Campus News at UT Dallas

Campus News

News of broad interest to the campus community and general public about UT Dallas and its accomplishments.

UT Dallas Named One of Top 100 Best Values in Public Colleges

The University of Texas at Dallas has been named again as one of the nation’s top 100 best values among public colleges, according to Kiplinger’s Personal Finance magazine. One of only three Texas schools to make the list, UT Dallas was ranked 60th for its high four-year graduation rate, low average student debt at graduation, financial aid, cost and overall value.

University Closed Dec. 21 Through Jan. 2 for Winter Holidays

The University of Texas at Dallas is closed for the winter holidays from Friday, Dec. 21, through Tuesday, Jan. 1. The University reopens for business Wedneday, Jan. 2. Classes get under way for the start of the spring semester on Monday, Jan. 14.

Entrepreneur Encourages Students to Seize Opportunities

Years ago, when Lea Nesbit worked as a short-order cook by morning and a shoe saleswoman by afternoon, she probably never dreamed she’d one day create a startup that would revolutionize the orthodontics industry by producing “invisible” braces. Nesbit, one of a dozen entrepreneurial executives who took part in a C-Suite Dinner at the Naveen Jindal School of Management on Oct. 26, saw an opportunity after wearing braces herself years before. The experience inspired her to find a new approach to straightening teeth that uses proprietary technology to offer innovative orthodontic treatment.

Holiday Sing Continues Campus' Longtime Cultural Tradition

The UT Dallas Chamber Singers, Community Chorale and Wind Ensemble will present the 36th annual Holiday Sing performance this Saturday at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. The free concert, UT Dallas’ oldest continuous cultural tradition, is this year titled, A Mostly Baroque Christmas.

Events Encourage Women, Hispanic Students to Pursue STEM

Two recent events demonstrated the University’s commitment to encouraging women and underrepresented groups to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. The Galerstein Women’s Center recently invited industry professionals to campus to encourage women and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers Pre-College Symposium drew hundreds of students from across the nation.

UT Dallas Hires New VP to Lead Budget and Finance

Terry Pankratz, a university administrator with more than 20 years of experience in business and financial leadership at Texas A & M University, has been named vice president for Budget and Finance at UT Dallas. President David E. Daniel hired Pankratz for the position after a yearlong national search. The position was created last year to place UT Dallas in structural alignment with best practices in place at national research universities.

PhD Program in Mechanical Engineering Set to Debut

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board has approved a doctoral degree program in mechanical engineering at The University of Texas at Dallas, offered in partnership with The University of Texas at Arlington. The program, administered through the Department of Mechanical Engineering in the Erik Jonsson School of Engineering and Computer Science and open for enrollment next semester, will help fulfill a need for continued technology-based economic development in the Dallas area and state.

Regents OK New Residence Hall and Jindal School Expansion

The UT System Board of Regents has given final approval for the design and funding of two major UT Dallas construction projects: a 108,000-square-foot addition to the Naveen Jindal School of Management (JSOM) and a 600-bed Student Housing Living Learning Center. The regents gave the go-ahead for the projects, together valued at $100 million, during their Nov. 15 meeting.

Homecoming Celebrations Color Campus Orange and Green

Comet pride jumped, ran and danced on campus during the University’s four days of Homecoming activities. Students kicked off the celebration by making their own mums and spirit gear on Wednesday, Nov. 14. Later, they laced up their running shoes and donned glow-in-the-dark gear for a 5K race around campus.

Chess Team Aims for Third Straight Win at Pan-American

The UT Dallas chess team is gearing up for one of the season’s biggest tournaments: The Pan-American Intercollegiate Team Chess Championship, known as “The World Series of Chess.” The tournament is Dec. 27-30 at Princeton University. Since 2000, the chess team has won the championship or tied for first nine times. Last year, the team went undefeated to claim the top spot for a second-straight year.

Campus PeopleSoft Data Systems to be Down Temporarily for Maintenance

Necessary maintenance work on all PeopleSoft applications, including eProcurement, will result in a planned, temporary service outage for those campus systems this weekend. Log in to Galaxy and see “Information and Updates” for details.

Robot Contest Showcases Technical, Creative Abilities

Boisterous crowds, pep bands and school mascots are staples of athletic events, but they found a different point of pride at a recent event that placed science and engineering at the center of attention. UT Dallas recently sponsored and hosted the 2012 Texas BEST Regional Robotics Championship.

Dallas Fed Chief Answers the Money Questions for Scholars

Richard Fisher, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas, told 220 business leaders visiting campus that he was confident in the state’s recovery as well as the University’s quest to become a national research university.

Comet Spirit Will Be on Display Homecoming Week

UT Dallas prepares for a celebration of Comet spirit during four days jam-packed with festivities during Homecoming 2012, Nov. 14-17. The 19th annual event will feature a coronation dance, parade and picnic, late-night float building, cardboard boat races, a 5K run, spirit rally and a women’s basketball game.

Inclement Weather and Emergency Closing Procedures at The University of Texas at Dallas

The University of Texas at Dallas is open for normal business operations and scheduled instructional activities unless indicated otherwise on the UT Dallas home page. All employees and students are expected to exercise individual judgment regarding their ability to travel safely to campus when the campus is open and inclement weather is in the area. They are not expected to place travel for work or class attendance above their individual health and safety.

New Partnership to Redefine Confucius Institute

The UT Dallas Confucius Institute has forged a new partnership with Southeast University in Nanjing, China, that will help redefine the Institute as a home to creative connections, a place where arts, technology, culture and language meet. “The new partnership has inspired us to promote the teaching of Chinese language and culture through the cutting edge disciplines of arts and technology, emerging media and communication,” said Dr. Ming Dong Gu, director of the UT Dallas Confucius Institute.

UT Dallas Surges Ahead in World University Rankings

The University of Texas at Dallas has risen 87 spots in Times Higher Education’s recently released “World University Rankings,” reflecting strides in the University’s quest to become a national research university.

Landscape Artist Keeps Campus Decorated With Color

Even the most casual visitor to UT Dallas couldn’t miss the bursts of fall color recently added around the major thoroughfares on campus. That’s the handiwork of landscape supervisor Jay Jascott and his crew who keep UT Dallas blooming with nearly constant color. During spring and fall, the crew adds nearly 25,000 seasonal flowers along the mall, at the entrance roads and in main flower beds across campus.

BBS Fair to Showcase Child and Family Research Labs

UT Dallas’ Center for Children and Families will host a research fair on Nov. 8, offering the campus community and visitors a chance to learn about recent research and ongoing investigations. The fair is free, and attendees will be able to talk with the School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences faculty members and students who oversee and work in the research labs studying development in infancy, early childhood, middle childhood, adolescence and young adulthood. Nearly 300 people visited the fair in 2011, the first year of what will now be an annual event.

Guitar Mentor Jack Petersen to Bring Jazz Stylings to UT Dallas

The School of Arts and Humanities at UT Dallas has scheduled an evening of jazz featuring guitar maestro and mentor Jack Petersen. The concert is Friday, Nov. 2 at 8:00 p.m. in the Jonsson Perf. Hall. Petersen is a renowned pioneer in jazz education. He helped design guitar studies programs at the Berklee School of Music and The University of North Texas.

President Outlines Strategy of Strong, Steady Growth

President David E. Daniel expressed confidence Tuesday that UT Dallas will reach its goal of becoming a national research university within a few years with continued growth in two areas: recruitment of stellar students and top-notch faculty. He said steady growth – with special emphasis on maintaining the University’s quality standards – will boost all other measures that are considered markers of the nation’s best universities.

Sci-Fi and Fantasy Writer John Crowley Plans Lecture

The School of Arts and Humanities has scheduled a talk from award-winning science fiction and fantasy writer John Crowley. The lecture begins Tuesday, Oct. 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall. “In the world of science fiction and fantasy writers, John Crowley is one of the greatest in the 20th century. In my opinion, his work Little, Big is the finest fantasy novel ever written by an American,” said Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean of the School of Arts and Humanities.

Photos, Speeches Mark Heartfelt Ceremonies

See more photos of the honorees during The University of Texas at Dallas' recent invesiture ceremonies.

Guitarist to Take Listeners on a Tour of Cities Through Music

The School of Arts and Humanities, in collaboration with Alliance Francaise of Dallas, has scheduled a concert from Parisian guitarist Thibault Cauvin. On Friday, Oct. 26 at 8 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall, Cauvin will present Cities, a concert that depicts various cities through music. “Concert after concert, ever since my adolescence, I have had the chance to travel the world. Many of the cities that I passed through have left a profound impression on me. With my guitar, I have chosen to put these cities into music,” said Cauvin.

School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics Celebrates Its Roots

In 1962, a group of distinguished scientists arrived in North Dallas to undertake an ambitious experiment – to build a “Community of Scholars” in the Southwest to conduct fundamental research and provide graduate-level education in science and mathematics. Their endeavors formed the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest, a precursor to the University of Texas at Dallas. The first research divisions were atmospheric and space sciences, geosciences, and mathematics and mathematical physics. These soon were followed by a division devoted to molecular science and genetics. Together these programs formed the core that would become the university’s School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics.

