Founding Faculty Member Retires after 50 Years

Dr. John Hoffman
UT Dallas President Richard C. Benson was among those who honored Dr. John Hoffman (right) during a retirement ceremony last month.

Dr. John Hoffman, a professor of physics who was one of the founding faculty members at UT Dallas, retired March 31 after 50 years of teaching, research and service.

Hoffman has been building scientific instruments for satellites, planetary missions and other space probes since he joined the Graduate Research Center of the Southwest in 1966. The center became UT Dallas in 1969. In addition to teaching, he also served as head of the Department of Physics, associate dean of the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, and associate dean for undergraduate education. Read More.

Recipient of New Arts Award to Present Lecture Series

The Richard Brettell Award in the Arts
Peter Walker, who designed the ongoing campus enhancement project at the University, is the first recipient of the Richard Brettell Award in the Arts.

Join UT Dallas in recognizing landscape architect Peter Walker, the first recipient of the Richard Brettell Award in the Arts, as he visits campus April 10-14 to accept the honor.

Founder of PWP Landscape Architecture, Walker designed the ongoing campus enhancement at UT Dallas and the Nasher Sculpture Center. His other projects include the National September 11 Memorial in New York, which he designed with Michael Arad.

Established in 2016 with an endowment from Mrs. Margaret McDermott, the award consists of a $150,000 prize and a week’s residence on campus and in Dallas. The events next week include three public talks:

Before the Memorial: Toward a Landscape of Commemoration
Tuesday, April 11, 4 p.m.
Edith O’Donnell Arts and Technology Building, Lecture Hall

Envisioning a Future Arts Complex at UT Dallas
(with Peter Walker, Dr. Richard Brettell and Gary Cunningham)
Wednesday, April 12, 5 p.m.
Nasher Sculpture Center, Lecture Hall

Rebuilding Campus: The University Landscape
Thursday, April 13, 2 p.m.
Student Services Building Addition, SSBA 13.330

All events are free and open to the public.

University Names New Vice President for Information Technology

Frank Feagans

Frank Feagans has been promoted to vice president for information technology and chief information officer at UT Dallas.

Previously an associate vice president for information technology, Feagans has 35 years of experience in IT. He reports to President Richard C. Benson and is responsible for the overall leadership of the Office of Information Technology, which includes infrastructure services, enterprise application services, networking and telecommunication services, and technology customer services. Read More

Northside Dedication, Groundbreaking Ceremonies Scheduled

Northside

The Office of Administration will host a ribbon-cutting and dedication ceremony for Northside Phase I and a groundbreaking for Northside Phase II on Thursday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m. at 3000 Northside Blvd. Northside retailers will host informational booths, and free food and giveaways will be available while supplies last.

Earth Week Events Begin April 17

The Office of Student Volunteerism and the Office of Sustainability will host Earth Week from April 17 to 21 to celebrate sustainability and environmental practices through interactive and educational events. All events are on campus and open to students, faculty and staff. Special events include a faculty panel on sustainability and research at 6 p.m. Tuesday, April 18, in TI Auditorium, and the Earth Fair on the South Mall from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, April 20. The fair features several booths, giveaways and sustainable food for purchase from Dining Services’ Pop Up Farmers’ Market. Read More

Callier Prize Conference to Recognize Renowned Researcher

Sharon G Kujawa

The Callier Center for Communication Disorders will host its biennial Callier Prize Conference on Friday, April 21. Dr. Sharon G. Kujawa, a clinician and auditory neuroscientist whose research has contributed to the field’s understanding of acquired hearing loss, will offer the keynote address and receive the Callier Prize in Communication Disorders.

The prize recognizes individuals for their leadership in fostering scientific advances and significant developments in the diagnosis and treatment of communication disorders.

Kujawa is an associate professor of otology and laryngology at Harvard Medical School. She is the director of audiology research and a senior scientist in the Eaton-Peabody Laboratories at the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary in Boston. The conference, titled “Hearing Loss: Hidden Injury, Improved Diagnosis and Management,” will be from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Room J108 at Callier Dallas. Contact Linda Sensibaugh at 214-905-3003 for more information.

Wi-Fi Roaming Service Now Available for University Users

Students, faculty and staff can now use eduroam (education roaming), which offers users from participating academic institutions secure wireless internet access at any eduroam location. UT Dallas users can access networks at participating institutions with their NetID and password.

Before using the service, users will need to install the eduroam automatic configuration tool on their computers. When using eduroam at other institutions, they must put “@utdallas.edu” in the username. Learn more at utdallas.edu/oit/howto/eduroam or eduroam.us.

Sign Up for a Wellness Lunch-and-Learn

The Wellness Committee will host an Emotional Intelligence Lunch-and-Learn on Thursday, April 13, from noon to 1 p.m. in JSOM 11.214 and 11.218. Terry Cartwright, manager of training and organizational development in Human Resources, will lead the presentation, which is focused on the competitive advantages emotional intelligence offers and ways to incorporate it into your career and your life. For more information, email Nora Pena.

Get a 40 Percent Family Discount for Coding Camps

The Center for Computer Science Education & Outreach will offer more than 100 weeklong summer coding camps starting Monday, June 5, for children in grades 6-12 at UT Dallas. The center will offer coding camps for elementary school children at offsite locations.

The cost for full-day camps is $275 per week. Half-day camps cost $140 per week. Immediate family members of UT Dallas faculty, staff and students can use the promotional code UTDFAMILY during registration for a 40 percent discount. For more information, email [email protected].

Office of Student Volunteerism Holds Soap, Shampoo Drive

This month, the Office of Student Volunteerism will be collecting new and unopened hygiene items to benefit the Human Rights Initiative. Items such as shampoo, toothpaste, lotion, body wash and feminine products are especially needed.

Collection bins will be in the OSV office (SSA 14.431T), the McDermott Library lobby, the first-floor lobby of the Student Union, and the second-floor lobby near the elevators in the Administration Building. Donations will be accepted through Friday, April 28.

McDermott Library Schedules Workshops

The Eugene McDermott Library offers workshops to staff members. They are held at the library in MC 2.524. Register online. Upcoming offerings include:

More workshops are available on the library events page.

Reminders

Commencement Ceremony Volunteers
Staff members interested in volunteering at the Spring 2017 Commencement Ceremonies and Memories on the Mall are invited to sign up online by Friday, April 28. Volunteers will be contacted to confirm shift scheduling after signing up.

Register for Innovation and Technology Summit on May 16
The Office of Information Technology will host the second annual Innovation and Technology Summit on Tuesday, May 16, in Hoblitzelle Hall. The focus of the summit is research, teaching, learning and tech support at UT Dallas. Space is limited, so register today. For more information, call 972-883-6678 or email [email protected].

Share Your Feedback with Dining Services
UT Dallas Dining Services is seeking feedback from faculty, staff and students. Share your experience by completing a brief survey online or by texting SUUT to 99299.

UT Dallas Day at the Practice Tee
Leading up to the 24th Annual UT Dallas Scholarship Tournament, the Practice Tee will host UT Dallas Day on Friday, April 7, from 5 to 8 p.m. Students, faculty and staff are invited to enjoy free food, drinks and the use of the facility’s golf clubs, putting green, par-3 course and driving range.

SPN Wellness Center Offering Open House and New Fitness Classes
The SPN Wellness Center (SPN 1.700) will hold a Spring into Fitness Open House on Thursday, April 6, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. For more information, visit the wellness website.

Deadline for Submitting Pay/Job Changes to HR is April 14
Friday, April 14, is the deadline for submitting requests to Human Resources for a staff reclassification, promotion, market/equity adjustments or one-time merit raise for a Sept. 1 effective date. To submit a request, complete a Position Review and Request form and include justification for action. If requesting a promotion, fill out and attach the Staff Promotion Assessment form and all applicable documents. Please send your request(s) to [email protected]. For additional information, consult the Compensation Standards & Practices page.

Office of Research Seminars and Events

 

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 Marc Johnson at [email protected] or ext. 4996.