The Red River Innovation Lab for the Humanities at Texas A&M-Texarkana is a step toward bridging the gap between the old and new school approaches to scholarship applications.
“It was designed to essentially show our campus community how you can use new hardware and software tools to … creatively reimagine what their scholarship and engagement in the humanities look like,” said Dr. Drew Morton.
Morton, along with Dr. Kevin Ells, is an associate professor of mass communication at TAMUT.
Equipped with a variety of communications tools for video, photography, sound engineering and computer applications, students are able to produce video essays, podcasts, short films and word clouds, among others.
“We are in a social media era. So instead of, or in addition to, standing up in front of a class delivering a standard talk or presentation, it’s interesting to look at how somebody would use the new and all technology to make informative or persuasive … speeches in any of these apps available today,” Ells said.
Morton said the RRILH helps meet a goal of the university to increase digital citizenship and digital literacy.
“I saw the lab as being kind of a offshoot and ancillary support resource to this new initiative,” he added.
Michelle Walraven, a non-traditional student with a major in organized leadership, said the transition to a more digital presence at the university has been a hindrance for her.
“When it comes to technology, I am an idiot. I’m not a technology major but I’m having to utilize all of it just to turn in an assignment,” Walraven said.
“I actually just had to drop a whole class because I don’t have the technical capabilities at home to complete. Knowing about and utilizing the lab in the library will be helpful.”
While non-traditional students may get more of an education in the practical application of using certain technologies, Morton said the lab will have something for all students.
To achieve this, the space is also available for tutorials, workshops, film screenings and other events with a humanities focus.
The RRILH is now open and available for use in the John Moss Library (UC305).
A list of the available equipment for student rental and in-lab use is available on the university website under the Student Resources tab.
For more information on events, contact Morton at dmorton@tamut.edu.
Graduation 2022 is coming upon us this winter as our seniors get prepared with caps, gowns, and more. I am one of the several students that will graduate this year. Many seniors will have a lot of plans. However, they may not know the importance of keeping finances in check. Otherwise, the future will likely promise slim chances of sustaining aspiring careers besides the increases of life’s calamities. That is why this ongoing event will provide insight and support towards life after graduation.
The 100 days until graduation event involves a social meeting between graduates of two semesters and the host, Dr. Juan R. Castro. Dr. Castro is the executive director of the CBET. The meeting shows us how to correctly manage money after graduation along with supporting details to aid us with this new pursuit.
Here are the 4 main tactics for currency management in the most secure and beneficial ways:
Building a Positive Net Worth
Emergency Fund
Control and save the expenses
Learn to Invest’
Net worth is the total amount for an individual and such, with reporting of assets and liabilities included. Liabilities are what you owe from your properties or assets. In turn, the knowledge of what you have and owe makes out the budget, describing the possible net worth. One aid to prevent any disastrous outcomes is too not buy expensive goods like glamorous cars. Having this kind of luxury will guarantee in owing much more than its base price. We would not go far with other financial goals if buying an expensive car is a part of the plan. It may sound depressing, but it is much better to be stable than regretful with that irresistible mistake.
If any disasters occur even if the finances are efficiently managed, be prepared with emergency funds. With those funds, there is coverage for any damages such as job loss, sudden health expenditures, and replacing household necessities. Plus, it further supports financial security and stability.
A quote to recall from the event: “Remember, the poor is not the one who has little, but the one who needs a lot.” Regarding sustainability of money, poor is the one who spends more of their income. If anyone is not in control of their debt or their spending, this error will run your life. It is best to focus on the expenditures while overseeing how much is spent.
It is important to build an investment. There are four common misconceptions and mistakes that will trample stability if a young graduate is careless.
