UT Tyler Magazine - AROUND CAMPUS Fall 2008

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AROUND CAMPUS

Chemistry Professor Receives Grant

Dr. Tanya Shtoyko with students Dr.Tanya Shtoyko, UT Tyler assistant professor of chemistry, received a two-year grant from the Research Corporation to investigate surface-enhanced fluorescence. Collaborating with the University of North Texas Health Science Center, Dr. Shtoyko will investigate surface-enhanced fluorescence on different substrates and in microcavities. UT Tyler undergraduate students Abby Roth of Wills Point and Khady Camara of Dakar, Senegal, will assist. “We will develop gold and silver nano-deposits as well as fractal-like structures for fluorescence biosensing,’’ Dr. Shtoyko said. “This is primary research that will hopefully lead to the development of electrochemical and optical sensors for environmental and medical applications.” The Research Corporation is a foundation for the advancement of science.

Patterson Named VP of Student Affairs

Dr. Howard Patterson has been appointed UT Tyler vice president for student affairs. Dr. Patterson, who became interimvice president in July 2007, succeeds Dr. Dale Lunsford, who is the current president at LeTourneau University. Dr. Patterson comes to the position after serving as assistant vice president for student affairs and external relations/ athletic director since 2006. He has been with UT Tyler for seven years. Under Dr. Patterson’s leadership, student affairs established a nationally recognized NCAA Division III athletic program, consisting of 15 men’s and women’s sports and capturing 17 conference titles. He also has overseen and coordinated many of the current student affairs enhancements, including design and construction of the Herrington Patriot Center and Citizens 1st Bank/Perkins Soccer Complex and renovation of the Summers Tennis Center. He was involved in planning, construction and implementation of the University Clinic for student health care and the University Center addition. “Dr. Patterson will be a great asset to our administration,’’ President Rodney Mabry said. “The expertise and institutional knowledge that he brings to the position will help us remain on course as we continue to enhance student affairs through existing programs and the development of new ones."

Fos Appointed Provost/VP of Academic Affairs

Dr. Peter Fos Dr. Peter J. Fos has been appointed provost and vice president of academic affairs at UT Tyler. Dr. Fos previously served four years as dean of the University of Southern Mississippi College of Health and was a tenured professor in the Department of Community Health Sciences. He succeeds Dr. Richard Osburn, who retired in May. “It is a pleasure to welcome Dr. Fos to UT Tyler,’’ President Rodney Mabry said. “We thank Rick Osburn for four years of outstanding service to this university and laying the groundwork for Peter to lend his exceptional talents and expertise to continuing our growth. Dr. Fos has had a successful tenure as dean of USM’s College of Health. He has built the size, reputation and research success of that college while continuing his own research and publication in the area of managerial epidemiology in health care administration,’’ the president added. Dr. Fos is the principle author of a best-selling textbook, “Designing Health Care for Populations: Applied Epidemiology in Health Care Administration.’’

Palestine Students Elected to TNSA Board

student reading Two nursing students at the UT Tyler Palestine Campus have been elected to serve on the Texas Nursing Student Association Board of Directors for 2008-09. Ellerson F. Pork ofGunBarrelCity is serving a one-year term as president. Charles R. Dunnahoe of Wortham is serving as vice-president. They were elected during the association’s annual conference. It was the first time students from the same university were elected to the top two state offices. TNSA representsmore than 3,000 student nurses from across the state preparing for initial licensure as registered nurses.

University Mission Statement Approved

UT Tyler’s mission statement, defining what the university hopes to achieve, was recently approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. THECB reviews mission statements from public universities every four years. “The mission statement not only defines the essence of what UT Tyler is, but also defines our goals, philosophy and values,” said President Rodney Mabry. UT Tyler’s goal is to be nationally recognized for its high quality education in the professions and in the humanities, arts and sciences. To accomplish the goal, students are taught to think critically, act with honesty and integrity and demonstrate proficiency in leadership, communication skills and the use of technology. Students, according to the mission, also will graduate having a greater understanding and appreciation of human diversity and the global nature of society. For the complete UT Tyler mission statement, visit www.uttyler.edu.

