News from the Office of Community Relations A City of Arlington and University of at Arlington Partnership Fall 2011

Boom Town also found what we think is going to be a great location as a resurgent downtown Arlington continues to grow.” And grow it will, as more and more people—many of them (Re)Discover Downtown Arlington students at UT Arlington—choose to make the downtown area their home. Today, more than 10,000 students live on or within f you haven’t been to downtown Arlington lately, you haven’t been five miles from campus, and close to 16,000 live within 10 miles. “The significant enrollment growth experienced by UT to downtown Arlington at all. In just the last two years, the area has Arlington over the last few years has led to the redevelopment I of the campus edge by private developers who specialize experienced nothing short of explosive revitalization. in the financing, construction, and management of college student housing properties,” says John Hall, UT Arlington vice During that time, popular restaurants including Levitt Pavilion, Founders Plaza, and Center Street, while UT president for administration and campus operations. Fuzzy’s Tacos, Health and Harmony House, Babe’s Chicken, Arlington has constructed a number of new facilities, including Midtown Apartments, which opened just a couple of Flying Fish, Old School Pizza & Suds, Mavericks Sports Grill, the Engineering Research Building and , weeks ago, and Campus Edge, set to open in Fall 2012, are Potager, and Grease Monkey have joined longtime favorites like which will open in early 2012. two examples of student living communities within walking J. Gilligan’s, J.R. Bentley’s, and Tin Cup downtown. Twisted Coupled with Arlington’s other nearby attractions, like distance of campus and downtown Arlington. Root and Mellow Mushroom are set to open this fall. the Arlington Music Hall, Cowboys Stadium, and Rangers “This recent activity is important to the University, as Why here? And why now? Ballpark, these new additions are helping make downtown students now have more attractive housing options available “This is a very exciting time for downtown Arlington,” the place to be for private investors. “All of these investments to them,” Hall says. “At the same time, private development says Bob Johnson, chairman of the Downtown Arlington position downtown for dramatic growth and redevelopment,” preserves the University’s debt capacity for future construction Management Corporation board of directors. “The Johnson says. of academic and research facilities on the Arlington campus. revitalization activity you see now has been a result of a vision Ken Vaughan, director of operations for the new Flying Fish “Going forward,” Hall continues, “it will be important to and commitment made by many organizations and individuals restaurant on Abram Street, provides ample proof of that. “We create pedestrian linkages within the university and downtown over a long period of time. The City Council and staff of the targeted Arlington because it is an established, yet growing districts and to create a stronger sense of place.” City of Arlington, the leadership team at UT Arlington, community,” he explains. “We looked at a few different sites For more information on Arlington’s downtown Arlington citizens, and business owners have come together to but ultimately chose downtown because of the solid business revitalization, visit the Downtown Arlington Management focus on leveraging the many assets in and around downtown.” growth, the local government presence, UT Arlington, and Corporation website at www.downtownarlington.org. In recent years, the City has made key investments such as the many sporting and cultural events the area has to offer. We

When it enters the conference at the start of the 2012- and Denver,” he says. “What we saw, what we evaluated— 2013 season, UT Arlington will become the 10th member the assets that UT Arlington brings to the conference—really of the WAC, joining Louisiana Tech University, New Mexico made it a very easy decision and pretty much a slam dunk State University, and Utah State University, among others. for us.” WAC conference play will coincide with the first full Pete Carlon, UT Arlington’s director of intercollegiate basketball season in College Park Center, the University’s athletics, believes the conference move marks a pivotal new 7,000-seat, split-bowl events arena opening in 2012. moment for the University. “We are honored to join the Western Athletic “Joining the WAC places UT Arlington in a new era of Conference,” UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo says. collegiate sports,” Carlon says, noting that the WAC is one of “This is clear recognition of the growing prominence of UT 11 elite conferences in NCAA Division I athletics. “The WAC Arlington.” gives our University instant recognition across the country Movin’ on Up WAC Commissioner Karl Benson says UT Arlington brings and moves us from regional athletics competition to a truly geographic balance and increased media potential to the national stage.” Maverick Athletics to join conference, in addition to top-level academics. By 2012-2013, UT Arlington sponsors 14 Division I intercollegiate sports: the conference will also include the University of Denver, the baseball, men’s and women’s basketball, men’s and women’s the WAC in 2012 University of Idaho, Seattle University, and San Jose State cross country, men’s golf, softball, men’s and women’s tennis, T Arlington announced in late July that it will soon University. Ultimately, the WAC aims to create two six-team men’s and women’s indoor and outdoor track and field, and Ujoin the Western Athletic Conference (WAC), a move divisions, Benson says. women’s volleyball. The University will be the WAC’s third that will elevate the University’s competitive sports programs “The addition of UT Arlington places the WAC in another non-football school, and UT Arlington’s membership in the and increase its national profile. top-20 media market, with the recent additions of Seattle WAC does not depend on a return of competitive football.

