- and intelligence analyst for Worth Independent School real estate services company Testing in Task-Based in the U.S. Department of producer at the E.W. Scripps Managed Technology, a the Tarrant County College pendent School District. A the city. Megan Terrell (’07 District. Danielli Mbangdadji in Fort Worth. Brittany Byrd Interactions” appeared in Justice office in Austin. John Co. in Corpus Christi. She is a Fort Worth-based informa- District. At TCCD she has re- chemistry teacher at Singley BBA, ’09 MS, Accounting) is (BA, Broadcast Communica- (BSN, Nursing) was a finalist summer 2014 in the journal Story (MEd, Educational former editor-in-chief of The tion technologies managed ceived numerous departmen- Academy High School, he senior audit manager at the tion) is a freelance multimedia for the 2013 Good Works Applied Language Learning. Leadership and Policy Studies) Shorthorn. WEAR YOUR PRIDE service provider. Previously tal awards, including recogni- worked as a research associ- Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier producer in the Washington, Under 40 award. Sponsored Nicole Durham (BA, Public is an assistant principal in Everybody looks better in he was regional account man- tion as 2004 Officer of the ate in the genomics lab at UTA accounting firm in Fort Worth. D.C., area. She received a by the Dallas Foundation, the Relations/Advertising) is an the Jamison K-8 School in 2014 blue and orange. Gear up for ager for Trend Micro and has Year and 2008 Supervisor of before becoming a teacher. Master of Arts degree in com- award highlights the work of account manager at Schaefer Cleveland, Ohio. Ariel Aleman (MEd, cooler fall weather by visiting owned his own IT security the Year. Dustin Durst (MPA, 2008 munication with an emphasis outstanding volunteers under Advertising in Fort Worth. Educational Leadership UTA’s one-stop online shop- consulting company. Melody Public and Urban Adminis- 2007 Inelda Acosta (MEd, on producing for film and age 40. Byrd founded Girls Sean Farrell (BA, English) 2013 and Policy Studies) is an ping mall. A wide selection of Fritz (BBA, Marketing) is a tration) serves on the staff Jesse Morgan Barnett Educational Leadership and video at American University. Embracing Mothers, a group received the Patricia and Jennifer Bohannon (MEd, assistant principal at Refugio hoodies, sweatshirts, polos, community relations special- of U.S. Rep. Ed Royce from (’07 BFA, ’11 MFA, Art) and Policy Studies) is principal Lori McLain Pierce (MA, that helps girls visit their Mike O’Neill Award for Educational Leadership and Elementary School in Refugio, caps, bags, accessories, and ist for Nabr Network, a com- California. An Army captain, Michael Mazurek (’11 MFA, at Hutcheson Junior High Linguistics) received a $3,000 mothers in prison. Gladys Academic Excellence from Policy Studies) is an assistant Texas. Omar Castillon (BA, other merchandise awaits. munication tool for commu- Durst received a master’s Art) presented Dallas Biennial School in Arlington. Dominic grant from the Jacobs Re- Chow (’11 BFA, ’14 MFA, Art) the UT Arlington English principal at Butler Elementary Broadcast Communication) The online shop includes nity associations. Her duties degree in professional stud- 14, a concept showing 50 Bracco II (BA, Journalism/ search Funds, hosted by the received The Excellence Department in May. He is a School in Arlington. Andrea is a morning newscast links to the UT Arlington include web-based local news ies in legislative affairs from artists in 12 exhibitions over Spanish) received a mong- Whatcom Museum. The grant Prize Award in March for the graduate teaching assistant Condori (BA, Public production assistant for Bookstore, athletics store, reporting, community and George Washington Univer- four months in Dallas. They abay.org Special Reporting will support the UTA doctoral 2013 Society of Korea Illusart at UTA. Latanya Greer (MEd, Relations) is public relations/ KTVT-CBS 11 in Fort Worth. Planetarium gift shop, and local business relationship sity in May. He has served two started the DB program two Initiative award for environ- student’s dissertation field- contest. John Harden (BA, Educational