University of Texas at Arlington

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Template:Infobox University The University of Texas at Arlington (full official name), usually referred to as UT Arlington or UTA, is the largest institution of the University of Texas System in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex, and is second in size (in the region) only to the University of North Texas. It is the third largest institution in the University of Texas System, after the University of Texas at Austin and University of Texas at San Antonio. It has a student population around 25,000.

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History

Established in 1895 as Arlington College, it was renamed Carlisle Military Academy (1902), Arlington Training School (1913), and Arlington Military Academy (1916). In March 1917, the school was renamed Grubbs Vocational College and became a state-supported institution for the first time as an "extension" of the Texas A&M University System.

While part of the Texas A&M University System the school was renamed North Texas Agricultural College (1923) and then Arlington State College (1949). The school achieved four-year status in 1959.

On April 23, 1965, Arlington State College was transferred to the University of Texas System, and adopted its present name in 1967.

Then on February 15, 2006, a new logo was unveiled as part of a branding project known as, What is a Maverick that started in October 2004. The new logo features a blue letter A, outlined in orange, with a beveled star in the center.

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Academia

Image:UTA New Logo.png Image:UTA Old Logo.png Image:Realoldlogo.gif

UTA has strong programs in architecture, engineering, nursing, fine arts, and business. UTA's business program consistently ranks among the state's top programs in accounting graduates passing the certified public accountant exam.

Liberal-arts strengths include innovative programs in Southwestern Studies and Mexican-American studies. The university is home to outstanding cartography collections and to one of the strongest collections of material relating to the Mexican-American War. UTA houses the Fort Worth Star-Telegram photo archives, a collection representing over 100 years of the DFW area's history. UTA also has the only accredited architectural masters program in the region.

UTA is also home of a university-based nanotechnology research facility, NanoFab Research and Teaching Facility, one of only three such facilities in the country (the other two are at MIT and in California). UTA also hosts the Summer Institute of Linguistics.

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Athletics

UTA's athletic teams are known as the Mavericks (the selection was made in 1971 and predated the Dallas Mavericks choice in 1980).

Although its ancestor schools North Texas Agricultural College and Arlington State College were national two-year football powers, UTA does not now field a football team. It does, however, still have a marching band. The UTA Marching Band is one of a few marching bands in the country to exist at a university where there is not a football program. Despite this, the band continues to give more performances than most other college bands throughout the nation. In addition, UTA still operates a football stadium (Maverick Stadium) which is used by schools in the Arlington Independent School District as well as for student parking (UTA operates a shuttle bus between Maverick Stadium and several stops on campus).

The women's basketball team competed in the 2005 NCAA tournament, the first appearance in the tournament by either of UTA's basketball teams. The volleyball team competed in the Final Four in the 1990's.

One of its most distinctive athletic teams is in wheelchair basketball, where its Movin' Mavs have won and hosted several national championships.

UTA also fields teams or competitors in over 10 NCAA Division I events, including baseball, basketball, tennis, golf, track and volleyball. UTA is a member of the NCAA, and more specifically, the Southland Conference.

Image:Uta-web-logo.gif UTA has won the Southland Conference's Commissioners Cup more times than any other conference team - three times since the award was first instituted in 1998. The Commissioners Cup is awarded to the athletics program with the highest all-around performance in all conference events, including all men's and women's events.

UTA's basketball and volleyball teams play at Texas Hall, which may be one of collegiate athletics' most unique facilities. Texas Hall is a 4,200 seat theater, and the teams play on the theater stage. Fans can sit either in the theater seats or in bleachers on the stage. In 2005, the University administration proposed a new Special Events Center, including an all-new, state of the art arena better designed for basketball and volleyball. The students approved a fee for its construction and operation, but no announcement has been made concerning the center for some time. (Fee awaits final approval)

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Traditions

Image:Bedrace.jpgBed Races: Since 1980 hundreds of students gather to watch teams consisting of four pushers and a rider race against each other in a race just over the length of a football field. Teams consist of student organizations, Greek organizations and residence halls from around UTA.

International Week: "I-week" is put together by the International Student Organization, and branches out the UTA community in its entirety promoting diversity between cultures on campus. The most recent I-week will focus on 3000+ international students that currently attend UTA by drawing attention to their nationality and through their cultural student organizations. I-week typically includes a Food Fair, Fashion Show, Global Extravaganza, Exhibits, and more.

Maverick Maniacs: A new tradition in the scheme of things, created in 2002, the goal of this new tradition was to create an organization to spread campus pride. In the first year this organization became the one of the most popular on campus.

UTA Marching Band: Known as "The Ambassadors of the University," the UTA Marching Band is one of the only college marching bands in the nation to exist without a football team. For almost 20 years, the UTA Marching Band has pioneered a new path in musical and visual excellence, striving to provide audiences with state-of-the-art presentations. The band performs annually for crowds numbering 100,000 and is featured in exhibition performances at state and local contests, such as Bands of America and Regional UIL, as well as festivals and high school and professional football games. In 2001, the band performed in exhibition at the Bands of America Grand Nationals Championship, held in Indianapolis, Indiana. The 175 student musicians in the band represent almost all academic disciplines and majors within the University. Excellence and excitement are the cornerstones for the UTA Marching Band's tradition of success. Source: UTA Marching Band

Rubbing Hereford's Head: Dr. E.H. Hereford was UTA's president from 1946-58. His sculpted likeness still watches over students from its perch in the University Center. Superstition holds that rubbing Dr. Hereford's head gives good luck on exams. This tradition is now carried out online to bring good luck.

Image:Oozeball.jpg Oozeball: Oozeball is a tradition hosted by the Student Alumni Association and Campus Recreation to raise money for the Student Alumni Association Sophomore Scholarship. Once the amout for the scholarship is reached, all excess funds are donated to charity. In Oozeball, students play volleyball in artificial mud pits. Since it's creation in 1989, Oozeball has become one of the most popular student traditions.

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Notable people

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Alumni

Several famous individuals either attended or graduated from UTA:

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Faculty

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See also

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References

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External links


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