Story Leads, Upcoming Events, Campus Spotlights and Business Announcements
Compiled by UTEP’s University Communications Office for members of the media
Story Idea:
Ponds are Disappearing in the Arctic
Ponds in the Arctic tundra are shrinking and slowly disappearing, according to a new study by UTEP researchers.
More than 2,800 Arctic tundra ponds in the northern region of Alaska’s Barrow Peninsula were analyzed using historical photos and satellite images taken between 1948 and 2010. Over the 62-year period, the researchers found that the number of ponds in the region had decreased by about 17 percent, while pond size had shrunk by an average of one-third.
The team points to warming temperatures and encroaching plants as one of the reasons the ponds are disappearing. As temperatures rise, nutrient-rich permafrost — a frozen layer of soil — thaws, releasing nutrients into ponds and enhancing plant growth.
Campus Spotlight:
GECU Foundation Supports Higher Education with Gift to UTEP
Crystal Long, chairman of the board of the GECU Foundation, will present $40,000 to UTEP President Diana Natalicio at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 24 in the President’s Conference Room on the 5th floor of UTEP’s Administration Building. The gift for the R.C. Morgan Scholarship Endowment Fund will be used for student scholarships.
Business Announcements:
Roger Gonzalez Inducted into Medical and Biological Engineering Elite
The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has inducted Roger Gonzalez, Ph.D., professor and chair of engineering education and leadership at The University of Texas at El Paso, to its College of Fellows. Gonzalez was nominated, reviewed and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows for his innovation in engineering education and the development of low-cost prosthetics for the developing world.
The College of Fellows is comprised of the top two percent of medical and biological engineers in the country. AIMBE Fellows are regularly recognized for their contributions in teaching, research and innovation.
A formal induction ceremony was held during AIMBE’s 2015 Annual Meeting at the National Academy of Sciences Great Hall in Washington, D.C., on March 16, 2015. Gonzalez was inducted along with 150 colleagues who make up the AIMBE College of Fellows Class of 2015. For more information about the AIMBE Annual Meet, please visit www.aimbe.org.
*Photo available upon request.
Press Events/Photo Opportunities On Campus:
*Please note that UTEP will not hold classes on Tuesday, March 31, in observance of Cesar Chavez Day.
Monday, March 23
Noon
Union Plaza
De-Stress Fest
The Office of Student Life, University Counseling Center and the UTEP Recreational Center present De-Stress Fest. There will be jumbo Jenga, relaxing music, giveaways, stress-relief tips and Jamba Juice samples.
For more information, please contact the Office of Student Life at 915-747-5648 or studentlife@utep.edu.
Please note, the event was originally scheduled for Wednesday, March 18, but was rescheduled to Monday, March 23 due to the weather.
Wednesday, March 25
9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Union Building East
Internship and Part-Time Job Fair
The Internship and Part-Time Job Fair connects students to co-ops, internships and professional positions. Students can go to utep.edu/careers and research the employers in advance.
Thursday, March 26
1:30 p.m.
Blumberg Auditorium, University Library, First Floor
Film Screening – “Rape in the Fields: The Hidden Story of Rape on the Job in America”
As part of the 2015 César Chávez Celebration, The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Chicano Studies will host a film screening of “Rape in the Fields: The Hidden Story of Rape on the Job in America,” a film by Frontline and Univision. For more information, please call 915-747-5462.
7 p.m.
Union Cinema
“The Imitation Game” — “Get Reel” Film Series
The movie “The Imitation Game” is rated PG-13. Tickets are $2 for general admission or $1 with a valid Miner Gold Card.
7:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre
“Esperanza Rising” — Faculty and Staff Night
Written by Lynn Alvarez and directed by Rebecca Rivas, “Esperanza Rising” is taken from the pages of Pam Muñoz Ryan’s beloved children’s novel. Set during the Great Depression, Alvarez adapts this coming-of-age tale for the stage. Esperanza lives a privileged life on her father’s Rancho Linda Flor near the U.S.-Mexico border. But when tragedy strikes, she is forced to cross the border into the United States and become a farm worker on a mariachi-accompanied journey through Aguascalientes, to the fields of California, toward esperanza (hope).
Individual tickets are $13 for adults; $11 for UTEP faculty and staff, seniors, military, non-UTEP students, groups (10+) and UTEP alumni with card; and $9 for UTEP students and children (4-12 years old).
