Will Henry Derusha, 72, an associate professor of Spanish at UNT from 2008 to 2019, died April 22 in Denton. His primary research field was Spanish-language poetry, and his translation of Rubén Darío’s Cantos de vida y esperanza for Duke University Press was the first book-length Darío work to appear in English. He also published many other translations and scholarly works in multiple countries, including Spain, Germany, Nicaragua, Brazil and Chile. Growing up, he attended schools in Georgia and enjoyed learning other languages. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Georgia State University and his master’s and doctorate from the University of Georgia. He also enjoyed reading, writing, playing guitar and spending time with his cats.

Michael Bezner, 78, who worked as a shipping clerk in Central Receiving for 19 years until his retirement in 2000, died March 31 in Denton. He was born in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in Lindsay before moving to Denton in 1971. His faith and his family were very important to him.

Sierra McCorvey, Warren, Ohio. An opera singer, she was a doctoral student in the College of Music. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music.

Mary ‘Janie’ Robinson, 78, of Denton, who worked as a financial aid counselor from 1990 to 2005, died Jan. 24. She is remembered for her positive attitude and smile as she helped many students secure their education through her work at UNT. She was a volunteer for local libraries, an active member of her church and a participant in dancing, exercising and volunteer activities at the Denton Senior Center.

Lindsey Moore Fields (’04, ’06 M.S., ’11 M.Ed.), who worked in various positions for 15 years at UNT, died April 24. Her allegiance to the Mean Green and college education began early. A trombone player, she played for the Green Brigade her freshman year – then went on to earn three degrees here. At UNT, she worked as an academic advisor and counselor; coordinator for academic initiatives and assessment; adjunct faculty; and assistant director for residence life. She also was a graduate teaching fellow while studying for her Ph.D. in higher education. In December 2020, she began working for Collin College as an advisor for their early college program – and even persuaded the carhops at Sonic to pursue college, according to her LinkedIn posts. Survivors include her husband, Matthew Fields, principal data warehouse architect for the Data, Analytics and Institutional Research (DAIR) team. Services are at 1:30 p.m. May 6 at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 600 S. Jupiter in Richardson.

Aletha ‘Darlene’ Breed, 73, who worked as an administrative assistant in the College of Education from 1991 to 1998, died Feb. 24 in Azle. She also worked as a reports secretary for ARCO, teacher and principal at Outreach of Love Christian Academy, and writer and editor for Kenneth Copeland Ministries.

She was active in her church, where she served as a marriage counselor, licensed minister, communications manager and financial record keeper.

Karen Denise Galubenski, 67, who served as an academic advisor in the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, died Oct. 17 in Denton. She worked at UNT for 33 years — first as a graduate advisor for the college and then in undergraduate advising — before retiring in 2017.

She was instrumental in the naming of the academic advisor and counselor network on campus, winning the naming contest with her suggestion of “University Counselor Advising Network,” or UCAN, which is still the name today.

Co-workers remember her as a true friend who enjoyed helping students and seeing them succeed. She loved telling students at orientation that she began working at UNT before most of them were born, and she was proud of the souvenirs they brought back to her from different countries they’d visited. She was known as “the office Mom” who always had stamps, safety pins and other items you might need. She also was a Mean Green volleyball and basketball fan.

At home, she was a devoted mother and grandmother, who especially loved receiving hugs from her nine grandchildren.

Woodrow ‘Wayne’ Hassell, 81, who was a technical engineer and lecturer in the Department of Media Arts from 1988 through the 1990s, died Oct. 6 in Krum. He served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1965 and worked at numerous Dallas-Fort Worth TV stations in production as well as at TWU as media services coordinator. When he joined what was then UNT’s Department of Radio, Television and Film in 1988, it was the year North Texas Television was founded and the Super-VHS videotape format was being adopted. As the subject of a student’s thesis documentary in 1995, he said he became interested in TV as a career when he visited the WBAP studios as a young boy. After high school, he got a job there in the mailroom and worked his way up.

Elva Lucille Hershberger Layne, 96, of Denton, who worked in the biology department as a senior secretary in the 1980s, died Aug. 29. She was a member of the President’s Council and generously donated to The James L. Carrico Memorial Fund and the Chemistry Centennial Celebration Scholarship. She was active in her church and had a passion for music, composing several hymns and attending music classes at UNT. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking and traveling. She was preceded in death by her husband Douglas Layne (’49,’50 M.A.).

Barbara Jungjohan, 79, a student affairs administrator and advocate for students with disabilities during her time at North Texas, died Aug. 21 in Denton.

In her work at UNT from 1970 to 1998, she directed many different student services and programs -- including student employment, student retention programs, cooperative education, the women's center and services for mature students, as well as disability accommodation. She also oversaw the annual Honors Day ceremonies. She was named associate vice president for student affairs in 1992 and dean of students in 1995.

“She is the catalyst for programs on campus for the disabled,” former dean of students Joe Stewart said in a 1985 North Texan profile of her. “Barbara is a highly motivated, high-energy individual. She operates on all eight cylinders.”

In 1981, she received a Governor's Citation from the Texas Rehabilitation Commission for her outstanding contributions. She co-wrote the book College Facilities and Services for the Disabled, which won an award from the President's Committee on Employment of the Disabled.

She also belonged to the National Rehabilitation Association, Texas Rehabilitation Association, Association of Higher Education and Disability, and the Texas Association of College and University Student Personnel Administrators, as well as the Denton committee for employing people with disabilities.

She received her bachelor’s degree from Texas Woman’s University and her master’s degree from Baylor University.

Jungjohan was active in her church and was known for knitting hats for children and cancer survivors. She is remembered on campus for her quick smile and compassionate concern for students.