The Word: UIW Community Newsletter - April 9, 2021
Spotlight
In Praise of Great Teaching
Throughout the year, exceptional UIW faculty have supported our Cardinals through challenges and change to continue making progress toward their goals. Despite distance and obstacles, faculty found ways to stay engaged and connected, and challenged students to search for deeper meaning and adapt to new pressures. Our University’s great educators are more than deserving of praise and, in that vein, UIW President Dr. Thomas Evans has shared reflections on teaching during an unpredictable year.
“Our shared pandemic experience has challenged us to rethink and revisit nearly every facet of college life, whether you are trying to lead as president or doing your best to keep pace as a second-term sophomore. We have asked some members of UIW faculty to share their experiences from the past year. … In these reflections on teaching during a pandemic, and in the faculty’s own words, I hear both teacher and student rediscovering what it means to bring more of our humanity into the classroom.”
The first installments feature Dr. Veronica Martinez Acosta, Dr. Amy Crocker, Dr. Chris Edelman, Dr. Tanja Stampfl and Prof. Adam Watkins, with more to come.
Academics
UIW Names New Dean for H-E-B School of Business and Administration
The University of the Incarnate Word is proud to announce that Dr. Jeannie Scott has been elevated to the position of dean at the H-E-B School of Business and Administration (HEBSBA). Scott has been serving as the interim dean since June 2020.
Scott’s academic leadership as full professor includes five years directing the MBA program and leading the school’s internship program. Since joining UIW in 2003, she has filled various important roles including assistant dean, associate dean and MBA director. Scott has developed rich relationships with industries and organizations across the region who have become clients to the school’s Capstone consulting courses. She will continue her active collaboration on the Academic Deans Council and, together with her dean colleagues, help apply our Academic Master Plan process to guide UIW’s academic future.
”Dr. Scott is a dedicated teacher and leader that lives the Mission of UIW with her students and fellow faculty,” says UIW Provost Dr. Barbara Aranda-Naranjo. “We look forward to her leadership in continuing to build this successful program. HEBSBA plays a vital role in educating and creating the business leaders of tomorrow on an international scale and we know Dr. Scott will work to see that role grow and flourish.”
“I am excited for this opportunity to engage with key stakeholders, faculty, students, alumni, and employers, to strategically create an ecosystem using the areas of teaching, research, and practice to ensure the success of our programs and to shape outcomes for our students,” says Scott. “Our faculty are here because they enjoy teaching and are very good at it. We must continue to focus on these strengths to find new ways to create connections with students. We need to make sure our research offers competitive advantages to companies and drives the evolution of our curriculum and informs the teaching of our faculty. Students in the HEBSBA deal with real-world business challenges, through student organizations, participating in pitch competitions, listening to guest speakers, or working on applied projects in classes like our Capstone courses. Business schools need to excel equally in these three areas to remain effective.”
The H-E-B School of Business and Administration is a premier, accredited business school in San Antonio that offers a rigorous curriculum, a dynamic student life, real-world application and opportunities to grow students’ business acumen through challenges, special events and a career readiness program.
Students choose HEBSBA for its practical approach, emphasis on a global reach and international perspectives, opportunities to work with organizations, and to be taught by faculty considered leading experts in their fields.
Education Faculty Joins U.S. Technical Advisory Group
Norman St. Clair, PhD, professor of Education and director of the Graduate Studies Program, has been invited to join the U.S. Technical Advisory Group of the International Organization for Standardization’s Technical Committee 304 Healthcare Organization Management, an independent organization working to advance international common standards among nations.
“By joining the advisory group, I will offer my expertise in cross-cultural communication, especially by using an online platform, to facilitate more effective communication and efficiency as they aspire to reach their goals as a group,” said Dr. St. Clair.
“I was inspired to join by the CEO of InGenesis, a UIW graduate from the SPS DBA (School of Professional Studies Doctor of Business Administration) program, to assist in guiding and training small groups in effective communication strategies and to understand group dynamics from an international perspective.”
Dr. St. Clair readies students to be scholarly researchers, educators, and leaders that are fully prepared to affect positive change in global, organizational and community settings. His work in this organization offers collaborative learning experiences both locally and globally.
