Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
Art Competition: Earth Matters

ALL WEEK

Art Exhibits

• Earth Matters: International Art Exhibit, University Gallery
Juried Art Competition
• Environmental Landscape of Mexico, Library Annex Gallery
Courtesy of the Consulate of Mexico in McAllen
• Heaven on Earth: Divinity of Nature in the Far East
Library Lobby, Collection of Dr. Andrew McDonald

International Film Series
(Open to UTPA students)
Co-sponsored by the University Library and the College of Business Administration
Palmetto Room, Student Union, 3 p.m. daily
Introduced and screened by Dr. Carla Calarge
Department of Modern Languages and Literature

• An Inconvenient Truth – Global (English)
• Darwin’s Nightmare – Tanzania, Africa (English and Swahili)
• The Charcoal People ***CANCELLED*** – Brazil, South America (Portuguese
with English subtitles)
• Children of Tsunami: The Journey Continues – India,
Indonesia, Sri Lanka and Thailand (English)
• Blowin’ in the Wind – Australia, U.S., Bosnia and Iraq (English)

 

Monday, Nov. 12

8:45-9:35 a.m., HSHW 1.404
“Going Green: Options and Alternatives”
Ms. Chris Lash, Executive Director, Keep McAllen Beautiful
Mrs. Ouina Rutledge, Recycling Manager, City of McAllen
Moderator: Dr. Jennifer Lemanski, Department of Communication

9:45-10:35 a.m., SBS 119
“Global Environmental Outlook in Russian Literature”
Dr. Marina Zakharova, Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (Russia)
Moderator: Dr. Christopher Miller, Department of History
and Philosophy

10:45-11:35 a.m., SBS 103 ***CANCELLED***
“Justice and the Poor: The Case of Central American
Immigrants on the Northeast Mexican Border”
Dr. Alberto Martin, Universidad Autonoma De Tamaulipas, Reynosa, Mexico
Moderator: Dr. Rosalva Resendiz, Department of Criminal Justice

10:45-11:35 a.m., BUSA 119
“Environmental Policies, Facts and Behaviors in
Germany and the U.S.”
Mr. Christoph Scheuermann, student, MBA Program
Law and Business graduate, University of Luneburg, Germany
Moderator: Prof. Joe Garza, Department of Management, Marketing
and International Business

10:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m., COAS 107
“Chinese Language and Culture Showcase”
UTPA student competition
Moderator: Prof. Zhiying Lu, Department of Modern
Languages and Literature

11:45 a.m.-12:35 p.m., SBS 119
“Recent Trends in the Media on Global Warming”
Dr. Lynn Vincentnathan, Department of Criminal Justice
Department of Psychology and Anthropology

12:45 a.m.-1:35 p.m., SBS 119
“Global Environmental Outlook in Russian Literature”
Dr. Marina Zakharova, Fulbright Language Teaching Assistant (Russia)
Moderator: Dr. Christopher Miller, Department of History and Philosophy

1:45-2:35 p.m., SBS 105
“Untouchables as Type-Script Deviants and Their Deviance”
Dr. S. George Vincentnathan, Department of Criminal Justice

3 p.m., Palmetto Room, Student Union
International Film Series: An Inconvenient Truth
Global (92 min.)

4:30-5:45 p.m., SBS 101
“A Legal Study of Free Trade Areas and Environment:
A View from China”
Dr. Yundong Chen, Fulbright Scholar (China)
Moderator: Dr. Sonia Alianak, Department of Political Science

5:30 p.m., Library Media Courtyard*
International Night
International Entertainment and Food Tasting
Co-sponsored by the Office of Student Development
*inclement weather location: University Ballroom

7:10-8:25 p.m., BUSA 219
“Global Environmental and Economic Outlook”
Dr. Damian Damianov
Dr. Gökçe Soydemir
Department of Economics and Finance

 

Tuesday, Nov. 13

8:30-10:30 a.m., Library Auditorium
“Climate Change and Rainforests for Kids”
Ms. Levana Saxon, Education Coordinator, Rainforest Action Network
Freddy Gonzalez Elementary Fifth Grade

9:10-10:25 a.m., Albert L. Jeffers Theatre
“A Latino MLK: The Forgotten Legacy of Hector P. Garcia”
Dr. Gregory Selber, Department of Communication

