MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
Dear UTEP Alumni and Friends, Modern technology has transformed profoundly our ideas of community and how we connect to each other and the University With the help of social media channels and tools , we can access our personal and profes sional net works, whether locall y or from a distance, in more exciting and innovative ways than ever. Today our alumni, students and friends can "find us" on Facebook, "follow us" on Twitter or "join us" on Google + and Linkedin to receive - and participate in - all of the latest UTEP news. These sites and the social media they support have been vital to the gro wth of a global on line commun ity of Miners that now has more than 24,500 active members ... and counting!
Our online communication has played an important role in publicizing upcoming events and rallying our supporters. I was extremely pleased and amazed at ho w quickly UTEP' s online community brought together our extended Miner family for a good, old-fashioned summer picnic. More than 1,000 partic ipant s joined in the fun at 17 different picnic locations for the first-ever UTE P Alumni "PICK-NIC," which was hosted concurrently in El Paso, across the country and at internat ional locations such as Guad alajara, Mexico, and Bhutan!
The picnics were a great way to bui ld the Mine r Nation and express our Orange and Blue pride whi le enjoying good food and company (of course!). I invite you to see our Miner Famil y album in this issue starting on page 58; you can also access even more content on our official Facebook page , facebook.com / UTEPMiners We hope you'll become involved with your local UTEP Alumni Chapter so that you can make the PICK -NIC a part of your summertime tradition as we continue to promote and grow this annual event.
New traditions, like the UTEP Alumni PICK-NIC, offer a great opportunity to strengthen the bonds of our Miner family through personalized exchanges with fello w alumni, wherever the y may be Equally important are our annual Homecoming celebrations, which are the perfect time to return to UTEP and commemorate our collective past , reflect on our successes and honor the recipients of our Dist in guished Alumni and Gold Nugget Awa rds. This year's festivities will kick off with the Student Government Association's Royalty Pageant on Oct. 14 and culminate wi th the UTEP vs. Tulane football game on Oct. 20 at Sun Bowl Stadium.
Every year we expand our Homecoming activities, and this year is no exception. With the addition of events like the "Miner Run" and "Orange Friday," we'll have even more ways to show our Miner spirit every day of the week! You'll find information about the we ek's events in this special issue, and we've also included a hand y 16-page pullout guide to take wi th yo u so that you won't miss any of the excitement.
As we approach our Centennial, it's especially important to us that our alumni, students, and friends stay in touch. So, ho weve r you prefer to connect - via this magazine, Facebook, Twitter, etc. - we hope you'll continue your engagement with UTEP through these social media channels and through active participation in such established traditions as Homecoming. At home, abroad or online, by coming together as a Miner Nation, we honor UTEP's 100-year commitment to excellence wh ile also celebrating our lasting connection to this University and there's no better time than Homecoming week to do just that! We look forward to welcoming you to our 2012 Homecoming and to sharing with you all of the many exciting events leading up to our Centennial in 2014!
Go Miners!
DIANA NATALICI0 • UTEP PRESIDENT
lJ71\P
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO PRESIDENT "1' DIANA NATALICIO
ASSOCIATE VICE PRESIDENT FOR UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS
CHRIS LOPEZ
EDITOR - IN - CHIEF
JENN CRAWFORD
ART DIRECTOR
RENE WONG
LEAD DESIGNER
GRIS CAMPOS
PRODUCTION MANAGER
ROSE COOPER
PHOTO EDITOR
LAURA TREJO
EDITORIAL
LAURA L ACOSTA, JEFF DARBY, TIMI HAGGERTY -MUNOZ, SANDY HICKS. CHRIS LECHUGA, NADIA MACIAS , VERONIQUE MASTERSON , JENN O ' HANLON , ISELA OCEGUEDA , DANIEL PEREZ
DESIGN
BOBBY DANIELS, JOHN DOWNEY, TROY TOMBERLIN
PHOTOGRAPHY
J R HERNANDEZ, JOSHUA GARCIA
COPY EDITOR
DAVID PEREGRINO
ONLINE EDITOR
FRANK DURAN
WEB AND VIDEO
NAHUM AVILA , JAVIER LOYA, LIZA RODRIGUEZ
BUSINESS SUPPORT PATSY ACHIM
SPORTS INFORMATION
BRUMBELOW BUILDING
500 W UNIVERSITY AVE EL PASO , TX 79968 -0579 915-747-5347
WWWUTEPATHLETICS COM
ASSOCIATE ATHLETIC DIRECTOR FOR MEDIA RELATIONS JEFF DARBY
CONTENTS © 20 12 BY THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO EP lfA ."/t, UTEP MAGAZINE I S PUBLISHED THREE TIMES PER YEAR BY THE UTEP OFFICE OF UNIVER SITY COMMUNICATIONS
500 W UNIVERSITY AVE. EL PASO, TX 79968 -0522 915-747-5526 • univcomm@utep.edu ute pm agazi n e. ute p.e d u
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As we app roac friends sta y in touc etc. - we hope you and through ac tive or onlin e, by comin exc ellence whil e al better time than Hi 2012 Homecoming Centennial in 2014 !
Go Miners!
Learn the speci(1cs of this time - honored tradition.
GOU>ENGRADS CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Closs o 1962 and earlier: Join in the activities planned especiolry for you 1
HOMECOMING EVENTS CALENDAR
The festivities start Sunda y, Oct. 14 an d do n't stop until Sa turday night, Oc t 20. Don't miss a thing with this easy- to-read calendar. 8
CAMPUSMAP
Find event venues, tailgating areas and para de viewing loc ations with this handy mop.
10 SKRUN/2KWALK
Start Homec oming Week by burning a few calories with o run or walk around campus.
12
HOMECOMING TRADITIONS
From the parade ondpep ralry to the Distingwshed Alumni, Gold Nugg ets and Golden Grads , here's what you need to know about Homecoming at UTEP
Be the~~~::t= on the j/'~1 ''~ 1 block with this gear from the § University Bookstore.
\ Try this recipe to complemen t % your tailgating festivities.
HOWTO A MINER PICK
LEARN HOW TO SHOW YOUR MINER PRIDE WITH THIS HAND GESTURE.
he "pickaxe" 1s the Miner hand gesture used at athletic events, pep rallies and other occasions when you want to show your Miner pride
To make a Miner Pick, extend your thumb and pinkie finger to opposite sides and fold your three middle fingers down so you're almost touching the top of your palm. Bend your elbow and hold your hand at shoulder level, close to your body, with your thumb pointing toward you.
us" on Facebook, "f participate in - al l o been vital to the gr o active members .. .
Our on line commt rallying our support, community brought ·
More than 1,000 par UTEP Alumni " PICKinternational locatio
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Ne w traditions , li k bonds of our Miner f, may be Equally impo to return to UTEP an1 recipients of our Dist off with the Student ( the UTEP vs. Tulane f
Every year we exp addition of events lik1 our Miner spirit ever\ special issue , and we won ' t miss any of the
As we approach c friends stay in touch. etc - we hope you'll 1 and through active pa or online , by coming t excellence while also better time than Hom 2012 Homecoming an Centennial in 2014!
Go Miners!
DIANA NATA L I(
Our motto , "Once a Golden Grad , always a Golden Grad," encourages all alumni from the class of 1962 and earlier to join us for the celebrations especially designed with our TCM and TWC graduates in mind. A weekend full of social , educational, and entertainment activities has been planned for you, featuring a bus tour of campus and a luncheon with UTEP President Diana Natalicio.
Visit alumni. utep.edu/ goldengrads or call 915-747-8600 to register.
C L S OF 1962
Golden Grads Events
THURSDAY. OCT. 18
Colden Grad.1 Rrn11io11
Cqj]er lllld Check-in
FRIDAY. OCT. 19
Golden Grads Reunion
Goldm Grads Lu11d1li' ith
Colden CradJ Rrnni on Pm idmt. \i1tali cio
Open / Jome al the Pet er and
Location : El Paso Natural
Location: Peter and Margaret .\largaret de II el/er Center Gas Conference Center de Wetter Center and 1• isil lo the l 11il ersity
Time: 10 a.m.
BookJ/ or,-
Time: 11 :30 a.m. - 2 p.m.
Enjoy a meal and entertainEnjoy coffee and a light Time : 8:30 a.m. - noon ment by students of the breakfast during check-in. Enjoy the Alumni Associa- Music Department, and hear Guests will receive their event lion's 20 percent discount at a State of the University talk packets and complete itiner- the bookstore, then stop by by President Natalicio A ary for the reunion weekend. the lodge for refreshments commemorative photo will be and snacks before the parade taken immediately after the luncheon.
Coldm Grad.1 Reunion
Cam/m.1 Ti1111
Colden Grads R eunion
Location : Peter and Margaret Parade, lrt ir ities l 7EP 1/11111111 , J 11orialio11 de Wetter Center (tour ends Location : Meet at Peter and Golden CradJ Ti1iz~ate ParlJ · at Geology Reading Room , Margaret de Wetter Center at Location: Glory Field Geological Sciences Building, 11 a.m. to participate in the Time : 3 - 6 p.m third floor) parade at noon
Contact: Office of Alumni Time : 11 a.m.
Time : 11 a.m.
Relations at 915-747 -8600 or The Golden Grads will take a The Golden Grads have the alumni@utep.edu campus tour led by the Miner opportunity to ride in the Cost: $10 members, Ambassadors. Transportation parade If you would rather $15 non-members. will be provided watch, enjoy the parade from the reserved seats in front of the Peter and Margaret de
The Golden Grads G'oldm Gr(l(h Reu nion Wetter Center.
11 clrn111e L1111d1
reunion events
Location : Geology Reading are hosted by the Room Coldrn Grad.1 Rrnni on Time : 1 p.m. 1/11111111 L1111r/11 011
Office of Alumni
The luncheon offers a social Location : Peter and Margaret Relations. and academic perspective of de Wetter Center the campus as you hear from Time: Approximately administrators and students 1:15 p m.
For information about the current state of the Immediately after the parade, University. enjoy a meal on the fabulous on Golden Grads patio of the Peter and events, contact: Margaret de Wetter Center
Golden Crad.1 Reunion
Jackie Reed at Di1111cr and Dana 915-747-8600 or Location : Larry K. Durham SATURDAY. OCT. 20 Center jreed2@utep.edu.
Time : 7 p.m.
Th e I Ji 1/0(V of [ TEPDine and dance with fellow Il eritagl' 11011.11' Open Hous e Golden Grads and their Location: Heritage House guests. The Larry K. Durham Time : 9 - 11 a.m. Center offers an awesome view of the Sun Bowl.
HOMECOMING GUIDE
Homecoming Calendar
THROUGHOUT I Iceklong Student O1gani ~atio11
lip ,~me Competition G,l Pa.it President [.,J.mcheon HOMECOMING Acti1·itieJ
Location: Union Plaza Stage Location: Peter and Margaret WEEK
Location : Various Time : Noon - 1 p.m. de Wetter Center Time: TBA
_\ follf)' l)'tlwn\ Spamalot Hosted by : Student Develop-
Location: UTEP Dinner The- ment Center and Campus
Hosted by : Student Time : 11 :30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Development Center Hosted by: Office of Alumni
Contact: Sam Sosa-Rodriguez [ Relations us" on Facebook, atre, 2nd floor, Union Building Activities Board at 915-747-5670 or Contact: Judy Heredia-Perry West sjrodriguez3@utep.edu at 915-747-6361 or participate in - all Time: Varies jheredia@utep.edu been vital to the g Hosted by: UTEP Dinner SUNDAY, OCT.14
Department of English SGA Past President Luncheon active members Theatre
Our online comr Contact: Greg Taylor at CTEP Co111111it111mt to Fit11m
Homecoming Reception hosted by Russell Autry -
Location : Hudspeth Hall Alumni Association Presidentrallying our suppo 915-747-7473 or gtaylor@ 51, R1111/2K I l'alk
Foyer Elect. RSVP by Friday, Oct. 12. utep.edu
Location : Health Sciences
Time: 1:30 - 3 p.m. community broug~ Enjoy dinner and a show dur- and Nursing Building, Wiggins Hosted by : English College of liberal Arts Gold Mo re than 1,000 p ing Homecom ing! Visit utep. Road across from Library
Department "\ iiggel Ceremo11y and Reception UTEP Alumni "PIC edu/udt for ticket information Time : 8 a.m.
Contact: Ceci Rhymes at Location: Stanlee and Gerald international locat and showtimes. Hosted by: Department of 915-747-6402 or crhymes@ Rubin Center for the Visual
The picnics wer Kinesiology utep.edu Arts
ShiJiing Sands: Recent Video Contact: 915-747-7245
Time: 4 p.m. while enjoying goo ji-om the ,\Jiddlt East chs.utep.edu/runwalk Gold. \ i1ggtt and Frie11ds ef the Hosted by: College of Liberal this issue starting Location: Stanlee and Gerald College ef 1lealth Science.1 and Arts page, facebook.co 1 Rubin Center for the Visual SC. l Jl omecoming 2012
School q/.\ iirsing Recognition
Contact: Yvonne Carranza at Chapter so that yo Arts at Seamon Hall Bldg. Pagea11t Cercmo,v• 915-747-8621 or to promote and gn
Time: Gallery Hours Location : Magoffin Location : HSN Bldg. Curlin ycarranz@utep.edu
Hosted by: Rubin Center Auditorium
New traditions, Contact: Kerry Doyle at Time: 5 p.m.
Plaza, 1851 Wiggins Road
(across from UTEP Library) College qf Business bonds of our Mine1 915-747-6164 or kadoyle@ Hosted by: Student
Time: 4 - 5:30 p.m. .1dmini.1tralwn Gold .\uggct may be. Equally im utep.edu Government Association
Hosted by: College of Health Reception to re t urn to UTEP, rubincenter.utep.edu Contact: sga@utep.edu
Sciences and School of Location: Hilton Garden Inn recipients of our D Nursing Time: 4:30 - 6 p.m. off with the Studer
SEFT-1: Jmn Puig and .Jndm WEDNESDAY,
Contact: Leticia Paez at 915- Hosted by: College of Padilla Domene 747-8268 or lpaez@utep.edu Business Administration the UTEP-.vs. Tulan Location: Stanlee and Gerald OCT.17
Contact: Krista Snow at Every year we e Rubin Center for the Visual ,\li11er ,\ loming ,\la11ia 915-747-8636 or klsnow@ addition of events Arts at Seamon Hall Bldg. Location: THURSDAY,OCT.18 utep.edu our Miner spirit ev , Time: Gal lery Hours
Time: 5:30 a.m. spec ial issue, and 1 Hosted by: Rubin Center
Hosted by: University
Communications
College ef, ciena Gold
Contact: Kerry Doyle at . \ i,gget Brealfas/ won't miss any oft 915-747-6164 or kadoyle@
Location: CCSB Lobby 1st FRIDAY, OCT. 19 Contact: University
As we approac utep.edu Communications at floor friends stay in touc rubincenter.utep.edu 915-747-5526
Time: 9 - 10:30 a.m.
College of Business etc. - we hope you
Hosted by: College of l dmini stration .\lilila(Y
L'TEP Black. llwnni Science Breakjr11t and through active Xetu:ork R eunion
Opm 1l ouse: The Hi.110()'
Contact: Victoria Gutierrez at Location: El Paso Natural or online, by comin Various events throughout ef L'TE'P 915-747-8257 or Gas Conference Center excellence while al Homecoming Week
Location: UTEP Heritage vsgutierrez@utep.edu Time: 7:30 a.m. House better time than H1
Hosted by: Office of Alumni
Hosted by : College of Busi2012 Homecoming Relations
Time: 10 a.m. - noon
Open Home: Tiu HislO(Y ness Administration Visi t alumni.utep.edu/uban for qf [TEP
Hosted by: Heritage Com-
Contact: Krista Snow at Centennial in 2014! a f ull list of events. mission
Location: UTEP Heritage 915-747-8636 or Contact: Office of Alumni House klsnow@utep.edu Relations at 915-747-8600 or Go Miners! alumni@utep edu
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon &fMttl-1
Hosted by: Heritage Commission
Contact: Office of Alumni Relations at 915-747-8600 or DIANA NATAl alumni@utep.edu
6 UTEP Homecoming Guide 2012
Alumm Relations Open l l ouse .ll11m11i Luncheon
2012
Political Snena Il omecom-
College of Education HomeLocation : Peter and Margaret Location: Peter and Margaret ing Reception a11d. lzt•ards coming Tailgate Party de Wetter Center de Wetter Center Ceremony
Location : Heritage House Time: 8:30 - 11 a.m. Time: 1:15 p.m. (immediately
Location : Benedict Hall Front Lawn
Hosted by: Office of Alumni after the parade) Lawn Time: 3 -6 p.m Relations
Hosted by: Office of Alumni Time: 9 - 11 a.m.
Hosted by: College of Contact: Judy Heredia-Perry Relations
Hosted by: Department of Education at 915-747-6361 or Contact: Office of Alumni Political Science
Contact: Non i Silva at jheredia@utep edu Relations at 915-747-8600 or Contact: Dr. Gaspare M. 915-747-5783 or alumni@utep.edu Genna at 915-747-6066 or mesilva@utep.edu Coll,ge q/ .Edurntio11 Cold ggenna@utep.edu
College of Education student •\ i,g_~ct Brcaifast Sociology and .lnthropology
Welcome back for alumni, organizations host and coorLocation : Union Building Cookout faculty and students. dinate event, which is open East, Templeton Suite Location : Old Main Continental breakfast will to college faculty, staff, Gold (Room 303) Time : 2 -4 p.m. be served. Nuggets, students. Food to be Time: TBA Hosted by: Sociology and served at cookout.
Hosted by : College of Anthropology Department
Oprn Holl.le: The H isto,y Education Contact: Terry Sanchez at of LTEP UTEP , llumni Association Contact: Noni Silva at 915-747-5740 or
Location : UTEP Heritage Tailgate Parfv 915-747-5783 or tsanchez3@utep.edu
House
Location: Glory Field mesilva@utep.edu
Time: 10 a.m. - Noon Time: 3 - 6 p.m.
Di1ti11,~11ished llw1111 i Hosted by : Heritage Hosted by : Office of Alumni Opm H ou.11: The H isto~v of •Jzrnrds Dinner Commission Relations [TEP Location: Don Haskins Center Contact: Office of Alumni Contact: Office of Alumni
Location: UTEP Heritage Time : 6:30 p.m.
Relations at 915-747-8600 or Relations at 915-747-8600 or House Hosted by : Office of Alumni alumni@utep.edu alumni@utep.edu
Time : 10 - 11 :45 a.m. Relations
Cost: $12 members, Hosted by: Heritage Contact: Office of Alumni L!frican-American Studies $15 non-members. Commission Relations at 915-747-8600 or Hom ecoming 0/mz ]louse
Contact: Office of Alumni alumni@utep.edu
Location: Liberal Arts Law School Preparation Relations at 915-747-8600 or Room 401 In stitute H omecoming Tailgate alumni@utep.edu [ 'BL \ · 1l omeco111i11g Par!)' Time : 10 a.m. - noon Location: Glory Field /t'J a Fami[v .ijji,ir
Hosted by: African-American Time: 330 -5 30 p.m. Homecoming Open H ouse Location: Hilton Garden Inn Studies
Hosted by : Law clwol Location : Liberal Arts 109 Time : 7:30 p.m.
Contact: Dr. Maceo Dailey at Preparation in stitute Time: 9:15 - 11 :45 a.m.
Hosted by: UTEP Black 915-747-8650 or Contact: Rachel Serrano at Hosted by: Languages and Alumni Network (UBAN) mdai ley@utep.edu 915-747-8866 or Linguistics Contact: Office of Alumni www.utep.edu/aasp rserrano5@utep.edu
Contact: RosaMarfa Relations at alumni@utep. LSPI is hosting a tailgate party Tabuenca-Moyer at 915-549 - edu, 915-747-8600 or alumni. Department q/ Co111111w1icatio11 on Glory Field for alumni, 7033 or tabuenca@utep.edu utep.edu/uban
A111111al f l omecoming Brunch faculty, staff, and supporters. Alumni are invited to mingle $20 per person
Location: Cotton Memorial with current students, faculty Lawn
llomecoming Football Came and staff. Refreshments and Time: 10 a.m. - noon UTEP vs. Tulane snacks will be served.
C11·il E11g111rmn.~ Lw1dzeo11
Hosted by : Department of Location: Sun Bowl Stadium SATURDAY, OCT. 20 Communication
Time: 6 p.m. Kickoff
Contact: Frank G. Perez at Hosted by: UTEP Athletics
Location: TBA College of Enginemng. llumni 915-747-6287 or Contact: Visit utepathletics.
Time : 11 30 a.m. and Cold.\ i,ggct Brea/gas/ fperez1@utep.edu com for ticket prices and more
Hosted by : Department of Location: Tomas Rivera Annual Homecoming brunch information. Civil Engineering Conference Center, Union for Communication alumni to Contact: Concha Ruiz at 915- Building East, Rm. 300 present the Hicks-Middagh UBA,\ ·Post-Game Party 747-5464 or ruiz@utep.edu Time: 8 - 10 a.m. Award.
Location : Hilton Gard-en Inn
Hosted by: College of Hospitality Suite Hom ecoming Parade and Pep Engineering
Rath Contact: Ingrid Wright at
Time : 10:30 p.m.
Hosted by: UTEP Black Location: UTEP campus 915-747-5971 or Alumni Network (U8AN) Time: Noon rsvpengineering@utep.edu
Contact: Office of Alumni
Hosted by: Student $20 per person
Relations at alumni@utep. Development Center edu, 915-747-8600 or
Contact: Wendy Kane at alumni .utep.edu/uban 915-747-5670 or wakane2@utep.edu UTEP Homecoming Guide 2012 7
us" on Facebook, " participate in - all been vital to the gr active members
Our online comrr rallying our suppor community brough1
More than 1,000 p, UTEP Alumni "PICK international locati
The picni cs werE while enjoying goo! this issue starting 1 page, facebook.co n Chapter so that yot to promote and gro
Ne w tradit ions , I bonds of our Miner ma y be. Equally im1 to return to UTEP a recipients of our Di off with the Studen the UTEP vs TulanE
Ever y year we ei addition of events I our Miner spirit evE special issue, and 1 won't miss an y oft
As we approacl friends stay in touc etc. - we hope you and through active or online , by comin , excellence while al better time than He 2012 Homecoming Centennial in 2014!
Go Miners!
DIANA NATAi
TAIT ,GATING l QJ
• All M ner fans are we1come to tailgate in UTEP parking lots, but they cannot reserve spaces and are limited to one parking space per vehicle
• ~ailgat1ng 1n outer campus lots begins at 8 a m
• Inner campus will open at 2 p.m for tailgating
• Gameday Zone Check out the UTEP Gameday Zone at the center of campus, a pre-game ta1lgat1ng area for fans of all ages that includes the Coca-Cola Family Far Zone with video games, inflatables, face pa1nt1ng, live music and food vendors The Gameday Zone opens four hours before kickoff Live music begins two hours before kickoff Admission is free
• Glass containers are not permitted in tailgating areas or inner campus
• Patrons should tailgate directly in front of or behind their vehicle.
• Tailgating ends at the end of the first quarter, when participants must enter Sun Bowl Stadium or leave University property
• All fans must leave University property one hour after the conclusion of the game.
• Charcoal dumping areas will be available 1n each parking lot.
Lawton Dr.
us" on Facebook, " participate in - all ( been vita I to the gri active members
Our online comm rallying our suppor community brought
More than 1,000 p,: UTEP Alumni "PICK international locati1
The picnics were while enjoying goor this issue starting , page, facebook.co Chapter so that yOL to promote and gro New traditions, I bonds of our Miner may be . Equally im1 to return to UTEP a recipients of our Di off with the Studen the UTEP vs Tulani
Every year we e: addition of events I our Miner spirit ev1 special issue, and , won't miss any oft
As we approac friends stay in tou ci etc. - we hope you and through active or online, by comin excellence while al better time than H 2012 Homecoming Centennial in 2014
Go Miners!
DIANA NATA
When:
8 am Sunday, Oct 14
Start/Finish:
Health Sciences and Nursing Building, 1851 Wiggins Road
The 3rd Annual Commitment to Fitness SK Run/2K Walk, organized by the Golden Age Fitness Association with the support of the Department of Kinesiology, connects the College of Health Sciences with the community and brings awareness to the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Proceeds benefit the Physical Fitness in the Golden Age Program, an ongoing exercise and fitness research program developed by the Kinesiology Department, and other programs in the College of Health Sciences. Register for the race at chs.utep.edu/ runwa lk. Registration fees increase Oct. 10!
TIIE MEAN GREEN BURGER
Recipe provided by Armando, Grace, Vince and Priscilla Pina
Priscilla Pina, a senior nursing student at UTEP, says this burger is a crowd p leaser that tastes great with chips and an ice cold beverage.
GUACAMOLE
4 medium av ocados
¼ diced onion
1 pinch of salt
½ diced medium tomato
¼ cup of sour cream
Mash peeled avocados with potato masher; add the rest of the ingredients and m ix well.
Keep In the ice chest
BURGER
1 pound 93 % lean ground beef
1 egg
½ diced chopped onion
1 pinch of salt
1 pinch of pepper
2 TBSP soy sauce
Cheese slices
Roasted green chile slices
8 Hamburger buns
Lettuce
Sliced tomatoes
Blend / mix ground beef, egg, diced onion , salt , pepper and soy sauce together by hand Grab a palmsized amount of mixed burger meat and mold it into a circular patty Repeat for 8 patties Grill the burgers for about 10 minutes on each side
Stack the ingredients in this order : bottom bun, hamburger , cheese , 3 slices of roasted green chilies , 2 TBSP of guacamole , lettuce leaves , 2 slices of tomato , top bun
us" on Faceboo k, " participate in - all been vital to the gr ac tive members
Our online comn rallying our suppor communi ty brough Mo re than 1,000 p: UTEP Alumni "PIG internat ion al locati
The picnics wen whi le enjo ying goo this issue starting page, facebook co 1 Chapter so that yo to promote and grc
Ne w tradit ions , bond s of our Mine1 ma y be . Equall y im to return to UTEP , recipient s of our D off with the Studer the UTEP vs. Tulan
Every year we e addition of events our Miner spirit ev special issue , and won ' t miss any of 1
As we approac friends sta y in tou1 etc. - we hope yoL and through acti ve or online, by comir excellence while a better time than H 2012 Homecoming Centennial in 2014
Go Miners!
DIANA NATA
1974 P~Pete
Since the Co llege of Mines and Metallurgy held its firs t Homecoming game in 1929 at the El Paso High School stadium, the event has been an annua l tradit ion at what is now The University of Texas at El Paso. T h is year, UTEP wi ll continue old traditions such as the parade, pep ra lly and recognition of Distingu ished Alumn i, and add several new traditions t o the Homecoming and football festivities
Each year Homecoming Week k icks off with the crown ing of the Homecoming King, Queen, Pr ince, Princess, Du ke a n d Duc h ess. T h e Homecoming Court is introduced to the audience during the Homecoming football game Saturday night.
Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nuggets
The Distinguished Alumni award is the highest honor bestowed upon alumni of the University by the Alumni Association. Each col lege also se lects one or more Gold Nugget Award recipients. Th e colleges choose these alumni for their achievements and dedication. The award recipients are recognized throughout the week at co llege-specific events and at the Distinguished Alumni Awards Dinner.
To watch a video about UTEP's Homecoming traditions, scan this Q_R code withyour smartphone.
Distinguished Al Gold N urnn, & uggets p · in the H art1c1pate 0 rnecornin Parade and P g and ep Rally are lntrod the M. Uced to iner corn d rnun,ty uring the H r 0 rnec · rootbal/ orn,ng game.
The Homecoming Parade takes place at noon on the Friday of Homecoming Week and includes floats from student organizations, community sponsors and University departments At the pep rally , UTEP President Diana Natalicio , as well as the Student Government Association president , football coach , cheerleaders , Golddiggers , Paydirt Pete and the UTEP Marching Miner Regiment get the crowd pumped up for the following night's Homecoming football game at Sun Bowl Stadium
This year the Miners will play Tulane University at 6 p.m. Oct. 20.
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D I ANA NATALI
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO.
'ABlE OF CONTENTS
ORANGE YOU READY
More than 30,000 UTEP students and Miner fans wearing orange and blue packed the UTEP campus for the 22nd annual Minerpalooza on Aug 31.
WELCOME MINERS
Recruiting at UTEP begins long before a student's senior year in high school and involves a comprehensive series of communications that are tailored to each potential applicant's individual situation
COMMUNITY PARTNERS: HOT SUMMER CONFERENCE INTRODUCES YOUTH TO CAMPUS
For many youth living in public housing in El Paso, the road to a university education is long , but the journey can start with a HOT summer opportunity at UTEP
2 2012 DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AND GOLD NUGGET RECIPIENTS
Every year, The University of Texas at El Paso honors a group of men and women whose achievements stand out as monuments to dedication, integrity and hard work
A HEALTHY UTEP
Hula hoop breaks, wellness ambassadors, tailored wellness services, healthy food options and fitness opportunities are among the tactics UTEP has taken to improve the health of its staff, faculty and students
The lhakhang will be the first structure on University grounds originally handcrafted in Bhutan by the Bhutanese people.
UTEP's relationship with Bhutan is more than just a borrowed architecture It has evolved in the last century to be a mutually beneficial partnership in education, culture and friendship .
The desire and the abilit y to teach students in novel and inspirational ways are among the reasons 10 UTEP faculty members earned The University of Texas System Board of Regents Outstanding Teaching Awards in 2012
The 10 were the most selected from The University of Texas at El Paso in the four-year history of the award. The honor recognizes teachers in the system's nine academic and six health institutions who have shown " an extraordinary classroom performance and innovation in undergraduate instruction." The previous UTEP record was nine awardees in 2009 and 2010.
The recipients are Patricia "Trisha" Ainsa, Ph D. , professor of teacher education; Ezra Cappell , Ph.D ., associate professor of English; Peter Golding, Ph.D., associate professor of metallurgical and materials engineering; Virgilio Gonzalez, Ph.D., senior lecturer, electrical and computer engineering; Eric Hagedorn, Ph.D , associate professor of physics; Laura Lunstrum Hall , Ph.D. , associate professor of information and decis ion sciences; Helen Hammond , Ph.D., associate professor of educational psychology and special services; Kien Hwa Lim, Ph.D , assistant professor of mathematical sciences ; Guillermina "Gina" Nunez-Mchiri, Ph.D. , associate professor of anthropology; and DeAnna Kay Varela , a lecturer in the Entering Students Program who earned the award for her work as a women's studies senior lecturer.
UTEP President Diana Natalicio praised the regents for establishing the award and the faculty
members for their excellence
"These talented , innovative and dedicated UTEP teachers richly deserve the recognition conferred by this prestigious and highly competitive System-wide award ," President Natalicio said. "I congratulate all of them and thank them for everything they do to contribute to UTEP 's and our students' success."
Each winner received a medal and a $25,000 prize during an Aug. 22 ceremony at the UT Austin campus. The awards - the highest honor bestowed by the regents - are among the largest in the nation rewarding faculty performance , and among the most competitive
Nominees go through a rigorous evaluation process that includes student, peer and external review. At every level , the candidates are assessed on their teaching performance to include classroom expertise , curricula quality, innovative course development and student learning outcomes.
"These awards honor those educators who have produced proven results and have had a great impact on our students ," said UT System Chancellor Franci sco G. Cigarroa.
The selection reminded UTEP Provost Junius Gonzales of a quote by 20th century philosopher and educational reformer John Dewey, who stated that any genuine teaching will result, if successful, in someone knowing how to bring about a better condition than existed earlier.
"These awards, both in number and in depth, acknowledge UTEP faculty's commitment to the learning that students must partake in, and can only do well with superior teaching ," he said .
Chemistry Professor Earns Piper Award
By Daniel Perez • Photo by J.R. Hernandez
A faculty member from The University of Texas "In Dr. Gardea's 20-year tenure on this campus, at El Paso who is leading groundbreaking research he has strengthened UTEP's international reputation on microscopic nanoparticles received one of the as a research institution with his groundbreaking most prestigious awards that can be bestowed on a work on nanoparticles with potential for medical higher education professor in the State of Texas.
Jorge Gardea-Torresdey, Ph.D., chair of the University ' s Department of Chemistry and Dudley Professor of Chemistry and Environmental Science and Engineering, was named one of 10 Piper Professors for superior teaching at the college level by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation.
The foundation's board of directors approved his selection from a pool of outstanding educators nominated by 400 institutions of higher education, including public and private universities and community colleges throughout the state
"I am honored to have been selected this year for this prestigious award, especially when you consider the extremely competitive selection process among all Texas educational institutions," Gardea-Torresdey said. "It energizes me and I will redirect that energy to the Department of Chemistry and its students. This is great for UTEP's Tier One aspirations."
The nomination came from the office of UTEP
and environmental applications," President Natalicio said "His research success has always been combined with a strong commitment to teaching, mentoring and serving as a role model to Hispanic students, thereby contributing significantly to UTEP's progress toward becoming the first national research university with a 21st century student demographic."
Colleague Mahesh Narayan, Ph.D., associate professor of chemistry, who has worked with Gardea-Torresdey for five years, said his success should be shared by the Miner Nation and considered another stepping stone on the road to Tier One status.
"To us, Jorge's achievements and award is a beacon of light that illuminates our path and reminds us of our duties to the primarily Hispanic student body," Narayan said
Gardea-Torresdey, who has been at UTEP since 1994 and chair of the chemistry department since 2003, is the 13th professor from The University of President Diana Natalicio, who was pleased with the Texas at El Paso to achieve this honor since the San foundation's choice. Antonio-based program began in 1958.
chair of the Univ ersity ' s De partm e nt of Chemistry a nd
Dudl ey Pr o fessor of Chemistry and Envir o nmental Sc i e n ce and Engin ee ring , was named on e o f 10 Piper Pr ofessors for s up e rior t e ac hing at th e c oll eg e level by th e Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation
JORGE GARDEATORRESDEY, PH.D.,
The quality of life at The University of Texas at El Paso went up by more than a half-million gallons after UTEP's Student Recreation Center (SRC) reopened its swimming area early in the fall semester.
Students, faculty, staff and alumni flocked to the refurbished pools that had been closed for a yearlong facelift that included refurbishing locker rooms and adding interior lighting, new plaster, and a coat of paint. It is the latest enhancement that comes from the $32 million center renovation that started in 2009
The multipurpose fitness center located on the north si de of camp us is anot he r asset in the University's dri ve to become the fi rs t na ti ona l
research {Tier One) institution with a 21st century student demographic.
Among those eager to use the pool was Eddie Barron, a junior kinesiology major and admitted workout-aholic. He uses the center about six days per week and had begun to teach himself how to swim at the pool a few weeks before it closed for repairs.
"I was making a lot of mistakes. My form was wrong and people would come over and offer advice Lucky for me most of the advice came from hot chicks," he said during a morning warm-up in the second -floor weight room. He sa id he planned to use t he water t o enh ance hi s training regimen.
The area has t wo pools. The smaller recreation pool holds 141,000 gallons and offers five 25-yard lanes It has a "beach entry" that slopes to 4 feet deep. It is used for water volleyball and basketball. The water temperature is kept at 85 degrees. The larger competitive pool contains 381,000 gallons and sports 10 25-yard lanes. Its depth ranges from 3-1/2 feet to 13 feet. It comes with 1-me t er and 3-meter spring boards. The water stays at 81 degrees
While the pools are a big draw, the center also is home to a weight room, cardio floor, fitness programs (stren gt h and conditioning, mind and body, da nce and wa t er) , sports re nta l op port un it ies and outd oo r adven t ures.
Students Victoria Fierro and Daniel Fernandez applauded the center for its variety. They are among the estimated 4,000 who use it on a daily basis.
Fernandez, a junior electrical engineering major, said he uses the facilities for weight training, cardio workouts and to play basketball. He planned to use the pool for lap swimming. Fierro, a sophomore education major, does cardio training about three days per week. She said she appreciates the convenience of the rec center and believes that workouts help her focus in the classroom.
Center staff planned to offer additional fitness classes during the fall semester and should
unveil three new racquetball courts during the spring 2013 semester. They also have plans to upgrade the adjacent multipurpose field . Among the features being considered are turf and lighting.
Norma Saavedra, SRC fitness coordinator, said the staff had to be creative and flexible to accommodate the many needs of classes and individuals using the SRC. One example she gave was having a basketball court do double duty as a studio for a spinning class.
Renovation of the 16-year-old building started in 2006 when students asked for a referendum to raise recreation fees to fund an expansion of what used to be called the Swimming and Fitness
Center. The Texas Legislature approved the referendum during its 2007 session. Work began in October 2009.
The new tri-level gym includes a three-lane , 1/8-mile running track, a 12,000-square-foot hardwood floor, an indoor soccer court and a 39-foot tall climbing wall that offers "high endurance" and boulder climbing sections.
"After construction is completed, the sky will be the limit" as to what can be offered, said Brian Carter, an SRC associate director. "We thank everyone for their patience as we experience our growing pains." ~
Sandra Groeschel, a Master of Public Health candidate, interned with Malaria No More in New York City this summer.
For Sandra Groeschel, New York is the city where dreams are made.
The UTEP Master of Public Health candidate moved to the Big Apple in May for an internship opportunity with Malaria No More, a nonprofit organization determined to end malaria deaths in Africa by 2015.
The move allowed Groeschel to live out her passion for helping vulnerable populations on a global level.
"Being able to work in this environment surrounded by scholars elevates your learning extremely. It makes you have a greater awareness of the world and the complexities involved," said Groeschel, a member of the Binational Diabetes Committee and an advocate for diabetes awareness along the U.S.-Mexico border. "I think that when you visualize where you want to be in life and take action, you influence and inspire others to work harder."
As a program intern, Groeschel developed a social impact measure on MNM's NightWatch Campaign (Nightly Mosquito Net Reminder), scaled up pitch decks for potential investments, and established partnerships with organizations such as the United Nations Refugee Agency.
This was the second time Groeschel spent her summer in the Big Apple navigating the city's transit system and street numbers. Last year she interned with New York University in a health policy project and thrived on the city's culture and close proximity to Washington, D.C. This time, the El Paso native has made New York her home. She'll only return to UTEP to defend her thesis and attend graduation this fall.
Being in a new environment also is helping Groeschel cope with her father's death in June. Karl Heinz Groeschel suffered a stroke three years ago, and Groeschel and her mother and sister helped care for him.
"It's different being in New York this time because I'm trying to work past my father's death," Groeschel said. "But I'm also using this as an opportunity to make my father proud and make my mother smile."
CHS TAKES I NITIATIVE ON NOBILE TECHNOLOGY
By Laura L. Acosta • Photo courtesy of the College of Health Sciences
The iPad has revolutionized the way we listen to music, watch video, read books, and connect to the world around us.
The tablet-computing technology also has influenced how faculty and staff in UTEP's College of Health Sciences facilitate advising, teaching, research and community development activities.
In September 2011, the College awarded 11 iPad 2s to faculty and staff to be used as part of a one-year Technology Initiative project. The initiative was designed to integrate state-of-theart technology with departmental and program goals, and ensure connectivity between the Health Sciences and Nursing Building on the UTEP campus and the Campbell Building in Downtown El Paso.
"This initiative enables us to leverage the power of mobile technology to assist faculty and staff to continue to thrive in productivity and innovation," said College of Health Sciences Dean Kathleen Curtis, Ph.D.
To qualify for the program, participants were required to use the technology as a novel tool to extend or improve the effectiveness of faculty
and staff participation in reaching Healthy People 2020 goals; advance funded global learning, research or service; and promote regional research partnerships and community engagement.
Assistant professors Celia Pechak, Ph.D.; Connie Summers, Ph.D.; and Eugenia Gonzalez, Ph.D.; and associate professor Stephanie Capshaw, Ph.D., formed an interdisciplinary team that used the iPads to improve their service-learning activities when they traveled to a rehabilitation facility in Antigua, Guatemala, for two weeks in August.
Summers explored different apps that could be used to communicate with children who have severe to profound disabilities
Associate Dean Tim Tansey's project involved training participants to use the technology and evaluating how they successfully implemented it. Tansey , Ph.D., identified specific applications that have the best potential for research and productivity and worked with six Ph.D. students to develop three online undergraduate courses in rehabilitation sciences.
ATHLETES GET BETTER WITH AGE
By Laura L. Acosta
They may not run as fast or jump as high as when they were younger, but the older adults who competed at the 30th Annual Senior Games in 2012 st ill have a spring in their step.
Their passion for fitness is the focus of a community research partnership that involves UTEP's College of Health Sciences, College of Liberal Arts, Center for Civic Engagement and El Paso's City Parks and Recreation Department.
"Sf Se Puede / Yes We Can!: Snapshots of Older Adults Participating in Senior Games in El Paso : Integrating Service Learning in Public Health Education," documents the positive experiences of the athletes to help generate a public health education campaign aimed at inspiring older adults to stay physically fit.
"One goal is to recruit more senior adults to participate in the Senior Games next spring, and the other is to encourage people to adopt healthy living practices and incorporate exercise in their lifestyle," said the project's principal investigator, Guillermina Nunez-Mchiri, Ph.D., assistant professor of sociology and anthropology.
The games showcase the competitive spirit in adults age 50 and older. They participate in table tennis , bowling, golf, swimming and race walking , horseshoes, volleyball, basketball, cycling, road racing and track and field.
From March 14 through April 16, UTEP students who were enrolled in anthropology courses interviewed 10 athletes on camera about their fitness routines and their motivation to exercise. Students from UTEP's occupational therapy program provided basic health assessments and checked blood pressure, body fat percentage, height, weight and lumb ar flexibility prior to the Senior Games' opening ceremony.
According to David Lope z, senior division coordinator for El Paso Parks and Recreation, his department 's collaboration with the University is helping to promote fitness and healthy aging throughou t the city
"I want to work with UTEP and also partner with them in a way tha t we can expand our program ," said Lopez, who has been an instructor in the University's kinesiology and physical education department fo nearly 20 years. "One of our object ives is to promote health through exercise. We can partner with lectures about pharmacology, physica l therapy, and also provide an opportunity for the students to see the other side of senior life."
The researchers are developing health modules to educate older adults about exercise and healthy living.
Nunez-Mchiri is developing a module on the social stigmas of aging with the assistance of graduate and undergraduate students. Cecilia Fierro, O.T.D., a clinical assistant professor in occupational therapy,
is working to educate seniors about fall and accident prevention. Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy Celia Pechak , Ph.D., is looking at the healthy benefits of exercise, and Clinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy Amanda Loya , Pharm.D., will create a module on medication management.
Students with the Center for Civic Engagement began showing the videos with the modules and senior athlete testimonials at senior centers and nursing homes as part of their service learning during the fall semester.
"When older adults see testimonials of their peers saying, 'I have overcome cancer I like competing Exercise makes me feel good and it's fun,' they will hopefully be more motivated to get physically active themselves," Nunez-Mchiri said. "Whatever messages we plan to take out of these videos, we hope that they will communicate more effectively from an older adult to another older adult." ~
UTEP Students Help Spanish Speakers Seeking Citizenship Throu h Naturalization Gui e
By Veronique Masterson • Photo by Laura Trejo
It's a very simple concept most students are taught in school: study and you should do well on your exam. But what happens if you don't have the proper study materials? That's one obstacle officials with the Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services Inc. in El Paso hope will no longer be an issue, thanks to more than a dozen American Government students at The University of Texas at El Paso.
At the request of the organization, which provides low-income Borderland residents with legal assistance on immigration issues, the students and their political science professor, Irasema Coronado, Ph.D., developed a unique United States citizenship exam study guide. Titled A Guide to Naturalization in Spanish: Preparing for Naturalization, the publication's target readership is older populations whose native language is Spanish.
Iliana Holguin, executive director of Diocesan Migrant and Refugee Services, said the guide is a useful tool for clients who feel more comfortable learning complicated immigration laws in their native language. Immigration laws typically have long-term residency requirements of 15 to 20 years, so by the time residents are ready to take the citizenship test, they may be 50 years or older.
"If we can't provide a study guide to them, in their language, it just makes it all the more difficult and unlikely that they're going to pass the exam," Holguin said.
Holguin's nonprofit organization approached Coronado with the idea in May 2012.
Coincidentally, Coronado was teaching an American Government class in Spanish and thought it would be the perfect opportunity to have the class compile a study guide as one of its assignments, while learning about America's government.
"It's a gift to the community from my class," Coronado said.
The 14 students spent their Summer Session answering and translating immigration law questions, and incorporated them into the guide.
"We're not just doing something for our grades, but we're helping other people," said one of the classmates, Luisa Cabrera, a senior mechanical engineering student.
The project was presented to the public and media in Spanish in July.
"Providing them with a guide in Spanish, when they're going to be taking the exam in Spanish, is going to greatly increase their chances of passing the exam and successfully becoming United States citizens," Holguin said. ~
IScan this OR code to read the naturalization guide
Students in lrasema Coronado's American government summer course created a Spanish study guide for the U.S. citizenship test.
NEW NANO DEGREE OPTION
AIMED AT BILLIONDOLLAR
INDUSTRY
By Daniel Perez • Photos by J.R. Hernandez
A cutting-edge degree plan option that could lead the next generation of metallurgical and materials engineers into a $300 billion electronics market is being prepped for a fall 2014 launch at The University of Texas at El Paso.
Metallurgical and materials engineering (MME) undergraduates soon will be able to register for the Printing Nano-Engineering (PNE) degree plan that will familiarize them with novel electronic systems and devices that may be integrated into flexible electronics, materials and clothing . The advances also could reduce or eliminate waste from the manufacturing process, which trims production costs and environmental impact.
The new concentration, which is the first in the United States, was developed by Namsoo "Peter" Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of MME, in conjunction with Seo Kyeong University (SKU) in Seoul, South Korea. The two universities signed a collaborative agreement in May 2012.
"PNE is the leader of the next generation of electronics vyith an unlimited potential for applications and market," Kim said. "The printed electronics market is approximately $5 billion today. It's expected to grow to $300 billion by 2027."
SKU has paid UTEP $2 million to start the program. Kim said the money will be spent on student scholarships, faculty exchanges, state-
of-the-art equipment and expansion of UTEP's PNE Lab in Burges Hall.
The South Korean government, which has invested $58 million in PNE, supports the UTEPSKU collaboration because the technology is considered the wave of the future, said Ho-young Ahn, 1st vice minister of foreign affairs and trade.
"With this trend, I strongly feel the need of equipping our next generation of engineers," Ahn said.
PNE students will work with UTEP's W.M. Keck Center for 3-D Innovation, which is known for its rapid-prototyping technology.
UTEP graduate student Ada Ortega supports the planned degree option. The native of Juarez, Mexico, said she gained a lot from her experience in Seoul, where she participated in the annual Korea Printed Electronics Research Association conference. Her involvement included interdisciplinary research with an SKU student.
"I believe that being able to communicate with engineers of different backgrounds reinforced my research experience at UTEP," said Ortega, who earned her bachelor's degree in metallurgical and materials science in May and is working on her master's in the same discipline. "One of the objectives of this (degree option) is to develop globalized engineers who can work with different cultures."
Middle: Seyeon Hwang
i Bottom: Victor Ornelas
The new concentration, which is the first in the United States, was developed by Namsoo "Peter" Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, in conjunction with Seo Kyeong University (SKU) in Seoul, South Korea. The two universities signed a collaborative agreement in May 2012.
i Top: Peter Kim, Ph.D., associate professor of metallurgical and materials engineering, seated center, developed a printing nano-engineering degree plan option in partnership with Seo Kyeong University (SKU) in South Korea.
Members of his team are, from left, Ada Ortega, graduate research assistant; Victor Ornelas, undergraduate research assistant; Adrian Perez, UTEP-SKU history lecturer and technical writer; and Seyeon Hwang, UTE-SKU coordinator and lab manager.
To engage young voters, UTEP has organized a series of fun and thought-provoking activities for the weeks leading up to the Nov. 6 general election.
A joint project of the University Library and UTEP's Division of Student Affairs , UTEP Picks: Election 2012 provides diverse programming and multidisciplinary speakers to encourage students to become educated voters. One of the first events was a festive Constitution Day celebration Sept. 17 at the library. The library also will host displays, contests, voter registration drives, two multidisciplinary lecture series, and screenings of election-themed films through early November.
Other than the 2008 presidential campaign, which energized the under-30 electorate, citizens from ages 18 to 29 have shown little interest in having their voices heard at the ballot box in recent years. The 2008 election brought out 46
percent of young voters. A column in the Feb. 15, 2012 issue of The New Republic stated that 53 percent of 18-to-29-year-olds went to the polls in 1972, compared to 36 percent in 2000, a historic low.
"We want to use the 2012 elections to get the students involved and engaged and to talk about the importance of voting and to raise voting awareness ," said Robert Stakes, associate vice president of information resources and planning, and library director.
Tanya Sue Maestas, the 19-year-old president of UTEP's Student Government Association, called the library outreach a wonderful and convenient way to increase student involvement in the election process
"It's a great first step," said Maestas, a junior biology major who has been involved in politics since middle school.
Among the faculty who will participate in
an afternoon and evening lecture series is Richard Pineda , Ph.D., associate professor of communication and associate director of the Sam Donaldson Center for Communication Studies. His topics will cover political messaging, e-campaigning , and outreach to minorities, especially Hispanics.
"The library is a natural place for a series like this because it can take advantage of the expertise of the faculty and serves as a good conduit for information to the students and the community, " he said.
Students also are invited to browse through an extensive historical exhibit of campaign buttons from the 1880s to the present in the third floor gallery at the library. It is accompanied by other election materials and a video monitor that plays political ads dating back to 1952.
Terror and I Reconciliation: Sri Lankan Anglophone Literature, 19832009, by Mar yse Jayasuriya , Ph D., assistant professor of English
Looking at Contemporary Dance: A Guide for the Internet Age, by Myron Ho ward Nadel, professor and head of the dance program , et al.
The 7 Kata: Toyota IKata, TWI and Lean Training, by Conrad Soltero, Texas Manufacturing Assistance Center field engineer at UTEP, et al.
Cases in Leadership, Third Edition, by Laura Guerrero, Ph.D., assi stant professor of management, et al.
Borders, edited by Isabel Baca, Ph D., assistant professor of rhetoric and writing studies :
To Improve : : the Academy: :
Resources :
for Faculty, :
Instructional, and
Organizational
Development,
contributo r Beth Brun k-
Chavez, Ph.D., ass oci ate
professor of rhetor ic
and writing stud ies and
assoc iate dean of the
College of Liberal Arts :
Samnoesmi Itfo: Veinticuatro cr6nicas migrantes y un sueiio americano, contributor and editor Aileen El-Kadi, Ph.D , assistant professor of languages and linguistics and director of the Brazilian Studies Program
The Ghetto: ' Contemporary Global Issues and Controversies, contributor Ernesto Castaneda, Ph.D , assistant professor of sociology
contributor Jane E. :
Evans, Ph.D , asso ciate :
professor of French
Grace and Gumption: The Women of El Paso, contributors Irasema Coronado, Ph.D., professor of political science; Mimi R Gladstein, Ph.D., and Evelyn J. Posey, Ph.D. , professors of English; Yolanda Leyve, Ph.D., associate professor and department chair of history; Meredith Abarca, Ph.D , and Lois A Marchino, Ph D., associate professors of English; Deane Mansfield-Kelly, Ph D , assistant professor of English; and Brenda A. Risch, Ph.D., assistant professor of women's studies . : Frictions et : : devenirs dans les : : ecritures migrantes : : au teminin: : : Enracinements et : : renegociations, by :
Social Justice in the U.S.-Mexico Border Region, edited by Mark Lusk, Ed.D., professor of social work; Kathleen Staudt, Ph D., professor of political science; and Eva Moya, Ph D , assistant professor of social work
4 The Obama -r11E OBA M'r IPresidency: PRE~~~~Ncy A Preliminary Assessment, contributor Jose D. Villalobos, Ph D., assistant professor of political science
ra u e adg'1
By Nadia Macias • Photos by Joshua Garcia
Fans sporting bright orange lined Wiggins Road and University Avenue as Paydirt Pete ran by, pumping them up. The Marching Miner Regiment and UTEP Cheerleaders followed close behind, blaring their horns and shaking their pompons.
The parade took place during the 22nd annual Minerpalooza on Aug. 31. More than 30,000 fans crammed onto the UTEP campus to partake in the pep rally and get pumped for the first football game of the season and the start of a new school year.
Inflatables, game and food booths , and li ve music entertained students, fans and fami lie s all nigh t long, while special highlights included speeches from Athletic Director Bob Stull an d UTEP's football Head Coach Mike Price. Read ers of El Paso's What's Up magazine have nominated the rall y as the "Best You Can't Miss It Annual Eve nt. " Were you there?
GRANTS ROUNDUP
Between January and July 2012, The University of Texas at El Paso rece ived a number of research grants to study a range of topics. The following is a samp ling of grant research 1n each college started during that six-month period.
• Gary Frankwick, Ph.D., professor and Marcus Hunt Chair in the Department of Marketing and Management; David Novick, Ph.D., associate dean in the College of Engineering and professor of computer science; Gary Williams, Ph.D., director of the Center for Research Entrepreneurship and Innovative Enterprises; and Cathy Swain, executive director of The Hub of Human Innovation, received state funding along with UT San Antonio, UT Austin and MD Anderson Cancer Center to create and foster an evolutionary entrepreneurial ecosystem across the campuses of the UT System, accelerating the transformation of innovative ideas and new technologies into products with commercial potential. They will track the gro wth in awareness , participation , technology development and commercialization as key indicators of UT System success at leading an entrepreneurial evolution in higher education.
• Carlos Chang, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, and co-principal investigators Tom Fullerton, Ph.D. , professor of economics and finance; and Heidi Taboada Jimenez, Ph.D ., and Jose Espiritu Nolasco, Ph.D. , assistant professors of indu stri al, manufacturing and systems engineering , received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation to examine different methods for equitably allocating limited transportation funding among multiple jurisdictions.
• Elena Izquierdo, Ph.D. , associate professor of teacher education, and co-principal investigator Char Ullman, Ph.D., assistant professor of teacher education, received a grant from the U.S. Department of Education's National Professional Development Program to improve the education of English Language Learner {ELL) students within the Socorro Independent School District, especially at Socorro High School, as well as to improve teacher education at UTEP where it relates to ELL.
• Josefina V. "Josie " Tinajero, Ed.D., professor and dean of the College of Education, and co-principal investigator Judith Munter, Ph.D., associate professor and associate dean of the College of Education, received a grant from the Texas Guaranteed Student Loan Corp. for Project SUCCESS (Striving for Undergraduate Coordinated and Comprehensive Enhanced Student Support), which focuses on improving retention factors and completion rates of post-secondary education students.
• Pei - Ling Hsu, Ph.D. , assistant professor of teacher education and seven other UTEP faculty representing the departments of physics, teacher education , computer science , sociology and anthropology, and electrical and computer engineering, received a grant from the Interdisciplinary Research Enhancement Program at UTEP to identify barriers to participation in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) by underrepresented groups, specifically Hispanic females and English learners, and develop more successful strategies to engage these groups in STEM at the K-12 and undergraduate level.
• Pei-Ling Hsu, Ph.D., assistant professor of teacher education, also received a grant from the University Research Institute at UTEP to investigate pre-service teachers' professional identity development in the context of informal science education.
• Pat Teller, Ph.D., professor of computer science and director of research computing, received a grant from High Performance Technologies Inc. to explore the use of cloud computing to support battlefield computational services. The research addresses the computational needs of war fighters and migrating applications to mobile computing platforms.
• Salvador Hernandez, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, and co-principal investigators Carlos Chang, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering; Kelvin Cheu, Ph.D., associate professor of civil engineering; Tom Fullerton , Ph.D., professor of economics; and Raed Aldouri, Ph D. , director of UTEP's Regional Geospatial Center and professor of civil engineering, received a grant from the Texas Department of Transportation through The University of Texas at Austin to begin research for the El Paso Border Master Plan. The master plan will improve bi-national planning, financing, technology and risk management coordination involved with the operation of soon-to-be constructed ports of entry in the region.
• Evgeny Shafirovich, Ph.D., assistant professor of mechanical engineering, received a grant from the U.S. Department of Defense to conduct research on gas generators. The
research aims to develop novel compositions for generation of oxygen, hydrogen, and iodinecontaining gas species. Oxygen generators can produce more oxygen, show higher operational stability and lower fire hazards. These generators may then be used in aircraft and submarines. Hydrogen generators can serve as effective hydrogen storage systems for fuel cells and other applications. Iodine generators can rapidly produce biocidal gas that can be used to defeat bacteriological weapons.
• William Walker, Ph.D., assistant professor of civil engineering, and co-principal investigator Lucy Camacho Chico, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Center for Inland Desalination Systems, received a grant from Kii Inc. to analyze mineral composition of desalination process streams in order to demonstrate the effectiveness and energy efficiency of solar
distillation at the Brackish Groundwater National
• Joao Ferreira-Pinto, Ph.D., director of research and special projects for the Center for Interdisciplinary Health Research and Evaluation (CIHRE), received a grant from the El Paso County Department of Transportation to study the dialysis transportation system for patients with end-stage renal disease in six counties including Brewster, Culberson, El Paso, Hudspeth, Jeff Davis, and Presidio.
• UTEP Provost Junius Gonzales and co-principal investigator Kathleen Curtis, Ph.D., dean of the College of Health Sciences, received funding from the Paso del Norte Health Foundation to establish a Center of Excellence to prevent obesity in children.
• Eva Moya, Ph.D., assistant professor of Desalination Facility in Alamogordo, N.M.
• Christopher Kiekintveld, Ph.D., assistant professor of computer science, received a grant from Czech Technical University in Prague to develop models for traps, or "honeypots," to detect unauthorized use of computer networks.
• Deana Pennington, Ph.D., research assistant professor in the Cyber-ShARE Center of Excellence, and co-principal investigators Paulo Pinheiro da Silva, Ph.D , associate professor of computer science; and Timothy Collins, Ph D. , associate professor of sociology and anthropology, received a grant from NASA to integrate a NASA-funded Center for Earth data analysis with an analytical web service that models potential future species distributions under scenarios of climate change.
social work, received a grant from PIMSA (Programa de Investigaci6n en Migraci6n y Salud) through the Health Initiative of the Americas at the University of California, Berkeley, to fund a 12-month study on the sexual and reproductive health of Mexican migrant women.
• Arvind Singhal, Ph.D., Samuel Shirley and Edna Holt Marston Endowed Professor of Communication, received a grant from the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health to look at the effectiveness of face-to-face versus online problem-solving skills for mothers of newly diagnosed child cancer patients.
• Faculty members from the Center for Inter-American and Border Studies, Women's Studies, and Public Health Sciences (Moira Murphy, Ph.D.; Brenda Risch, Ph.D.; Oralia Loza, Ph.D.; Kathryn Schmidt, Ph.D.; and Leticia Paez) received a grant from the Interdisciplinary Research Enhancement Program through the UTEP Provost's Office to establish a working team between UTEP and universities in Mexico and Costa Rica. The team's research will focus
on assessing and understanding barriers to retention for 21st century university students in the trans-Americas context.
• Kathleen Staudt, Ph.D., professor of political science, received a grant from the National Institutes of Health to study the incidence of major health outcomes, especially respiratory problems and cancer, among the mostly Hispanic residents in Westway, a colonia in northwestern El Paso County near a large steel plant and Interstate 10.
• Ana I. Schwartz, Ph.D., associate professor of psychology, received a grant from the Institute of Education Sciences to study improving reading comprehension of middle grades English language learners by combining structure strategy with web-based adaptive tutoring.
• Jon Amastae, Ph.D., professor of languages and linguistics, received a grant from an anonymous foundation to evaluate the impact of reproductive health legislation enacted by the 82nd Texas Legislature.
• Adam Arenson, Ph.D., assistant professor of history, received a Haynes Foundation Fellowship from the Huntington Library to research the art, architecture and urban context of the Home Savings and Loan buildings throughout California These iconic projects include mosaics, murals, stained glass and sculptures that celebrated both family life and the history of the Golden State.
• Marc Cox, Ph.D., assistant professor of biological sciences, received a grant from Texas Southern University to continue his research to develop a treatment for prostate cancer. He has identified a promising compound and is now working on a method to best deliver the compound to the prostate tumor site.
• Robert Kirken, Ph.D., professor and chair of biological sciences, received a grant from the Coldwell Foundation to continue his research to develop a treatment for leukemia and lymphoma. The next phase is to test the drug against human tumors that will be transplanted into mice.
• Luis Echegoyen, Ph.D., Robert A. Welch Chair in Chemistry and associate vice president for research, and co-principal investigator Michael Irwin, Ph.D., assistant professor of chemistry, received a grant from the Air Force
students build their science and teaching portfolios and develop their leadership and teaching skills, ultimately preparing top scholars in environmental, geological and biological sciences. The students will develop lesson plans for Early College High School students following the theme Science for a Sustainable Future, with a particular focus on the arid Southwest.
Office of Scientific Research to study and • Monique Lambert, D.N.P., instructor in develop a new design concept for the interfacial clinical nursing, and co-principal investigator layers of organic photovoltaic devices. Kris Robinson, Ph.D., associate professor of
• Christian Botez, Ph.D., associate professor of physics, and co-principal investigator Lourdes Echegoyen, Ph.D., director of the Campus Office of Undergraduate Research Initiatives, received a grant from the National Science Foundation to implement a new research-teaching integration strategy to enhance undergraduate student participation and success rates in STEM disciplines. Undergraduate fellows will conduct research in a faculty mentor's laboratory and design a lecture or lab module based on that research to present in a course taught by the mentor.
• Leticia Velazquez, Ph.D., professor of mathemat ical sciences and director of the computational science program, and coprincipal investigator Miguel Argaez, Ph.D., associate professor of mathematical sciences, received a grant from Stanford University and the Army High-Performance Computing Center to develop novel approaches to integrate new high-performance techniques in simulation and modeling to solve large-scale optimization problems.
• Aaron Velasco, Ph.D., professor of geological sciences, and co-principal inv est ig ators William Robertson, Ph.D ., associ at e provost, and Vanessa Lougheed, Ph.D., assista nt professor of biolog ica l sciences , recei ved a gr ant fr om t he Na ti onal Scien ce Fou nda ti on t o help minority gra duate
nursing, received a grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Board to increase graduate nursing education opportunities in trauma and emergency care. Funds will be used to hire pediatric and adult/geriatric acute care nurse practitioner faculty and to provide tuition assistance and stipends for nurses to be educated in the role as an adult/gerontology or a pediatric acute care nurse practitioner with and emergency / trauma focus.
• Elias Provencio-Vasquez, Ph.D., dean of the School of Nursing, received a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to award five $10,000 scholarships to students who enter the Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing Fast Track Program during the 201213 academic year. Scholarships are provided to students from groups underrepresented in nursing or from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. ~
Some of America's most active, but seldom discussed , battlefields are electric power grids that control power for health care, business transactions , education, transportation, the military and so much more. According to the National Nuclear Security Administration, the United States sustains more than 10 million cyber attacks per clay on nuclear reactor facilities, and that estimate could be conservative. The electric power industry receives a similar number of attacks per clay.
A team of faculty, staff and students at The University of Texas at El Paso 's Regional Cyber and Energy Security (R ES) Center is working to create processes , products, services and methods to secure energy systems and infrastructure against cyber attacks by natural threats (tornadoes, lightning, hurricanes, and earthquakes); internal threats, such as disgruntled employees or employee mistakes ; and 18 utepmagazine.utep.edu
equipment failures.
The team's focus is primarily the protection of the Southwest region 's energy infrastructure , but their work is also expected to benefit governments and foreign and domestic enterprises. The RCES Center addresses both cyber security, which concerns IT communications and SCADA attacks - computer systems that monitor and control industrial and infrastructure processes like manufacturing, water treatment and electrical power transmission - and on energy security, which concerns cyber-physical security and resiliency in electric power grids. Due to the region 's abundance of solar energy, the RCES Center also concentrates on cyber and energy security for distributed solar photovoltaic systems.
The RCES Center was created in February 2012 with the help of a six-year, $3.4 million grant from the City of El Paso. It is a standalone center at UTEP that reports to the Office of Research and Sponsored Projects. The city sees the RCES Center as an economic development engine that can create high-tech job opportunities for Southwestern area graduates.
Ralph Martinez , Ph.D., RCES director and the George W. Eclwarcls, Jr.IE! Paso Electric distinguished professor in the College of Engineering , said the center's goals are
Valdez, right , graduate research assistants, flank Ralph Martinez , Ph D , RCES director and the George W. Edwards, Jr./ EI Paso Electric distinguished professor in the College of Engineering , and the director of the University's energy initiatives UTEP is one of a handful of institutions with a program that focuses on cyber and energy security
to improve cyber and energy security for electric power grids. He referred to El Paso 's three-day freeze in February 2011 that led to rolling blackouts as an example of how a drastic loss of access to energy can disrupt the region 's quality of life.
"W ithout the proper protection, system failure could create havoc in a community, when you think of all the medical, business, manufacturing , and education sectors that require power to operate," Martinez said.
"A significant national disruption could endanger the population and cost billions of dollars. "
Since its inception, the RCE Center has averaged a dozen inquiries per month from nations and agencies that want to collaborate with or use the center's techniques and technologies.
"We're swamped," said Martinez , who also serves as the University's Director of Energy Initiatives. He pointed to a white board on a wall in his Burges Hall office that showed a th ree-tierecl Iist of supporters and collaborators, big and small. The RCES Center has signed one-year contracts with nearby Fort Bliss and White Sands Missile Range for modeling and simulation of their electric power grids and has proposed similar investments from the U.S. departments of Energy and Defense
The RCES Center is also working with
th e IBM ma rt Citi es Prog ra m , Cisco ys tems' Cyber Sec urit y fo r Elec tri c Gr ids, a nd th e El ec tr ic Powe r Resea rch In stitut e (EPR I). On e of th e bi gge r proj ec ts fo r which th e RCE S Cent er is co mp etin g is a fi ve -ye ar, 13 7 m illi on awa rd from th e U. Age ncy for Int ernation al Deve lo pment (US AID) to des ign and depl oy a clea n ene rgy in fras tru ctur e with cy be r sec ur ity fea tur es in Vietn a m. Th e UTEP tea m wo uld stud y how to imp rove th e co untr y's legacy powe r infras truc t ure wit h so lar, wi nd a nd nat ura l gas opti ons . U AID is ex pec ted to make its dec isio n for a n awa rd in Octobe r 20 12. Indu str y heavyweig ht s s uc h as IBM a nd Ci sco ys tem s Inc. have vo ice d th eir admirati on and supp ort of th e RCE Ce nt e r's work. Ba rbara Wa lke r, a isco key acc o unt mana ge r wh o h a nd les th e El Pas o area , said th e unr es t in north e rn Mex ico and th e gro wth of n a rco ti cs traffi ckin g c rea tes a co mp ellin g nee d fo r in c rease d cy be r a nd energy sec urit y in th e Paso del o n e reg io n
"Th e add ed co mpl exi ti es of th e mul ti-j u risd ictio n al fe dera l, state a nd int ern ati on al agencies th at se r ve our regio n a re in c reasi ngly de pende nt on sec ur e co mmuni ca t io n s infr as tru ct ure," sai d Walk er, wh o ea rn ed he r bac helo r's deg ree in acco untin g from UT EP in 198 1.
"Toge th er wi t h RCES, our vis io n is a li g ned to pro vid e soluti o ns to th ose indu stri es th at rely on mission cri tica l co mmuni cati on infra stru ctur e to ex te nd se r vices. We va lu e th e st ra teg ic p a rtn ership a nd op po rtunit ies th at we h ave work in g wi th RCE ."
Th e ce nt er also tra in s to d ay's stude nt s for what is ex pec ted to become a n int e rn ati ona l multi bi lli o n-d oll ar indu st ry.
"U TEP is one of th e few uni ve rsit ies to sta rt s uch a progra m with a foc us o n cyber a nd e nergy sec urit y," Ma rtin ez sa id. Th e ce nt er e mploys 14 , includin g seve n gra du ate resea rch ass ista nt s fro m th e UTEP Co ll ege o f En gin ee rin g's de pa rtm e nt s of co mput e r sc ie nce; indu stri a l, ma nu fac turin g and sys tems engin ee rin g; a nd e lec tri ca l a nd co mput er engin eer in g. Th e numb e r co uld grow to 85 by 201 7 as th e a mount of wo rk in creases, Martin ez sa id
Ma rtin ez rec ruit ed El Paso n ati ve Th eresa Prove ncio fo r th e tea m beca use of her crea ti ve and tec hni ca l abiliti es. he is a mas ter's stud ent in sys tem s engin ee ring at UTEP a nd ea rn ed a bac he lo r's in gra phi c des ign fro m St. Edwa rd's Uni ve rsi ty in Au tin , Texas. Prove ncio sa id she loves to co me to wo rk beca use she is sta rtin g o n th e g round 0oo r of a g ro w in g indu str y.
Pro ve nc io ca ll ed RCES wo rk "pi onee rin g" beca use it se ts th e fra mewo rk fo r oth e r g radu ate stud ent s.
"I fee l as if I'm in th e ri ght pl ace at th e right tim e," she sa id . "Th e ha nd s-o n t ra inin g 1 ha ve rece ived he re is mo re th a n I co uld
h ave as ked fo r I do n't think I'm go ing to stru gg le when it co mes tim e to find a job ."
In th e n ex t few yea rs, th e ce nt er pl an s to ad va nce it s e ffo rt s to assess and monitor ri sk , deve lop tes t and ce rtifica ti on meth odo logy, and pro vid e tra ining to sustain cy b er and ene rgy sec urit y sy st ems throu gh produ cts and se r vices pro vided by partn er s and co ll abo rat ors .
Faculty Profile
Ralph 1\1artine;:,
POSITION:
Director of UTEP' s Regional Cyber and Energy Security (RCES) Center, Director of Energy Initiat ive s in the Univer sit y' s Center for Environmental Re sour ce Man agement , and the George W. Ed wa rd s, Jr./ EI Pas o Electri c Di stingu is hed Profe ss or in the Col lege of Engin ee ring
EDUCATION:
Ph.D , ele ctri ca l engin eering , Univer sit y of Arizon a, 19 76; ma ster's in ele ctrical engin eering, UTEP, 1968; bachelor 's in electri ca l engineering, Te xas We stern Coll ege (no w UTEP), 1966
MY GREATEST INSPIRATION
IS John F. Ke nn edy, th e fir st Rom an Catholi c pr es ident of the Un ited St at es , who challenged the nation to se nd a ma n to th e moon I al so am in spir ed by the gra duate stud ent s I have wo rk ed with at UTEP and the Uni ve r sit y of Ari zo na (105 mas t er 's and 16 Ph D. stud ent s in 21 year s). Th ey make me wa nt to cont inue my work with gr aduat e student s and help th em to succeed.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS
••• working with gr aduat e students, mentorin g th em, and pr eparing them for car ee r s in engine erin g and the sc ience s
UTEP SOLAR GROUP
Each of the researchers from the UTEP Solar Group, along with seven faculty members from UCSB, will work with undergraduate and graduate students to develop organic photovoltaic applications.
Ec hegoye n sa id "It 's Li me fo r th ese hi sto ri ca l ba rri e rs th a t have ex is ted betwee n fa cult y to co me cl ow n. T he int er faces o f chemi s tr y to ma te ri a ls and Lo biolog ica l sys tem i w he re th e ac ti on is , and th at includ es e ng in ee rin g , ph ys ics , and multicli sc ipli na ry appro ac hes to so lvin g probl e ms ."
Resea rcher s currentl y u e in o rga ni c materi a ls su ch as s ili co n Lo c rea te thi ck , hea vy and ri gid so lar pa ne ls , w hi c h ex hibit goo d ef fi c ienc ies but a re no t optim al fro m man y pe rs p ec t ive
Ec hegoye n hop es to d eve lop hi g he r effic iency ph otovo lt a ic ce ll us in g orga ni c materi a ls th a t w ill res ult in fl ex ibl e, thin , li g ht and co lo rful so la r panels th at ca n ef fi c ie ntl y a b o rb li g ht and ca n be m ass produ ce d .
" I wa nt to see th e d eve lo pm e nt o f br a nd new material s ," Ec hegoye n said.
" I want to see n ew para di g ms a nd new co nce pt s in th e pr e pa ra ti o n o f th ese olar ce ll s "
Eac h resea rc her w ill co ntribut e hi s or her uniqu e ex pe rti s e Lo th e deve lopm ent o f th e ph otovo lt a ic materi a ls.
Dav id Zubi a , elec tri ca l a nd co mput er engin ee rin g p ro fesso r , u se co mput er s to ca lculat e how atom s co me toge th er to mak e cr ys tal s th at ar e use d Lo ma ke solar ce ll s
Zubi a h as b ee n wo rkin g o n so lar ce ll resea rc h fo r severa l yea rs a nd said it was na tu ra l fo r him to parti cip a te in th e p rogra m , w hi c h a ll ows him to co ntinu e hi s re ea rc h a nd a lso add th e co mput a ti o n a l dim e ns io n
"It is imp o rt a nt Lo ma ke mor e perfe c t c r ystals s in ce so la r ce ll s work better when th e c rys t a ls have a low d en sit y of imp erfec ti o ns ," Zubi a sa id
Durin g th e n ex t fi ve yea rs , th e pro gram w ill e n ro ll mo re th an 3 0 und er gra du a te tu cle nt s a nd mor e th an 20 d octora l s tud e nt s
Fund s w ill be use d to pay fo r th e s tudent s' sa la ri es a nd tr ave l, and for m a te ri als and s uppli es
Ech egoye n sa id th a t th e PREM prog ra m bet wee n UTE P a nd UCS B is predi cat ed o n th e bas is o f sc ientific parit y, with bo th in s titution s making equal contributi o ns Lo th e res earch H e hop es to ki ck o ff th e p rog ram with a sc ientifi c sy mp os ium a l UTEP wher e r ese ar c he rs fro m bo th uni ve rsiti es w ill mee t a nd s ha re id eas.
"If we s u ccee d in p ro du cin g goo d sc ien ce out o f th e PR EM, we ' ll be in go od s h ap e fo r so methin g bi gge r lik e an en ergy resea rch ce nt e r in th e futur e ,"
Ec heg oye n sa id "O f co ur se , th a t's a few yea r s away ."
YOURI ex TEP
Resilience Drives Professor
By Lau r a L. A cos t a
Ph
Tr
As a health psychologist , Felipe Gonzalez Castro, Ph.D., conducts research among youth and adults to understand how best to prevent their invo lvement in unhealthy behaviors such as drug abuse, smoking, and a poor diet.
A pioneer in the field since 1981, Castro was among t he firs t to teach hea lth psycho logy as an assistant professor at the Un iversity of California, Los Ange les.
Thirty years later, Castro is a professor and d irector of the Hea lth Psychology Program at UTEP, a position he assumed last year, where he focuses his research on a systemic analysis of stress, coping and resilience as influences on adaptive health behaviors in Latino and other racial and ethnic populations.
His research examines cognitive, affective and behavioral factors that are important in preventing and treating addict ive behaviors and substance abuse disorders , as well as other lifestyle disorders, including type 2 diabetes.
" Prevention science is an important field. It emphasizes the adage that prevention is beuer than treatment, " said Castro, who was born in Mexico City. In the 1950s, when he was 3 years o ld, he and his fam il y came to the United States as legal immigrants , via El Paso. "If you can interve ne early in a disease or disorder, then you can prevent unhea lthy or ma ladaptive behaviors and their consequences. We use scientific know ledge from carefully conducted research LO identify what works, and then develop intervention programs to make it happen. "
In May, Castro reached another career mil estone when he became the first Mexican-American chosen as pre ideme lect for the Soc iety for Preventio n Research (SPR). He will lead the organization, wh ic h is ded ica ted Lo advancing sc ien ti fic investigation on the etio logy and prevention of socia l , physical and mental hea lth problems , for two years beginning in June 2013.
"Dr. Castro will be an outstanding president for SPR and an excellent academic ambassador from UTEP to that organization," said Pat Witherspoon, Ph.D., dean of UTEP 's College of Libera l Ans. "A leader in his discipline, as well as a new
leader at UTEP, he embodies the kind of scholar who gu ides universities as they become national research universit ies. We are very proud to have him in the College of Liberal Ans as an important change agent. "
As SPR president, one of his goals is to find ways LO tailor prevention interventions that are culturally relevant for special populations , such as Latinos and other racial or ethnic minor ities. According to Castro , a program designed for one population does not necessarily work for a ll gro u ps.
"If I design an intervention program for New Yo r k Ci ty and I bring it LO El Paso, there may be some differences in the population and in the environment, and these differences create the need for intervention adaptation, which involves the application of science, although tailoring it LO work at the local level ," he said. "This requires additional efforts in order to get all the puzzle pieces LO work together. "
Castro has been passionate about developing interventions that promote resilience, or a person 's ability to cope effec tively when facing advers ity and other challenging life experiences.
While he was a professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University, Castro was co-investigator of a multi-year study (2005-09) that examined the effects of resilience on individuals and community residents. Under this larger study, Castro exam ined the resilience-related
characte r is t ics of drug use rs, communi ty res idents , and Hi spanic leaders.
Researchers interviewed 216 drug users, 44 community residents and 43 leaders from Arizona. The leaders included state senators, representali\ ·es of congress, professors and business and community leaders.
The drug users were found LO have low resilience relative LO the leaders, based in pan on significant differences in their coping ski lls in response Lo a difficult life prob lem . Leaders ex h ibited higher res ili ence, particular ly as this involves skills and efforts invo lving ongoing prob lem solv ing as their type of coping.
"We learned about the deep structure of resilience in this study, where the goal was LO obtain the requisi te know ledge to design and implement an intervention that will aid in deve loping res il ience skills and capabilities," Castro said. "If we know what t he key ing red ient s are, we can des ign an intervention that can be preventive or restorat ive, depe ndi ng upo n t he ingredients that go into it. However, it is also important LO develop a cu lt ura ll y-tai lored intervention that promotes resilience, particularly among high-risk groups. For children who are at risk for becoming drug users or going LO prison, we need to find a way to develop and nurture their skills and their social environment, as these will increase their resilience. "
Eddie Castaneda, Ph.D., professor and
"A leader in his discipline, as well as a new leader at UTEP, [Felipe Castro] embodies the kind of scholar who guides universities as they become national research universities."
Pat
Witherspoon, Ph.D.,
Dean of UTEP's College of Liberal Arts
i:ei', pe Gonzalez Castro works with >) K~therine M Aguirre, a clinical psychology , master's student , on her thesis about ,': strength and res ijienc'e in Hispanics. ,,
cha ir of th e Department of Psychology at UTE P, said Castro 's aca demic and research background brings a focus on so man y issues directly rele\'ant LO El Paso's population.
"Hi s research touches upon pre\'ention issues suc h a diabetes, breast cancer and substance abuse, amo n g oth er health-related issues ," Castaneda said. "His expertise will facilitate cross-cl isciplinar y collabora tions, engage th e community and enhance the Uni\'ersity's capacity to train our students LO gi\'e back to the comm unit y by helping LO pipeline them to advanced careers in research and serv ice."
One of Castro's priorities is Lo train a new generation of research investigators who will be strong scient ists with a sens iti vit y to cultural issues.
One of those future researchers is John A. auceda, a Ph.D. candidate in UTE P's psycho logy program who is working with Cas tro LO an a lyze research data from a completed drug relapse prevention projec t in which researchers examined the predictors of relapse by using multilevel stat ist ical modeling.
"l really enjoy and appreciate our meetings , where we can sit and brainstorm anything from broad theoretical issues LO th e most specific statis ti ca l detail abou t how to best analyze a hypothesis ," said Sauceda. "You can tell [Castro] \'iews the mentoring of young scientists as an im porta nt pan of the program, beca use th e best mentor s are th e ones yo u aspire LO be like ." ~
i POSITION:
: Professor, Department of Psychology I and Director of Health Psychology
i EDUCATION:
: Ph D , clinical psychology, University : of Washington, 1981; M.S.W. in social i work, UCLA , 1976
: HOBBIES:
I I enjoy going to big league baseball I games, and I am a long time Dodger : fan.
: I CHOSE MY CAREER
I BECAUSE Since high school, I and like ly before, I was fascina t ed I by the psychology of human thought : and behavior as related to well-being : and health.
i MY GREATEST INSPIRATION
: IS .. . To create or design an I innovative work or product that makes a significant contribution to the world.
THE BEST PART OF MY JOB IS The diversity of work activities, the challenges for creativity , the ability to teach and mentor students, and the abi lit y to collaborate with so many talented scholars and professionals.
i relipe Gonza lez Castro
Partnerships Capture Community's Attention
By Laur a L. A costa • Ph o t o b y L au r a Tr ejo
Understanding that research is most effective when it leads to practica l so lutions and benefits for the community, UTEP 's College of Health Sciences is using a unique program to build strong partnerships with t he region's hea lth organizations.
The Community and Academic Partnership for Health Sciences Research (CAPHSR) , founded in 2009, brings together researchers and the individuals who work day-to-day in the community to improve the physical and mental health of residents - young and oldli ving a long the U.S.-Mex ico border.
The research projects of CAPHSR (pronounced "capture") ha\'e placed emphasis on aging and chronic disease , mental health and substance abuse, children with spec ial needs, and creating healthy homes.
"I very much believe in the power of universities working together with communities Lo change their health outcomes ," said College of Health Sciences Dean Kath leen Cunis, Ph.D. "We have an unlimited supply of student help , and the kinds of projects and activities that we can do with community partners are perfect for student learning and for integrating what they are learning about in classes with rea l life problems. "
Since the program 's inception , representatives from as many as 20 community organizations have met with health sciences faculty each month to network and build relations hips. Part icipa nt s also attend quarterly training workshops , where they polish research skills and work on community-based research projects
In March , the College of Health Sciences awarded $4 ,000 Community and Academic Partnership mini-grants to s ix teams of facu lty and community partners to conduct community-based participatory research projects that are aligned with Healthy People 2020 goals.
The grants provide seed money that al low participants Lo solidify their partnerships and collect pilot data Lo prepare grant proposa ls for outside funding , Cunis said.
One project is "Promoting the Health of Older Adult s," a collaboration bet ween health sciences and liberal arts facu lt y,
UTE P's Center for Civic Engagement and El Paso 's City Parks and Recreation Department.
The service-learning project involves UTEP students who are developing a public health education campaign about the city 's annual Senior Games.
Another area focuses on children with special needs. Occupational Therapy Assistant Professor Eugenia Gonza lez, Ph.D., is working with the Department of Speech - Language Pathology, the Paso del one Children 's Development Center, Region 19 - Early Childhood Intervention, and the Ys leta Independent School District to conduct a survey to find out what screening tools pediatricians use Lo determine developmental delays in children , such as autism.
"We are working on measuring the number of children with autism spectrum disorders in our community, and early identification and referral protocols," said Jaime Barceleau , executive director of Paso de\ None Children 's Development enter. "Our long-term goal is to improve services to this population. "
Barceleau has been in\'olved with CAPHSR sin ce the beginning.
"My involvement is consistent with my
professional interests," said Barceleau , a UTEP graduate. "I think the work of the University and CAPHSR is important because it has strengthened ties between UTEP and the community agencies, and il has gouen us Lo focus on common goals. "
Jeri]. Sias, Pharm.D. , a clinical professor in the UTEP/UT Austin Cooperative Pharmacy Program , is working with Centro San Vicente , the Texas A&M Colonias Program and the Boys and Girls Club on a project concerning healthy homes for families and ado lescents.
The team is conducting focus groups in two of the city 's low-income zip codes and in the Socorro community Lo find out what parents think about the quality of life and well-being of their neighborho ds .
Sias said CAP HSR goes beyond sharing information between the University and its community partners.
"Research should have meaning," she said. "Research should lead to improved health in our communities. "
Mark Lusk , Ed D , and Griselda Villalobos, Ph.D., in the Department of ocial Work are working with Family ervices of El Paso to study depression and trauma among Mexican refugees.
ha Moya , Ph.D. , assistant professor of social work, is recruiting 25 migrant women who a re survivor of domestic abuse from Migrant Refugee ervices, Familias Triunfadoras in San Elizario and the 1exican Consulate 's program , \ 'entanillas de Sa lud , to conduct a Photovoice project that focuses on women 's sexua l and reproductive hea lth
Joao Batista Ferre ira-Pint o, Ph.D., director of UTE P's enter for Interdisciplinary Heal th Research and haluation in the College of Health ciences , has worked with community partners in th e past. But until CAP HSR, Ferreira-Pinto felt that th e research was l'ery one-sided.
'"!'l'e been on both sides of the fence . 1 wa a researcher and then 1 started to work with co mmunit y- bas ed organizations," he said. "l could see how th e re could be so me app rehension from co mmunit y organizations because some researchers go m, interview their patients , collect data and never share what they found. We get this data and people don't know what happened."
That data ca n only be pro v id ed by community orga n izat ions Lh aLwork directly with the population , CAPH R rLstarLhcr~ said.
The team is conducting focus groups in two of the city's low-income ZIP codes and in the Socorro community to find out what parents think about the quality of life and wellbeing of their neighborhoods.
"Academics see health from a theoretical or literature point of view - we know how many people die from this and we 're very knowledgeable about the statis ti cs," Sias said. "But our partners dea l with health issues every day. They ' re our key informants as Lo what is practical and wha t patients w ill respond LO, and it 's important that our partnership be two- sid ed. "
Thi s fa ll , CA PH SR members w ill continue to work on their individual community projects but under a new unifying theme: Healthy Homes and Communities Across the Lifespan.
"One o f the things that has come out of thi s partnership is that things evo lve and emerge over time," Sias said. "We 've realized that we 're all connected because we 're all trying to do different research and educational programs that c rea te a heal t hier hom e and a healthier community, so why n ot e mbr ace that? "
Sias said that it will take time to see CAP HSR 's impact on the community.
"It 's a longer-term picture , but we have to make the investment," she said. "It 's also the ri ght thin g LO do. From an outside perspective, I think th at people wo uld expect UTEP and th e communi t y shou ld be working together all a long ." ~
New Science Faculty Raise the Research Bar
Three new faculty members in UTEP's College of Science bring 1mpress1ve educational backgrounds, groundbreaking research projects, and a burst of energy to the University. From using geology to find oil , to developing solar fuels and solar water purification systems , to studying how the brain controls food intake and responds to blood sugar levels, these researchers provide a new dimension of expertise at UTEP.
The campus bustled with anticipation as nearl y 4,500 freshmen and first-Lime UTEP students began their first day of classes Aug . 27.
Among them was Christian Balandran , aj.M. Hanks High School top 10 percent graduate who enrolled at UTEP Lo study kinesiology.
Since his junior year in high school , the Hanks Knight remembers recruiters from different colleges visiting his school Lo Lout their programs , but after learning about the University 's physical therapy program , Balandran was set on becoming a Miner.
"I decided LO come LO UTEP because of the great physical therapy program here ," said Balandran , a UTEP Presidential Excellence Scholarship recipient. "Since both of my parents graduated from UTEP, I really felt like auending here Loo. I was born and raised in El Paso , so I have heard and known about UTEP since I was liule. "
One-on-one interaction, campus visits and electronic communications ar e some of the tools that UTEP recruiters leverage LO amacL the region's best and brightest students LO the University.
"As recruiters we have Lo know pretty much everything that is going on on campus," said Carlos Joel Gonzalez , senior university recruiter in the UTEP Office of Admissions and Recruitment. "We 're on the frontline. It 's more than just communicating the excellent programs that [UTEP] has , or the admission process , but we also have to be able Lo back it up with process-oriented operations ."
Innovation plays a major role when promoting the University LO students in El Paso and across the nation.
The Constituent Relationship Management (CRM) system created by Hobsons , an education solutions company, allows the University Lo effectively manage more than 120 ,000 recruitment , enrollment and retention records. Twice in the past three years , UTEP 's Enrollment ervices has been recognized with the Peer Excellence Award from Hobsons for their successful implementation of the system.
"With [UTEP's] mission of access and excellence, we do everything we can Lo support our work using CRM ," said Gus Monzon, UTEP 's associate director of admissions and recruitment. "We're a growing institution with a growing demand and we have Lo employ technology to help us become more efficient , so we 're doing those things Lo help us improve our customer service. In the end, that 's really what it's coming down Lo. We want Lo make sure that we work with all students. "
The CRM allows UTEP to tailor messages to a specific student , noted Craig Westman, Ph D , UTE P's associate vice pr esident for student solutions and outcomes integration. "We are a growing institution and with growth can come a lack of personalization when iL comes LO recruitment ," he added. "The CRM allows us Lo tailor messages Lo specific student needs. For example , students missing transcripts, test scores, etc. , Lo be admitted , are notified of exactly what they are missing. The CRM allows us Lo be ver y personal despite continued growth. Students want information germane to their informational needs and the CRM allows us Lo provide that. "
UTEP 's recruiters - Gonzalez , Rosa Sandoval, and Arthur Ybarra - stan working with high school students long
Recruiters worked with more than 11,000 students /rom the region in 2012.
before they enter their senior year. The University uses CRM to email and send direct mail Lo students who have taken the PSAT in the 10th grade LO introduce them Lo UTEP and let them know what they need Lo do Lo prepare for college as juniors and seniors.
Students navigate five stages in the enrollment funnel - suspect , prospect , applicant , admiued and enrolled.
The suspect phase includes students from around Region 19. They receive emailed information about academic programs. Prospective students complete an online interest page that indicates that they 're interested in auending the University
But the phase where recruiters work the hardest is when the student begins Lo apply, Monzon said.
Applicants are given access to CRM 's VIP portal - the Miner Insider , an interactive Web page - where they can check their admissions status , explore majors , learn about student organizations and stay up-LOdate with University news and events.
Miner Insider is tailored LO each individua l. They receive updates about what is missing on their application , such
as transcripts or Lest scores, which is also filtered LO recruiters who are then able Lo follow up with the students and their high school counselors.
Gonzalez said working with counselors throughout the year helps to streamline the recruitment process.
"They are our gatekeepers ," he said. "We need LO form and nurture those relationships with the counselors, and we do that by updating them with as much information about their students about who applied and what we need. That's where we build our credibility "
Martin Sanchez , a counselor at El Dorado High School , said he and his students enjo y the accessibility they have to the University, and he hopes that the same relationship continues after the University achieves Tier One status.
"Our students are very much interested in UTEP, " he said. "The students feel it is the best local choic e they have as far as a university. "
Recruiters worked with more than 11 ,000 students from the region in 2012. They work with counselors Lo set up application intake times at high schools where they help seniors with the online Apply Texas form. Classroom presentations, parent information nights , and college fairs are some of the other year-round events.
The system also is used to promote new student orientation, a three-and-a-half-day event that familiarizes students with the University, its faculty members , facilities and fellow incoming freshman. More than 90 percent of participants enroll al UTEP after auending orientation.
During orientation, Cynthia Martinez toured the College of Engineering to see where she was going Lo spend the next four years preparing Lo become an engineer.
"IL was fast ," Martinez said. "They showed us how Lo arrange our classes to have a beuer schedule and explained how the [engineering] program works. They also showed us the Classroom building , which I thought was very cool. "
For current students, the system is used Lo inform them about registration and advising dates.
Gonzalez said that one of the best pans of his job is gelling students interested in a college education.
"We are really sincere about them going to school and instilling in them that a higher education is auainable ," he said. "A lot of Limes [students] don't know that , and sometimes they just need someone Lo exp lain Lo them the college process. " ~
umm er 2012 ma rk ed th e third ye ar or th e Hi gher Opportuniti es Thri ve (HOT. ) Summ er Youth Conbence, mad e po ss ibl e by a partn ers hip betw ee n Th e Uni ve rsit y or Texas at El Pa so and Th e Hou s in g Auth orit y of th e Cit y o f El Pa so ( HAC EP). Th e pro gram was d eve loped to g ive childr en li vin g in publi c hou sin g in El Paso th e opp o rtunit y to spend a week on UTEP 's campu s.
Thi s ye ar , the summ er co nference wa s nam ed 3 -D H.O.T. to signify it s third ye ar in exi stenc e
Th e purpose of H.O.T. is to introdu ce chi ldr en age s 10 to 18 Lo a uni ve rsit y se llin g with th e two main go al s o f pro vidin g car ee r awaren ess and college pr eparati o n throu gh ex pos ur e to uni ve rs it y life .
By
For many youth living in public housing in El Paso, the road to a university education is long, but the journey can start with a H.O.T. summer opportunity.
"We want stud ent s who li ve in pu b li c hou sin g LO ree l all ac hed to th e UTEP communit y," sa id Beto Lo pez , ass o ciat e vice pre s ident for uni ve rsit y re lation s "We see k Lo pr epar e lowe r in co me stud e nt s th e sam e way an y oth er stud ent wo uld pr epar e for a coll ege edu ca ti o n ."
H. O .T. teac hes s tud ent s th at bett er opport u niti es abo und whe n th ey pr ep are. Th e co nference se llin g re mind s s tud ent s th at th ey are a lways lea rnin g, mee tin g other p eo pl e and deve lop in g a cu ltur e of profess ionali s m
"You ha ve mo re opp o rtuniti es if you 're pr epar ed ," Lo pez sa id "As o f th e
2011 sc hoo l yea r, we h ad form e r H .O .T. parti c ip a nt s enr o ll ed at UTEP as s tud ent s."
UTEP and HAC EP 's partnership is s uccess ful eac h ye ar because of the shar ed goa l o f helpin g th e communit y, s pec ifi ca ll y yo uth, ga in access LO a uni ve rsit y.
"F ro m d ay o ne, th e s taff at Uni ve rsit y Re lati o ns a nd HAC EP ha s wo rk ed as a tea m w ith th e ma in foc u s bein g th e s uccess o f th e HAC EP yo uth ," sa id Mari a Fl o res, co mmunit y se r vices sup er viso r for HAC EP a nd li a iso n Lo UTEP for th e H .O. T. Summ er Co nfere nce.
"Thi s was o ur third ye ar working with UTEP, a nd appro x imat ely 50 perce nt o f
Jenn O'Han l on • Photos by Laura Trejo
th e youth parti c ip a tin g in th e pro g ram
we r e r e turnin g p a rti c ipant s," Fl o r es sa id
"Th e confid e n ce th ese youth ex hibit ed in co mp a ri s on to th e initial yea r o f parti cipation wa s hi ghl y n o ti cea bl e. Th ey
s h ow ed a sen se o f b elo n g in g a nd famili a rit y w ith UTEP s t a ff a nd facult y."
Th e H. O .T. Summ e r Co nfe ren ce ex p oses
parti cipant s LO an e n v ironm e nt th a t ca n initially b e intimid a tin g . Stud e nt s lea rn
a b out diffe r e nt ca r ee r fi e ld s a nd th eir assoc iat ed r e quir e m e nt s. Th ey pr e par e
sh ort- and lon g-t e rm goa ls durin g th e
wee kl o n g co nfe r en ce a nd m a ke oral pr es ent a tion s, w hi c h help s build se lfco nfiden ce.
"W e promot e a ll coll eges a l UT EP so parti cip a nt s a re a war e th ey d on 't n ee d to le a ve El Paso LO o btain th eir d eg r ee," sa id
Andr es Ar v izu , coo rdin a tor for 3- D H .O .T
Th e N atio nal Assoc ia ti on o f H ou sin g a nd
Red eve lopment O ffi cial s (NA HR O) awa rd e d the H .O .T. a nd ll H O.T. Summ er Youth Co nfe r e n ces a NA HRO Awa rd o f Me rit in Hou s in g a nd C ommunit y D eve lo pm e nt o n Jul y 29 durin g it s s umm e r co nfe re n ce in Sa n Fran ci sco
Th e pro gram s a lso ha ve b een e nt e r ed in th e N ati on a l Aw a rd s o f Exce ll e n ce co mp e titi on.
"W e ar e ve r y fortun a te Lo b e recog ni ze d a s on e o f th e t op yo uth pro g ram s in th e co untr y," Lop ez sa id "W e w ill pr ese nt H .O .T. a s a nation al p rog r am m o d el. We
trul y b eli eve thi s pro gra m ca n thri ve in a n y cit y as lon g as th e r e a r e ca rin g profess ional s in h o u s in g a nd in t h e uni ve r s it y se ttin g It 's ju s t a m a tt e r o f d eve lo pin g a partn e r s hip. "
Lop ez sa id th at if it we r e not for th e solid p a rtn e r s hip w ith H AC EP and it s lea d e r s, th e pro gra m would n o t b e w hat it i s
"lt t a k es s tron g lea d e r ship to b e so in ves ted ," Lop ez sa id. "Th e r e is a tre m e nd ou s am ount o f tru s t , v i sion and asp ir a ti o n in thi s p roj ec t. "
Fl or es sa id th at inves tin g in th e d eve lo pm e nt o f yo uth is on e o f H AC EP 's m a in obj ec ti ves.
"H ACE P h as plan s to co ntinu e co ll a b ora tin g w ith U T EP to continu e t h e H.O.T. Summ e r Co nfe r e n ces in an e ffo rt to r eac h a nd d evel op m or e youth m emb er s o f th e El Paso co mmunit y," Fl or es said. Ar vizu add ed th a t th e numb e r o f s tudent s that r eg i s te r for th e p rog ram in c r e a ses e ac h
"Youth a r e r ec ruiting th eir fri e nd s from th e ir co mmuniti es to com e to th e co nferen ce," Ar v izu said. "l wa nt thi s pro gr a m to co ntinu e for man y ye ar s. lL would b e g reat LO see th e kid s we work with now g ro w LO e arn our po siti on s in th e futur e s o th ey ca n h elp th e n ex t ge n e ration of H.O.T. a ttend ees "
Uni ve r s it y Relation s offi cial s said th e entire UTEP c ampu s ha s b ee n s upporti ve of th e HOT proj ec t.