“Our program is laser focused on social justice and dignity of others. This includes courses that provide frameworks to understand people from multicultural and international perspectives by providing context to how they perceive the world and communicate to avoid misunderstandings.”
Dr. St Clair has a Ph.D. in Education with a concentration in International Education and Entrepreneurship. He teaches a course about Systems of Belief that emphasizes effective cross-cultural communication skills using related theories to help students gain new perspectives on how they perceive and interact with people from different cultural systems of thought. He served as the director of International Initiatives, and now as faculty and the director of Graduate and Doctoral Studies for the Dreeben School of Education at the University of the Incarnate Word.
UIWSOM Associate Professor Shares His Expertise and Experiences
Dr. Paul Saenz, associate professor in the Department of Clinical and Applied Science Education at the UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine, served as moderator and panelist for the American Medical Society of Sports Medicine Annual Conference, discussing management of knee arthritis in former professional athletes. The panel featured former NFL great Rod Woodson and WNBA legend Sheryl Swoopes. In a recent Q&A piece in the online publication, Future of Personal Health, Dr. Saenz shared his experience in osteopathic medicine and how he became the San Antonio Spurs' team physician.
UIWSOM Learners' Abstracts Accepted for Texas Medical Schools Symposium
Two UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine learners, Hiram Rodriguez and Niva Shrestha, had their abstracts accepted for the Texas Medical Schools Symposium on March 6, 2021. The theme of the symposium was “One Year with COVID-19: Research, Responses, and Reflections of Texas Medical Schools.”
Rodriguez’s presentation abstract, “Mesenchymal Stem Cells: A potential treatment option for COVID-19," can be found on page 31 of the booklet linked below. Shrestha’s abstract, “A COVID Christmas,” can be found on page 88.
Mission and Ministry
Community Prayer: Draw Us Forth
Draw us forth, God of all creation.
Draw us forward and away from limited certainty
into the immense world of your love.
Give us the capacity to even for a moment
taste the richness of the feast you give us.
Give us the peace to live with uncertainty,
with questions,
with doubts.
Help us to experience the resurrection anew
with open wonder and an increasing ability
to see you in the people of Easter.
Amen.
Mass Schedule
UIW Mission and Ministry is now live-streaming Sunday Mass from Our Lady’s Chapel. We invite your participation in one of the following formats:
- In-Person Attendance: UIW Community members wishing to attend Mass in-person are asked to register for a seat using our new Flocknote app, as well as abide by all safety guidelines put in place for the pandemic, including the health screening via Cardinal Health Check and wearing a mask during the liturgy. Seating is extremely limited due to protocols put in place due to the pandemic. Students receive priority in-person registration at the following links:
- Virtual Attendance: Those wishing to attend Mass virtually should continue registering through Zoom. The links to RSVP for the livestream Mass are:
Community News
UIW Named 2021 MySA Readers' Choice Best Local College/University
Huge news, Cardinals! The people of San Antonio have spoken, and UIW has been named the 2021 MySA Readers' Choice BEST Local College/University!
At UIW, we know that it's our community that makes us strong. Thank you to everyone who voted and to our amazing Cardinals, employees, and UIW family for making us No. 1!
UIW Helps Bring COVID Vaccine to Underserved Area
(Archive photo)
At least three dozen University of the Incarnate Word (UIW) students from the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing, Feik School of Pharmacy and School of Osteopathic Medicine along with over 100 volunteers will participate in a COVID-19 mass vaccination clinic at Southside High School on Saturday, April 10, 2021 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. About 1,000 area residents have been pre-registered to receive the vaccine.
“The Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word, who founded UIW, came here after being called to help the sick during a pandemic. This is the type of service UIW was created to do,” says Dr. Linda Hook, assistant professor, UIW Nursing and Health Professions. “Today we are grateful for the opportunity to continue that Mission to serve in one of the areas of San Antonio in most need of the COVID-19 vaccine.”
