We're off to a great start for the 2014-15 academic year. We have strong enrollment and 4,700 students, including half of our incoming freshmen, who chose the Eagle Express Tuition Plan and are committed to graduating in four years. I believe this will be the most popular optional tuition plan in the state of Texas.

We also graduated 8,700 students last year. Altogether, it shows that we're providing students with a great education and providing Texas with a workforce of critical thinkers and future leaders. Everyone benefits from a strong, college-educated workforce to drive industry and the economy. As you'll read in this issue, our alumni are putting their education to great use.

We're also building a stronger UNT from the inside. At the inaugural State of the University Sept. 17, I unveiled the 2014-15 action plan that will guide what UNT will accomplish for the year. The action plan is a high-level to-do list to ensure that we are taking concrete steps to move the university forward.

As part of this process, I want you and other UNT community members to share your dreams and expectations for UNT. You can do so by visiting our Planning and Implementation web page. Your input will help us learn more about how we are perceived and how we can be more valuable to the North Texas region and state.

I hope to see you cheering for the Mean Green during football season. Mean Green pride is infectious -- I feel it in the stands at home and at away games. Join us this season and don't forget that Homecoming is Nov. 8. Let there be green!