Dear UNT community,

UNT is more than a university. We are a family united by purpose, pride and tradition. This holiday season, we give thanks to each of you -- the students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends who make us strong.

We are stronger than ever, fueled by a legacy of excellence and a vision to keep climbing to the top. We're now a Carnegie-ranked top tier -- or Tier One -- research university. In 126 years, we've become one of the nation's largest universities with nearly 38,000 students and 393,000 alumni who are building prosperity around the world.

As a family, we're committed to making our students' dreams come true by helping them to grow as people, become college graduates, and build successful careers and lives so they can change the world for the better.

That is the true gift of education -- and that is what we're celebrating this holiday season.

We wish you and yours happy holidays. We hope the joy and wonder of the season carries throughout the new year.

UNT Proud,
Neal and Debbie Smatresk