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On Wednesday, August 1, fans can pick up their 2018 UTEP football season tickets and receive a special “thank you” for supporting the Miners.

Paid season tickets will be available for pickup at the Larry K. Durham Center between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m.  Fans who pick up their tickets will receive UTEP Athletics giveaways while supplies last.

 The Season Ticket Pickup Party will feature special appearances from the cheerleaders and Paydirt Pete, and UTEP football coaches will be on hand to interact with Miner fans.  KOFX 92.3 FM will be on-site in the morning.

 UTEP football season tickets start at just $66 and family packs (two adults/two youth ages 12 and under) are available for $210. 

The Miners will host six home games including Northern Arizona (Sept. 1), NM State (Sept. 22), North Texas (Oct. 6), UAB (Oct. 27), Middle Tennessee (Nov. 10) and Southern Miss (Nov. 24).

For more information, would-be ticket buyers can call (915) 747-6150 today to reserve tickets.

You are a student in the schoolyard and you witness a group of kids bullying one of your classmates. You want to help, but you’re hesitant because the aggressors are bigger than you. What do you do?

This is one of the scenarios presented in a new handbook for public school teachers and educators designed to teach children on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border about respect, honesty and justice.

The handbook is part of a series of colorful illustrated bilingual booklets titled, “Cultivating Values.” The General Consulate of Mexico in El Paso developed the binational initiative in collaboration with The University of Texas at El Paso and other community partners to help elementary school children understand the importance of practicing these values in and out of the classroom.

“Schools play a significant role in children’s development, and must include character development that inculcates moral values that teach children right from wrong and to be good citizens in our society,” said Josefina V. “Josie” Tinajero, Ed.D., UTEP professor of bilingual education.

Tinajero is one of three UTEP faculty members, including Eva Moya, Ph.D., associate professor of social work, and Lucía Durá, Ph.D., assistant professor of rhetoric and writing studies, involved in the project.

“We believe that respect, honesty and justice are the foundation for how a child learns to treat others, how to think and how to show respect for others throughout their lifetime,” said Moya, interim chair of the Department of Social Work and the project’s leader. “It affects our ability to behave and express ourselves with sincerity and integrity but also to stand firm on what we believe.”

Since 2016, UTEP faculty members have worked with Andres Muro, Community Education Program director at El Paso Community College, and colleagues from the Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez, Programa Educación en Valores in Juárez, Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey (ITESM) Juárez campus, Secretaria de Educación y Deporte del Estado de Chihuahua, Instituto Promotor de Educación and U.S., Mexico and Canada Strategic Alliance.

The booklets are filled with examples of what it means for children to be just, honest and respectful. They include lessons on topics such as following rules, saying sorry and listening to others. They will be distributed to schools in El Paso and Juárez. Among the first schools in El Paso to receive them are La Fe Preparatory Academy, Canutillo Elementaryand Mesita Elementary.

“Video games, television, the internet and movies are having a tremendous influence on children’s thinking and development,” Tinajero said. “Teaching values such as respect, honesty and justice should be an integral part of a child’s self and identify and must be part of the school curriculum.”

As part of the project, researchers asked 1,500 public school students ages 8-10 in El Paso and Juárez to submit drawings of what they thought respect, justice and honesty looked like in school, at home and in the community.

“We said, ‘Give an example of respect in your school,’” Durá explained. “When people are being respectful, what is happening? When they’re being disrespectful, what does that look like?’ Then they had to draw an animal that they associate with respect and explain why, so there was an abstract component to this.”

Based on the data they collected, researchers wrote stories that describe how children interpreted these values. They worked with Sarahi Serna Macias, a graphic designer in Juárez, to illustrate the stories.

They also collaborated with public school teachers on both sides of the border to develop a handbook that contains activities for each value. For example, students are encouraged to design posters of how they feel when others are not respectful, honest or just with them. Other activities include writing a song or a poem that incorporates messages that allude to any of the three values.

The handbook also invites parents and grandparents to become involved in the co-teaching of values by having them read a story or sketch a drawing about the values they teach at home.

The first booklet, which focused on respect, was released in September 2017. Booklets focusing on justice and honesty followed.

The consulate unveiled the teacher’s handbook in June 2018 during a press conference.

“Today we are pleased because we have an instrument that unites the voice of children,” said Juan Acereto, consul of economic and political affairs at the Mexican consulate, in Spanish. “This will allow us to enter their hearts and strengthen these values that we so desperately need in our society.”

Moya expects that the lessons students learn about honesty, respect and justice in school also will expand into the community.

“Schools are natural places where we form children and where we can have important conversations about how we treat each other,” Moya said. “If we can educate children about these values in schools, then we can educate parents in communities and in households, and in work settings. Then without a doubt, we’re going to have a society that respects, that is honest and that practices justice, and that’s what we hope for.”

Moya said a fourth booklet about health is planned before the end of the year.

Copies are available upon request at the Mexican Consulate in El Paso.

Author:  Laura L. Acosta – UTEP Communications

On Wednesday, officials with the University of Texas at El Paso announced the launch of a new partnership with one of the leading research institutions in Juárez, Mexico.

The director of Universidad Tecnológica de Ciudad Juárez, Guillermo Álvarez Terrazas, joined UTEP President Diana Natalicio on the UTEP campus to sign and formally announce the creation of the joint initiative.

“This partnership is an important step toward a goal shared by both institutions – that of increasing the availability of high-quality educational opportunities for our students,” President Natalicio said. “By fostering greater academic exchange between our institutions, both UTEP and UTCJ will be better positioned to prepare our students to meet the challenges and opportunities that come with living and working in a binational community.”

The overarching goal of the agreement is to promote academic collaboration between members of the faculty at both institutions, as well as among students at the graduate and undergraduate levels.

To this end, the universities will look to create exchange programs for graduate and undergraduate students of both institutions, as well as organize conferences and meetings on research issues.

The joint initiative also will promote collaboration between faculty members of both institutions. To accomplish this, the universities will seek opportunities to create exchange programs in the areas of teaching, research and professional development.

“This is a day for celebration and pride,” said UTCJ Director Guillermo Álvarez Terrazas. “Binational initiatives like this partnership with UTEP are a priority for UTCJ as we look to foster development and expand opportunities for students across our region.”

This new, binational partnership also represents UTEP’s continuing recognition of Mexico as a strategic partner and, more specifically, of colleges and universities in Juárez as allies in UTEP’s ongoing efforts to increase access to higher education for students of this region.

As UTEP Athletics strives to compete at the highest level both on and off the playing field, the Miner Athletic Club is ‘working their socks off’ to support the Miners.

With a goal of  4,000 supporters in mind, the MAC is offering limited-edition socks, featuring the #EPMAD – Every Person Makes A Difference – slogan on the side.

According to MAC offcials, “Having 4,000 supporters will put us at the top of Conference USA and make a statement that UTEP donors and fans believe in making a positive impact on Miner Athletics.”

“We have hit the ground running and have reached 25 percent of this goal….we are working our socks off and need your help,” officials added.

To contribute to the MAC, click here.   There is a limit of one (1) pair of socks per account, while supplies last

For more information, please call the Miner Athletic Club at 915-747-6787 or mac@utep.edu

UTEP officials gave Miner fans a look at the new helmets for the 2018 Season via a Twitter Post Tuesday afternoon.

While the familiar ‘UTEP’ with a pick for a ‘t’ returns, the new shade of orange is sure to get fans talking.

 Check out some of the previous UTEP helmets/color combos via the photos below.

