UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

The UTSA President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner is 6:15 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 23 at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. This year's black-tie affair will honor business and civic entrepreneur David A. Spencer with the Tom C. Frost Award and oil and gas industry pioneer and philanthropist Irene Stimson Wischer with a posthumous Gold Star Award. Additionally, there will be announcements of major gifts and donor recognition.

The Tom C. Frost Award is presented to an outstanding citizen who has provided exceptional leadership to important business and community endeavors. The Gold Star Award is presented to an individual or organization that has forged extensive partnerships with the university and supported UTSA students and faculty in extraordinary ways.

UTSA celebrates the vision Nov. 5

UTSA will celebrate the building of a premier public research university at a symbolic cornerstone laying for UTSA's future and the $82.5 million engineering building (opening August 2009) at 10 a.m., Monday, Nov. 5 in the Biotechnology, Sciences and Engineering Building atrium, 1604 Campus. Guests will include State Sen. Judith Zaffirini, State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte, State Sen. Jeff Wentworth, State Sen. Carlos Uresti and UT System Chancellor Mark Yudof. Free and open to the public, the ceremony will include the unveiling of the strategic plan, A Shared Vision: UTSA 2016.

UTSA begins search process for provost

Appointed by President Ricardo Romo, a search committee of UTSA faculty, students and staff and community leaders is seeking candidates for the vacant position of UTSA provost and vice president for academic affairs. As part of the search, five public meetings were conducted in September to gain input. The candidate search is expected to be complete by December.

New Laurel Village residence offers comfort, security

The second UTSA-owned and operated student housing facility, Laurel Village, is the latest addition to UTSA on-campus student housing. Construction began on the $39.2 million project in November 2006, and the first phase opened in August with living quarters for 206 residents. In Summer 2008, Phase II will be complete with an additional 470 beds and a total project of 185,000 square feet.

Students pass athletics fee referendum

UTSA students voted in September to support expansion of the school's athletics program. With 4,604 votes cast, 3,031 students voted for the fee (66 percent) and 1,571 against (34 percent). The students' endorsement of increased fees includes support for the eventual addition of a football program at the city's only NCAA Division I athletics program.

Students approve new transportation fee

UTSA students voted Oct. 9-10 to approve a Fall 2008 addition of a transportation fee to enrollment fees. With 13 percent of students voting, 53 percent voted yes and 47 percent voted no. The fee would fund additional shuttle service to apartments near UTSA, supplement on-campus shuttles, reduce the cost of most student parking permits and relieve parking congestion. The final steps in fee approval are UTSA administration and the UT System Board of Regents.

UTSA kicks off 2007 charitable campaign

UTSA is in the middle of this year's State Employee Charitable Campaign and officials plan to top last year's excellent participation rate. UTSA was a shining star in the 2006 campaign with 62 percent of employees contributing more than $225,000 to charities -- the highest percentage of participation among UT System institutions. Donors receive a ticket to an Oct. 19 faculty-staff talent show.

UTSA research funding tops $50 million

UTSA researchers explore Antarctica

Last month, five UTSA researchers and a Boerne High School science teacher joined a crew of 22 researchers from several countries for a two-month expedition to Antarctica. Departing from Punta Arenas, Chile, the expedition was funded by a $533,000 National Science Foundation research grant to UTSA. The researchers are studying the relationship of sea ice and the Antarctic environment.

UTSA celebrates eighth alumni gala

Honorary chairs for the eighth annual UTSA Alumni Rising Star Gala, Loretta Clarke, '87, '90, and Jeff Clarke, '86, were pleased at the levels of involvement in the Sept. 22 event at the Westin La Cantera Resort. James Mickey, '78, former president of Movida Communications Inc., received the Alumnus of the Year Award and Robert McKinley, '98, UTSA associate vice president for economic development, received the Distinguished Service Award.

'Barrio teacher' remembers UTSA with gift

Longtime educator Arcadia Hernandez Lopez bequeathed nearly $700,000 to establish the UTSA Arcadia Lopez Endowed Scholarship fund for students pursuing degrees in bilingual education. The former teacher, who died in January at age 98, worked more than 40 years as a pioneer in San Antonio bilingual education and was a model achiever as a minority female student in the 1930s. Her legacy was honored at an Oct. 4 reception including former Mayor Henry Cisneros, State Sen. Leticia Van de Putte and Joe Bernal of the Texas Board of Education.

Foundation promotes access through scholarships

The Greater Texas Foundation of Bryan has awarded $50,000 in grants to UTSA, including $25,000 for Generation Proud Scholarships for first-generation students and another $25,000 for Rising to the Challenge Scholarships for community college transfers.

$500K endowed chair established in accounting

A College of Business endowed chair recently was established with a $500,000 bequest from Jacqueline Eugenia Ramsdell. The Glenn L. and Sally P. Ramsdell Memorial Chair for Accounting was created to honor her parents and to help prepare accountants to guide business growth in San Antonio. The San Antonio native had a 30-year career as a realtor and was active in the community. She died in April 2006.

ITC memberships are a win-win for donors

Lasso yourself a membership at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures and enjoy 12 months of culturally significant exhibits, fun family events and exclusive benefits while supporting a true Texas treasure. Learn more at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures Web site.

UTSA Center for Policy Studies Great Cities Dialogue is Oct. 24

The UTSA Center for Policy Studies Great Cities Dialogue will host Thomas Homer-Dixon, University of Toronto, discussing the challenges facing San Antonio and other urban centers. A panel of representatives from city government, civic groups and academia will add local perspective. Free and open to the public, the event is 6:15 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 24 in the Buena Vista Theater (1.326), Downtown Campus.

UTSA hosts Yoko Ono exhibit through Oct. 28

The UTSA Department of Art and Art History hosts the free exhibit, "Yoko Ono Imagine Peace: Featuring John & Yoko's Year of Peace," through Sunday, Oct. 28 at the UTSA Arts Building gallery on the UTSA 1604 Campus.

See ITC's 'Here Be Dragons!' exhibit through Nov. 4

UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures is home to a 10-foot, smoke-breathing dragon in the exhibit, "Here Be Dragons!" through Nov. 4. Draco, a green-scaled Western dragon with a 16-foot wingspan, welcomes guests to the exhibit exploring the origins, symbolism and cultural significance of the dragon through history. For more information, visit UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures Web site or call (210) 458-2330.

Mark your calendar: Great Conversation! is Feb. 26, 2008

The eighth annual "Great Conversation!" fundraiser is 6:30-9 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008, at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures. UTSA alumni, community leaders and other friends will enjoy good food and stimulating discussion while supporting UTSA Honors College scholarships. Early-bird sponsorships and tables are available. For more information and tickets, visit the Great Conversation! Web site.

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