The Word E-News Archive

The Department of Religious Studies surprised Sr. Eilish Ryan, CCVI, professor emerita of religious studies, with flowers in honor of her retirement at the Religious Studies Honors Convocation Wednesday, April 27 in the Mabee Library Special Collections Room. Pictured above (left to right) are Sr. Martha Ann Kirk, professor of religious studies, Dr. Julie Miller, chair and associate professor of religious studies, Dr. Glenn Ambrose, associate professor of religious studies, Sr. Eilish Ryan, CCVI, Horacio Vela III, instructor of religious studies, and Dr. Adrienne Ambrose, assistant professor of religious studies.

Our Lady's Chapel Services

All are welcome. 

• Noon Mass, Monday – Friday
• Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. & 8:30 p.m.
• Liturgy of the Hours evening prayer at 4:30 p.m. every Wednesday
• Sacrament of Reconciliation - 11:30 a.m. Fridays or by appointment with Fr. Tom Dymowski, O.SS.T. (210) 829-3131 or dymowski@uiwtx.edu. 

Events

Blueberry Toast
Barb and Walt have a perfect life, a perfect family, a perfect kitchen … but resentment simmers beneath the gleaming surface. Join the UIW community for a sometimes comic, sometimes touching and always disturbing peek at Barb and Walt's “perfect” life – where the toast isn't the only thing that gets sliced. Robert Ball directs Blueberry Toast with scenic design by Christopher McCollum, costume design by Margaret Mitchell, and lighting design by Melissa Gaspar. Adults: $10, Seniors: $9, Non-UIW Students: $8, Groups (10 or more): $6 and UIW Students, faculty and staff may attend free of charge by presenting their valid UIW ID. This production runs through Saturday, April 30 in the Cheever Theatre. All show times begin at 9 p.m. This play contains vulgar language and extreme acts of simulated violence.  No one under 17 years of age may attend. For more info, contact Chrissie Young at (210) 829-3810 or young@uiwtx.edu.

Benefits Open Enrollment
Benefits Open Enrollment runs through Saturday, April 30. Everyone must enroll or waive benefits through Banner Self-Service via the myWord portal. Human Resources will host benefit meetings and working sessions throughout the open enrollment period. For more info, contact the Office of Human Resources at (210) 829-6019 or uiwhr@uiwtx.edu.

The Big Give S.A.
Help support UIW and our traditions by participating in The Big Give S.A. on Tuesday, May 3. The goal of the Big Give S.A. is to introduce our community to all of the wonderful charitable organizations located in South Central Texas. May 3 has been designated as the city's giving holiday. For 24 hours, you are invited to log in to the http://www.thebiggivesa.org and give big to UIW. From traditions like Light the Way and Homecoming to new traditions like the annual Ring Ceremony and the new Student Engagement Center, UIW has been building traditions that bring the community together as one. You are also more than welcome to designate your gifts to other projects and programs at UIW and are encouraged to give big to any of the other nonprofits participating on May 3. For more information on The Big Give S.A., contact Stephen Skinner at (210) 829-2752 or stskinne@uiwtx.edu.

2016 Commencement Schedule

• Feik School of Pharmacy Commencement – 6 p.m., Friday, May 6 in the McDermott Convocation Center
• Rosenberg School of Optometry & School of Physical Therapy – 10 a.m., Saturday, May 7 in the McDermott Convocation Center
• Baccalaureate Mass – 5 p.m., Saturday, May 7 in the McDermott Convocation Center
• Undergraduate, Graduate and Doctoral Commencement – 2 p.m., Sunday, May 8 at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum (3201 East Houston Street, 78219).

For more info, contact the Office of the Registrar at (210) 829-6006 or fry@uiwtx.edu.

Department News

The Low Vision & Rehab student organization “Painting with a Twist” fundraiser was held Thursday, April 21 at the Rosenberg School of Optometry. Each table was outfitted with different glasses that mimicked different eye issues (glaucoma, cataract, etc.) and participants attempted to create art following an instructor, as if they had that vision ailment.  Pictured above (left to right) showing off their finished work are Cassie Perkins, secretary of clinical services, Dr. Nancy Amir, part-time optometry faculty, Vanessa Baray, ophthalmic technician, Dr. Stephanie Schmiedecke-Barbieri, assistant professor of optometry, and her husband, Andy Barbieri.

The Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing & Health Professions honored the retirement of Esperanza Barron, admin secretary to Dean Mary Hoke, Monday, April 25 in the Sr. Charles Marie Frank Nursing Building. Pictured above (left to right) are Shirley Noll, former admin to the dean of nursing, Dr. Gary Norgan, professor emeritus of nursing, and Esperanza Barron.

On Monday, April 25, the Dreeben School of Education honored three of its retiring faculty at a celebration in the Mabee Library Special Collections Room. Pictured above (left to right) are Dr. Mary Ruth Moore, professor emerita of education, Dr. David Fike, professor of education, and Dr. Renea Fike, associate professor of education and coordinator of masters program. We wish them well in their retirement.

The School of Physical Therapy faculty, staff and students wearing denim in support of Denim Day and the fight against sexual assault Wednesday, April 27.

Two College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences (CHASS) part-time faculty were awarded with prestigious awards Thursday, April 28 in the Concert Hall. Timothy Draves, history, was awarded the Dr. Denise Doyle Teaching and Service Award. Dr. J'Leen Saegar, Spanish, was awarded the CHASS Teaching and Excellence Award. Pictured above (left to right) are Timothy Draves, Dr. Jeff Crane, associate dean of CHASS, Dr. J'Leen Saegar, and Dr. Kevin Vichcales, associate provost and dean of CHASS.

