Texas Connect

Autumn days at the Alpe di Siusi 🍂🍄

UT prides itself on housing countless archives, collections and heirlooms. Some are carefully stored in dimly lit and climate-controlled rooms, preserved by caretakers; others are housed in classrooms, ready to serve eager students in their academic endeavors. And some are proudly on display like prized jewels.

In this edition of Back 40, we explore how The Rob Roy Kelly American Wood Type Collection, Gutenberg Bible and Knopf Papers on UT’s campus help students and researchers learn about the past.

https://texasconnect.utexas.edu/2023/07/06/hidden-archives-uts-renowned-collections-support-education-and-research/

K*TX 98.9, a full-time music service broadcast from UT and streaming worldwide, is celebrating its 10th year on air with a birthday concert series and the release of a limited album. When it split from Austin NPR’s K*T in 2013, the vision was to reflect the Austin music scene.

Being a nonprofit, member-supported station allows K*TX more freedom than commercial radio. Programs such as “Artist of the Month” help rising musicians get discovered, and shows like “My K*TX” shine light on different corners of the music scene by bringing in guest DJs — past appearances range from Austin FC commentator Adrian Healey to Adriene Mishler from “Yoga with Adriene.”

“As we grew and sort of figured out who we are as a station, we all came to the realization that that archetypal Austin sound has more to it than what had been marketed to the world,” assistant program director Jacquie Fuller says. “There was hip-hop, there was R&B, there was soul, there was electronic, there was so much more to Austin music (than rock). We wanted to be reflective of that.”

https://texasconnect.utexas.edu/2023/07/06/10-years-of-music-on-kutx-the-kut-affiliate-is-celebrating-its-10th-birthday-with-a-concert-series/

Photos courtesy of K*TX
Written by Trinity Flaten

10 years of music on K*TX: The K*T affiliate is celebrating its 10th birthday with a concert series - Texas Connect University of Texas Staff and Faculty

The Texas Memorial Museum, now known as the Texas Science & Natural History Museum, is set to reopen Sept. 23! Established in 1939, the Texas Science & Natural History Museum closed temporarily in March 2022 after struggling with state budget cuts and staff shortages. Management used this as an opportunity to give the museum some much-needed TLC and overhaul the guest experience.

Renovations include updated signs and new digital interfaces, a new exhibit presenting cutting-edge achievements made by university departments, and a new gift shop. For the first time, people will be able to book the museum for private events such as weddings, conferences and galas. The building itself is also being restored to its 1930s art deco glory.

“It was a great opportunity for the College of Natural Sciences and the university to take a step back and say, ‘How are we going to rethink what this museum can be as we move forward?’” says Interim Managing Director Carolyn Connerat, who stepped out of retirement for this project. “Now’s the opportunity, as long as it’s closed, to do the kind of renovations, repair and maintenance that hasn’t been done in decades.”

Find this story and other featured content from our summer 2023 issue at our website texasconnect.utexas.edu.

Congratulations, Mia! 🤘🏼

“Dr. Carter represents the values inherent in the study of liberal arts: a focus on our shared humanity, creativity, and consideration of the full story and full person,” said Ann Huff Stevens, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin. “The College and I are the fortunate beneficiaries of Dr. Carter’s leadership, and I cannot imagine a person more worthy of this recognition.”

On June 30, 2023, Dr. Mia Carter received the 2023 Michael C. Holen Pacesetter Award from the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA). Dr. Carter is an Associate Dean for Student Affairs at the College of Liberal Arts at UT Austin. She is also an associate professor in the Department of English.

We're hiring!
Texas Memorial Museum is developing new exhibits, programs, and experiences that spark curiosity, promote belonging, and tell stories about Texas science and natural history. Want to join our team? We have two new open full-time positions:

Facility Supervisor -- job description and application link: https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/AUSTIN-TX/Facility-Supervisor--Texas-Memorial-Museum_R_00027836-1

Visitor Services Supervisor -- job description and application link:
https://utaustin.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/UTstaff/job/AUSTIN-TX/Visitor-Services-Supervisor--Texas-Memorial-Museum_R_00027885

July is UV Safety Awareness Month! Apply sunscreen 15 minutes before going outdoors and reapply every two hours, or after swimming, sweating, or toweling off. Even if the UV index is low, it is still recommended to take sun precautions. We hope all are having fun in the sun this summer and staying !

Congratulations, Jeff! 🤘

Jeff Johanns Appointed Chair of The Texas Society of CPAs Professional Standards Committee The Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants has announced that Jeffrey Johanns, associate professor of instruction in accounting at…

A lot of hard work goes into maintaining the largest dark sky place in the world, certified by the International Dark-Sky Association.
We offer our sincerest gratitude and congratulations to all involved!

Some of our dedicated partners include The Nature Conservancy in Texas, Big Bend National Park, Big Bend Ranch State Park, and the cities of Alpine, Marfa, Terlingua, and Presidio.

The Greater Big Bend International Dark Sky Reserve unifies communities under a common goal: to protect the night sky through better lighting practices!

Learn about the Reserve:
https://conta.cc/3H1tVm5

Information about night sky friendly lighting practices can be found here:
https://conta.cc/3QjQVRs

Coming soon to your offices!