The 1,000 doses of the Johnson & Johnson COVID vaccine were received through the San Antonio Metro Health District. Only one dose of this particular vaccine is required, which means that patients will not have to make a second trip for a second dose as is required with other vaccines.
“The fact that this is a single dose vaccine is important since many in our community have trouble with transportation and this is a rural area,” says Southside Independent School District Superintendent Rolando Ramirez. “Because of our partnership with UIW, many people in our community will no longer have to wait for the life-saving vaccine and for that we want to thank the University.”
The mass vaccination clinic will be staffed by UIW nursing, medical, and pharmacy students. The event is taking place in the Southside High School gymnasium and representatives from San Antonio Metro Health District will be on hand to feature various programs.
Swing-In Auction Party: Register TODAY!
The 44th Annual Swing-In Auction Party and Golf Tournament is just around the corner! We may not be having an in-person gala, but the auction you know and love is still happening. Plus, when you register for the auction, you will also be able to view our virtual "gala" program!
The auction will officially open Friday, May 7 at 8 a.m. and close Thursday, May 13 at 8:30 p.m. The virtual gala progam will premiere on the auction site on Thursday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m.
You don’t want to miss your chance to bid on amazing auction items including:
- Front-row Spurs tickets, including car service
- Artistic Images Studio Portrait Session
- Happy Hour at Frederick’s Bistro for 20 guests including appetizers and drinks
- Invisalign or Braces Package from 7 to 7 Dental
- A $2,250 gift card to Four Seasons Hotels & Resorts
- Koe Wetzel autographed electric Fender Guitar
- Radiance MedSpa Package
- Whataburger for a Year
UIW Giving: A Message from UIW Alumnus, Bill Conner
"UIW gave me the educational opportunities I didn’t think were possible. I’m so proud to be a Cardinal for life!" - Bill Conner, UIW Alumnus
We are so honored to have the support of alumni like Bill. Many folks — alumni, friends, community members, employees, parents, students and more — joined us on Giving Day last month and shared similar sentiments. If you, like Bill, want to give back, there’s still time!
Visit uiw.edu/give to make a gift today!
In the News
FOX 29: How college admissions has changed since the pandemic
Jessica De La Rosa, UIW director of admissions, recently spoke with FOX 29 about how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the college admissions process and how long these changes may stick around.
An unanticipated result of the COVID-19 pandemic was an increase in college applications, including at UIW.
"We have definitely seen an increase over the last two application cycles," said De La Rosa.
She went on to explain that data will continue to be analyzed to make sure that students admitted to UIW are thriving, even with test-optional admissions processes.
FOX 29: Local impact of Abbott's vaccine passport order unknown
Dr. Brandon Metroka, assistant professor of Political Science at UIW, recently lent his expertise for a FOX 29 story regarding Governor Greg Abbott's executive order that prohibits Texas state agencies from implementing vaccine passport requirements.
“There are broader ethical questions about this, the privacy issues that are implicated,” explained Dr. Metroka. “It’s going to be tough to enforce that, just like it’s been tough on businesses to enforce a mask mandate."
Service
The Amazing Race of Hope
The UIW community is invited to participate in the annual Amazing Race of Hope from April 23-25 hosted by CAVALRY, a non-profit organization founded by H-E-B School of Business and Administration faculty, Dr. Tracie Edmond. The mission of CAVALRY is to “create an army of student servant-leaders collaborating with area businesses and local non-profit organizations to impact lives and positively change the world.”
This year’s race will be held virtually using a scavenger hunt app, Goose Chase, to complete challenges, mini service projects, and random acts of kindness. Raised funds will benefit a local small business or local non-profit organization.
For more information on how to register as a team, please contact the Ettling Center for Civic Leadership & Sustainability at ccl@uiwtx.edu or call (210) 283-6423.
Cardinal Corner
UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry Student Earns National Award
Congratulations to UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry (RSO) Class of 2022 intern, Erika Bendert, for being recognized as the recipient of the prestigious CooperVision Best Practices Scholarship. As a third-year student, Bendert has exemplified leadership skills not only in the classroom, lab, and clinic but also amongst her peers.
Per a press release from CooperVision:
Offered to outstanding third-year optometry students, the scholarship enables future eye care professionals to learn directly from some of the best in optometry.