Leadership social media coordinator at Jean Gonzalez (BA, Theatre more. Check it out at development, and market- tours overseas in Kuwait and years ago. Alissa Ford (BBA, mental reporting. His piece work on the Choctaw lan- Broadcast Communication) and Policy Studies) is a vice Pavlov (formerly Concussion Arts) has accepted a uta.edu/shoponline. ing support. Liz Heck (’04 South Korea. In Kuwait he MS, Accounting) is chief examined whether there guage. Pierce and linguistics is a news reporter for principal at Del Vallejo Middle Advertising), a marketing graduate teaching assistant BA, Public Relations; ’12 MBA, received a Bronze Star Medal financial officer of the Van is demand for sustainable Assistant Professor Cynthia the Houston Chronicle. School in San Bernardino, communications company in position at the University GET CONNECTED Business Administration) is for exceptional meritorious Cliburn Foundation. Previous- fisheries’ products in China. Kilpatrick co-authored an ar- Previously he was a reporter Calif. Pankaj Harkare (MS, Fort Worth. Kerri King (BA, of Houston in the Design Stay apprised of all things director of strategic develop- service in support of Opera- ly she was the foundation’s Shaun Hamill (BA, English) ticle, “Focused instruction in for the Denton Record- Industrial Engineering) is a Criminology and Criminal MFA program. She was the Maverick by joining the ment at J.O., a Fort Worth- tion Enduring Freedom and a director of finance. Adam received a full fellowship for Spanish syllabification,” in the Chronicle, where he received design engineer for CNH Justice) received the Carolyn assistant master electrician University’s social media based full-service marketing Meritorious Service Medal for Fulkerson (BBA, Finance), fall 2014 for the Iowa Writers’ summer 2014 issue of Foreign the 2014 Star Investigative Industrial America LLC in A. Barros Service-Learning at the Illinois Shakespeare sites. UT Arlington’s official agency. Marcus Onvani (’04 outstanding service as a bat- an associate with the Fort Workshop at the University Language Annals. Report of the Year award Burlington, Iowa. Matthew Award from the UT Arlington Festival in Normal, Ill., during Facebook page had more BBA, Finance; ’06 MBA, Busi- tery commander. Katiuska Worth law firm Decker, Jones, of Iowa. Wenhua Jin (PhD, in the Class 2A division Howell (BA, Communication Center for Community the summer. Brittaney than 28,000 “likes” as of late ness Administration; ’07 MS, Herrador (MEd, Education McMackin, McClane, Hall & Linguistics) received tenure 2010 from the Texas Associated Technology) is a Web Service Learning in April. Graham (BA, History) has August. Become a fan and Finance) is finance director in Curriculum and Instruc- Bates, has earned his Master at Kennesaw State University Ben Bologna (’10 BFA, Art), Press Managing Editors application developer for She is enrolled in the UTA been accepted to Columbia get updates in your newsfeed for Boeing’s Strategic Missile tion) was one of 83 principals of Laws in Taxation degree in Georgia and was promoted Tim Lautensack (’11 BFA, Art), and a First Amendment Qualbe Marketing Group in Department of Criminology University’s African about campus happenings & Defense Systems leader- nationwide selected to par- from Southern Methodist to associate professor of and Jonathan Irwin (’12 BFA, Award from the Society of Fort Worth. Patrick Jackson and Criminal Justice master’s American studies master’s and achievements. Follow ship team. He most recently ticipate in a summer program University’s Dedman School Chinese. Art) of The Starr Conspiracy, Professional Journalists, Fort (BA, Public Relations) is degree program. Lucas program. Jen Hanson (MEd, @utarlington on Twitter for served as senior manager at The Principals’ Center at of Law. Derek Haake (BA, a marketing and advertising Worth Professional Chapter. national account manager Lothamer (BA, Political Educational Leadership and the latest news, network of supplier management the Harvard Graduate School Political Science) is chief tech- 2009 agency in Fort Worth, won 21 Brandon Hurtado (BA, Public for Echo Global Logistics in Science) participated in the Policy