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•BY THE NUMBERS• BHUTAN ON THE BORDER The University of Texas at El Paso evokes the image of an ancient and mysterious Himalayan kingdom. And indeed, the university's architecture has been shaped by just such a place: The Kingdom of Bhutan. Through appreciation of its people and culture, UTEP's special relationship with Bhutan has become not only part of our architectural history and narrative. It is deeply embedded within the hearts of all who learn, teach and visit here.

1914 is the year UTEP was founded as the Texas State School of Mines and Metallurgy and the year National Geographic magazine featured "Castles in the Air," an article about Bhutan that inspired the university's architecture

1917 is the year Old Main was built at UTEP- the first building on campus to follow the Bhutanese architectural style

7 001 000 residents live in Bhutan, which is located between Tibet and India

181147 square miles of subtropical savannahs, forests and part of the Himalayas make up Bhutan

1£ time zones and 101 000 miles separate Bhutan and El Paso

30 is how many consonants are in the Bhutanese language of Dzongkha, which also has 4 vowels

140 feet separate athletes and their targets in Bhutan's archery competitions, the country's national sport

8 th century is when traditional Bhutanese dances are said to have begun

3 categories identify the types of Bhutanese dance: those that push morality; those that purify and protect; and those that celebrate culture and religion

1967 is the year Bhutan's oyal Academy of Performing Arts first opened

.£008 marks UTEP's Bhutan Festival (formerly Bhutan Days) celebrating our ties to the that continues to inspire us today

For more about Bhutan Festival, see 8-11 or visit www.utep.ed Q U A R T R y TH E UN IVERSITY OF TEXAS AT l::L I'ASO SUMMER 2008- VOLUME 47, NO. 2; NO. 174 CENTERPIECE

University Communications Director Cindy Ramirez, NOVA Editor Staff Writers Laura Acosta Laura Cruz Acosta Kimberly Miller, Public Information Officer Daniel Perez Graphic/Production Manager Bobby Daniels Graphic Designers Jose M. Clemente John Downey, Senior Graphic Designer Michael Nunez BHUTAN ON THE BORDER Photography Coordinator In an unforgettable celebration of dance Laura Trejo 8 and culture, UTEP brings a piece of Photographers Bhutan to the border. J.R. Hernandez Production Coordinator Rose Cooper Contents © 2008 by The University of Texas at El Paso NOVA Quarterly (ISSN # 1041-6900) is published quarterly by: The University of Texas at El Paso University Communications Top Ten Seniors 500 West University Avenue These students are breaking barriers The annual awards honor the spirit El Paso, TX 79968-0522 -and are further testament that of UTEP: Academic achievement, Periodicals Postage Paid at El Paso, Texas. Volume 47, No.2; No. 174. UTEP is changing the face of service and leadership. higher education. POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to: NOVA Quarterly The University of Texas at El Paso 1100 N. Stanton Street, Suite 201 El Paso, TX 79902 6 NOVA Quarterly is sent without Parents Association obligation to alumni and friends This is not your parents' PTA. See of the university. how the UTEP Parents Association COVER PHOTO is helping families stay informed, J.R. Hernandez connected and involved. COVER DESIGN Jose M. Clemente ON THE COVER DEPARTMENTS Traditional masked dances by the Royal Academy of Performing Arts of Bhutan were part of Bhutan Festival 2008 at UTEP this summer. The dances date back to the 7 8th century and face masks represent saints, sages, deities, animal forms and Profiles in Giving personages. The event celebrated UTEP's Planned giving allows generous connections to Bhutan. donors like Sandy Tyler to leave their everlasting mark.

- www.utep.edu/nov• 12 14 Highlights Athletics Millions in grants and awards help Olympics-bound! Track and field stars advance research and academics; to represent their home countries. Plus engineers lead NASA's future; and football, football, football! much more!