9:10-10:25 a.m., EDCC 2.102 A
“The Extinction of Experience”
Mr. Martin Hagne, Executive Director
Valley Nature Center
Moderator: Prof. Irasema Gonzalez
Department of Curriculum and Instruction

10:30-11:30 a.m., EDCC 1.408
“Native Turtles and Tortoises”
UTPA Daycare Activity
Mr. Martin Hagne, Executive Director Valley Nature Center
Ms. Jennifer Owen, Natural Resource Specialist
Estero Llano Grande State Park
Moderator: Ms. Elda Perez
Director, Child Development Center

10:35-11:50 a.m., ENGR 2.268
“Nuclear Energy: Operations, Site Security
and Environmental Benefits” ***CANCELLED***
South Texas Project Nuclear Power Plant
Sponsored by the Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Moderator: Dr. Jianzhi Li, Department of Manufacturing Engineering

10:35-11:50 a.m., Albert L. Jeffers Theatre
Lecture Series Part I:
“Environmental Themes in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam”
Dr. Rebekah Hamilton, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities Department of English

Noon, EDCC 1.102
Panel Discussion:
“Government Policies on Environment”
Dr. Philippe Jamet, Attaché for Science and Technology, Embassy of France
Mr. Masashi Komurasaki, First Secretary, Embassy of Japan
Moderator: Dr. John Bokina, Department of Political Science

1:10-2:25 p.m., Albert L. Jeffers Theatre
“Issues in Environmental Conservation Along the U.S.-Mexican Border”
Mr. Arturo Longoria, author
Moderator: Prof. Emmy Perez, Department of English

3 p.m., Palmetto Room, Student Union
International Film Series: Darwin’s Nightmare
Africa (107 min.)

5:30 p.m., Library Annex Gallery
Opening Reception: Environmental Landscape of Mexico

7 p.m., Library Auditorium
“Environmental Care in Islamic Teachings”
Mr. Muhammad N. Haq
Principal, ASIA Academy
President, American Society for Islamic Awareness (Houston)
Moderator: Dr. Mohammed Farooqui Chair, Department of Biology

 

Wednesday, Nov. 14

World Diabetes Day
Sponsored by the UTPA Border Health Office
All events are free for UTPA faculty, staff, and students.

7-11 a.m., UTPA Wellness and Recreation Center
• Basic Eye and Glaucoma Exams
Dr. Richard Gillette, Buena Vista Optical
• Lower Extremities Amputation Risk Exams
Valley Baptist Medical Center Mobile Van
• Nutritional Counseling
UTPA Dietetic Students
• Diabetes Education
UTPA Dietetic Students
American Diabetes Association

7-9 a.m., UTPA Wellness and Recreation Center
Health Screen
South Texas Health System
• Blood Glucose
• Blood Pressure
• Body Fat Percentage

9:15-9:30 a.m., UTPA Wellness and Recreation Center
Opening of Fitness Challenge

9:30-11 a.m., UTPA Wellness and Recreation Center*
Faculty and Staff Fitness Challenge
• 1600 Meter Relay Run (*relay run taking place at UTPA track)
• Push Ups
• Sit Ups
• Pull Ups
• Basketball 3-point Shoot-out
• Tug-O-War

11:30 a.m., UTPA Wellness and Recreation Center
Closing of Fitness Challenge
Awards: Individual and Team

8:45-10 a.m., HSHE 1.114
“Environmental Justice Poetics”
Dr. Kamala Platt, Department of English

9:45-10:35 a.m., SBS 101
“The End of the World as We Know It? Globalization and the Environment”
Dr. Amy Hay, Department of History and Philosophy

10:45-11:35 a.m., EDCC 1.102
“The Internationalization of the Amazon”
Senator Cristovam Buarque (Brazil)
Co-sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literature
Moderators:
Dr. Margaret Graham, Department of Psychology and Anthropology
Dr. Ethan Sharp, Department of Modern Languages and Literature

10:45-11:35 a.m., HSHE 1.114
“Language and Nature”
Dr. Pamela Anderson-Mejias
Dr. Deborah Cole
Dr. Minhee Eom
Prof. Theron Francis
Dr. Edward Heckler
Dr. Yong Lang
Department of English

11:45 a.m.-12:35 p.m., ENGR 1.268
Panel Discussion: “The Business of Alternative Energies”
Ms. Brandy Celedon, Marketing Director, Sol Technologies
Mr. Bobby L. Crum, Assistant Manager/Vice President and Sales Manager, VALCO Bio Energy
Moderator: Dr. Mark Cunningham, Department of Physics and Geology

