Dear Alum,
The New Year is shaping up to be an exciting one for the Mean Green Nation. We're embarking on bold new initiatives, continuing our 125th anniversary celebration and laying the groundwork for a new era in Mean Green football and more.
As you may have heard, we've started classes at the University of North Texas New College at Frisco, an off-site instructional facility, to give students hands-on experience in classes and programs that will have a focus on industry engagement and professional development. You can read in Dallas Innovates how UNT's New College at Frisco represents a new kind of education and is a prime example of how we're thinking like a business to adapt and grow.
Giving our students a well-rounded education also means having a strong athletics program and celebrating the UNT traditions that make us stand out. I'm excited about the things we have in store this year on both of these fronts.
In December, we welcomed Seth Littrell (left), into the UNT family as Mean Green football's new head coach. He's the former assistant head coach for offense and tight ends at North Carolina. With Coach Littrell's leadership and expertise -- and the strong coaching staff and new recruits he's bringing on board -- we have an opportunity to make great things happen in our 2016 football season. Read about our new coach's record-setting career. And let's continue to support and cheer on our men's and women's basketball teams this season. Go Mean Green!
We're hitting the ground hard, too, to gear up for Wingspan Week April 14-17, which continues our 125th anniversary celebrations. The week's centerpiece events will be our Union Dedication and the Wingspan Gala, where we'll recognize UNT's excellence in teaching, student success and generous alumni and friends. Buy tickets or sponsor a table for our Wingspan Gala, a green tie formal event that will begin at 6:30 p.m. April 16 at the new University Union.
Also as you may know, the state's "campus carry" law takes effect Aug. 1. Please share your thoughts on the UNT campus carry policy draft through Feb. 8. Read my message to the campus community about the policy draft.
It's an exciting time to be part of the UNT family, and I know 2016 will be another good year for reaching our goals and making an impact.
UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez |