UTSA Update - The University of Texas at San Antonio

A new campus transportation plan aims to help students move around more easily on the 1604 Campus. This year, there are two new parking lots, four new shuttle buses, additional shuttle routes and a new road joining Loop 1604 and UTSA Boulevard -- along with a net gain of 1,200 parking spaces.

John Peace Library receives extreme makeover

A $3.1 million renovation of the John Peace Library will feature improved lighting and seating, new computers and flexible spaces for individual and group study. The project, which is currently underway, will result in a library that is more “integrated into campus life, academics and student lives,” planners say. Construction is expected to wrap up in March 2009. The library will remain open 24 hours a day, five days a week throughout the project. Library staff have created a blog detailing construction updates and showing work-in-progress.

New student center, dining choices, financial center enhance campus life

On Aug. 26, a new and expanded University Center, known as UC III, officially opened, creating more space for student activities and special events. Atlanta-based architectural firm Perkins + Will designed the 60,000-square-foot building, which includes a ballroom, conference rooms, offices for staff and organizations, a student lounge and a game room.

The expansion includes renovations to UC II. Now students can enjoy expanded dining options and a new financial center in the paseo between the two buildings. Starbucks, Taco Cabana and Panda Express join many other campus dining facilities offered in partnership with food service provider Aramark. A new university branch of Frost Bank is now open for use by students, staff and faculty. The financial center offers full-service banking and is located along the paseo near UC III.

UTSA students attend national political conventions

This summer, five Honors College students got a once-in-an-election-year opportunity to attend and study national political conventions. The students participated in a non-partisan academic program through the Washington Center for Internships and Academic Seminars.

At the Democratic Convention, students Peter Sebesta, April Sanchez and Matthew Shelton were joined by associate professor of political science and geography Amy Jasperson. Students Frank Carni and Hilda Moeller attended the Republican Convention. The students received monetary support and cameras from Time Warner Cable San Antonio, and each team recorded their experiences on the College Perspective blog.

College of Engineering graduate student attends prestigious international conference

In his first-ever trip overseas, Benjamin Rodriguez, '08, a College of Engineering graduate student in mechanical engineering, presented his research at the Campus de Excelencia (June 22-27, 2008) in the Canary Islands. The international conference drew Nobel laureates, students and world leaders in the scientific, political, economic and business communities. "I was able to have dessert with Nobel prize winners. I was exposed to culture and intellect that I could receive nowhere else," Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez' research poster described the engineering of a solar-powered, portable medicine and vaccine refrigerator he developed with fellow students Jeremy Mercer and Todd Hartley. This refrigerator could be used to transport medications "the last mile" into remote villages. According to College of Engineering Dean Mauli Agrawal, half of the vaccines going to remote locations are ruined once they leave refrigerated trucks.

Provost holds information sessions on A Shared Vision: UTSA 2016

In order to engage and inform the UTSA community about the new strategic plan, Provost John Frederick is holding a series of discussions for UTSA colleges and other groups. The presentations, which began in September and continue throughout the fall, will outline the plan and provide time for audience questions.

"With UTSA 2016, we want everyone in the UTSA community to be engaged in implementing the strategic plan," said Frederick. "Often plans are put together and just end up on the shelf, but this will be a living document used to guide us on a new vision to become a national research university."

UTSA reps visit Veracruz, Puebla university partners

In July, UTSA President Ricardo Romo and representatives of the UTSA faculty and staff visited Xalapa in Veracruz, Mexico, to discuss expanding collaboration between UTSA, Universidad Veracruzana and Benemérita Universidad Autonoma de Puebla. The UTSA Institute for Economic Development has built relationships with these universities by establishing small business development centers there.

Meetings with top researchers explored potential collaborations in health and infectious diseases, neuroscience, information-technology security, water conservation and climate change, anthropology and archeology, architecture, nano-technology and environmental science.

Kenny Wilson appointed chair of development board

Kenny Wilson, president of Bank of America for Central and South Texas, has been appointed chairman of The University of Texas at San Antonio Development Board. Wilson, who has served on the board since 2006, assumed the new role Sept. 16. Tom C. Frost, the board's chairman for 18 years, will serve as chairman emeritus.

RFID technology focus of workshop for area manufacturers

UTSA's Center for Advanced Manufacturing and Lean Systems (CAMLS), housed in the College of Engineering, recently partnered with the San Antonio Manufacturers Association to conduct a radio frequency identification (RFID) workshop. RFID technology is in demand by both retail and manufacturing businesses. In addition to seminars, the workshop in the CAMLS laboratory provided an opportunity for participants to receive hands-on experience and see how RFID technology can be used in the workplace.

College of Sciences awarded more than $10 million to support faculty development and research

Two grants from the National Institutes of Health will support UTSA's mission to train scientists from minority backgrounds. A five-year $9 million award to the San Antonio Minority Basic Research Support for Continuous Research Excellence program will help fund faculty research in the biology department, including projects investigating the causes of Lyme disease and malaria. Another $1.1 million grant will support faculty who are collaborating with other universities in neurobiology research.

UTSA Research and Program Funding

Lota Rea Wilkinson estate donates $1.2 million to UTSA

A $1.2 million gift from the estate of Lota Rea Wilkinson will create The Charlotte Louise Dashiell and Lota M. Spell Fund in the UTSA Department of Music. The donation celebrates one family’s love of education and carries on the legacy of a prominent Texas music educator who got her start in San Antonio.

October 28: President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner

Make reservations now for the annual President's Scholarship and Awards Dinner, a fundraiser that celebrates extraordinary commitment to higher education. Oct. 15 is the reservation deadline for the special evening at the Marriott Rivercenter Hotel. Read details and make reservations at the President's Dinner Web site.

November 13: College of Business Signature Speaker Series

Bill Ford, executive chairman of Ford Motor Company, will present the keynote address for the UTSA College of Business Signature Speaker Series at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 13 at the Westin Riverwalk hotel in downtown San Antonio. Proceeds will benefit student scholarships and programs in the College of Business. The college also will honor the Distinguished Alumnus of the Year and Young Alumnus of the Year. For individual tickets and table reservations, call (210) 458-4313.

December 1-5: Alumni Travel -- New York City Holiday

New York City twinkles during the holiday season. If you've never visited the city at that time, or any time, sign up for the UTSA Alumni Association New York holiday tour, Dec. 1–5. Make reservations now for this five-day, four-night excursion includes a tour, museum visits, a trip to historic Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty, a Broadway show and more. For more information, visit the UTSA Alumni Programs Web site or call Jane Burton at (210) 458-4133.

December 5-6: Holiday Cabaret -- Have Yourself a Jazzy Little Christmas

Presented by the UTSA Department of Music, the event is 7:30 p.m., Dec. 5-6 in the University Center. Tickets are $40; call (210) 458-5685.

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