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as well as a residence hall, student apartments, retail stores and restaurants, a new University welcome center, and an 1,800-car parking garage. The crown jewel of the district, College Park Center, will achieve substantial completion by January 2012, and the University’s basketball team will play part of its season there. The north sections of the parking garage were completed last month, in time for the fall 2011 semester. They are providing approximately 1,100 parking spaces for the University community. The south garage (700 spaces), retail areas, housing facility, and welcome center will be completed in July 2012. To see a live Web cam of the buildings in progress, head to www.uta.edu/collegepark. To get updates on the construction, Family Fun visit blog.uta.edu/facilities. Fall Festival set for October Countdown to Launch ing in fall with a College Town party for the whole Hot Seats R family. You’re invited to join students, faculty, staff, Progress continues on new and their families for the UT Arlington Fall Festival on College Park Center premium College Park District Saturday, October 22, from 7 to 9 p.m. The event will offer seating available live music, family-friendly activities, carnival-style games, onstruction on UT Arlington’s new College Park District inflatables, food, and more. The festival—which is held in Cis progressing steadily. When it opens, the complex will t’s time to grab the hottest ticket in town: courtside conjunction with the University’s annual Parents and Family help usher in a new era for the University and the community. Iand club seats at the new College Park Center. Seats for Weekend—will take place on campus between Arlington Hall and the University Center, close to the corner of First The $160 million development spans more than 20 acres on Maverick basketball games and volleyball matches are now Street and Pecan Street. Center Street between UTA Boulevard and Mitchell Street, on sale. In addition to the view, the premium seats include For more information about the Fall Festival and Parents and includes a broad range of amenities, with College Park parking, exclusive access to two member-only clubs before and Family Weekend, visit www.uta.edu/parentsweekend. Center as its focal point. Also included in this massive mixed- and during games, and access to concerts and other events at use development are The Green at College Park—an urban the arena. Call Gregg Elkin at 817-272-7168 or email community snapshot oasis and green space for the University community— [email protected] to reserve your premium seats today. Summer Camps 2011-12 season

The spring semester will include lectures by Soledad O’Brien in February and Robert Ballard and Jeb Bush in March. O’Brien is an anchor and special correspondent for CNN. Since joining the network in 2003, she has reported 2011-12 season Compelling Conversations to breaking news from around the globe and has produced stimulate award-winning, record-breaking, and critically acclaimed Your documentaries. Her speech on February 7 will focus on m ind diversity in America. Ballard, who is appearing at UT Arlington on March 6, is best known for discovering the wreck of the From June through August, more than 8,500 children and young adults participated in a variety of summer camps Titanic, but he’s also made some of the most startling Compelling at UT Arlington, including those for music, engineering, Conversations to undersea discoveries in recent years. He has led or basketball, volleyball, science, and college prep. participated in more than 65 underwater expeditions, Find Out MOre stimulateBig Talk Learn more about the Maverick Speakers Series by visiting some of them involving deep-diving submersibles that uta.edu/maverickspeakers. You can also find the Your The Big Event Maverick Speakers Series—and become a fan—on Facebook. m ind he has designed; is the pioneer of the JASON Project that Emmitt Smith, Jeb Bush, allows schoolchildren to virtually explore the oceans; and Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled, FSC-certified paper manufactured from sustainable raw materials and free of chlorine chemistry. t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f t e x a s at a r l i n g t o n University CommUniCations 11-019 Ben & Jerry highlight has authored 16 books. Ballard’s appearance on campus coincides with the centennial of the Titanic disaster. Maverick Speakers Series Jeb Bush, the former governor of Florida, brother of he fourth season of UT Arlington’s marquee lecture George W. Bush, and son George H.W. Bush, will speak on Tseries, the Maverick Speakers Series, will include a March 23 about reforming education in America. Bush, Find Out MOre national political leader, a hall-of-fame football player, an who is an alumnus of The University of Texas System, has Learn more about the Maverick Speakers Series by visiting uta.edu/maverickspeakers. You can also find the award-winning journalist, ice cream entrepreneurs, and an been speculated to be a possible Republican candidate for Maverick Speakers Series—and become a fan—on Facebook. oceanic explorer. president in 2012 or beyond. His appearance on campus is part of UT Arlington’s Annual Celebration of Excellence by Legendary Cowboys Emmitt The 11th annual Big Event brought together 1,000 Printed on 100% post-consumer recycled, FSC-certified paper manufactured from sustainable raw materials and free of chlorine chemistry. t h e u n i v e r s i t y o f t e x a s at a r l iSmith n g t o will n kick things off October 20 with his speech, “A Students and will be the first lecture to be held in the new UT Arlington students, faculty, staff, and community

