2020 Fall

North Texan Fall 2020
Jennifer Rose Miller ('17) leads a march for social justice – one of many marches she's participated in since 2017.

Cover Story

Justice for All

With compassionate hearts and dedicated purpose, UNT alumni are fighting against social inequities to make the world a more just place.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#2020 Fall

TaKiyah Wallace photo by Esther Huynh

Alumni Spotlight

A Leap Forward

Alumna is paving the way for dancers of color in ballet through scholarships, mentorship.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Alumni Spotlight, #Features, #Department of Psychology, #2020 Fall

Illustration of Bob Garza

Alumni Spotlight

Guiding Voice

Business alumnus Bob Garza ('74) shapes support program to help Latinx students thrive.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Alumni Spotlight, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2020 Fall

North Texas Review

Competitions

Magazine Win

The North Texas Review took home top honors for its 2019 edition.

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Campus News, #Department of English, #2020 Fall

Chris Wright Evans in studio

Artistic license

Modern Billings

UNT alum Chris Wright Evans ('20 M.F.A.) uses the interstate for inspiration.

#College of Visual Arts and Design, #Visual Arts, #Culture, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2020 Fall

piggy bank

Student Support

TRIO's $2M Grant

Program that helps first-generation, low-income and students with disabilities receives funding.

#Campus News, #2020 Fall

Arun Devaraj

Alumni News

Early Career Research Award Win

Arun Devaraj receives prestigious award from U.S. Department of Energy.

#Research, #Campus News, #Department of Materials Science and Engineering, #College of Engineering, #2020 Fall

Jincheng Du

Research

Safer Waste Containment

Professor finds nuclear waste containers accelerate deterioration of forms they contain.

#Research, #Campus News, #College of Engineering, #2020 Fall

Lego master

Living Room Fun

UNT alum John Wayne Daugherty ('97, '97 M.S.) turned his home into the happiest place on earth.

#Culture, #2020 Fall

Thorne Anderson

Faculty Awards

Professor Collects Creative Wins

Thorne Anderson earned two major honors for KERA projects.

#Campus News, #Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #2020 Fall

Book cover of Only Good Indians - elk antlers

Alumni books

Tales from the Dark Side

UNT alumnus Stephen Graham Jones' ('96 M.A.) newest book follows his tradition of scaring readers.

#Books, #Books, #Culture, #Department of English, #2020 Fall

Kelly Jacques

Research

SMART Scholarship

Grad student is recipient of 2020 recipient of major U.S. Department of Defense award.

#Research, #Campus News, #Department of Materials Science and Engineering, #College of Engineering, #2020 Fall

Hurley Administration Building and LIfe Sciences Complex

Forward Thinking

What Class Had the Most Impact on You?

Three UNT alumni remember the courses that influenced their careers.

#English, #Music, #Visual Arts and Design, #Culture, #2020 Fall

Michael Sanders

Appointments

New AVP Named

Michael Sanders joins UNT as associate vice president for enrollment and university admissions.

#Campus News, #2020 Fall

Art can be a source of comfort -- and productivity -- during times of crisis.

Q&A

Turning to Art Amid Turmoil

UNT historian explains craft as a means for therapy and wellness, cultural heritage and activism.

#Campus News, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2020 Fall

Jojoba plant

Research

A Blueprint that Bears Fruit

Researchers from UNT and China develop the first complete DNA sequence for the jojoba tree genome.

#Department of Biological Sciences, #Research, #Campus News, #2020 Fall

Graduates line up on campus in the 1920s.

Retrospective

Looking Back -- and Moving Forward

Our university was founded 130 years ago -- but where are we now, and where are we headed?

#UNT History, #Features, #2020 Fall

Naman Mehndiratta

Star Student

TAMS Senior Has an Eye for Exploration

Naman Mehndiratta devotes his time to science, snakes and community service.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Science/Research, #Campus News, #Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, #2020 Fall

Rebekah Manon

Alumni News

Alum, Org Honored

Alum named International Association of Emergency Managers Global 2020 Student of the Year.

#Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science, #Campus News, #2020 Fall

Misty Sailors and Jim Hoffman in in Mozambique

Innovation Spotlight

An Educational Study, Abroad

Misty Sailors and Jim Hoffman develop "hybrid spaces" for learning in Mozambique.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Research, #Campus News, #Department of Teacher Education and Administration, #2020 Fall

Amélie Faa

Mean Green

Always on the Ball

The youngest member of Mean Green women's soccer is a star on, and off, the field.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Department of Biomedical Engineering, #Athletics, #Mean Green Athletics, #2020 Fall

Christina Finch

Alumni Spotlight

Capital Gains

Christina Finch’s (’10 M.S.) research skills landed her a role at the Library of Congress.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Department of Library and Information Sciences, #College of Information, #2020 Fall

Harrell Gill-King

Career Achievement

Reigning Forensics Expert

Harrell Gill-King wins prestigious T. Dale Stewart Award for contributions to the forensics field.

Written by: Trista Moxley

#Department of Anthropology, #Science/Technology, #Campus News, #2020 Fall

Liss LaFleur

Perspective

Citizen Artist Fellow

CVAD assistant professor first-ever Texan to earn prestigious designation.

#Essays, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2020 Fall

Elyse Zavar

Faculty Honors

Early-Career Research Fellow

Assistant professor in Emergency Management and Disaster Science was one of 20 fellows selected.

#Research, #Department of Emergency Management and Disaster Science, #Campus News, #College of Health and Public Service, #2020 Fall

UNT President Neal Smatresk

From Our President

This Way Forward

Resiliency guides UNT family in tackling the biggest issues of our time.

#From Our President, #2020 Fall

UNT's CoLab space is pictured on the Denton Square

ONLINE EXTRA

Creativity on Display

UNT CoLab calls upon alumni makers to dream up unique items for new retail space.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Online Extras, #College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #2020 Fall

Thank You Forever Stamp

Alumni News

Stamp of Approval

College of Visual Arts and Design alum designs new USPS "Thank You" postage.

#Department of Design, #Campus News, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2020 Fall

Silver nanoparticle

Research

Testing for Toxicity

Chemistry researchers at UNT have developed a test to more easily identify toxic silver ions.

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Chemistry, #Campus News, #2020 Fall

North Texan summer cover featuring the Silvey statue

Dialogue

Beautiful Bit of News

Readers express their thoughts about summer issue and share campus memories.

#Letters, #2020 Fall

Marina Girgis on vacation

Alumni Spotlight

Embrace the Journey

Marina Girgis (’18) provides tips to women who want to build a better brand.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Features, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2020 Fall

Christine Balarezo

Alumni News

Effecting Change

Political science alum selected as a 2020 American Express NGen Fellow.

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Campus News, #Department of Political Science, #2020 Fall

Srinivasan Srivilliputhur and Raj Banerjee

Research

Research Team Receives $1M Grant

The grant will be used to study how metal alloys function at the atomic level.

#Research, #Campus News, #College of Engineering, #2020 Fall

Stained glass clock in shape of bluebonnet

Dialogue

COVID Pastimes

With the COVID pandemic keeping people at home, we asked our readers how they're keeping busy.

#Letters, #2020 Fall

Lydia Evans

Alumni Spotlight

Learning Your Strengths

Alumna uses personal experience to help UNT's neurodivergent students.

Written by: Amanda Fuller

#Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Social Work, and Addictions, #2020 Fall

Lauren Eutsler

Research

Mobile Technology and Literacy

Lauren Eutsler, an assistant professor of education, examines apps to improve literacy achievement.

#Campus News, #Department of Teacher Education and Administration, #2020 Fall

Tobe Nwigwe

Alumni spotlight

Music With a Message

Artist and former Mean Green linebacker Tobe Nwigwe has found a unique way to draw audiences.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Music, #Music, #Culture, #2020 Fall

Student wearing protective mask

Brilliantly Green

Welcome Back, Eagles

President Smatresk greeted the Mean Green community as they returned to campus.

#Brilliantly Green, #2020 Fall

Laura Roberts

ONLINE EXTRA

Lifelong Love of Therapy

Laura Roberts (’94 Ph.D.) is a psychologist specializing in eating disorders.

Written by: Brittney Dear

#Online Extras, #Department of Psychology, #2020 Fall

Alexis "Warped" Peveler, Lauryn " S4nguine" Watanabe and Connor "K3D" Orr of the UNT Hearthstone esports team.

Extracurriculars

Esports Champs

UNT's team placed fourth in the final round of the Tespa Hearthstone Collegiate Championship.

#Campus News, #2020 Fall

Eclipse of Dreams book cover - sculpture with the word "Empathy" over a blue sky

Faculty Books

Monstrous Women, Giants and Dreams

Faculty and alumni explore comics, baseball and immigration in their new books.

#Books, #Books, #Culture, #2020 Fall

Students adhere to social distancing measures while working together at the University Union.

