• The FDA recently provided emergency use authorization for the first breath-based test for COVID-19, which is possible because of UNT-sourced intellectual property. Chemistry professor Dr. Guido Verbeck's research efforts have long focused on detecting Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) on human breath to quantify use of drugs, such as opioids and cannabis. When COVID hit the U.S., Dr. Verbeck worked with his partners from Frisco-based InspectIR to create a non-invasive test for COVID-19. News of the FDA approval was shared nationwide, appearing in outlets like Time, NBC News, CNN, The New York Times, and Forbes.
• Acceptance letters have gone out for UNT ELEVAR, our inclusive postsecondary education program for individuals with intellectual disabilities, and you can view happy reactions from our 10 incoming students on the ELEVAR Twitter page. One of our newest students, Jaylen Walker, found out about the program after an NBC5 story about our original cohort aired. ELEVAR faculty lead Dr. Brenda Barrio, members of the UNT Spirit Squads, and NBC5 recently celebrated Jaylen's UNT acceptance at his Mansfield high school. Jayden's story was picked up by a national NBC News reporter, and shared across the country.
• UNT's Texas Fashion Collection is home to more than 300 pieces designed by Hubert de Givenchy including an evening dress of cream colored chiffon and cape with ostrich feather plumes, which is on loan to the Metropolitan Museum of Art. NBC5 spoke with Texas Fashion Collection Director Annette Becker about the piece's relevance to The Met's new exhibit, "In America: An Anthology of Fashion." It also was featured on Glasstire and EXBulletin.
• Thanks to a grant from the National Historic Publications and Records Commission, UNT Libraries is digitizing and digitally preserving the audio and video recordings from the archive of The Black Academy of Arts and Letters in Dallas. KERA and The Root reported on this important preservation effort.
• Yahoo! News picked up a Fort Worth Star-Telegram article where education professor Stephen Waddell called the number of superintendent resignations taking place across Dallas-Fort Worth "alarming."

Incredible faculty pour into their students, inspiring a passion for research, service, and lifelong learning. We celebrated this dedication and achievement at our annual Salute to Faculty Excellence Awards Celebration. Numerous faculty were recognized for their contributions to student learning, research, scholarship, university service, and more. The most distinguished honorees of the evening were the five winners of the UNT Foundation Awards, which are some of the university's highest faculty awards. Dr. James H. Kennedy, Regents Professor of Biological Sciences and director of the Elm Fork Education Center and Natural Heritage Museum, received the Eminent Faculty Award. Watch this video to learn more about Dr. Kennedy's career accomplishments and impact on students. Also celebrated were Dr. Christy Crutsinger, merchandising and digital retailing, Faculty Leadership; Leslie R. Roberts, J.D., public administration, Outstanding Lecturer; and Dr. Camilo J. Ruggero and Dr. Jennifer L. Callahan, psychology, Community Engagement.