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UIW Community Newsletter - December 13, 2019

Spotlight

Startup Challenge 

The H-E-B School of Business and Administration held its annual Startup Challenge on Friday, Dec. 6. The challenge is made possible by the generous sponsorship of Holt Ventures. Students spent months taking their creative business ideas and turning them into reality. Industry experts gathered to hear presentations about these ideas and select the project they believed was the most promising and deserving of $10,000 in seed funding to help make it happen.

The Startup Challenge encourages collaboration from UIW students across all disciplines to maximize their skills and talents. The teams also worked with industry mentors from the San Antonio business community to help develop their business ideas.

Startup Challenge participants pose for a photo holding certificates

Five finalists took part in the challenge: 

  • DPOWER uses human cycling power to generate electrical energy to offset utility costs at spin studios.
  • IKÚ manufactures a traditional fermented drink that is both tasty and healthy, including added probiotic bacteria.
  • Journey Poles transform regular hospital IV poles into something colorful, unique & comforting to patients.
  • True Hemp is an easy and fun field-testing kit that allows you to determine if a cannabis product contains THC.
  • Wheel-Holder secures bags and other items to the back of a wheelchair and swings around for easy access.

Journey Poles took home first place in the challenge, and the accompanying $10,000 in seed money. Second place and $2,000 in seed money went to the team behind IKÚ. 

Journey Poles team members hold a large check

Mission

Advent Reflection - Psalm 1:6

For the LORD watches over the way of the just,

but the way of the wicked vanishes. 

Our Lady’s Chapel Services

All are welcome

  • Noon mass Monday - Friday
  • Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m. and 8 p.m.
  • Sacrament of Reconciliation, 11:30 a.m. Fridays or by appointment with Fr. Tom Dymowski, O.SS.T. at
    (210) 829-3131 or dymowski@uiwtx.edu

Christmas Eve Mass

A Christmas Eve Mass (Dec. 24) will be celebrated at 5:30 p.m. in the Chapel of the Incarnate Word (pre-service music beginning at 5 p.m.). This Mass will be the only liturgy celebrated on December 24 or 25. There will be no services held in Our Lady's Chapel on these days. Please note that seating is limited in this sacred space and fire code regulations must be observed when the Chapel reaches capacity. We thank you in advance for your understanding. For more information, please contact Brenda Dimas @ (210) 829-3128 or  dimas@uiwtx.edu.

Bereavement 

Our thoughts and prayers go to: 

  • Ms. Patricia Bakke and family on the recent loss of her mother, Mary Patricia Stone Bakke (BS ’51).

  • Mr. Leland Nichols and family on the recent loss of his mother, Katherine Louise Gruen Nichols (BA ’64).

  • The family and friends of Alexandria Butler (UIW student). 

Events

Baccalaureate Mass

The University of the Incarnate Word will hold its fall Baccalaureate Mass today, Friday, Dec. 13 at 5 p.m. in the Alice P. McDermott Convocation Center. The history of the Baccalaureate ceremony is firmly entrenched in the medieval European custom of presenting graduating candidates for the degree of bachelor (bacca) with laurels (lauri) or recognition of their achievement. It is traditionally a religious service of celebration and thanksgiving for the time the graduates have devoted to growing in wisdom at a place of education. 

UIW graduates dressed in their caps and gowns stand for mass

A reception will be held immediately following the Baccalaureate Mass in the Student Engagement Center hosted by the Provost's Office. Please note that while tickets are not required, seating is limited due to fire regulations. Doors to the McDermott Center will be closed once capacity is reached. A maximum of 7 guests per graduate is permitted. Thank you for your understanding and assistance with this matter.

Commencement

Please join us in celebrating the UIW Fall Class of 2019 at a Commencement Ceremony on Saturday, Dec. 14 at 2 p.m. at the Joe and Harry Freeman Coliseum. This is a ticketed event. Click here for a live stream of the ceremony. For more information, please contact the Office of the Registrar. 

A UIW graduate is lifted by her friend

Community News

Atatürk University

Last week, the Division of International Affairs hosted a three-member delegation from Erzurum, Turkey for the signing of a sister school agreement. The delegation included members of the International Relations Office, English Department, and Graduate Studies and Research from Atatürk University. 

Prior to last week’s visit, UIW received a delegation from Atatürk University in May to begin exploring opportunities for collaboration after being introduced in early 2019 by Dr. Tanja Stampfl. In July, a delegation from UIW visited Erzurum to continue synergizing and building the partnership and relationship.

During their visit at UIW last week, the delegation visited with Nursing, Engineering, CHASS, English, ECCL, and the Office of Research and Graduate Studies. UIW President Dr. Thomas M. Evans formalized the partnership on Friday, Dec. 6 with the signing of a sister school agreement for the exchange of undergraduate students, faculty, and research.

President Evans shakes hands with Ataturk representative

Nights in the Nest

UIW Libraries continued Nights in the Nest this week. Students were invited to the Mabee Library to enjoy fun activities to help them de-stress before and during finals. The biggest hit of the week was a special visit from therapy dogs. Students took a study break to spend time with their new furry friends! Thank you UIW Libraries for helping our Cardinals gear up for finals! 

A UIW student holds a puppy

MBA Capstone Final Presentations

This week, students from the MBA Capstone course, Cases in Management Problems, presented business solutions to real companies during their last class of the UIW MBA program. Prior to each presentation, Dr. David Vequist gathered students into a team huddle to provide words of encouragement.

