2023 Spring

North Texan Spring 2023
Breaking Barriers head silhouettes illusration

Cover Story

Breaking Barriers

UNT alumni and faculty bring unique voices to a range of settings -- from the classroom to the corporate boardroom.

Written by: Amanda Fuller

#Cover Story; social impact, #Cover Stories, #2023 Spring

Quincy Ollison

Alumni Spotlight

Where Are They Now?

They were student leaders during their time at UNT. They continue to make an impact on their world.

#Alumni, #Features, #2023 Spring

Hae Jin Gam

Research

Future of Fashion

UNT faculty, students and alumni are thinking of ways to reshape the fashion industry.

Written by: Heather Noel

#College of Science, #Features, #College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2023 Spring

UNT Frisco

facilities

Power of Place

UNT at Frisco branch campus opens, providing students with cutting-edge learning spaces.

#2023 Spring

Soaring by Archit Karkare

Visual arts

Soaring Sculpture

CVAD student, alumni team up for sculpture honoring indigenous peoples at new Frisco branch campus.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Department of Design, #Department of Studio Art, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Feature Stories, #2023 Spring

Djenaba Johnson-Jones

Alumni Spotlight

Feeding People's Dreams

Djenaba Johnson-Jones' vision for small food businesses earned her a major award.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Food, #College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Deah Berry-Mitchell

Star Student

Cultural Connections Through Food

As a food historian, Deah Berry-Mitchell learns and shares about her culture as a Black American.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Food, #UNT News, #College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of History, #2023 Spring

Talking Podcasts

Expert Take

Talking Podcasts

Alumni discuss the best practices for producing great podcasts.

#Expert Take, #Expert Take, #2023 Spring

Niki and Marsha Dash

Giving Impact

Creative Pathways to Discovery

Niki Dash, dean of Health and Public Services, establishes scholarship for study abroad trips.

Written by: Amanda Yanowski

#giving impact, #Social Impact, #2023 Spring

Alicia Eggert You are on a mountain project

Creative Endeavors

Creative Climb

Sculpture professor Alicia Eggert installs temporary art on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Department of Studio Art, #Visual Arts, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2023 Spring

Rebecca Bernard

Alumni Spotlight

Finding Humanity Through Words

Rebecca Bernard's stories about the overlooked in society resulted in a published book.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Books, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Before Lawrence vs Taylor

Faculty Books

New Books From Alumni and Faculty

Faculty members explore migration, a worker cooperative and the LGBTQ rights movement.

#Books, #College of Arts & Sciences, #Books, #Department of Sociology, #Department of History, #Department of Anthropology, #2023 Spring

Sidney Thompson

Alumni Spotlight

From Print to Screen

Alum Sidney Thompson's Bass Reeves novels are being made into a TV miniseries.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Books, #Department of English, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Mercedes Ezeji

Alumni Spotlight

A Mind for Journalism

UNT alumna Mercedes Ezeji talks about the production of award-winning PBS podcast, "On Our Minds."

Written by: Nabeela Iqbal

#Journalism, #Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Adrian Aguirre

Alumni Spotlight

The Gift of Art

Adrian Aguirre draws people -- day laborers and immigrants -- that are often forgotten.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Art, #Department of Studio Art, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Allison Ponthier

Alumni Spotlight

Feeling Through Songs

Allison Ponthier's music has won attention from Elton John and other fans who relate to her lyrics.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Amy Blakely Laine

Alumni Spotlight

Aging with Care

Gerontology alumna uses her family experiences to aid others in caregiving for their loved ones.

Written by: Erikah Woodworth

#Department of Applied Gerontology, #College of Health and Public Service, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Darren Bowden

Alumni Spotlight

Key to Creativity

Darren Bowden uses the skills he learned at UNT for his corporate job and musical passions.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Department of Management, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Mean Green Basketball

Mean Green

Courting Records

News from basketball, softball and golf -- plus new faces for athletics.

#Athletics, #Mean Green Athletics, #2023 Spring

UNT Day at the Capitol

Events

UNT Day at the Capitol

Supporters spoke to state legislators in support of a variety of projects.

#Social Impact, #2023 Spring

Vaughn Faison

artistic excellence

Grammy News

Alumni recognized at music's biggest event.

#Music, #2023 Spring

Walter and Kimberly Eagleton

Alumni Spotlight

Adventure Time

Walter Eagleton gives tourists a taste of the good life with his travel company.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Food, #College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Annie Ray

Alumni Spotlight

The Essence of Music

Teacher Annie Ray gives students with intellectual disabilities an opportunity to play music.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Music, #College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Hailey Sutton

Alumni Spotlight

Tackling Career Goals One Story at a Time

UNT alumna Hailey Sutton joins the Dallas Cowboys as a sports reporter, producer and host.

Written by: Erikah Woodworth

#Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

 Lauren Stephens

Alumni Spotlight

Racing Against Turmoil

Alumna Lauren Stephens has created a successful career as a professional cyclist.

Written by: Erikah Woodworth

#College of Science, #Department of Mathematics, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Aryana Bosh

Alumni Spotlight

A Platform for Change

Alumna Aryana Bosh is crowned Miss Black Texas 2023.

