University of North Texas 
2026 Fall
Cover Stories
As Texas grows, alumni lead the way in top roles in government, real estate and
more.
Feature Stories
From his days as a student playing Denton clubs to his years with Centro-matic
and now as a member of Jason Isbell’s 400 unit band, Will Johnson ('97) always has
to be making music.
Feature Stories
UNT alumni, students and faculty turning curiosity into discovery.
Feature Stories
Follow students as they learn how to address global issues, make a broadcast news
report, repair an instrument and create costume crafts.
Alumni Profiles
K Callan ('64) always wanted to be an actress. At the age of 90, she is receiving
the biggest acclaim of her long career for her role in Widow's Bay.
Alumni Profiles
Thanks to her go-getter personality and business degree, Half Price Books president
Kathy Thomas ('84 M.B.A.) has navigated the chain through an ever-changing industry.
Brilliantly Green
Faculty and students identify, collect and temporarily care for native plants
in developing community.
Perspective
Jaime Perez ('09 M.S.) recalls how teacher Yvonne Chandler led him to writing
books.
Retrospective
In some ways, the typical life of a college student doesn't change much through
the years.
Legacy Families
Gregory ('88) and Christine ('92) Hutmacher kept persevering for their college
degrees – and their children were right there with them.
Innovation
James Webb Space Telescope, pharmaceutical breakthrough and Alzheimer's research.
Giving Impact
Steve Willard ('80) establishes scholarship for students who may slip under the
radar.
Mean Green
Head football coach Neal Brown is ready to “embrace high expectations” in his
first year with the Mean Green.
Alumni Profiles
Barak Epstein ('01) put an immense amount of time and effort into renovating Denton's
Fine Arts Theatre.
Alumni Profiles
Kyle Wright (’15) processed his autism diagnosis through art and community-building.
Books
Authors explore life in North Texas, the military history of China and the crime
fiction of Mexico.
Campus News
UNT students learned how to position themselves for success in the workforce.
Alumni Profiles
Danielle Bakic ('13) grew Swimming Fishies Swim School through perseverance and
self-belief.
Alumni Profiles
Clarissa Cross ('15), a.k.a. DJ Dawn, is the founder of She Spins – a supportive,
safe space for female disc jockeys like herself.
Alumni Profiles
Greg TeGantvoort ('08) is keeping Fort Worth weird with his monthly mystery movie
showing and community market, The Mutant Bazaar.
Dialogue
Let us know your thoughts about the "North Texan" by taking our reader survey.
Alumni Profiles
Chelsea Burnett ('14) has made a career out of chasing tornadoes and other wild
weather.
Alumni Spotlight
Brian Onishi ('16 Ph.D.) delivers the uncanny right to your earbuds.
Alumni Spotlight
Darlene Lanham ('98) found her path by helping survivors of violence.
Alumni Profiles
Jenny Walker ('02) champions adult learners as head of Literacy Texas.
Alumni Profiles
William D. Tate ('64) marks 50 years as mayor of Grapevine, one of the most popular
cities in the state.
Alumni Profiles
Walt Disney World Ambassador Kylee Withers ('16, '17 M.B.A.) brings joy to others.
Alumni Profiles
At just 23 years old, Eeshan Joshi ('21 TAMS, '23) has graduated from medical
school.
Alumni Profiles
Katie Johnson ('13) has turned her creative knowledge into the book "Follow Your
Art."
Alumni Profiles
How UNT helped composer Lisa DeSpain ('97) build a career without limits.
Alumni Profiles
Anné Hughes' ('83) work as a theater teacher for students with learning differences
recognized by the Tony Awards for Excellence in Theatre Education.
Alumni Profiles
Filmmaker Ashton Campbell ('03) rolls back the curtain on the Oak Cliff Film Festival.
Alumni Spotlight
The Dallas Stars’ official color may be Victory Green, but their front office
is brimming with Mean Green Pride.
Alumni Profiles
Delaney Murphy ('17) uses her merchandising and digital retailing degrees to give
Alaska tourists an adventure.
Alumni Profiles
Alumni Ryan Cameron ('20) writes, directs and produces her own story.
Alumni Profiles
Holly Carter ('99 Ph.D.) helps a British foundation run its many events.
Alumni Profiles
Three UNT education alumni establish new Denton studio for young children and
families to connect with creativity.
Alumni Profiles
Pyrotex co-owner and CMO Paige Mejia ('02) brings people together for parties
and partnerships alike.
Alumni Profiles
Greek life taught consultant Erin Balint Hogue ('99) how to literally take care
of business.
Alumni Profiles
Opportunity has a way of changing lives in unexpected ways.
Alumni Profiles
Using the foundational knowledge she learned at UNT, Tessa Boucher ('20, '23 M.S.)
thrives in her work as an ecological scientist.
UNT News
Bonnie Norman commits to creativity and hard work as senior pastry chef supervisor
at UNT.
UNT News
Sara Champlin, associate professor of advertising, is 2025-26 'Fessor Graham award
winner for her service to students.
Alumni Profiles
LeeAnn Pickrell ('88) draws on her writing skills to process a traumatic experience
from her life.