I attended North Texas in the '70s during some real glory years. I was lucky enough to study voice with Grant Williams, sing in the A Cappella Choir under Frank McKinley and work in the opera program under Thomas Holliday while being surrounded by fabulously talented students. I sang a La Boheme performance with Timothy Jenkins one semester and watched him on television Live at The Met the next semester.

One of the biggest regrets in my life was leaving school without a diploma to go to work in the real world, although I always retained some kind of music side job. Several years ago, at my wife Becky's insistence, I contacted the College of Music to see if I could come back and finish.

Carol Pollard, an academic counselor with the college, and Warren Henry, senior associate dean, helped me figure out a way to go back online and pick up some classes to complete my B.A. in music. Well, algebra hasn't gotten easier over the years, but I completed it as well as four other classes, and I graduated in May!

It really is never too late -- especially with the supportive UNT administration's help -- and I couldn't be prouder than to secure my degree from the university that taught me so much.

David Blassingame ('14)
Houston