Studies) is an assistant with fellow alumni through financial analysis for Boeing of Education. She is principal nology officer of campusshift. Shanee Charles (Principal awards in the 2014 American Relations) is an interactive Dallas. Tiffany Mercer(MEd, Archer Center Graduate principal at East High School LinkedIn, and share photos commercial airplanes in Puget at Keyes Elementary School in com, a company he founded Certification, Education Lead- Advertising Federation ADDY marketing analyst at Exeter Education in Curriculum and Program in Public Policy in Denver, Colo. Elia Madrid- from UTA’s Pinterest boards. Sound, Wash. Lukas Szrot Irving. Nate Piller (BBA, Man- while exploring ways to save ership and Policy Studies) is Awards competition. Jacob Finance Corp. in Irving. Instruction-English) received in Washington, D.C., this Onofre (BFA, Theatre (BA, Philosophy) is a global agement) was named 2013 on college textbooks. Along principal at Gideon Elemen- Briggs (’10 MBA, Business Erikka Neroes (BA, Public the Regie Routman Teacher summer. The UT System Arts) won first place in the intern for Telos, an academic Marketer of the Year by Mer- with helping students find tary School in Mansfield. Rob- Administration; ’11 MPACC, Relations/Communication Recognition Award Grant, a established the program cartoon comics division of journal published in the ritt Hawkins, an Irving-based the least expensive source for ert Earley (MS, Health Care Professional Accounting) is Studies) is public information prestigious International to help students pursuing the Columbia Scholastic United States. He is a sociol- health care staffing company. books, Campus Shift provides Administration) received the a certified public accountant officer for Dallas County Reading Association award. policy and politics learn about Press Association digital ogy graduate student at UTA. He is associate director of discounts on food, concerts, award for Outstanding Career with Cash America Interna- Health and Human Services. She is a fifth-grade English the federal government media awards for her cartoon marketing for the company’s campus activities, and cloth- Achievement at the UTA Col- tional in Fort Worth. Bongani Emily Suied (BA, Public language reading and arts and public service. feature “The World According LICENSE PLATE REBATE 2005 Upper Midwest Division. ing. Michael Langford (BBA, lege of Business Alumni and Mlambo (BFA, Art) directed Relations) is an assistant teacher in the Hillsboro Jennifer McAlister (BA, to Professor Saxe,” which The eye-catching UT Arling- Candace Blair (BS, Account- Finance) is vice president/ Service Awards ceremony Blue October’s most recent account executive with Independent School Communication Technology) appeared in The Shorthorn. ton Texas license plate is now ing; MS, Taxation) is senior 2006 president-elect of the Greater in February. Dr. Earley is music video for “Angels in Edelman Public Relations in District. Bitty Reilly (BA, finished the Boston Marathon Dawn Valentine (MEd, more affordable. MyPlates is tax manager focusing on Ben Bholan (’06 MEd, ’13 Fort Worth Association of president and CEO of the JPS Everything.” Shelley Ohmes Chicago. Justin Webber- Communication Technology/ in April after being stopped Educational Leadership and offering a rebate on the tags corporate, individual, and PhD, Educational Leadership Realtors. He is a sales associ- Health Network in Fort Worth. (BFA, Theatre Arts) played Blackwell (BS, Industrial English) works in graphic less than a minute from the Policy Studies) is coordinator through Oct. 31, 2014. The partnership taxation at the and Policy Studies) has been ate with Orr & Associates Real Robin Francis-Baker (’09 Catherine Simms in The For- Engineering) is a project design, Web developing, and finish line because of the of fine arts for the Carrollton- rebate is $25 for the purchase Sanford, Baumeister & Frazier named principal of the new Estate in Burleson. Rachael BBA, Management; ’13 MBA, eigner at Frisco Community specialist for Ericsson in technical writing for Synergy bombing in 2013. Alycen Farmers Branch Independent of a one-year term, $50 for a accounting firm in Fort