For Faculty and Staff Night, UTEP faculty and staff with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
For more information, please visit www.theatredance.utep.edu or call 915-747-5118.
Friday, March 27
7 p.m.
Union Cinema
“The Imitation Game” — “Get Reel” Film Series
7:30 – 9 p.m.
Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall
El Paso Wind Symphony
The El Paso Wind Symphony will perform in the Fox Fine Arts Recital Hall.
7:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre
Esperanza Rising — Military Night
For Military Night, all military personnel with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
Saturday, March 28
8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Centennial Museum
SunSCAPE 2015
SunSCAPE is a one-day class for gardeners of any level who are interested in using native plants and gardening in harmony with the desert. SunSCAPE 2015 will take place 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Centennial Museum. Presenters include regional horticultural professionals, such as John White, botanical curator of the Chihuahuan Desert Gardens, and Oscar Mestas, West Texas Regional Forester with the Texas Forest Service. Learn useful tips for gardening and take a tour of the beautiful Chihuahuan Desert Gardens.
The class is limited to 25 participants, who are encouraged to bring a sack lunch. Registration is $35. The deadline for registration is 4 p.m. Thursday, March 26, and will take place at the Centennial Museum.
For more information, please call 915-747-8994.
9:30 a.m.
Blumberg Auditorium, University Library, First floor
Film Screening – “After I Pick the Fruit: The Lives of Migrant Women”
As part of the 2015 César Chávez Celebration, The University of Texas at El Paso Department of Chicano Studies will host a film screening of “After I Pick the Fruit: The Lives of Migrant Women,” a documentary by Nancy Ghertner.
For more information, please contact 915-747-5462.
2 and 4 p.m.
Helen of Troy Field
UTEP Women’s Softball vs. Southern Miss
The University of Texas at El Paso’s women’s softball team will take on Southern Mississippi in a conference event double-header.
6 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
The Price of Glory
Several fighters will be featured in a boxing event titled “The Price of Glory” at the Don Haskins Center. For more information, visit www.utepspecialevents.com.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, by calling 915-747-5234, and at the University Ticket Center. Tickets are $20, $30, and $45 plus applicable service charges. Student and military discount are available by calling 915-747-5234 for details.
7 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
Most Wanted — Rescheduled Event
The Most Wanted boxing event has been rescheduled for 7 p.m. Saturday, March 28 at the Don Haskins Center.
In the main event, Carlos Villa will defend his Texas Title. Villa won the Lightweight Texas Title against John Montes in a thrilling fight that went to split decision.
A co-main event pits Antonio Escalante versus an opponent to be announced. Escalante is coming back from a tough loss vs. Miguel Berchelt, which was televised by TV Azteca in Merdia Yucatan.
In the undercard match, Juárez’s Josue Garcia will fight Dereck Lopez from Las Cruces, New Mexico. This fight promises to be full of action with Garcia a strong fighter looking for a knockout and Lopez looking to win by waiting and counter-punching his opponent.
Tim Meeks also is scheduled to fight four rounds. His last fight was versus Frank Lester and ended in a draw after a spectacular battle that had boxing fans cheering for the martial arts instructor Meeks, who resides in the El Paso Boxing and Martial Arts Hall of Fame.
In addition, amateur boxer Ayanna Vasquez of Las Cruces will finally make her pro debut this evening. Ayanna was first introduced into the sport at the young age of six by her father, Rick Vasquez Sr., and her two brothers, Rick Jr. and Adam. Vasquez has so far tackled the 2013 USA Boxing National Championships, Kickboxing 2011 State Championship and the Ringside World Championship 2006 PAL National in Oxnard, California.
Additional matches this evening include Agustin Venegas vs. Jordan Alvarado, Luis “Monstruo” Zavala vs. Ronald Baca and Rick Vasquez vs. Cesar Martinez.
Tickets are available through Ticketmaster.com, by calling 915-747-5234 and at the University Ticket Center. Ticket prices are $15, $25 and $45 plus applicable service charges. Student and military discounts are available, please call 915-747-5234 for more information.
7:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre
Esperanza Rising — El Paso City and County Employee Night
For El Paso City and County Employee Night, all El Paso city and county employees with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
Sunday, March 29
1 p.m.
Helen of Troy Field
UTEP Women’s Softball vs. Southern Miss
The University of Texas at El Paso’s women’s softball team will take on Southern Miss in a conference event.
2:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre
Esperanza Rising — GECU Employee Night
For GECU Employee Night, all GECU employees with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
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