Dr. Vequist huddles with his students

The Capstone combines all functional disciplines in business administration into a problem-solving course. Students are required to analyze actual businesses and defend proposed strategies in front of their peers and company representatives. Such companies this semester included local digital advertising firm Tribu, the largest pediatric rehabilitation healthcare system in the world CRIT-USA and CPS Energy. Congratulations to all students who completed the MBA Capstone course this semester - next step, graduation! 

Matachines Visit UIW 

On Thursday, Dec. 12, Matachines dancers visited Our Lady's Chapel in honor of the Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe. They praised with a colorful and joyful dance. This celebration commemorates the appearance of Mary to Juan Diego in 1531.

Matachines dance in Our Lady's Chapel

Health-E News

Flu Shots Now Available!

Employee flu shots are now available at the UIW Health Services Clinic. To receive your flu shot, please visit the UIW Health Services Clinic located on the ground level of the Agnese Sosa parking garage. The entrance to the facility located behind the Ila Faye Miller School of Nursing and Health Professions.

When can I go? Employee Flu Shots are available now through December 20, 2019. Employee flu shots will be administered between the hours of 8 a.m. and noon, Monday through Friday. Please stop by at your convenience.

What will I need to bring? Medical Insurance ID, Driver License or University ID, and, if this is your first visit to Health Services, a completed New Patient Form.

What if I do not have UIW medical insurance? If you have other medical insurance, the clinic will bill your insurance. If you do not have medical insurance and are a full time UIW employee, you can still get your flu shot at Health Services and UIW will cover the cost.

What if I cannot make it to Health Services? You can also go to a participating pharmacy such as CVS, Walgreens, HEB, or your physician’s office.

Can my spouse or child get their flu shot at Health Services? At this time only UIW employees can receive their flu shot from Health Services.

While timing of the flu season is unpredictable, seasonal flu activity often begins to increase in October. It is common for the flu season to peak between December and February, but it may last as late as May. CDC recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine by the end of October. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body to protect against flu virus infection.

You have the power to fight the flu (and Dr. Evans does too)!

Brainpower Connection

Khaki and Plaid 

Help St. Anthony Catholic High School Principal, Dr. Kristina Viduarri, be crowned the Khaki and Plaid Homecoming Queen! The Khaki and Plaid Gala raises funds to help San Antonio area students attend Catholic schools. Help support the cause by casting a vote for Dr. Viduarri! Each dollar donated earns participants one vote for homecoming court. The homecoming court member with the most votes will be crowned at the Khaki and Plaid Once Upon a Time Gala on Feb. 1, 2020. To vote, sponsor, donate or purchase tickets, click here. 

Dr. Kristina Vidaurri sits with Archbishop Gustavo

Department News

The Word Today Submissions 

The Communications and Brand Marketing department will be transitioning from the Request for Event Promotion form this month. The 25Live system will be used to request services such as event promotion, photography requests, and inclusion in The Word Today, and event publishing to the UIW main events calendar and the UIW internal calendar.  This transition will take place on Monday, Dec. 16.  The current Request for Event Promotion form will be removed from the website on Friday, Dec. 13. Please click here to see the instruction document on how to post 25Live events to the web calendar and request services from Communications and Brand Marketing. For more information, please contact Amanda Bennett at abennett@uiwtx.edu

Accounts Payable

Accounts Payable will be processing the last 2019 payment run on Thursday, Dec. 19. Please submit invoices and check requisitions that are due to be paid by Dec. 31 to Accounts Payable by email at ap@uiwtx.edu, or campus mail to CPO 287 by Friday, Dec. 13. Checks going out by courier will be sent out the next business day (Friday, Dec. 20). For more information, please contact Melba Huerta at mghuerta@uiwtx.edu.  

Cardinals' Cupboard: Donations Needed

Any UIW student, staff or faculty member is welcome to the Cardinals' Cupboard Food Pantry located at Joeris Hall on the UIW Broadway Campus. Hours of operation are Tuesday through Thursday from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Did you know 25% of children identified as food insecure in San Antonio and Texas is ranked #2 in the nation for food insecurity? Help us make a difference by making a donation to the Cardinals' Cupboard!

Top 10 Requested Items:

  1. Cereal
  2. Canned beans
  3. Tuna
  4. Canned soup
  5. Rice
  6. Mac and cheese
  7. Peanut butter
  8. Granola bars
  9. Pasta and pasta sauce
  10. Toothpaste/soap

Monetary and food donations may be dropped off at the Ettling Center in AD 158 or Campus Engagement in SEC 3150, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. To learn more about Cardinals' Cupboard, please contact the Ettling Center at (210) 283-6423.

Cup Runneth Over

Don’t forget to collect your unused toiletries for TRIO’s annual Cup Runneth Over event! Collections will be donated to women and families in transition at a local shelter. Donations will be accepted now through December 2. Please consider donating the following items:

  • Mugs in good condition
  • Hotel toiletries
  • Toothbrushes and small toothpastes
  • Individually wrapped tea bags or packets of hot chocolate
  • Socks
  • Any other small item that would be appropriate and helpful

All donations can be dropped off at SEC 3145. Please call if campus pick-up is needed. For more information or assistance with items collection, please contact TRiO Student Support Services at (210) 805-5812.

Athletic News

UIW student athletes train in the vision center with state of the art equipment to improve reaction time and hand eye coordination

A UIW swimmer competes

UIW basketball player reaches for basket