Worth. Arlington Collegiate High Mariboho (MA, English) Business Administration) is Theatre. Alan Pollard (BFA, Plano. Industries in Burleson. Jaala Phan (MEd, Educational School District. Ken Wetzel five-year term, and $75 for a Uma Datla (MPACC, Profes- School, which opened this fall. received the Patricia and Mike an associate adviser at Sperry Theatre Arts) played Davis Tal- Robinson (’12 BA, ’14 MA, Leadership and Policy Studies) (MEd, Educational Leadership 10-year term. Take advantage sional Accounting) is chief ac- Previously he was principal at O’Neill Award for Excellence Van Ness/Visions Commercial, lison in Honky, the WaterTow- 2012 Sociology) has been admitted is an assistant principal at and Policy Studies) is an today by visiting myplates. counting officer for Approach Ferguson Junior High and as- in Teaching from the UT Ar- a real estate consulting firm er Theatre’s entry in the Out Michelle Blair (MM, Music) to the doctoral program in Ousley Junior High School in assistant principal at Strack com/go/uta and entering the Resources, an independent sistant principal at Bowie High lington English Department in in Fort Worth. Previously she of the Loop Fringe Festival in received a P.E.O. Scholar sociology at the University Arlington. Rachel Snyder (BA, Intermediate School in the promo code SAVEONMYPL8 energy company. Previously School in Arlington. Ricardo May. She is a graduate teach- was a financial analyst at Bell Addison. Robyn Rinearson Award. She is pursuing of Nebraska-Lincoln, where Journalism) is a reporter for Klein Independent School at checkout. she was the company’s direc- Garcia (Certification, Educa- ing assistant and doctoral Helicopter. Emily Froese (MEd, Educational Leadership a Doctorate of Musical she received a graduate the Chickasha Express-Star District.

46 UTArlington Magazine FALL 2014 47 ALUMNI NEWS In Memoriam 1940s tive in veterans’ communities Professional Geoscientists in Ms. Murphy was a registered Walter Henry “Kirby” in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. recognition of his community nurse, working for the Dallas Taylor (’42 AS, General Vernon “Lindy” Pate (’66 BS, service. Joseph A. Rothen- Independent School District, Studies), 89, Jan. 19 in Fort Physics), 76, April 27 in Lewis- hoefer (’83 BBA, Manage- the Parkland Health System, Worth. Mr. Taylor was a sales ville, Ark. Mr. Pate enjoyed a ment), 74, Jan. 10 in Arlington. and for the last eight years at representative for several 36-year career in the oil, gas, Mr. Rothenhoefer worked Cook Children’s Medical Cen- shoe companies. He was a and pipeline construction for the Sweetheart Cup Corp. ter. Kenneth Sears (’96 MBA, grandson of Henry Kirby industry, building metering before founding Paige Con- Business Administration), Taylor, president of Arling- stations, dehydration systems, tracting in Arlington in 1990. 61, June 20 in Arlington. Mr. JACK R. WOOLF ton Training School (now UT injection lines, and pump sta- Dawn McPhee Baskett (’85 Sears was a senior lecturer in Former President Jack R. Arlington) from 1913-16. tions. Glenn E. Simmons (’69 BA, Political Science), 74, April the Department of Informa- Woolf died June 10 in Arling- BA, Mathematics), 93, Oct. 15, 6 in Granbury. Ms. Baskett tion Systems and Operations ton. He was 90. Dr. Woolf was 1960s 2013, in Arlington. Cmdr. Sim- was a congressional liaison Management in the UTA Col- president of Arlington State Myrna Loy Crelia Dobbins mons attended North Texas for Congressman Dick Armey. lege of Business. His research College (now UT Arlington) (’61 BA, Elementary Educa- Agricultural College (now UT Linda Vaught Delashmit (’85 focused on the transition from 1958-68. He guided the tion), 74, Jan. 28 in Granbury. Arlington) in 1940 before em- MS, Interdisciplinary Studies), to Web 3.0 technology via school from a junior college Ms. Dobbins was a first- and barking on a 28-year career in 70, March 11 in Arlington. Ms. cloud computing, dataweb to a four-year, baccalaureate second-grade teacher at Al- the Navy. He returned to UTA Delashmit retired from the technologies, and 3-D virtual degree-granting institution exander Elementary School in to earn his bachelor’s degree. University of North Texas and business worlds. and supervised its transition Duncanville for more than 30 the Arlington Independent to The University of Texas years, retiring in 1998. Jackie 1970s School District. She also Faculty and Staff System. He helped establish L. Fisher (’61 BS, Physics; ’61 James Elmer Hammons Jr. taught in Kentucky, Tennes- Donald W. Cantwell, 83, May the first graduate programs BS Mathematics), 75, May 30 (’71 BBA, Business Adminis- see, Florida, and Pennsylvania. 