UNT Insider: President's newsletter

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Watch the highlights from UNT's 2014 Homecoming.

Straight from Smatresk

Dear Alum,

My first UNT Homecoming was filled with excitement, especially with the Mean Green's 31-10 victory over Florida Atlantic University and the return of so many alumni. It's a good reminder of how you can stay connected to UNT and show your green pride throughout the year.

You have the power to contribute in many ways that will transform students' lives and our university, just as your UNT education transformed you. When you do, great things happen.

We closed The Campaign for UNT, our first comprehensive capital campaign, this fall with more than $210 million, exceeding our goal and with 70 percent of gifts coming from first-time donors. It's an outstanding accomplishment, and one that we'll continue to build on.

Our alumni shape UNT's future, especially when they pay it forward. Alumnus Byron Baird ('78 M.B.A.), former chair of Mrs. Baird's Inc., and his wife, Marilyn, recently established the endowed Dean Henry Hays Professorship for Exemplary Service to support and recruit highly talented faculty in the College of Business. Danielle Cooper, associate professor of management, was named the first recipient of the endowed professorship. (Pictured from left to right: College of Business Dean Finley Graves, Baird, Cooper, Hays and me)

You can show your support at giving.unt.edu.

It's also never too late to come to campus to attend one of many concerts, lectures and athletic events. Cheer on our basketball teams by emailing president@unt.edu to enter my random drawing to win a pair of tickets to a women's or men's game. Include your mailing address and T-shirt sizes.

Also stay connected through the UNT Alumni Association, a network of 10,000 UNT alumni that is growing bigger and stronger each day. Learn how you can join.

It's a great time to be a part of the UNT family and to be a part of our progress.

UNT proud,
Neal Smatresk
President
@UNTPrez

The Inside Scoop

Community Engagement

Learning beyond the classroom

As part of our 10-year reaccreditation with the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools' Commission on Colleges, the UNT community provided input on how we can strengthen our commitment to educational excellence in key areas. We've now chosen a five-year Quality Enhancement Plan -- launching in 2016 -- that will give students new opportunities to engage in action-based learning and real-world experiences in the region and abroad.

Learn more at UNT's QEP
website »

Entrepreneurship

Sharing the recipe for success

Celebrity Chef Tim Love and I are cooking up ways to get him engaged with UNT so he can share his business and culinary expertise in UNT's hospitality and tourism management program, which is ranked the sixth largest program in the U.S. in enrollment. It's a great example of how UNT collaborates with industry leaders to enhance student learning and inspire a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Watch us talk
about collaborating »

Enrollment Workshop

President Smatresk speaking at enrollment management workshop

Turning prospects into students

Enrollment management is a top priority for UNT because it means we can attract more students, better serve them and positively impact our bottom line. At a recent enrollment workshop with campus leaders, we brainstormed ways to recruit students, turning prospects into UNT students by using better technology to track their interest and contact with the university.

Watch campus leaders talk
about enrollment »

Faculty Excellence

Honoring UNT's top faculty

Strong faculty who are experts in their field bring national prominence to UNT and showcase our world-class excellence. We honored faculty members Richard Rogers, Mark Vosvick and Stanley R. Ingman this fall with UNT Foundation awards, the highest university faculty awards, in recognition of their excellence in teaching, research and community service.

See all of the 2014
faculty winners »

Shining a green light

Mosquitoes' bite no match for science protégé

At only 16 years old, Aditya Vaidya is swatting away the competition as a future researcher. With the help of Armin Mikler, professor of computer science and engineering, the first-year student in UNT's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science created a computer model that uses climate change data to predict mosquito populations. Learn how cities could use Aditya's research as a repellent for mosquito-borne diseases.

Decorate the halls with UNT spirit

If you like collectible ornaments and a good cause, you're going to love the UNT Alumni Association 2014 Holiday Ornament. The ornament costs $20, with a portion of the proceeds helping to fund student scholarships and networking events for alumni. I'm giving away seven in a random drawing to help you spread holiday cheer. To participate, email president@unt.edu with "Ornament" in the subject line by Dec. 5. Don't forget to include your mailing address.

Golden opportunity

Former UNT football player and Distinguished Alumni Award winner Sam Golden and I share a common passion -- moving UNT forward. Debbie and I recently joined Sam, a top Houston financial executive, and his wife, Valerie, when they hosted 60 Houston-area alumni at their home before the Rice game. In the next year, I hope to see more of our alumni take an active role in UNT's development. Find out why Sam chose UNT and is a strong alumni supporter.

Connect with us

Office of the President

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

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