Phi Kappa Phi Honor Society

Fifty-seven charter members were inducted into the UT Tyler chapter of the Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi. Founded in 1897, Phi Kappa Phi is the nation’s oldest, largest and most selective all-discipline honor society. Membership is by invitation to the top 7.5 percent of second-semester juniors and the top 10 percent of seniors and graduate students. UT Tyler students inducted were Julie Arteaga, Tammy Barbey, Clayton Barnett, Jamie Bitzenhofer, Matthew Bledsoe, Eric Buess, Martha Canfield, Jonathan Canion, Debra Carter, Chrispin Chifwepa, Erin Clary, Alanna Cobb, Jessica Cohen, Miki Cornett, Reuben Cowan, John Delaune, Chelsea Dougherty, Kathy Drinning, Gregory Durant, Akasha Eaton, Alexis Fillmore, Charlene Fowler, Miguel Gaona, Jane Graham, Nathan Guillory, Hannah Halladay, Alana Hogg, Janis Hollenshead, Nichol Hopkins, Kristin Hudgins, Nancy Lamouroux, Marissa Mason, Tiffney Meza, Pamela Minter, Jennifer Mitis, Kyle Monday, Brenda Murrell, William Murrell, Tracy O’Daniel, Lindsay Owen, Kimberli Partin, Seth Potts, Clinton Redfern, Kristopher Rivera, Cindy Rutledge, Susan Savage, Danielle Sellers, Linda Sheridan, Melissa Smith, Nate Smith, Evan Strube, Laura Strube, Hope Ude, Jenny Woodle, Carolyn Wyatt, Tammy Young and Nicole Youngblood.

Don King ‘Only in America’ Scholarship Recipients

Scholarship Recipients
UT Tyler has developed an agreement that will help students graduate on time and receive a $600 tuition rebate. The university’s timely graduation contract is designed to help first-time freshmen meet requirements for graduation in a four-year period. Students who satisfy all of the conditions of the contract and graduate on time will be guaranteed a one-time $600 graduate-on-time tuition rebate. Freshmen who choose to enter into the agreement must enroll in a minimum of 15 semester credit hours each fall and spring semester, maintain an overall C average, be willing to enroll in specific courses even if they are not offered at preferred times and attend summer school if the degree requires more than 120 hours or if they fall behind in academic progress. “Our goal is to help students stay on track, so they will be required to consecutively enroll in and successfully complete their minimum 15 hours each semester, complete a degree plan by the end of their second semester, meet with academic advisers at least once a semester and declare a major by the end of their second semester,” said Dr. Muthukrishnan Sathyamoorthy, UT Tyler associate provost for academic affairs. For more information, contact the UT Tyler Office of Academic Advising, 903.565.5718.

Community Leaders to Oversee Minority Affairs Council

Community Leaders Garland Scholarship recipients for 2007-08 were recognized during the UT Tyler Longview University Center’s first endowed scholarship luncheon. Longview residents Neal and Peggy Garland established a $500,000 endowment for deserving students. Garland Scholarships are awarded to Longview students who attend either the Longview or Tyler campus. Scholarship recipients recognized during the luncheon were Melissa Arroyo, Tamara Brown, Kyia Burns, Ludie Karen Cook, Angella Ewing, Evelyn Green, LaDonna M. Hill, Alicia Jackson, Anthony Jenkins, Jennifer Lake, Tamara Langley, Linda Marroquin, Tiffany McGuire, Amanda Montgomery, Rita O’Rear, Shannon Silvas, Michelle Slaback, Stephanie Smith, Carla Standly, Amanda L. Wheeler and Gail Yarbrough. “The Neal and Peggy Garland Scholarship Fund returns about $25,000 each year for Longview students, and we are pleased to meet each current recipient and give them the opportunity to express their gratitude to Neal and Peggy,’’ UT Tyler President Rodney Mabry said in reference to the luncheon. “We look forward to making this an annual event.’’

New Director of Student Life, Leadership

Ona Tolliver has been named director of the UT Tyler Office of Student Life and Leadership. She joins UT Tyler after serving the University of North Texas as associate dean of students since 2004. “We are excited to welcome Ms. Tolliver to UT Tyler’s student affairs staff. Her broad and varied experiences at UNT will serve our students well,” Dr. Howard Patterson, vice president for student affairs, said. A graduate of UNT, Tolliver holds a master of education degree in higher education, counseling and student affairs and a bachelor of arts degree in radio, television and film. The Office of Student Life and Leadership is the former Office of Student Development. It was renamed this year to better suit the ongoing enhancements within the UT Tyler student affairs division. Departments within the office include community and parent relations, fraternity and sorority affairs, University Center operations and campus activities.