The second round of “Albertson’s Miners Got Talent” tryouts will be held in conjunction with the “Albertson’s UTEP Sings” National Anthem and God Bless America tryouts from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Memorial Gym on Saturday (July 21).

UTEP Athletics is on the lookout for performers for men’s and women’s basketball halftime shows and singers for the national anthem and God Bless America for the upcoming 2018-19 season.

Via a news release, UTEP Athletic officials said, “If you’ve got the talent and necessary passion, then Saturday is your chance to showcase it in front of judge and UTEP Director of Athletics, Jim Senter.”

Auditions will be held from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. There is a time limit of five minutes per contestant. Bands must provide their own equipment.  Music for dance performances must be on a USB drive.  A microphone and speakers will be provided for musical acts.

The top talents will compete during the 2018-19 men’s and women’s basketball season. A grand prize of $1,000 will be awarded to the first place winner.

All contestants must RSVP by email (paydirtpete@utep.edu) or online (utepathletics.com/mgt).If there are any questions or concerns about the timing, individuals may call (915) 747-6229

Monday afternoon, the UTEP Hockey Club announced the conference schedule for the upcoming 2018-19 campaign.

The Miners kick off conference play on the road. UTEP will play game one of the two game series against Texas State Friday, September 28 at The Pond in Austin, Texas. The Miners fell to the Bobcats, 4-2, during the first road trip last season.

However, the Miners won the following three games, including a sweep at home where the Miners tallied 26 goals.

Closing out the first weekend, the Miners will visit the Chaparral Ice rink in Austin, Texas, with a two-game series against division rival the Texas Longhorns, September 29-30. Last season, the Miners swept the Longhorns at home and split the series on the road with a 4-1 win.

The Miners will have to wait until the second semester to play the Longhorns at home, January 14-15.

Following a week off, the Miners will head back out on the road to College Station to take on the Texas A&M Aggies, October 12-13, at the Spirit Ice Arena.

The Aggies swept the Miners during week one last season, but the Miners got redemption and swept the Aggies in El Paso, 3-1 and 5-4. The Miners met the Aggies during the first Round of 2018 TCHC Playoffs and won 5-3 to advance to the semifinals.

The Miners will face off against the Aggies following the winter break, January 7-8, at the El Paso County Events Center.

UTEP will head east, to Austin, for the final game of the two-game series against Texas State (October 14), started the previous road trip. The Bobcats will head to the Sun City for the final weekend of play, February 1-2, before playoffs.

Back in El Paso, the Miners will host the East Texas Baptist Tigers, November 16-17. The Miners and Tigers split at home during the final homestand of the 2017-18 season. This will be the only meeting between both teams as the Tigers will play in the northern division of TCHC this season.

Closing out the first semester, the Miners will play Dallas Baptist Friday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1. UTEP remains victories against the Patriots with wins in the last four meetings both at home and on the road.

The Miners will kick off their final road trip in Dallas with a two-game series against Texas Christian University, (January 17-18). Last year, the Miners swept the Horned Frogs in El Paso, 3-1 in game one and 3-2 in overtime in game two.

Closing out the road trip, UTEP will take on the TCHC Champions the North Texas Mean Green (January 19-20) at the Dr Pepper Star Center-Farmers Branch. During the last meeting the Miners swept the Mean Green in El Paso.

For more info on the Miners, visit their website, and stay tuned for upcoming game times and ticket information.

2018-19 TCHC Conference Schedule

September 28 – at Texas State

September 29-30 – at University of Texas

October 12-13 – at Texas A&M

October 14 – at Texas State

November 16-17 – vs East Texas Baptist University

November 30-December 1 – vs Dallas Baptist University

January 7-8- vs Texas A&M

January 14-15- vs University of Texas

January 18-17 – at Texas Christian University

January 19-20 – at North Texas

February 1-2 – vs Texas State

The American Sociological Association (ASA) recently awarded UTEP’s Angela Frederick, Ph.D., with the 2018 Sociology of Sex and Gender Distinguished Article Award for outstanding scholarship.

“It has been an honor to have the opportunity to share the stories of the women I interviewed for this study,” Frederick said. “To have my work recognized by my colleagues makes this work all the more meaningful.”

Gender & Society, a top-ranked peer-reviewed journal in sociology and women’s studies, published the paper.

Frederick, assistant professor of sociology, wrote “Risky Mothers and the Normalcy Project: Women with Disabilities Negotiate Scientific Motherhood,” which appeared in the journal’s February 2017 edition.

The article focuses on the discrimination mothers with disabilities face under changing cultural beliefs about motherhood.

Frederick’s work also earned several other ASA accolades such as an honorable mention for the 2018 Star-Nelkin Paper Award for the association’s Science, Knowledge, and Technologies section, and the 2017 Outstanding Publication in the Sociology of Disability Award in the organization’s section on Disability and Society.

The University of Texas at El Paso faculty member has spent much of the summer in Austin, where she has collaborated on a research project that explores how racial/ethnic identities shape disability experiences.

The BUILDing SCHOLARS Summer Sabbatical Program has funded the research.  The ASA will recognize Frederick during the organization’s annual meeting in August 2018 in Philadelphia.

ALBUQUERQUE – UTEP golfer Greg Yellin jumped out to a three-shot lead following the first round of the U.S. Amateur qualifying earlier this week at the University of New Mexico Championship golf course in Albuquerque.

The El Paso native fired a 66 in round one and concluded the two-day event eight-under par (66-70—136), placing first in the qualifying round to advance to the 118^th U.S. Amateur Championship at Pebble Beach and Spyglass Hill Golf Course Aug. 13-19.

“I played really well the first day. I knew it would take pretty good scoring to get through and qualify,” Yellin said. “The first day I started out really well and was three-under through four holes. I told myself, ‘to keep going, there’s still a lot of golf left’. But I shot a 66 in the first round and had a two-shot lead. So, nothing was secured after the first day, but I was in a good spot to be in – a two-shot lead. The second day I was expecting 70 or below should be good enough to qualify. So, I didn’t try to do anything to crazy, just played solid and played smart.”

After finishing four shots ahead of the runner-up and second qualifier, Yellin will compete with 311 other elite amateurs from the across the globe at one of the most respected and revered golf courses in the world at Pebble Beach (par 72, 6,960 yards).

“I still can’t wrap my head around it, me playing at Pebble Beach in about a month,” Yellin said. “It’s going to be incredible. I redshirted [at UTEP] last year and wasn’t playing very well. I came into the summer with not many expectations and just wanted to start playing more and start playing well again. To even think of qualifying for the U.S. Am and to be playing at Pebble Beach pretty soon – it can’t believe it.”

This year’s U.S. Amateur will be the fifth on the Monterey Peninsula dating to 1929. The first two rounds, with a field of 312, will be stroke play, followed by four rounds of match play. The 36-hole final is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 19 at Pebble Beach.

Yellin, who redshirted during the 2017-18 season, will compete for the Miners this upcoming athletic season. The graduate of Coronado High School was named the Player of the Year in 2017 and Co-Player of the Year for El Paso high school golf in 2015.

Samantha Martinez liked the concept of chemistry before she knew what it was. When visiting her grandmother as a youngster, she would head to the bathroom to mix different cleaning products with the hope that it would produce a chemical reaction.

That enthusiasm and curiosity only escalated as she matured. It got to the point where she wanted to share that love for science. The first-generation college student earned her bachelor’s degree in biology with a biomedical concentration in 2015 from The University of Texas at El Paso and became a science/chemistry teacher at Socorro High School in El Paso’s Lower Valley.

Martinez, a Master of Arts in Education student at UTEP, said she found success in her 10th^–grade classroom using hands-on activities to introduce concepts with real-world implications. One example was letting her students make pancakes so they could see the chemical reactions of the batter and after they pour the batter onto a hot skillet. Which ingredients provide structure? Which create fluffiness? How does the batter react to the heat? Instructive, yes, but the students mostly enjoy the taste testing.

“That’s the kind of thing that grabs their attention,” Martinez said. “That’s what makes them want to explore.”

The native El Pasoan went back to school this summer to find other ways to bring science to life for her students. She and two other UTEP peers – Chelsea Lucas, a Master of Arts in Education student, and Alejandra Campa, a senior interdisciplinary studies major with a concentration in 4-8 bilingual generalist – spent an intensive week as part of the third annual NASA Minority University Research and Education Program (MUREP) Educators Institute at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas.

The gathering, conducted June 4-8, 2018, is a professional development opportunity that gives science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) educators ideas on how to integrate hands-on, low-cost science concepts into the common core curricula. It involved about 50 individuals from higher education institutions in Texas, New Mexico and Oklahoma. NASA conducts similar regional institutes at its centers throughout the country.

“The experience was amazing,” Martinez said. “It was so positive. I am grateful to have gone. I loved every part of it. I am so much more confident now. I think I can engage my students with some aluminum foil and paper cups.”

The week also included behind-the-scenes facility tours of mockups of the International Space Station to include one in a 60-foot deep indoor pool used to simulate weightlessness, and lectures by engineers involved with projects dating back to the Apollo moon missions in the early 1970s.

NASA, founded in 1958, has conducted manned and unmanned space missions through the years. Today, one of the agency’s deep space manned initiatives is Orion, which should start in 2030. One of the reasons NASA promotes science education is because many of the engineers, scientists, designers, mathematicians and more who will work on Orion are in middle school.

“Part of our jobs as STEM educators are to engage and encourage (PreK-12 students) to pursue degrees in STEM,” said Ruby Lynch-Arroyo, Ph.D., clinical assistant professor of teacher education, who also attended the institute as a faculty sponsor and facilitator. “But we also learned about how many other fields are tied to spaceflight such as art, economics, political science and marine biology.”

Lynch-Arroyo, who has integrated cross-curricular connections as a teacher for many years, said she would include the strategic thinking and planning that she learned in Houston as part of a professional development training with STEM teachers in the Canutillo Independent School District in August before the fall 2018 semester begins.

The UTEP students were bright and engaging, said Steven C. Smith, a NASA EPDC (Educator Professional Development Collaborative) specialist. He added that he mistook one student for a faculty member because of her confidence and participation in discussions and activities.

Smith said the MUREP institute introduces participants to a repository of NASA educational resources and helps them envision how that STEM content can be relevant to students in ways that will excite and inspire them.

“We know that the feet that leave the first footprints on Mars are probably going to be sitting in a middle school classroom this year,” Smith said. “We are looking for the teachers that will find those feet in their classes, inspire them, and set them on the course that will lead them to us.”

NASA awards multiyear research grants to minority-serving institutions to involve their students in MUREP activities. The program provides internships, scholarships, fellowships, mentoring and tutoring for underserved and underrepresented learners in K-12, informal, and higher education settings. The hope is that participants will help build a diverse pool of future NASA employees.

Smith invited STEM educators to use the NASA resources for teachers and students. Click here to find downloadable posters, images, activities, art resources and more. Educators also may look there for internship and scholarship opportunities. Make sure to click the “NASA Audiences” tab.

Author: Daniel Perez – UTEP Communications

Match-ups with NM State, New Mexico and Arizona, in addition to the always challenging Conference USA slate highlight the 2018-19 UTEP Women’s Basketball schedule, as revealed by head coach Kevin Baker Thursday.

The Miners will have a pair of exhibition games (WNMU-Oct. 27 and St. Mary’s (TX)-Nov. 3) to prep for the campaign before tipping it off in earnest by playing host to Alcorn State (Nov. 10). Other home non-conference match-ups include Cal State Bakersfield (Nov. 14), NM State (Nov. 17), Nicholls State (Nov. 23), Abilene Christian (Nov. 24), Arkansas State (Dec. 1) and Portland State (Dec. 9).

After playing five straight contests at the Don Haskins Center, including a pair of tilts as part of the Seventh-Annual UTEP Thanksgiving Classic, the Orange and Blue will hit the road for a match-up at Weber State (Nov. 28). Other road non-league games include at New Mexico (Dec. 5), at Arizona (Dec. 17) and at former C-USA foe Tulsa (Dec. 29). Additionally the Orange and Blue will take part in the Las Vegas Shootout (Dec.20-21), with match-ups still to be announced.

“We are really excited about our upcoming season’s schedule,” Baker said. “Our non-conference schedule includes seven home games and six road games. This schedule will help us get prepared for a very demanding Conference USA format.”

C-USA action starts with three straight road contests in the form of playing at UTSA (Jan. 5), at North Texas (Jan. 10) and at Rice (Jan. 12). The other games away from home will be at Old Dominion (Jan. 24), at Charlotte (Jan. 26), at Florida Atlantic (Feb. 7), at FIU (Feb. 9) and at UAB (March 2).

The tilt at UAB was predetermined by the league office to result in the most competitive match-ups coupled with geographical constraints. The other contest of that nature is UTEP’s “Senior Day” game vs. North Texas (March 7).

The Miners’ home C-USA opener pits them against UAB (Jan. 17). Also venturing to El Paso will be Middle Tennessee (Jan. 19), Marshall (Jan. 31), WKU (Feb. 2), LA Tech (Feb. 14), Southern Miss (Feb. 16), UTSA (Feb. 23) and the aforementioned contest vs. North Texas (March 7).

“We will play 14 games in a mirrored format opposite of the men’s Thursday/Saturday scheduling,” Baker said. “The final two contests are set in advance and are based on creating competitive match-ups with geographical constraints. The fans will love this idea as there will almost always be a home game going on in the Haskins Center every Thursday and Saturday.”

UTEP will return four letter winners (Jordan Alexander-8.4 ppg, 6.0 rpg, Jordan Jenkins-2.0 ppg, 1.4 apg, Zuzanna Puc-9.1 ppg, 4.3 rpg and Katarina Zec-9.2 ppg, 3.8 rpg) from last year’s squad, in addition to a pair (Ariona Gill and Neidy Ocuane) who sat out last year as redshirts.

The Miners compiled an overall record of 17-14 (7-9 in C-USA play, 9-4 in non-conference action) to surge past the 2016-17 team’s overall victory total (8-23) by nine wins while also exceeding the number of league victories (5-13 C-USA). The effort allowed Baker to become the most successful first-year head coach at the school in program history.

2018-19 UTEP Women’s Basketball Schedule

 

Date              Day                       Opponent                                                Location                                    Time

Oct. 27          Saturday               Western New Mexico&                             Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Nov. 3           Saturday               St. Mary’s University&                             Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Nov. 10          Saturday               Alcorn State                                             Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

Nov. 14          Wednesday           Cal State Bakersfield                                Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

Nov. 17          Saturday               NM State                                                  Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

 

UTEP Thanksgiving Classic

Nov. 23          Friday                   Texas Southern vs. Abilene Christian      Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

                                                 Nicholls State at UTEP                             Don Haskins Center                   3:30 p.m.

Nov. 24          Saturday               Texas Southern vs. Nicholls State           Don Haskins Center                   5 p.m.

