UTSA streams commencement on the Web

UTSA's May commencement ceremonies were the first from UTSA streamed live on the Internet. The proud parents of Ashlesh Murthy, who earned UTSA's first doctorate in cell and molecular biology, watched the Webcast from their home in Bangalore, India. "We were so excited and thrilled that we felt as if we were viewing the program in person and enjoyed each and every moment," said an e-mail from Vijaya and Krishna Murthy. "We thank UTSA for arranging the live Webcast… The parents of your students will definitely feel happy if you continue to do the same in the coming years."

More than 2,600 degree candidates participated in the May 11-13 ceremonies. A total of 2,047 undergraduates, 540 master's students and 22 doctoral candidates walked the stage in seven ceremonies. Keynote speakers were James Kahan, AT&T senior executive vice president for corporate development; Anthony Infante, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research president; Juan Gonzalez, UT Austin vice president for student affairs; and Rosalie Ambrosino, UTSA provost and vice president for academic affairs. Several ceremonies included remarks by UT System Board of Regents member Colleen McHugh.

Read more: http://www.utsa.edu/today/2006/05/commencement.cfm

College of Business graduates first doctoral students

The UTSA College of Business graduated its first class of doctoral students in the May 11 ceremony. The four doctoral candidates were Paramita Bandyopadhyay, Brian Daugherty, James Hackard and Wayne Tervo, who earned degrees in accounting and finance. All have accepted faculty positions at leading institutions. The college has offered a Ph.D. in business administration since 2002, with concentrations in accounting, finance, information technology and organization and management studies. Beginning this fall, a new doctoral program in applied statistics will be offered.

Economist headlines Frost Bank Distinguished Lecture Series

Ray Perryman, president and chief executive officer of The Perryman Group, was the keynote speaker April 19 for the College of Business Frost Bank Distinguished Lecture Series. The Perryman Group is an economic research and financial analysis firm headquartered in Waco. Perryman identified four areas that are shaping the world of business today: demographics, technology, globalization and market economies. The lecture series, which began in 1988, brings prominent business and community leaders to UTSA to share their knowledge and experiences.

Read more: http://www.utsa.edu/today/2006/04/perryman.cfm

Some of UTSA's summer camps

UTSA Athletics will offer more than 30 sports camps in June and July for boys and girls in grades 6-12. Camps are scheduled for baseball, basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer and tennis. For more information, go the UTSA Athletics summer camps Web site.

The UTSA Department of Music will host band, choir, flute and piano/strings camps for students ranging from grades 6 through 12. Register for camps at the Department of Music Web site.

The UTSA Center for Archaeological Research Legacy: Hands on the Past program will host camps with the theme, "North American Indians." The camps for children ages 6 to 11 include hands-on excavation activities and analyzing artifacts. Camp sessions still open are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., June 5-9 (grades 1-3) and July 24-28 (grades 4-6). Two June and July camps already are filled. For more information, contact Lynn Yakubik at (210) 458-4462.

Mobile Go Center helps close education gaps

Young San Antonians seeking information about higher education now have access to an innovative mobile resource center. The Mobile Go Center, part of a statewide fleet of vehicles, made its first stop at Fox Tech High School May 16. Funded in part by an $800,000 grant from the AT&T Foundation, the centers are part of a Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board initiative, College for Texans Campaign, which aims to close the gaps in Texas college participation and success by 2015. The center's home base in San Antonio is UTSA, one of four participating Texas universities and colleges. Any Texas public school, college or university can request a Mobile Go Center visit.

Read more: http://www.utsa.edu/today/2006/05/gocenter.cfm

UTSA awarded $1.3 million health services grant

The UTSA Culture and Policy Institute recently was awarded a $1.3 million research grant by the Agency for Health Research and Quality, part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The new grant underwrites the San Antonio Health Services Research Program (SAHSRP), a major collaborative effort involving faculty and research associates at UTSA, the UT Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) and the UT School of Public Health, San Antonio Regional Campus.

Registration and more information: http://www.utsa.edu/today/2006/04/cpi.cfm

Development Board adds three members

Kenny Wilson, president of Bank of America San Antonio; David Spencer, president of Mandelbrot Ventures Inc.; and Louis Rowe, president and CEO of the engineering firm Goetting & Associates, are the newest members of the UTSA Development Board, introduced at the group's May 16 luncheon meeting at the Downtown Campus. Also joining the Development Board during the 2005-2006 academic year were Milton B. Lee, general manager and CEO, CPS Energy; Kathy Bolner, retail community banking president for Central Texas for Wells Fargo; Dr. Anthony J. Infante, president, Southwest Foundation for Biomedical Research; and Cathy Obriotti Green, vice president for community relations and special projects, Zachry Group Inc.

University's endowment grows to $42 million

Sixteen new endowments, including two distinguished chairs, have been funded at UTSA since September 1, 2005, increasing the university's total endowment from $36,386,115 to $42,127,934, according to Vice President for University Advancement Sonia V. Martinez.

Read more: UTSA Development

Texas Folklife Festival, June 8-11

The 35th annual Texas Folklife Festival, a four-day extravaganza of more than 40 cultures is 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

President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner, Oct. 17

John T. Montford, AT&T senior vice president for Western region state legislative and regulatory affairs, and Kenny Wilson, president of Bank of America San Antonio, are co-chairing the 2006 President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner, an annual event that last year raised $1.9 million for scholarships and other academic programs at UTSA. Sponsorships for the Oct. 17 dinner at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel, are now being sold by a volunteer host committee of prominent San Antonio business leaders.

More information: http://www.utsa.edu/presidentsdinner/

UTSA Alumni Association Rising Star Gala, Aug. 19

The UTSA Alumni Association hosts its seventh annual Alumni Rising Star Gala Saturday, Aug. 19, at the Westin La Cantera Resort. A silent auction and cocktail reception with music by the UTSA Marimba Ensemble begins at 6:15 p.m., with dinner at 7:30 p.m. The program, including the announcement of the Alumnus of the Year and the Distinguished Service Award recipient, begins at 8:30 p.m., followed by dancing with the music of Newsboyz from Austin. Table sponsorships are available. A portion of the gala proceeds benefits the UTSA Alumni Association Scholarship Fund. To volunteer or make reservations, visit the Alumni Association Web site or call (210) 458-4133.