UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

John Frederick has been named UTSA provost and vice president for academic affairs, the university's second-highest ranking official. Frederick will begin his duties Feb. 18. President Ricardo Romo selected Frederick from three finalists after a nationwide search netted 71 candidates for the position. Frederick succeeds Julius Gribou, who served since May as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs.

A native of San Antonio and 1976 graduate of Jefferson High School, Frederick comes to UTSA from the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), where he was a senior fellow. He served as executive vice president and provost at the University of Nevada, Reno from 2001 to 2007. At NASULGC, he helped implement the Science and Mathematics Teacher Imperative, a national effort to enhance the quality and production of math and science teachers at the middle and secondary school levels.

UTSA announces VP for university advancement

Marjie M. French will join UTSA as vice president for university advancement effective Jan. 28, 2008. French comes to UTSA from the University of Texas at Dallas where she has served as vice president for development since June 2005. A development professional with more than 15 years of experience at public research institutions, her service includes 10 years with the University of Texas at Austin and three years with the University of Houston.

French succeeds Janice Odom, who served as interim vice president for university advancement since July 2007. French's university advancement career includes management experience in development, alumni relations and communications with leadership roles in two university multi-million dollar comprehensive capital campaigns and personal major gift solicitations and acquisitions from both state and national charitable foundations.

Grads celebrate Fall Commencement 2007

Welcome new alumni! Five commencement ceremonies Dec. 13-15 honored 2,235 undergraduate and graduate students completing 1,787 bachelor's, 417 master's and 31 doctoral degrees.

Keynote speakers were (7 p.m. Dec. 13) Milton Lee, CPS Energy general manager and CEO; (2 p.m. Dec. 14) Linda Montgomery, JLM Marketing president and former president of the UTSA Alumni Association; (9 a.m. Dec. 15), Sarah E. Moten, division chief of the U.S. Agency for International Development, Africa Bureau, Office of Sustainable Development, Education Division; (1 p.m. Dec. 15) Julius Gribou, UTSA interim provost and vice president for academic affairs and founding dean of the College of Architecture; and (5 p.m. Dec. 15) UTSA Professor Emeritus Alan Craven, founding dean of the College of Liberal and Fine Arts, who served under four of UTSA's five presidents and is the writer of the UTSA school song lyrics.

BusinessWeek ranks M.B.A. third in Southwest

In its inaugural ranking of part-time M.B.A. programs, BusinessWeek gave the UTSA College of Business the No. 3 spot in the Southwest. Schools included in the regional ranking were the University of Denver (1), Southern Methodist University (2), University of Texas at San Antonio (3), University of Houston (4), and University of Texas at Austin (5). The rankings are based on student surveys, academic quality and post-M.B.A. outcomes such as advancement in current position, new job and attainment of career goals. Nationally, the UTSA College of Business part-time M.B.A. program is ranked 26th by BusinessWeek.

UTSA opens center for training tomorrow's business leaders

In November, UTSA’s College of Business dedicated a center designed to assist aspiring business professionals in their transition from student to employee. The Center for Student Professional Development will offer a comprehensive menu of services designed to help students prepare for life after college and to assist employers in on-campus recruitment efforts. The center was made possible with support of local community leaders and businesses. Renowned real estate investor Kyle Seale and his wife, Billie Seale, donated $100,000 to establish the H. Kyle Seale Student Professional Development Endowment in the College of Business.

ITC seeks cutting-edge technology -- circa 1968

HemisFair '68 was a pivotal moment in San Antonio history, and 40 years later, UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures (ITC) will celebrate the festival with a special exhibition. Pictures, video and memorabilia from the world’s fair that placed San Antonio in the spotlight will be on display. But the ITC needs your help... Do you have an example of 1968 state-of-the-art technology, such as a console television, that you would be willing to loan or donate? For more information about loaning or donating items for the HemisFair anniversary exhibit, contact Shirley Mock at (210) 458-2337.

UTSA gives generously to annual charitable campaign

Seventy percent of UTSA employees donated to the 2007 State Employee Charitable Campaign (SECC), an 8 percent increase over 2006 giving levels. The total amount pledged was $224,000. SECC benefits more than 100 local nonprofit agencies that provide social, health, environmental, arts and education services to the San Antonio community. The campaign highlighted the way UTSA staff, faculty and alumni are involved in the many organizations supported by SECC.