11 in Arlington. Dr. Cantwell and worked to achieve ac- in Wimberley. Mr. Fisher was tration), 71, March 18 in Fort was a professor emeritus in creditation of five engineer- an information technology Worth. Mr. Hammons was 1990s the Department of Finance SHAPE THE FUTURE. ing baccalaureate programs. specialist for NASA at the president and consultant for David Henry Hames (’91 BBA, and Real Estate, serving on Woolf was at the helm when Manned Spacecraft Center HMI Construction Services in Accounting), 66, May 28 in the UT Arlington faculty the school admitted its first (now the Johnson Space Cen- Fort Worth. Larry W. Reyn- Garland. Mr. Hames was a cer- from 1959-2002. Robert E. African-American students. ter) in Houston. He worked olds (’74 BBA, Accounting), tified public accountant for Longacre, 92, April 20 in Dal- During his administration, with the Mercury, Gemini, 67, May 23 in Madill, Okla. Mr. Philip Courtney Hogan P.C. in las. Dr. Longacre was a profes- CHANGE A LIFE. enrollment grew from 5,000 Apollo, Space Shuttle, and Reynolds worked for General Dallas. Linda Louise Cumbie sor emeritus of linguistics and to 11,500. After stepping International Space Station Dynamics, Bell Helicopter, (’92 BSN, Nursing Education), a member of the faculty from down as president in 1968, programs. He retired in 1997 and the state of Texas as an 55, April 29 in North Rich- 1972-93. He was known for his he remained a mechani- after 34 years with the space auditor. He retired after 32 land Hills. Ms. Cumbie was a seminal studies of discourse cal engineering professor agency. Don M. Pritchard years with Tarrant County registered nurse; she worked structure (text linguistics). UT Arlington boasts some of the nation’s brightest and hardest- until he retired in 1989. He (’61 BS, Chemistry), 76, April 3 College. James Barrett at Cook Children’s Medical Wesley E. Mead, 87, May continued to teach mechani- in Fort Worth. Mr. Pritchard Aldridge (’75 BS, Biology), Center for 17 years. Allison 4 in Richardson. Mr. Mead working students. But many struggle to make ends meet. More than 75 percent of our cal engineering courses until worked in chemical labs at 60, April 26 in Fort Worth. Dr. Young Conley (’93 MS, Social taught math and algebra at 1994. The Engineering I Build- Alcon Laboratories and Bell Aldridge taught science for Work), 64, May 8 in Delaware Bremond and Dallas Sunset students report being employed during the school year, with almost 20 percent working full time. Yet ing was renamed Woolf Hall in Helicopter before selling 30 years at Fort Worth Coun- Township, N.J. Ms. Conley was high schools. He later was a 1997. In addition to his duties industrial chemicals for the try Day School, specializing board chair for NORWESCAP, professor of mathematics at these high-achieving scholars consistently receive national recognition for academic excellence and find at UT Arlington, he was a con- Oakite Products Co. for 24 in biology, chemistry, and a nonprofit dedicated to serv- Arlington State College (now sultant to several universities years, retiring in 1995. He computer science. ing low-income families in five UT Arlington) and retired as time to volunteer more than 400,000 hours in the community each year. Your annual gifts help our and educational agencies. He returned to work as a sales New Jersey counties. Lesley associate dean of student was executive director of the representative for Custom 1980s A. Sloan (’95 BBA, Manage- administration. William A. Association of Texas Colleges Chemicals of Texas before Curtis Brownlow (’80 BBA, ment), 48, April 21 in Fort Stacey, 79, March 6 in Arling- dedicated and talented students succeed academically, earn their degrees, and