Classical Guitarist to Bring Sounds of Spain to UT Dallas Campus

Spanish classical guitarist Rubén Parejo will bring music from his home country to UT Dallas on Friday, Oct. 19. The concert is at 8 p.m. in the Jonsson Performance Hall. Parejo will perform the music of Dionisio Aguado, a composer from Madrid, and the works of Joaquín Rodrigo of Valencia, among others.

Author Offers Cure for Lingering Crisis in Investor Confidence

After witnessing a parade of corporate implosions, accounting scandals, stock option manipulations and executive compensation excesses, still-cautious investors need clear, honest communication from corporate managers and boards of directors to restore trust. But despite reforms, relationships between corporations and their shareholders are still tenuous, says Dr. Baruch Lev, professor of accounting and finance at New York University’s Stern School of Business. Lev spoke to C-suite officers and board members at the UT Dallas Jindal School of Management on Oct. 4 at the 10th annual corporate governance conference. The event was hosted by the school’s Institute for Excellence in Corporate Governance.

Free Flu Shots Available for UT Dallas Faculty and Staff

The UT Dallas Wellness Committee is offering flu shots on site Oct. 17-18 for faculty and staff who have UT Select health insurance. The flu immunizations are provided at no cost for employees with Blue Cross/Blue Shield or another insurance recognized by Mollen Immunization Clinics; others will be charged $25 per flu shot. UT Dallas employees who would like a flu shot are encouraged to pre-register online using the password “Dallas.” Walk-ins are also accepted, but shots are limited and will be given on a first-come, first-served basis.

University and UT System Join edX Online Learning Initiative

UT Dallas President David E. Daniel joined with UT System colleagues Monday in announcing a joint venture between the EdX online nonprofit learning initiative and the UT System. edX, a non-profit learning initiative started by Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, creates online learning designed for interactive, web-based study. The UT System Board of Regents approved the partnership Monday morning.

Family Day to Draw Parents, Siblings to Campus

A big turnout is expected at Family Day at UT Dallas this weekend. Parents and siblings enjoy a visit to campus, where they learn about their student's campus life, meet other families and enjoy several entertaining events.

Texas Poet Laureate Headlines A&H Speaker Events

The state's poet laureate will talk about writing, and other guest speakers will discuss such subjects as women in China and collaborations between museums and academia in separate lectures this week scheduled by the School of Arts and Humanities. All events are free and open to the public.

New Career Center Director Helps Students Find Paths in Life

The new director of the University’s Career Center aims to help students find their callings through skills assessments and counseling, support for their choices through networking, mock interviews, job postings and career expos. The key, she tells students, is to discover what they are passionate about.

ALTA Awards Recognize Excellence in Skillful Art of Translation

The American Literary Translators Association, which is housed at UT Dallas, presented top awards to two separate collections of poetry at its annual conference held in Rochester, New York this week.

McDermott Library Plans Readings of Famous Banned Books

Many readers have opened the pages of a book that at one time had been banned or challenged.The list includes the seemingly harmless Huckleberry Finn and Harry Potter as well as the coming-of-age novel A Separate Peace. As a part of the American Library Association’s 30th Anniversary Banned Books Week, Eugene McDermott Library at The University of Texas at Dallas has organized readings by faculty, administrators and students of notable banned or challenged books.

Acclaimed Guitarist Brings 'The Butterfly Lovers' to Campus

The School of Arts and Humanities and the UT Dallas Asia Center have scheduled a concert from internationally acclaimed guitarist Xuefei Yang. On Friday, Sept. 28, at 8 p.m. in the Clark Center, Yang will perform original arrangements of classical pieces, including The Butterfly Lovers by Chinese composers He Zhanhao and Chen Gang.

Center Helps Families Kick Off School Year with Jeans Giveaway

The UT Dallas Center for Children and Families helped equip local families for the long school year ahead, giving away free jeans and expert advice during a recent event. Faculty, staff members, and students handed out 600 pairs of jeans to families at the Grauwyler Park public library in Dallas and also provided information and tips for parents to best support their children's success in school. read more

Career Expo Helps Students Network With Company Recruiters

The University was a draw for corporate recruiters last week at the fall Career Expo, where nearly 1,900 UT Dallas students and alumni networked with 350 corporate recruiters from about 100 companies. Recruiters praised the caliber of students at UT Dallas, describing them as "smart" and "focused."

Negotiations Center Announces Behavioral Research Seminars

The Negotiations Center has announced the schedule for its fall semester Behavioral Research Seminar Series, a program of weekly talks that includes experimental and behavioral economists, social and cognitive psychologists, and researchers on the behavioral side of marketing, management, operations, and accounting and information systems. The series kicks off on Sept. 24.

Executive MBA Program Starts Year with New Leadership

The Executive MBA program at the Naveen Jindal School of Management celebrates its 20th anniversary this fall with new leadership. Pamela Foster Brady, the new program director, has returned to the Jindal School after graduating from the Executive MBA Class of 2011. read more

Time to Swing: One O'Clock Lab Band to Bring Jazz to Campus

The One O’Clock Lab Band, the premier performing ensemble of the University of North Texas jazz studies program, will perform in the Clark Center on Friday, Sept. 21 at 8 p.m. With six Grammy nominations and a library of over fifty critically acclaimed recordings to date, the Band is noted for exceptional individual musicianship and tight ensemble performance. Steve Wiest, Grammy-nominated composer and arranger, is director of the Band.

Technology Commercialization Chief Earns Tech Titan Award

Robert Robb, associate vice president for technology commercialization at the University of Texas at Dallas, has received a 2012 Tech Titan Award from the Metroplex Technology Business Council, the largest technology trade association in Texas.Robb received the Tech Titan Technology Advocate award for his leadership of the Office of Technology Commercialization (OTC), a division of the Office of Research charged with moving viable UT Dallas research and technology from the laboratory to the marketplace. read more

New Center Connects University with Asia

The University is celebrating the arrival of a new center intended to build bonds between UT Dallas and the cultures and communities of Asia. The Asia Center aims to integrate science, technology, engineering, culture and commerce to connect with the peoples of Asia. Through educational programs, research projects and community outreach, the center seeks to create partnerships across many cultures.

New Transportation Options Make it Easier to Get Around

Alternative transportation programs at UT Dallas are making it easier than ever to get around campus and the surrounding community without owning a car.Using bikes, buses and car-sharing programs is becoming more appealing, given increasing fuel prices, limited on-campus parking and a campus that’s mostly pedestrian-friendly.

Arts Schedule Offers Music of the Baroque, Dance from India

The School of Arts and Humanities schedule of events this week spans genres, centuries and continents. Events include a classical music performance, an art exhibit opening and an Indian dance festival. read more

Center for U.S.-Mexico Studies to Host Lecture Series

The Mexican presidential elections, Carlos Fuentes’ literature and the use of technology to understand Mexican culture will be among the topics discussed at The Center for U.S. – Mexico Studies’ 12th annual Lecture Series at The University of Texas at Dallas. The series begins Thursday, Sept. 6.

Students Start Year With Food, Games and Danceable Grooves

Welcome Week has been packed with activities every day of the week, from the ceremonial convocation to the groovin’ Silent Disco to a zany flash mob under the trellis. The events are designed to welcome new freshmen and transfer students, but it’s a good time and lots of free food for the whole campus. The week that takes months of planning and preparation came of beautifully under perfect sunny skies as the cosmos was kind to the Comets. Whoosh!

Tsunami Survivors to Perform Ancient Japanese Dance

The Shishi-Odori Dance Group – hailing from Minamisanriku, Japan, which was hit by a 52-foot tsunami in 2011 – will be performing at the Clark Center at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 1. The dancers’ homes were destroyed, friends and family members lost. They were forced to live as refugees in neighboring cities, but the dance group members were determined to keep their dance alive.

UT Dallas Sports Media Operation Named Tops in Conference

UT Dallas has received the Sports Information Department of the Year award from the American Southwest Conference for the 2011-12 academic season. Bruce Unrue, associate athletic director of media relations and sports information director, and Dave Wester, assistant athletic director of media relations, comprise the department. Student workers also help in various capacities during home events.

The Whoosh: A Sign of Comet Spirit Has Become Campus Tradition

It’s somewhat silly, somewhat celestial, and all about spirit. The Whoosh is UT Dallas’ signature sign, an understood language between Comets. Check out the official technique and learn how it all started. read more

Food Truck to Expand Dining Options on Campus

UT Dallas will have a new on-campus dining option when its first food truck rolls out the first day of classes. The curbside menu will feature burger sliders, an assortment of ethnic sandwiches in pocket bread and Asian wraps. The food truck will be parked at one of several locations on campus, depending on the time of day. read more

Text size: