Wendy Risdon, 50, Denton, senior director of budgets and operations in the College of Science, died Oct. 2.

She earned her bachelor’s degree in accounting at Texas A&M University and worked in the hospitality and medical industries before joining UNT in 2012. She had worked in the College of Science since it became an independent unit in 2017, and received UNT’s Soaring Integrity Award in 2023 for promoting a culture of integrity and accountability.

Her co-workers remember her as a “fiery Excel queen” with a passion for helping others succeed and, whether through team-building board games or information-packed Lunch and Learn sessions, inspiring them to be the best version of themselves.

She was an avid gardener from a young age, and her family says she also was continually growing and cultivating who she was and helping others grow as well, passing on her faith, wisdom and life lessons.

She’s survived by her children, Mason and Rylee, who are both UNT students.