Noon, University Ballroom
Provost’s Awards for International Studies
(By invitation only)

12:45-1:35 p.m., SCIE 2.106
“Earth, the Only Oasis in the Solar System”
Dr. Jose Luis Cortez
Moderator: Dr. Nicolas Pereyra
Department of Physics and Geology

1:45-2:35 p.m., SCIE 2.108
Panel Discussion: “Global Warming and Alternative Energies”
Dr. Muhammad Bhatti, Department of Physics and Geology
Dr. Jose Luis Cortez, Department of Physics and Geology
Dr. Andrew McDonald, Department of Biology
Moderator: Dr. Nicholas Dimakis, Department of Physics and Geology

3 p.m., Palmetto Room, Student Union ***CANCELLED***
International Film Series: The Charcoal People
Brazil (70 min.)

4:10-5:25 p.m., HSHE 1.114
“The Internationalization of the Amazon”
Senator Cristovam Buarque (Brazil)
Co-sponsored by the Department of Modern Languages and Literature Moderator: Dr. Daniel Sutter
Department of Economics and Finance

4:45-5:45 p.m., SBS 101
Student Panel Discussion
“Global Warming,” Michelle Piszczor
“Proxy War in Somalia,” Tony Matamoros
Moderator: Dr. Sonia Alianak, Department of Political Science

5-6 p.m., Wildscape Indigenous Garden
Earth Poetry and Coffee Hour
Refreshments and Open-Mic Poetry Reading
Moderator: Dr. Kamala Platt, Department of English

6-7 p.m., Library Auditorium
Zambian Vocal Group
A cappella performance (Africa)
Moderator: Mr. Robert Rueda, Baptist Student Ministry

7:30 p.m., Fine Arts Auditorium
Keynote Speaker:
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
“Our Environmental Destiny”
Sponsored by the
Distinguished Speaker Series
Doors open at 7 p.m. for UTPA students,
faculty and staff (with valid UTPA ID)
and at 7:20 p.m. to the general public.

 

Thursday, Nov. 15

9:10-10:25 a.m., HSHE 1.114
“Can We Save the Environment?”
Dr. Robert Ballinger, Green Party of Texas
Chair, Government Department, South Texas College, McAllen
Moderator: Dr. Gary Mounce, Department of Political Science

10:35-11:50 a.m., BUSA 224
“Central and Eastern European Countries on the Way to European Monetary Union: A Case of Slovakia”
Dr. Eva Muchova, Fulbright Scholar (Slovakia)
Moderator: Dr. Angelica Cortes, Department of Management, Marketing and International Business

10:35-11:50 a.m., HSHE 1.114
Lecture Series Part II:
“Humanity is not the Central Fact of the Cosmos:
The Teachings of Mesoamerican Religious Art”
Dr. Richard Phillips, Department of Art

10:35-11:50 a.m., ENGR 1.300
“India and the Renewable Energy Movement”
Vivek Sharma, Ph.D. candidate, Texas A&M University, College Station
Moderator: Dr. Hashim S. Mahdi, Chair, Department of
Mechanical Engineering

11 a.m.-2 p.m., Library Media Courtyard
Study Abroad Fair
Free Pizza, Music, Prizes, and Entertainment
Raffle for Prizes and Scholarships
• UTPA Salsa Band
• Sodexho ~ International Food Sampling
• Grand Prize ~ Study Abroad Scholarship

1:10-2:25 p.m., HSHE 1.114
“Earth Works and Land Art of the Post Modern Era”
Dr. Chad Airhart, Department of Art

2:30-3:45 p.m., HSHE 1.114 - ***CANCELLED***
“Green Product Design and Recycling”
Dr. Jianzhi Li, Department of Manufacturing Engineering
Moderator: Prof. Maria Elena Macias, Department of Art

3 p.m., Palmetto Room, Student Union
International Film Series:
Children of Tsunami: The Journey Continues
Asia (48 min.)

4-5:15 p.m., EDCC 1.102
Lecture Series Part III:
“Origin and Devolution of Nature Worship”
Dr. Andrew McDonald, Department of Biology

5-6:30 p.m., SBS 101
Reading and Book Signing:
Adios to the Brushlands
Keepers of the Wilderness
Mr. Arturo Longoria, author
Moderator: Dr. Kamala Platt, Department of English

5:30 p.m., University Gallery
Awards Reception:
Earth Matters: International Art Exhibit
Dinstinguished Juror ~ Dr. Lorenzo Pace, writer, internationally-
acclaimed sculptor and installation artist

7-8:15 p.m., SBS 101
Panel Discussion:
“Religion and the Environment”
Dr. Rebekah Hamilton, Associate Dean, College of Arts and Humanities Department of English
Dr. Andrew McDonald, Department of Biology
Dr. Richard Phillips, Department of Art
Special Guest Moderator: Mr. Arturo Longoria, author

 

Friday, Nov. 16

9-10:15 a.m., HSHE 1.114
“Birds Without Borders: Migratory Birds and the Challenges They Face"
Dr. Timothy Brush, Department of Biology
Dr. Joshua Rose, Program Director, Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

9:45-10:35 a.m., BUSA 119
“A Knowledge-based, Sustainable, Social and Economic Development Model Proposed for the Nuevo Leon State Government”
Dr. José Barragán Codina, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo León
Monterrey, Mexico
Moderator: Prof. Joe Garza, Department of Management, Marketing
and International Business

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Wildscape Indigenous Garden
Tree Planting (Everyone is invited to help!)
Outdoor Expedition Club

10:45-11:35 a.m., HSHE 1.114
“From Silence to Writing: The Autobiography of Slave Poet Juan Manzano”
Dr. William Luis, Chancellor's Professor of Spanish, Vanderbilt University
Moderator: Dr. Stephanie Alvarez, Department of Modern Languages
and Literature

11:45 a.m.-12:35 p.m., SBS 203
“Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Tsunamis, Oh My!: Social and Environmental Conditions in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Singapore”
Dr. Penelope Ann Adair, Department of History and Philosophy

12:45-1:35 p.m., HSHE 1.114
Poetry Reading: "Spanglish Matters"
Mr. Tato Laviera, American Book Award winner and best-selling
U.S. Latino poet
Moderator: Dr. Stephanie Alvarez, Department of Modern Languages and Literature

3 p.m., Palmetto Room, Student Union
International Film Series: Blowin’ in the Wind
Australia (62 min.)

 

Special Thanks to the Following:

Sponsors:

4-Star Donors
Law Office of Kevin O'Hanlan

3-Star Donors
Law Office of Sergio Valdez
Law Office of Javier Villalobos

2-Star Donors
Law Office of Gustavo Acevedo
Law Office of Al Alvarez

1-Star Donors
Adobe Restaurant (Edinburg)
Barnes & Noble (McAllen)
Buffalo Wild Wings (McAllen)
Carmike Cinemas (Edinburg)
Dominos Pizza (Edinburg)
First National Bank (Edinburg)
Golden Corral (Edinburg)
Hastings Books and Music (McAllen)
Irma’s Sweete Shoppe (Pharr)
Luby's (Edinburg)
Marble Slab Creamery (McAllen)
Med Care Pharmacy (Edinburg)
Monster Car Wash (Edinburg)
South Texas Bookstore (Edinburg)
Spa La Posada (McAllen)
Staples (Pharr)
Valley Coca Cola Enterprise (McAllen)

 

Co-sponsors:

Distinguished Speakers Series
University Library
Office of Student Development
Border Health Office
Department of Modern Languages and Literature
Department of Environmental Health and Safety
Sodexho Catering Services

Planning Committee:

Dr. Sonia Alianak
Dr. John Bokina
Dr. Stephanie Brickman
Dr. Ralph Carlson
Dr. Matthew Christensen
Dr. Angelica Cortes
Dr. Mohammed Farooqui
Mr. George Gause
Ms. Virginia Haynie Gause
Dr. Salma Ghanem
Dr. Esteban Hernandez
Dr. Servando Hinojosa
Dr. Yong Lang
Dr. Andrew McDonald
Dr. Gary Mounce
Prof. Ramiro Rea
Prof. Reynaldo Santiago
Dr. Ethan Sharp
Dr. Gökςe Soydemir
Dr. Arturo Vasquez
Dr. George Vincentnathan
Ms. Tanzeer Ahmed
Ms. Sarah Castillo
Ms. Cinamon Dorr
Ms. Marilu Salazar