MBA marketing student and Spring 2016 graduate, Lauren Pesina is presented with a UIW diploma frame courtesy of the Office of Research and Graduate Studies (ORGS) and the UIW bookstore. Lauren won the diploma frame as part of an ORGS raffle during the Graduation Finale.  Pictured above (left to right) are Dr. Osman Ozturgut, dean of ORGS, Lauren Pesina, Anne Richards, manager of the bookstore, and Dr. David A. Ortiz, director of the Graduate Support Center.

CHASS: Theatre Arts Honors Convocation
The College of Humanities, Arts & Social Sciences is hosting its Theatre Arts Honors Convocation at 4 p.m., Friday, April 29 in the Coates Theatre. For more info, contact Lorraine Ewers at (210) 829-6070 or lewers@uiwtx.edu.

Orchestra of the Incarnate Word Concert
The Orchestra of the Incarnate Word will perform their spring 2016 concert at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 30 in the Concert Hall. For more info, contact Roland Sul at (210) 829-3852 or sul@uiwtx.edu.

Cardinal Chorale & Cardinal Singers Spring Concert
The UIW Cardinal Chorale and Cardinal Singers will perform their Spring 2016 Concert at 3 p.m., Sunday, May 1 in the Concert Hall. For more info, contact Roland Sul at (210) 829-3852 or sul@uiwtx.edu.

Family Game Night
The Doctoral Student Association at the Dreeben School of Education is running a service project from Wednesday, May 4 – Wednesday, May 18 in which they are collecting games and monetary donations to provide snacks and a family games for children in our community. As the school year ends and the children go home for the summer, many, who had relied on activities and food in their Title I schools, do not have sufficient food or options for engagement with their siblings and families. Our goal is to provide a game and snack package for children in need. This project is a collaboration between the UIW Doctoral Student Association and the central office staff of the North East Independent School District. All contributions are welcome and all 100% will go to the children. Suggested games to donate include:

• Deck of Cards
• Bingo
• Uno
• Checkers
• Password
• Connect Four
• Shape by Shape
• Scattergories
• Math Dice
• Ka-ching!
• Hit or Miss
• Small Board Games

Cash donations are also being accepted. Your donation of only $3 serves a family. Campus drop off locations are in the Gorman Building, Rooms 104 and 230. For more info, contact Joan Labay-Marquez at (210) 283-6429 or labaymar@uiwtx.edu.

Maha Alshhrany Thesis Defense
Maha Alshhrany will host a public defense of her biology master's thesis at 3 p.m., Thursday, May 5 in the AT&T Science Center, Room 311. The title of her thesis is "The Investigation of the Environmental Factors Associated with the Temporal Abundance of Lutzomyia antophora on a Ranch near Poth, Texas." Maha's thesis committee chair is Dr. Russell Raymond. For more info, contact Duncan Hayse at (210) 829-2758 or hayse@uiwtx.edu.

Sondos Alhajouj Thesis Defense
Sondos Alhajouj will present a defense of her biology thesis, "A Preliminary Examination of the Bacterial Diversity Harbored by the Pillbug (Armadillidium vulgare)" at 3 p.m., Friday, May 6 in the AT&T Science Center, Room 331. Dr. David E. Starkey is the chair of her thesis committee. For more info, contact Duncan Hayse at (210) 829-2758 or hayse@uiwtx.edu.

Athletics News

Employee Health & Wellness

St. Anthony Catholic High School Thespian Society presents Hairspray
SACHS's Thespian Society presents the Broadway musical, Hairspray, under the direction of Louisette Zurita.  This play brings to the forefront the importance of justice and equality for everyone. The play runs from Wednesday, May 4 – Friday, May 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the St. Anthony Hive, (Gymnasium #1). For ticket info contact Ms. Zurita at lzurita@uiwtx.edu or Ms. Cortez at rpcortez@uiwtx.edu.

Presentation of Watershed Check to Women's Global Connection
In Aug. 2015, the St. Anthony Catholic High School sophomore class, under the direction of Dr. Christopher Samuel, committed to raising funds for a watershed project in Tanzania. This collaboration with the Women's Global Connection has been a yearlong effort with students, faculty and families pitching in to make this watershed possible. SACHS is fully committed to social justice and making justice and mercy a reality for everyone not only in this community but our global community as well. We have raised over $1,500, which will sponsor a watershed for the families in Tanzania. A presentation of the check to the Women's Global Connection is taking place at 8 a.m., Friday, May 6 in the SACHS Chapel. For more info, contact Rosi Cortez at (210) 832-5691 or rpcortez@uiwtx.edu.

UIW Prep High School Now Enrolling for Summer School
Stressing out over your high schooler's summer school? Want your student to earn credit this summer but faced with scheduling conflicts? UIW Prep is now enrolling! UIW Prep is a 100% online high school emphasizing preparatory and dual credit coursework. Students can earn high school or college credit in up to eight weeks without ever stepping foot in a classroom. To learn more, please visit www.uiw.edu/prep/summer-school or speak with Dione Bedell, the coordinator of admissions and guidance, at (210) 805-3013 or dmercer1@uiwtx.edu. Enrollment deadlines are fast approaching. Don't miss out!

Visit St. Anthony Catholic High School at www.sachs.org. 

Visit Incarnate Word High School at www.incarnatewordhs.org.  

Visit the UIW Prep website at www.uiw.edu/prep.