UTEP President Diana Natalicio argues four years, get my master's in two and that the calculation of graduation rates my Ph.D. in four." is "deceivingly simple," and paints Lenhart obtained so much a distorted picture of performance. undergraduate research experience at That's especially true at UTEP, where UTEP that he was able to bypass his nearly 40 percent of students attend master's and is currently working on his part time and many more transfer doctoral degree in entomology at Texas from community colleges or other A&M University at College Station, universities. Although working Texas. with various initiatives to improve the university's graduation rate, "I knew if I had gone elsewhere other churned administrators are also working to than UTEP, I would have been biology student," develop alternative metrics of success, out as just another is completing two including growth in the number of says Lenhart, who started at UTEP degrees awarded and number of at-risk scientific articles he to publish later this year. students who complete their degrees. and hopes students believe UTEP has To help students pay for college and All three go farther than they ever graduate within four years, UTEP has helped them numerous financial imagined. laudia Ochoa had one objective when also developed is working to to become a mathematics she first enrolled at UTEP in 2005: assistance programs and Carla hopes obtain her Ph.D. Earn her undergraduate degree within boost scholarship opportunities. teacher and eventually to attend law school after four years. "I was lucky because I got a Claudia hopes she finishes her master's degree. With perseverance in her heart and an scholarship, but a lot of my friends different array of support programs at hand, it have to work and I see them struggle," "I feel I'm a completely ust took Ochoa only three years to surpass says Paul Lenhart, 21, who graduated person," Claudia says. "I came in j that goal. In grand style, she graduated in May with a bachelor's in biological hoping to get a degree. The bachelor's Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor's sciences and a minor in geological degree was an end. But now it's just degree in psychology and a minor in sciences. "But I've always had the a step to getting somewhere else. My translation this spring. mindset that I was going to finish in world has opened up." "I did everything I could to graduate in three years," says the 21-year-old, who is now working on her master's in experimental psychology at UTEP. Ochoa and her twin sister, Carla Ochoa, are testament that UTEP is changing the face of higher education and setting trends when it comes to educating a non-traditional, mostly Hispanic, student body. Carla has had to be both a student and a parent while pursuing her dream. She serves as a role model for her 3-year­ old son and the students she tutors at Fabens High School. A mathematics major and secondary education minor, Carla is on track to graduate in spring 2009. "It's been hard to find the time to study and watch him," she says, motioning to her young son as he tugs on her arm. "I study when he's asleep." Although the Ochoa twins will have graduated within four years upon enrolling, they are among the 70 percent of UTEP graduates who do not count toward the university's four-year graduation rate. Graduation rates only take into account first-time, full-time students at the start of a fall semester. The Ochoas enrolled in the summer of 2005 under the CAMP program for children of migrant workers. Elaine Cristan. 21 Maior: Microbiology Notables: Bulah L. The Top Ten Seniors Awards are presented annually by the UTEP Alumni Patterson Memorial Presidential Scholarship; Association to graduating or recently graduated seniors who demonstrate Dean's List (each a combination of academic achievement, service and leadership. semester); National Dean's List "The selection was not only based on academic accomplishments, but "When the road to also on commitment to the University and the community," says alumnus medical school seemed Henry Quintana, president-elect of the UTEP Alumni Association and like millions of miles away, they pushed me, giving me encouraging chairman of the Top Ten Selection Committee. "They truly represent the words and putting their faith and confidence in me." spirit that is UTEP."

GraceNu. 21 Mavra sanchez. 22 lao Anchondo, 23 Major: Microbiology Maior: Clinical Major: Mechanical Laboratory Engineering Notables: Dean's List 2004-2008; Notables: Emil Von Notables: National Del Sol Medical Behring Student Science Foundation Center Auxiliary Scholarship; Del Scholarship; Exxon Scholarship; The Sol Medical Center Mobil intern; NASA American Association Auxiliary Scholarship; Co-op participant; of University Women McKee Foundation accepted full-time Undergraduate Scholarship in Health position as a NASA Scholarship Science Flight Controller "My future would not be the same if I had "UTEP has been a mountain of opportunity filled "My goal is to return to El Paso to continue giving ventured on to another university. At UTEP I with precious stones. The precious stones are my back to my community- aiding in the detection have been prepared academically, 1 have grown experiences and have shaped me into the person I of cancer, working with community service socially, and I have gained lifetime friends." am today: a well rounded young woman of skill, organizations and continuing my association with knowledge, leadership, compassion, and a drive to UTEP." make a difference in the world." wendv Chozet. 35 Claudia Melendez­ Jonathan Flores. 22 Yanez, 23 Major: Elementary Major: Interdisciplinary Major: Interdisciplinary Education Studies Studies Notables: Wolslager Notables: Partnership ,:ftf1;1..~• ·..· .·..,.· ~., Notables: National Scholarship; Dean's in Education Dean's List 2004-2007; List 2006-2007 Scholarship; Frances Dean's List 2004, 2006, 2007; ~onald allowed Etta Lawrence "UTEP ha& McDonald House me to succeed in Scholarship in ,~1 Education; College of ~ Charities Hispanic my academic career \ List Scholarship which will provide my Education Dean's children, who have 2004-2008 "UTEP has been more my parents' advice by been my main inspiration, with the affirmation "UTEP has complemented than a school to me but a professional community on my future that it is never too late to accomplish your goals." teaching me to always concentrate of friends, mentors and a haven for learning." for my present actions will begin to shape it."

Toni Camacho. 21 lonna launiainen. 24 Katrina Weber. 21 Major: Accounting Major: Environmental Major: English and Science American Literature Notables: Academic All Notables: International Notables: Presidential Conference, Western Polar Year: Research Excellence Scholarship; Athletic Conference Opportunity in American Board 2003-2005; Academic Antarctica for of Trial Advocates All Conference, Minorities Scholarship; and Scholarship; Cori Conference USA Bristol-Mayberry A. Harbour Pre-Law C-USA Commissioner's Endowed A ward Student of the Year Honor Roll2005-2007; for Excellence in Award College of Business Biological Sciences; Dean's List 2003-2007 "I am very optimistic about the students who will Women in Science and Engineering Educational "I came to UTEP from as a 19-year-old be graduating with me, and I am confident that my Stipend for Outstanding Members girl who was very far from home and afraid fellow students have been successfully prepared "The knowledge I have gained about climate to speak English. At UTEP, the multinational for careers which will serve this community." change through my coursework in Australia, my environment made me feel comfortable." research in the Molecular Systematics lap, and my field research in Antarctica has given me a strong base on which I can build a successful career." Members of the UTEP Parents Association include: (top row from left) Yvonne Herrera. David Herrera, lsela Cruncleton. Angel Morales, Marg1e Morales; (front row from left) Josie de Ia Fuente, R1ck Vilardell, Vicky Zapata, Patncia Tullius

Connecting Parents, Students Associatio elps f ster new tradition ....______-c by Kimberly Miller