become accomplished and Universities for 10 years. retiring again in 1999. James Real Estate), 63, March 18 in Worth. Mr. Sloan owned Sloan ton. Dr. Stacey was a professor He entered Texas A&M in 1941 Bradford DeBusk (’62 BS, Arlington. Mr. Brownlow re- Landscape Maintenance for emeritus in the Department professionals in their chosen fields. By contributing each year, you create a consistent stream of support but in 1943 went on active Biology), 72, May 14 in Rich- tired as a right-of-way apprais- many years, was a past master of Sociology and Anthropolo- duty in the Army and became ardson. Dr. DeBusk operated er for the Dallas County Public of Webb Masonic Lodge gy. He came to UTA in 1974 as that changes the lives of deserving Mavericks who will shape the future of our world. a commissioned officer in the a medical practice in Garland, Works Department after 28 1454, and was active in sev- director of the Center for So- Air Corps. After serving more working 44 years as an OB- years. Frank Charles Bernard eral landscape organizations. cial Research. Dorothy J. Tur- than three years, including a GYN. He delivered the first in (’82 BBA, Accounting), 55, Feb. Anabella Coolidge Winters pin, 76, April 17 in Fort Worth. Make a gift online today at uta.edu/giving or call the Office of Development at 817-272-2584. year in the Philippines, Woolf vitro baby in the Metroplex. 12 in Arlington. Mr. Bernard (’95 BA, ’98 MA, Interdisciplin- Ms. Turpin taught nursing at re-entered Texas A&M and Ronald Lee Paramore (’64 was an accounting manager ary Studies), 48, Jan. 10 in Fort the John Peter Smith School earned bachelor’s and mas- BBA, Business Administra- at Trinity Industries in Fort Worth. Ms. Winters was one of Nursing in Fort Worth (now ter’s degrees. In 1948 he mar- tion), 73, Nov. 22, 2013, in Worth. Justin L. McNamee of the first registered accessi- the UT Arlington College of ried Martha Frazar of Strawn. Arlington. Maj. Paramore was (’83 BBA, Management), 56, bility specialists in Texas under Nursing), retiring in 2003. She They moved to Indiana, where commissioned in the Army in April 18 in Dallas. Mr. McNa- the Americans with Disabili- was a founding member of he was an instructor and 1965 and served two tours in mee was a senior schedule ties Act. She was a member the P.E.O. Sisterhood Chapter graduate student at Purdue Vietnam. He received a Silver analyst for the Raytheon Co. of Student Congress at UTA. in Arlington. See more In University and earned a Ph.D. Star, two Bronze Stars, and Gov. Rick Perry appointed Linda B. Murphy (’96 MSN, Memoriam at uta.edu/uta- in engineering. two Purple Hearts. He was ac- him to the Texas Board of Nursing), 67, May 6 in Dallas. magazine/in-memoriam.

48 UTArlington Magazine DEPARTMENT OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Non-profit Org. Box 19116 U.S. Postage Arlington, TX 76019-0116 PAID Burlington, VT 05401 Permit No. 19

Past University moves to the UT System, 1965

From 1917 to 1964, UT Arlington was aligned with the Aggies as part of porters, who began a campaign to separate from Aggieland. A turning the Texas A&M University System. After reaching four-year-college sta- point came in 1965 when Gov. John Connally announced plans to revamp tus in 1959, enrollment at the school then known as Arlington State Col- higher education in Texas, including making Arlington State College lege eclipsed the College Station campus in fall 1963 with 9,116 students. part of The University of Texas System. That same year, Don Kennard, But a rift had developed. Many faculty, staff, students, and community a state senator from Tarrant County, introduced a bill that would make members thought the A&M System Board of Directors favored College the transfer official Sept. 1. With no opposition from A&M, the bill Station over Arlington. A proposal to rename the college Texas A&M passed both houses. On hand for the signing were, from left, UT System University at Arlington, combined with plans to have newly proposed Chancellor Harry Ransom, Arlington State College President Jack Woolf, master’s degree programs directed from College Station, outraged sup- Connally, and Arlington Mayor Tom Vandergriff.