The College of Nursing and Health Innovation’s Center for Rural Health and Nursing Mobile Simulation Lab revved up its engine at its official launch party Friday. The simulation lab provides nurses in rural areas the opportunity to practice critical patient care skills in a controlled environment, to better understand medical situations before they encounter real-life scenarios, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. Tanya Sudia, CONHI chief nursing officer and interim dean, said the lab will not only provide different simulations in remote areas, but partner with hospitals in those communities as well. Aspen Drude, Center for Rural Health and Nursing manager, said she’s excited to have the mobile simulation lab, calling it her 'baby' after years of preparation. “This is something I’ve been getting ready for for literally years,” she said. “There’s a lot of opportunity here, so we’re just really excited for that.” Drude said their first stop is Faith Community Hospital in Jacksboro, Texas, about an hour and 30 minutes away from campus. She said the goal of this first visit is to conduct a needs assessment, create tailored simulations and run a pilot training program to get feedback and improve the program before moving on to the next location. During the tour of the simulation lab, Jill Whitfill, CONHI assistant professor of practice showcased the lab’s two mannequins. The first, known as "MamaAnne," is used for obstetric emergencies, simulating a variety of labor and delivery complications. It can stimulate a scenario like hemorrhaging, where student nurses can practice applying pressure to stop the bleeding while monitoring vital signs on the electronic fetal monitor. MamaAnne also allows for full code scenarios, including intubation and cardiac events. The second mannequin is used for trauma scenarios, simulating situations like compound fractures. It helps train students in Texas’ rural areas, where nurses are often generalists. Whitfill said that the lab’s mannequins, equipped with 360-degree cameras and microphones, allow for realistic, interactive training sessions. These features allow teams to record and review their performance, providing valuable feedback to improve care in real-world rural emergency situations. Sudia said that she’s most excited about obstetric deliveries, which cover emergencies including complications during or immediately after delivery. While these situations are rare, she said they are important for training nurses and health care providers to ensure the best possible patient outcomes. Alexandra Amaya, public health graduate student, said the lab will help nursing students learn about medical situations in rural communities, and build confidence before facing real-life situations. “Rural communities do have less resources than we do here,” Amaya said. “I feel like, overall, as a health education resource, it would really benefit their learning overall.” @taylor._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Dallas-Fort Worth residents can expect warm weather, with highs in the 80s and lows in the 50s. Additionally, there’s an increasingly high chance of strong to severe evening showers and thunderstorms this week. Sarah Barnes, National Weather Service meteorologist, said residents can expect nice weather on Monday and Tuesday with sunny skies and warm weather. Each day after that, there are chances of showers with possible thunderstorms and showers at night. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

This is a crime wrap-up from March 18 to 22. Assault On March 18, the UTA Police Department was notified by another campus department of a report of a possible non-forcible sex offense and dating/domestic violence by a current or former partner that occurred in 2024, UTA Police Capt. Mike McCord said in an email. If the assailant is married to or in a relationship with the victim, assault is a third-degree felony punishable by a fine not exceeding $10,000, imprisonment of between two to 10 years or both. The case is still active. Criminal trespass On March 20, officers investigated two unaffiliated females who allegedly would not leave when asked by staff, McCord said. The two females were arrested for criminal trespass and transported to the Arlington Police Department jail. If the offender has not been previously convicted of trespassing on higher education property, the offense is a class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine up to $500. If the offender has been previously convicted of trespassing, the offense is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $4,000, up to one year in jail or both. Possession of drug paraphernalia On March 21, officers investigated a suspicious person near a bike rack, McCord said. The unaffiliated male was arrested and transported to the Arlington Police Department jail for an outstanding warrant and possession of methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia. Possession of drug paraphernalia of two ounces or less is a class B misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $2,000, up to 180 days in jail or both. Possession of methamphetamines under one gram is a state jail felony, punishable by confinement in a state jail for a term between 180 days to two years. Perpetrators may also receive a fine not exceeding $10,000. Threat to publish intimate visual material On March 21, a male student reported being scammed by an unknown person, McCord said. Unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material is a state jail felony punishable by confinement in state jail between 180 days to two years. Perpetrators may also receive a fine not exceeding $10,000. The case is still active. Burglary of vehicle On March 22, an unaffiliated male reported the burglary of his vehicle, McCord said. Burglary of a vehicle is a class A misdemeanor punishable by a fine not exceeding $4,000, up to a year in jail or both. The case is still active. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Off-Campus Mavericks appreciation week, hosted by the Office of Transition Programs and Services, takes place April 1 through 5. Sarah Sexton, Transition Programs assistant director, said the week is crucial for recognizing off-campus students, offering them opportunities to connect with free resources and experience the Maverick way. This also gives students the opportunity to meet and mingle with other commuters. Sexton said hearing directly from students about their needs during this time is important so the university can better serve them and improve its services. “It's not always easy to be a commuter student. There are pros and cons,” she said. “Pros being that they can potentially save money by commuting, but cons is that they may not feel as connected to campus, and so putting on these events is hopefully breaking those disconnects.” Here’s a list of events planned for the week. Grab N Go Breakfast Breakfast will be offered to Mavericks from 7:30 to 9 a.m. or until supplies last on Tuesday at the front entrance of the Science Innovation Engineering and Research building facing Lot 49. Focus Group Students can participate in a focus group designed to gather feedback directly from commuting students about campus life, student services and more from 1 to 2 p.m. April 2 in the University Center’s Lower Chambers. Students must RSVP to attend. Social Media Campaign/Takeover All day April 3, Mavericks can tag @offcampusmavs on Instagram or use the hashtag #UTAOffCampus to be featured on their story or page. Mini giveaways will be offered throughout the day. “We know that social media is a really big avenue and platform for these students, and so finding a way to meet them where they are, whether they’re commuting or they’re fully remote,” Sexton said. Night Owls Mavericks can play a variety of games 5 to 7 p.m. April 4 in the Central Library Basement. Students can meet other commuting students and enjoy refreshments. Students must RSVP to attend. Field Day The last event will be held 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 5 in Brazos Park and is all about friendly competition and outdoor fun with a focus on building a strong sense of community. The event will be moved to the Maverick Activities Center in case of rain. Activities will include outdoor group yoga, team challenges and traditional field day games. Food, a DJ, refreshments and giveaways will be available throughout the day. Students must RSVP to attend. @taylor._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Students gathered at Maverick Stadium for UTA’s 45th annual Bed Races on Wednesday, uniting for a night’s worth of fun and competitive spirit. Maverick Stadium buzzed with live music, games and free food. Attendees in superhero-themed attire participated in activities ranging from cornhole to bounce houses. Josh Hale, Campus Recreation assistant director for sports programs, said this year’s Bed Races are particularly special after getting Raising Cane’s and Shake Smart to cater the event. A Rockstar Energy station kept students energized as well. Bed Races is UTA’s oldest annual tradition — first introduced in 1980, in celebration of the opening of Maverick Stadium — where teams of five compete in a 40-yard dash for the fastest time. The races feature three divisions: Men’s, women’s and co-ed. Four members from each team pushed a bed on wheels, while the fifth teammate lay flat on the mattress. Pi Kappa Phi took the gold in the men’s division with a winning time of 6.74 seconds. Team DZ won the women’s division with a time of 8.25 seconds. In the co-ed division, the Climbing Blairs won with a time of 7.16 seconds. Finance juniors Desiah Duran and Karla Molina, also members of Delta Zeta sorority, said this was their second consecutive year winning the women’s bracket. Duran urged students who haven’t participated in Bed Races to do so. “Do it, get involved. You don’t lose nothing with it, and it’s fun,” she said. Kinesiology sophomore Maxwell Boisvert, Pi Kappa Phi fraternity member, said it felt amazing to win. He said the team initially participated for fun, but ended up winning. “We got gold on our necks now,” Boisvert said. Hale said the Bed Races are a product of the sense of community that’s built with people on campus. “It’s a very unique experience and if you’re not a part of it, I highly recommend just coming out, hang out, give it a try or even watch,” Hale said. @tdreevess sports-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Residents will soon have the opportunity to shop for fresh food and homemade goods every weekend at the new Downtown Arlington Farmers Market. The market will kick off 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of Front Street and Center Street, recurring at the same time every Saturday through November. The event is a collaboration between the Downtown Arlington Management Corp., the City of Arlington and Four Seasons Markets. Maggie Campbell, Downtown Arlington Management Corp. president and CEO, said Four Seasons has around 30 vendors lined up for Saturday’s first market. “Every week, there’ll be additional vendors and as that growing season in the spring really develops, you’ll start seeing more and more fresh products,” she said. Parking and entry to the farmers market is free. There will be parking along Front Street and on the first two floors of the 101 Center parking garage. “We've been very excited to see it come to life, because these conversations started in November and have been very detailed, and we're excited to see the fruits of the labor on Saturday,” said Garret Martin, Downtown Arlington Management Corp. vice president. Rebecca Boxall, district 5 city council member, said talks about a farmers market date back to when she was elected in 2021. Because past markets failed, more consideration had to go into planning. “The main obstacle has been that we wanted to find an operator that had experience and had connections to local and regional farmers, and it's just taken us a long time to get that,” Boxall said.” Martin said the Downtown Arlington Management Corp. felt like it could help and immediately began looking for partners to supply the foods for the market. It landed on Four Seasons Markets. “We were looking for vendors and we saw this one was operating nearby and they seemed to have markets people responded well to,” he said. Four Seasons runs other markets throughout Dallas-Fort Worth including the Richardson, Plano and Carrollton markets, and Martin said they’re a qualified operator. This iteration of the market will mark the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic that Arlington has had a recurring market for downtown residents. One of the longest running farmers markets in Arlington closed in 2015, after over five years of service, according to previous Shorthorn reporting. The old market was also held on Front Street. The closure happened due to the property it was housed at being sold. The market owners could not negotiate a new location in Arlington. In 2016 the market moved to Handley before closing its doors for good in 2020. @wall035203 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

