UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

"Fiesta Under the Stars: Fiesta Mexicana," the fundraiser showcasing the talents of UTSA Department of Music faculty and students, returns at 7:30 p.m., April 28 at Sombrilla Plaza on the 1604 Campus. With music of Mexico and Mexican Americans in Spanish and English, the proceeds benefit music scholarships. Purchase table seats with a catered cold supper, or spread a blanket and bring your own picnic. For more information and tickets, call (210) 458-4357.

Robert Gracy named vice president for research

Robert Gracy has been named UTSA vice president for research. He comes to UTSA from the University of North Texas Health Science Center (UNTHSC) in Fort Worth, where he served as associate vice president for research and biotechnology, and professor of molecular biology and immunology. Gracy will report to UTSA President Ricardo Romo. Gracy’s research includes studies of Alzheimer's disease and the impairment of vision and wound healing.

Spring Commencement is May 11-13

UTSA's Spring 2006 Commencement is May 11-13. There will be five ceremonies. For more information, visit the Office of the Registrar Web site.

UTSA Mexico Center gains momentum with lecture series

UTSA's new Mexico Center was created to foster communication among policy makers, scholars, business representatives and professionals from the United States and Mexico. The center will connect Mexico-related expertise at UTSA for cross-disciplinary collaboration on research and cultural activities. In February, the center began a series of lunchtime lectures, spotlighting a Mexico building project involving UTSA architecture students. The series continues March 23 with a bilingual reading by Monterrey poets, a March 29 discussion on Mexican television and politics in the free-trade era and an April 6 lecture by Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta. In 1991, in partnership with Sprinkle Robey Architects and Johnson-Dempsey & Associates of San Antonio, Legorreta designed the San Antonio Public Library's "enchilada red" Central Library. In 2000, he won the American Institute of Architects Gold Medal, its most prestigious honor for individuals, for a career that has spanned nearly half a century.

UTSA presents Graduation Rates Summit March 24

UTSA will host a Graduation Rates Summit March 24 in the Main Building, 1604 Campus. The keynote speaker will be Raymund Paredes, commissioner of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. The summit is part of UTSA’s long-term commitment to higher education access and the graduation rates priority of the UT System Board of Regents, the Coordinating Board and the Legislature. The event is free and open to the UTSA community and friends.

CIAS awarded $3.1 million in defense bill

The UTSA Center for Infrastructure Assurance and Security (CIAS) was awarded $3.1 million in the fiscal year 2006 Defense Appropriations Bill to support community cyber security defend-and-attack exercises, and infrastructure assurance and security research. CIAS is one component of UTSA's encompassing Institute for the Protection of American Communities (IPAC). Established in 2005, IPAC provides technical expertise and solutions to security challenges facing communities.

UTSA Concert Choir raising funds for trip to Austria

The UTSA Concert Choir has been invited by the mayors of Vienna and Salzburg to represent Texas in the American Celebration of Music in Austria in late spring, as part of the yearlong celebration of the 250th anniversary of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s birth. Donations from alumni and friends of UTSA are being sought to help support the expenses of the trip for 57 UTSA students.

Greater Kelly Foundation gives $110,000 for scholarships

The Greater Kelly Development Foundation Inc., the philanthropic arm of the Port of San Antonio (formerly KellyUSA), has contributed $110,000 to UTSA to fund scholarships for Bexar County students studying math, science, engineering and business.

Department of Music presents ‘Brundibar’ March 31

The UTSA Department of Music presents the children's opera, "Brundibar," at 7:30 p.m., March 31 at the Buena Vista Theatre, Downtown Campus. The opera was presented more than 50 times by the children in the Terezin concentration camp, Hitler’s "model ghetto" northwest of Prague. A child survivor of the camp, Inge Auerbacher, will introduce a screening of the short film, "Olympic Doll: A Child Survivor," preceding the opera performance. Tickets are $10.

More information: (210) 458-5685

ITC hosts 'Bigfoot in Texas?' exhibit April 7-July 30

UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures hosts the exhibit "Bigfoot in Texas?" from April 7 to July 30. Believe it or not, there are many documented sightings of Bigfoot right here in Texas. The exhibit will explore theories on the hairy creature’s existence, featuring unidentifiable hair and foot and body casts of a being many believe can only be Bigfoot. Guest speakers will lend their expertise to both sides of the debate.

More information: UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures, (210) 458-2330

Thirty-fifth annual Texas Folklife Festival set for June 8-11

The 35th annual Texas Folklife Festival, a four-day extravaganza of more than 40 cultures is set for June 8-11 at UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures in downtown San Antonio. This year’s theme is "Deep in the Heart of Texans."

More information: Texas Folklife Festival, (210) 458-2259

Alumni Association announces 2007 travel

The UTSA Alumni Association is excited to announce its travel destinations for 2007. On the itinerary are Africa in July, Australia and New Zealand in November, Tuscany in March and San Francisco/Lake Tahoe in September. On March 9, 21 alumni, faculty, staff and friends left for Beijing.

UTSA presents ‘Fiesta Under the Stars’ April 28