Ric Vilardell agreed to take on the presidency of other enthusiastic parents. One new member joined the UTEP Parents Association to help families the group after the first orientation session, and its stay informed, connected and involved. leaders hope that future sessions yield similar results. "For a lot of parents, sending a student to college The children of association members have is confusing, and frankly, a bit overwhelming," started to see some benefits as well. Though says Vilardell, whose son is a junior majoring in hesitant about her parents' involvement at first, music education. "The UTEP Parents Association junior marketing major Stephanie Herrera wants to help them learn the ropes." says she is happy they joined the group. A 2005 UTEP graduate, Vilardell is among a core "I remember thinking 'Oh man, they're going group of parents who came together in July 2007 to to be at school all the time now,"' Herrera form the association. With support from the Office says. "But it's actually been really helpful. of Alumni Relations, the organization is reaching If I have a question, I can go to them." out to parents and families of UTEP students. Herrera, who is a member of the UTEP golf "Before now, we have missed the connection team, is involved in a student focus group between parents and students," says Richard Daniel, for children of association members. assistant vice president for alumni and constituent "We meet with Dr. Daniel to give him relations. "We did not engage parents in the life of feedback on campus life and the things our the university while their student attended UTEP." parents should focus on at their meetings." The association has had a busy first year. It Vilardell says there are a lot of parents like has participated in numerous university Herrera's who were involved in their child's events to network with other parents. education since grade school and want The association recently conducted its first to continue at the university level. mini-orientation for parents. It included He encourages parents to join and family testimonials and presentations from help with this new initiative. several university officials about such topics as financial aid, advising and parking. "It's important to keep in touch with what's going on with your student as they navigate through the "The group was really well-received," Daniel says. university," Vilardell says. N Afterward, he added, parents asked for longer sessions where some topics could be discussed at greater depth. Information: 915-747-8600 or 1-866-GO-MINERS.~ One of the association's top priorities is to recruit

6 • UTEP NOVA ~~~~~~~·~ •PROFILES IN GIVING•

Born in , Tyler entered the workforce in the 1960s Gifting by taking a job with Southwestern Bell in Chicago. She climbed the the Future company ladder, often earning the title of "first woman to" in her by Laura Cruz Acosta numerous endeavors. In 1977, Sandra Tyler is not a graduate Tyler transferred with the company of The University of Texas at to El Paso and embraced every El Paso. But the dedicated fan aspect of the Sun City. didn't need to be an alumna During her 40-year tenure at to support the Miners with an Southwestern Bell, Tyler helped overwhelming enthusiasm. many of her employees reach their "Sandy Tyler never gave less educational goals, often adjusting Tyler, left, with Barbara Bush than 100 percent to any person, their schedules to help them cause or institution she believed in, and manage work and school. UTEP was no exception," recounts UTEP "She was committed "Sandy was commjtted to providing President Diana Natalicio. "Sandy believed an opportunity for others to obtain their that UTEP's highly skilled graduates are a to providing an college degrees," says close friend Sandi major asset to this region." Kahn Carpenter. "I know she personally Because of her confidence in the opportunity for others helped some of her employees' children go university and its students, Tyler made to school." a commjtment to UTEP by establishing to obtain their college Tyler retired from Southwestern Bell as a planned gift years before her death in the area manager of marketing operations January 2008, leaving some of her estate degrees." in 2000. However, she soon took up a for the creation of two fellowships. Tyler second career as the executive director of -Sandi Kahn Carpenter, friend of Sandra Tyler was 66. the Girl Scouts of the Rio Grande Council. Her planned gift helped establish the Through her role in the Girl Scouts, Sandy Tyler Endowed Fellowship in Tyler created many opportunities for the Business Adwnistration and the Sandy More than the generous fellowships, young scouts to experience the UTEP leaves behind her legacy Tyler Endowed however, Tyler campus and learn about the importance of thoughtful Fellowship in Health as an energetic, intelligent and a college education. She retired from the avid outdoorswoman, she Sciences, which woman. An Girl Scouts in 2007. N provide annual could often be heard cheering her heart out fellowships to for UTEP women's basketball team. students pursuing "Sandy's gift benefits not only future Planned Gifts master's degrees in generations of UTEP students, but also the those disciplines. El Paso community she loved and served "She loved El so well," Natalicio says. Paso and she loved A dynamic community activist and • Testamentary bequests UTEP. Establishing fundraiser, Tyler served on countless boards and commjttees, including the Tyler the endowments was • Life insurance policies her way of giving back to a community advisory board of the College of Health she dearly loved," says close friend Cindy Sciences and School of Nursing and • Retirement plan designations Conroy. the advisory commjttee for the Mother­ Like Tyler, many donors choose planned Daughter Program. • Charitable lead trusts giving as a means to support the university, "She would not hesitate to make including testamentary bequests, life something happen," says Conroy. "She insurance policies, retirement plan would pick up a phone, call a few people designations and charitable lead trusts, and get the wheels in motion. It was among others. fascinating. She had no fear of failure."

SUMMER 2008 • 7 A celebration of our ties to the country from which our architecture is derived, the festival featured dancers and musicians from Bhutan's Bridging Cultures Royal Academy of Performing Arts at the Don Haskins Center July 8.

radled between and India on a map, the Himalayan The group had recently performed on the National Mall in Washington, CKingdom of Bhutan defied distance when its culture and D.C., as part of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the largest annual traditions made their way into the hearts of thousands in the El cultural event in the nation's capital. Several UTEP students had Paso border region and beyond. the opportunity to serve as ambassadors and filmmakers there, later sharing their experiences during the university's festival. The beauty and pageantry of Bhutan's traditional folk and mask dance­ coupled with a moving speech by that country's prince - delighted Bhutan Festival 2008 was more than an educational and entertaining harmony more than 7,500 spectators during UTEP's Bhutan Festival2008. event: It bridged cultures, celebrated friendships and inspired in us all. N

From top, left: I. Bhutanese and area folklorico and Tigua Indian dancers participate in a cross-cultural workshop 2. UTEP student Dorji Wangmo from Bhutan greets guests during a reception at rhe university's Rubin Gallery 3. More than 60 community performers participate in rhe dance workshop 4. Cotton Productions, UTEP student filmmakers, shoot Bhutanese craftsmen at the Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington, D.C. 5. Handcrafted by Bhutanese 6. Corron Productions 7. The Ihakhang was the artisans, rhis lhakhang, or students Javier Corro, centerpiece of rhe Folklife temple, will be transformed Rudy Romo and Alfonso Festival in Washington, into a cultural center at UTEP Duarte in Washington D.C., where rhe temple was constructed

Photo galleries: www.utep.edu/bhutanfest~ Friendship and Good Will

is Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen H Wangchuck of Bhutan praised the university for its role in strengthening relations between the and his country. Below are excerpts from his speech during Bhutan Festival 2008: "UTEP has succeeded in making the Bhutan link much more than a collection ofbuildings ... the school has been very conscious ofthe need to make the buildings Tobgay Namgyal, Secretary to His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck of live, to develop a soul. .. " His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Bhutan, UTEP President Diana Natalicio and Bhutanese Ugyen Wangchuck of Bhutan Ambassdor to the United Nations Daw Penjo The Prince made reference to the "spiritual culture" that will be created at UTEP when a Buddhist temple built by Bhutanese craftsmen at the Folklife Festival and gifted to the university becomes a cultural center on campus. "Some ofthat spiritual richness now forms part ofyour campus ... May it serve as an auspicious mark ofa solid relationship of friendship and goodwill between the USA and Bhutan ... It will most certainly be a special mark ofthe enduring relationship that you here in El Paso have created with a remote Himalayan Kingdom ... Our warm and fruitfol relationship, symbolized through this temple, goes well beyond wood and stones ... It is our hope in Bhutan that the wonderful relationship we have built over the years with the people ofthis great country will continue to grow and contribute to better appreciation, understanding and goodwill for each other. " The Prince thanked UTEP for providing a quality education to a number of its students, calling it a "wise investment for our common future." He also addressed all students in the audience, wishing them "purposeful, productive and happy lives." "!hope the timeless values and ideals that you have imbibed at UTEP will inspire and sustain you to become a better individual, a better citizen and a better human being-and be able to rise in the face ofthe challenges oflife. " N To read the whole speech: www.utep.edu/bhutanfest ~

His Royal Highness Prince Jigyel Ugyen Wangchuck of Bhutan, Dr. Diana Natalicio and members of the visiting Bhutenese delegation at UTEP ------

. • HIGHLIGHTS •

for $1 million grant to UTEP sets pace help minorities Hispanic student success earn doctorates The University of Texas at El Paso has been awarded nearly $1 million from the National Science Foundation to help students earn doctorates in science, technology, engineering or mathematics in an effort to bolster the number of minorities with graduate degrees in these disciplines. The award will fund UTEP's Bridge to the Doctorate program, which is part of The University of Texas System Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation. The award will support 12 students pursuing graduate degrees. Under the program, students will each receive a $30,000 stipend funding to help The University of Texas at El Paso has change." a year for two years plus related cost-of-education been identified in a new report by the Six public cover tuition and Washington, D.C.-based higher education universities and expenses. the number of policy group Excelencia in Education as a six community "Nationwide, minorities pursuing STEM trendsetter in practices that improve access, colleges in underrepresented is extremely low. The grant retention and academic Sl)ccess for Hispanic Texas, doctoral degrees opportunity to make a students. and gives UTEP a great in this area," says The report, titled "Modeling Hispanic­ New York were significant contribution . The report and the , professor of electrical and Serving Institutions: Campus Practices that included in the study Benjamin Flores it is drawn were . Flores is the grant's Work for Latino Students," states that it is case studies from which computer engineering Foundation for "Right now, UTEP no accident that some institutions have high supported by Lumina primary investigator. every five Hispanic Ph.D.s Hispanic enrollments and degree production. Education. graduates one of states UTEP and in The University of "To be an HSI is to be at the forefront of The Excelencia report in STEM disciplines have worked goal is to double this change in higher education because of the the other cited campuses Texas System. Our broad-scale shift in U.S. demographics," says UTEP deliberately to implement statistic." five main in the Bridge to President Diana Natalicio, who has Jed the changes. The report addresses UTEP has participated student success: since 2002. It has university for 20 years. "We are pleased that areas to improve Hispanic the Doctorate program academic support, with the financial models that we have created are being community outreach, provided 22 students and transfer to earn their graduate adopted by other universities as their data use, faculty development support needed students will student demographics have begun to paths. N degrees. This year's 12 comprise the third group to pursue doctoral degrees at UTEP under the program. GEAR UP awarded $13 million "This grant allows us to support some of the students we worked with as at El Paso has been awarded more than $12.9 million from the The University of Texas undergraduates," Flores says. "It helps us GEAR UP Program to help more than 3,000 area middle school Department of Education continue that pipeline of Hispanic and students prepare for college. African American Ph.D.s." N Now in its fourth year at UTEP, the program is expected to receive $2.15 million each year during the next six years. The award wi ll fund UTEP's Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Program (GEAR UP) where students from 11 Y sleta Independent School District middle schools are enrolled. that helps youth from low-income communities obtain a GEAR UP is a federal program For more UTEP news and information, education through tutoring programs, standardized testing preparation and other postsecondary visit Horizons Online News at programs. The course was enacted as a result of Congress' passage of the Higher Education Amendment of 1998 where students in grades 6-12 are encouraged to stay in school and www .utep.edulhorizons ~ apply for college. N !

12 • UTEP NOVA • HIGHLIGHTS •

Engineers use technology to construct next generation lunar rover

UTEP engineering students have built a model of the new lunar rover that will be used for a planned mission to the moon in 2020. They used state-of-the-art rapid prototyping. The scale model provides a realistic 3-D mock-up to visualize the proposed lunar rover. Dubbed the Chariot by the Johnson Mission Space Center design team, the rover will make it easier for astronauts to explore the Possible II moon. The 12-foot long Chariot is a truck with UTEP graduate John "Danny" Olivas no doors, windows or seats. The six The $2 million contract was secured wi ll li ve his dream twice: He has been wheels have independent steering and the earlier this year by the Institute for assigned to his second mission into space. pilot's perch, from where the driver steers, Manufacturing and Materials Management "What we do is a res ult of not one can rotate 360 degrees. at UTEP. The institute, which recently was person, but tens of thousands of people Under contract with a large aerospace renamed the Research Institute for who dare to dream big," Olivas says. company, UTEP engineering students Manufacturing and Engineering Systems Olivas is scheduled to be part of the transformed NASA CAD (computer aided (RIMES), has broadened its mission to STS-128 crew set to launch to the design) files into a solid prototype of the include a systems engineering approach to International Space Station in July 2009 Chariot using technologies from the W.M. research and industry. N aboard space shuttle Atlantis. The crew Keck Center for 3-D Innovation. will carry science and storage racks to the Rapid prototyping allows the center to http://engineering.utep.edu ~ station. provide the quality of prototyping needed Olivas became a hometown hero when for complex projects like this one. he made his first flight into space aboard the shuttle Atlantis as part of mission STS- 117 in June 2007. During the 14-day mission, Olivas performed two space walks Biology gets $1.2 million boost and repaired a torn thermal blanket on the around $250,000 per year for the next five shuttle's exterior. years to develop ways to incorporate A graduate of in El math, computer science, and chemistry Paso, he earned his bachelor's degree from into the study of biology. UTEP and master's from the University of This is a supplemental grant to the Houston, both in mechanical engi neering. Minority Access to Research Careers He also earned a doctorate in mechanical (MARC) program at UTEP that has engineering and materials science from funded undergraduate scholarships and Rice University. research opportunities for more than 20 Olivas worked for Dow Chemical Co. years. and later served as a senior research The program's goal is to identify and engineer at NASA's Jet Propulsion nurture undergraduates in research career Laboratory. He was named to NASA's fields that are not well represented among astronaut program in 1998. minorities- chemistry, biology, physics, Olivas was a recipient of UTEP's UTEP educators and researchers are math and psychology - and ease their Distinguished Alumni Award in 2006, the ready to tackle ways to incorporate more entry into biomedical related Ph.D. university's highest honor for achievements math and related quantitative fields into programs. and contributions to the community. the biology curriculum - and the federal The MARC program has been present "Anyone who knew me when I was a kid government has approved around $1.2 on campus for more than 20 years and in El Paso would never have picked me to million to help them. more than 100 UTEP students have be in th is position," Olivas has commented. The National Institute of General benefitted from the research and "With hard work and determination you Medical Sciences, a division of the scholarship program. Of those, around 40 can accomplish anything you want to Department of Health and Human have obtained or are obtaining their accomplish." N Services, has awarded the university doctorates. N www.utep.edu/dannyolivas ~

SUMMER 2008 • 13 " ' ~ ""~ ".. ~, .. ~'""'"" .... ·--"•• ~ ,._.,. ., " . .. . ~ . . .. '...... •ATHLETICS• Miners to compete in Olympics Four Miner track-and-field athletes have qualified for the 2008 Summer in . Michael Hanany, Halimat Ismaila and will join former Miner in the summer games. Ismaila and Osayomi qualified in the women's 4xl00 meter relay, while Osayomi was a triple qualifier in the 100 and 200 meters as well. Osayomi won the 100 and the 200 with times of 11.08 and 22.74 seconds, respectively. Both times were personal records. Okagbare also achieved a personal record in the long jump with a first place leap of 6.86 meters to earn a spot in Track and Field Male Beijing. successful season for the track and field USA Outdoor while triple and Hanany had secured a spot in the team. Athlete of the Year; has been named Olympic Games by winning the national The women finished in lOth place with long jumper Okagbare Newcomer of title in the high jump with a personal 25 points and the men tied for 13th with Conference USA Female record of 2.32 meters in June. Hanany 21 points at the NCAA Outdoor Track and the Year. All-American honors went will be competing for his native France. Field Championships in June. Overall, 13 The Olympics will cap an overall Hanany has been named Conference to 11 Miners. N Football to rock Sun Bowl, Lon Head Coach Mike Price and the Miners wide receiver Tufick Shadrawy. are suiting up for an exciting football The Miners will open two-a-day drills season as they prepare to against a in August in preparation for the season series of formidable foes. opener Aug. 28 at Buffalo. N UTEP's first home game promises to be a crowd pleaser as the Miners will take on the UT Austin Longhorns. The teams will square off for the third time in school history at 8:15p.m. (MST) on Sept. 6. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2 and can be heard on KOFX 92.3 FM. "I think it's a really exciting schedule," Price says. "We're kind of breaking it up into three seasons. We have the Buffalo and UT Austin season, then we have a bye, then we have five games and a bye and another five games. It should be a fantastic home schedule with UT Austin, New Mexico State and UCF." During the annual UTEP Spring Game at the Sun Bowl, fans got a glimpse at the teams new 3-3-5 defensive scheme and saw an improvement in the Miners' Ticket informati on : www .utepathletics.com passing game with sophomore quarterback Trevor Vittatoe connecting passes to junior * C-USA; CBS C (CBS College Sports Network , formerly CSTV)

14 • UTEP NOVA ~-..~ ~- .. ~~ "''" ' ' • ~ ~ ~ ·~ ,.,. • -- ' ~ "' ~ 0 .,..., ~ ~ ~ - ~ ' ~ ~ ' •ALUMNEWS• Chapter Officers The UTEP Alumni Association El Paso Miners Rock! Chapter recently elected its 2008-09 officers. Homecoming 2008 The installation of new officers will be during the "Pass the Gavel" ceremony in August. The incoming officers are: There's no better way to sum up our 94 • President: Alicia Meier; KCOS Public years of milestones and the momentum Television, director of special projects and we' ve gained along the way: Miners Rock! major gifts Stroll down memory lane and join us for a • Vice President: Diana Origel Gutierrez; J.M. rockin' weeklong celebration of our success Smucker Co., human resources manager during Homecoming 2008 from Sunday, • Secretary: Sandra Martinez; Education Oct. 5, through Saturday, Oct. 11. Service Center-Region 19, events management administrator Here's a glance at a few events • Treasurer: Sam Diaz; Mountain Star Federal you won't want to miss: Credit Union, president and CEO Ron Harvey Memorial Golf Tournament • Membership: Melanie Thomas; UTEP, information technology manager (Benefits the Ron Harvey Endowed • Historian: Dov E. Kupfer; Designs by Dov Scholarship) E., designer and owner Wednesday, Oct. 8 UTEP Alumni Association Homecoming The El Paso Chapter is one of several across Homecoming Parade and Pep Rally Pre-Game Party the U.S. and Mexico that cultivate pride in Friday, Oct. 10 the university and foster a strong effective Saturday, Oct. 11 alumni relations program that connects alumni, Distinguished Alumni A wards Dinner UTEP Miners versus Tulane Green Wave students, parents, faculty, staff and friends to Friday, Oct. 10 Saturday, Oct. 11 UTEP. Information: UTEP Alumni Association, 915- 747-8600 or www.utep.edu/alumni. N For information or a complete schedule: 1-866-00-MINERS, 915-747-8600 or www.bomecoiDIJia.atep.eda MINER UN THE MOUE Dr. Eduardo The marching band was your passion. designed to assess cognition and memory as Montoya, 42, a 1991 My drive to drum was insatiable. Playing a result of traumatic brain injury, stroke and social work graduate, and writing cadences and sitting down with a cerebrovascular disease, dementia, Parkinson's, never lost a beat. Now drum set was incredibly fun. Playing meant and geriatric conditions. a neuropsychologist, enjoying the company of great friends and good I've had a rich variety of experiences as Montoya says his laughs, but it also gave me a place to compete a psychotherapist in El Paso and Chicago. I competitive edge and excel. These were some of the best years of trained at The University of Illinois at Chicago, as a marching band my life, but in 1988, I put the sticks down and Chicago's former Cook County Hospital, the drummer translated to redirected my priorities to academic endeavors. Jesse Brown Veterans Affairs Medical Center academic success. and the Rehabilitation Institute of Michigan Dr. Dave Iacono-Harris in the social work in Detroit. I am currently on staff at Tampa Why did you choose UTEP? department helped you with those academic General Hospital's Rehabilitation Center in I grew up in the Lower Valley and graduated endeavors. sunny . from in 1984. One of my He introduced me to the idea of grad school. significant achievements in high school was I laughed and said, "You should be surprised Anything you miss about the Sun City? becoming the first El Pasoan in 11 years to enough that I will finish a bachelor's degree. In addition to my family, I miss my friends, make the Texas All State Band in percussion. Grad school is way out of my league!" the mountains and the desert rain. When I do After that, I was recruited to the music program He said, "All I ask is that you apply visit, it's great to see my friends on stage all atUTEP. anywhere you want, but indulge me and apply over town as the jazz scene has progressed quite to The University of Michigan." I was accepted well in El Paso and the talent can easily hold a Tell me about your first days at UTEP. to 10 schools, and Michigan offered me a full candle to Chicago, Detroit and Tampa. It took I vividly recall feeling out-of-place in college scholarship with a monthly stipend. bouncing around the country for me to realize and became quite shy, which was not my that life is good in El Paso-never take it for character. Through the work-study program I Today you are a successful granted. N was placed in the English department. The entire neuropsychologist. department had a warm and nurturing feel. I use psychological testing instruments

