UNT Insider: President's newsletter

UNT is one of six schools that joined the American Athletic Conference July 1. This move allows UNT to host several of our regional rivals — such as SMU — and increase interest, engagement, and attendance for sporting events, as well as elevating UNT's profile in Texas and nationally through the American's multimedia rights deal with ESPN. The Mean Green joined the conference along with the University of Texas at San Antonio, Rice University, University of Alabama at Birmingham, University of North Carolina at Charlotte and Florida Atlantic University. We are excited and looking forward to great things to come for our students and our athletics department. Watch the video of UNT's welcome into the American. Go Mean Green!

Straight from Smatresk

Dear UNT supporter,

Our Texas summer is in full swing and bringing with it all the wonderful heat and humidity our state offers this time of year. I hope no matter where you are, you are staying cool and enjoying fun summer months.

We're ramping up for a great fall semester with classes set to start Aug. 21. I know I speak for many of our staff and faculty members when I say that we're eager for our new and returning students to be back on campus. It's not the same without them!

I'm just as excited for our first year in the American Athletic Conference, which became official July 1. We're going to be playing some great schools, showcasing the powerhouse that is Mean Green Athletics. I hope you'll join me at a few games this season!

Our faculty, staff, and student community continue to shine, winning awards in all areas of university life — dining, grants for important research initiatives and programs, and once-in-a-lifetime internships and career opportunities.

Your continued support of UNT makes a difference as we continue to invest in the future of our students. Much like the Texas sun, their future is bright.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez

Award-Winning
Dining

Congratulations to Dining Services' Chefs Rodrigo Blanquet-Suarez, Sarah Kettelhut, Thomas Reinbold and Shelley McGinnis for winning gold at the American Culinary Federation competition at the University of Massachusetts Amherst's Chef Culinary Conference last month! UNT also won the gold in last year's competition. Dining Services also earned three Loyal E. Horton Dining Awards from the National Association of College and University Food Services this spring: Gold in the residential dining special event category and in the catering special event category, and silver in the retail sales concept category.

Learn more about our
award-winning dining »

UNT Alumna Crowned
Miss Texas

Ellie Breaux, a 2023 UNT graduate, was crowned Miss Texas 2023 in the 86th annual Miss Texas competition, hosted July 1. She competed alongside 57 young women to win a $20,000 college scholarship. She will go on to represent Texas at the Miss America competition next year. Ellie obtained her bachelor's degree at UNT in marketing with a focus on fashion design and was a member of the North Texas Dancers. Originally from Houston, Ellie was crowned Miss Tarrant County. Follow Ellie's journey on Instagram. We are rooting for you, Ellie!

Read about Miss Texas
in the North Texan »

This is JEOPARDY!

College of Education alumna Erin Gold competed on the legendary gameshow Jeopardy! June 27. While Erin did not advance to the next round, we are #UNTproud of her accomplishment! Erin earned her M.Ed. from UNT in 2011 and teaches in Aurora, Colorado. She competed with an oral surgeon and a librarian. Erin is pictured on the right with host Mayim Bialik.

Watch her Final Jeopardy!
segment »

Rotary Grant Winners

The Rotary Club of Grapevine and past Rotary district governors gathered in the spring to award UNT M.P.A. alumni Odalis Alvarado and Charles Wood Honorary Paul Harris Fellowship status — the highest honor in the organization. Both were recipients of $40,000 Rotary Global Grants as students. Since 1997, Rotary Clubs have sponsored more than $1.5 million for UNT winners of Rotary scholarships and grants.

Learn more about
their programs »

More than a Museum

Marketing alum Jarred Howard had a calling, and he's working to fulfill it as CEO of the National Juneteenth Museum. He envisioned a place that would celebrate Juneteenth and reflect the passion and culture of the Historic Southside neighborhood in Fort Worth. UNT's Dr. Lauren Cross, assistant professor of interdisciplinary art and design studies, is the museum's executive strategist. Deah Berry-Mitchell, a doctoral student in history, and Sydney Jones, a doctoral student in political science, are on the board. Howard also frequently talks to alumna, honorary doctorate recipient and "Grandmother of Juneteenth," Opal Lee. He says the museum, due to open in 2025, will not only celebrate but also inform, educate and spur development. See more architect's renderings on the museum's website.

Mean Green Sports

Are you ready for some football? Tickets for UNT Football's 2023 road games are now on sale through the Mean Green Ticket Office. These road games pair us with FIU, LA Tech, Navy, Tulane, SMU and Tulsa. Our athletics department is inviting all fans to help celebrate the beginning of the Coach Eric Morris era by “Starting September Strong” in Denton and on the road. Visit meangreantickets.com to purchase or call the UNT Athletics Ticket Office at 940-565-2527. Our Mean Green soccer team is gearing up for their best season yet, and single-match tickets to watch the 16-time conference champs play are on sale now. The 2023 Mean Green Coaches Caravan began June 20, traveling to Houston, Austin and Frisco, and will conclude in Denton Aug. 5. The Coaches Caravan offers fans a chance to meet Jared Mosley, Vice President and Director of Athletics, along with coaches from other Mean Green teams. In UNT men's golf news, Luke Calcatera, who led teams for North Alabama and Arkansas Tech, was named head coach of the team June 5. A multi-year broadcast relationship with iHeartMedia Dallas was announced June 14 and fans will now be able to hear game broadcasts on 97.1 The Freak. It's going to be a great season for UNT athletics. Go Mean Green!

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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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