2024 Spring

North Texan Spring 2024

Cover Story

Learning to Fail

On the road to success, it's not uncommon to stumble along the way. Members of the UNT community share what they learned from those challenges.

#Cover Stories, #2024 Spring

Leading the A.I. Revolution illustration depicting computer keyboards and environment merging

Innovation

Leading the AI Revolution

UNT alumni have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence.

Written by: Amanda Lyons

#2024 Spring

UNT President Neal Smatresk chats with a student one on one

Retrospective

Decade of Transformation

After 10 years of transformational leadership, President Neal Smatresk is resigning.

#Feature Stories, #2024 Spring

Kevin Von Erich

Alumni Spotlight

From Ring to Screen

Triumph and tragedy of the Von Erich family gets the Hollywood treatment in The Iron Claw.

Written by: Scott Brown

#Television & Film, #Mean Green Athletics, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Grammy Awards

Hitting a High Point

Alumni -- including Music Educator of the Year Annie Ray -- take home honors.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#Music, #College of Music, #2024 Spring

Shirley Cothran Barret

Alumni spotlight

'An Awesome Responsibility'

Shirley Cothran Barret wore the crown of Miss America -- and she's carried the honor all her life.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Education, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Wilson Jones

Alumni Spotlight

Built for Success

Wilson Jones nearly dropped out before earning his degree. Now, a UNT career center bears his name.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Melanie Vest

Alumni spotlight

The Making of a Leader

A part-time teller job started Melanie Vest down a historic career path.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Sociology, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

UNT Student Union interior 1949

Retrospective

State of the Union

University Union marks 75 years serving the UNT campus

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#2024 Spring

CVAD graduate students work in their studios

Perspective

Marking A Milestone

UNT's College of Visual Arts and Design celebrates its 130th anniversary.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#Essays, #2024 Spring

Students with specialized glasses view and eclipse

Science news

Solar Eclipse

College of Science is getting ready for the solar eclipse April 8.

#UNT News, #College of Science, #2024 Spring

Carl Parsons, Shelby Simmons Haney ('23), Neely Shirey ('09) and Kirk Plum ('18, '18 M.S.) pose in the historic Curry Hall corridor.

Power of Place

Remaking History

Alumni put the skills they learned at UNT to work to renovate Curry Hall.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#P, #College of Engineering, #Campus History, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #2024 Spring

UNT One Stop

Campus news

All in One Place

UNT One Stop provides space for enrollment services. Plus, UNT earns new designation and grant.

#UNT News, #2024 Spring

DATCU UNT University Union

Partnerships

DATCU Branch

The credit union also will offer financial literacy training and seminars.

#UNT News, #2024 Spring

UNT researchers and representatives at Glory Park

Innovation

Designing Greenspace

UNT, city of Lewisville collaborate to provide equitable park access.

Written by: Bess Whitby

#UNT News, #Department of Public Administration, #College of Health and Public Service, #2024 Spring

UNT Drone Facility

Innovation

Drone Facility Opens

The UNT Advanced Air Mobility Test Facility opened this spring at Discovery Park.

Written by: Amanda Lyons

#UNT News, #Department of Electrical Engineering, #College of Engineering, #2024 Spring

illustration of crystals

Innovation

Top Honors

Faculty have earned some top recognitions in their fields and prestigious awards.

Written by: Heather Noel

#UNT News, #College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Chemistry, #Department of Materials Science and Engineering, #College of Engineering, #Department of Physics, #2024 Spring

Brian Ayre and Roisin McGarry

Innovation

Understanding Cotton Plants

College of Science faculty are working to increase the resiliency and productivity of cotton.

Written by: Heather Noel

#Department of Biological Sciences, #College of Science, #2024 Spring

Stock photo of surface of moon with Earth in background

Innovation

Lunar Exploration

With NASA grant, UNT researchers are exploring new protective coatings for lunar exploration tech.

Written by: Heather Noel

#UNT News, #Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, #College of Engineering, #2024 Spring

Photo of UNT faculty and staff examining document in the Special Collections room

Innovation

Preserving Culture

UNT researchers are examining Minority-Serving Institution archives and special collections.

Written by: Heather Noel

#UNT News, #College of Information, #2024 Spring

Butoyi Gadi

Star Student

From Campus to Capitol Hill

Political science student interns in Washington, D.C.

Written by: Katie Neumann

#UNT News, #College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Political Science, #2024 Spring

Alexis, Jessica and Dr. Colin Meyer

Giving Impact

Forging Pathways to Excellence

TAMS alum makes historic gift focused on scholarships, outreach and facility improvements.

Written by: Amanda Yanowski

#UNT News, #Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, #2024 Spring

Ethan Gillis

Giving Impact

UNT Day of Giving

UNT community can show their support May 1-2.

#UNT News, #UNT Alumni Association, #2024 Spring

David Portillo

Alumni spotlight

All the World's a Stage

Opera tenor David Portillo has performed around the world -- and now he has a Grammy nomination.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Polaroid enthusiasts

Creative Endeavors

Camera Ready

Instant Film Society finds new life in an old school art form.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Visual Arts and Design, #2024 Spring

Matt Walters

Alumni spotlight

Working Behind the Scenes

Matt Walters created and directs The Walt Disney Company's Motion Picture Labs.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Radio, Television and Film, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Jezy Gray

Alumni spotlight

A Serendipitous Acting Role

Jezy Gray's Oklahoma roots led him to a role in a Martin Scorsese film.

Written by: Katie Neumann

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of English, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

CEMI performance

Innovation

Sight and Sound

CEMI celebrates its 60th anniversary of cutting-edge work.

#Music, #College of Music, #2024 Spring

Amanda Churchill

Alumni spotlight

Family History on the Page

Amanda Churchill's time in UNT's creative writing program helped her form her first novel.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Books, #2024 Spring

Ashley Schumacher

Alumni spotlight

In the Orbit of Literature

With her fourth book, Ashley Schumacher is a making her name as a young adult novelist.

Written by: Jessica DeLeón

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of English, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Rubin Jones

Mean Green

Record Book Rubin

Plus, women's basketball's record-breaking season and behind-the-scenes with softball and golf.

Written by: Scott Brown

#Athletics, #Mean Green Athletics, #2024 Spring

UNT President Neal Smatresk

From Our President

Fueling Transformative Growth

Our caring and creative community strives to create leaders of tomorrow.

#From Our President, #2024 Spring

Rachel Hernandez, Judy H. Treviño and Matthew Hernandez

Dialogue

Triple Commencement

Hard work and perseverance leads to a family's success.

#Letters to the editor, #2024 Spring

Bruce Hunter

Dialogue

Proud and Grateful

A visit to see the Two O'Clock Lab Band began a "wonderful" career experience.

#Letters to the editor, #2024 Spring

Don Rogers

Dialogue

Fun Times

Alumnus remembers living in Crumley Hall and working as a DJ.

#Letters to the editor, #2024 Spring

Terry Redmon

Dialogue

Rambling Man

Alumnus remembers everything from meeting Joe Greene to playing handball.

#Letters to the editor, #2024 Spring

Dennis Raso, Will Fladvid, Debbie Fladvid and Bill Fladvid

Legacy Family

All in the Family

Four generations of Mean Green Pride spanning nearly seven decades.

Written by: Christiana Flores

#Department of Accounting, #College of Arts & Sciences, #College of Education, #Legacy Families, #Department of Media Arts, #2024 Spring

Grecia Alfaro

Alumni spotlight

Illuminating Hispanic Heritage

Grecia Alfaro crafts artisanal candles inspired by Mexican culture.

Written by: Katie Neumann

#College of Education, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Metrocrest food pantry

Alumni spotlight

Lending a Helping Hand

Tracy Eubanks uses his business expertise as leader of Metrocrest Services.

Written by: Michael King

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of History, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Michael Morey II

Alumni spotlight

Connecting With The Community

Michael Morey II traded a career in the classroom for one in law enforcement.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Andrew and Dr. Taylor Willis

Alumni spotlight

A Safari of Learning

Andrew and Taylor Willis are bringing to life a unique wildlife care program.

Written by: Nabeela Iqbal

#Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Wayne Beare

Alumni spotlight

Wheels of Change

Wayne Beare's career with Mobility Worldwide aligns with his lifelong interests.

Written by: Nabeela Iqbal

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Alumni Profiles, #Department of International Studies, #2024 Spring

Katy K. Abraham

Alumni spotlight

Born for Entrepreneurial Expression

Katy K. Abraham uses experience to lead her team through monumental growth.

Written by: Natasha Drake

#College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences, #Department of Dance and Theatre, #Department of Sociology, #G. Brint Ryan College of Business, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Amy Woody

Alumni spotlight

Leader of the Bands

Amy Woody sticks close to home in her role as UNT's director of athletic bands.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Jen Rose

Alumni Spotlight

All Abuzz

Pollinators have Jen Rose ('99, '02 M.F.A.) to thank for helping them stay hydrated.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#Department of Studio Art, #College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Brian Lain

Faculty Success

No Debate

Brian Lain's connections with students earn him his second 'Fessor Graham Award.

Written by: Amanda Fuller

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Communication Studies, #College of Education, #2024 Spring

Kendall Myers

Alumni spotlight

A 'People' Person

Kendall Myers ('14) returns to her first love -- portrait painting -- with new YouTube series

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Arts & Sciences, #Department of Integrative Studies, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Lori Rohloff-Peek

Alumni spotlight

In the Face of Change

Art has provided Lori Rohloff-Peek ('84) an 'escape' from the effects of a rare disease.

Written by: Lisa Sciortino

#College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Marisol Lopez

Student Spotlight

A Passion For Trashion

Junior Marisol Lopez uses the lessons learned in fashion design class for a unique show.

Written by: Tiarra Drisker

#Department of Design, #College of Visual Arts and Design, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring

Jonathan McNary

Alumni spotlight

Becoming a Music City

Jonathan McNary ('22) takes on role as manager of the new Dallas Music Office. 

Written by: Tiarra Drisker

#College of Music, #Alumni Profiles, #2024 Spring