Health and Safety

Striving for a Safe Return to Campus

UNT put precautions in place as it welcomed back students, staff and faculty this fall.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Campus News, #2020 Fall

Brendon Baskeyfield, Carol Ventura, Chloe Hewitt, Ivy Knight, Christabella Escandon and Samsudeen Iyamah

Giving Impact

Setting Students Up for Success

UNT Alumni Scholarship Program makes students' academic dreams a reality.

Written by: Amanda Yanowski

#Alumni Life, #UNT Alumni Association, #2020 Fall

Expert Take - Critical Eye illustration of faculty

Expert Take

A Critical Eye for Info

There's so much information to make sense of these days. So, where to start?

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Campus News, #College of Information, #Department of Political Science, #Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #2020 Fall

Award Winner

Caretaker of Stories

UNT alum Melinda Levin ('92 M.A.) took home several international honors for her films.

#culture, #Media Arts, #Television & Film, #Culture, #Department of Radio, Television and Film, #2020 Fall

UNT Symphonic Band performance

New Program

Striking a Chord in Music, Business

UNT launched an M.B.A. in music business this fall.

#Campus News, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #College of Music, #2020 Fall

Cecelia Joyce Price

Purpose for painting

A Voice on Canvas

Cecelia Joyce Price ('92 M.Ed., '17 Ph.D.) combines love for teaching and learning as an artist.

#Visual Arts and Design, #Visual Arts, #College of Education, #2020 Fall

Mario Antonio Porras

Online Extra

Hitting a High Note

Vocal performance major Mario Antonio Porras wins a $50,000 scholarship from Dr Pepper.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Music, #Department of Dance and Theatre, #2020 Fall

Jo Higginbotham

Alumni Spotlight

From Friendship to Partnership in Radio

UNT alum Jo Higginbotham ('16) establishes radio show in midst of COVID-19.

Written by: Sydney Cooper

#Department of Marketing & Logistics, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #College of Music, #Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #Alumni Profiles, #2020 Fall

Megan Stoner

Alumni Spotlight

Environmental Community Leader Making a Difference

Alumna Megan Jade Stoner ('14) leads in keeping her community environmentally friendly.

Written by: Sydney Cooper

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Sociology, #Department of Linguistics and Technical Communications, #Alumni Profiles, #2020 Fall

Elizabeth Jordan and Rhonda Christensen stand next to a sign about Be the Match.

Online Extra

Giving for the Greater Good

Since receiving a life-saving transplant, Rhonda Christensen (’97 Ph.D.) has made it her mission to...

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Department of Learning Technologies, #Online Extras, #2020 Fall

UNT's Scrappy Mascot wears his mask and gives a thumbs up

ONLINE EXTRA

Campus Life, In Motion

Check out UNT's videos showcasing the Mean Green family.

#Online Extras, #2020 Fall

Brittany Hanna and her husband and siblings stand on a mountain overlooking Hawaii.

Online Extra

Hard Lessons

A history of tough circumstances have inspired Brittany Hanna’s future as a physician.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#College of Science, #Online Extras, #2020 Fall

Martin Clark

Online Extra

A Just Soliloquy

A collaboration first performed at UNT is revived in wake of 2020's social justice movement

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Online Exclusives, #2020 Fall

Alumni Spotlight

Social Media Master

Jillian Selzer ('17) represents all voices as the senior social media editor for Group Nine Media.

Written by: Sydney Cooper

#Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #Online Exclusives, #2020 Fall

Cathy Krendl

Alumni Spotlight

Pioneer's Legacy

Cathy Krendl ('67) sets the bar high as a former practicing business attorney and professor.

Written by: Sydney Cooper

#2020 Fall

Maddie Sepcic</strong> ('19)

Alumni Spolight

Diving into a Tropical Dream

UNT alum and former order management agent launches her own apparel brand.

Written by: Brittney Dear

#Department of Marketing & Logistics, #Alumni Profiles, #2020 Fall

Citlali Molina's altar is pictured

Online Extra

Lives Lost, Hope Found

UNT doctoral student honors loved ones through Día de los Muertos altar.

Written by: Erin Cristales

#Department of Counseling and Higher Education, #College of Education, #Online Extras, #2020 Fall

Adebola "Bola" Kushimo

Alumni Spotlight

A Rising Star

Adebola "Bola" Kushimo ('09 M.P.A.) earned prestigious "Rising Star" award from Bond Buyer.

Written by: Sydney Cooper

#Department of Public Administration, #Online Extras, #2020 Fall