Jennifer Fadden ('95, '97 M.P.A.) credits her time at UNT -- especially as a member of the leadership-focused NT40 student organization -- for contributing to her development as a civic and corporate leader.

"I quickly sensed it was a place I could learn leadership skills and build self-confidence and prepare myself for the future," she says.

During her career, Fadden -- who earned a bachelor's in political science and a master's in public administration -- has served as city manager of Weatherford and Colleyville. Now the COO of Keller-based Strategic Government Resources, she assists local governments throughout the nation in building successful leadership teams.

As an NT40 alum, "I was able to translate many of the experiences and perspectives in working with other student leaders on campus into useful tools as a government and corporate leader," says Fadden, who delivered the keynote address April 12 at the organization's annual All for NT/NT for All Leadership Conference.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of NT40. A year-long celebration kicked off last fall with a football tailgating event that brought together current members and alumni at the Mean Green vs. Army game. Additional events are being planned for later this year.

Committed to Excellence

NT40 was established in Fall 1974 by former North Texas President C.C. Nolen, who designated a group of 40 student leaders the "official hosts and hostesses" of academic and social functions he hosted.

"Anytime there was an event where people wanted to see a slice of student life, we were there. It was a very special time for me," recalls Steve Brodbeck ('80), who served as the second president in NT40 history and is now corporate director of clinical laboratory standards for Dallas-based Tenet Healthcare.

Over the decades, NT40's focus and mission have evolved to promote and inspire Mean Green pride and spirit and support the positive image of UNT. The organization collaborates with the Division of Student Affairs on student engagement and success efforts by hosting professional training and development workshops that help mentor and guide future leaders.

What hasn't changed is the dedication of NT40 members -- who are recognized as the "Top 40 Leaders" on campus because most also hold leadership positions in other UNT student organizations -- to its core values, which include integrity, loyalty, leadership development and a commitment to excellence.

NT40 alums include Holly Hutchins ('92, '94 M.A., '04 Ph.D.), UNT's vice provost for faculty success; musician Mike Eli ('04), of the Grammy-nominated country music group Eli Young Band; and Phil Sorgen ('88, '90 M.B.A.), a venture partner at Tola Capital who, with his wife, Lea Sorgen ('90, '92), established UNT's Phil and Lea Sorgen Career Center Excellence Fund.

'Important Ambassadors'

UNT President Harrison Keller, Ph.D. spoke at the recent NT40 Alumni Networking Mixer, where current members connected with those who helped shape the organization's service-oriented history. He described those in attendance as "some of the most important ambassadors we have at the university."

Among them was Serena Cole ('87), who served one term as NT40 vice president during her two years with the organization. "We came from so many different areas, so many different groups on campus. It created such synergy and such collaboration. I loved that part of it," she recalls.

Decades later, Cole's son, Christian Cole ('19), became a member, and her daughter, Barrett Cole ('18, '21 M.S.), was the organization's secretary.

"NT40 taught me the power of legacy leadership -- serving with intention, lifting others up and honoring tradition while embracing the future," says Barrett Cole, who also served as the Student Government Association vice president from 2016 through 2017 and president from 2017 through 2018.

Now an attorney with the firm Finnegan, Henderson, Farabow, Garrett & Dunner LLP in London, Barrett Cole says NT40's core values "have stayed with me and will continue to guide my career and community service moving forward."

Current NT40 president Braden Dahlem, (pictured above with Alyssa Rudolph, the organization’s director of recruitment), a senior biology major, describes the organization as "a big melting pot full of campus leaders that bring diversity in all ways -- majors, experiences, education, organizations that they're involved in. They each have their own take on leadership."

Dahlem -- who also serves as director of campus life for the Student Government Association and is a student athletic trainer for the Sports Medicine department -- says he enjoys attending  NT40 meetings and events.

"It's refreshing to be able to sit in a room with so many leaders that have so much to bring to the table."