                                                 Abilene Christian at UTEP                       Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

 

Nov. 28          Wednesday           at Weber State                                          Ogden, Utah                              TBA

Dec. 1            Saturday               Arkansas State                                         Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Dec. 5           Wednesday           at New Mexico                                          Albuquerque, N.M.                     TBA

Dec. 9            Sunday                 Portland State                                          Don Haskins Center                   2 p.m.

Dec. 17          Monday                at Arizona                                                 Tucson, Ariz.                              TBA

 

Las Vegas Christmas Shootout

Dec. 20          Thursday               TBA                                                         Las Vegas, Nev.                         TBA

Dec. 21          Friday                   TBA                                                         Las Vegas, Nev.                         TBA

 

Dec. 29          Saturday               at Tulsa                                                    Tulsa, Okla.                                1 p.m.

Jan. 5            Saturday               at UTSA*                                                  San Antonio, Texas                    TBA

Jan. 10          Thursday               at North Texas*                                         Denton, Texas                            TBA

Jan. 12          Saturday               at Rice*                                                    Houston, Texas                          TBA

Jan. 17          Thursday              UAB*                                                        Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

Jan. 19          Saturday               Middle Tennessee*                                  Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Jan. 24          Thursday               at Old Dominion*                                      Norfolk, Va.                               TBA

Jan. 26          Saturday               at Charlotte*                                             Charlotte, N.C.                           TBA

Jan. 31          Thursday              Marshall*                                                 Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

Feb. 2            Saturday               WKU*                                                       Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Feb. 7            Thursday               at Florida Atlantic*                                    Boca Raton, Fla.                        TBA

Feb. 9            Saturday               at FIU*                                                      Miami, Fla.                                 TBA

Feb. 14          Thursday              LA Tech*                                                  Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

Feb. 16          Saturday               Southern Miss*                                        Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

Feb. 23          Saturday               UTSA*                                                      Don Haskins Center                   1 p.m.

March 2         Saturday               at UAB*                                                    Birmingham, Ala.                        TBA

March 7         Thursday              North Texas*                                            Don Haskins Center                   7 p.m.

 

Bold denotes home game & Exhibition Game

* Conference USA Game

All Times Mountain

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A collaboration between professors from The University of Texas at El Paso and the University of North Texas is leading to a better understanding of the composition of dust carried by rain across the state, and how that dust can affect the places where it ends up.

An article published July 6, 2018, in the Journal of Geophysical Research: Atmospheres, a publication of the American Geophysical Union, details for the first time how dust – and the compounds it contains – are dispersed throughout the state in rainwater.

The article, titled “Wet Dust Deposition across Texas during the 2012 Drought: An Overlooked Pathway for Elemental Flux to Ecosystems,” was supported by grants from the National Science Foundation by Thomas E. Gill, Ph.D., UTEP professor in the Department of Geological Sciences and Environmental Science and Engineering Program, and Alexandra Ponette-González, Ph.D., associate professor in UNT’s Department of Geography and the Environment.

“The main motivation of the study was to find out how much material, and the composition of that material, is falling out with the rain,” Gill said. “Dust can contain chemical elements that are actually nutrients such as iron and phosphorus. But we also know that dust can carry along with it other elements that are potentially harmful pollutants, that are very detrimental to ecosystems. We wanted to take a look at it.”

Gill and Ponette-González worked with the National Atmospheric Deposition Program to review rainwater collection samples collected throughout 2012. The year represented the tail-end of a severe drought experienced throughout the state. The dry conditions yielded a large amount of dust in the samples analyzed.

Gill and Ponette-González studied dusty rainwater samples from the arid West Texas desert and the Gulf Coast near Houston. The stark contrast in geographic locations offered a clearer picture of not only the compounds contained within dust carried by rain, but the great potential for that dust to travel. Gill pointed out that some samples collected along the Gulf Coast contained dust that originated in the Chihuahuan Desert.

Furthermore, Gill said, samples from the Guadalupe Mountains east of El Paso yielded disproportionately high amounts of calcium, phosphate and potassium that were deposited throughout the course of a year through only a handful of rain events. In the Gulf Coast, meanwhile, dusty rain events delivered 20 percent of the phosphate input in that area, Gill said.

He added that the study marks the first time that the composition, frequency and amount of dust in rain have been quantified for Texas.

“Dusty rain events are not just something that make you need a car wash,” Gill said. “It’s also moving stuff around in the ecosystem that could be important. We think this study points out that we have to be more aware of the potential for pollutants, but also nutrients being delivered with dust mixed with rain.”

After long months of travel and recruiting, first-year UTEP men’s basketball head coach Rodney Terry has solidified and officially announced the Miners’ 2018-19 hoops roster on Tuesday.

The revamped roster includes 18 total players, including four letterwinners returning from last season.

“We’re excited about announcing this class and this roster for this coming season,” Terry said. “My staff has done a great job identifying student-athletes who we think can come in here, represent this program and this community the right way, both on and off the court.”

The 2018-19 roster features senior Paul Thomas, junior Isiah Osborne and sophomores Evan Gilyard and Kobe Magee.

The 12 newcomers include Souley Boum, Ountae Campbell, Gilles Dekoninck, Jakobe Dill, Kaosi Ezeagu, Nigel Hawkins, Efe Odigie, Deon Stroud, Garrett Sullivan, Anthony Tarke, Tydus Verhoeven and Bryson Williams.

“We have several youngsters here on campus right now and a couple of other guys joining as the summer comes to a close,” Terry said. “But we’re excited about this group along with four returning scholarship players back from last year’s team with one senior being Paul Thomas. Along with the four scholarship players, we have two walk-ons as well. So, it gave us six returning guys from last year’s roster. We have 12 new additions, as eight of those guys are recruited guys we brought on board and four of those guys will be preferred walk-ons. So, our roster is set at 18 guys at the moment. Some guys will participate this year and there will be some guys who won’t participate with this year’s recruiting class.”

Freshman Brandon Averitt and redshirt junior Isaiah Rhyanes are the pair of walk-ons from last season’s roster.

Boum (San Francisco), Dekoninck (Fresno State), Tarke (NJIT), Verhoeven (Duquesne) and Williams (Fresno State) will sit out the 2018-19 season due to NCAA transfer rules, while Stroud, a freshman, will also sit out to focus on academics. The incoming freshmen include Dill, Ezeagu, Hawkins and Odigie.

“We feel like this recruiting class helps us this year and helps us moving into the future, in terms of our recruiting class for 2019 as well. We still have some needs, obviously, in 2019 that we need to cover for our program. But we feel like we got off to a great start,” Terry said.

RETURNEEES

#25 Brandon Averitt

Freshman | Guard | 6-1, 150

2017-18 SEASON: Worked with the scout team.

 

#3 Evan Gilyard

Sophomore | Guard | 5-10, 155

2017-18 SEASON: Started in 13 of 31 games played … averaged 9.1 points per game and 3.9 assists … set a UTEP record by connecting on 84.4 percent from the charity stripe … ranked seventh in Conference USA in free throw percentage … led the team in free throws made (81) and attempted (96) … also posted a team-best 19 charges drawn … averaged 10.6 points per game in C-USA play … concluded freshman campaign by scoring a career-high 29 points against UTSA on a season-high 36 minutes in the C-USA Tournament …  dished out a career-high six assists in his collegiate debut against Louisiana College … set career-bests in free throw attempts (10) and free throws made (nine) against FIU.