SUMMER 2008 • 15 •ALUMNOTES•

as a UH-60 Blackhawk Cynthia J. "Cindy" Ramos­ Disparities Task Force by Texas '40s instructor pilot and medevac Davidson, chief executive Gov. Rick Perry. Nancy Hamilton (B.A. '49; pilot. He resides in Enterprise, officer of the El Paso Hispanic was Susan J. Rico (B.A. '84) was M.A. '54) was inducted into the Ala. Chamber of Commerce, the Dallas named senior relationship El Paso Commission for elected in March by , El Paso manager for Canada, Mexico Women's 19th annual Hall of Benjamin A. de Luna (B.A. Federal Reserve Bank pro tern and Iberia for Wells Fargo & Fame in March. Hamilton '73) is an associate area counsel Branch, as chairwoman Co.'s Global Correspondent resides in El Paso. with the Internal Revenue for 2008. Service, Office of Chief Banking Group. She resides in Counsel, in Jacksonville, Fla. Dr. Joseph H. Segapeli (B.S. El Paso. '76), a physician with El Paso '50s Edward "Ed" Drusina (B.S. Pediatric Associates, in Everette C. Riley Jr. (B.S. '86) was named president of North John F. Rechy (B.A. '52), a '75) was named president of February received Centene American Freight Forwarding best-selling author and lecturer OMNI Construction Services Corp.'s 2008 Physician Summit and Transportation District for at the University of Southern LLC in January. OMNI is a A ward, which recognizes UPS. He resides in Boerne, California, resides in Los subsidiary of Moreno Cardenas physicians for providing quality Texas. Angeles. His new book, "About Inc. in El Paso. care to its members. Centene My Life and the Kept Woman," provides managed care Raymond Samaniego was published in January. Jack W. Handey (B.A. '71), programs and related services to (B.S.E.E. '86), a senior Rechy received the UTEP best-selling author and individuals and families engineering fellow for Raytheon College of Liberal Arts Gold humorist, resides in Santa Fe, enrolled in government-assisted Space and Airborne Systems in Nugget Award in 2003 and, in N.M. His new book, "What I'd health programs. Dallas, received the company's 2007, was honored with the Say to the Martians and Other '77) is 2007 Excellence in Engineering University's Distinguished Veiled Threats," was published Alan M. Veach (M.Ed. and Technology Award for his Alumni Award. in April. a school improvement consultant for the Atlanta-based innovation in a see-through-the­ Harriet B. May (B.S. '71) Southern Region Education wall radar imaging algorithm. received the 2008 National Board. Veach lives in Spring, '80s Credit Union Foundation's Texas. Lt. Col. Leah R. Sundquist '86) made the Thomas C. "Tom" Wegner Memorial Award for (B.S.Ed. of the Army Shaughnessy (B.A. '69; M.A. Individual Achievement in Gary A. Wagner (B.S.E.E. '73) Department promotion list to colonel and is '04) is an English language March in recognition of her was appointed president and instructor at King Saud groundbreaking work to chief operating officer of University in Riyadh, Saudi increase home ownership Ameron International Corp. in Arabia. among low-income El Paso Pasadena, Calif., in February. residents. May received the Nestor A. (B.A. '63; UTEP College of Science Gold '80s M.A. '69) retired as vice Nugget Award in 2000 and, in (B.B.A. '83) is a president for planning from the 2007, was honored with the Marc G. Gast El Paso Community Foundation University's Distinguished quality systems certification in January. An accomplished Alumni Award. manager for the British Institute. He lives in artist who plans to teach portrait Standards . painting, Valencia's work is on Robert M. Munoz (B.S. '77) Grand Rapids, Mich permanent display at the Plaza graduated from New Mexico (B.S.Ed. Theatre. State University in December ChrisM. Mendoza 2007 with a doctorate in '86) published his dissertation education. Munoz is the dean of research on Hispanic technical and workforce entrepreneurship in January at '70s education at Odessa [Texas] the 2008 U.S. Association of Gregory K. Allen (B.A. '75) College. Small Business and was appointed chief of police Entrepreneurship Annual . for the El Paso Police James E. "Jim" Paul (B.S.Ed. Conference in San Antonio Wilbraham, Department in March. '71) in March was named Mendoza resides in director of development for Mass. Eric L. "Rick" Bennett Hospice of El Paso Inc. Paul a (B.S.Ed. '79) retired from the received UTEP's Distinguished Eva M. Moya (B.S.W. '81), U.S. Army as a master aviator. Alumni Award in 1995. resident of El Paso, was While with the Army, he served appointed to the Health