A subject was taken into custody early Tuesday morning after being barricaded in their vehicle with a gun earlier in the day near West Campus Parking Garage, according to Arlington Police Department. UTA Police requested APD’s assistance around 2:10 a.m., said Tim Ciesco, APD media relations coordinator, in an email. APD’s SWAT team responded to the scene for assistance. Around 10 police cars were parked behind the suspect at UTA Boulevard and Monroe Street. Officers asked her to exit the vehicle or remove the weapon for nearly an hour, but she refused. Police attempted to assure everyone was safe and asked for cooperation. “I don’t have a problem getting hurt,” the suspect responded. “That’s my point.” The suspect fled the scene around 3:07 a.m. with over a dozen police cars chasing her vehicle down Cooper Street. The suspect was tracked to a house in the 2600 block of Brockgreen Court, Ciesco said, but refused to exit. UTA members were notified to avoid the active scene in a MavAlert sent at 2:46 a.m. The campus was advised to resume normal operations around 3:20 a.m. @trinhvchristine news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The first Medal of Honor was awarded March 25, 1863. In 1990, Congress established this date as National Medal of Honor Day. Over 160 years later, the National Medal of Honor Museum officially opened to the public on the same day, ensuring the recipients and their stories will never be forgotten. Guests of all ages flocked to commemorate the opening ceremony Tuesday, complete with museum leadership and staff, city officials and prominent partners. Stationed at 1861 AT&T Way and snug in Arlington’s Entertainment District, the building is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily, with tickets starting at $30. In October 2019, Arlington was selected from a pool of 20 contending cities to build the museum and broke ground March 2022. Arlington Mayor Jim Ross said that when speaking with leaders involved with the decision-making, they told him they chose Arlington because they knew the city “wouldn’t let them down.” Recognizing former Arlington Mayor Jeff Williams’ efforts in getting it here, Ross said the city is veteran-proud. Charlotte Jones, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation chairman, said the recipients’ stories were the driving inspiration and motivation to complete the project. “It’s actually been a five-year journey for me and for the City of Arlington, but for folks like Gen. Brady and Tommy Norris, it has been decades-long in the making,” Jones said. “We are finally here to get to see it to fruition to recognize these incredible men and one woman.” Chris Cassidy, National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation president and CEO, introduced the Arlington Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps to present colors. Followed by a live instrumental of the national anthem, Cassidy closed remarks with a final announcement. “The National Medal of Honor Museum is now open to inspire America. Welcome aboard,” he said. Patiently waiting in line to go inside, Arlington resident Ted Wilson said he had known about the museum and was anticipating its opening for some time. Having the only museum like it in the country in his hometown is an honor, he said. A Vietnam War veteran, Wilson said he looked forward to reading the stories and paying his respects to the recipients. “Freedom’s not free,” Wilson said. “Hopefully the younger generation will learn that their freedom that they have – it’s earned by somebody’s life.” Guests mingled in the 1861 Café and perused various museum shop items, soaking in moments before visiting the main attractions upstairs. Prior to entering the full exhibition deck, visitors take part in the Medal of Honor Experience by watching The Courage Within, a panoramic video of testimonials from recipients, statements from former presidents and footage from various combats. Grand Prairie resident Yolanda Rangel, 75, said the film brought tears to her eyes. Coming from a family of awarded servicemembers, and working in the reserves for nearly 15 years herself, Rangel said a memorial of this stature was a long time coming. A bit surprised by the large turnout on opening day, she sensed that every guest was appreciative of those who went to war to protect others. "I really hope that all these people bring a new, profound respect to the United States and its military members,” Rangel said. “No matter who they are, what they’re doing, where they’re at – especially all those guys that are not here that are still serving around the world." @hjgarcia0 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Commitment. Integrity. Sacrifice. Courage. These are the core values the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Griffin Institute hopes to instill in American youth. The Griffin Institute aims to inspire, equip and connect people to live the values of the Medal of Honor. The center explores the stories and lessons of recipients through national and regional conferences, seminars, forums, team-building experiences and immersive programs. One of these programs Moments That Matter takes middle school students on a Medal of Honor character journey. The lessons and stories highlighted seek to motivate and provide participants with practical tools and skills to put these values into action, becoming their best selves for others. Jacqueline Kennedy, Griffin Institute associate vice president of education and experiences, said the group recently completed its pilot program in the Arlington Independent School District. The full program consists of five modules, each with five lessons spanning about 15 to 20 minutes. It maintains flexibility in deciding how many values are taught and at what grade levels, how much time is spent working on lessons and taking students to the museum, Kennedy said. “Start with one value, see how it feels and how it resonates with your students and where it all starts coming together for them,” she said. “We saw that in Arlington and it was quite amazing to see how students really latched