University Collective

 

Dr. Javier Arjona, professor of physics and engineering, has instituted a new format for the Senior Design course in engineering management, where students provide consulting and problem solving to industry customers, with rigorous timelines and decision gates. He wrote a journal article on this structured approach, which is employed across Monterrey, Mexico, and he has now brought it to UIW.

Dr. William Carleton, Dr. Timothy Henrich and Dr. Gregory Soukup professors of kinesiology presented “Overcoming Teacher Burnout,” during the Texas Association for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance Summer Conference in San Marcos, Texas in July.

Chemistry professors Dr. Julian Davis, Dr. Kate Edelman, and Dr. Brian McBurnett, conducted the department of chemistry’s annual Welch Summer Research Program with the support of collaborators Dr. Adeola Grillo and Dr. Donald Sikazwe, assistant professors in the Feik School of Pharmacy.

Dr. Paul Messina, associate professor of mathematics, has been invited by colleagues in Pretoria, South Africa, to collaborate on research in statistics education. Initial work will focus on joint development of a service course.

On Oct. 1, Dr. Alison Whittemore, assistant professor in engineering and physics, and Daniel Potter, director of the UIW Solar House, earned UIW’s Solar “House of CARDS” acceptance as part of Solar San Antonio’s 2011 Tour. Only a limited number of sites are included each year. The house is currently prepared to apply for, “platinum,” the highest possible Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

Dr. Alakananda Chaudhuri, associate professor of chemistry, and Dr. Bonnie McCormick, associate professor of biology, received continuation funding in the amount of $27,000 for their Teacher Quality grant work, enhancing science experience and instruction for in-service San Antonio teachers.

In addition to attending three genetics conferences during the summer, Dr. Christy MacKinnon, professor of biology, was also invited to participate at the National Study of Education in Undergraduate Science: Research Based Undergraduate Teaching, held at the University of Alabama-Tuscaloosa in June 2011.

During the summer, Dr. Ana Vallor, assistant professor of biology, and Dr. Helen Smith, assistant professor in the Feik School of Pharmacy, visited the Texas Biomedical Research Institute Department of Genetics to discuss educational outreach and research collaboration.

At the August meeting of the Society of Social Problems in Las Vegas, Dr. Lydia Andrade, political science professor presented “Cracking the Glass Ceiling in Higher Education.”

Dr. Gilberto Hinojosa, professor of history, has been working on The Chicanos and the Catholic Church Oral History Project. The project was recently awarded a grant of $5,700 from the Conference for Religious for Hispanic Ministry.

Dr. Patricia Lonchar, assistant dean in the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, and Dr. Timothy Milinovich, assistant professor of religious studies, were on a panel discussion celebrating the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible at the University Presbyterian Church Source of Light (SoL) Center in San Antonio.

Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, CCVI, professor of religious studies, presented, “Deconstructing Stereotypes of Iraqis, Listening to Voices of Families” at the Dialog of Civilizations Platform 2011, “Us and Them: Constructing the ‘Other’ and Pathways for Dialog,” at the Istanbul Conference Center in Houston. Kirk’s exhibit, “Iraqi Women of Three Generation: Challenges, Education, and Hopes for Peace,” was also shown at the Turquoise Center in Houston September 18-24.

William Gokelman, professor of music and Lena Gokelman, director of music ministry, co-presented “Music as an Instrument of Unity in the Sacred Liturgy,” a workshop on October 29 using the Mass of Renewal composed by Bill and David Kauffman. Archdiocesan officials have approved this mass in San Antonio, and several parishes are introducing it to their congregations.

Margaret Mitchell, professor of theatre arts, attended the Prague Quadrennial, International Theatre Design Competition and Conference, June 14-25, in Prague Czech Republic. The Prague Quadrennial is the major international competition for stage design and theatre architecture. She had a book signing for “Making the Scene” and was invited to give a talk on June 19. She is also conducting research at the baroque Castle Theatre at Cesky Krumlov where she is studying the extant wardrobe from the 1740’s.

Mark Stringham, assistant professor of theatre arts, was nominated and accepted a position on the Alamo Theatre Arts Council Committee.

Dr. Héctor Pérez, associate professor of English, served as moderator for “An Evening with Author John Phillip Santos,” in a program at the Source of Light (SoL) Center at University Presbyterian Church in San Antonio.

Kathy Vargas, associate professor of art, was part of a delegation of Texas artists who, along with a Chicago curator, were sent to speak about and exhibit their work at Buenos Aires’ OSDE Foundation Gallery in June. The exhibit was organized by the Smithsonian’s Latino Center and supported by an invitation from the State Department and the U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.

Dr. Lopita Nath, professor of history, spoke about the role of women as peacemakers, at the New Creations Christian Fellowship Women’s Sister’s luncheon, “A Mile in Her Shoes.”

Dr. Caroline Goulet, director of the physical therapy program, was interviewed for the American Physical Therapy Association article, “Cultural Competence and the Changing Patient/Client Population.”

Dr. Roger Barnes, professor and chair in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, made a presentation and facilitated a discussion on the book “Academically Adrift,” at UIW’s Mabee Library. Barnes also presented, “The Finck Cigar Strikes in San Antonio and the Communal Conscience of Mexican Women in Defense of their Labor rights,” a paper he coauthored with Basil Aivaliotis, at the Sixth Annual International Conference on Interdisciplinary Social Sciences in July at the University of New Orleans.

In September, Dr. James Creagan, director of the Center for International Studies, attended meetings in Indiana with the University of Notre Dame Advisory Council for Latin America. Creagan discussed ideas on student learning in Latin America and Cuba. UIW will exchange experiences on the university’s study in Cuba and other areas as well.

James Borders, assistant professor in the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, was selected as one of the top three finalists to present his work to the National Endowment of the Arts and the Shreveport Regional Arts Council for future consideration for public spaces.

“Building an Intentional Culture of Social Justice: Increasing Understanding and Competence in the Curriculum,” an article by Dr. Robert Connelly, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, and Dr. Denise Doyle, UIW Provost, has been published in the Journal of Catholic Higher Education.

Dr. Glenn Ambrose, assistant professor of religious studies, was advised in July that Horizons, the journal he published in last year, was awarded first place in the category “General Excellence: Scholarly Magazines” by the Catholic Press Association. The citation stated, “If universities are where the Church does its thinking, the theologians who teach and write the articles for this journal of the College Theology Society, provide evidence of some of the more significant, difficult and profound thinking about serious matters that face the Church and globe today.”

Rita Russ, dean of UIW’s Virtual University, was selected as a DiversityFIRST™ Award Winner presented by the Texas Diversity Council. She was honored in the individual achievement category for her dedication and continuing commitment to corporate and community events promoting mutual respect, acceptance, cooperation or tolerance. Russ received her award at the council’s annual DiversityFIRST™ Awards Luncheon, held Oct., 19 at The Club at Sonterra. The theme for this year’s luncheon was “Embracing Inclusion: Education in a World of Differences. “The Texas Diversity Council established the DiversityFIRST™ Awards Initiative in 2004, to recognize and commend organizations and individuals for their support of diversity and inclusion in the workplace.