UTA'S E-NEWSLETTER FOR FACULTY AND STAFF

MONDAY, NOV. 3, 2025

🏀🔀 The 2025-26 men's basketball team was refreshed with seven transfer players and four true freshmen.

Today's MavWire is 837 words, a three-minute read.

Athletics

Help the Mavs tip off the season with a White Out game

Senior U T A forward Raysean Seamster puts up a tough shot against UNT Dallas.

UTA men's basketball is set to open the 2025-26 season against UNT Dallas at College Park Center at 7 p.m. today, Monday, Nov. 3.

Why it matters: Come pack the park and support our Mavericks as they look to open the season with a win for the third straight year by defeating the UNT Dallas Trailblazers.

Going deeper: Fans are highly encouraged to wear white and participate in the White Out at the CPC. For fans that can’t attend, the game will be broadcast live on ESPN+ and on the radio on the Varsity App, 102.5 F.M.

Faculty and staff tickets are $5 at the box office on game day. Bring your UTA ID to the box office the night of the event to purchase your tickets.

UTA Traditions

Let your Maverick spirit soar for Homecoming 2025

Photo Collage of various Homecoming 2024 events

Homecoming is an opportunity for faculty, staff, and alumni to come together and celebrate what makes UTA truly special.

Why it matters: Homecoming week connects Mavericks across generations, celebrating school pride, its rich history, and our tight-knit community through campus traditions and spirited events.

Going deeper: You can get involved all week with Wicked-themed spirit dress-up days. Check out the special alumni packages: With the purchase of a UTA alumni sweatshirt, you will receive a ticket to both the men's and women's Homecoming basketball games.

Get your tickets to the men’s and women’s Homecoming basketball games now before they sell out.

Athletics

UTA Athletics receives record $2 million gift

UTA has received a $2 million commitment from alumnus and former football student-athlete J. Ron Young—the largest single pledge ever made to Athletics.

Why it matters: The record-breaking gift will support the Athletics Excellence Fund, ensuring that student-athletes have the resources to succeed on the field and in the classroom for years to come.

Going deeper: Young ('67 BA, History), a Fort Worth native, arrived on campus in 1964 and quickly made his mark as a standout wide receiver, setting records before finishing his collegiate career in 1966. Now, he is making a lasting impact on current and future student-athletes, coaches, and the entire Athletics Department.

Read more about Young and his donation here.

Campus Updates

Undergraduate and master's exit surveys make a difference

U T A grads pose for a photo during spring commencement

Fall graduation is around the corner, and we need your help to raise awareness of the importance of the University exit survey for graduating students.

Why it matters: The exit surveys provide data on the overall student satisfaction with the services and opportunities provided by UTA, their colleges, and their programs, and how those can be improved.

Going deeper: The results give us a better understanding of students' sense of preparedness and plans for employment and education after graduation and how well we are achieving those outcomes as an institution. This data has been used to inform program accreditation, policies, and initiatives that are aligned with best practices in undergraduate and graduate education.

Graduating students will receive an invitation from gradteam@uta.edu with the link to the survey. The link will also be available in Canvas.

Staff Recognition

Nominate an Outstanding Maverick today

Photo of U T A staff members laughing at a conference

Nominations for the Outstanding Maverick Awards are open now through Friday, Nov. 21.

Why it matters: Each year, we recognize our employees whose exceptional achievements make a lasting impact at UTA. Help celebrate the dedication and Maverick spirit that makes UTA extraordinary.

Going deeper: The awards are open to all levels of staff, recognizing meaningful contributions across the entire University. Awards are aligned with UTA's Shared Values—Collaboration, Engagement, Excellence, Innovation, and Integrity. Honorees will be announced in spring 2026. Individual recipients may receive up to $1,000; leaders will receive a plaque, while the winning team will share $2,500.

Mav Bites

🏃‍♀️UTA cross country teams pushed the pace in the Western Athletic Conference Championships Friday, Oct. 31, with solid individual finishes. Freshman Dorcas Jepkosgei continued her first-year campaign with a second-place finish in the women's 6k. Junior Matro Jepkemboi captured a fourth-place finish.

👷 At the City of Arlington / UTA Master Plan Town Hall + CAPPA Expo, you can learn more about UTA’s Campus Master Plan and view an exhibit of architecture students' projects. Come celebrate a 15-year partnership between the city of Arlington and UTA, Thursday, Nov. 6, at 6 p.m. in the George W. Hawkes Downtown Library.

❤️ Help restock the Maverick Food Pantry with the Fill the Pantry, Fill the Heart food drive. No Maverick should worry about putting food on the table and by donating the most needed items, we can assist our UTA community. Donate today through Saturday, Nov. 15.

🤖 Join OIT and University Analytics for November’s AI Community/Pondering AI event. We’ll hear about laws surrounding AI and AI literacy. Lunch will be provided to in-person attendees.
Thursday, Nov. 6.

🐴 Celebrate your Maverick pride at the Homecoming Tailgate after the parade and before the big game. Be sure to register your organization or group for a space today. Saturday, Nov. 15.