on to some of the content and how they rolled it into their own lives.” Seventh-grade students at Gunn Junior High and Fine Arts and Dual Language Academy participated in the commitment portion of the program during the fall and will be one of the first student groups to tour the museum this spring. By the 2025-26 school year, all 10 AISD middle schools will be enrolled, Kennedy said. Matt Varnell, Gunn Junior High principal, said most of the lessons asked participants how they practice commitment and to think about the specialties they have to offer, allowing students to self-reflect and determine how they can become the best version of themselves. Varnell said lessons were taught during social studies to ensure students had access to the program. The Medal of Honor spans the country, and although Texas history is taught in seventh grade, the school felt this was a good segue into eighth-grade American history. Bethany Turner, Gunn Junior High social studies department lead and seventh-grade Texas history teacher, said she was able to connect the program’s overarching themes of leadership and sacrifice to the regular curriculum. “Self-sacrifice and service, being willing to sacrifice yourself for something that you believe in strongly,” Turner said. “You can tie that into really any part of history, not just specifically for Texas history.” She said she loved giving the institute suggestions from herself and her students. While some lessons felt right, the students thought others could be more engaging. She said the institute was very receptive to feedback. One of Turner’s and her students’ biggest takeaways was how the program allowed participants to slow down and think about who they are. “Twelve and 13-year-olds don’t often have a lot of time in their busy lives and in their developing brains where they actually sit and think about, ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What are my core values?’ and ‘What is important to me?’” she said. Turner was able to open up and be vulnerable with her classroom as well. While her students were shy and quiet the first few weeks, she said they became more willing to share personal topics and thoughts with her and their peers. “A huge part of it was comfort and confidence in being willing to share, and part of that comes with the classroom culture of having an open and accepting dialogue,” she said. While not in a classroom on his day-to-day, Varnell said has seen the program’s influence on students. The program provided individual cards of Medal of Honor recipients to participants. He soon saw them wearing these cards, like collectibles, with their student IDs. “If they didn’t find value in it, they would’ve just thrown it away, but they see value in it, and so they’ve kept it near to them as a reminder of how they can continue to be their best selves,” he said. Kennedy said the institute plans to have over 8,000 students across several districts enrolled in Moments That Matter by next year. “Developmentally, it’s the time where students are starting to think about the choices they make that define their character,” she said. “Deciding to do the right things, standing up for others or how they face challenges. It’s a ripe time to have these dedicated conversations.” @hjgarcia0 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Melissa Clay finds herself in shock when driving around the Arlington Entertainment District. “Arlington is not as big as Dallas, but this is where all of the action is at,” Clay said. Last year, she moved to Dallas after two years of living by Arlington’s Six Flags Over Texas. Clay hasn’t returned to the area until this one reason: the National Medal of Honor Museum. The over 100,000-square-foot museum, located at 1861 AT&T Way, opened to the public this week after three years of construction. The museum is the latest component to the growth of the Entertainment District, which houses multiple stadiums, museums and amusement parks, and is expected to strengthen the area’s tourism and businesses. The city saw almost 16 million visitors in 2023, who contributed $2.8 billion in spending, according to the Arlington Convention and Visitors Bureau. The National Medal of Honor Museum is expected to add anywhere between 600,000 to a million visitors annually, said Michael Jacobson, president and CEO of the Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce. Jacobson doesn’t have the exact numbers on the museum’s economic impact, but he can estimate. If a visitor stays an extra day in Arlington to see the museum and spends around $250, multiplied by 16 million visitors, that number will show the power of getting people to stay, he said. “The National Medal of Honor Museum changes the game in the Entertainment District,” Jacobson said. Four exhibitions are happening simultaneously at the nearby Arlington Museum of Art to serve audiences of all ages. Less than half a mile away, the Texas Rangers are gearing up for their home opening game at Globe Life Field, which can host around 40,000 spectators. Loews Hotels, a New York company, has opened two hotels in the area within a three-minute walking distance of each other. AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, hosts events and concerts during the offseason. Choctaw Stadium is home to two sports teams: the North Texas Soccer Club and the United Football League’s Arlington Renegades, which both play this spring. While these happenings would appear unrelated, they all reflect a vision — one that would bring more foot traffic to the Arlington Entertainment District. “This area has just erupted,” Arlington resident Jane Morrow Wright said. Morrow Wright moved to Arlington when she was 5 and the city might not have even had 25,000 people. After years of moving around, she relocated back to Arlington 11 years ago. She’s not going anywhere anymore, she said. She’s home. “It’s so fun to come to the ball games and to go to the art museum now down here. Arlington has been smart about what they’ve done,” she said. Jacobson said that about 40 Arlington business leaders are going through leadership training focusing on the values of the National Medal of Honor. “The National Medal of Honor Foundation and Museum have a great respect and value for Arlington and the community that has welcomed them, and they go out of their way to make sure that Arlington remains connected in everything that they do,” he said. Hurst, Texas, resident