Recipients were chosen based on their academic standing at a U.S. optometry school, their demonstration of leadership and participation in school or community activities, honors, and additional optometry-related experience. The Best Practices Scholarship provides them the opportunity to attend the 2021 Best Practices Summit—to be held virtually this spring—where they will listen to and collaborate with both the 2020 and 2021 Best Practices honorees, as well as last year’s scholarship recipients."
“Peer-to-peer collaboration has become a highlight of the Best Practices program, and we are excited to extend those opportunities to exceptional future eye care professionals,” said Michele Andrews, OD, Vice President, Professional and Government Affairs, Americas, CooperVision. “This year’s scholarship recipients stood out for their drive and passion for advancing the profession, so I expect that the Best Practices honorees will gain as much inspiration from the students as the students gain from them.”
The 2021 Best Practices Scholarship recipients include:
- Erika Bendert, University of the Incarnate Word Rosenberg School of Optometry
- Melody Kordnaij, SUNY College of Optometry
- Lakshmisahithi Rani, New England College of Optometry
RSO Resident Earns Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship
Joyce Zhang, OD, was awarded the 2021 Bill Mattingly Memorial Scholarship co-sponsored by Mattingly Low Vision and the El Paso Community Foundation. The award, created to honor Bill Mattingly for his passion and commitment to the low vision profession and low vision clients, provides a $2,500 scholarship to an optometry or ophthalmology student or resident interested in contributing to the field of low vision. Dr. Zhang is currently completing her low vision optometry residency at the Rosenberg School of Optometry Eye Institute.
Kofron wins Goalie of the Week
University of the Incarnate Word women’s soccer sophomore Margaret Kofron was named the Southland Conference Goalkeeper of the Week for her performances against Central Arkansas (April 1) and Northwestern State (April 3), the league office announced Tuesday. Weekly awards are presented by Hercules Tires.
Kofron garnered this recognition after making 13 saves and allowing just one goal in a 1-0-1 week for the Cardinals. Kofran led UIW to a 1-1 draw at Central Arkansas and a 1-0 victory at Northwestern State. The team’s win over Northwestern State clinched a spot in the Southland Conference Tournament, marking the program’s second consecutive trip to the postseason.
Kofron faced 30 shots and 15 corner kicks over the weekend but only allowed one goal, tallying 13 saves. In the shutout win over the Demons, she made eight stops, including seven in the second half, to keep the game scoreless for Sierra Wanamaker's 89th minute game-winner. Kofron got in front of four shots in a 17-second span in the 54th minute and made her last save in the 87th minute.
Alumni and Parent Relations
Alumna Publishes Book on Female Founders and Their Success
UIW alumna and UIW Alumni Association Board of Directors member, Allison Ramsey, BS ’05 recently published Redefine: A Collection Of Female Founders On Rising And Redefining Their Success. This book explores female founders and their journey running successful businesses.
As a strong advocate of female empowerment, Ramsey knew sharing stories of successful women was a prominent opportunity to inspire up-and-coming leaders.
“I wrote this book to have female voices amplified. Often, entrepreneurship is an isolated road and sharing bravely on pivoting moments in our lives has a ripple effect of encouragement, motivation, and hopefully inspiration,” she said. "This book is more than chapters. It is a movement, a community of women coming together, to support, to rise, and to collaborate with one another.”
The Amazon best-seller book in entrepreneurship features nine different women whose stories demonstrate key moments in their professional careers.
“This collection of chapters in my book Redefine gives pivoting moments as these female founders guide us in how they navigated their life and redefined their success. In this series, we feature nine authors in the chapters,” she added.
The extensive process of writing a book is no simple task. As a student at UIW, Allison relied on peers’ feedback to improve her writing skills and gradually became a better writer.
“While being at UIW I became used to the journey of writing while receiving powerful feedback from my professors, classmates, and learning lab tutors,” she said. “I was vulnerable once again in writing this book to receive feedback in this process. We are taking the reader on a journey. The reader understanding what we are implying is of utmost importance.”
Although her major was based in math and science, Ramsey recalls a specific professor in Philosophy and how his process of writing made a big impact on her.
“I took several Philosophy courses with Dr. Gilmour. He and I came to a mutual solution. First, I’d take my papers to the learning lab, then I’d turn it in one-to-two weeks early to him, next I’d get it back from him chalk full of red marks, and at last I’d turn it in for the final,” she recalls. “This meant I needed to start projects four-to-six weeks ahead before they were due. As I was aiming to receive good grades, I was also making huge strides in my writing skills.”
When asked what advice she offered to young writers she said, “be open to receive feedback from editors. When you are starting the process, set aside ten to 20 minutes a day, set a timer if needed, reserved for writing. When in those times, do not worry if it doesn’t flow every time, the most important part is reserving this space to give your mind time to expand onto the page or screen."
Ramsey graduated from the University of the Incarnate Word with a Bachelor of Science in 2005. She currently serves as a professor of data analytics and Facebook digital marketing at Austin Community College and is the owner of Empire Life, a tech and digital marketing company specializing in business consulting, paid advertising, PR, technology, digital marketing, sales, website design and development.
UIW Alumna Featured on Texas Public Radio
Jackie Velez BA '19, was recently featured on Texas Public Radio's program, Worth Repeating, a live storytelling program where participants have seven minutes to tell a story about their life or experiences related to a particular theme. In Velez’s episode, participants discussed a time they chose between “fight or flight.”
Velez is currently employed at San Antonio College as a writing tutor and is working on several writing projects.
Watch her episode:
Upcoming Alumni Volunteer Opportunities
Calling all UIW alumni! If you are looking for a great volunteer opportunity, look no further. Your UIW family needs your help with the following upcoming events:
- Red Put A Ring On It! Celebration (April 18)
The Department of Alumni & Parent Relations along with Herff Jones will host the "Red Put A Ring On It!" Celebration on Sunday, April 18. This event will take place on our beautiful UIW Campus from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. Students of junior status and higher are eligible to participate. Volunteers are needed to assist with traffic flow and the event's photo area. - Swing-In Golf Tournament (May 14)
Volunteers are needed for this year's 44th Annual Swing-In Golf Tournament! The tournament will take place Friday, May 14 at the Quarry Golf Course.
Athletics
UIW Fencing has best finish in program history
The University of the Incarnate Word fencing team had its best finish in program history, scoring 41 points at the 2021 NCAA Fencing Championships to finish in 14th place.
Junior Brandon Benavides led the men with a record of 11 wins and 12 losses to finish in 11th place, earning Honorable Mention All-American Team for his efforts. Junior Oleksandra "Sasha" Rebchunovska led the women with an 18th-place finish.
Head Coach John Moreau
"This was, as everyone knows, an extremely difficult season due to the pandemic. We were very thankful to have the chance to qualify for, and compete in, this elite competition. The COVID testing and protocols were very effective in ensuring the health and safety of all concerned. I am very proud of the effort the team made and look forward to the prospect of an even better season next year."
Cardinal Individual Performances:
- Brandon Benavides/Junior/San Antonio – 11th Honorable Mention All-American Epee
- Thomas Petrosewicz/Graduate Student/Richmond, Texas – 16th Epee
- Jake Thayer/Junior/Port Charlotte, Fla. – 16th Foil
- Blake Ruffner/Junior/ Flower Mound, Texas – 23rd Foil
- Oleksandra Rebchunovska/Junior/Kiev, Ukraine – 18th Foil
- Juliana Peceli/Graduate Student/Sacramento, Calif. – 21st Epee
Thomas, McFarland, Smith power Cardinals to 12-1 win
Lee Thomas, Jordan McFarland and Grant Smith each hit home runs in the University of the Incarnate Word baseball team's 12-1, eight-inning win against Prairie View A&M on Tuesday night in non-conference action at Sullivan Field, sponsored by H-E-B.
Thomas went 2-for-4 with a pair of home runs, moving him into a tie for sixth all-time in UIW history (24). McFarland went 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs scored and two RBIs, while Smith blasted his second home run of the season with a three-run walk-off in the bottom of the eighth inning.
Freshmen Jaren Warwick and Cole Beddingfield combined to throw 11 strikeouts and allowed just three Panther hits on the night as the Cardinals bounced back into the win column to set up for the weekend showdown at McNeese.
UIW (12-11, 8-8 SLC) got its offense going early with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Ryan Flores and Noah Brewer got on base with back-to-back singles, and a walk by Wilson Ehrhardt loaded the bases. Flores later scored on a passed ball and Smith knocked in Brewer with an RBI single. Smith came home on a sac fly off the bat of Trent Koerner for the 3-0 lead.
PVAMU scored its lone run of the game in the top of the third, but the Cardinals answered in the bottom of the frame. Thomas hit his first home run, a two-run shot over the right-field fence, after McFarland doubled down the left-field line and the Cardinals powered ahead to a 5-1 advantage after three innings.
In the fourth inning, Smith singled up the middle and later scored on a bunt single by Etzel. McFarland and Thomas then went back-to-back with straight away centerfield home runs, combining for three RBI as the Cardinals ended the inning with a 9-1 lead.
After quiet fifth, sixth and seventh innings by both teams, Beddingfield made quick work of Prairie View A&M (3-12 overall) in the top of the eighth with two strikeouts and a groundout. The bottom half of the inning started with a walk by Drew Minter and a double down the left-field line by Taylor Darden to set up Smith's three RBI walk-off home run, securing the 12-1 victory.
Cardinals top Jaguars in midweek doubleheader
The University of the Incarnate Word softball team got a pair of wins in the midweek doubleheader against Texas A&M-San Antonio on Wednesday afternoon at H-E-B Field. The Cardinals are 8-2 in the last ten games, which is the best stretch for the program under head coach Joe DiPietro.
Notables
- Maddie Boldt hit her second home run of the year, a three-run shot to left-center field, in game one.
- Madison Floyd recorded a career-high eight strikeouts in game one, only allowing two hits in the shutout.
- Natalie Myers recorded a career-high six strikeouts and her first win of the season in game two.
- Game one marks the fifth shutout of the season for the Cardinal pitching staff.
How it Happened
Game 1
The Cardinals got on the board first, jumping out to a 1-0 lead when Tori Alvarez-Lopez sent Savannah Behabetz home off a double to left center.
In the bottom of the third, the Cardinals struck again when Jazmine Torres singled to left to score Maddie Boldt from second base. Hailey Goins hit a sac fly into left field to bring Hailey Jackson home, tallying another run and giving UIW a 3-0 advantage.
Bolt knocked one out of the park, sending Abby Frank and Bella Sanchez home to add three more in the bottom of the fifth, putting the Cardinals ahead 6-0.
In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Cardinals secured another run off a Delaney Guzman sac fly to left field, clinching the 7-0 victory.
Game 2
UIW struck first again in game two, this time when Kendall McGary singled to center field, scoring Hannah Zajdel. An error from the Jaguars plated two more Cardinals and Bella Sanchez hit a sacrifice fly to bring home Abby Frank as the Cardinals went up 4-0 in the second frame.
A Guzman single up the middle in the bottom of the third scored Catarina Esteves and extended the UIW lead. Frank doubled to start the bottom of the fourth inning and later came home on a Torres single up the middle, stretching the advantage to 6-0.
In the bottom of the fifth, Frank came through again with a sacrifice fly to center field, bringing home pinch-runner Leah Hayes and giving UIW a 7-0 lead.
The Jaguars were able put up three runs in the top of the sixth inning to cut the Cardinals' lead to four, but UIW stayed strong and won game two 7-3.
COVID-19
COVID-19 Resources
The University of the Incarnate Word continues to monitor the local, regional and state-wide progression of COVID-19 to inform decisions about safe campus operations. Below you will find links to helpful information regarding UIW's COVID-19 warning indicators, case tracking, safety guidelines and resources for the UIW community. These sites will be updated to reflect changes or new information.
Schedule a COVID-19 test on the Broadway campus (students and employees ONLY)
Schedule a COVID-19 test at the UIWSOM campus (open to general public)