 

#15 Kobe Magee

Sophomore | Guard | 6-1, 150

2017-18 SEASON: Made 16 starts in 30 contests played …  averaged 4.5 points per game, 2.0 rebounds per game and 1.7 assists per contest … led Conference USA in three-point field percentage for league games only (.531) … overall, shot 44.2 percent from the field and 42.5 percent from beyond the arc … ranked second in C-USA in three-point percentage for all games … assist/turnover ratio was a team-best 1.58 (52-33) and ranked second on the squad in assists (52) … made 31 three-point field goals, tied for fourth all-time among UTEP freshmen … put up career-high 16 points against New Mexico … played a season-high 37 minutes and scored 11 points against UTSA … dished out a season-best eight assists at LA Tech … registered a career-high five rebounds three times (vs. Lamar, vs. Howard, at UTSA).

 

#13 Isiah Osborne

Junior | Forward | 6-5, 180

2017-18 SEASON: Started in 19 of 29 contests played … led the Miners in scoring for Conference USA games (11.9 ppg), and overall ranked third on the squad at 9.4 points per contest … added 3.7 rebounds per game and registered a .328 three-point percentage and .627 free throw percentage … started 14 of the 17 C-USA contests that he appeared in … scored in double figures 12 times … led the team in scoring (17 points) in his UTEP debut against Louisiana College … scored season-high 25 points at LA Tech … put up 22 points and grabbed seven boards at Charlotte … paced UTEP with 21 points during a victory against FIU … recorded 20 points on a season-most five three-pointers at UTSA.

 

#54 Isaiah Rhyanes

Junior | Center | 6-9, 220

2017-18 SEASON: Worked with the scout team and did not see game action.

 

#1 Paul Thomas

Senior | Forward | 6-8, 210

2017-18 SEASON: Started in 29 of 31 games played … averaged 8.1 points per game with a .461 field goal percentage … tied for the team lead in rebounding (5.4 rpg) … ranked 19^th in Conference USA in rebounding … corralled six rebounds versus Boise State … made the first two three-pointers of his college career at NM State, part of a 14-point showing … added five rebounds versus the Aggies … tallied 11 points and five boards versus Washington State … led the Miners in points (16) and rebounds (eight) against Incarnate Word … collected 12 points and seven rebounds versus North Dakota State … posted eight points, six rebounds and a team-high three assists in the C-USA opener against North Texas … added nine points versus Florida Atlantic … scored 12 points at UTSA … posted seven points at UAB while leading the Miners in rebounds (six) and assists (three) … made both of his three-point attempts and scored 10 points versus WKU … led UTEP by securing seven rebounds against Marshall … picked up his first double-double of the season versus UTSA with 11 points and 11 boards … hit the game-winning jumper with 2.6 seconds remaining in an 87-86 triumph at Charlotte … registered his second consecutive double-double against the 49ers with 15 points and 11 rebounds, while adding four assists and two steals … posted 12 points and eight rebounds at Rice … tallied six rebounds versus UTSA in the C-USA Tournament.

 

 

NEWCOMERS

 

#0 Souley Boum

Sophomore | Guard | 6-3, 160

Oakland, Calif. (Oakland Tech HS/San Francisco)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Earned West Coast Conference All-Freshman team honors after ranking second on the squad and 25th in WCC in points per game (10.9) as a true freshman at San Francisco during the 2017-18 campaign … started in 12 of 36 contests played for the Dons … led USF with 121 free throws made, a USF freshman record … connected on a team-high 82.9 percent of his free throws, while ranking sixth in WCC … scored 394 points (second-most points by a freshman in USF history) … pulled down 95 rebounds, dished out 37 assists and recorded 19 steals … registered 20-plus points in seven different contests, including a season-high 26 on 8-of-11 shooting at Portland … matched season high in points with another 26-point effort against Colgate on 9-of-16 shooting (season high in made field goals) … in back-to-back games, combined to make 24-of-27 free throws (17 points on 12-14 FTs vs. UCSB, 16 points on 12-13 FTs vs. Eastern Washington) … added a season-high seven rebounds against Eastern Washington … dished out a season-high four assists against Pepperdine … opened collegiate career with a 22-point performance against Long Beach State (8-of-9 FTs) and followed with a 21-point effort in his second collegiate contest.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Souleymone Boum … son of Mariam Diallo … born in Oakland, Calif. … nickname is Sou.

 

— Ountae Campbell

Sophomore | Guard/Forward | 6-4, 195

Los Angeles, Calif. (Fresno State)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Redshirted at Fresno State during the 2016-17 season … played in seven games as a freshman during the 2015-16 season with the Bulldogs … logged 12 minutes for an average of 1.7 minutes per game … posted two points and three rebounds … posted a dunk in the Bulldogs’ win over Pacific … played at Brentwood High School … named CIF All-Division-V Team … All-Alpha League first team … team captain … averaged 13.5 points per game, 3.5 steals per game and 7.0 rebounds per contest as a senior … played on the varsity squad during the sophomore (7.3 ppg) and junior (7.0 ppg) campaigns.

 

#33 Gilles Dekoninck

Sophomore | Forward | 6-6, 205

Diest, Belgium (Huntington Prep/Fresno State)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Played seven games during the 2017-18 season at Fresno State … scored two points on only shot attempt and tallied a rebound against Cal State Monterey Bay … made a free throw against UC Santa Cruz … registered a rebound against Colorado State … played three minutes twice (vs. Arkansas-Pine Bluff, vs. Cal State Monterey Bay) … while a senior at Huntington Prep, averaged 20 points, four assists and seven rebounds per contest … scored 16 points during a win against Teays Valley Christian White … was a member of the Belgium U18 National Team.

 

PERSONAL: Gilles Dekoninck is the son of Bert Dekoninck and Lucette Bokken … has one sister … born in Diest, Belgium.

 

#5 Jakobe Dill

Freshman | Guard | 6-3, 175

Beaumont, Texas (Beaumont Central High School/Heritage Academy [SC])

PRIOR TO UTEP: Ranked by TexasHoops.com as the no. 38 player in the Class of 2018 rankings … played at Heritage Academy (South Carolina) during the 2017-18 season … named team MVP after averaging 28 points per game during senior season … paced Heritage Academy with 17 points against Redemption Christian (NY) … went 9-of-11 from three-point range in just 24 minutes against Savannah Fall … scored 20 points (6-9 3pt.) versus West Ridge Academy … poured in 26 points against York Prep … named 2016-17 District 22-5A MVP while at Beaumont Central HS … named 2017 Beaumont Enterprise Super Gold Boys Player of the Year after averaging 24.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and three assists during the 2016-17 regular season … led Jaguars to a 13-1 record in 22-5A and a co-district title … scored a game-high 31 points against Class 4A no. 1-ranked Silsbee Tigers while with club team Houston Defenders, and scored 14 points against DC Blue Devils … All-District 22-5A second team in 2016.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Jakobe Rashad Dill … son of Jay and Christie Dill … has four sisters … born in Dallas, Texas … cousin, Rashard Lewis, a two-time all-star who played in the NBA for 16 seasons (Seattle SuperSonics 1998-2007, Orlando Magic 2007-10, Washington Wizards 2011-12 and Miami Heat 2012-14) … nickname is Kobe.

 

#25 Kaosi Ezeagu

Freshman | Forward | 6-10, 240

Brampton, Ontario (GTA Prep at Mississauga Secondary School)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Top-24 player in Canada after averaging 11.4 points per game and 10.4 rebounds per contest during the 2017-18 season … named the Defensive Player of the Year by the National Preparatory Association … averaged a double-double, making him the only player in the league to achieve the feat … named co-MVP of the Signature All-Canadian Showcase … made the start and finished with eight points and seven rebounds during the 2018 BioSteel All-Canadian basketball game on April 9, 2018 … played at Hamilton Heights Christian Academy in Chattanooga, Tenn., during 2016-17 campaign … efforts helped Hawks to a 31-7 overall record, including a USA National Prep Tournament championship on March 4, 2017 in Myrtle Beach, S.C. … has a 7-1 wingspan with comparisons to Serge Ibaka of the Toronto Raptors by hashtagbasketball.com.

