<strong>SGA helps create new alma mater</strong>

The Student Government Association is coming close to a decision on a new alma mater for the University.

The alma mater committee met April 15 to decide from four different songwriters with 16 different sets of lyrics.

Music has been composed by UTD composer Robert X. Rodriguez.

President Franklin Jenifer will have the final decision on the song which could make its debut at commencement ceremonies May 8.

<strong>Islamic Awareness informs students</strong>

The Muslim Student Association held six informative events as part of Islamic Awareness Week. In depth discussions included the Muslim-Christian relationship and how followers of Islam relate to the ideas of capitalism.

The opening carnival and exhibit allowed students to explore the many facets of the religion by tasting food, witnessing clothes and taking pamphlets. Booths were located in the Student Union and outside on the mall.

MSA will follow up the April 5-8 event in the fall with Iftaar and the Fast-a-thon.

Information about MSA and Islam is available at

www.utdallas.edu/orgs/msa/ .

<strong>The Mercury wins journalism awards</strong>

The UTD Mercury received ten awards at the 96th annual Texas Intercollegiate Press Association (TIPA) convention in Austin, April 1-3.

Out-of-state journalism professionals judged submissions from the 2003 calendar year.

The Mercury placed fourth overall among 16 college newspapers.

Former managing editor Walter Voit received first place for feature-page design and humor column and third place for picture page design.

Contributor Wendell Reynolds received first place for information graphics and honorable mention for illustration.

Former sports editors John Murrey and Gabby Martinez received first place in the sports column category and second place for sports-page design, respectively.

Contributor Cheng Lee took third place for single-ad design.

Former editor Debbie Edwards received honorable mention for opinion-page design. Contributor Richard-Michael Manuel received honorable mention for his news feature.

<strong>Jones to compete in national pageant</strong>

Kia Jones, undeclared sophomore, won the Tau Xi Chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity’s Ms. Black and Gold scholarship on campus.

Jones will represent the Southwest Region in the Annual National Convention to be held in Philadelphia later this year. She has previously competed in state and regional pageants.