Allen Rupert, Pioneer in Hearing Research, Passes Away

Allen Rupert

Allen Rupert, one of UT Dallas’ founding professors, conducted some of the initial research on how individual nerve cells respond to sound, and he published numerous studies that advanced science on how the brain interprets auditory information.

Rupert, who worked closely with Dr. George Moushegian, former director of the Callier Center for Communication Disorders, joined the Callier Center in 1968. In 1973, he became a member of the University’s faculty and taught students until he retired in 1995.

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Speaker to Discuss Helping Students Learn on Their Own

Hodges

The Center for Teaching and Learning presents “Transforming Students into Learners: Helping Students Learn on Their Own,” with Dr. Linda Hodges of the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Hodges will share how teaching methods can help cultivate mindset, motivation and metacognition, supporting students in taking ownership of their own learning and fostering their success.

The event will run from noon to 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 8, in MC 2.410. RSVP by Thursday, Nov. 2.

Comet Cupboard Holding Food-Drive Challenge

The Comet Cupboard and Homecoming Committee have teamed up to challenge faculty and staff to see which department can collect the most nonperishable items. The Comets Can Homecoming Competition runs through Thursday, Nov. 9. The department with the most donations will win a celebratory breakfast.

Needed goods include canned vegetables and fruits, soups, beans, prepackaged meals, cereals, peanut butter, rice, pasta and personal care items. Volunteers will pick up items on Friday, Nov. 10. Register your department for the challenge today. For more information, contact Elissa Colich at 972-883-2950 or [email protected].

Additionally, the Office of Human Resources is collecting cereal, peanut butter and jelly for the Comet Cupboard during November. Drop off items in the collection bins in AD 2.208 and SPN 1.127.

The Comet Cupboard is a student-run initiative that provides food and personal care items to UT Dallas students in need. The cupboard has served more than 6,000 students since it opened. Last year, more than 200 student volunteers dedicated more than 1,600 service hours to its day-to-day operations.

Big Idea Competition Final Pitch Event Set for Nov. 16

Big Idaa Competition

The Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship will host the Final Pitch event for the 2017 Big Idea Competition from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall.

The Big Idea Competition — previously called the Business Idea Competition — is UT Dallas’ largest startup pitch contest. Students will have an opportunity to develop and present their ideas while competing for cash and scholarship prizes.

This year, the event will feature guest judge Guy Kawasaki, former Apple executive, chief evangelist of Canva, brand ambassador for Mercedes-Benz, venture capitalist and best-selling author.

The event is free for faculty and staff, but registration is required. Tickets for preferred seating start at $35 and include a signed copy of Kawasaki’s book, “The Art of the Start 2.0.”

For more information, email Sarah Crowe at [email protected].

Poinsettia Sale, Fundraiser to Benefit Staff Council Scholarships

Pointsettia

The Staff Council’s annual Holiday Poinsettia and Bear Sale will begin Wednesday, Nov. 1. The deadline to order is Wednesday, Nov. 22, for delivery on Tuesday, Nov. 28. Bears can be ordered through Friday, Dec. 15. Purchases benefit the Staff Council Scholarship fund, which awards scholarships to staff members each fall and spring. The poinsettias, which are available in red or white, are $10 each.

The Staff Council also is raising money for its scholarship fund via a car wash. Use the code “2018” at Legends Express Car Wash (628 Coit Road, Plano), and 20 percent of the sale will benefit the scholarship fund. On Saturday, Nov. 11, Legends will host Car Wash Fun Day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and veterans will receive free car washes. Volunteers will grill hot dogs and hand out stickers to customers. Staff members who would like to volunteer can email David Richardson at [email protected].

A tax-deductible donation to the scholarship also can be made here. For more information about donating, contact Anna LeBlanc at [email protected] or 972-883-6023.

Lunch-and-Learn: Faculty Share eLearning Tips

Faculty, staff and teaching and research assistants are invited to an interactive “eLearning Faculty Lunch & Learn,” presented by four faculty members from the Naveen Jindal School of Management.

Dr. Alexander Edsel, Dr. Maria Hasenhuttl, Dr. Dorothée Honhon and Dr. Larry Chasteen will show their online courses and discuss how they leverage eLearning to engage their online students. The session will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9, in JSOM 11.305. Lunch will be provided. RSVP here. For more information, email Roopa Chandrasekhar at [email protected].

Finding Research Money Event Scheduled for Nov. 14

The Office of Research, the Office of Graduate Studies and the Eugene McDermott Library will host a demonstration of Pivot, a ProQuest COS database provided by the University to assist researchers in finding funding opportunities. During the demonstration, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 14, in MC 2.524, attendees will create personalized profiles, which will automatically send targeted funding opportunities to them via email.

The demonstration is open to all students, faculty and staff interested in research funding. Registration is required; to do so, email Stephanie Isham. Visit the library events page for a full upcoming schedule.

Reminders

Fall Commencement Volunteer Registration
Staff members interested in volunteering at the fall commencement ceremonies are invited to sign up online by Friday, Dec. 1. Shifts are available for commencement and Memories on the Mall:

  • Commencement shifts (Friday, Dec. 15, or Saturday, Dec. 16): 7:30 to 11:45 a.m., 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. or all day (7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.).
  • Memories on the Mall shifts (Friday, Dec. 15, or Saturday, Dec. 16): 9:45 to 11 a.m., 12:15 to 1:30 p.m. or 2:45 to 4 p.m.

Volunteers will be contacted to confirm shift scheduling after signing up.

Annual Service Awards Set for Nov. 17
Faculty and staff are invited to attend the annual Employee Service Awards presentation from 2 to 3 p.m., Friday, Nov. 17, in the Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Lecture Hall. The University will honor staff and faculty members who have reached service milestones of five, 10, 20, 30 and 40 years during the 2017 fiscal year. In a separate event, employees who reach their 25-year service anniversary will be inducted into the Quarter Century Club. The Employee Service Awards website lists this year’s recipients. For questions about the website, email [email protected].

UT FLEX Deadlines Approaching
The last day to spend your UT FLEX funds this year is Wednesday, Nov. 15, and the last day to submit claims for reimbursement is Thursday, Nov. 30. Learn more about your accounts, deadlines and available resources on the UT System’s UT Flex Accounts page.

About This Newsletter

Intercom is the official University-wide newsletter for UT Dallas faculty and staff members. This periodic publication is designed to provide University employees with important information necessary for the workplace, as well as community news that supports the University's mission. Guidelines about content and submissions can be found here or contact Stephen Fontenot at [email protected] or ext. 4405.