Dear Alum,

We recently made several key hires in academics and started our search for a new athletic director -- all important ways we're moving our university forward.

UNT has retained the services of Eastman & Beaudine Inc., a leading sports executive search firm, to assist in our national search for a new athletic director. In the interim, deputy athletic director Hank Dickenson -- a devoted member of our athletics staff for more than two decades -- is serving as acting director. We hope to identify a new athletic director by midsummer.

I'm also excited to share that John W. Richmond (left), director of the Glenn Korff School of Music in the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, will join UNT Aug. 1 as the new dean of UNT's College of Music. As one of the largest and most comprehensive music schools in the world, the College of Music will benefit from the strong leadership and expertise of a seasoned professional like Dr. Richmond.

As we come closer to starting our annual strategic planning and implementation process, we will draw on the expertise of Robert A. Watling (right), our new vice provost for academic resources. The former assistant dean for business operations at North Carolina State University, Mr. Watling has more than 15 years of financial management and institutional strategic planning experience. As UNT's chief budget and human resources officer for academics, he will play an important role in helping UNT plan for the future.

Having the right leadership team in place is key to helping our students and the university succeed. Last week, Victor Prybutok, Regents Professor of decision sciences, was named vice provost for UNT's Toulouse Graduate School. As a proven leader with a strong history of supporting graduate studies at UNT, he's a great fit for this role. We also hope in the next few months to name new deans for our College of Information and College of Education, to replace deans who have retired.

I'm looking forward to working with our new leadership to continue to provide our students with the best educational experience in Texas.

UNT Proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez