UIW Community Newsletter - February 7, 2020
Spotlight
2020 Pierre Lecture
On Monday, Feb. 3, Dr. Jacqueline Hidalgo, department chair and professor of Latino/a Studies and Religion at Williams College in Massachusetts, delivered the 2020 UIW Pierre Lecture. Her lecture was titled, The Christian Bible as a Text of Migration.
One of the first stories readers encounter in Genesis describes two migrants, Adam and Eve, leaving their first home and struggling to create a life in a new land. From Genesis through Revelation, the Jewish and Christian Bibles depict migration and responses to migration, and given the prominent role of the Bible in public life, politicians, thinkers, and migrants themselves have turned to those texts to think about just and appropriate immigration policies. Dr. Hidalgo questioned some of these more contemporary political interpretations of the Bible and discussed the Bible as a text of migration.
Mission
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.
Pray-a-thon 2020
As we approach the season of Lent, we invite you to Save the Date for Pray-a-thon 2020, set for March 22 – 29. Pray-a-thon is an invitation for our Brainpower schools and our UIW campus communities to join in solidarity, drawing on a shared vision of faith and learning, to work together as One Word. While some events will find a place in our chapels, a hallmark of Pray-a-thon has been to take prayer to the people in unique and creative ways. We pray that each of you will enjoy a week filled with opportunities to experience prayer in different forms, expressions and traditions. For more information, please contact, Sr. Walter Maher, VP Mission and Ministry at maher@uiwtx.edu.
CCVI Spirit Award Nominations
On behalf of Mission and Ministry, please click here to find the CCVI Spirit Award Nomination form for 2020. Should you wish to nominate a fellow employee for this award, the deadline for submission is Friday, Feb. 28. Please return nomination forms to Sr. Walter Maher at CPO 139. The CCVI Spirit Award recognizes a member of the faculty, administration, or staff who has demonstrated in service to the University and/or to the broader civic community, the spirit of the founders, the Sisters of Charity of the Incarnate Word. The mission of the University flows directly from this spirit. One award is given each year. All members of the campus community, lay and religious, part-time and full-time, are eligible. Selection of the honoree is made by a committee of faculty, administrators, and persons chosen for the award in past years.
Highlights
San Antonio Express News: UIW receives $10.8 million for medical residency programs in San Antonio
Upcoming Events
Black History Month Events
UIW is celebrating Black History Month through Monday, Feb. 24. Please consider attending the following events:
- Feb. 7 – Dr. Martin Luther King Path to Nonviolence, 10:30 a.m., AD 365
- Feb. 12 – The Power of Black Love Panel, 6 p.m., SEC (TBD)
- Feb. 20 – Black History Open Mic Night, 6 p.m., Red’s Pub
- Feb. 24 – African America Read-in, 11:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m., Dubuis Lawn
- Feb. 25 – The Different Voices of Power, 6 p.m., SEC Ballroom
For more information, please contact Brandi Coleman at bjrodrig@uiwtx.edu.
Cardinal Couples Mass
Did you and your significant other meet at UIW? Come back to our beautiful campus to receive a special blessing from Fr. Tom Dymowski. The annual Cardinal Couples Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, Feb. 9 in Our Lady's Chapel.
After Mass, the UIW Department of Alumni Relations will have a sweet treat for all the Cardinal Couples in attendance. RSVP for the Cardinal Couples Mass here.
Red Dress Fashion Show and Health Fair
Join the University of the Incarnate Word for the 17th Annual Red Dress Fashion Show and Health Fair! This annual event will take place on Tuesday, Feb. 11 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the UIW Student Engagement Center (SEC). Don't miss out on healthy living information, demonstrations and health tips provided by students from UIW’s health professions programs. Plus, visit local vendors to shop for unique gifts just in time for Valentine’s Day. The event highlight, the Red Dress Fashion Show, will take place at noon in the SEC Ballroom. This event is free and open to the public. Join us in our effort to increase awareness of women’s heart health! Click here to purchase a Red Dress raffle ticket.
10 Sacred Songs of John Ness Beck: A Lecture Recital
Dr. Wayne Davis, tenor, and Dr. Jean Park, piano, will perform 10 Sacred Songs of John Ness Beck and share information about his legacy. This recital will be held at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 12 in the Seddon Recital Hall. The performance is free to attend. For more information, please contact mtwright@uiwtx.edu.