 

PERSONAL: Kaosi Ezeagu is the son of James and Patience Ezeagu … has one brother … born in the Bahamas … also played soccer, volleyball and football in high school.

 

#2 Nigel Hawkins

Freshman | Guard | 6-4, 185

Houston, Texas (Cypress Falls HS)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Ranked the no. 15 player in the state by TexasHoops.com … two-time All-State and State MVP as a junior at Cypress Falls High School … rated the no. 6 player in Houston by RCSSports.com … back-to-back District MVP as a junior and senior after leading Cypress High School in scoring at 21.1 and 17.9 points per game, respectively … tallied 14 contests of 20-plus points, helping Cypress to a 31-4 overall record with a 13-0 district mark … the Eagles advanced to the 6A Region 1 & 3 quarterfinals … during senior campaign, scored a season-high 33 points while adding six boards during a victory against Mitchell … opened final high school season with a 30-point effort while adding eight rebounds and five assists in a win against Tompkins … poured in a career-high 36 points and dished out three assists during junior season against South Houston … District Newcomer of the Year as a sophomore after averaging 14.0 points, 3.0 assists, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 steals per game … recipient of the 2017 Guy V. Lewis Award … 2018 Houston Sports Authority Boys Basketball High School Player of the Year nominee.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Nigel Duron Hawkins … son of Steve Michael Hawkins and Tonya Hawkins-Medina … has two brothers and one sister … born in Houston, Texas … father played in the NBA for four teams (Boston Celtics in 1997, Sacramento Kings in 1999, Charlotte Hornets from 1999-2000 and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2000-01) … uncle, Eric Snow, played in the NBA (Seattle SuperSonics from 1995-98, Philadelphia 76ers from 1997-2004 and Cleveland Cavaliers from 2004-08) … likes to golf as a hobby … nickname is Hawk Time.

 

#32 Efe Odigie

Freshman | Forward | 6-9, 280

Houston, Texas (Pro-Vision Academy)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Rated the no. 22 player in the state by TexasHoops.com … top-10 player in Houston by RCSSports.com … state champion … averaged a team-leading 14.2 points and 7.4 rebounds while shooting 61.2 percent from the field for the Houston Hoopstars on the 2017 summer circuit … scored 20-plus points in 13 contests and recorded 12 double-doubles … notched a season-high 26 points during a win against Shooting Stars-blue … opened 2017 summer circuit with a 23-point effort versus TJ Ford … recorded first double-double of summer after posting 23 points and 11 rebounds against RL9 Grey in the second game of the summer … registered second double-double, scoring 20 points and pulling down 12 rebounds  against LA United in the third contest … registered a season-high 16 rebounds and scored 16 points against LCCAVS … pulled down 15 boards at Triumph Gold … averaged 1.2 blocks per game … blocked season-high five shots at SSA … registered four blocked shots against Houston Hoops DJ.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Omoefay Johnson Odigie … son of Curtis Odigie and Paula Lafleur … has one brother and three sisters … born in Houston, Texas … graduated valedictorian in high school … mother played basketball at Nicholls State and sister, Tiffany, played basketball at Alabama State … nickname is Alpha.

 

#23 Deon Stroud

Freshman | Guard/Forward | 6-5, 190

Fresno, Calif. (Trinity International [Las Vegas, Nev.])

PRIOR TO UTEP: Rated as a three-star prospect by ESPN … averaged 20.5 points per game, 10 rebounds per game and seven assists per contest … named All-District … selected to the Fresno Bee’s All-Star team in 2017 … named team MVP after averaging 20.1 points per game and 10.5 boards per contest during junior season … played freshman (6.5 ppg) and sophomore (17.0 ppg) seasons at San Joaquin Memorial (Fresno, Calif.) … Panthers went a combined 51-13 during those two seasons … named All-State and All-District during sophomore season.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Deon Jeremin Stroud … son of Leroy Harris and Shay Greathouse … has one brother and one sister … uncle, Carl Ray Harris played basketball at Fresno State … born in Fresno, Calif. … played football in high school … nickname is Deon.

 

#20 Garrett Sullivan

Freshman | Guard | 6-5, 190

Easthampton, Mass. (Williston Northhampton HS/Hillcrest Prep Academy [AZ])

PRIOR TO UTEP: Two-year letterman at Hillcrest Prep Academy (AZ) … won the 2016-17 Grind Session National Championship … averaged 15 points and six assists per contest at the shooting guard position during senior season … scored 16 points, including three 3-pointers against Belmont in the quarterfinals of the NEPSAC Class A Tournament … scored team-high 19 points in a victory against Salisbury … earned 2018 All-NEPSAC Class A honorable mention … recognized as one of the top guards in the state by the New England Recruiting Report … scored 18 points, helping Williston secure a NEPSAC Class A tournament berth … chipped in with 10 points during a victory versus Pomfret.

 

PERSONAL: Garrett Sullivan is the son of Tim and Lisa Sullivan … has two sisters.

 

#12 Anthony Tarke

Sophomore | Guard/Forward | 6-6, 220

Gaithersburg, Md. (Gaithersburg HS/New Jersey Institute of Technology)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Will sit out the 2018-19 season per NCAA transfer rules and have two years of eligibility starting in 2019-20 … led NJIT in scoring last season (15.7 ppg) and ranked second in rebounding (6.2 rpg) … garnered first team All-Atlantic Sun Conference honors … registered career-high 27 points and grabbed nine rebounds at Kennesaw State … matched career best with another 27-point effort at Lipscomb … dished out a season-high six dimes and scored 17 points against FDU … notched a double-double that included 19 points and a career-high 12 rebounds at Rutgers … pulled down 11 rebounds and tallied 20 points for second double-double of season at North Florida … tabbed an Atlantic Sun Conference All-Freshman Selection in 2016-17 after averaging 9.9 points and 4.7 rebounds per game… opened collegiate career with a double-double (13 points, 10 rebounds) against Sarah Lawrence … notched second career double-double with a season-high 23 points and 10 boards against North Florida … registered third double-double (15 points, 10 rebounds) versus Stetson … named ASUN Newcomer of the week twice, the first was for averaging 17.5 points and 8.0 rebounds during a two-game span (Jan. 9-15), while the second was for an 18-point, seven-rebound effort during a win against USC Upstate.

 

PERSONAL: Full name is Anthony Shey Tarke … son of Elizabeth Tarke and Willibroad Anthony … has two brothers and two sisters … born in Washington D.C. … named to honor roll in high school.

 

#4 Tydus Verhoeven

Sophomore | Forward | 6-9, 215

Manteca, Calif. (Menteca HS/Duquesne)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Played in all 32 contests during freshman season at Duquesne … started final 27 games of the 2017-18 season … broke school’s freshman blocked shot record (71) … eighth freshman in the 42-year history of the Atlantic 10 to lead the league in blocks (2.22 bpg overall/2.33 in A-10 games only) … exploded for a season-high 21 points on a 7-for-7 effort from the field and 7-for-8 at the free throw line against Saint Louis … played a season-best 34 minutes, while recording four blocked shots and chipping in with four rebounds and three assists against the Billikens … tallied a season-high nine boards, blocked seven shots, dished out three dimes and scored 12 points against Robert Morris … blocked a season-high nine shots (DU freshman record) and dished out a career-best five assists, while adding four points and eight rebounds against George Mason … grabbed eight rebounds and blocked three shots at VCU … averaged 16.5 points per game, ripped down 12.7 rebounds per contest, blocked 6.0 shots per game and chipped in with 2.8 assists on average as a senior at Menteca High School … named Valley Oak League MVP by conference coaches after leading the Buffaloes to a 14-0 league record.