16 • UTEP NOVA ~~~'t"'~:!''Y"r~'~'<'g;T,-.~,~~ '\~~~,~F·~~~;"?:o~t;~r~~f..,- •ALUMNOTES• attending the U.S. Army War El Paso Chamber of Commerce C. David Hayes (B.A. '67; Carlos M. Ramirez Jr. College, Carlisle Barracks, in April. She also was awarded M.A. '68) Huntsville, Texas; (B.S.C.E. '77; M.S.C.E. '86) Penn. Upon graduation, an American Chamber of Jan. 1, 2008. Zaragoza, ; March 8, 2008. Sundquist will become assistant Commerce Executive's Ford Donald B. "Sparky" Luz Maria "Lucy" Loya to the deputy chief of staff of Foundation Regionalism and Buddecke (B.S.Mi. '51) Port Gijon (B.S.Ed. '87) El Paso; operations for the Oregon Sustainable Development Isabel, Texas; Jan. 6, 2008. March 11, 2008. National Guard in July. Fellowship for 2008. Hugh Frederick Cardon (B.M. Mary Alice Delaunay Shugert Cynthia A. Utterback (B.B.A. David A. Hyder (B.A. '06) is '53; M.A. '57) El Paso; Jan. 8, (B.S.Ed. '65) El Paso; March '87) is the first woman to chair an intern for N.M. Sen. Pete V. 2008. 14, 2008. the board of directors at Domenici in Washington, D.C. Joseph F. Friedkin (B.S.Mi. Joseph Christopher "Chris" Anderson ZurMuehlen & Co. '32) El Paso; Jan. 14, 2008. Calabro (B.A. '72; M.Ed. '75) She also is vice chair of The Melissa Garcia Bruhnke Mesa, Ariz.; March 17, 2008. Foundation for Animals and (B.S.C.S. '00) is a software Dr. Truett L. Maddox Sr., (*) serves on its Wildlife Center engineer for Rockwell Collins El Paso; Jan. 19, 2008. Col. James D. Agee (B.B.A. Oversight and Projects, Media Training Solutions in Sterling, John s. Griffin (B.B.A. '8l) El '54) Banning, Calif.; March 18, and Special Events committees. Va. Paso; Jan. 21, 2008. 2008. Utterback resides in Helena, Charles F. Springstead (M.A. James Randy Baker (B.B.A. Mont. '70) El Paso; Jan. 23, 2008. '95) El Paso; March 18, 2008. Betty Lou McElhannon Roberto "Bobby" Villa (B.S. Send us your news Peggy L. Haan (B.S.Ed. '62) Gibson (B.S.Ed. '72) Amarillo, '88) is an assistant chief El Paso; Jan. 26, 2008. Got news to share? Send Texas; March 19, 2008. investigator for the Office of the us your name, year of Dorothy Helen Clay Sample Federal Public Defender, Lt. Col. ldelfonso Lombraiia graduation, degree and (B.A. '65) El Paso; Jan. 27, Western District of Texas, in El 2008. Jr. (M.Ed. '83) El Paso; March Paso. the information you'd 20, 2008. like to share with other Billie M. Gwyn, (*) El Paso; Feb. 3, 2008. Sylvia S. Chavez White (B.M. Miners. (Please include a '73; M.A. '93) El Paso; March s daytime phone number.) Rodolfo G. "Rudy" Vega 20, 2008. Maj. Reid Culton (B.S.N. '90) E-mail us at nova@utep. (B.B.A. '82) Albuquerque, returned to , Texas, in N.M.; Feb. 3, 2008. Leslie J. Fletcher (B.B.A. '79) edu or write us at Nova April after a 15-month Las Cruces, N.M.; March 24, Quarterly, University Dr. Robert Arthur Culp (B.A. 2008. deployment as squadron '60) El Paso; Feb. 5, 2008. surgeon to the 1-4 Cavalry Communications, The John Patrick McNamee, (*) El Squadron, 4th Brigade Combat University of Texas at Maria Araceli "Chacha" Paso; March 26, 2008. Team in Baghdad, Iraq. He now Turner (B.S.Ed. '84; M.Ed. ~ ·-~1 ~;"' ~""·' ~ :Y' "' :o't,.,), Joe Ben Oliver (B.S. '62) El serves at William Beaumont '94) El Paso; Feb. 6, 2008. Paso; March 31, 2008. Army Medical Center. William Carl "Billy" www.utep.edu/nova Cornelius III (B.B.A. '02) El Dr. William Gordon McGee, Shoshana N. Johnson, a Paso; Feb. 6, 2008. (*) Dallas; April 6, 2008. resident of El Paso, serves on Brian Charles Stokes, (*) El Michael Joseph "Mike" the U.S. Department of Veterans Paso; Feb. 6, 2008. Devlin Jr. (B.B.A. '43) El Affairs Advisory Committee on Paso; April 8, 2008. Minority Veterans. In Memoriam Arlene F. Valles (B.S.Ed. '88) El Paso; Feb. 11, 2008. Frank E. "Bud" Brown Sr. (M.Ed. '70) El Paso; April Joe E. Valenzuela (B.B.A. Sgt. 1st Class John L. 10, Jamerson (B.S. '85) El Paso; Robert D. "Bob" Garland Jr., 2008. '90), a State Farm insurance (*) El Paso; Feb. 17, 2008. agent in El Paso, in April was Jan. 2, 2006. James Edward "Jim" Georges named president of the Sun James L. Stowe (B.A. '73; Maria Elvia Gerardo (B.I.S. (B.S. '53) Mission Viejo, Calif.; Bowl Association for 2008. M.A. '78) El Paso; March 4, '99) El Paso; Feb. 23, 2008. April 11 , 2008. 2006. Mary Louise Jack Blackwell Hazel Cooper Haynsworth ' Os Rebecca Turner "Becky" (B.A. '50) Reston, Va.; Feb. 26, (B.A. '45) El Paso; April 12, Garrett (B.A. '54) El Paso; 2008. 2008. Mimi R. "Mica" Espinoza­ Dec. 23, 2007. Hernandez (B.A. '02; M.P.A. J. Gregory Gardner (B.A. '70) (*) Denotes attendance at UTEP El Paso; Feb. 28, 2008. '04) was appointed vice Col. Charles M. Shadle president of the government (B.B.A. '56) Parkville, Md.; -Compiled by David Thomas, relations division at the Greater June 28, 2007. Shannon Kanorr and Raul Echeverria

SUMMER 2008 • 17

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