University CommUniCations 11-019 Championship Vision.” Smith is a three-time Super Bowl College Park Center. members who lent a helping hand to 37 different community service project sites, including Mission champion and was also the 2006 winner of the popular All Maverick Speakers Series lectures are free but require Arlington, the American Cancer Society, Fossil Rim, the television show Dancing With the Stars. Smith is the a ticket, which can be obtained at www.utatickets.com or Salvation Army, the River Legacy Living Science Center, ’s all-time leading rusher and is a by calling 817-272-9595. All lectures are scheduled to begin and Refugee Services of North Texas. member of both the Cowboys’ Ring of Honor and the Pro at 7:30 p.m. Football Hall of Fame. Currently, he is the majority partner Graduation Celebration and co-chairman of ESmith Legacy Inc., a Dallas-based commercial real estate company. Smith’s appearance on Premium Seating Now offered campus coincides with UT Arlington’s annual Parents and While general seating for all lectures is free, the Family Weekend. Maverick Speakers Series now offers guests the On November 17, Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield option of purchasing premium seating. This premium will speak about their “Entrepreneurial Spirit, Social seating package includes venue access via a VIP Responsibility, and Radical Business Philosophy.” Cohen and entrance to avoid long lines; reserved seating near Greenfield, the founders of Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream, are the front; reserved parking; and front-of-the-line the men behind one of the most talked-about and least- access to book signings. Premium seating packages conventional success stories in American business. They cost $25 per lecture and are available exclusively at www.utatickets.com as supplies last. Guests may turned a Vermont-based storefront venture into a The University celebrated its largest graduating class $300 million international ice cream empire by harnessing purchase multiple packages. For questions or more ever (3,733 students) this past May. See a video from the Graduation Celebration at Levitt Pavilion—including the power of social responsibility and creative management. information, visit www.uta.edu/maverickspeakers or keynote speaker John Legend and a Texas-sized fireworks call the box office at 817-272-9595. And, yes, Cohen and Greenfield’s speech includes free show—at www.uta.edu/commencement. ice cream.