Beverly Ihnfeldt, who attended the museum’s grand opening event, still remembered the Arlington of the mid-’70s, when she and her roommate lived across from what is now AT&T Stadium. None of the development was here. “It was just houses and pastures and stuff, and it’s just like, ‘Oh my gosh, how much they can cram in,’” Ihnfeldt said. She’s happy about the changes. “Anytime we keep having growth, it’s a good thing,” she said. Jacobson feels conflicted about the conversation surrounding the museum’s economic impact. He understands its power in generating money. He has thought about the brand value as nationwide eyes point toward Arlington. He just doesn’t want people to forget about the museum’s larger meaning. “The economic impact of the National Medal of Honor Museum wasn’t, in my mind, a key part of the equation,” Jacobson said. “This is about capturing the values of the recipients and celebrating those attributes like integrity and valor and courage, and educating the public on those values in action and trying to inspire people to do bigger and better things.” Donations covered most of the cost of building the National Medal of Honor Museum. The institution has received funding from several high-profile donors, including a $20 million donation from Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones in 2021 and $30 million from Kenneth Griffin, the billionaire head of the hedge fund company Citadel, in 2023. “Anyone who is successful in business has at times stood on the shoulders of others,” Jones said in a 2021 press release. “Never in my life have I had the opportunity to stand beside those who have given so much for the defense of freedom and our way of life. Medal of Honor recipients represent the very best of America and the values to which all heroes aspire. Supporting this project is a privilege.” Britton Cunningham Merritt, Greater Arlington Chamber of Commerce vice president of Marketing and Communications, said the museum is different from FIFA games or the college football national championship that will take place in the area. Unlike those events that come into existing spaces, the Arlington community has watched the National Medal of Honor Museum go from the site selection to the finalized construction, Cunningham Merritt said. “We’ve had five years to really take it in and see that this would come to fruition,” she said. Clay, a Dallas resident, had to mentally prepare herself for the museum’s opening. Last January, Clay’s husband, who served in the U.S. Army, died at Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital. The city affected her heavily enough that her psychiatrist suggested she move somewhere else. She left for Dallas that April and didn’t come back until now, Clay said. Memories flooded back to her as she sat at Mark Holtz Lake to watch the museum’s grand opening. She wore his picture on a necklace. She remembered the Rangers and Cowboys games they went to together. From their house, they once were able to see the museum’s construction. She may move back to Arlington after all, she said. @DangHLe news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Since the Medal of Honor’s establishment in 1861, less than 1% of servicemembers have received one — a select few out of millions. Two of them have UTA roots. Col. Neel E. Kearby and Gen. Richard E. Cavazos were members of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program when the university was known as North Texas Agricultural College. Now with the National Medal of Honor Museum honoring their service, UTA’s military roots are being brought into the limelight. “I think it shows that not only do we create leaders of character, but we also create leaders of great potential for immense levels of command and leadership to the highest ranks possible of the Army,” said Lt. Col. Greg LeClair, UTA military science professor. Ken Smith, UTA Cadet Corps Alumni Council vice president of finance, said that in being chosen to host the Medal of Honor Museum, UTA’s support with cadet escorts, color guard services and the backing of the alumni network was critical in influencing the selection board’s decision, giving Arlington an edge over other finalists such as Denver. Smith said the museum will be a powerful source of inspiration for younger cadets and alumni. Having it in the city will help maintain the military culture that UTA has had for decades. “Just touring the museum, seeing the actions, seeing the Medals of Honor that are displayed, seeing some of the equipment, hearing the stories of just regular people in moments of highly outstanding drive, dedication, caring for their fellow soldiers, and devotion to duty and honor and courage will definitely serve them,” he said. Anyone who meets the basic requirements at 18 can enlist in the military, but to be a leader such as an Army officer, you must have a college degree. Kearby, Medal of Honor recipient, attended NTAC in 1930 and 1931, and was described as the “perfect combat leader.” In 1943, he shot down six enemy aircrafts in one mission. That mission earned him the Medal of Honor. Not only is Kearby’s heroism recognized in the museum, but he also has a statue that sits outside City Center Plaza in Arlington to ensure he will be remembered for his valor. Cavazos, Medal of Honor recipient, attended NTAC from 1947 to 1949 and was a member of the Corps of Cadets and the Cadet Captain of the Sam Houston Rifles drill team. After being commissioned in the Army in 1951, he was deployed in the Korean War and selected as a platoon leader. His consistent acts of bravery to rescue multiple men on various occasions during his leadership earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, as well as the Silver Star for capturing a wounded enemy soldier. LeClair said about 80% of commission officers in the U.S. Army come from Army ROTC programs like the one UTA has. With its wealth of programs and support, UTA recently ranked as the No. 1 public university in Texas and No. 5 in the nation for military service members and veterans in the Military Times Best for Vets 2024 Colleges list. UTA’s Military and Veteran Services program assists students in transitioning to UTA, health and well-being, educational benefits, engagement and career readiness. The university has served over 70,000 military-connected students since 2017, according to the UTA website. Smith said UTA brings a sense of support to those