"W e all ha ve the s pirit of H. O .T. in u s," Lop e z said. "W e u se that s pirit to moti va te ours e lves dail y to b e th e b es t we ca n for th e yo uth in volve d. " ~
The purpose of H.O.T. is to introduce children ages 10 to 18 to a university setting wit~ the_tw~ main goals of providing career awareness and college preparation through exposure to university life.
College of Health Sciences Dean Kathleen Curtis, Ph D, practices her hula-hooping skills during a recent hula hoop break The breaks are among the many 1un and healthy activities offered through UTEP's Wellness Program
Hula hoop breaks are among the many fun and healthy activities offered through UTEP's Wellness Program in the College of Health Sciences. The program creates awareness of healthy lifestyle choices by providing UTEP employees with too ls, resources , education and peer support By doing so, the University expects LO reduce the incidence of preventable illnesses and injuries.
"Employers have a responsibility LO employees to create as healthy an environment as possible," said College of Hea lth Sc iences Dean Kathleen Cunis, Ph.D. "We know that the environment impacts the decisions that people make about th eir health on a daily basis , and the more we can educate our employees and give them opportunities LO make choices that are going to turn out beuer for them in promoting their health or seeking th e appropriate level of care, I think it 's an opportuni ty that we should take advantage of "
Roving Retro Recess - the Wellness Program 's name for the hula hoop breaks - uses hula hoops Lo encourage faculty and staff to be physically active and serves as a mental healt h break during the workday, a staff meeting or a conference. The idea is that physical act ivity increases oxygen and blood flow Lo the brain , which can enhance productivity among employees.
"Typically what we do is a warm up and let people ge t familiar with th e hoops again, because for a lot of th em it 's been yea rs since they tried ," said Amber Bridges, coordinator for the UTEP Wellness Program. "A fter that, we do some timed competitions Lo see who can go the longest and who can walk forward with it or turn. "
Promoting aHealthy Workplace
Since 2009, the Wellness Program has recruited wellness ambassadors who volunteer Lo work with program staff to increase health awareness in their departments.
Ambassadors receive handouts on differe nt topics, from responsible weight loss LO information on health observances such as Cervical Cancer Awareness Month , which they pass on LO their coworkers.
Terry Weber is the wellness ambassador for the physics department.
"What 's so nice about these [Wellness Ambassador] meetings is that they give us information like healthy recipes that l can use in the Weight Watchers groups," said Weber , th e department 's office supervisor.
She helped launch Weight Watchers on campus in 2010 , and has since lost 73 pounds. The group meets once a week for 12 weeks at lunch during the fall and spring semesters.
"UTEP is offering it Lo [staff and facu lt y!, so it 's not an incon ven ienc e," said Weber, who was recognized as The University of Texas Sys tem Health Hero in August 2011. "You can't say, 'O h, I don 't want to go after work because I'm hungry and I'm tired. ' It 's here on campus at lunch time."
Weber is training for UTEP 's Commitment to
Fitness , a SK Run/2K Walk on Sunday, Oct. 14 , by joining the Wellness Program's Couch Potato to SK Training Program.
"I've learned never Lo say never ," Weber said. " I don 't know if I'll ever run a marathon, but I'm going to run a SK."
One-Minute Workout
Cunis said the Wellness Program has begun to tailor its services to the needs of individual departments to more effectively improve overall emp lo yee health. Data shows that a need to improv e e mplo yee hea lth ex ist s: according LO a 2010 WebMD study cond ucted by the Co ll ege of Heal th ciences, two-thirds of UTEP employees were obese or overweight.
"What we're trying to do is promote activity that is desired by th e units, needed by the units, and re spo ns ive Lo tho se need s, as opposed to u s doing so methin g ce mrally which can only see a fraction of the people ," Cunis said.
The facilities services department is one example of a unit that worked with the Wellness Program LO develop a wellness strategy unique to its employees' needs.
At th e top of eve ry hour , facilit ies se rvi ces emplo yees take a vo lunt ary one- minute we ll ness break. An announcement over the radio encourages carpenters, painters and other maintenance staff LO exercise for 60 seconds by doing wall push-ups , jumping jacks or str etches.
During the fall and spr ing semesters, e mplo yees ca n vo luntarily come in 30 minutes before work and exe rc ise in the department 's conference room. They follow a PowerPoint presentation developed by UTEP's kinesiology department that includes push-ups , neck rolls and other exercises
"When l started, I cou ld bare ly do a jumping jack," sa id Jaime Robles, fleet operations manager. " But after you ge t started, your body gets used to it. "
At the department 's monthly staff meetings, bilingual speakers from Las Palmas LifeCare enter and the o ll ege of Heal th Sciences talk on s uch topics as card io vascular hea lth and workp lace str ess.
UTEP School of Nursing studert
Alba ;-;ominguezArnJga walks across a cable about 20 feet off the ground during a high ropes course organized by the Studer.t Recreation Center
"O ur bod ies a re our too ls," sa id Lu is Mora les, assoc iate d irec tor of fac iliti es serv i es "If yo u're ove rst resse d abou t a job or if yo u' re tir ed, yo u're not goi ng Lo be fo use d If yo u' re ove r we ight , yo u're not go in g to be able to climb a ladd e r. We lln ess LO our empl oyees is [fee lin g] goo d mentall y a nd ph ys ica ll y, a nd th at's why we pro mo te it. "
AHoallhy Appolilo
Eat in g hea lthfull y is anot he r way LO boos t e nergy levels, s upport weight loss and re du ce th e ri sk o f developin g di sease s s uc h as di abetes o r hea rt prob lems.
Th e We lln ess Pro gram and odexo, UTEP 's foo d se rvices provid er, have tea med up Lo d eve lo p a point- o f-pur c ha se menu to edu ca te fa cu lt y a nd stud ent s abo ut th e nutri e nt s a nd ca lo ri es th ey a re co ns um ing when th ey ea t at ca mpu s ve nu es.
In s prin g 2012 , Adri an a Rasco n-Lopez , Ph D , a pu b li c hea lth sc ien ces lec tur er, and 35 stud ent s in her Co mmunit y Hea lth class co ll ec ted n utr iti o na l in fo rm atio n on the food and beverages t hat are avai lab le on ca mpus at loca l ve nues suc h as El Cazo and Th e Grill.
Th e stud e nt s desig n ed s ig ns th at w ill be place d at th e ve nu es nex t s pri ng.
Ad ri ana Ru iz, odexo 's dis tri ct marke t ing coo rdin ator , sa id th e info rm at io n w ill help co nsum er s pi c k s mart er and hea lth ie r fo od o pti on s.
" Let's say yo u ca me in w ith th e id ea Lo ge t a ha mb u rge r, but th en yo u go to Th e Grill a nd yo u loo k at a ll th e ca lo ri es a nd yo u thin k, ' Well , may be I sho uld tr y th e vege table med ley ,"' she sa id
En co u rag in g stud ent s LO ma ke ph ys ica l fi tn ess a pri o rit y in th eir li ves is one of
th e a im s of th e UT EP Stude nt Rec reatio n Ce nt er.
"We k now how stressfu l aca de mi cs can be ," said Bri a n j. Ca n e r, th e ce nt er 's assoc iate direc to r. " t ude nt s have fa mily a nd jo b co mmitm ent s, a nd we tr y Lo enco urage th e m Lo wo rk in so me ph ys ical ac ti vit y or rou tin e , es pec ia ll y duri ng th e co ll ege yea rs, so th ey ca n sta rt es tab li shin g goo d habit s. "
Up to 1,600 UTEP stud ent s wor k out d a il y at th e rec ce nt er dur in g th e fa ll and s prin g se mes te rs, acco rd in g Lo Hec to r Mun oz, rec rea ti o na l s po rt s d ir ec tor. UTEP stud ent s who a re enro ll ed durin g th e se mes te r have access to th e ce nt e r seve n d ays a wee k Fac ult y a nd sta ff ca n pur chase a me mb e rship
Sin ce th e ren ova ted a nd ex pa nd ed ce nt er opened in Aug ust 20 11 , me mbe rs have e njoye d a cl im bin g gy m, in doo r t rack, indoo r socce r, baske t ba ll and vo ll ey ba ll co urt s, ca rdi o a nd we ight mac hin es , plu s rec rea ti on a l a nd co mp etiti ve sw immin g poo ls.
The center also offers int ramural sports and fitness programs suc h as boxing , yoga a nd a Cl imb Fi t c lass t hat uses c limbin g move mem in a fi tn ess ro uti ne. Du rin g the spring se mes te r, t he UTE P Po lice Department offered a se lf-defense course.
Munoz credits t he ce nt er with more t ha n jus t helpi ng st ude nt s ge t im o shape.
"Th ey beco me a lot mo re co m fo rt abl e int erac tin g w ith oth e rs a nd th ey be o me mo re se lf-co n fide nt peo pl e, a nd th at ca n o nl y benefit th e ir acade mi c life," he sa id
Acco rd ing Lo Curt is, a heal th y wo rkforce be ne fit s th e Uni ve rsit y as mu ch as it s e mpl oyees' we ll - be in g.
"A hea lth y gro up o f e mpl oyees is more pro du cti ve , th ey' re o ut less o n s ick Lim e a nd t hey ' re go in g to cos t t he Un ive rsit y less ," she said. ~
Health sciences students prepare for a high ropes course organized by UTEP's Student Recreation Center.
1HAKHANG BRINGS NEW MEANING TO ''BHUTAN ON THE BORDER''
By Nadia Macias
arb ed in Lrad iLi on a l maroo n a nd ye ll ow robes, a Buddhist monk clangs a be ll a nd sil ently prays. Smoke pours from a nearby fi re po t while a gro u p of do nors, a lu mn i an d BhUL a nese sLUd ent s a nd visiLO rs look on.
Th e mo n k fro m Bhu tan is in Lh e
process of pe r formi ng a riLU a l of Lhanksgiv ing al Lhe gro un db reak in g siLe of Lh e lh ahh ang, a cultur a l a ni fac t thaL is one of The Unive rsiLy of Texas at El Paso 's campus transformation projects.
The fhakhang was featured in the 42nd annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in 2008. The festival highlights a different region of the world each year.
of be in g 'Bh uL a n on Lh e Borde r,' o r eve n 'BhU-TEP,' as some of our BhULanese friends have called us ," said UniversiLy PresidenL Dia na Na La lic io.
THE JOURNEY
l n 2008, t he lhahhang bega n iLs journey to UTEP whe n it was created and delivered Lo t he UniL ed States for Lh e 42 nd annu a l miLh sonian Fo lkli fe Fest iva l. being 'Bhutan on the Bord er."'
craflsmen -who are kn ow n Lo ha nd-fo rge Lhei r LOo ls - recons Lru cLed Lh e b u ilding for Lh e fes Li va l.
"We we re thrilled Lo lea rn thaL th e bea UL ifu l lhahhang was to be dona ted to th e people of Lhe Uni Led Sta les by t he people of Bhu La n [a l t he end of Lh e fes ti va l], wi t h Lh e pro viso Lh aLiL be reco nsLru cted on th e UTE P campus," Pres id enL Na tali cio sa id UTEP Associate Vice Pres id em of Bu sin ess Affairs Greg Mc ico l s pem a week at th e Na Li ona l Ma ll doc um e ntin g and Lakin g ph oLOs of Lh e co nsLru cti on .
"l was an observer an d a st ud em ,'' said McNico l, who had been pUL in c harge of lea rn i ng Lhe arc hiLec LUr e of the lh ahh ang so he co ul d lea d Lhe on-ca mpu s reco n snu c ti on four yea rs laLer.
lm eres Lin gly, BhuL a nese sLru ctures a re assembled wit houL na il s o r iro n bars. ln stead , Lhey re ly on a tongue-an d- groove des ig n , a se ri es of slo Ls a nd ri dges carve d Lo fiL Lh e pi eces o f Lh e buildin g to ge Lh er. Th ey are also extreme ly de li ca te as Lhey are carved from "green " wood , or fres h ly felled tim ber , LhaL is prone Lo sh ri nk a nd war p AfLe r Lh e offic ial ann ounce ment of the re location, a UTEP team was se nL to WashingLOn Lo see tha t t he stru ct ure was ca re full y disasse m bled a nd tr a ns pone d by Lru ck Lo El Paso. lt was sLO red in a secure, cl im ate-contro ll ed wa reho use - until now.
BHUTAN ON THE BORDER
"This bui lding is a sy mbo l of frie ndship, cooperaLion , knowledge and wisdo m ," said Lh aLu Wa ngc hu k, BhULan ese amb ass ad o r to th e Un it ed aL ions. "lt is a sy mb ol of peace, harmony and oneness."
On July 23, a group of alu m ni, do nors and BhLll a nese we re in viL ed Lo wa tch Lh e gro und break in g even Lfor th e lhahh ang.
"l n BhULanese cu lLUre, the eq ui va le nt of our LradiLiona l groun d break in g ce remo ny, co mpl eLe wi th cere moni al shove ls, is a th a n ksgiving cere mon y per fo rm ed by
"This will give new meaning to our claim of
Sin ce 1917, th e Uni vers it y has fas hio ned iLs bu il dings afLer the arch iLecture of Bhutan , marking iLas the cam pus' signature sLyle. Bu t t his lhahhang will be Lh e firs LsLruc Lur e on Uni ve rsiL y gro un ds ori gin a ll y ha nd cra fl ed in BhuL an by th e BhuL a nese people.
"This will give new mean in g to ou r claim
40 utepmagazine.utep.edu
The festival , which occurs at the ational Mall in WashingLOn D.C. , ce lebra Les cu lLUra l tra di Lion s by hi ghli ghLin g a di ffe renL reg ion of the world each year.
The prefabr icated elements of the 40-by40-foo t bu ildi ng - han d-ca r ved an d pa imed windows , doo rs, co lu mn s, beams and ra ilin gs - made Lh e trip by sea, packe d in 200 crates.
O nce in Was h ingto n , BhUL anese
mo n ks to ex press appr ec ia ti on for th e ground a t th e sit e and th e purpo se to whi c h it w ill b e d edic at ed ," Pr es id ent a ta li c io sa id . N ow, w ith th e g uid a n ce of Bhut a nese arch itec t s a nd cra ft s men , th e Uni ve r si t y h as alrea d y b eg un rec on s tru c tin g th e lh akh ang in front of the Ge ol og ical Sc ie n ces Buildin g to se r ve as a cent ra l p rese nce on ca m p u s. It w ill und er s cor e U TEP 's cultur a l h erit age a nd co mmitm ent to ex pand th e global p e r s p ec tive o f stud ent s.
Th e stru c tur e , wh ich sh ou ld b e co mpl ete d in spri n g 20 13 , w ill be simil a r to th e He r it age Hou se hi s tor ica l ce nt er on ca mpu s Vis itor s w ill b e ab le Lo tour th e stru c tu re a t ce rt a in h our s and lea rn ab o ut
Bhutan ese cu ltur e
"W e a r e go in g to c re at e a ve r y n atu ra l look in g se tt in g aro un d it , lik e th e wa y
it wo u ld loo k in Bhut a n , sur ro un de d by roc k s , boul de r s and a litt le str e am ,"
McNico l sa id . Sp ecial hi ghlight s of th e lh akh ang includ e severa l wa ll-t o -w all tap es tr ies th at wi ll tell a s to r y w ith in th e b uildin g , and fo ur han dca r ve d and p a int ed ga ruda h ea d s, my thi c al bird-lik e c rea tur es that app ea r in Buddhi st m yt h ology
Th e h o pe is th a t thi s col orful , intri catel y d es ign ed buildin g w ill se r ve as a p erm an en t re mind er on ca mp us o f th e r ic h cu lt ura l ti es th at UT EP ha s m a inta in ed w ith Bhu t a n fo r n ea rl y a ce ntur y. "W e' r e so fortun ate to h ave t hi s ti e to a nothe r n ation wh er e we ca n sh a r e our cult ure a nd ideas ," McN ico l sa id "I wa nt peop le to recog n ize th at UTEP is r ea ll y uni q ue. " ~
For more information on UTEP's Campus Tran sformation projects, scan this OR code with your smartphone or go to campus utep.edu.
Bhutan on the Border
But it a ll s tarted with th e a rchit ec tur e .
Th e in s piratio n fo r UTEP 's signatur e look is c redit ed LO Kathl ee n Worr ell , wife o f Texas Sc hoo l o f Mines a nd Metallur gy (now UTEP) Dean Steph en Worrell.
Kathl ee n Wo rr ell saw a photo essay in th e April 1914 Na ti onal Geog raphi c titl ed "C astles in th e Air " that reco unt ed th e t rav el s ac ro ss Bhut an of Briti sh diplomat a nd engi nee r Jo hn Claud e Whit e.
Acc omp an yin g th e articl e were 74 o f Whit e's ph otog raph s - a mong th e fir st eve r publi shed of th e an cient a nd isol ated kin gdom nes tl ed in th e Himala ya n Mount a in s bet we en Tib et a nd lndi a . Pers uad ed b y hi s wife th at th e s t yle o f Bhutan ese dz ongs, or admini strati ve and re li giou s ce nt ers, would be a goo d fit for hi s minin g sc hoo l's settin g in th e foo thill s o f El Paso's Franklin Mountain s, Dean Worrell had th e fir s t ca mpu s buildin g, Old Ma in , co n stru cted in thi s st yle in 1917. Acco rdin g to Hi s Roya l Hi g hn ess Prin ce Ji gyel Ugye n Wa ngc hu ck o f Bhut an , who se g rea t-gr eat -g randfather had bee n kin g of Bhut a n at th e tim e, it wa s th e fir s t pi ece of Bhutanese arc hitec ture eve r con s tru cted out s id e Bhut a n.
Sin ce th e n , nea rl y a ll UTEP buildin gs have foll owe d thi s th eme , c rea tin g a n a rchit ec tural co he re nce that offe rs a g limp se o f th e bea ut y a nd se renit y of Bhut an it se lf.
"Thi s a rc hit ec tur e h as brou ght thi s uni ve rsit y and Bhut an cl ose r in our
42
relati on s," sa id Lh atu Wa ngc huk , Bhutanese a mb ass ad o r to th e Unit ed Nation s "Ove r tim e it has bec om e mu ch more mea nin g ful , mu ch more d ee p, and we have so me co mm o n purp ose to s har e -to edu ca te our peo pl e. No t onl y to give s kill s a nd k now ledge, but perh aps to give wi sdom to se rve hum anit y "
An Educational Partnership
Th e arc hit ec tur e help s ma ke th e UTEP ca mpu s fee l a liul e bit lik e home for the e ight Bhutanese stud en ts wh o we re enroll ed in th e fa ll 2012 se mes ter. Sin ce 1995, UTEP has we lc omed 35 stud e nt s from Bhut a n , a nd 26 h ave ea rn ed d eg rees in fie ld s ra ng in g fro m geo ph ys ics a nd finan ce to engin ee rin g, co mmuni ca ti on and ed uca ti on ln fac t , th e fir s t Bhut anese un de rg radu ate in th e Un ited States studi ed at UTEP, acco rdin g LO Prin ce Wa ngc hu ck
To help Bhut anese stud en ts with th e cos t o f ea rnin g a deg ree, UT EP alumnu s Robert Was hin gton , '63, h as ge nero usly s upp o rt ed th e Uni ve rsit y's Bhut anese
Cultur e End owe d Sc holars hi p.
"Yea rs ago, l rea li ze d th at a liul e bit o f fin a ncial ass istan ce is ve r y imp o rt ant LO th ese kid s, " Wa s hin gton sa id He visit s ca mp u s abo ut on ce a yea r to mee t w it h th e Bhut anese s tu de nt s a nd brin g th em gi ft s of sc hoo l su ppli es , housewa res and oth e r eve r yday esse nti als.
When th ey gradu ate, th e student s return to Bhu ta n w ith k now led ge a nd
an e nri ched pers pec ti ve to se r ve th eir co untr y, Amb ass ador Wangc huk sa id
"Th e kind o f trainin g th ey ge t [at UTEP] and th e kind o f atm os ph e re th at 's th e a mbi ance thi s uni ve rsit y pro vid es is som ethin g ve ry clo se to Bhut a n , and fo r us l think th at is mo re va lu ab le th an ju s t acquirin g kn ow led ge, " he sa id
Cultural Artifacts
O th e r th a n th e ar chit ec ture and th e peo pl e , ele ment s o f Bhutan a re visibl e a round th e UTEP ca mpu s .
La rge wa ll tap es tri es h ang in th e Bhut a n Lo un ge in Uni o n Buildin g Eas t , th e Und erg radu ate Lea rning Ce nt er lobb y and th e lib ra r y atr ium . A p raye r whee l graces th e Chihu a hu a n Dese rt Garden s and a small bri ck stru cture in front o f th e Und ergra du ate Lea rnin g Cente r ca ll ed a choe le11 is said to imp art wi sd o m to th ose who wa lk cl oc k wise a round it at leas t t hree tim es.
Th e mo s t rec ent g ift from th e peopl e o f Bhuta n is a lh a kh an g bein g co ns tru cted in the ce nt e r o f campu s. Th e ha nd-paint ed and hand- car ve d s tru ctur e will se rve as a cultur al cen ter and mu se um th at is a pe rm a ne nt re mind er o f th e ri c h cultur a l ti es th at UTEP has ma int ain ed with Bhut a n (see s tor y, page 4 0).
"UTEP has s uccee d ed in ma kin g th e Bhut a n link mu ch mo re than a co ll ec ti on o f buildin gs ," sa id Prin ce Wa ngc hu ck o f Bhut a n wh e n he vis it ed th e Uni ve rsit y in 20 08. "As a fir st-tim e visitor to El
Paso, I appr ec iate tha t th e sc hoo l has bee n ve ry con sc iou s o r th e nee d LO m a ke th e bu i ldi n gs li ve - LO deve lop a soul - th ro ugh incorpora ting exa m ples of Bhut a nese c ulture and an , and now with th e ar ri va l o r th e [lh ah hangl, elemen ts o f our sp ir itu a l cultur e , Loo.
Visiting the Last Shangri - La
UTEP alumni a nd lea d ers ar e Lakin g adva nt age of th e Bhut a nese co nn ec ti on to fonh er th eir ow n edu ca tio n and kn ow ledge o r oth er cultur es
In Sep te mb e r 200 9, rece m UT EP grad u ate Xoc hitl Rodr ig uez , '09 , packe d her bags a nd fl ew to Bhut a n to s pend a yea r as the co untr y's fi rst int e rn ati on al art ist in reside nce. She wor ked w ith Bhutan's Vo lum ar y Arti s ts' Stu d io, or VAS T, a n o n pro fit orga ni za ti on th at help s Bhut a nese you th d eve lop th eir p ro fess ion al sk ill s in th e visu al a n s . "W hen I fir st cam e Lo Bhuta n , I expec ted to meet p eople who we re li vin g life eas il y in th e world 's las t Sh a ngri-L a, " Rodri gu ez sa id "I think a lo t o r visitor s expec t th at. Th e mi st y mo unt ai ns and oth er wo rldl y land sca pes imm ed iately captur e on e's so ul , and it 's easy Lo for ge t th at in th e m id s t of th is grea t bea ut y, rea l life , wi th all of its ch alle nges, is Lak in g pla ce ."
Duri ng th e mon th s s he was in Bhut an , she d iscovere d th at "th e s tr ength and res ili ence o r th e Bhut an ese p eo pl e is eve n mo re b ea utifol th an th e sce ner y th at surrou nd s t hem ," sh e sa id.
Abo ut a yea r ea rli er, in Nove mb er 2008, UTEP Pr es id en t Di a na Na tali c io had th e op port u n ity LO visi l Bhut an as a specia l gues t at the coro n at io n o f His Maj es t y Ji g me Kh esa r Na mgye l Wangc hu ck , Bhut an's fif th kin g.
"My fi rs t reac tio n LO t he invita ti on was LO co n vince myse lf th at I co uldn't po ss ibl y make th e Lrip ... Fortun ately, my thinkin g im prove d ," Pres id en t Nata licio wro te in th e Wint er 2008 iss u e o f UTEP Magaz in e.
"Thi s in vit ati o n fro m th e Roya l Famil y reflec ted th e ve ry s pecia l relat ionship t hat UTEP enj oys wit h t he Kingdo m of Bhut an and rep rese m ed an ex t rao rdin a ry opport unit y Lo Join in celebra tin g t wo maj or mil es tones in Bhut an's hi stor y: th e coro nati o n o r th e Fifth Druk Gya lp o and t he 100 th annive rsary o f th e Wa ngc hu ck Dynas t y. "
Th e Uni ve rsit y al so orga ni ze d an a lu m n i tr ip Lo Bhu ta n in 20 0 4 , and is pla n ni ng ano th er trip in Fa ll 20 13 in co njun cti on with th e fir s t Wes tern op era Lo be s taged in th at co u m r y.