It is easy for a prime adult to ponder about retirement near the end of their careers. But withholding the idea for that long period is likely to stop the contentment of maintaining the lifestyle when reaching senior age. Instead, they need to think about retirement while they are still working, even if it sounds too early. 2. There should be a plan for investment. Otherwise investing is just a fleeting thought. 3.When a graduate begins the plan, start gradually to attain knowledge so the process is proper. It is advised not to jump into the plan without learning anything. 4. Lastly, pay attention to retirement accounts while working your career. Ignoring them is another determent in the retirement plan.
Those are the most integral points that I wanted to discuss from the lecture. All of this may seem a lot to take in yet learning how to use your money along with managing it is more than helpful when going out into the world after graduation.
Recently, Texas A & M University-Texarkana has received the Education Excellence Award granted by the Texas Veterans Commission. For this university, the award is for outstanding services provided by the Veterans Services Center. State Governor Greg Abbott selected 17 institutions to obtain the achievement. The award is based on the extent of the providing aids and services while also assorted on three rankings. The University managed to receive the silver rank of the award in 2022.
The Texas Veterans Commission has provided service and advocation to the veterans of the state to improve their lives. It also performs as the State Approving Authority under the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs’ jurisdiction. SSA verifies that educational foundations and its employers agree with federal guidelines and are certified for teaching through a process.
Robert Hernandez oversees the Veterans Center at the University. He is a veteran from the United States Air Force for 30 years. Like his fellow employees, Hernandez strives to make sure a veteran and their peers get the best support for their education.
Young militants struggle to get themselves into a normal stature after serving their time supporting the country. Even veterans’ families had to contribute to the military efforts. Therefore, the transition from the military and into education can be difficult.
The Center’s jobs range from assisting the veterans to transition from the military and into the campus. Robert Hernandez has said “In the Veteran Services Center, we try our best to give back to those that gave so much for our nation”. Even if these students do not come daily all the time, the service job is always on the watch for them. From admissions to graduation, the Veteran’s center will make sure that militant students are able to get the best experience while acquiring education.
The Veteran Service Center motto, “Let us serve you” shows appreciation to the students along with perseverance to aid them. Plus, it adds to the willingness of using the most needed resources for the student’s guidance through university livelihood. The Silver Award in Education Excellence is undeniable proof that the Center and its people do their jobs at their very best.
Cadarius Williams is a senior at Texas A & M University-Texarkana who aspires to be a Software Engineer. Beforehand, he will study to gain interview experience and build connections for his career in computer science. The experiences for him at the University are content because the campus holds decent infrastructure along with more connection between the faculty and students than some universities. As Cadarius says, “You are not just a number, you are a name.”
Software Engineering involves building functional operating systems for technical devices such as laptops and cellphones. The evolution of this occupation has come a long way. The ideas of this profession started with the invention of massively scaled computers. After a long measure of time,designs expanded into advanced systems now accessible as small handheld devices. Furthermore, the progression of time has allowed ideas that were limited in the past to advance with extensive inspection and development of application frameworks.
In further discussion, technology such as robotics and Artificial Intelligence must be examined in simulation before further progress. Without the human effort or observation of technology such as A.I., the newest systems will not perform correctly. Because of Williams’ determination to be a software engineer, advanced technology is further acclaimed. It is astonishing that more students like him will manage applications in addition to creating them in the future.
The release of the gen 1 MacBook Air 2020 with the M1 chip was a phenomenal release and had even better sales reports. The installation of the M1 chip instead of the Intel core processor made this the first line of silicon MacBooks that were made all in house. This chip has cut down on overall processing time in every Mac and even made the MacBook Air a fanless design. With this new fanless design the laptop is lighter and does not overheat. Along with the chip upgrade, the microphone has been upgraded with background noise cancellation and the FaceTime camera got a better light tone update. The programmer made our day with the switch back to scissor switch keyboards from their predecessors, the hated, butterfly switch keyboard. On top of that, the trackpad is a force touch and is 1.5 inches bigger than the other leading laptop brand.
With the power the M1 chip gives to the new MacBook, we now have almost all the power the MacBook Pro has, which is amazing. This model has an 8-core CPU which is the fastest in any laptop and makes 8k video editing 3.5x faster than the previous model. With this CPU, graphics for video editing or gaming is 5x faster than the last MacBook Air model. Now we get 6 more hours free of charge on the new 18-hour battery life and we get the powerful features of macOS Big Sur. This also includes new privacy updates, new design aesthetic, and extraordinary app updates like the new connectivity of iPad and iPhone apps on MacBook.
Now with all this power, you would think there would be more new functions that everyone will use, right? You are right, there are new functions for everyone like the instant wake, unified memory, and a 2560 by 1600 retina display with a 25% more color gamut. We also were given true tone technology, meaning the notebook automatically adjusts the white point to the color temperature of your environment. In addition to that we have an HD camera for sharper images that shows more details with shadows and highlights, and that includes a three-microphone array that hones in on your voice and cancels out background noise. The most popular feature is the new touch id. You can unlock your Mac, use Apple Pay, open password protected websites and documents and make purchases on the Apple TV app with your finger. As an extra bonus, apple is giving everyone who buys a new MacBook one year free of Apple TV, so this deal just keeps getting better no matter who purchases this.
Although a few things we miss is all the connectivity we had with USB ports, SD card ports, Apple has gotten rid of those and made dongles to replace them with. So now we have the option of 2 or 4 USB-C ports with purchase of a dongle. Not an optimal solution. It is anywhere from $10-50 for a dongle depending on what connectivity you need, but you can get these anywhere from the Apple store with your MacBook purchase or a campus bookstore.
Honestly, I can look past that for everything else this laptop has given me. With education pricing you only pay $899 for the best laptop in the game. This is all a big step in the right direction, and I am very excited to be a part of the wave of new technology my laptop forged the way for.
As students finish off this semester, we take a look back at the many challenges the students faced due to Covid. The rest of Americans hope for a new fresh start after facing challenges as well.
A Quiet Classroom
This semester, the classrooms were not the same. They were dark, quiet, and empty. Millions of college students opted for online courses to decrease the exposure of Covid and many college campuses opted out completely for in-person classes.
Online Learning
Now millions of Americans are learning from home. At first, online learning can be stressful. The teachers here At Texas A&M University are patient, understanding, and helpful. The teachers are the team captains that keep you from being overwhelmed and stressed. They offer online private meetings to help you with all your assignments and blackboard needs. I know this because I have used this several times. It’s nice getting that one-on-one interaction just as you would in a classroom.
Hope
Now the pressure is on for America to stop the spread of the virus so students can enjoy campus life, sports, activities, studies, and the classroom environment. Those are all the things we were robbed of this year from a perpetrator named Covid-19. The fall looks promising as we all hope we can start getting back to some sense of normalcy and start filling the classroom with new and old students.
As the winter break approaches many people have their sights set on Christmas but I decided to get a head start on New Years’ Eve and try to figure out what my resolution would be. During this time of year it is hard not to think about classes, finals and, honestly, what I could have done better as a student so I decided to run with that.
Here are some tips I found on how to be a better and more successful student.
Set Realistic and Achievable Goals
Set both short-term and long-term goals
Set goals from the very beginning will help keep you motivated and focused
Make sure that your goals are realistic is important in ensuring that you do not set yourself up for unnecessary frustrations
Focus on Time Management
Procrastination is many people’s worst enemy so staying on top of due dates is a great way to keep yourself from slipping into that habit
Stick to a schedule. If you want to make sure you have time for your social life as well as your studies, try and spread out your workload so you don’t feel overwhelmed with trying to do all your homework in one night
Remember that you don’t have to wait until the due date to submit your assignments, you can work on them ahead of time and get them out of the way so you don’t have to worry about them later
Take Care of Yourself
Make sure you get an adequate amount of sleep is important to make sure your brain can take in all of the new information you will be learning in class
When you are well rested you can pay attention in class more easily than when you can hardly keep your eyes open
Going to class sometimes feels like the most laborious task of all time; if you are well rested it’s less likely to seem that way
Although these are just a few tips on being a better student, I’m sure that once you apply them, you will definitely see a difference. If you would like to see more ideas on how to be a better student, click here.