McNair scholarship program expands access to doctoral education

Since 2000, UTSA has received has $17 million in funds from the U.S. Department of Education for TRIO Programs, which support college-bound students in their dreams to enroll and graduate from an institution of higher education. Now, UTSA will be able to support the dreams of doctoral students with the addition of $1.1 million from the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program.

Established in 1986 after the death of astronaut and engineer Ronald McNair, these grants aim to increase the number of doctoral degrees earned by low-income, first-generation college students. Twenty-five students pursuing doctoral studies will be supported annually by McNair grants.

Department of Defense awards $500K grant

The College of Engineering received a $500,000 grant to expand research capabilities at the UTSA Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Lean Systems. The center, established in spring 2007, offers expertise in flexible and lean technologies and systems in manufacturing, service and defense industries. UTSA established the interdisciplinary center in response to recent rapid growth in San Antonio’s manufacturing base. Frank Chen, who holds the UTSA Lutcher Brown Distinguished Chair in Advanced Manufacturing, and Can Saygin, UTSA associate professor of mechanical engineering, lead the team of investigators.

Reserve your place at the table for a Great Conversation!

Come to the table... It's time to have a Great Conversation! The popular annual event, which benefits the UTSA Honors College, is at 6:30 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 26, 2008. Great Conversation! invites the public to converse on a wide variety of topics expertly led by UTSA professors and community leaders. Conducted at UTSA's Institute of Texan Cultures, tables and individual tickets are available now. More than 60 conversation-starting topics are available this year in the categories of arts, culture, religion, science, education, technology, parenting, business and community. Proceeds go to scholarships for Honors College students. More than 600 guests attended in 2007, so make your reservation early.

Bank of America contribution supports child and adolescent research

The UTSA Bank of America Child and Adolescent Policy Research Institute (CAPRI) received a $1 million grant and its new name from the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Part of the grant, $150,000, funded a playground equipment project for SAISD's Navarro Academy. The naming of the institute was announced in October by UTSA President Ricardo Romo and Kenny Wilson, president of Bank of America Central and South Texas.

The Bank of America CAPRI was founded by Harriett Romo, associate professor of sociology, in order to develop research projects and educational programs that help children and adolescents from low-income, mostly Latino families reach their full potential. The institute also provides valuable experience in applied research for UTSA graduate students and faculty. Bank of America recently embarked on an unprecedented 10-year goal to give $1.5 billion to nonprofit organizations engaged in improving the quality and vitality of neighborhoods.

Welcome to Holiday, Texas through Jan. 6

Through Jan. 6, 2008, visitors to UTSA’s Institute of Texan Cultures can enjoy a tour of "Holiday, Texas." The annual exhibit honors the holiday traditions across Texan cultures, and more. This year’s exhibit features A White House Christmas, showcasing Presidential Christmas cards, ornaments, engravings and more items which are part of the Mary Jane and Raymond Judd Christmas Book Collection. Christmas Across Cultures celebrates Czech, Polish, German and Swedish holiday traditions, as well as Jewish celebrations of Hanukkah, the ancient tradition of Yuletide and the African American observance of Kwanzaa. The work of Czech Moravian artist Ferdinand Pribyl, who painted seven wall-sized Bethlehem scenes between 1895 and 1902, also is on display.

For admission and other details, visit the Institute of Texan Cultures Web site.

Homecoming events welcome back alumni

This year's UTSA Homecoming is Feb. 27-March 1, 2008. A full menu of events for the weekend includes a celebration of the 10th anniversary of the Downtown Campus, golf at The Quarry Golf Club, a fireworks display and the 24th annual Diploma Dash -- a 5K run/fitness walk benefiting student scholarships, alumni programs and services. A tailgate party and the UTSA men's basketball game vs. Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi round out the events. Join us! Read more at the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site.

Alumni Association accepting reservations for fun-filled travel

This spring, immerse yourself in the landscapes of the British Isles. The 10-day tour of England, Scotland and Wales leaves March 27, 2008, and includes such highlights as theater in London, trips to Edinburgh Castle and the Lake District, as well as tours of Stratford-Upon-Avon. Doubles are $2,699 per person and singles are $3,099, inclusive of airfare from San Antonio.

Like to have your tour move on its own speed? Then book by Dec. 31 for a Caribbean cruise designed especially for young alumni. This fun-filled weekend launches May 17 from Galveston and returns on May 22. Travel on the Carnival ship, Ecstasy, includes stops in Cozumel and Progreso, Yucatan. Cabin reservations range from $502 to $562 per person -- so bring your friends. Learn more at the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site.

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