UNT Insider: President's newsletter

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UNT President Neal Smatresk speaking at the 2017 State of the University

Watch a short recap video from my 2017 State of the University address.

Straight from Smatresk

Dear Alum,

For the past three-and-a-half years, I continually have been amazed by what our community can achieve when it pulls together and focuses on a singular goal. From achieving record-breaking enrollment this fall to launching new regional campuses, we've clearly shown we can hit the mark ― even surpass our goals ― when we keep our students' success and our common purpose in focus.

As I shared during my 2017 State of the University last week, our university is at a turning point and we need to work harder at preparing our students to be even more competitive in the global economy. We are on the cusp of an incredible revolution and have an opportunity to make sure our students are on the cutting-edge of learning.

We will continue to provide an excellent education for our students, as we make strides in building our national reputation and closing the gaps with nationally prominent peers. And as the world becomes increasingly digital, it is paramount that we create forward-thinking learning ecosystems that leverage the mobile and online technologies that UNT is evolving and our student body expects.

This year, we will focus on growing research, recruitment and retention programs that support student success, and expand student access at regional campuses. Additionally, we will partner with the private sector to build better curricula and leverage their expertise to make our university even stronger.

These last few years, we've been busy gathering the pieces to create a next generation research university. This year, we will begin putting those pieces together and start our transformation into a global leader in education innovation. I'd love to hear your thoughts on the direction UNT is headed, so please join me at the UNT Alumni Association's fall receptions. Our Dallas County event takes place this week, with October events scheduled for alumni in Tarrant and Collin counties.

We can achieve anything we set our minds to, and I look forward to what we will achieve together.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez

The Inside Scoop

Changing leadership

In case you missed it, it's official. We're proud that Lesa B. Roe, a top NASA administrator, will bring her experience and expertise in the STEM fields to work as the new UNT System chancellor. She begins Oct. 9, and I look forward to showing her all the incredible things happening on our campus, when she visits us Oct. 10. Roe talked with The North Texan about her priorities for leading the system into a new era, her role as the first woman to hold the position and highlights from her work at NASA. We're also grateful for all that outgoing Chancellor Lee Jackson, the longest-serving university system chancellor in Texas, has accomplished in his 15 years on the job.

Read about both leaders in
The North Texan »

Fundraising record

Fall photo of students walking on the UNT campus

We're excited to announce that UNT broke a record for fundraising in 2017 — more than $30.1 million in commitments — thanks to the efforts of the Division of Advancement and David Wolf, vice president for advancement and a UNT alum. The figure includes $19.6 million in cash contributions, as well as multi-year pledges and estate gift commitments. The division produced more than 50 events to engage alumni and friends, and the UNT Alumni Association hit an all-time high of 14,035 members. Of course, it wouldn't have been possible without supporters like you. Thank you for helping our students achieve their dreams and find their path to success.

PACCAR director

Anupama Kaul, an esteemed researcher who comes to us from the University of Texas at El Paso, has been named director of UNT's PACCAR Institute of Technology at Discovery Park. Funded by a $1.5 million gift from the PACCAR Foundation, the unique center works on cutting-edge engineering research problems in multiple disciplines, bringing together academic researchers and industry experts from engineering and the physical and social sciences. Dr. Kaul's research is focused on exploring the electronic, optical and mechanical properties of nanomaterials and nanostructures and finding low-cost, scalable ways to manufacture them.

Learn about the institute
and Dr. Kaul »

Jain studies

George Alfred James, a professor in the Department of Philosophy and Religion, is the first faculty member to hold UNT's Bhagwan Adinath Professorship of Jain Studies, created by the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences with a $500,000 gift from the Jain Education and Research Foundation. The professorship will educate UNT students and others about Jainism, an ancient religion in India focusing on nonviolence, and interest from the endowment will eventually fund conferences focusing on nonviolence as it pertains to contemporary issues and bring speakers with expertise in Jainism to UNT.

Read about the professorship
in The Dallas Morning News »

Spotlight on Excellence

Finalists of the inaugural UNT Music Entrepreneurship Competition speak with judges

Billboard Top 15

Billboard.com released its list of the "15 Best Music Business Schools in 2017" and our stellar College of Music was among them. The magazine credits the expansion of the curriculum to focus on entrepreneurship and music, offering internships, guest speakers, career advising and networking opportunities. April was the launch of the inaugural UNT Music Entrepreneurship Competition (pictured above) and, based on its success, a new Innovative Music Programming Competition is coming next month. Fabiana Claure, who joined UNT last year as director of career development and entrepreneurship in music, is the founding director of the competition.

Abner Haynes on the football field with Neal Smatresk and Wren Baker

Celebrating champions

It was a homecoming of sorts for many of UNT's star athletes during North Texas Athletics' Champions Weekend. In addition to inducting the 2017 Hall of Fame class, the weekend's highlight was the Mean Green football team's defeat the University of Alabama at Birmingham to win the program's 500th game and open conference play. We honored players from the historic teams of 1967, 1987 and 2013 at the North Texas Letterwinners Association tailgate and at halftime. We had the pleasure of presenting Abner Haynes, one of Texas' first African American collegiate football players, with the Presidential Medal of Honor in recognition of all he has done to persevere through adversity and the inequalities of racism, and recognize UNT's 55 National Merit Finalists. Be sure to join us Nov. 11 for Homecoming as we take on UTEP.

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Office of the President

University of North Texas
Hurley Administration Building, Room 201
Mailing Address:
1155 Union Circle #311425
Denton, Texas 76203-5017
940-565-2108

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