Saturday, March 3, is Explore UT, the biggest open house in the state of Texas
Dear Students,
Saturday, March 3, is Explore UT, the biggest open house in the state of Texas. It is a celebration of all the spectacular ideas and talents of the University of Texas and an opportunity to share this special place with the 25 million people of the state who make it possible. I invite all of you to participate. It is a great opportunity to learn about some of the jewels on this campus, such as touring the replica of the Oval Office that is in the presidential library for former President Lyndon Johnson, or the collections of the Texas Memorial Museum, or taking a walking tour of the campus with docents. I know our own Dean David Laude will be performing his Chemistry Circus show throughout the day. You can also find out about many of the goings-on in departments and student organizations by visiting some of the tables, lectures, and presentations along Speedway. Maybe you've been looking for that group to join or maybe you just want to learn more about the diversity of what goes on here. Or maybe you would like to help out. As you look through the very long list of groups presenting hands-on activities etc you might recognize one and contact your student org reps to see how you can help out.
Whether by pitching in to help out or by just attending for our own curiosity and enjoyment, your participation will do much to honor the work of our staff and students to make this event a success. You will also be honoring our visitors by sharing in their excitement for the opportunity visit this campus. You and I share a privilege to work and study at UT that many do not enjoy; together, we are stewards of one of the state's most significant investments in its future. The children and middle schoolers coming to Explore UT could be the next generation of students here, and the older couples touring the campus may be our alumni or the citizens of our state who make this all possible. Either way, please join in welcoming them all to our campus next week. See you there.
Sacha Kopp
Associate Dean,
College of Natural Sciences
PS: This Tuesday Feb 28 at 3:30pm is the next Science for Change lecture in ACES 2.302 (AVAYA Auditorium). This lecture series highlights how the scientific community can inform policymakers and possible careers for scientists in the arena of public policy. Dr. Mike Holland, Senior Advisor and Staff Director at the Office of the Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy, will present "Why the Public Sector Invests in Science and Technology: A Framework for Energy R&D." Dr. Holland serves as senior advisor and staff director in the Office of the Under Secretary for Science at the Department of Energy, and before this worked at the Office of Management and Budget, served as a professional staff member on the US House of Representatives Science Committee, and was the senior policy analyst for physical sciences at the Office of Science & Technology Policy. Dr. Holland received undergraduate degrees in electrical engineering and chemistry from NC State University, a Ph.D. in Analytical Chemistry from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and was a postdoc at Pennsylvania State University.
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