Dr. Jennifer Cowley, UTA President  

President Jennifer Cowley has been a driving force behind UTA’s collaboration on the Top O’ Hill Terrace project, ensuring its alignment with the university’s mission of community engagement and student success. After being introduced to the site by Mayor Jim Ross, she immediately recognized its potential as a cultural and educational cornerstone for Arlington. Under her leadership, UTA has mobilized expertise in History & Geography department and library sciences to preserve this unique landmark. “We can accomplish more together than separately,” Cowley explains, emphasizing the collaborative spirit driving the project. By fostering partnerships with Arlington Baptist University and the City of Arlington, she is shaping a legacy that bridges Arlington’s history with its future, enhancing both the community’s cultural identity and UTA’s reputation as a leader in public education and preservation. 

Mr. Jim Ross, Mayor of Arlington, TX 

Mayor Jim Ross is committed to preserving and enhancing Arlington’s historical legacy, particularly through his work with Top O’ Hill Terrace. Recognizing its unique role in American casino culture, Ross collaborates with curator Vickie Bryant to transform the site into a vibrant museum and cultural space. His vision includes preserving the original casino floor, developing the historic pool area, and creating Arlington’s first site-specific historical museum. By fostering partnerships with institutions like the Arlington Museum of Art and the University of Texas at Arlington, Ross connects Arlington’s past with its future. “In order for Arlington to have a good understanding of where we’re going to go in the future, we have to have a great understanding of where we’ve come from,” he emphasizes. 

Dr. Tamara Brown, UTA Provost

Dr. Tamara Brown, Provost of the University of Texas at Arlington, plays a pivotal role in the university’s partnership with Top O’ Hill Terrace, spearheading efforts to preserve its rich history. Overseeing contributions from UTA’s libraries and the College of Liberal Arts, she emphasizes the collaborative nature of the project, involving faculty, students, and resources across disciplines. Dr. Brown envisions the initiative as a unique opportunity for hands-on learning, connecting students to Arlington’s heritage while applying their academic skills. “UTA is a community-engaged university,” she explains, highlighting the importance of using the institution’s expertise to meet local needs. By incorporating technology, digitization, and academic research, her leadership reflects UTA’s commitment to preserving history and enriching education. 

Ms. Vickie Bryant,  Top O Hill Terrace Historian

Vickie Bryant has dedicated two decades to preserving and promoting the history of Top O’ Hill Terrace. Initially cautious about revealing the site’s controversial past, she has successfully transformed it into a highly regarded historical attraction, earning top ratings on TripAdvisor. Vickie conducts detailed tours, sharing the site’s rich history, including its connections to gambling and notable historical figures. Operating largely as a one-woman team, Vickie is collaborating with UTA to ensure the site’s legacy is preserved for future generations. Her work not only highlights the historical significance of Top O’ Hill Terrace but also emphasizes its narrative of redemption, blending its storied past with a vision for the future. 

Dr. Stephanie Cole, Chair of the Department of History & Geography at UTA

Dr. Stephanie Cole, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of History and Geography, plays a leading role in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts contributions to the Top O’ Hill Terrace project. Her department has focused on creating a public-facing digital interface and capturing oral histories to preserve the site’s legacy. Dr. Cole emphasizes the collaborative effort between the history department and other university partners, such as the library, to document the site’s history and engage the community. She believes that UTA historians’ skills in discernment and critical thinking are crucial for bringing historical context and integrity to this project. By involving faculty and students in hands-on work, including web design and practical history courses, Dr. Cole highlights how the initiative demonstrates the relevance of historical skills in real-world applications while enriching Arlington’s cultural heritage.

Dr. Patryk Babiracki, Associate Professor of History at UTA

Dr. Patryk Babiracki, Associate Professor and Graduate School Advisor for the Department of History and Geography, has played a key role in advancing the educational impact of UTA’s involvement with the Top O’ Hill Terrace project. As a European historian with a passion for practical applications of history, Dr. Babiracki has led efforts to connect academic skills with community engagement. Through his practical history courses, he has guided students in developing the digital and analytical tools necessary to document and share the site’s unique legacy. His innovative approach bridges historical scholarship with public history, showcasing the value of historical thinking in real-world projects that preserve Arlington’s cultural heritage.

