2024 Spring North Texan cover

2024 Spring

Keayla Dove
Cover Story

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.

Leading the A.I. Revolution illustration depicting computer keyboards and environment merging
Innovation
UNT alumni have harnessed the power of artificial intelligence.
UNT President Neal Smatresk chats with a student one on one
Retrospective

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

Kevin Von Erich
Alumni Spotlight

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

Annie Ray
Grammy Awards

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

Shirley Cothran Barret
Alumni spotlight

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

Wilson Jones
Alumni Spotlight

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

Melanie Vest
Alumni spotlight

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

UNT Student Union interior 1949
Retrospective

University Union marks 75 years serving the UNT campus.

CVAD graduate students work in their studios
Perspective

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

Students with specialized glasses view and eclipse
Science news

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

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

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

UNT One Stop
Campus news

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

DATCU UNT University Union
Partnerships

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

UNT researchers and representatives at Glory Park
Innovation

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

UNT Drone Facility
Innovation

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

illustration of crystals
Innovation

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

Brian Ayre and Roisin McGarry
Innovation

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

Stock photo of surface of moon with Earth in background
Innovation

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

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

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

Butoyi Gadi
Star Student

Political science student interns in Washington, D.C.

Alexis, Jessica and Dr. Colin Meyer
Giving Impact

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

Ethan Gillis
Giving Impact

UNT community can show their support May 1-2.

David Portillo
Alumni spotlight

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

Polaroid enthusiasts
Creative Endeavors

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

Matt Walters
Alumni spotlight

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

Jezy Gray
Alumni spotlight

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

CEMI performance
Innovation

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

Amanda Churchill
Alumni spotlight

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

Ashley Schumacher
Alumni spotlight

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

The Value Gap
Faculty books

Topics include women in Hollywood and Indian traveling ayahs.

Rubin Jones
Mean Green

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

UNT President Neal Smatresk
From Our President

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

Rachel Hernandez, Judy H. Treviño and Matthew Hernandez
Dialogue

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

Bruce Hunter
Dialogue

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

Don Rogers
Dialogue

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

Terry Redmon
Dialogue

Alumnus remembers everything from meeting Joe Greene to playing handball.

Dennis Raso, Will Fladvid, Debbie Fladvid and Bill Fladvid
Legacy Family

Four generations of Mean Green Pride spanning nearly seven decades.

Grecia Alfaro
Alumni spotlight

Grecia Alfaro crafts artisanal candles inspired by Mexican culture.

Metrocrest food pantry
Alumni spotlight

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

Michael Morey II
Alumni spotlight

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

Andrew and Dr. Taylor Willis
Alumni spotlight

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

Wayne Beare
Alumni spotlight

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

Katy K. Abraham
Alumni spotlight

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

Amy Woody
Alumni spotlight

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

Ryan Schuette
Alumni spotlight

UNT alumnus writes a fantasy novel inspired by his time in D.C. and overseas.

Kendall Myers
Alumni spotlight

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

Lori Rohloff-Peek
Alumni spotlight

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

Marisol Lopez
Student Spotlight

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

Jonathan McNary
Alumni spotlight

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

Brian Lain
Faculty Success

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