Up Next: Opera Bhutan
Opera is alm os t un k now n wi thin th e small , iso lated co untr y that h as bee n liu le affec ted by Weste rn cultur e. Th e p ro du c tio n of Opera Bhut an: Hande l's Acis and Ga latea will brin g toge th er a rti s ts fro m th e U.S. , Eu ro pe , Au st ra li a and th e Eas tern Hi malayas Lo crea te , fo r th e ve r y fir st tim e, an op era ti c ex pe ri ence re fl ec tin g and celebra tin g Bhut a n's cu lt ur al tra d iti ons.
The pro du ct ion is a coo p erative proj ec t b et wee n Th e Uni ve rsit y o r Texas at El Paso , El Paso O pera , t he Roya l Gove rnm em or Bhuta n , opera proress ion als in Rome, and oth e r int ern ati ona l co ll aboraLO rs. IL ad apt s one o r Hand el's bes t-love d wo rks b y in co rp oratin g cu ltur a l elemem s o r son g, rit ua l d ance , in st rum e nt at ion a nd th e vis ua l an s rro m Bhut a n The fini shed pi ece will pre mi e re in Bhut an in 2013 and t hen ret u rn Lo th e Uni ted Stales ror a perfor mance in El Paso in 2014, th e year th e Uni ve rsit y will cele bra te it s 100th a nni ve rsa ry an d a n eq ua ll y long con nectio n wit h Bhut an "IL makes us ve ry prou d Lh al we are so mehow link ed w ith t hi s wo nde rful in stituti on ," Am bassa d or Wa ngc huk sa id. "We have rela tio n ship s wit h oth er uni ve rsiti es, bul it 's mo re bu sin esslik e . But wi th th is uni ve rs it y, there is some thin g th at is bondi ng us. Th ere is so methin g t hat we cannot und erstand that is bringin g u s toge th er. I see a long assoc iati on , an d we 're very happy abou t it. " ~
To see a video from Bhutan, scan this OR code with your smartphone or go to utepnews.com
FROM MINING SCHOOL TO RESEARCH UNIVERSITY
LAYERS • HISTORY
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT EL PASO
2014 Commission Ideas moue from Planning to Realization
By Da nie l Perez
Hundreds of ideas to commemorate th e 10 0 th a nni ve rsa ry of Th e Un ive rs it y of Texas at El Paso -fro m parti es to pu bli ca ti ons to cl othin g a nd accesso ri esare about to be imp lemented.
The products and e,·ent were conceived b} the 20 14 Commission, a group of 100 UTEP an d co mmunit y rep rese nt ati ves led by co-c ha irs Laura Tate Go ldman and Ed Esc ud ero. Th e co mmi ss io n , fo rm ed in fa ll 2010 spent about two years envisioning v. d) s tu celebrate the annin:bar) thruugh nTnb, outreach and h ep~akl s a.id pub lica ti on s. 44 u tep m agaz i ne. u te p .e d u
The goal of every concept 1s to build pr ide in UT EP's acco mpli sh me nt s, prom ote th e Uni ve r sit y's g row ing ac ad emi c a nd resea rch prowess a nd up hold its bran d nat iona ll y as th e ni, ersity obsen·es its 100th birthday.
The projec t are being div ided among th e Uni ve rsi ty's sta ff and fac ult y, who w ill se r ve as tea m lead ers Eac h tea m wi ll h ave a bud ge t and a sc hedu le to s upp o rt th e plans, said Keith Erekson, Ph D., ass istant professor of hi tory and l -ccutiw director l•l t 11t' (CI ll, I ,,ti ( th [11 \I il 1 ··we have to br ing in more staff," said
Er e kso n , ec ho in g Roy Sc heid e r's fa mou s lin e fro m th e mov ie j c1ws: "Yo u' re go ing to nee d a bigger boat."
Erekson, who manages t he entennial's progress from h i fo u rt h 0oor office in UTEP 's Admini st ra tio n Buildin g, ra tt le d off a ha ndful of ac ti v iti es and me mo rabilia in th e wo rk s th at he sa id will be o n he lves and calendars. Look for more detai ls in a future issue of li7 1:.1' Muga:::.inc
Members of the Miner auon are ready fo r th e p a rt y to sta rt , sa id Li z Thu r mo nd , dir ec tor of eve nt s for th e Offi ce of Instituti o na l Ad va nce ment a nd co-c h air of th e 20 14 Commission's even ts committee.
"People are getting excited and inquis iti ,·e," she sa id . "They want to know whe n we' re go in g to sta rt th e fest iviti es and what we a re pla nnin g."
he p oint ed to th e popul a r Jul y 14 interna ti o na l Alu mni PI CK- l as a n examp le of the ideas born in her committee ,\ d '"' t ,~I ' \ { \l LlLLd I \ till \ll.i I Assoc iat ion. It included cekbrauons from
coast Lo coast and border to border.
Thurmond added that UTEP alumni a lso are int eres ted in the ongoing Opera Bhutan project , which in vo lves an international grou p of artists including UTE P facu lt y and students who will produce the first Western opera in Bhutan. Directors wi ll incorporate the co untr y's mu s ic a nd dance into George Frideric Hande l's Acis and Galatea , which should be produced in Bhut a n
Ph.D. , associate professor and chair of the Department of Marketing and Management. He is co-c ha ir of the group 's marketing com miu ee .
"Thi s Universi t y is near and d ear to these people, so they are very excited to see their work in0uence people in a positive way," he said.
One of hi s favorite projec ts is th e ca mpu s transformation. The Uni vers it y wi ll integrate the spaces between buildings Lo create more in fall 2013 and make its
lf AffiWOHH
The projects are being divided among ped es tri anfri end ly areas where students , faculty and staff can relax and co ll aborate. While the ideas did not come out of his committee , . debut in September 2014aL UT EP as the University's staff and faculty, who will serve as team leaders. Each team will have a budget and a pan of the schedule to support the plans. entennial Celebration.
The scope of the festivities will be huge, said Gary Edens, Ed.D , interim vice president for s tud en t affa ir s. He said the plans are a testament Lo the passion , support and dedication of the alumni and community representatives who appreciate what the University means Lo the region , espec ially in educat in g its population.
Edens , co-chair of the commission's outreach commi u ee , said the idea that involve children pleased him the most.
"Our effort s to engage future Miners in our Cente nnial Ce lebra ti on are o important," h e sa id . "(Commiuee members) spent a great deal of time talk in g about how best Lo in co rp ora te children in all th at we do for the Cente nnial. Idea s range from vid eo presentations at area high sc h ool graduations to visits by UTEP a lumni to area elemen tary schools."
The com mi ssio n me mb ers a re eager to see their ideas turn ed into reality, sa id John Hadjimar co u ,
he said that they were reviewed by it.
"(The transformation) will be the Centen ni al 's premier accomplishment. These plans are going to change UTEP forever ," Hadjimarcou said , adding that everything Lied to the anniversary will market UTEP 's identity.
Th e commiss ion recently publis hed an 18-page "Layers of Hi story al The Un iversiL y of Texas at El Paso " book let wriuen by Erekson that provides a quick history lesson about the University beyond the 1966 national basketball champi onship, Bhutanese a rch it ectu re and it s origins as a mining school. The initial run mainly was for the 2014 Commission , Universi t y lead e rs, and campus staff involved in planning. Future editions will be used for new e mplo yee orientations and institutional advancement.
" lt 's going to let people know about our story ," Erekson said. " It 's about the la yers of aspira tion s that have shaped th e sc hoo l ove r th e past cen tur y. " ~
centennial stones
UTEP's Centennial Celebration organizers encourage the Miner Nation to share their recollections of The University of Texas at El Paso. The plan is to share some of those stories in UTEP Magazine and on the web. In future issues, organizers will ask for love stories, ghost tales, accounts of personal family sacrifice and memories from the military - from active duty to veterans. This time, the University asks for your funniest or most embarrassing UTEP-related moment, whether on- or off-campus. Please email your story to centennialstories@utep.edu . Every story will be made part of the Centennial Celebration Oral History and be preserved in Special Collections in the University Library.
New Logo
The University of Texas at El Paso recently unveiled a new logo that promotes the University's upcoming Centennial Celebration. The logo was created by University Communications under the direction of the 2014 Commission.
Pm lHf ODORS; DDM'T WAMT MD
Like two lost lambs, my best friend Norma Levine and l wandered onto the Magoffin Auditorium stage and were immediately cast in the forthcoming production of Carousel, which was in rehearsal. Only in theater can you play a hoochie coochie dancer at a carniva l in Act 1 and the 10-year-old chi ld of one of the main characters in Act 111. Norma and 1 were named "Bessie " and ''.Jessie " in the program and 1 was "Snow's Daughter " later in the cast listing. l lau gh Lo think that l was such an innocent at the Lime that someone had Lo teach me Lo do bumps and grinds for the carnival dance role.
You learn a lot of important lessons in theater. The play was directed by Milton Leech , whose organizational and directing abilities were such tha t he rose Lo the position of lnt erim President of the University Leech Grove is named for him as he is the one who saved that spot of natural beauty when architects wanted to put a building there.
Starring in Carousel were Phil Tanner and Shirley Calcote. Also in the cast was Charles Woodu l, who would later become a professor in the Music Department. Robert Massey did the scene design. lL was a wonderful introduc ti on to Summer Stock , which that season opened with Carousel, followed by Mrs. McThing , Th e Philadelphia Story , and closed with an extraordinary production of MacBeth. l say extraordinary because in those days there was open casting and often professional actors who had been drafted and were stationed at Fon Bliss would audition for parts. That summer Patrick (Ma in er) Hin es, who later became one of the most successfu l Shakespearean actors in the country and was in the Tony Awa rdwinning production of Amadeus, played Macbeth. The actor who played Mac Duff went on to star in the te levision product ion of Cinderella and was the Lord of the Mirrors in the Broadway Man of La Mancha l played the Second Witch and won the "Best Trooper " award because l broke my toe while working on building the
set and hobbled through rehearsal and performance on my purple and green foot. Carousel opened June 10 and Ma cBeth closed on July 3. 1 marvel at how that small Drama (it became Theatre later) Department could put on four plays in five weeks. And they were good performances, often reviewed favorably on the front page of the El Paso Times or El Paso Herald Post.
That fall l went to Oklahoma University where I met Jay, my husband-to-be. Back at TWC for summer school, 1 worked on ummer Stock again. lt was quite onerous - lass during the morning, working on crew and rehearsing for the next show during the afternoon, and doing final rehearsals each evening , often until midnight. What 1 remember about that summer is that the head of the Costume Shop, a visiting professor , fell in love with a stripper in Juarez and we would often spend our time switching from making Elizabethan farthingales and ruffs to sewing sequins on her performance outfits. As I remarked before, one learns all sorts of useful and useless skills in theater.
After my sophomore year at Oklahoma, 1 married, and we spent the first two years of our marriage in Germany where my husband, Jay , was stationed. Returning to El Paso, it was back to school for me to finish my B.A degree with one child in tow For my M.A. degree, 1 switched to English because at that time there was no such degree in drama. It was a happy switch for I discovered Doc onnichsen. He was a marvelous teacher and remarkable human being. It did not matter what the man taught, 1 nrolled. Many years later, l am happy to say that 1 was chair of the English Department and was instrumental in founding a scholarship in his honor. There were lots of good things about going to Texas Western College besides the wonderful professors. For one thing , 1 could drive onto campus and park right in front of whatever building my class was in. Tuition was reasonable and books weren't budget-busters. On the other hand , the culture and the campus were markedly sexist. When I fir tasked about teaching for the department , the chair told me, "We don't hire housewives ." He told me I would need a Ph.D. to be hired , although there were a number of men in the department that did not have them. When l returned from the University of ew Mexico with my Ph.D. in
hand , l was paid considerably less than the newly hired and less experienced men. A lot needed to be changed. To begin , 1 was the first female faculty member to teach a Women's Studies course and the first to wear pants while teaching, a revolutionary act in those days. That last fact is amazing to our young co-eds. They can't bel ieve that the Dean of Women could expel a female student for wearing pants on campus. When 1 had to build sets, paint, and saw, 1 rolled my Levis up under my full skirt till l got to the workshop. ln some ways, the good old days weren't so good.
1966 was a banner year. Not on ly did it mark the transitional period between college and university , but it brought us to national attention when our unheralded team won the NCAA Championship. Afterwards, Coach Haskins was very upset by some of the negative press , and so Les tandiford and 1 did some investigative reporting and countered some of the misinformation published in Sports 11/ustrated and by James Michener in Sports in America. Steve Treddenick represented us at District Court in Austin when we sued and won our case against The Texas Observer for not publishing a contracted article about these lies Frank Fitzpatrick acknowledges my contributions in And the Walls Came Tumbling Down.
From a small mining and metallurgy school to a first class university, l have been here as student and professor to enjoy and benefit from the growth and change. Whenever l walk out of the classroom and marvel at the blue skies and beautiful mountains, I thank my lucky stars.
Mimi Reise/ Gladstein loves UTEP so much that she never left and has been here as student and professor since 1954 She was the first director of the Women 's Studies Program; chaired the English and philosophy departments twice; chaired the Department of Theatre, Dance and Film; directed the Western Cultural Heritage Program; and was associate dean of liberal arts. Executive director of the Diamond Jubilee Year was another of her administrative duties. Her pioneer struggles for women's rights and international professional recognitions have earned her induction into the El Paso Commission for Women's Hall of Fame and the El Paso County Historical Society Hall of Honor.
MUSEUM HAS BEEN EL PASOJS WINDOW TO THE WORLD
By Danie l Pere z • Photos by J R Hernande z
El Paso's first museum was born during the Great Depression because determined El Pasoans, including a supportive college administrator, understood its value to the community and the fledgling Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy, which today is UTEP.
Co mmu ni t y members had been as kin g for a mu se um sin ce th e ea rl y 1900s w ith liul e success. Small ex hibit sp aces had poppe d up arou nd tow n . O ne of th em was in th e base men t of t he co ll ege 's admini s t ra ti on buildin g, whi ch was Old Ma in al th e Lim e.
Cit y lea d ers lobbi ed in Oc to be r 1935 fo r funds fro m th e Texas Ce nt enn ia l
Co mmi ssio n of Co n trol , a gro up th at all oca ted grant s to Texas co mmun iti es Lo cele brat e t he 100th an n ive rsa ry of Texas ' ind epend ence fro m Mex ico in 1836. Th e El Paso group rece ived $50 ,0 0 0 for a p ro posed mu se um
O rga ni zers di sc u sse d wheth er to b uild a new st ru ct ure or renova te an ex istin g one. The y weig hed seve ra l op ti ons a nd dec ided to b uil d on 15.8 acres out sid e t he cit y limit s nex t to th e co ll ege. Th e se lec tio n was m ade in pa rt beca use co ll ege Pr es id ent Doss ie Wiggi ns prom ise d t he co ll ege wo uld opera te an d ma int ain th e b uil di ng as a mu se um and a n ce nt er.
Since it s ope nin g in late April 1937 , th e El Paso Cen tenn ial Muse um - now th e Cent ennia l Mu seu m and Chih ua hua n Dese rt Ga rde ns -h as se rve d El Pasoa n s a nd ou t-o f- to w n visit o rs. For an iso lated co mmunit y, thi s bu il di ng offe red a wind ow Lo th e wo rld for d ecades , sa id Wyn n Anderson , a retired UTEP admi n is t ra to r and form er curator al th e mu se um 's ga rd en s, whi ch we re d edi cate d in 1999.
"Multip le genera ti ons have enjoyed th e ex hibit s , fro m th e sLU ffed anim als LO th e min eral a nd foss il co ll ec ti on s," he sa id . "Thi s mu se um op ened peo pl e's eyes Lo th e nat u ra l wo rl d and cultur es of th e wo rld a nd p rov ided a co nt ex t fo r visito rs yo un g a nd old . Th e Ce nt enni a l has mea nt a grea t d ea l to t he co mm u nit y and still do es. "
El Pasoa ns eage r to hel p make th e thr eesto ry muse um a success len t or d on ated th eir eclec ti c co ll ec ti o ns LO th e mu se um , 48 ut ep ma g azin e. utep ed u
whi ch was le d in iti all y b y Howa rd Qui nn , Ph D , p ro fessor a nd ch air o f th e co ll ege 's
Departm ent o f Geo logy.
Th e cou nt y pop ul ati on was abou t 13 1,0 0 0 at the Lim e and ma ny sh ared co ll ec ti on s th at ra nged from fi rear m s Lo pou er y to pape rwe ight s. O ne fa mil y gave a menage ri e o f Afri ca n bi g ga me t ro ph y hea d s.
"Th e city was dete rm ined LO have a pl ace Lo s how o ff it s hi s to ry, " sa id Ma rsh a ll Ca n er-Tr ipp , Ph D , form er int erim muse um direc to r. "( Resi d ent s) kn ew it was imp o rt ant Lo have a hom e fo r hi sto r ica l a rtifac ts. As soo n as it beca me ava il ab le , s LUff pour ed out o f th eir alli es."
Th e mu seu m qui ckl y had more collect ion s th a n ex hibi t cases , acco rdi ng to "The El Paso Ce nt enni al Muse um 193546," an articl e w r iLLe n b y Es th er "Te rri e" Th omp so n Co rn ell in th e sp ring 198 1 iss ue of th e Password , th e qu art e rl y news lett er for t he El Pa so Co unt y Hi storica l Soc iet y. Co rnell 's s tor y sa id th e mu se um op ened with ex hibit s o f loc al arti sts , n atur a l hi sto r y and arc haeo log y, an d co ll ec ti ons o f loca l 0ora and So uth west mamm als a nd bird s. Throu gh th e mid-1 9 40s , som e of its 6 ,700 squar e fee l of ex hib i t spa ce was use d fo r mee tin gs , a n ex hi b it s , and co ll ege classes in an , vo ice , s peec h a nd dr ama.
Co rn ell , who ex ten sivel y resea rched th e mu se um 's hi stor y as a Ce nt ennia l vo lu nt ee r in th e earl y 1970s, sa id s he neve r lea rn ed wh y Pres ide nt Wiggi n s p ro moted and s upp orted th e id ea to locate th e mu se um nea r ca mpu s.
Rega rdl ess , sh e ca ll ed th e d ec isio n a boo n to th e in sti tu ti on as a way to in trod uce sc hoo lch ild ren Lo th e ca mpu s , as a s uppl y of Leac hin g co ll ec ti o ns for co ll ege s tud ent s, and as a cent er Lo s howca se work o f area arti s ts.
"It 's an oasis on ca mpu s ," s he sai d via email fro m her s umm e r home in
Hacke n sack , Mi nn
a ncy Hamilt o n , au t hor of UTEP: A Pic tori al His tory of Th e Univ ers ity of Texas at El Paso, wrot e a bou t t h e mu se um 's ori gin s in her boo k Hamil to n d id no t k now W igg in s' reaso n s , but s urmi sed th at he simp ly wa nt ed Lo enh ance th e ca mpu s. "Yo u ha ve LO re me mb er iL was a s mall sc hoo l back th e n ," she sa id . "Anyt hin g t hat wou ld add to th e fac ilit ies and s t re ng th en th e schoo l wo uld be wel co me , es pec iall y if iL wo uld be for fr ee. "
Tod ay the mu se um ha s ab out 73, 000 pi eces among it s co ll ec ti on s. lL maint ains perm anent ex hi bit s abo ut th e reg ion's n aLU ra l a nd c ultu ra l hi s tor y, and pr esen ts ex hibit s o f UTEP rese ar ch , t he Am er icas , and bo rd er life a nd cu ltur e in it s temp orary ga ll eri es
Ma ny of th e o ld er ex hibit s ha ve bee n upd ated a nd th ose effort s will co ntinu e so th e p ubli c di s p lays ca n re 0ec Lth e newes t in for mati on abo ut life in th e reg ion , sa id
Sco u Cutl er , mu se um cur ato r.
"We w ill wo rk with a ll p an s o f th e Uni ve rsit y to help UTE P reac h Ti er On e statu s by ensurin g th at th e resea rch co ll ec ti on s are we ll cared fo r a nd avail able to s LU de nt s, fac ult y a nd s ta ff ," he said
O ne o f th e mu se um's newes t task s is to help tr ain the n ex t ge nerati on o f mu se um wo rk ers t h ro ug h th e Uni ve rsit y's mu se u m s tu d ies min o r th at start ed in 20 10 . Stud ent s ga in ha nd s-on ex pe ri e nce w it h co ll ec ti on s a nd pub lic pro g rammin g, and app ly th eir cl assroo m ex p erien ce to rea l-life situ ati on s.
Cut ler i nvi ted eve ryone Lo part ici pate in th e mu se um 's 75 th a nni ve rsa r y cel ebra ti o n b y s ha rin g t heir mu se um s tori es , p h otogra ph s , articl es a nd videos in perso n or via ema il to mu seu m@uLe p.ed u .
"Multiple generations have enjoyed the exhibits, from the stuffed animals to the mineral and fossil collections ."
Wynn Anderson, retired UTEP administrator and former curator
Anthony Rotich Class:
Freshman Major:
Pre-engineering
Hometown:
Eldoret, Kenya
Anthony Rot1ch Is participating in his first cross country season with the Miners. The freshman comes off a successful track season, earning a bid to the NCAA Championships, where he earned All-American honors after finishing sixth overall In the 3,000m steeplechase with a time of 8:4114. Rotich posted a personal-best of 8:41.14 in the steeplechase at the NCAA Champ1onsh1ps prelims. He took second place in the steeplechase (8:49 42) at the NCAA West Preliminary Championships During the outdoor season, Rotich posted a silver finish in the steeplechase (8 5639) and a bronze finish in the 5,000m (1419.37) The Miner crossed the finish line second in the 5,000m at the 2012 C-USA Indoor Championships In his first semester at UTEP. he earned a G.P.A. of 3.75.
Kenah ---- Linger Class:
Junior Major :
Speech language pathology
Hometown: Dallas, Texas
Kenah Linger Is a two-year starter for the UTEP soccer team and a key contributor to the back line. A standout defender, Linger logged 2,055 minutes of action to pace all Miner field players in 2011. Her efforts helped UTEPregister seven shutouts, and she Is a big reason why the team earned runner-up honors at the 2011 Conference USA Championship. As a freshman, Linger started all 19 matches and played the fifth-most minutes of anyone on the squad. She has also been a good student twice earning placement on the C-USA Academic Honor Roll.
With fall sports under way, these Miners are athletically and academically poised to make the Miner Nation proud
Xitlali Herrera
Class :
Junior
Major:
Multidisciplinary studies
Hometown:
Juarez, Mexico
x;t ali Herrera earned 2011 All-Conference
USA first team ho nors
1nher fi rst season as a Miner The jurior led ttie volleyball squad in 2011 with 384 kills. 132 blocks and a .32 1 hitting oercertage lierrera ranks second in program history for block assists
1r a single season with 121. The middle blocker was naried a 2011 AVCA All-Midwest Region
hororable mert1on ard earned 2011 C-US A Comm1ss1oner's Honor lloll honors.
Jamie Irving Class: Senior Major: Multidisciplinary studies
Hometown:
Perris, Calif.
UTEP 5ernor inebacker Jarrie Irving s the epitome of a student-ath lete, taking care of b1.:siness in the classroom. giving back to the commL rnty and serving as a trader in the locker room and on t!Jo field. He 1s 5et to graduate with adegree n multidisciplinary studies 'ram UTEP in December. Irving also contributes volunteer hours around El Paso, most recently v1sit1ng the Providence Chndren's Hospital. He had a great season 1n 2010, leadirg all t:ie linebackers whle ranking second overall 'Jn the team in tackles w1 79. It ended 1n heartbreak. though, with a shou lder injury in the Miners' bowl game against BYU putting him o~• of ThP miury r quired surgery on both shoulders, and he missed what would have beer his senior campaign 1n 2011 After a year of rerab1litatior, Irving retuns to the gridiron to lead the Miners in 20 12
Ph o t o s by J R He rnande z
"I j ust felt lik e we won th at ga me 50-4 9."
Howeve r , th e reco rd sh ows th at Forbes a nd h is Ame ri ca n tea mm ates ca me up on th e short end of a 51-5 0 sco re Lo th e Sov iet Uni on in th e go ld med al ga me al Muni ch
The Rus sian s sco red th e winnin g bask et on a lay up b y Alexa nd er Belov as Lime ex pir ed
Forb es was betwee n h is so ph o more a nd junior years at UTEP, and hi s co ll ege coac h , Do n Hask in s, was a n ass istant to th e lege nd ar y Henr y lb a on th e U.S. ben ch
The Ameri can s had neve r los t in Olympi c pl ay d atin g bac k LO 19 36 and ca rri ed an ove rall reco rd of 63 -0 int o th e ga me. But th ey were un cha ra cteri sti ca ll y vuln e rabl e th at yea r.