Texas A&M University- Texarkana evolves to better serve its student body. TAMUT added both The Patterson Student Center and Business Administration & Student Services building last spring to match the growing student population and their needs. However, opening a new building is not the only way to aid students in their scholastic journey. The university’s I.T. system engineers brought a Digital Backpack (an online portal) to our campus which allows students, faculty, and staff to access multiple applications.
This new platform will continue to evolve; adding new applications as IT works to better equip our campus, such as Office 365, NBCLearn, and DocuSign. Click here for the full list of pending applications. App ideas are accepted via email to digitalbackpack@tamut.edu.
Applications that are currently available on the Digital Backpack:
Blackboard
AceMail
EagleSync
EagleTech
iSITE
Library Lab
Software.tamu.edu
Robert Leitgeb is a part of TAMUT’s IT department and was able to share a little about the project: “The Digital Backpack is really part of a significantly larger technology implementation. You do not see it, but IT is working to improve your experience here. For example, you may have seen changes in certain computer labs around campus- this was part of the project, too.” Leitgeb explained the process of building such a program: IT worked with several business partners like VMWare and Dell for over a year to create a package suitable for our campus. Leitgeb said, “Other schools may have Digital Backpack, but what you see here at TAMUT is our unique technical experience.”
This backpack will make students, faculty, and staff’s lives a little easier. Users can access their backpack anywhere they have an internet connection; allowing more freedom in their schedule. This Digital Backpack is just another example of how TAMUT works to improve student’s educational journey, sometimes it’s a new building, and sometimes it’s a streamlined online learning experience.
Last night, on December 8, 2019, the Texas A&M University-Texarkana Student Ambassadors had their annual Christmas party along with advisor Mark Missildine and Dr. Leanne Wright. At the Christmas party, the Ambassadors had partaken in the white elephant Christmas game, ate lots of food, and just appreciated one another for all of the hard work and dedication they accomplished this year as a team. The student ambassadors also surprised their advisor, Mark Missildine, with a gift basket to show him how appreciative the group is with having him as their advisor. “It’s because of you guys that makes me love what I do,” Mark told the ambassadors as he was given his gift.
Texas A&M University -Texarkana Student Ambassadors
The purpose of the student ambassadors is that it is a leadership program designed to refine leadership skills, foster intellectual growth, as well as enhance the relationship with A&M-Texarkana. Our student ambassadors will have the opportunity to represent the university and promote A&M-Texarkana through various activities. Applications for the student ambassadors open up in the summer of 2020 for the school year 2020-2021. If you are interested and feel like this is a fit, then you should definitely apply!
The cover of Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time.
Books have always had the power to connect audiences of all ages across time and space, and Madeline L’Engle’s A Wrinkle in Time is no exception. Originally rejected by twenty-six publishers for dealing “overtly with the problem of evil” and being “too difficult for children” this beloved classic went on to win the Newbery Medal, the Sequoyah Book Award, and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. It was also nominated as runner-up for the Hans Christian Andersen Award. It has been adapted into audio books, a play, an opera, a graphic novel and two films (Disney released a TV movie in 2003, and a theatrical film in 2018 starring Storm Reid, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon and Chris Pine). The Texarkana Repertory Company (TexRep) will bring this treasured story to the Stilwell Theatre at Texarkana College in November.
