UTA Retirees Club Minutes for Wednesday, October 9, 2013
The UTA Retirees Club luncheon was held in the Bluebonnet Ballroom of the E. H. Hereford University Center on Wednesday, October 9, 2013. Arrival time was 11:30am with luncheon and speaker to follow.
Frank Gault introduced special guests as well as the Retirees Club officers. Frank asked Jeffrey Steed, Senior Director of Gift Planning, to introduce the speaker, Rick Lynch. Lieutenant General Rick Lynch, U.S. Army (Retired), is the Executive Director of the University of Texas at Arlington Research Institute (UTARI). Following a 35-year military career, Lt. General Lynch is now at the helm of UTARI, which focuses on the pursuit of advanced technology to help humanity in the areas of robotics, biomedical technologies, and advanced manufacturing. Prior to his retirement from the Army, Lt. General Lynch was responsible for managing all US Army installations with an annual budget of $12 billion and a workforce of more than 120,000. His recently released book, Adapt or Die: Leadership Principles from an American General provides insight in adaptive leadership skills under difficult circumstances.
Lt. General Lynch stated that the most important people are service members and educators. He recognized our group as educators and asked all members with service experience to raise their hand. He reminded all to thank military service personnel for their service. He said his job as Director of UTARI is to generate revenue through leadership and increased research. Research at UTA has increased 69% since 2001. UTARI is working toward finding affordable solutions in robotics to help humans with dirty or dangerous tasks such as ways to remove the soldiers from the battlefield.
One of UTARI’s major research areas is assistive robotics. The goal of this area is to enable robots and devices to assist people and improve human performance in daily activities. Zeno is a two foot tall robot who works with children who have autism.UTARI, in collaboration with surgeons at the University of North Texas Health Science Center, has developed a prototype for a low-cost knee simulation system for arthroscopic surgery training. UTARI also has an internship program giving students a chance to learn. Lt. General Lynch stated that students are the building blocks for the future. He invited everyone to tour the UTARI facility in Fort Worth which is on the UTA shuttle service route.
Frank Gault opened the floor to questions after which he presented Lt. General Lynch with a token of our appreciation. Frank announced that long time member Bernice Franks has been selected for the Honor Roll for 2013 and Eunice Currie, Assistant Vice President Human Resources Management and Development, presented Bernice with a plaque.
The meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Rosanne Minyard, Secretary