Bill Wa lton , th e Nati on al Pl aye r of th e Year at UCLA, had opt ed not Lo particip ate in the ga mes The Am eri can s, a ll co ll egian s newly acq u aint ed with one ano th er, were also go in g u p agains t a Sov iet sq uad th at average d 28 years of age and h ad played nearl y 400 ga mes toge th er.
Th e Ru ss ian s we re up by fi ve po int s (2621) at th e brea k and in c rease d th eir lea d LO as man y as 10 i n th e seco nd h a lf befo re th e Amer ica n s mou nt ed a fu ri ous ra ll y. Wh en Doug Co ll in s d ra in ed a pa ir of fou l shots with onl y thr ee seco nd s re mainin g, th e Unit ed Stat es had a 50-4 9 lead and was see min gly o n it s way LO an eighth straig ht go ld meda l.
"Tha t game, in ou r minds, ended after Co llin s made t he Lwo free t hrows and the Ru ss ian s thr ew th e ball in ," Fo rb es sa id
But it was far from ove r. In fac t , in a b iz a rre seq u en e of eve nt s, t he Sov iets we re allowed to run t hree i nbou n d plays before the fin a l bu zze r so un ded.
"Eve r ythin g a ft er [th e fir st in bou nd pl ay] was not leg itim ate," Forb es sa id . Followin g th e fir st inb ound , Renato Willi am J ones, t he sec retary ge nera l of th e Int ern at iona l Baske t ba ll Federa tion
(FlB A), cam e out of th e st and s a nd ord ered th e offi cials to put thr ee seco nd s bac k on th e cl oc k d ue Lo a timin g m al fun ctio n . But wh en th e Soviets inb ound ed th e ba ll for th e seco nd t ime, th e sco reboa rd showe d 50 seco nd s remainin g. The USS R's l va n Ed eshk o co mpleted a sh on pass to tea mmat e Modes tas Paul au skas, who in Lum fir ed th e ball LO Belov al th e oth er en d of th e co urt However, th e bu zzer sou nd ed imm edi ately afte r th e ball left Paul au skas' h a nd
The Am eri ca n s cel ebra ted th eir appar ent one- p oint vic tor y and fan s stor med th e co urt before th e offic ials rul ed th at the clock had not bee n se t pro perly a nd the fi n a l three seco nd s still n eede d LO be pla ye d. Curi ou sly, thi s tim e aro und o ffi cial An enik Arab adji an ges tur ed Lo 6' 11 " U.S. pl aye r Tom McMill en to b ack u p whil e defe ndin g th e i nbo und p ass. The act ion res ult ed in Ed eshko havi ng a clea r passi ng lane to Belov on th e opp os it e end of th e no o r.
Belov was bein g gu ard ed by th e USA's Fo rb es and Kevin Joyce, but at six fee t seve n inches, he was ab le to co me dow n with the ba ll. Fo rb es and J oyce bo th tu mbled LO the gro und on the pl ay, giv ing Be lov a wide ope n , ga me- winnin g lay up.
"Defe n sive ly, we we re se t up fo r th e pl ay," Forbes sa id. "lL was more of a ba lance issue for me . l t was a bang-ba n g play and l fell, and he caug ht the ba ll and laid it in "Yo u ca n go th ro ugh it a milli o n Lim es, but th e fa ct of the mau er is the guy cau ght it a nd sco red a nd nothin g is go in g LO change t ha t. "
The U.S. team protested the outco me, and to thi s day th e Ameri ca n s h ave re fu se d to acce pt th e ir sil ve r med a ls. Th ey co minu e Lo b e stored in a va ult in Lu sann e, Sw itz erl and .
Fo rbes s u ffered a serious knee injury
just felt like we won that game
shortl y fo ll ow in g th e Olympi cs and was n't the sa me pl aye r th ereafter , although he did ea rn seco n d tea m All-Wes tern Athl eti c Co n fe rence hon ors as a se nior in 1974 . He was chose n b y Chi cago in th e fourth round of th e 1974 NBA Dra ft , but n eve r pl aye d a ga me in the league. More rece ntl y h e has had a h igh ly s uccessful run as th e head coach at Andress Hi gh Sc hoo l in El Paso.
Fo rbes pl ann ed to attend a 40th a nn ive r sar y re union of the 1972 U.S. Learn in Kemu ck y in late Augu st 2012 Th e squad is also the subj ec t of a new book, Stolen Glory, by Mike Brews ter and Taps Gallagher.
"To be hones t , l do ge t tir ed of ta lkin g abo ut it ," Forb es sa id "l ha ve to move on Peop le think th at we a re acting se lfi shl y, that we 're so re losers and can't accep t defeat. But you accept defeat every day. Yo u win a nd lose games and yo u move on. "
Fo rb es ha sn't ta lk ed Lo hi s O lympi c tea mm ates in 20 yea rs. And he ha s re fu se d to share th e lesso ns lea rn ed fro m th e 19 72 exper ience wi th a new ge nera tion of high school players.
"l don't thin k l have broug ht iLup one Lime," h e said . "For th ose guys, it 's de finitel y a nc ient hi stor y."
0 0 0 Fonner Miners ~o PLACE AT LONDON OLYMPICS
Several UTEP alumni participated in the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London and reached their event finals. Congratulations to all Miner Olympians!
KELLY PARKER, Canada, Women's Football (Soccer), Bronze Medal
ENDURANCE ABINUWA, Nigeria, 4x100 finals , fourth
BLESSING OKAGBARE, Nigeria, 4X100 finals, fourth; 100m finals , eighth
OLUDAMOLA OSAYOMI, Nigeria , 4x100 finals, fourth
CHURANDY MARTINA, Netherlands, 200m finals, fifth; 100m finals, sixth; 4x100m, sixth
MICKAEL HANANY, France, high jump, 14th
fficiating national swim meets is old hat for Jim Holcomb , Ph.D. , associate professor of economics , but he admiued having buuerflies in his stomach when he worked the finals of the U Olympic swimming trials in June.
Holcomb , who has judged national meets for 10 years , described the pomp and pyrotechnics that accompanied the swimmers and judges as they walked up to the pool in Omaha, Neb. The fireworks, flames, lasers and ultraviolet lights in the pool emphasized the scope of the event where ath letes were competing for a spot on the nation 's Olympic swim team.
"lt was very cool ," he said with a grin in his second-floor office in the College of Business Administration Building. He ailed the invitation to the eight-day event - a first for himthe pinnacle of a swimming officiating career in America. "It was kind of fun to be acknowledged. "
The El Paso native got involved in officiating in 1999 as a way to beat the monotony of attending the swim meets of his children , Alex and Rachel. His volunteer efforts , which include leadership positions with various youth swim organizations , mean he officiates at about three national competitions per year along with his service at local , regional and state meets.
Frank wigon , head of the Texas High chool Swim Officials and a USA Swimming official for the Austin/San Antonio area , has known Holcomb for 10 years and praise him for his fairness , dedication and intelligence.
"He wants to ensure that every athlete has an opportunity to succeed ," Swigon said. "He works hard at that. "
Holcomb , a three-sport athlete at El Paso 's Eastwood High School (track/cross country , wrestling and swimming ), earned his undergraduate degree in economics from UTEP in 1979 , his master 's in economics from Texas Tech University and his doctorate in economics from Texas A&:M University.
Tim Roth , Ph.D., the A.B. Templeton Professor and Chair of the Department of Economics , called Holcomb one of his best students during his 40-plus years of teaching. He noted Holcomb 's intellect and affinity for economics.
"He loves it and it shows It 's instinctive. Some people are born to think like an economist , and I think Jim is one of those ," Roth said , adding that Holcomb is a dedicated teacher. "Jim believes in the idea of cultivating the student."
Holcomb said his next goals are to volunteer at national swim meets such as the 2012 AT&T Winter ational Championships ov. 29-Dec. 1 at UT Austin , and return to the Olympic trials as a more senior official. Locally, he wants to mentor area swim officials and train them to be their best.
Three years after generating an estimated economic impact of $3.5 million and national tele"ision exposure for the city of El Paso, the Conference USA Basketball Championships will head back LO the Sun City.
The C-USA Board of Directors approved placing the 2014 championships in El Paso , coinciding with UTEP 's Centennial celebration. The dates and formal are Lo be determined.
"The board determined that a rotational hosting model would be best moving forward in the conference ," said C-USA Commissioner Brillon Banowsk y "UTEP and the El Paso community were enthusiastic and extraordinary hosts for our men 's and women's championships in 2011. "
"It's terrific news for UTEP and the El Paso community ," said UTEP Director of Athletics Bob Stull. "So many people banded together to produce a first-class event in 2011 - the city, the county, the Convention and Visitors Bureau , the Sports Commission and all of our volunteers, particularly from the Sun Bowl Association. We 're looking forward to staging another great championship in 2014."
The 2013 C-USA Championships will be played in Tulsa , Okla.
Besides playing host LO the C-USA men's and women's basketball championships in 2011 , the Don Haskins Center was the site of the men 's Western Athletic Conference tournament in 1984 , 1985 and 1990.
1. CEDAR RAPIDS , IOWA
UTEP alumni engineers and their families gathered at Lake McBride near Cedar Rapids, Iowa to enjoy came asada together.
2. VANCOUVER , CANADA
Charley Prine, a 1980 graduate with a B.S. in criminal justice, spent the day on China Beach on Vancouver Island, Canada with his wife and sister - inlaw. Prine is an associate judge in the 309th District Court in Harris County, Texas.
J. PHOENIX
11 alumni picnicked and got to know each other in Phoenix. "We had some great food, drinks and company, and are planning to get together in the near future," said Cecilia Benavides, the picnic host.
ORLANDO
Elizabeth Claudio, a current UTEP M.B.A. student and coordinator in the University ' s Office of Alumni Relations, hosted a PICK - NIC at Blue Jacket Park in Orlando. "These Miners never met while attending UTEP, but are now united by geographic region, and plan to continue to get together for UTEP games and other events," she said.
5. BOTHELL , WASH
"We spent a lot of time getting acquainted and talking about El Paso, our experiences on the UTEP campus, and what we are doing with our fantastic UTEP education," said Becky Birch, organizer of the hamburger and hot dog alumni cookout in Bothell, Wash. "We also played with Frisbees and beach balls and practiced and recorded the UTEP fight song "
6. GUADALAJARA
Forty -two alumni attended the Guadalajara PICK - NIC coordinated by Angeles Uribe, a 2001 graduate from the College of Business Administration. The former Miners feasted on Mexican food and sang karaoke all night long.
7. NEWYORK
More than 50 people attended the PICK-NIC potluck in Central Park, New York organized by Alex Munoz , a 2011 graduate from the College of Business Administration. Munoz now works for JP Morgan Chase in New York City.
8. ELPASO
More than 350 alumni attended the largest PICK-NIC at El Paso ' s Memorial Park. The College of Business Administration and the College of Engineering set up their own booths for alumni of their colleges The UTEP women's soccer and volleyball teams also were present to help alumni
DEAR ALUMNI FAMILY,
What an exciting time to be a UTEP Miner 1
As we approach our Centennial Celebration in 2014, you will begin to hear about the many activities and events that are planned to commemorate this great milestone. In order for the entire alumni family to appreciate all that our great University has achieved, it is imperative that you be actively engaged with your alma mater.
As I begin my term as president of the UTEP Alumni Association, I would like to thank Keri Moe for her leadership and commitment as immediate past-president of the association. The UTEP Alumni Association continues to work hard to develop programs and services for alumni that enable the organization to support the great accomplishments of our students, faculty and staff
The Alumni Association is committed to ensuring that all Miners - past, present and future - understand their value to the alumni family. However, 1n order to establish these connections, it will require your participation and engagement with us. Come join us at our events, volunteer at an activity and explore our website to see how you can participate.
I am honored to represent the UTEP alumni, and look forward to meeting you throughout the year.
Picks up GO MINERS 1
David Veloz, '95 President, UTEP Alumni Association
MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR ALUMNI RELATIONS
As we enter a new academic year, the Alumni Association hos spent the summer working on a new strategic pion that is focused on delivering definitive value to our alumni, current students, faculty/staff, and the community-at-large. During the development process, the Alumni Association Boord identified key propositions to building lifelong relationships and nurturing a "giving bock" mindset amongst alumni all over the globe.
It is my belief that as on organization, it is our responsibility to establish strong relationships and create partnerships in order to achieve our goals and objectives. Therefore, I om colling upon each one of you to expand your commitment to the Alumni Association, as we ore your lifelong connection to UTEP.
The Alumni Association Boord hos developed the 2012 Strategic Pion to ensure on effective association that fulfills its purpose "to support the activities of The University of Texas at El Paso CU TEP) toward the realization of its mission and educational programs in every manner possible." The association looks to engage alumni in the life of the University with support to pursue their goals, enhance the image and prestige for UTEP by showcasing alumni success, provide service and program benefits aligned with alumni needs, and expand membership growth and participation by all alumni to include recent graduates.
The most important thing to remember about UTEP traditions ,s that their value results from the connections forged between you and the University. The PICKN /Cs held across the country and abroad this post July ore a perfect example of how alumni help create and sustain Miner pride.
The Alumni Association is your gateway to Miner traditions - come to one of our events and explore our website to learn the ways you con engage with the University and help UTEP on its quest to become the first notional research university serving a 21st century student demographic.
I look forward to the Alumni Association becoming even stronger and delivering valued benefits.
Go Miners 1
Richard J. Daniel, Ph.D. Ass P· ivers,ty Advoncerrent and Special Projects Executive Director (or Alumni Relation~
PERHAPS MORE THAN "A HUMAN STORY," THEIRS IS A STORY OF THE INDOMITABlE HUMAN SPIRIT.
PAYING FORWARD THE AMERICAN DREAM
Polish Couple Leaves Bulk of Estate to UTEP for Scholarships
By Isela Ocegueda • Photo courtesy of Tony Kruszewski
Having no formal connection to TEP, Marian and Alina Komarnicki learned of the University by association. And ye t, they left the bulk of their estate to UTEP, a profound testament of their co mmitm e nt to higher education and their esteem for the ni\·ersity.
Their contribution, worth more than half a million dollars , established the Marian and Alina Komarnicki Scholarship Fund , which supports students in the College of Liberal Ans.
Behind their generous gift is the compelling story of the Komarnickis - a story of survi\·al, resilience and altruism.
On ept. 1, 1939, when the Komarnicki were just teenagers, Nazi Germany invaded their native country of Poland , launching World War 11. Marian , son of a prominent lawyer , was expelled from his hometown by the Germans. He would meet his future wife , Alina, through her brother in 1941. Both young men were pan of the same underground organization in Warsaw, which mobilized to fight against Nazi German forces. Tragically, Alina's brother died in the Warsaw
Uprising, leaving a permanent emotio nal scar on her. After surviving his dea th and that of so man y of their countrymen, then enduring forced labor in work camps, constant displacement and extreme poverty, the Komarnickis married in 1947 and moved to the United States in 1949.
It was in 1952 that Z. Anthony "Tony " Kruszewski, also a WWII refugee who had participated in the Warsaw Uprising, met and befriended the Komarnickis in Chicago.
"We became the best of friends," said Kruszewski , now a professor and former chair of political science at UTEP. " obody had their family in the U.S. , so we created a substitute family of refugees. We were meeting practically every week for 50 years. We became one family."
The Komarnickis evemually followed Kruszewski and his wife, June , to El Paso in 1972 after Kruszew ski was hired at UTEP.
"They came here only because my wife and l were here ," Kruszewski explained. "They wanted to live in a city where th ey would have at leas t one friend."
It was this deeply rooted friendship that inspired the Komarnickis ' interest in UTEP. That imerest eventually evolved imo commitment and engagement, made manifest through their posthumous gift to the University. Marian Komarnicki passed away in 1999, followed by Alina in 2011.
Tony Kruszewski refers to the Komarnickis ' story as '"a human story."
"They wanted to increase their contribution to this country by leaving their tribute ," he said. "They wholeheartedly left it to UTEP, a very symbolic place. UTEP represents a second chance for people who might not have had the opportunity to go to college otherwise. That money [from the Komarnickis] will help people achieve their educational aspirations and a higher standard of living. "
Perhaps mor e than "a human story," theirs is a story of the indomitable human spirit.
"The Komarnickis, " Ton y Kruszewski said, "we re immigrams who believed in America and th e American dream , not unlike many of our students at UTEP."
\he l)niversiW o\ \exas atti Paso asi<ed facebool< \ans to submit phOtOS o\ tnemselves wearing IJ\\:P gear duringtheir travels around t\ie world. \-\ere are some o\ tne photos submitted . ) f\udre~ Westcott. asenior multimedia iourna\ism maior. shows he• creati« UiEP plide with lava rocks on \-lawaii's Big Island
2) fran< sa,ina\SA in math. 1996 and t,,1.~1. 1oos\ and his wile. \;ette10 .1.s.. 1996 and t,,t.Ed, 1003\. celebrated thei1 wedding annive1S811 in
Paris
3) Javier Nevarez, a2009 electronic communication graduate, is all smiles at the Chihuahua Supercross Nationals in Mexico .
4) Julian Mapp. a100sUiEP graduate,took his UiEP ~a9 to the top o! Mount fuii, the h19hest mountain in Japan.
5) Leticia A91!1\ar. a1999 nursin9 graduate and her husband ,Jesus, a1992 political science grad, proud\~ held their "Picks \Jp" during a recentvacation at the Pir3mide de KukuicM in Chichen 1ua. Mexico
Monique Becerra tB.S .. 1996: M.td ., 1999) sa1s when she's notteachin9, she's travelin9 1 \-\ere the proud Miner alumna is pictured at Machu Picchu in Peru .
• Lahoma N. Counts (B.A. '50), executive director of Elderbridge Agency on Aging in Mason City, Iowa, retired in March after 20 years with the organization The Elderbridge Agency on Aging advocates for seniors, enabling them to live with dignity, wellbeing and independence.
Rosa E. Guerrero (B.A. '57; M.Ed. '77), an El Paso-area educator and city promoter, was honored by Business and Professional Women - Paso Del Norte in June for her work in the community
Mario J. Martinez (B.A. '57), an attorney at the law firm Mario J Martinez, P.C. in El Paso, received the Professionalism Award at the El Paso Bar Association Annual Law Day Dinner and Awards Banquet in May
• Art Alva (B.A. '61). of El Paso, was named chairman of the Teachers Federal Credit Union board of directors In May
David Briones (B.A. '69), an El Paso U S district judge, received the Albert Armendariz Lifetime Achievement in Human Rights Award at the El Paso Bar Association Annual Law Day Dinner and Awards Banquet in May.
Corrine "Leighton " Dahl (B.A. '66; M.Ed '74). of El Paso, played Carrie Watts in the El Paso Playhouse 's production of "The Trip to Bountiful" in April.
Gerald J. "Jerry " Rubin (8 S '65). president and CEO of beauty products company Helen of Troy, Ltd. in El Paso , was appointed to the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas ' Business and Community Advisory Council.
Hector M. Zavaleta (B.A. '69), an attorney at the law firm Hector M Zavaleta, PC in El Paso, received the Mediator of the Year Award at the El Paso Bar Association Annual Law Day Dinner and Awards Banquet in May
• Clara E Duncan -Adams (8 S Ed ' 77). a Burges High School (El Paso) mathematics instructor, was inducted into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame in March for impacting the community through civic leadership
K . Reyes
Jesus Beltran (B S Ed '74; M.Ed. '84), a retired Lt. Col. of the United States Army Reserve, retired from the Socorro Independent School District (Texas) in April.
Tanny S Berg (8 8.A. '70). owner and president of real estate company Jack Berg Sales, was honored in May with the League of Women Voters of El Paso's 2012 Bravo Award for his leadership in civic and nonprofit organizations. Berg is chairman of the El Pasoans Fighting Hunger board of directors
Arturo Bronson (B S M ET. '70; M.S. '72), UTEP mechanical engineering professor, received a grant worth nearly $400,000 from the United States Air Force Office of Scientific Research in May The grant will fund the investigetion of new methods of processing high temperature materials for the United States Air Force's and NASA's hypersonic airplane.
Dwight M Deter (8 S '73), physician assistant at Southwest Endocrine Consultants in El Paso, was honored by the American Academy of Physicians Assistants in May with the 2012 PhysicianPA Partnership Award The award recognizes a career of providing exceptional care to patients through the relationships between physicians and physician assistants.
Oscar G. Gabaldon (B.A. '79), El Paso County judge, authored the article "Fathers are a Necessary Piece in a Child 's Puzzle of Life," which was published twiceonce in 2009 by Court Appointed Special Advocates, a nonprofit organization that recruits and trains volunteers to serve as advocates for child victims of abuse and neglect , and then again in 2010 by the El Paso Bar Journal Gabaldon is also a recipient of the Aliviane Inc. 2011 Humanitarian Award for his dedicated service to families and children in El Paso.
Carl H Green (8 A '73), an attorney at the law firm of Mounce, Green, Myers, Safi, Paxson & Galatzan in El Paso, presented on the investigation of catastrophic transportation accidents to the Texas Association of Defense Counsel in June. Green also received the Outstanding Senior Lawyer Award at the El Paso Bar Association Annual Law Day Dinner and Awards Banquet in May
Carlos A Gutierrez (S.S. ' 71), a physician at Paso del Norte Pediatrics, P.A. in El Paso, was honored in April with the 2012 Rotary Club Distinguished Service Award for his efforts in creating El Paso's first standalone children's hospital.
Lu is Her rera (B.S Ed ' 75). city librarian of the San Francisco Public Library, was named to the National Museum and Library Services Board by President Barack Obama in March
David D. Kelley (8 S Met '72), of Houston, was named sales engineer-offshore platform coordination at National Supply Company, an oil field equipment manufacturer, in June.
Jose Luna , Jr (B.A. '74). chief medical officer at Centro San Vicente in El Paso, was honored at the Lucy G Acosta Humanitarian Awards in April for his work in supporting the community through his practice
Harriet B May (B.S ' 71) , retired CEO of GECU in El Paso, was inducted into the Texas Credit Union Hall of Fame in May for her leadership and commitment to GECU May is the current chair of the Credit Union National Association board of directors
Lorraine O'Donnell (B S Ed '75; M Ed. '85). assistant superintendent of the charter school district El Paso Initiative Inc ., returned from Japan in July 2010 , where she served as graduate dean of education for the University of Phoenix on Kandera Air Force Base.
Jessie "Faynell " Poe (8 B.A. ' 71), a paralegal/office manager at El Paso law firm Firth Johnston Martinez, was named NALS 2012-13 education director in March. NALS is an association for legal professionals dedicated to enhancing the competencies and contributions of members in the legal services profession through education, networking and programming.
Roseanne de la Fuente Rueda (B B.A. '78) was named to the El Paso Affiliate of Susan G Kamen for the Cure 's board of directors in April.
Oscar E Venegas (B S CJ '73). president and owner of Venegas Engineering Management & Construction, was named the Small Business Person of the Year for the Small Business
Administration 's El Paso District in April
• Cynthia M. "Cindy " Aguilar -Davis (B.A. '85), a program coordinator in UTEP's College of Science, was named to the El Paso Affiliate of Susan G. Kamen for the Cure's board of directors in April.
Armando C Aguirre (8 S Ed '85; M Ed '89, Ed D '04). UTEP assistant provost. was named executive director of The El Paso Collaborative for Academic Excellence in January. The collaborative is a partnership among education, business and civic leaders in the region, working to implement education reform initiatives
Victor M. Calzada (B.A. '84), an El Paso Times journalist, won second place in the Photojournalist of the Year competition at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors convention in Dallas in March
Hector R Puente (B S.E E. '80), of El Paso, was named El Paso Electric Co .' s new senior vice president and chief operations officer in June
Alma D Puentes (8.8.A. '80), president and director of Puentes Concrete Contractors Corp in El Paso, was named a board member of the El Paso Chapter 248 National Association of Women in Construction in March
Tresa P Rockwell (8 8.A. ' 82). culture marketing manager for Red Bull North in Austin, Texas, was named to the Governor's Commission for Women in February Through outreach, education, research and referral services, the commission addresses issues affecting Texas women.
Robert L. "Bob " Sewell (B S '80). of El Paso, was named the Hoy Fox Automotive Group's lnfiniti dealership manager in June.