transitioning out of the military and into “civilian life” — a difficult process due to the military’s traditions and structure. Despite the sometimes overwhelming process, he said the university’s additional support and programs are what continue drawing veterans to UTA. Most schools don’t have as much depth to their veteran programs, he said. “The emphasis, the time, dedication and the excellence they have developed, really over the last decade, has shown with being number [five] in the nation, being number one in Texas,” Smith said. UTA’s strong military support system dates back to 1902 when Col. James Carlisle established Carlisle Military Academy. Though undergoing several identities, the university has stayed true to its roots by establishing the Department of Military Science and the Maverick Battalion. To be a leader, he said cadets must hold themselves to a higher standard of discipline. Of the people who serve as leaders in the U.S. military, many are graduates who had to earn their degrees. “It’s been people from campuses like Arlington that have kept the world safe for prosperity as we know it today, so we should celebrate it,” LeClair said. Formed in 1924 under a different name, the Sam Houston Rifles drill team members are living examples of the guiding principles of the ROTC program. The department continues to honor UTA’s military history by reinstating the ceremonial Carlisle Cannons, which marks the heritage and military presence of university veterans and cadets. After being admitted into UTA, Smith joined the ROTC program his second year and later joined the Sam Houston Rifles. Now a veteran and alumnus, Smith and the alumni council members continue to help grow the culture UTA began decades ago. Smith said he continues to give back to the university because UTA showed him a path to the military, one allowing him to serve for 30 years. “I look at it from an alumni standpoint, mentoring those cadets to really grow and develop into our replacements, so to speak, and then fostering the spirit of showing their cadets, or their youngsters, or their family, their high school buds, folks coming up behind them, ‘Here’s what military service is,’” he said. Capt. Hunter Callahan, Maverick Battalion Color Guard executive officer, said UTA’s military history is a testament to the veteran culture in Texas, specifically in Arlington. Callahan said he appreciated that the museum’s committee chose Arlington, a dedicated and involved environment, to be the host because it represents what the city stands for. The support also fosters opportunities to give his cadets a spotlight and a chance to build their legacies. “It’s just a phenomenal opportunity to be a part of a nationally recognized museum organization,” he said. “It’s a huge scope and scale.” LeClair said the amount of leadership produced from UTA’s ROTC program is remarkable and he’s proud to be a part of it. “These cadets, they are the face of the Army. They are the ones that lead in this country, in the United States Army, I think that’s what we really need to understand,” he said. “Those leaders are coming from places like UT Arlington.” @pmalkomes @amandaLaldridge @babyboimatt news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Arlington On-Demand rideshare service has reached a recent milestone of over 3 million rides since its launch in 2017. Arlington On-Demand provides personalized transportation within Arlington city limits and regionally connects outside the city to the Trinity River Express at CentrePort/DFW Airport Station and the Trinity Metro bus routes 21 and 22 in Fort Worth. The service is offered 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Saturday. Rides cost between $3 and $5 per person, depending on distance traveled. On-Demand is a transportation option that has an infinite number of stops, with no fixed schedule or route, according to the City of Arlington’s website. Foss said they plan to continue to improve the rideshare service through innovation and technology. “We are getting ready to launch a new pilot service within the On-Demand service, called Arlington Express, which will provide direct trips between Downtown/UTA and the CentrePort TRE Station during peak periods of demand,” she said in an email. “We hope these improvements will enhance the rider experience and keep the service efficient and cost-effective.” Foss said Arlington has continued to grow and innovate since On-Demand’s launch, working to have the transportation services meet the needs of Arlington’s residents and visitors. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The Arlington RAPID transportation service has reached a new milestone, with over 100,000 rides since its launch in 2021. RAPID — Rideshare, Automation and Payment Integration Demonstration — provides transportation through autonomous vehicles, capable of sensing its environment and operating without human involvement. The RAPID fleet includes four hybrid-electric Toyota Sienna vans, including one equipped to carry wheelchairs, according to the City of Arlington’s website. The service operates Monday through Friday on the streets of downtown Arlington and UTA. Rides cost between $3 and $5 depending on the distance traveled, but campus students, faculty and staff ride for free. In a partnership with Via, May Mobility and UTA, Arlington RAPID’s goal is to provide a blueprint for on-demand public transit and autonomous technologies to develop efficient, safe and accessible transportation for all riders. Ann Foss, City of Arlington Transportation Department planning and programming manager, said Arlington RAPID has given the city opportunities to learn more about autonomous technology and provide an additional transportation option to residents. “We are very excited to celebrate these milestones and recognize that these services are meeting the daily transportation needs for many within Arlington,” she said in an email. The service is the city’s third successful autonomous vehicle transportation pilot project since 2017. In 2022, North Central Texas Council of Governments gave funding to continue the service. Foss said Arlington has continued to grow and innovate since RAPID’s launch, working to have the transportation services meet the needs of Arlington’s residents and visitors. news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The museum, opening March 25, remembers the nation’s heroes’ sacrifices.

