2023 Spring North Texan cover

2023 Spring

Illustration of human faces in profile made from construction paper in various colors
Cover Story

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

Quincy Ollison
Alumni Spotlight

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

Hae Jin Gam
Research

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

UNT Frisco
facilities

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

Soaring by Archit Karkare
Visual arts

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

Djenaba Johnson-Jones
Alumni Spotlight

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

Deah Berry-Mitchell
Star Student

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

Talking Podcasts
Expert Take

Alumni discuss the best practices for producing great podcasts.

Niki and Marsha Dash
Giving Impact

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

Alicia Eggert You are on a mountain project
Creative Endeavors

Sculpture professor Alicia Eggert installs temporary art on Mount Kilimanjaro.

Rebecca Bernard
Alumni Spotlight

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

Before Lawrence vs Taylor
Faculty Books

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

Sidney Thompson
Alumni Spotlight

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

Mercedes Ezeji
Alumni Spotlight

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

Adrian Aguirre
Alumni Spotlight

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

Allison Ponthier
Alumni Spotlight

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

Amy Blakely Laine
Alumni Spotlight

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

Darren Bowden
Alumni Spotlight

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

Mean Green Basketball
Mean Green

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

UNT Day at the Capitol
Events

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

Vaughn Faison
artistic excellence

Alumni recognized at music's biggest event.

Walter and Kimberly Eagleton
Alumni Spotlight

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

Annie Ray
Alumni Spotlight

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

Hailey Sutton
Alumni Spotlight

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

 Lauren Stephens
Alumni Spotlight

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

Aryana Bosh
Alumni Spotlight

Alumna Aryana Bosh is crowned Miss Black Texas 2023.

Theresa Neil
Alumni Spotlight

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

Gregory and Ryleigh Dunn
Family Legacy

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

UNT Coliseum
Retrospective

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

Keith Shelton
Perspective

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

illustration
Program news

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

UNT Eagle sculpture on campus at sunset
Faculty/Staff Appointments

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

illustration of students with desktop computer
Academic news

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

UNT President Neal Smatresk
From Our President

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

Beth Gilliam Price
Dialogue

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

Haymon and Beth Rosson Hankins
Dialogue

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

Model UN Club in 1972
Dialogue

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

Coffee cake
Dialogue

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

Calvin Henard
Innovation

Professor engineering bacteria to convert greenhouse gases into sustainable products.

Stock photo of candy
Research

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

Ear
Research

UNT professors researching hearing aid adoption.

Helicopter
Innovation

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

Filament lightbulb
Research

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

Agriculture illustration
Innovation

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

Hae Jin Gam fashion
Innovation

UNT alumni are making sustainable change in fashion and design.

Pamela-Garmon-Johnson
Alumni Spotlight

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

Duran Ritz
Alumni Spotlight

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

Anthony Langston
Alumni Spotlight

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

Obianuju Okafor
Alumni Spotlight

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

Oluwakolapo 'Tobi' Smith
Alumni Spotlight

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

Elizabeth Kilmer
Alumni Spotlight

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

Amira Linson
Alumni Spotlight

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

UNT Media Arts group at an Iron Man set
Creative Endeavors

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

Cat Burleaud
Alumni Spotlight

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