 

PERSONAL: Tydus Verhoeven is the son of Jodi Verhoeven … mother played basketball at Fresno State (1991-94) and was drafted by the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks … born in Baldwin Park, Calif. … also participated in track for two years and football and volleyball for one year each at Manteca HS.

 

#11 Bryson Williams

Junior | Forward | 6-8, 225

Fresno, Calif. (Roosevelt HS/Fresno State)

PRIOR TO UTEP: Rated a Top-5 Division I transfer by CBBCentral.com … previously played at Fresno State for two seasons … made 58 starts in 65 games played (2016-17, 2017-18) … averaged 14 points per game during sophomore season, ranking second on the squad … earned All-Mountain West third team honors …  led the Bulldogs in total rebounds (195) and rebounds per game (6.1) … ranked second on the team in points (441) and field goal percentage (59.6) … posted four double-doubles … scored 22 points and pulled down nine boards at Arkansas … poured in a career-high 30 points on 14-of-17 shooting in a triumph against Cal State Monterey Bay … recorded a career-high 13 rebounds and scored 10 points during a win against CSU Bakersfield … registered 19 points and 10 rebounds in a victory against Colorado State … played a season-high 40 minutes (14 points, eight rebounds) at New Mexico … scored 23 points and tallied nine rebounds against San Diego State in the MW Tournament … averaged 7.7 points and 4.4 rebounds per game during freshman season (2016-17) … scored season-high 18 points at Utah State … matched season best with another 18-point effort at San Diego State … Roosevelt High School all-time leading scorer with 2,302 points, which ranks as the fifth-most in Central Section history and the most-ever in the city of Fresno … averaged 34 points and 18 rebounds per game during senior season.

 

PERSONAL: Son of Donald and Corinthia Williams … has a younger sister.

Every year, The University of Texas at El Paso and the UTEP Alumni Association honor a group of alumni who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields and serve as pillars of inspiration to future Miners for what can be accomplished through integrity, dedication and determination.

This group of outstanding graduates includes the UTEP Distinguished Alumni and the Gold Nuggets.

“We are proud to honor this year’s Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nugget Award recipients, whose inspiring personal journeys and professional achievements are truly exceptional,” said UTEP President Diana Natalicio. “These highly successful individuals embody our Miner spirit and serve as examples to our students of what can be accomplished through an excellent education, high aspirations and the drive and perseverance to achieve them.”

“UTEP alumni are living amazing lives, and they are doing a remarkable job of showcasing their alma mater,” said Maribel Villalva, UTEP assistant vice president for alumni relations. “This is evident in the group of alumni honorees who have been selected as the 2018 Distinguished Alumni and Gold Nuggets.”

The Distinguished Alumni award is the highest recognition bestowed upon alumni of the University.

The 2018 awardees will be officially recognized during UTEP’s 2018 Homecoming Week, Sept. 30 – Oct. 6, and will be showcased at the annual Distinguished Alumni Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5 at the Don Haskins Center.

UTEP’s 2018 Distinguished Alumni are:

Crystal Long

MBA, 2014

Crystal Long is a first-generation college graduate who currently serves as president and CEO of GECU, the largest locally owned financial institution in El Paso.

Long was born in Lubbock, Texas and moved to El Paso with her family when she was eight years old. She began her career at GECU as an entry-level file clerk in 1979. Later, Long pursued higher education to advance her career and worked toward a college degree while maintaining a full-time job and raising a family. Her persistence paid off when she received her Bachelor of Science in Business Management and later an MBA from the University of Phoenix.

Long progressively moved up the ranks at GECU to a teller, supervisor, manager, and vice president. Already a top leader at her institution, her desire to keep learning and growing professionally wasn’t satiated. In 2011, she became a proud Miner when she joined The University of Texas at El Paso’s Executive MBA Program (EMBA).

Long says she is humbled and honored to be recognized as a Distinguished Alumna, a recognition she feels should be shared with her family, friends, colleagues and community members, who all have been part of her journey.

“Having become a UTEP graduate, I believe I’m better positioned to advocate for the value of a college education in the workplace and am proud that, through my example, others have chosen to attend college,” Long said. “You simply can’t help but be changed by exposure to new concepts, people and perspectives. I am very grateful for that.”

Karla Martinez

B.A. Electronic Media/Communication, 1998

Karla Martinez is the co-host of Univision’s highly rated national live morning show, “Despierta America.” While a student at The University of Texas at El Paso, the Chihuahua native got her start in broadcasting at KINT-FM (Channel 26), Univision’s affiliate station in El Paso. In 1995, the young reporter was scouted by the Univision Network, becoming a Texas correspondent for the national newsmagazine “Primer Impacto.” Later she served as a reporter for the network’s top entertainment news show, “El Gordo y la Flaca,” and host of Univision’s popular youth-oriented lifestyle program, “Control.”

In addition to her role with “Despierta America,” Martinez has co-hosted numerous Univision specials and in 2013 co-hosted ABC’s “Good Morning America” and “The View” alongside one of her role models, Barbara Walters. She has been named one of People en Español’s 25 Most Beautiful People and 25 Most Powerful Women, and one of Vogue Mexico and Latin America magazine’s 2018 100 Most Influential People.

Recently, Martinez added Emmy award winner to her list of accomplishments when “Despierta America” won an Emmy for Outstanding Morning Program in Spanish. She also has authored “El Poder de Una Sonrisa” (The Power of a Smile), a book focused on ways to overcome life’s bad moments.

“I am an example of a dreamer and am happy to be able to represent UTEP students with my story,” Martinez said of her recognition as a Distinguished Alumna. “This is a recognition for all of them. Being an immigrant makes me feel so proud to be recognized for not only what I accomplished but the example I leave others; showing them that anything, no matter where you come from, your story or past, anything is possible.”

The Distinguished Alumni join another group of alumni who are being honored by their respective colleges – the 2018 Gold Nugget Award recipients.

The honorees are exceptional graduates from each of the University’s colleges and schools who have excelled in their professions, give back to their communities and alma mater, and serve as an inspiration for future generations of Miners.

UTEP’s 2018 Gold Nugget Award recipients are:

Sam Armijo, Ph.D.

College of Engineering

B.S. Metallurgical/Materials Engineering, 1959

Sam Armijo, Ph.D., is currently president of JSA Associates Inc., a nuclear systems and engineering consulting firm advising the Electric Power Research Institute and the Exelon Corporation. He is also chairman of Tokyo Electric Power Company’s International Experts Group, which provides technical advice on the decommissioning of the Fukushima nuclear site.

Orlando Bejarano

College of Health Sciences

B.S. Occupational Therapy, 1998

Orlando Bejarano is the owner of Focus Therapy in the greater Houston area. His company employs about 40 therapists across physical therapy, speech language pathology and occupational therapy and provides services more than 600 times a week to a mostly geriatric population.

Peter Chan

College of Engineering

B.S. Civil Engineering, 1989 / M.S. Civil Engineering, 1990

Peter Chan is the founder of Professional Concepts, a multi-faceted real estate company. In addition to his professional activities, Chan has served as a mentor in Big Brothers Big Sisters of Arizona, and as a volunteer for St. Vincent de Paul and Boy Scouts of America. He is currently serving on the Development Board of UTEP’s Asset Management and Development arm.

Annie L. Garcia

School of Nursing

MSN Nursing Systems Management, 2013

A year after completing her graduate degree in 2013, Annie Garcia was hired as the chief nursing officer at Methodist Texsan Hospital in San Antonio, where she was instrumental in the hospital’s efforts to improve nursing engagement, patient experience and quality outcomes. In 2017, she was named chief nursing officer at Del Sol Medical Center in El Paso.

Ruth Ellen Jacobson

College of Education

B.S. Elementary Education, 1970

Ruth Ellen Jacobson is the executive director of the El Paso Symphony Orchestra. She has developed youth-focused educational initiatives such as “Tocando,” an after-school program that supports children experiencing challenging social and economic conditions.

Christina I. Paz, DNP

School of Nursing

DNP, 2013

Christina Ilene Paz, DNP, is the chief operating officer at Centro San Vicente Family Health Center in El Paso. As a member of the Texas Association of Community Health Centers, she has met with members of Congress to advocate on behalf of community health centers and the vulnerable populations they serve.

Felipa Solis

College of Liberal Arts

B.A. English Literature, 1983

Felipa Solis has enjoyed a successful career as a journalist, public relations specialist and community advocate. She currently serves as executive director of El Paso Pro-Musica. Among her numerous honors are the LULAC Humanitarian of the Year Award, the YWCA Reach Award and the Ruben Salazar Journalism Award.

Brig. Gen. Michael Talley

College of Liberal Arts

B.A. History, 1991

Brig. Gen. Michael Talley is a Minnesota native who said his decision to leave active duty to pursue a bachelor’s degree at The University of Texas at El Paso put him on a path to become a brigadier general and command surgeon with the U.S. Army Forces Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is the chief medical adviser to more than 800,000 soldiers and civilians.

Joe D. Wardy

College of Business Administration

BBA Finance, 1976

After graduating from UTEP, Joe D. Wardy had a 25-year career in transportation and logistics before he entered politics in 2003. He has held leadership roles with several companies and served as mayor of the City of El Paso from 2003-05. During his tenure as mayor, Wardy oversaw El Paso’s move to a city manager form of government and passage of a $110 million bond issue.

Richard Westbrook, M.D.

College of Science

B.S. Biological Sciences, 1970

 Richard Westbrook, M.D., is an orthopedic surgeon at Orthopaedic Surgeons Associates in El Paso. He received his medical degree from The University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston and completed his residencies in orthopedic surgery at the University of Washington in Seattle and at Shriner’s Hospital for Children in Spokane, Washington. He is certified by the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery and is a fellow of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

Daniella Sisniega, M.D., enjoyed very little time with her newly acquired diploma after graduating from Boston University School of Medicine (BUSM) earlier this year.

Sisniega — who earned her bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Texas at El Paso — was among the 137 BUSM students conferred with medical degrees May 17, 2018. In the celebration that ensued, Sisniega’s father gleefully snagged her diploma and has yet to relinquish it.

“My family was really happy,” Sisniega said. “My dad wouldn’t let go of my diploma. In fact, he kept it. I hope he has it in a safe place.”

Transplanted credentials aside, there is no denying UTEP’s unique place among medical graduates during the institution’s spring commencement. Three former Miners – Sisniega, Brenda García, M.D., and Oscar García, M.D. – made up three of the four candidates who walked the stage as part of the Early Medical School Selection Program (EMSSP). In the unique initiative, BUSM collaborates with 13 universities, including UTEP, to better prepare students to navigate the transition to medical school through rigorous undergraduate coursework, early exposure to medical school culture and curriculum, and the development of a unique, supportive community.

BUSM is an urban school affiliated with a teaching hospital that serves a large minority population. Its mission focuses on preparing culturally competent, clinically excellent physicians to meet the health care needs of a diverse population. UTEP is the only public university that takes part in the program, which includes Hispanic-serving institutions and historically black colleges and universities.

At UTEP, students interested in the EMSSP go through the University’s Medical Professions Institute (MPI), which helps students interested in various medical disciplines to pursue their academic journeys beyond El Paso. The success of the three recent BUSM graduates is impressive and a testament to the preparation facilitated through the MPI, said Kristine Garza, Ph.D., associate professor of biological sciences at UTEP.

“I think our students are phenomenal kids,” Garza said. “Given how much they have to go through, how much dedication they have to give, it’s amazing what they accomplish. Having worked with these students through the MPI, we work diligently to have someone helping our students navigate the path to medical professions. We support them creating relationships with faculty. We push them, we constantly ask them, ‘Are you making yourself as competitive as you can?’ Our faculty and staff have close relationships with them. They aren’t just a number to us.”

Sisniega said the constant motivation she and her fellow Miners received from UTEP faculty was vital in their success at Boston University (BU).

Once accepted into the EMSSP, students enroll in six weeks of courses at BU the summer before their junior year and eight weeks of coursework at BU, including a formal Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) preparatory course, before their senior year. They take a combination of undergraduate and graduate-level courses at BU as seniors. The students retain degree candidacy at their home institutions as they participate in individualized programs of study at BU that satisfies the undergraduate academic requirements and lay the foundation for first-year medical school curriculum. Students who perform at the prescribed level matriculate at BUSM the next academic year.

“When I was going through the process, I was never let down,” Sisniega said. “The professors, the advisers, everyone at the MPI really made sure I was on track.”

But getting through medical school presented a loftier challenge. Brenda García said she rarely struggled with her classes before her first year as a medical student. The intensity she encountered early into her stint in Boston resulted in a setback.

“The first year of medical school was probably one of the hardest times for me,” she said. “I actually had to retake one of my first-year classes. I believe I grew a lot after this. It ended up being a positive learning experience about adapting and being resilient, which helped me a lot throughout the rest of med school.

“At first, it was intimidating knowing that some of your classmates had come from Ivy League schools. There was some self-doubt. Over time, I came to see that it didn’t really matter where you came from and, at the end of the day, we were all in the same class and going through the same things. I think study habits that I had formed as an undergrad were helpful and I also knew the importance of having interests outside of studying.”

Sisniega added that seeing fellow UTEP students succeed instills a grand sense of pride.

“It’s really nice to see other people from your college do well,” she said. “To be such a majority of the graduating EMSSP class, it shows we learned to be very resilient. I look at students in the program who came after me and I can see the UTEP students are on top of their game, making up a majority of the program. I think it adds a lot of merit and shows what opportunities are available to students at UTEP.

“More importantly, this was a difficult process. But we knew we could always count on each other for support. Going into this program, I knew I could count on the UTEP students who were years ahead of me, just like we always offered help and advice for the students in years that came after us. I think this program created an amazing network where UTEP students at BU can find unconditional support for each other.”

Sisniega has since begun her residency at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she will focus on neurology. Brenda García is an internal medicine resident at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Oscar García, no relation to Brenda, is an internal medicine resident at Dell Seton Medical Center at The University of Texas at Austin.

UTEP’s Garza said more Miners might participate in future Boston University commencement ceremonies. The BUSM accepted four recent EMSSP graduates. In addition, the program accepted two incoming juniors who applied for the upcoming round.

“That’s exciting to see,” Garza said. “We are seeing student success through the MPI, and through this program.”

Author: Pablo Villa – UTEP Communications