Eighty kilograms of vibrant-colored powder traveled through the air outside the Maverick Activities Center West Lawn on Saturday morning. Hosted collaboratively by the Indian Mavericks Society and Hindu YUVA, UTA’s annual Holi festival celebrated springtime and the triumph of good over evil through music, dancing, traditional Indian food and color. “My favorite part about Holi? It’s the fun and joy everyone has,” Sawar Gupta, Hindu YUVA vice president said. After mid-semester exams, he said this is the perfect time to have the festival of colors, where students can unite and have fun. Computer science freshman Diya Patel and biology freshman Khushi Piparava said they came to Holi together. Being from India themselves, Piparava said they miss their home a lot, and events and festivals like these make them feel comfortable and less homesick. “This particular festival is about love and to enlighten and enjoy our lives,” Piparava said. “Put some color into our boring lives.” To promote the diversity of Arlington, Mayor Jim Ross came wearing white and ready to be “colored.” As the most diverse community in Texas, Ross said he looks at Arlington’s diversity as a source of strength and power. He came to the event to show his appreciation and wish everyone a “happy Holi.” “We are stronger when we do stuff together. Whether we’re Indian, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, it doesn’t matter,” Ross said “We are better when we’re together, and this demonstrates that.” Students smeared fistfuls of orange and green powder across his cheeks. As the DJ played international hits, students created dance circles and Ross joined them. IMS President Yash Ajariwal said Holi is “the festival of forgive and forget,” a time to let go of conflicts and celebrate the win of good over evil. “This gives an opportunity for students of all backgrounds to come together and experience this Hindu culture,” Ajariwal said. Many participants expressed feelings of nostalgia, recounting childhood memories of celebrating with much more than just colored powder. Patel and Piparava said that in India, people also use water and mud. Compared to the United States, Indian Holi festivals can get “crazy.” Sometimes, even food like eggs and tomatoes can get thrown into the mix. When Isit Thakkar, computer science graduate student, was younger, he would wake up in the early morning with his cousins, far before any festivities, to fill balloons with water and colored powder. Despite spending nearly 2 hours preparing, he said they would go through their inventory in 15 to 20 minutes. “Something about Holi?: Don’t let it have a second thought, just come to it,” Ajariwal said. “You’ll enjoy it for sure, you’ll miss it for sure. This is going to be one of the most memorable times of your year. ” Associate news editor Amanda Aldridge contributed to this article. @aizacore news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

The National Medal of Honor Museum’s Mission to Inspire Spectacular on Saturday included pageantry, patriotism and pyrotechnics. National, state and local leaders joined Medal of Honor recipients at a gala ahead of the evening’s outdoor community-wide fireworks and drones show that celebrated the completion of the facility, which will open to the public on Tuesday. Located in the Entertainment District between Choctaw Stadium and the Arlington Museum of Art, the museum occupies over 100,000 square feet, with each industrial pillar representing a branch of the U.S. military. The building holds exhibition galleries, an education center, conference and event space and an outdoor amphitheater. Former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush, Gov. Greg Abbott, U.S. Sens. Ted Cruz and John Cornyn, Charlotte Jones, chairman of the National Medal of Honor Museum Foundation, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross, former Mayor Jeff Wiliams and UTA President Jennifer Cowley were among those who attended the event. “It’s a day of celebration for our entire country,” Cruz said. “We owe a debt of gratitude to these extraordinary Medal of Honor recipients who demonstrated courage and bravery that defies words.” Arlington was chosen out of 20 possible cities to house the National Medal of Honor Museum. After breaking ground in March 2022, the facility will officially open exactly three years later. “It was an exciting day, but it also was a huge responsibility, because we knew that this was our opportunity to build a national museum,” Williams recalled of finding out Arlington was chosen. “Most all of them had been built 100 years ago, all in Washington D.C., and here we are in Texas building our national museum.” The nation’s most prestigious military honor has been awarded to over 3,500 military service members out of over 40 million who have served. Of the 3,528 Medal of Honor recipients, only 61 of them are alive today. Thirty of them, alongside family, friends and community, were present and celebrated at dinner. Kyle Carpenter, U.S. Marine Corps veteran and the youngest living Medal of Honor recipient, closed the night with a toast. He shared thoughts and feelings he has had since his service in the Global War on Terrorism, grateful for those moments and the journeys of others that connected them Saturday. “I am comforted because this moment isn’t just about words. It’s a feeling, a feeling that we will all have and share forever,” Carpenter said. “A feeling of pride, patriotism and the power of good people and good hearts uniting for a purpose that is greater than any individual — the essence of service.” Outside, spectators, young and old, piled onto the hill beside Mark Holtz Lake, every gaze from the crowd aimed in one direction. Across the water, five pillars proudly stood a museum showcasing recipients of the nation’s most prestigious military honor. The National Medal of Honor Museum held a grand opening celebration, bringing a 360-degree show in the sky consisting of fireworks, drones and a variety of musical arrangements. The U.S. Navy Band Commodores played songs from famous jazz musicians like Count Basie and Duke Ellington as the crowd grew by the second. Chief musician Kevin McDonald said the band was excited to be playing in support of the museum and Medal of Honor recipients — those who have made the