The University of Texas at Arlington Volume III • Issue 2 EXPLORE College Town

Party Time College Town UTA hosts Night on the Town eady for a night out, right in your own backyard? RThen clear your calendar on Friday, September 16, and join us for UT Arlington Night on the Town. Start the evening early with a mixer at Mavericks Sports Grill from 5:30-7 p.m. The cost is $5 for Alumni Association members, $10 for non-members. RSVP at www.uta.edu/ alumni or call 817-272-2594. Lighting the Way within the College Park District, currently under construction Next, walk over to the Levitt Pavilion for a free on the northeast side of campus . concert on the lawn. Come early so you can stop by the Gateway tower welcomes “This lighted tower is a symbol of a University on the information booths at Founders Plaza and learn about visitors to UT Arlington rise,” UT Arlington President James D. Spaniolo says. “It is a entertainment, cultural, and educational opportunities gateway signaling that students and visitors are welcome on offered year-round at UT Arlington. T Arlington’s new gateway tower is complete and our campus. We expect it to become a recognized icon for our At 7:30 p.m., headliner The Burning Hotels will Ushining blue and orange lights over campus. world-class institution.” entertain you with tunes that are contemporary, youthful, and fun. A review by KDGE radio says The Burning Hotels The 35-foot-tall brick and cast stone tower serves as a new The gateway is part of the larger Engineering Research have “an appreciation for the past, and the goods to University landmark. Located at the intersection of UTA Quadrangle and stands west of the Engineering Research stay relevant in the future. Think 1980s New Wave meets Boulevard and South Cooper Street, the monument features Building, a 234,000-square-foot, state-of-the art, collaborative specially treated glass that diffuses light, allowing it to glow at today’s catchy, hook-driven indie rock.” The Fort Worth research center that opened earlier this year. Weekly has presented the band with several local awards, night with Maverick blue lighting. Schrickel, Rollins, and Associates also designed The Green at including Rock Album of The Year (Novels, 2010) and Rock The tower was designed by Schrickel, Rollins, and College Park, a new urban park located south of College Park Act of the Year (2010). Associates Inc. of Arlington. It incorporates materials and Center that features sustainable materials and landscaping. The Wrap up the evening by enjoying specials at architectural themes that will be reflected in key structures Green was dedicated this spring. participating downtown restaurants from 9-11 p.m. These include J. Gilligan’s, Mavericks Sports Grill, Flying Fish, Old School Pizza, J.R. Bentley’s, and Grease Monkey. Ready, Set, Grow challenge. First terrible winds, then 100-degree temperatures, To see the complete schedule, including restaurant then a drought. ” locations, visit www.uta.edu/collegetown. Community Garden has Despite the challenges, Julie and her fellow gardeners successful first harvest were pleasantly surprised with the amount of produce the Community Garden has yielded so far, enough even to up in smoke he community got back to its roots—literally—this year donate a portion of this year’s harvest to Mission Arlington.CLEARING Twith the opening of the Community Garden at UT Donations included onions, basil, tomatoes, cantaloupe, UT Arlington is now Arlington. The garden, located on a half-acre lot at the corner peppers, eggplant, squash, and beans. THEtobacco-free AIR of Summit and UTA Boulevard, is a joint project of the City “It has been enjoyable, with some surprises, some reathing just got a little easier on the UT Arlington of Arlington and the University, and is entirely overseen and entertainment, and a few disappointments,” says Gooch.ON “It’s CAMPUS campus. In an effort to provide students, faculty, maintained by members of the community. rewarding to see the neighborly interaction in the garden, the B staff, and visitors with a healthy, Last March, volunteers constructed close to 80 elevated teaching and learning that occurs, and the true enjoyment BREATHING IS EASIER AT welcoming learning environment, gardening beds, shoveled dirt, spread mulch, created a crushed that people are getting out of being a part of the Community UT ARLINGTON the University has banned the use granite pathway, and filled each bed with seedlings. Various Garden at UT Arlington. This is the good life!” of all tobacco products on campus corporate and private donors contributed a tool shed, picnic TOBACCO property at all times. This includes tables, benches, pavilion, and signage. both indoor and outdoor spaces. Keep In Touch FREE To some of the Individuals are allowed to use tobacco products in their volunteers, the personal vehicles parked on University property, but the garden presents a New e-calendar windows must remain closed. For more information, visit Starting August 1, UT Arlington will be tobacco-free: All tobacco great opportunity of events products—including www.uta.edu/tobaccofree.cigarettes, cigars, and smokeless tobacco— to do something will be prohibited on campus at all times. This includes all indoor and available outdoor spaces on the main campus and all the affiliated campuses. interesting and Fostering a healthier community is a central goal of the University. By Play Time different; to others, eeping up withproviding all of students, faculty, staff, and visitors with a tobacco-free campus, we are helping to provide a better quality of life for everyone. it’s a way to meet Kthe events and Visitactivities uta.edu/tobaccofree to learn more about the policy and to find new people and UT Arlington offersinformation can be a on free smokingYWCA cessation programs center offered byrelocates UT Arlington. get involved in the challenge even for Blaze, the ids have a new place to play in College Town UTA. community. University’s mascot! So College K UT Arlington is building a new home for the “I love seeing Town UTA is pleased to YWCA’s Arlington Child Development Center. The facility the number of UT announce the launch of a new will be located at 403 South Davis Drive on the northwest Arlington students and employees who have plots,” says Ken weekly electronic newsletter u tacorner. e d u /oftobaccofree campus, next to the Community Garden. Gooch, an experienced gardener who shares his plot with a first- featuring information about Construction begins this fall, and should be complete by time gardener. “The international mix of gardeners and what the University’s many educational, athletic, entertainment, and August 2012. they contribute through their different styles is nice.” cultural events. Subscribe today to receive this free e-newsletter The new, 10,000-square-foot childcare center will replace Above all, the garden is a learning experience for all those by sending an email to [email protected]. the center’s 20-year-old building on West Sixth Street. That involved. Julie Sullivan, a retiree of UT Arlington, says, “I have Simply type “Around Town e-calendar” in the subject line facility lies near a heavily used University parking lot, north already learned about some things I will not plant again. Not and list the email addresses you wish to subscribe within of the University’s natural gas pad site. At its new site, the to mention the weather this season, which has been a real your message. center will be more accessible to visitors and clients.

