Story Idea:
UTEP Student Engineer Earns Coveted Spot at NASA Rocket Launch
UTEP student Matthew Garcia has earned one of 50 coveted press credentials to attend a rocket launch Dec. 19 at the Kennedy Space Center. More than 5,000 people applied for a chance to witness the event.
Garcia, who conducts undergraduate research in UTEP’s Center for the Advancement of Space Safety and Mission Assurance (CASSMAR), registered for the spot through NASA Social. The program encourages behind-the-scenes, in-person experiences at the space agency.
Attendees will have the opportunity to speak with scientists and engineers who work at the government agency and disseminate what they learn on social media. The event will culminate with an up-close viewing of the launch of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket at 1:20 p.m. ET on Friday, Dec. 19. Garcia will be snapping pictures and live tweeting the event from the Twitter account @CASSMAR_at_UTEP.
Falcon 9’s goal is to propel the Dragon spacecraft out of Earth’s atmosphere so that it can reach the International Space Station as part of a resupply mission.
Garcia was awarded a bachelor’s degree in metallurgical and materials engineering Saturday, Dec.13.
Campus Spotlight:
UTEP to Battle Utah State at the New Mexico Bowl
Head coach Sean Kugler and the UTEP football team are headed to the ninth annual Gildan New Mexico Bowl. The Miners will face Utah State on Saturday, Dec. 20. Kickoff will be at 12:20 p.m. at University Stadium in Albuquerque. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN. This is UTEP’s 14th bowl game in the program’s history.
Students can purchase a $20 game ticket, or for $35 they can ride a bus to and from the game, receive one game ticket, one ticket to tailgate and a Fiesta Fun pack. For more information, visit sa.utep.edu.
Press Events/Photo Opportunities On Campus:
Tuesday, Dec. 16
7 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
UTEP Men’s Basketball vs. Southeastern Louisiana
The UTEP men’s basketball team will take on Southeastern Louisiana.
Thursday, Dec.18
Fox Fine Arts Center, room 101
Washburn Piano Sale
Washburn Pianos adds a smaller piano sale in December at the UTEP Campus. For more information about instruments to be sold, contact Inessa Pinkhasova of Washburn Pianos at 602-363-5416 or ipinkhas@aol.com.
Friday, Dec. 19
7:30 p.m.
Magoffin Auditorium
The Nutcracker
El Paso Youth Ballet and The University of Texas at El Paso present The Nutcracker, El Paso’s most beloved holiday tradition.
Step into a winter wonderland complete with spectacular scenery, elegant costumes and exquisite dancing. A grand production with Tchaikovsky’s glorious score played live by a full orchestra. This is an evening of pure enchantment.
Tickets are $15, $20 and $25, plus applicable service charges.
For more information, visit http://www.utepspecialevents.com/calendar/218-the-nutcracker.
9 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
UTEP Men’s Basketball vs. Arizona
The UTEP men’s basketball team will take on the University of Arizona.
Saturday, Dec. 20
Fox Fine Arts Center, room 101
Washburn Piano Sale
2 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
UTEP Women’s Basketball vs. Prairie View A&M
The UTEP women’s basketball team will take on Prairie View A&M.
7:30 p.m.
Magoffin Auditorium
The Nutcracker
7:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre — Fox Fine Arts Center
A Christmas Carol — Military Night
Written by Charles Dickens and adapted by Chuck Gorden, the spectacular holiday tradition of A Christmas Carol continues at UTEP. Join Ebenezer Scrooge on his magnificent journey through time and transformation. Bring the entire family out to this warm and inviting play that will get everyone into the holiday spirit.
Individual tickets are $13 for adults; $11 for UTEP faculty and staff, seniors, military, non-UTEP students, groups (10+) and UTEP alumni with card; and $9 for UTEP students and children (4-12 years old).
For Military Night, military personnel with valid military ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
For more information, please visit www.theatredance.utep.edu or call 915-747-5118.
Sunday, Dec. 21
Fox Fine Arts Center, room 101
Washburn Piano Sale
2:30 p.m.
Magoffin Auditorium
The Nutcracker
2:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre — Fox Fine Arts Center
A Christmas Carol — UTEP Faculty and Staff Matinee
For the UTEP Faculty and Staff Matinee, faculty and staff with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.
7 p.m.
Don Haskins Center
UTEP Men’s Basketball team vs. Alcorn State
The UTEP men’s basketball team will take on Alcorn State as part of the WestStar Bank Don Haskins Sun Bowl Invitational.
7:30 p.m.
Wise Family Theatre — Fox Fine Arts Center
A Christmas Carol — El Paso City and County Employee Night
For the El Paso City and County Employee Night, city and county employees with valid ID are eligible for a buy-one-get-one free offer.