by Library News
President, Provost Join Libraries at Return of Faculty Creative Works Celebration
The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries celebrated the creative, innovative, and scholastic contributions of Maverick faculty with the return of its annual Faculty Creative Works event on April 12.
President Teik Lim and Provost Pranesh Aswath joined Dean Rebecca Bichel in honoring more than 750 faculty and staff members whose works were on display in the sixth floor Atrium and Parlor of Central Library.
Provost Pranesh Aswath, President Teik Lim, and Dean Rebecca Bichel raise a glass of champagne in front of a Faculty Creative Works banner in Central Library.
“Research is the heartbeat of our institution,” Lim said in his toast, which closed out the event. “This is my last [Faculty Creative Works], so it’s bittersweet, but I know all of you will march forward and continue the ascension of the University of Texas at Arlington.”
Aswath focused his remarks on the growth of UTA’s Open Educational Resources adoption and development, which is spearheaded by UTA Libraries’ Director of OER Jessica McLean.
Director of Open Educational Resources Jessica McClean stands beside a digital display of a Tableau and a table display of books in the Atrium of Central Library.
“Anything we can do to reduce the cost of attendance for our students makes a big difference in their lives…and UT Arlington is a leader in the state of Texas among public institutions in making this happen,” Aswath said. “I’m really thankful that our Libraries have been able to offer grants…to develop these works, [and] I’m thankful for our faculty for stepping up and taking the lead in developing OER.”
Bichel honored two of Maverick faculty with inaugural Experiential Learning Faculty Engagement Awards. Billi London-Gray, the 2021-2022 winner, is an associate professor in the Art & Art History department and was chosen for the award due to her collaboration with the UTA Libraries FabLab. One of her assignments invites her students to use 3D modeling techniques—which can be mastered with help from FabLab staff and equipment—to design art installations.
FabLab Librarian Morgan Chivers, Daniel Gray, and Assistant Department Head of Experiential Learning Nicole Spoor pose with a paper award for Billi London-Gray in the Atrium of Central Library.
Billi London-Gray's piece, "How to Be Taken Seriously with Boobs."
The 2020-2021 honoree was Dr. Jaime Cantu, associate professor in Industrial, Manufacturing, and Systems Engineering. Cantu has been a partner of the Libraries since 2016, utilizing everything from 3D printing to the woodshop in his coursework. He was presented his award by frequent collaborator, Martin Wallace, who serves as an Experiential Learning Librarian at UTA Libraries.
Dr. Jaime Cantu and Experiential Learning Librarian Martin Wallace pose with a paper award in the Atrium of Central Library.
“[Dr. Cantu] has been the best partner,” Wallace said in his speech. “Before the pandemic, during the chaos of the pandemic, all the way to today—he’s been super flexible, he’s always wanting to challenge his students to do more, he promotes professionalism…he’s just a good person.”
Cantu was thankful to receive recognition for his work, which doesn’t fall under traditional engineering research.
“It’s always good to feel your work is validated,” Cantu said. “The vast majority of research in engineering isn’t really geared toward education but as professors, we all teach a class. It’s something I’ve always been interested in…so to win an award, it’s nice to see this work moving forward.”
Not only was Cantu impressed with his award—the Provost’s remarks about OER struck a chord of inspiration.
“It’s something we [Dr. Bonnie Boardman and I] have been looking at,” Cantu said. “To know that the Libraries is pushing it and the Provost is supportive of it, that really encourages me to go out and do more OER.”
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