WWW.UTA.EDU/COLLEGETOWN Non-Profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Arlington, Texas College Town UTA is a community engagement Permit No. 81 initiative of the Department of University University Communications The University of Texas at Arlington Communications at The University of Texas Campus Box 19116 at Arlington. Arlington, Texas 76019-0116 Questions about College Town UTA? Contact us at 817-272-2761 or [email protected]. Amy J. Schultz Associate Vice President Communications and Community Relations Amber Zuckerman Coordinator for Community Relations If you would like to receive the College Town UTA newsletter delivered to your home or business, call or email us with your mailing address.

To receive Around Town, the College Town UTA e-newsletter events calendar, send your name and email address to [email protected] with “Around Town e-calendar” in the subject line. Find us on Facebook at College Town, UTA Find us on Twitter at CollegeTownUTA

The College Town UTA newsletter is published twice annually by University Communications for neighbors of UT Arlington. The comments and opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily represent those of The University of Texas at Arlington or the staff of The College Town UTA newsletter. Copyright © 2011, The University of Texas at Arlington. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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College Town CALENDAR

Maverick Speakers Series See Who’s at the Mic Tonight ere at UT Arlington, mavericks are defined as people Hdedicated to making a difference. The University is proud to host the Maverick Speakers Series, an in-depth look at the people, ideas, actions, and solutions that leave a mark on oin the fun at UT Arlington! The campus hosts a wide range of activities, the world. Please plan to join us for these upcoming lectures: Jincluding exhibitions, plays, concerts, lectures, and more.

Emmitt Smith SEPTEMBER Oct. 27: UTA Volleyball vs. Sam Houston (breast cancer awareness benefit game) Hall of Fame running back Sept. 6-Oct. 15: Silver: The 25th Anniversary Oct. 20, 2011 Exhibition The Gallery at UTA Oct. 28: Faculty Biennial Exhibition Reception 7:30 p.m., Texas Hall The Gallery at UTA Sept. 14: One Mic Stand Comedy Night: Upright Citizens Brigade Rosebud Theatre, University Center NOVEMBER Nov. 3: UTA Wind Symphony Concert Sept. 16: UT Arlington Night on the Town Ben and Jerry Irons Recital Hall Founders of Ben & Jerry’s Various locations, downtown Arlington Nov. 11-20: The School for Scandal by Sept. 24: Volleyball vs. UT San Antonio Ice Cream Richard Brinsley Sheridan Texas Hall Nov. 17, 2011 Mainstage Theatre Sept. 25: Jeff Coffin & the UT Arlington 7:30 p.m., Texas Hall Nov. 17: Maverick Speakers Series: Ben & Jerry Jazz Orchestra Texas Hall Levitt Pavilion, downtown Arlington Nov. 21: UTA Jazz Concert Texas Hall Soledad O’Brien OCTOBER Oct. 4: Distinguished Speaker Series: CNN anchor and special Catherine Leslie, president of Engineers DECEMBER correspondent Without Borders-USA Dec. 3: UTA Wind Symphony Concert Feb. 7, 2012 100 Irons Recital Concert

7:30 p.m., Texas Hall Oct. 5: UTA Volleyball vs. Texas State Dec. 4: College Town Holiday Event: Texas Hall UTA Choir Concert Irons Recital Hall Oct. 7: Lucky Me: My 65 Years in Baseball by Eddie Robinson with C. Paul Rogers III Central Library, 6th Floor Parlor ONGOING The Planetarium at UT Arlington Robert Ballard Oct. 14-23: The Mousetrap by Agatha Christie Oceanic explorer Mainstage Theatre www.uta.edu/planetarium UT Arlington Athletics March 6, 2012 Oct. 15: Distinguished Alumni Gala 7:30 p.m., Texas Hall E.H. Hereford University Center www.utamavs.com Friends of the Library Oct. 20: Maverick Speakers Series: Emmitt Smith Texas Hall www.uta.edu/library/friends Continuing Education Oct. 22: Fall Family Festival University Center Mall www.uta.edu/ced Jeb Bush Maverick Activities Center Oct. 23: UTA Jazz Alumni Benefit Concert Former governor of Florida Irons Recital Hall www.uta.edu/campusrec March 23, 2012 All events subject to change. Please visit www.uta.edu for a current and more complete listing of events, plus 7:30 p.m., College Park Center times and ticket information. Subscribe to the College Town UTA e-calendar and receive a listing of events sent For more information, visit www.uta.edu/maverickspeakers. directly to your inbox! Email [email protected] for details.