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

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

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

Amira Linson

Alumni Spotlight

Fashion Forward

Amira Linson prepares to make her mark on the fashion industry.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

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

UNT Media Arts group at an Iron Man set

Creative Endeavors

Mean Green Movie Magic

Media arts students traveled to Hollywood to study the industry in which they hope to work.

Written by: Michael King

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Media Arts, #2023 Spring

Cat Burleaud

Alumni Spotlight

Reaching for the Sky

Cat Burleaud's office is Mount Rainier National Park -- thanks to her education at UNT.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of English, #Department of Physics, #College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #2023 Spring

Pamela-Garmon-Johnson

Alumni Spotlight

Having the Heart to Make Change

Pamela Garmon Johnson helps others with her work for the American Heart Association.

Written by: Natasha Drake

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

Duran Ritz

Alumni Spotlight

Passion in Percussion

Duran Ritz connects to people one song at a time as drummer for Canadian rock band.

Written by: Michael King

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

Anthony Langston

Alumni Spotlight

Good, Fun, Crazy Dishes

Anthony Langston knows how to cook things up -- and shows his skills on "Secret Chef."

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Radio, Television and Film, #Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Obianuju Okafor

Alumni Spotlight

Engineering Innovation

Obianuju Okafor's work for Microsoft helps a range of users.

Written by: Amanda Fuller

#Department of Computer Science and Engineering, #College of Engineering, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring

Oluwakolapo 'Tobi' Smith

Alumni Spotlight

Savoring Success

Oluwakolapo 'Tobi' Smith creates meal-delivery service for Nigerian foods.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

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

Elizabeth Kilmer

Alumni Spotlight

A Game Changer

Elizabeth Kilmer's work highlights the therapeutic benefits of role-playing games.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Psychology, #Alumni Profiles, #2023 Spring