Written by: Nabeela Iqbal

#Department of Rehabilitation Studies, Social Work, and Addictions, #College of Health and Public Service, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Theresa Neil

Alumni Spotlight

A Career By Design

Alumna Theresa Neil's company creates user-friendly websites for big companies.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Gregory and Ryleigh Dunn

Family Legacy

A Family Fit for UNT

Three generations of the Dunn family have made a place for themselves at UNT.

Written by: Erin Cogswell

#Legacy Family, #Legacy Families, #2023 Spring

E. Dan Klepper

Alumni Spotlight

Shooting for the Moon

E. Dan Klepper uses technology to give a different view of nature.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Department of Studio Art, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Amy Shank Fiala

Alumni Spotlight

For the Love of Dogs

Amy Shank Fiala has turned her affection for animals into a successful business.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

UNT Coliseum

Retrospective

Fifty Years of Super Memories

Super Pit celebrates golden anniversary as one of the most versatile buildings on campus.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#2023 Spring

Keith Shelton

Perspective

Adventures Along the Way

Keith Shelton remembers his time as advisor to the North Texas Daily.

Written by: Keith Shelton

#Essay, #Essays, #2023 Spring

illustration

Program news

Creating Possibilities

The UNT WISE program receives grant that will provide opportunities for workers with disabilities.

#UNT News, #2023 Spring

Women golfing

Partnerships

Promoting Diversity

PGA uses training created by UNT divisions.

#Diversity, #UNT News, #2023 Spring

UNT Eagle sculpture on campus at sunset

Faculty/Staff Appointments

New Appointments

UNT at Frisco, College of Science and College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences gain new leaders.

#UNT News, #2023 Spring

illustration of students with desktop computer

Academic news

New Programs

UNT launched new programs to meet growing needs for workforce specialization.

#UNT News, #2023 Spring

UNT President Neal Smatresk

From Our President

Making UNT Stronger

Focus on student success and career readiness makes UNT the school of choice.

#President, #From Our President, #2023 Spring

Beth Gilliam Price

Dialogue

Right Route to Romance

The shuttle bus served as a vehicle for a lifelong love.

#Dialogue, #Letters to the editor, #2023 Spring

Haymon and Beth Rosson Hankins

Dialogue

Love on Course

A decades-long marriage began on campus with a quirky blind date.

#Dialogue, #Letters to the editor, #2023 Spring

Model UN Club in 1972

Dialogue

Fifty Years Ago

Alum looks back at his time on campus in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

#Dialogue, #Letters to the editor, #2023 Spring

Coffee cake

Dialogue

Tasty Homework

Alum remembers beloved North Texas coffee cake -- recipe included.

#Dialogue, #Letters to the editor, #2023 Spring

Calvin Henard

Innovation

Bio-Based Solutions

Professor engineering bacteria to convert greenhouse gases into sustainable products.

#Research, #UNT News, #Department of Biological Sciences, #College of Science, #2023 Spring

Research

Sweet Creativity

Marketing professor's research shows how a sweat treat can boost creativity.

#Research, #UNT News, #Department of Marketing & Logistics, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #2023 Spring

Helicopter

Innovation

Advanced Air Mobility

UNT and industry partners are collaborating on the future of transportation.

#Research, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #College of Engineering, #2023 Spring

Filament lightbulb

Research

Industrial Assessment

UNT is first university in the North Texas region to join the Industrial Assessment Center program.

#Research, #UNT News, #College of Engineering, #2023 Spring

Agriculture illustration

Innovation

Research Roundup

UNT is continuing to improve its programs to reach more students.

#Research, #UNT News, #Department of Biological Sciences, #Department of Chemistry, #College of Science, #2023 Spring

Hae Jin Gam fashion

Innovation

Sustainable Changemakers

UNT alumni are making sustainable change in fashion and design.

Written by: Heather Noel

#College of Visual Arts and Design, #Online Exclusives, #2023 Spring

Illustration of Willie Nelson flying an airplane shaped like a tennis shoe

Alumni Spotlight

Artist to a 'T'

Steve Brooks' art has been seen on the T-shirts and posters for musicians, notably Willie Nelson.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Department of Studio Art, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Dexter Purnell

Faculty Success

Mixing Music and Marketing

When Dexter Purnell isn't teaching, he's engineering hit songs.

Written by: Natasha Drake

#Department of Marketing & Logistics, #Department of Marketing and Logistics, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Michael Flanagan

Alumni Spotlight

Breaking the Code

Media arts graduate student Michael Flanagan captures legendary artist Vernon Fisher in new film.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Studio Art, #Department of Radio, Television and Film, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Superbowl fireworks

Alumni Spotlight

Lighting Up Lives

Joe Bessner is living his dream and creating lifelong memories for others.

Written by: Nabeela Iqbal

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Dance and Theatre, #Department of Radio, Television and Film, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Brenda Barrio

Faculty Success

Full Circle Honor

Educational Psychology professor recognized with 'Fessor Graham award.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Department of Educational Psychology, #College of Education, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring