Pamela Asher (’75), Denton. She was a member of Kappa Delta sorority at UNT. Pam enjoyed traveling. She worked at the Denton post office and the Texas Department of Insurance.

Joe Glenn Stewart (’71 Ed.D.), 85, of Denton, who held various high-ranking positions at UNT – including associate director of housing, dean of students and vice president of student affairs – died Dec. 28.

During his years of service at UNT from 1971 to 1998, one of his biggest initiatives came in 1995, when he helped spearhead a one-stop service for students, soon known as the Eagle Student Services Center, that consolidated several enrollment-related support offices into one building.

Dr. Stewart and his late wife, Judy (’84), received UNT’s Continuing Academic and Professional Service Council Award for exemplary service to the university and to the Denton community in 2003 and UNT’s Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 2004. Dr. Stewart also received the College of Education Outstanding Alumnus Award. He was a life member of the UNT Alumni Association, served on the association’s board and was a member of the Mean Green Scholarship Fund.

The Stewarts established The Dr. Joe and Judy Stewart Scholarship in 2001 to provide opportunities for undergraduate students at the university. Dr. Stewart became a member of the Chilton Society in 2018. He received his bachelor’s degree from New Mexico State University and his master’s degree from the University of Texas at El Paso. He was a sports fan and avid traveler.

Deanna ‘Dee’ Seal (’78 M.S.), Denton, devoted her career to early childhood education. She developed and directed the Early Childhood Program at Good Shepherd Lutheran Day School in Irving and served as director at the First United Methodist Church Preschool in Lewisville before opening her own preschool, Das Kinder Haus, in Lewisville in 1979, which eventually become DKH Academy in Highland Village. She sold the school but still taught there until retiring in 2013. She was active in her church, a member of Delta Kappa Gamma Society and enjoyed fellowship with her family and friends. The Deanna Seal Early Childhood Education and Development Endowed Scholarship has been established in her honor at UNT.

Nelda S. Lee (’63), Odessa. After working as an art teacher and head of the art department at Ector High School in Odessa in the 1960s, she established a career as a nationally recognized fine arts appraiser and art gallery owner. She opened her own art gallery in 1967, where she sold fine art, jewelry and gifts for nearly 55 years. She was a senior member of the American Society of Appraisers, a member of the board of directors of the North American Art Exchange, president of the Texas Association of Art Dealers and a member of the Texas Commission on the Arts in the 1990s. A talented artist herself, she received numerous awards for her work and was featured in many publications, including Houston Chronicle, Texas Business Magazine and Southwest Art Magazine. A scholarship in her name benefits students in the College of Visual Arts and Design.

Kristi Hodgkiss (’90), Paris. Known as “Lady H,” she was a public educator for over 30 years, coaching countless UIL State Policy Debate champions, UIL Congress champions and UIL speech champions, and received multiple state and national coaching recognition awards. She taught at North Lamar High School, where she turned the speech and debate team into a nationally ranked program. She transitioned from teaching to public relations, becoming director of public relations for North Lamar ISD. In her free time, she avidly read true crime books, maintained her family’s ranch and spent time with her family.

Clarence Ray “C.R.” Pennington (’59), Salado, was a lifelong entrepreneur, working as a claims adjuster, clothing salesman and clothing manufacturer. He also owned 18 retail clothing stores. In 1982, C.R. and his wife Joyce (’72) purchased the American Dance/Drill Team. They established The Joyce and C.R. Pennington Dance Education Scholarship, which provides scholarships for dance students seeking teacher certification. He was a member of the President’s Council. He also belonged to Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and served in the Air Force Reserve.

Anne Hodges Morgan (’62), Norman, Oklahoma. Anne was an acclaimed historian and author who gained national recognition as a student at UNT when she and John Swaney (’63) won an international debate competition that was televised on NBC. She impressed her audience so much that one of the debate’s TV producers arranged a scholarship for her to pursue her master’s degree at Columbia University in New York City. After earning her master’s, the Houston native went to Washington, D.C., with the intention of becoming a diplomat, but her experience there as a congressional researcher in the Library of Congress led her to the position of legislative assistant to U.S. Sen. John G. Tower of Texas. She then earned her Ph.D. in American history in 1971 from the University of Texas at Austin, where she met her husband of 42 years, H. Wayne Morgan. Anne and Wayne, a history professor at the University of Oklahoma, enjoyed collecting art and hosting friends at their home, and they co-wrote numerous books together.

Anne went on to become the vice president for project development for the Kerr Foundation in Oklahoma City and then worked as a consultant to family foundations, trusts and nonprofits throughout the country. She also served as a trustee to many large foundations, such as the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the Kirkpatrick Foundation and the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

Anne was known for her spirited sense of humor and her ability to bring people together. She was preceded in death by her sister, Sandra Hodges Gamal, who attended North Texas in the 1950s.

James ‘Jim’ Franklin McDonald Jr. (’60), Duncanville. His service in the U.S. Army Reserves in the 1960s included active duty in the 49th Armored Division. A business administration major, he worked for First National Bank and started State Farm Agency in Duncanville, which he ran from 1965 to 2022. He and his wife of 60 years, Claudia, were active members of the Chilton Society and together established The Jim McDonald Endowment Fund in memory of Professor C.L. Littlefield to support UNT’s Department of Management. They also supported many other initiatives in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, donated to UNT Dallas and gave the lead gift for The Oscar N. Garcia Merit Endowment for College of Engineering students. James served as an advisory committee member who helped found UNT at Dallas’ Innovation Center in Lancaster. He received UNT’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003.

JoAnna Irvin Pruitt (’55, ’59 M.Ed.), Alvarado. For over three decades, she taught and was a longtime counselor in Hurst-Euless-Bedford and Arlington ISDs. JoAnna was active in Alpha Phi, Phi Delta Kappa and Kappa Delta Pi. She was a lifetime member of the UNT Alumni Association. She was married to Dr. Sid Pruitt (’57, ’83 Ed.D.) for 65 years.

Dr. Jack P. Russell (’83 Ph.D.), Bossier City, Louisiana. As a professor at Tarleton State University from 1982 to 1999 and Northwestern State University from 1999 to 2015, he was a leader in the development of computer information systems, receiving many awards for teaching. He was a military engineer specialist in the U.S. Army. He enjoyed carpentry, gardening and grilling.