Cowboy Breakfast
The annual UIW Employee Cowboy Breakfast will be held at 8:30 a.m., Thursday, Feb. 13 in the SEC Ballroom. Come enjoy breakfast with colleagues, a raffle and more!
Frank Bennack Lecture
Executive Vice Chairman and Former CEO of Hearst, Frank Bennack, will visit UIW on Friday, Feb. 14 for a special presentation. His lecture will cover the topics in his book, Leave Something on the Table and Other Surprising Lessons for Success in Business and in Life. This presentation is open to all UIW students, community members and a guest. Attendees will receive a signed copy of the book. The presentation will be held from 10 – 11 a.m. in the SEC Ballroom. Please RSVP to gutierre@uiwtx.edu.
Women's Global Connection: Girls Global Summit
Women’s Global Connection is celebrating its 8th Annual Girls Global Summit from 9 a.m. - 1 p.m., Saturday, Feb.15 in the UIW McCombs Center Rosenberg Sky Room. This event offers impactful and thoughtful cross-cultural engagement led by middle and high school girls from across the San Antonio metropolitan area. Exploring themes that resonate with our Girl Groups, conference attendees will engage in several round-table discussions and participate in leadership development exercises designed to embolden and inspire summit guests. Due to the donations from generous supporters, this event is free to attend. For more information and/or to volunteer, please contact Marlene Diaz at wgc.mdiaz@gmail.com. Register for the Summit here.
Community News
RBFCU Shark Tank
H-E-B School of Business freshmen and sophomore students Isabella Garcia, Samantha Leonard, Naz Maknojia, Tiffany Paris, Kassandra Ramos and Evan Ray Santos, participated in a Shark Tank and Externship Activity hosted by Randolph Brooks Credit Union.
The students were selected to participate after submitting an application, and represented UIW among other colleges and universities. They had the opportunity to tour RBFCU Headquarters and meet with executive leadership. The day culminated with the students presenting an entrepreneurial concept to a group of “sharks” made up of community professionals. The Office of Career Services would like to thank these students for their stellar participation!
UIWSOM Shines at TOMA Conference
UIW School of Osteopathic Medicine students recently attended the Texas Osteopathic Medicine Conference, submitting their research for award consideration.
Trung (Tony) Nguyen, OMS, UIWSOM won 2nd place for his poster presentation, titled The Effects of Decreased Open Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Experience on Vascular Surgery Training.
Kaylyn Snook, OMS, UIWSOM, received 3rd place for her poster presentation, Providing Health Care to Underserved Areas of San Antonio Is One of the Primary Missions for UIWSOM.
Department News
UIW and Texas Academic Decathlon Partnership
We are proud to announce that UIW will partner with organizers from the Texas Academic Decathlon to host their annual state competition on the UIW campus, effective with the 2021 state competition. The Texas Academic Decathlon is a competition held each spring for high school students. Teams are comprised of three A-level students, three B-level students, and three C-level students. The winners from each state competition advance to the national competition, the U.S. Academic Decathlon, set for April 30 – May 2 in Anchorage, Alaska.
This weekend, February 7 and 8, UIW will host the regional Texas Academic Decathlon competition for the San Antonio Independent School District as they select the teams that will advance to the state competition in March which will be held at the Omni - San Antonio. This partnership is an excellent recruiting opportunity for UIW. We know that students who visit our campus are more likely to attend UIW. When competing, these students will be on campus Friday afternoon through Sunday, which gives them ample opportunity to get to know UIW.
During the fall 2020 semester, UIW will host discipline specific information sessions for the San Antonio area teams to help them learn the content of the theme selected for the 2021 competitions. We know the teams look forward to working with our faculty to learn the exciting and challenging theme for 2021. We will ask for your support to help us with these training sessions and reserving rooms for these special events. We hope that you realize how beneficial these events are in our recruiting efforts and will help us with this effort.
The Texas Academic Decathlon allows us to recruit from these events and encourages our students, admission officers, and faculty to volunteer. Students that score well and progress on to the national Academic Decathlon are awarded academic scholarships from the Texas Academic Decathlon to attend the college or university of their choice. The Texas Academic Decathlon alone provides $180,000 in scholarships.
Texas is so large that it sends three teams—small school, medium, and large—to the national competition. Students are tested individually on seven disciplines—Art, Literature, Music, Social Science, Economics, Mathematics, and Science—based upon one universal theme. The theme this year is “In Sickness and in Health: An Exploration of Illness and Wellness.” Additionally, students must give two speeches—one prepared and one extemporary—and sit for interviews, all also related to the theme. Then the team competes as a unit on an event called the “Super Quiz.” This will bring between 400-500 high school students, their coaches/teachers, parents, school superintendents, and friends to UIW for the state competition.
In addition, San Antonio College will host the Texas Academic Decathlon State Finals. From March 6-8, 2020, regional winners (40 teams/9 students per team – 360 competitors) from across the state will converge on San Antonio to compete for $84,000 in scholarships. Team and individual winners are determined based on their knowledge of math, literature, economics, science, social science, art, and music. In addition, the students will write an essay, give both a prepared and impromptu speech, and be interviewed regarding their high school activities and/or future plans.
As noted previously, the contest relies heavily on community volunteers. Volunteers are needed as follows:
March 6, 2020
11:30 am to 5:00 pm (lunch provided)
Speech and Interview Events (San Antonio College)
March 7, 2020
8:00 am to 1:15 pm (lunch provided)
Test Proctoring (Omni Hotel – Wurzbach and Interstate 10 W)
1:30 pm to 4:00 pm
Super Quiz Proctoring (Omni Hotel – Wurzbach and Interstate 10 W)
If you are interested and can volunteer, or you would like additional information, please email rhopkins@alamo.edu. Additional information and updates related to the Texas Academic Decathlon competition will be shared when it is available.
More information about the state and national organizations is at TXACAD.Org and USAD.Org. Curricular topics related to the theme for 2019-2020 can be found here .
For more information, please contact Dr. Bobbye G. Fry, Assistant to the Vice President for Enrollment Services by email at Fry@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:
- Cereal
- Canned beans
- Tuna
- Canned soup
- Rice
- Mac and cheese
- Peanut butter
- Granola bars
- Pasta and pasta sauce
- 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.
Health-E News
A Special Message from Health Services re: coronavirus update
Dear Cardinal Community,
We are closely tracking the spread of the new coronavirus, first identified in December in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. At this point, there are no known cases of the virus in San Antonio, but there are cases in the United States. The situation is changing rapidly, and we will provide updates when new information or guidance needs to be communicated.
Symptoms of this infectious illness include fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Based on current information, symptoms can appear anywhere from two to 14 days after initial exposure to the disease and can be transmitted from inhaling or touching infected droplets – usually through a cough or sneeze — from an infected person.
UIW has numerous health and wellness resources available to students including flu shots which are being offered at Health Services. No appointment is needed to obtain a flu shot. For more information, please contact Health Services at (210) 829-6017.
Whether or not any symptoms have appeared, if you are a student on and of the UIW campuses who has traveled from China in the past 14 days, we ask that you notify School of Medicine Student Health Services at (210) 829-6017.
Similarly, if you are a UIW employee who has traveled from China in the past 14 days, we ask that you notify UIW Health Services at (210) 829-6017.
Any such students or employees should monitor themselves for fever, cough and difficulty breathing. Anyone with these symptoms should make a follow-up call to UIW Health Services and follow instructions to get evaluated. It’s important to call before showing up at a doctor’s office or emergency room.
We follow guidelines established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for identifying and managing patients of concern.
During flu season, you will often see people on campus wearing masks. Please be reassured that seeing someone in a mask does not mean they have been exposed to this coronavirus. Again, we currently do not have anyone in our community being evaluated for this virus.
It’s important to note that cold and flu season is nearing its peak. In the absence of travel to affected areas in China, or exposure to a known case of novel coronavirus infection, the presence of these symptoms is likely related to a cold or flu. Please remember to practice cold and flu prevention techniques.
Members of our campus community are reminded to take precautions
The best way to prevent infection is to take precautions to avoid exposure to this virus, which are similar to the precautions you take to avoid the flu. CDC always recommends these everyday actions to help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Stay home when you are sick.
- Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
For more information, please visit the CDC’s website here.
We will continue to monitor and update our campus community on the coronavirus outbreak as needed.
Thank you for helping to protect our campus community.
Sincerely,
David E. Garza, DO, MS.MEdL
Medical Director, UIW Health Services
Ronda Gottlieb DNP, APRN, FNP-C.
Director, UIW Health Services Clinic
Athletic News