Hero Medina as Meg, Gabe Lohse as Charles Wallace, and Culen McElhannon as Calvin. (Credit: TexRep Facebook page)
As with any adaptation, there are some differences between the script and the original book, but the spirit of the work remains wholly intact. Some characters and scenes have been removed or rewritten for brevity’s sake, but the heart of the story is not lost. In this thrilling fantasy/science fiction adventure, siblings Meg and Charles Wallace Murry, along with their friend Calvin O’Keefe, travel through time and space to save their father who has gone missing following a mysterious scientific expedition. Along the way, they dive through wormholes, visit distant planets, and meet all manner of strange creatures. In order to save their father, and the world, the kids must overcome their fears and face an evil force as old as time itself. This is a story about the power of love, and the beauty that lies in unconventionality. As our heroes learn, sometimes the things we see as faults are actually our greatest strengths. Our differences make us unique, and they make us strong. This a story of empowerment for people of all ages, proving that everyone, even— and perhaps especially —children, has the power to change the world.
The cast of seventeen is made up of TexRep veterans and new faces alike. The show was originally intended to be performed by five actors playing multiple roles, but in this production, the roles were separated so that more actors could participate. In addition to a stellar cast, TexRep is relying on technical magic to bring this tale to life. Dazzling projections, colored lights, sound effects, and moving set pieces transport the audience to strange new worlds. These factors, in addition to special makeup and costuming, work in harmony to make this larger-than-life production as fantastical as the book it is based on. From a technical standpoint, this show is quite difficult, with literally hundreds of light, sound, and projection cues. The projections were generously loaned to TexRep by their friends at the Dallas Children’s Theatre. Artie Oliasen, who is an Artistic Associate of the DCT and a dear friend of Cooper, is the one who suggested the show. Cooper says, “I still look for new challenges, and this show both creatively and technically pushed us in great ways.” Although he doesn’t have a favorite scene, since the show isn’t divided into traditional scenes, he particularly enjoys the “Tessering” scenes (which refers to the sequences where the children travel through space-time) and he also finds the Man With Red Eyes (played by Austin Alford) to be very effective.
Director Michael Cooper and the cast of The Outsiders (2017) taking questions at Talk-Backs (Credit: TexRep Facebook page).
Although every play has meaning, the third show of every season is a particularly important one for TexRep. This slot is referred to as the “Educational show”. Generally, they choose a script that is based on some classic work that kids read in school. Recent “educational shows” include: The Great Gatsby, Twelfth Night (or What You Will), The Outsiders, andShakespeare in Love. This slot is special because, in addition to regular evening performances, TexRep invites local middle and high schools to private showings on a school day. In a world where Arts programs often struggle just to exist, especially in a town our size, this is a great way to introduce kids to theatre and spark interest in the Arts. Of the matinees, Cooper says “To get all these kids to live theatre, to see how involved they get in the productions is amazing.” He added, “There are teachers who contact me at the beginning of every school year to find out the dates because they and their kids love coming.” In addition, TexRep always collaborates directly with Texarkana College on educational shows in hopes that they function as a recruitment drive for prospective TC students, as well as celebrating the talent of current students. Perhaps the most fun part of these shows is the “Talk-Back” session. Following curtain call, the actors gather onstage in costume and the audience gets a chance to ask them questions. This opens a great (and often very entertaining) two-way dialogue between the students, teachers and the actors about the work itself and the creative process in general that they won’t get anywhere else. The educational slot is unique in that is the only show of the season that holds Talk-Backs. This particular show is also unique in that matinees will take place before the show officially opens.
This show has been a very rewarding experience for all involved. “It’s great to do a show that you can safely bring the entire family to,” Cooper said. While it is a kid-friendly show, he assures that it “plays on so many levels” that the adults will enjoy it just as much as the children. In today’s world, positive stories like this one are essential. Michael Cooper believes, “With all that is going on in the world that just feels so negative, any story that can mention Jesus, Mohammed, Da Vinci, and Gandhi in the same sentence needs to be told. The power of love can never be ignored.” Tickets for this show are available online, or at the door.
Performances of A Wrinkle in Time will be:
Thursday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 15 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 16 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, November 17 at 2:00 p.m.
The theatre doors will open thirty minutes prior to showtime.