Joseph Carpenter, Communications Assistant at the Department of History and Geography

Joseph Carpenter serves as an Oral Historian at UTA, where he applies his expertise in documenting and preserving historical narratives. With a focus on uncovering and sharing meaningful stories, Joseph is actively involved in the Top O’ Hill Terrace initiative. His contributions include facilitating the collection and preservation of key artifacts, conducting interviews with stakeholders, and providing insight into the site’s rich and complex history. Joseph emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the UTA Library, Arlington community, and local historical organizations to ensure that Top O’ Hill Terrace’s unique legacy is both preserved and accessible to future generations. His dedication to storytelling and historical preservation plays a vital role in bringing this project to life.

Dr. John Wang, Current Dean of UTA Libraries

As the Dean of Libraries at UTA, John Wang supports the university’s collaboration in the Top O’ Hill Terrace initiative by facilitating communication between the library, the president’s office, and the provost’s office. He emphasizes the library’s role as a contributor to the preservation and digitization of historical artifacts, aligning with the broader goals of the university and its partners. Dean Wang recognizes the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, such as with the College of Liberal Arts, to enhance the project’s impact on both scholarship and student learning. By helping to align resources and expertise, the library plays a key part in preserving Arlington’s heritage and creating opportunities for students to engage with history through innovative methods like 3D scanning and digital preservation. 

Dr. Gerald Saxon, Former Dean of UTA Libraries

Dr. Gerald Saxon is a retired Dean of the UTA Library and former history professor with a distinguished career spanning over 38 years at the university. During his tenure, he served as Head of Special Collections and later Dean of the Library from 2003 to 2012. Dr. Saxon played a pivotal role in developing UTA’s archival collections and fostering connections with the Arlington community, including spearheading initiatives to preserve local history. His relationship with Top O’ Hill Terrace spans decades, beginning when he taught an oral history class that inspired Vicki Bryant’s preservation efforts. Over the years, Dr. Saxon supported the initiative by organizing library tours, collaborating with stakeholders, and promoting the importance of preserving the site’s unique history. Now retired, he remains an advocate for historical preservation and continues to lend his expertise to projects like Top O’ Hill Terrace.  

Kera Ann Newby, Director for Special Collections & Archives

Kera Newby serves as the Diretor of Special Collections and Archives at the University of Texas at Arlington. With extensive experience in archival management and a passion for preserving history, Kera plays a pivotal role in ensuring the legacy of projects like Top O’ Hill Terrace endures for future generations. As a key figure in this community outreach initiative, she provides expert guidance on the technical and legal aspects of artifact preservation, ensuring the integrity and accessibility of historical materials. Kera’s dedication to safeguarding Arlington’s rich history exemplifies her commitment to connecting the past with the present.

Amy Castillo, Research Associate and Digitization Expert

Amy Castillo is the Director of the Access and Discovery department at the University of Texas at Arlington Libraries, which comprises the Acquisitions, Digitization Services, Metadata, Resource Delivery, and Stacks Management units. Amy’s role as a facilitator for the Top O’ Hill project includes working with colleagues to manage resources, track materials, and optimize workflows to ensure project efficiency. Passionate about preserving history, Amy is dedicated to transforming valuable artifacts into digital formats that will endure for generations to come.

Digitization Staff

• Mark Cook: Digitization Services Manager
• Robin Rozon
• Nicholas Williams
• Jack Davis: UNT Practicum Student

Student Assistants

• Elianet Gutierrez Bridon 
• Christian Escobar
• Evelyn Moreno
• Arionne Polk
• Swarnashree Thiyagarajan
• Diana Tostada

Research Team

• Sharon Moreno (lead)   
• Danielle Gimblet  
• Nayelli M. Calderon  
• Aaron Michael

Strategy Team

• Tyler Dixon (lead) 
• Justin Bent  
• Lamont Ellis  
• Christopher Thomas
• Anahi Tena Gonzalez

Design Team

• Trenton Laake (lead 1)
• Tim Doyle (lead 2)
• Nathan Cowley  
• Allison Tavera 
• Felix Santa Maria