Felipa G. Solis (B.A. '83) was named executive director of El Paso Pro-Musica in March
Arlene E Carroll (8.8.A. '87). a first vice president at El Paso's WestStar Bank, was named vice president of the Hospice El Paso executive board in March firm in February Olivas joined the firm in 2005
Jennifer L. Vandenbosch
Manuel "Manny " Castruita , (B.A. '89; 8 8.A. ' 92). an El Paso Jr (B.S.Ed '88; M.Ed. '92), district attorney, was inducted counselor coordinator for the into the El Paso Women's Hall of Ysleta Independent School Fame in March for impacting the District in El Paso , was named community through professional Region Ill director for the Texas business.
Counseling Association Castruita , Jr. also was honored as the 2012 • Mary Aguilar-Yanez Linda Kistenmacher Outstanding • ' (B B.A. '93). adjunct Counselor by the Trans-Pecos professor at El Paso Counseling Association local Community College, was chapter. honored by Business and
Victor M Mendez (B S CE '80), of Washington, D.C , administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, was the keynote speaker at the 3rd annual Transportation Summit in March The summit. which was held at Benedict College in Columbia , S.C., focused on disseminating safety data, business opportunities and workforce development information.
Robert C. "Bob " Moore (B.A. '88). editor of the El Paso Times, was named to the United Way of El Paso County's board of directors in April.
Daniel W. Olivas , Jr. (B.A. '88) was named a shareholder in the Nashville office of the Lewis, King, Krieg and Waldrop, PC law
Professional Women - Paso Del Norte, for her work in the community
Julieta Adauto (8 S '95). of El Paso, opened up Orange Peel Pastries, Cakes & More in December.
Steven P Busser (BB.A. '94), vice president at El Paso Electric Co., was named United Way of El Paso County's board treasurer in April.
Gilbert Carreon (8 8.A. ' 98), of El Paso, was promoted to assistant vice president at WestStar Bank in April.
Christopher A Fenton (M 8.A. "94), of Kohler, Wis , was named director of quality for Kohler Co.·s kitchen and bath division in the Americas region in April.
Leanne M. Garcia (8.1.S. '94), of Durango, Colo , was named principal at Durango High School in June.
Luis "Ricardo " Herrera (B M '94), assistant professor of voice at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, performed in El Paso Opera's The Marriage of Figaro in March
Martha Koester (8.A. '94), an El Paso Times copy editor, won third place in headline writing at the Texas Associated Press Managing Editors convention in Dallas in March.
Michael G McCorgary (8.8.A. '93), owner of Airport Printing Services , was named to the El Paso Affiliate of Susan G Kamen for the Cure's board of directors in April.
Liliana I. Miranda (8 8.A. '98). senior vice president and auditor at WestStar Bank. was elected 2012-13 president of Hospice El Paso's board of directors in March
Christopher "Chris" Mitchell (8.A. '93) graduated with a degree of Doctor of Medicine from the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston 's School of Medicine in September 2011
Agustin Montes , II (8.8.A. ' 99). of El Paso. was named a Sun Bowl Association board member in April.
Jerry R. Paugh (8 S Ed '90). Montwood High School's girls soccer coach. reached a career milestone of 200 victories in March
Jonathan T. "Jon" Stovall (8.A. '92). Eastwood High School English teacher and girls golf coach. was named the El Paso Times· All-City Girls Coach of the Year in May for coaching the Eastwood High School girls golf team to a fourth consecutive District 1-5A title
Lawrence N. "Larry" Vucan (8 A '94). of Southlake. Texas. joined Southlake Carroll Senior High School in May as a pitching coach for the boys baseball team
Paulette Wingo (8.1.S. '92; M.Ed '96). founder and president of Road Map Publishing and
author of A Parent's Survival Guide for the School Years was the guest speaker at the National Pan-Hellenic El Paso Council scholarship presentation in June
Liliana Woo (8 S ' 95) joined Texas Regional Urology as a practicing partner in February Texas Regional Urology is a new medical practice servicing the northern metro Houston area
Karen L. Hart (8 A. ' 97). an attorney at the law firm of Bell. Nunnally & Martin in Dallas was named a 2012 "Texas Rising Star" in March by Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication and rating service Rising Stars recognizes lawyers across 70 practice areas who are 40 years or younger and have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement in the first 10 years of their practice
• Yadira Azcona (M B A '04) president of structural insulated panel s company Enercon SIPS, was named 2012 treasurer of the El Paso Chapter 248 National Association of Women in Construction in March
Marshall C Barclay (M 8.A. ' 05). of El Paso. was named Lincoln Financial Advi sors ' Financial Planner of the Month in May
Lisa D. Campos (Ed D ' 09). a former senior associate athletic director at UTEP, was named vice president for intercollegiate athletics at Northern Arizona University in April.
Analisa Cordova (B B A '08) was named to the United Way of El Paso County's board of directors in April.
Roberto A Coronado (8.8.A. ' 00 M.S '02) UTEP v1s1ting assistant professor of economics and finance. was promoted in February to economic outreach officer at the El Paso Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas.
Ashleigh M Decker (8 8.A. '07). a former UTEP soccer standout, joined the UTEP Miner soccer team as an assistant coach in February
Timothy D Duffie (M Ed ' 02) was named Wake Forest University's football secondary coach in March Duffie coached nine seasons with the UTEP Miner football team
Elizabeth K Gibson IS.A. ' 07) Joined the City of El Paso's economic development department as a senior economic development specialist in February
Leslie D Gonzales (M.A. '05 ; Ed D '10). professor in UTEP 's College of Education was recognized in April by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education as a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Faculty Fellow
Esperanza Calderon-Guillen (B.B.A. '01). business manager for El Paso engineering firm Raba Kistner Consultants Inc was named 2012 secretary of the El Paso Chapter 248 National Association of Women in Construction in March
Ricardo R Chavez (M B A '04) of El Paso wa s named Del Sol Medical Center's director of therapy services in June
Karla R Gutierrez (8 S.I.E '09). UTEP environmental science Ph D student. was recognized in April by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education as a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate Fellow
Jennifer E. Han (B S ' 07). of El Paso was inducted into the El Paso Mart ial Art s Hall of Fame in June Han. a five-time national amateur champion , was a silver medalist at the World Boxing Championships and was voted USA Boxing 's Best Boxer three times
Linda M. Hernandez (8.8.A. '06). of El Paso. was named first vice president of teller operations at WestStar Bank in April.
Patricia Islas (8.A. '00; M A '03), an El Paso Community College assistant professor of speech, was inducted into the El Paso Women's Hall of Fame in March for impacting the community through education
Olivia C Moreno (8 S.I.E '09). UTEP environmental science Ph D student, was recognized in April by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education as a United State s Department of Agriculture (USDA) Graduate Fellow
Arturo A Muiioz (B.A. ' 08). of El Paso. was named a Sun Bowl Association board member in April.
Homar Niestas, Jr. (8 8.A. ' 01 ; M 8.A. '08; 8 8.A. '09). of El Paso joined JDW Insurance Co as an assistant vice president and controller in April.
Miguel Ortiz (8 B.A. '09) opened Oayvasos. a Mexican-based franchise that sells tomato juice drinks flavored with beef jerky, shrimp and clams. in El Paso in May
Jordan W. Palmer (8 M S '06) was signed to a three-day workout contract with the National Football League 's Jacksonville Jaguars in April.
Angelica M. Ramsey (M Ed '04). principal at Eastlake High School in E l Paso. was selected in June to participate in a cultural and educational research expedition to the Chinese cities of Beijing, Xi'an and Shanghai The trip is sponsored by Education First Tours. a global education agency that provides all-inclusive tours to foreign countries for students. educators and school administrators in the United States.
Melodya Sala ices (MP A. ' 05). senior organization specialist and director of services at Nonprofit Enterprise Center in El Pa so was named the Small Business Administration El Paso District's Women in Business Champion of the Year in April.
Edmundo Soltero (M B A '05) a registered architect, was named Arizona State University's assistant vice president for the Office of the University Architect in March.
Ashlee Stephens (8 8 A '09) opened Teaze a boba tea franchise. in El Paso in June
Aurora Tafoya (8.A. '01) of El Paso. received the Liberty Bell Award at the El Paso Bar Association Annual Law Day Dinner and Awards Banquet in May The Liberty Bell Award 1s presented to an outstanding nonlawyer for selfless contributions to the community to strengthen the justice system
Olivia Zepeda (B 8.A. '05; M 8.A. ·101 was named assistant to UTEP's associate vice president in the University Development office in February
• Kristofer B. Adams (8 8.A. ' 10) signed to the National Football League 's Indianapolis Colts in June as a receiver.
Jonathan 0 Childress (8.8.A. '10). of El Paso. was named an Evolve Federal Credit Union 2012 brand ambassador in May
Bryan S Cleavenger (8 B A '10). of El Paso. was named an Evolve Federal Credit Union 2012 brand ambassador in May
Karl Karam (8 8.A. ' 11) joined information technology firm Varay Systems as support technician I in February.
Yasmin Marquez (BJ.A. '11). senior graphic designer with UTEP's student newspaper. The Prospector, was recognized in May by the College Newspaper Business and Advertising Managers Inc with the Best of Category Award for black and white display ads
Mary B. Martin (8 S '11). of El Paso. was named Bowie High School's girls basketball coach in April.
Osvaldo Rodarte (8 8.A. '11) opened Dayvasos a Mexicanbased franchise that sells tomato juice drinks flavored with beef jerky, shrimp and clam s. in El Paso in May.
Joel R. "Ryan" Stoltzfus (M 8.A. '11) joined the Visiting Nurse Association of El Paso as a hospice director in April.
Trevor Vittatoe (8 8 A '10). a former UTEP quarterback, was signed to the NFL's Indianapolis Colts in March Vittatoe was ranked 14th and 15th in BCS college football history for passing yards and touchdowns respectively
IN MEMORIAM
Audian H. Paxson (BA . ' 52) Boerne , Texas; Sept. 14, 2011
Robert C. Rice , Sr. (B.B.A. '70) Branson. Mo.; Nov. 15, 2011
Carroll R. Jordan (B S '64) Mason , Texas : Dec 4, 2011
Robert N. Specht (BS '59) San Antonio ; Dec 29, 20 11
Lee H. Keily (B B A '58) Am ar ill o, Texas: Feb. 2, 2012
Patricia Aboud Randazzo (BS Ed . ' 68)
San Jose , Cal if; Feb 3, 2012
Raquel 0. Venegas (B.A. '63) El Pa so; Feb 6, 2012
Lucille Fresquez Estrada (B.I.S ' 96) El Paso; Feb. 12, 2012
Leland P. Rowe (B B A '69) Farmington N M.; Feb 12, 2012
Joan Stiles Ponsford (B.A. ' 52 ) El Pa so: Feb 13, 2012
Sharon Kay Fischer (B.A. '66; M.A. '70) Horizon City, Texas; Feb 18, 2012
Jean L. "Jeannie " Wolking (B S Ed ' 68) El Pa so; Feb 18.2012
Patricia C Whitt (B.A. ' 56) El Pa so; Feb 19 , 2012
Margo L. Hughes -Wiesberg (B S Ed '66) La s Vegas; Feb 25, 2012
Stephen N "Steve " Harden (B S ' 77 ; M S '82) Houston ; Feb 28 , 2012
Elbert Mario Hankerson Jr, (B.A. ' 77) El Paso; March 1, 2012
Mary S. Bothner (B S Ed '69) El Paso; March 2, 2012
William C "Bill " Schill inger (BS '48) El Paso; March 3, 2012
William E Bruce (BS EE '61) El Pa so; March 4, 2012
Jesus "Chuy " Terrazas , Jr, (B.M . ' 54 ;
M.A. '60) El Paso ; March 7, 2012
Michael N. Elorreaga (BB.A. '77) El Paso; March 9, 2012
Oscar D. Gonzalez (B S '43) El Paso; March 12 , 2012
Glori a C, Aranda (B.I.S ' 92) El Paso; March 13, 2012
George W, Butterworth (B B A '63) El Pas o; Marc h 13, 2012.
Hector D. Aguilar (BB.A. '81) El Paso ;
March 14 , 2012
Freder ick R "Fred " Lowen berg (B B A '84) West Seneca, N.Y. ; March 17, 2012
Richard N, Tedrick (BS ' 56) Round Rock, Texas; March 18, 2012
Ellen "Renee " Charles -Butler (B S N '81) Albuquerque , N M.; March 20 , 2012
Charle s B Ewing (B S Ed '72; M A '75) Modesto, Calif ; March 21 , 2012
Wallace Moore "Wally " Lowenfield (B.A. '51) E l Paso; March 25, 2012
Dawn Marie Markwell Garc ia (B S ' 96 ; M P.A. ' 99) Las Cruces , N M.; Ma rch 24 , 2012
John A Malooly, Sr (BB.A. ' 59) El Paso; March 30, 2012
Etta G Kern (M S '70) Moorpark , Calif ; April 1, 2012.
Thomas J, Stone (B B.A. ' 69) El Paso; April 3, 2012
Sandra Harris Casillas (BF.A. '88; M A '91) Las Cruces, N M , March 28, 2012
A Ralph Rettig , Jr (BB.A. ' 57) El Paso; March 31, 2012
James D, Thomas (B.S M.I. ' 51) El Paso; Ma rch 31 , 2012
Trinidad "Trini " Mendoza (B S Ed '66; M Ed '80) E l Paso; Apri l 3, 2012
Guido A. Barrientos
Luis M. Paredes (BS Ed ' 89) El Pa so; Apr il 5, 2012
Myra P. Looper (B.A. ' 97; M Ed. ' 09) El Paso; April 6, 2012
Estela V. Reyes (B S Ed '71 ; M Ed '76) El Pa so; Apr il 8, 2012
Thomas M. "Tom " Callaghan (BB.A. ' 63) El Paso; Apr il 15, 2012
Mary Maxon (BS Ed '72; M Ed '74) Rio Rancho, N M.; April 15, 2012
Ruben Avelar (B.A. '51) Garland , Texas ; April 17, 2012
Jim "Nageb " Az iz (B.S Ed . ' 71 ) El Pa so; April 17, 201 2.
Donna L. Kvapil (B B.A. '83) E l Paso; Ap ri l 17, 20 12
Sarah A McKinnon (B.A. '97) Tampa , Fla ; April 20 , 201 2.
Elizabeth Carba jal (8.1.S '04) El Pa so; April 22, 2012
Sylvia J, Galatzan (B.S . '44) E l Paso: April 24, 2012
Phyllis Rae Thurmond (B.A. '48 ; M A '65) E l Paso ; April 26 , 2012
Sharon Brooks Hartman (B A '91) El Paso; April 27, 2012
Patricia B, Gorby (B.A. '78 ; MAIS ' 85) El Paso; April 29 , 2012
Daisy C, Meacham (B.A. '53) Nagai, N M; May 1, 2012
Virgin ia "Jigger " Olsen (B B A. '43) Alamogordo , N M.; May 2, 2012
Charlee H, Coldwell (B.A. '42) Dallas ; May 4, 2012
Clay W, Gibson (BS . ' 90) Amarillo , Texas ; May 4, 2012
Yvonne M Lipe (BB.A. 1983) El Paso ; May 4, 2012
Guido A Barrientos, Ph.D., navigated the streets of Guatemala City during a riot in the summer of 1963 to call Texas Western College (no w UTEP) regarding a job. Guatemala was in t he midst of a civ il war
" I acce pt your offer," he said seve ral tim es, cutting off effo r ts by t he person on th e other end of the line to explain his duties and salary. What was thought in El Paso to be a bad connection was actuall y the sound of gunshots and tear gas canisters being launched
Ba rri ent os retired as a professor emeritu s of psyc hology from The Un ivers ity of Texas at El Paso in 1998 after 35 years of serv ice . He died in his El Paso home Jul y 26 , 2012 He was 80 He is survived by his wife, Roselia; his two children, Carlo and Tanya; t wo grandchildren ; and t wo brother s in his native Guatemala
UT EP co ll eagues remembered Barrien t os as a man who impacted the lives of hundreds of studen t s.
" He was a remarkable int ellectua l who will be missed by all ," said Rando lph Whit worth, Ph.D , professor emeritus of psycholog y Whit worth recalled that phone call in '63 with a bit of a chuckle "He is one of the finest people I've ever known."
Harmon Hosch, Ph .D , professor of psycho logy, ca lled Ba rrientos a good teacher and excellent coworker. The t wo co-authored a book in 1999 and kne w each other for 37 yea rs. " He was suppo r tive of his st udents and he ld t hem to high standards."
Barrientos, who earned his doctorate from the University of Kansas in 1959, also was a hig hly res pected clin icia n who provided psychologica l services in private practice for many years.
Jack G. Shinaut , Sr. (8.A. ' 56 ; M Ed '70) El Pa so; May 5, 2012
Frances St. Clair (M Ed . '68) El Paso ; May 6, 2012
Miladean "Mikey " Ward (8.A. ' 52) El Pa so; May 6, 2012
Anto inette K. "Toni " Empson (M Ed . ' 69) El Paso : May 7, 2012
Robert G. Kern , Sr. (B.S '86) El Paso; May 9, 2012
Agnes L. Wayne (8.A. '43) El Paso ; May 9, 2012
Debra L. Hamann (B.A. ' 73) Medina , Ohio; May 14 , 2012
Mamye L. Jeffery (8.A. ' 79) E l Paso; May 15, 20 12
Lloyd E Anderson (8.1.S '92) Houston ; May 16 , 2012
Gary E Nelson (8 8.A. '78) E l Paso ; May 17, 2012
Bertha A Seely (8 8.A. ' 84) E l Paso; May 21, 2012
Ysela P. O'Malley (8.A. '53 ; M A '61) E l Pa so; May 21 , 2012
Carol J, Collins (B.S Ed '79 ; M Ed . ' 84) El Pa so; May 23 , 2012
William G Grimes (8.A. ' 66) E l Paso ; May 24 , 2012
Steve M. Natal (8 S EE. ' 60) E l Paso ; May 26 , 2012
Mary V Mellen (8 S Ed '62 ; M Ed . ' 68) El Pa so; June 4, 2012
Georgia Satterfield (8 S Ed '63; M Ed ' 71) North Richland Hills , Texas; June 4, 2012
Jacqueline W. "Jackie " Martinez (8.A. ' 73 , M.A. ' 75) Dallas ; June 5, 2012
By Daniel Pere z
John Robert Foster
John Robert "Bob" Foster, D.B.A., longtime UTEP professor of marketing, liked to laugh, debate key business issues, and see others treated with respect and kindness. He died May 8, 2012, in El Paso at age 77.
Born in Tacoma, Wash., Foster grew up in Oklahoma City. He earned a bachelor's in journalism from the University of Oklahoma in 1956, and an M.B.A. and doctorate from Indiana University in 1960 and '66. He taught at Western Kentucky University and t he University of South Carolina before joining UTEP in 1972. He served as UTEP's Graduate School assistant dean, chairman of both the departments of marketing and business, and was the M.B.A. program's founding graduate adviser.
He combined a subtle sense of humor with a passion for teaching to push his students to reach their full potential, said his oldest son Robert. "Dad equally valued teaching both undergraduate and graduate students."
Colleague and friend Tim Roth, Ph.D., professor and chairman of UTEP's Department of Economics and Finance, called the elder Foster a thoughtful, generous gentleman, and a "rare scholar" who was interested in multidisciplinary topics.
"He was thoroughly engaged in thinking about what I call 'grand questions,"' Roth said. "He was a marketing professor who eventually taught ethics. That's where I think he found his niche."
His outside interests included reading, attending UTEP basketball games, and volunteering with the Rotary Club of El Paso and Boy Scout Troop 44.
His younger son John said he always will admire his father's laugh, kind spirit, sense of fairness and in-dep t h busi ness knowledge.
John Robert Foster is survived by his wife, Joanne, and sons Robert and twins James and John.
Dilmus D. James
Dilmus D. "Oil" James, Ph.D., was born with a mind for economics and a soul full of compassion, said those who knew the former UTEP professor. James died May 29, 2012, his 80th birthday.
"He had a heart bigger than himself ... and he was six-two," said his wife of 44 years, Jeanette "Jan" James.
She said her husband enjoyed his time at The University of Texas at El Paso. He was hired in 1958 at what was then Texas Western College and retired in 2004 as a professor emeritus of economics.
James specialized in international economics, economic development and Latin American economics and focused his research on technology transfer in underdeveloped regions around the world. He thought technology and proper public policies could improve the lives of the impoverished.
Tim Roth, Ph.D., chair and professor of economics, said poverty remediation drove James' thinking and led to many interdisciplinary efforts on campus and internatio nally. Because of his interests, James served in many roles outside academia, such as senior economic adviser on technology for the United Nations' Conference on Trade and Development.
In his eulogy, Roth said of his friend: "Every (academic) department needs that one person who is, simultaneously, a leading scholar, a source of stability, and a person whose spirit of comity makes serious and productive engagement possible."
His generous spirit also was part of his legacy. He faithfully donated to numerous charities and funded a UTEP scholarship for graduate students studying economics. Since 2001, 50 students have benefited from the James Foundation Scholarships.
He is survived by his wife; his brother, Henry Fleming James; three stepsons; and a cousin, Patty Lee
By Daniel Perez
By Daniel Perez
R. Milton Leech
Fun and skilled were two words used to describe R. Milton Leech, Ph.D., who was a teacher and administrator at The University of Texas at El Paso for 35 years until his retirement as professor emeritus in 1984. He died May 19, 2012, in Sarasota, Fla. He was 90.
His daughter, Susan Leech Allen, said her father drew great joy and satisfaction from his work at the University. Through the years he served as a professor of speech and drama, dean of administration, vice president for academic affairs, and acting president.
Leech earned his B.F.A., M.F.A., and Ph.D. in drama and education from UT Austin before being hired at Texas Western College (now UTEP).
"He was witty, fun, well organized and wonderfully capable," said Mimi Gladstein, Ph.D., professor of English at UTEP, who met him as a freshman. "He understood budgets and could communicate. He was the whole enchilada and that combination is rare."
Leech's eldest daughter, Janis Leech Blackman, said one of her father's favorite memories was his battle in the late 1960s to save a patch of grass on campus for students in need of a break between classes. Students began to call it Leech Grove, and the name became official in 1985.
"Our dad's life was enriched in every way by choosing to work at UTEP," Blackman said. "From El Paso he drew an enduring, always engaging, keep-you-on-your-toes, laugh-'til-you-drop group of friends that lasted him and my mother a lifetime."
He was preceded in death by his wife, Carolyn, the previous January. He is survived by his daughters, their husbands, two grandchildren, four great-grandchildren and his brother, Ralph Leech. ~
Charles Roy Stanley
Charles Roy Stanley was dedicated to his students, his craft, The University of Texas at El Paso, and its Department of Music, according to his friends and family. Stanley died June 9, 2012, in El Paso. He was 81.
Stanley taught voice and choir, music theory, harmony and composition during his 30-year career at UTEP that began in 1966. He helped design the Fox Fine Arts Building in the early 1970s and started the department's electronic music program about a decade later.
Lowell Graham, D.M.A., professor and chair of the music department, said Stanley considered the University part of his family.
"Anything he could do to help us, he did," Graham said. "When he didn't have the expertise he would take a course to stay current with industry, especially in the audio world. He was truly a man who would reinvent himself as time went on "
Marilyn Snider Stanley said her husband of 60 years took great pride in his association with UTEP.
"He loved his interaction with the students and being part of the music department," she said.
Stanley grew up during the Great Depression in Tulsa, Okla. Despite being unemployed, his father bought two things for his family - a cow for nourishment and a piano for entertainment.
Stanley earned his bachelor's degree in music from Anderson (Ind.) College in 1953 and his master's in church music from the Southern Baptist Seminary in Louisville, Ky.
He is survived by his wife; their children Stephen, Sharlene, Sharilyn and Sue, and their spouses; nine grandchildren; his sister Donna Thomas; and his sister-in-law Kathleen (Jerry) Egelston. ~
By Daniel Perez
By Daniel Perez
Dear friends ,
I'm pleased to share with you the exciting news that UTEP was just ranked among the best universities in the nation by Washington Monthly magazine . As you can see below, at #12 overall, we're in fine company among America's top colleges and universities.
This ranking adds to UTEP's reputation for making a big difference in the lives of our students, the El Paso region and our nation I n fact , in terms of social mobility, UTEP was recognized as #1 among all U.S . universities for success in enabling students to achieve the American Dream through our affordable and high quality academic programs .
You can find more information about this important new validation of UTEP's success at Washington Monthly. Thank you for all you do to support our efforts to enable UTEP students to achieve their highest aspirations.
Go M in e rs !
President Diana Natalicio