ultimate sacrifice. “Whether you're on a submarine or whether you're a musician like I am, you have the lineage of heroes who came before you,” McDonald said. “We look to those, and we try to honor that tradition.” Arlington resident Thomas McCarty Sr., 77, served in the Marine Corps for 22 years. McCarty fought in the Vietnam War as a gunner in a CH-53 helicopter and was deployed twice. He said he came to finally see the “magnificent building” in person. Recruiting squadron commander Steven LeMaire said out of all the places in the U.S., there couldn’t have been a better location for the museum than Arlington. “The community is extremely supportive of not just the active duty military, but also our veterans and those who served in the military,” he said. As the sun set, the speakers around the lake played music and introduced all the guests of honor in attendance, including living Medal of Honor recipients. The recipients gathered around former President Bush as he cut the ceremonial ribbon, officially opening the museum. “It’s important to pass down the history of the ultimate sacrifices people have done throughout history, so our future generation can be inspired and know what people are capable of and what they’ve done to defend their country,” said Justin Lane, U.S. Coast Guard chief petty officer. When the sun fully set, attendees looked up in awe as fireworks cast red, white and blue across the horizon. As the show came to a close, drones filled the sky and formed into the three Medal of Honor variations used to signify the military’s branches, and the American flag was raised by the museum. “I know a lot of people here that have zero ties in the military whatsoever, no family members ever having served, and there’s still that much honor to be here, to be present for such a grand event,” Lane said. News editor Pedro Malkomes contributed to this article. @wall035203 @hjgarcia0 news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Dallas-Fort Worth residents can expect warm and wet weather with highs near the 90s, lows around the 60s and increasing chances of rain and thunderstorms this week. Patricia Sánchez, National Weather Service meteorologist, said there will be plenty of sunshine to start off the week, with Tuesday potentially being the hottest day. That night, storm systems will move in and bring daily chances of rain throughout the week. “At this point, it’s still too early to pinpoint if we’re going to have any severe weather,” she said. “It’s still fairly on the low side, but we’ll continue to keep an eye on things.” news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

President Donald Trump signed an executive order Thursday aiming to close the U.S. Department of Education. The order seeks to have the Secretary of Education take steps at the “maximum extent appropriate and permitted by law” to return authority over education to the states and local communities, the order read. The action follows Trump’s long-term campaign to close the department due to concerns about diversity, equity and inclusion policies and financial management, according to the order. The DOE operates in every area and level of education, serving over 50 million students attending roughly 98,000 public schools and 32,000 private schools, according to its website. The department’s programs also provide grant, loan and work-study assistance to more than 12 million postsecondary students. Since Trump’s administration inherited the 4,133-employee department, 1,300 workers were told they would be losing their jobs in a March 13 purge, and 600 have chosen to leave, according to NPR. The order states that controlling education through federal programs and dollars — the programs those funds support — has failed the nation's children, teachers and families. “Instead of filtering resources through layers of federal red tape, we will empower states to take charge and advocate for and implement what is best for students, families and educators in their communities,” Secretary of Education Linda McMahon said in a statement Thursday. McMahon said the DOE’s closure does not mean funding will be cut from those who need it. They will work with Congress to ensure a lawful orderly transition. “We will continue to support K-12 students, students with special needs, college student borrowers and others who rely on essential programs,” she said. @PMalkomes news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu

Several student organizations came together to host a Grand Iftar event Thursday on The Green at College Park, marking the end of their fast through community and unity. Architecture sophomore Lujain Al Fidaghee said iftar is a significant moment—after fasting 12 to 16 hours, from sunrise to sunset, it’s the first meal people have. Al Fidaghee said that most people begin by breaking their fast with an odd number of dates and water, or sometimes yogurt. Afterward, they perform a short act called the Maghrib prayer before returning to enjoy their meal. “I love, after iftar, going [and] grabbing coffee because I couldn't have coffee the whole day,” she said Yousuf Riaz, Muslim Student Association secretary, said the MSA wanted an event to unite the community. The Grand Iftar took months of planning to ensure inclusivity and a space large enough to accommodate everyone. “The Muslim Ramadan is extremely important to us, and I felt that the students at UTA deserve something like that — someone who's putting in a lot of effort to get them this unique opportunity,” Riaz said. Information systems junior Jude Jadallah said, as a Muslim student, it's important to engage with others who share similar beliefs and values, especially in a diverse university setting. Jadallah said these events bring together different student organizations, introducing them to new people and perspectives. She said it’s easy to get stuck in your comfort zone but events like this push people to connect with others. Jadallah said, especially during Ramadan when people are rewarded for feeding others, it’s a great way to strengthen the community. “It's kind of comforting, like you're not in this alone. There's more people and especially with an iftar like this,” Jadallah said, “it’s just a great way to get to know your community.” @taylor._.sansom news-editor.shorthorn@uta.edu