University of North Texas Alumni

SAA Student Scholarship Winners

UNT Student Alumni Association (SAA) started out the 2012-2013 school year with a few goals to accomplish in its first year of establishment: raise enough money to give out at least one $1,000 scholarship in May 2013, recruit new members, and promote UNT pride. Not only did they meet their goals, they exceeded them. Over the course of the two long semesters, SAA members in conjunction with NT40 raised over $1,300 from students during their fundraising campaign, Students Giving to Students. The campaign is “for the students, by the students” in that money is only solicited from students and then given back through a scholarship award.

Student Scholarship Winners — Ali Raza and Jidong Yao (Taylor Lindholm was unable to attend)

This year, in addition to the student donations, two other generous gifts were given to the SAA Scholarship Fund. The UNT Alumni Association donated $1,000 that was raised from graduation tassel sales and young alumnus Alan Ross also gave $1,000. These gifts enabled SAA to award three $1,000 scholarships for the 2013-2014 academic year.

The opportunity to apply for the scholarship was sent via email to the student body (undergraduates and graduates are eligible to apply) and was also posted on the SAA website, http://studentaffairs.unt.edu/SAA. Over 400 applications were submitted within a two week period. A scholarship selection committee made up of SAA, NT40 and Student Government Association members then came together to pick the 3 recipients. After 6 hours of reading, discussing and deliberating, the committee selected three well deserving students based on need, involvement in the UNT community, and UNT pride. The recipients are Ali Raza, Jidong Yao, and Taylor Lindholm.

Each spring, NT40 hosts an awards banquet and this year invited the scholarship recipients to attend and be honored. Several other UNT community members were also in attendance: the SAA executive board, UNT Alumni Association (Rob McKinney), Student Affairs Administration (Blake Rexroat), and three student donors who gave at least their class gift.

SAA members: Michelle Bradley (Advisor), Briana Daniels (incoming Treasurer), Courtney Bailey, Kathleen Spriggs (incoming President), and Tariq Storks (incoming VP)

Don and Ruth Buchholz: Transforming Public Education

By: Jaime Blanton

Little Elm High School Principal Shon Joseph has never met Don (’52) or Ruth Buchholz, but he says their generosity is “transforming public education in Texas.”

Joseph is among more than 100 school administrators whose efforts to become school superintendents have been funded by the Southwest Securities Superintendent Certification Scholarship, established by the Buchholzes.

Research shows that successful school reforms start with change agents like Joseph.

Before moving to Little Elm, Joseph led reforms at John Tyler High School in Tyler, Texas, where he helped the school achieve “Recognized” status by the Texas Education Agency for the first time in school history. For his efforts, Joseph was named Region VII Principal of the Year in 2011. Joseph also was named Assistant Principal of the Year for helping Wylie High School in Collin County increase its average daily attendance and college-readiness ratings.

Joseph says the scholarship he received was “essential.”

“It seems like Don Buchholz understands that this kind of scholarship is easily the best way to support public education because it gives financial assistance to those of us who have dedicated our lives to education,” Joseph says.

The Buchholzes are longtime UNT supporters. They provided UNT with a cornerstone $1 million gift to establish UNT’s Bill J. Priest Center for Community College Education, and they have endowed chairs in community college education and educational administration. They have also supported UNT’s Emerald Eagle Scholars program, which helps high-achieving students who have financial need.

“With the Priest Center, UNT has found a true niche,” says UNT professor and center director Beverly Bower, the Don A. Buchholz chair for community college education. “The center is one of only a handful in the nation studying critical community college issues. We have the flexibility, the leverage and the opportunity to effect real change in higher education.”

Bower calls Don Buchholz a “forward-thinking visionary” who saw the impact a research center could have on the region.

Buchholz, 84, attended UNT thanks to benefits from the first G.I. Bill. He earned his bachelor’s degree from UNT in 1952. As co-founder of Southwest Securities, SWS Group Inc., a securities clearing, securities brokerage and investment banking firm, he helped revolutionize that industry. But beyond his professional career, his involvement in and charitable contributions to education continue to make an impact at UNT and throughout Texas.

Buchholz served as a UNT System regent until May 2013 and has served on the UNT Foundation Board of Directors, the College of Business Advisory Board and the Murphy Entrepreneurship Center Advisory Board.

The Buchholzes are members of UNT’s McConnell and 1890 donor societies. Don Buchholz received UNT’s Distinguished Alumni Award in 2001 and the Outstanding Alumni Service Award in 1999.

UNT is not the lone beneficiary of the Buchholzes’ generosity. Don Buchholz has provided similar board service for the Dallas County Community College District, where he has served on the Foundation Board and the DCCCD Board of Trustees, including two terms as president. He also is a former president of the Board of Trustees of the Garland (Texas) Independent School District.

“For someone like Don Buchholz to recognize the importance of our educational growth means everything, because that is a direct investment in how our campuses operate, grow and respond to the needs of our students,” Joseph says.

Career Corner

Career Center Home

Spring Events

As UNT alum, you are welcome to continue using the services and resources of the UNT Career Center for free. This is a lifetime service to you as a graduate of UNT. You are able to access the same services as any currently enrolled student. We are here to assist you whether just starting your job search or are thinking about a career change. Your connection to UNT does not have to end just because you graduated.

For a list of upcoming Career Center Activities, like workshops and career fairs, check out http://careercenter.unt.edu/events

UNT News Briefs

UNT faculty recognized for exceptional teaching, research

Seven UNT faculty members have been recognized as 2013 Distinguished Teaching Professors and Distinguished Research Professors.

UNT appoints new vice president for research

McCoy led Montana State University to $112 million research enterprise.

UNT chooses Barnes & Noble College for bookstore operations

UNT has signed an agreement with Barnes & Noble College as the new operator for the UNT Bookstore. Barnes & Noble College is set to take over operations of the university bookstore on Aug. 8.

Partner Profile

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions has helped millions of students prepare for standardized exams for over 70 years.  We are proud to be a corporate partner with the University of North Texas Alumni Association to offer special discounts and free events for members.  As a member, Kaplan students receive 10% off all comprehensive test prep course options to help you or a family member get into college or graduate school.  To take advantage of the discount, contact Kaplan at 1-800-KAP-TEST or visit www.kaptest.com and enter promo code: UNTALUM10

Calendar of Events

Colleges and Schools Highlights

College of Business

Business faculty member earns Fulbright award

Tomas Mantecon, associate professor of finance at UNT’s College of Business, has been chosen to participate in the Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program for the 2013-14 academic year.

College of Education

UNT faculty, students, chapter honored at ACA Conference

Four faculty members and four students from UNT’s College of Education were honored at the American Counseling Association’s annual conference in Cincinnati. In addition, the UNT chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the international honor society of professional counseling, also received recognition at the conference.

College of Information

Department of Learning Technologies  Advisory Board Meeting and Spring Fling Update

The first meeting of the recently formed College of Information Department of Learning Technologies Advisory Board meeting was held Friday, May 3^rd. The 12 Board members (4 of whom are department graduates) include the Executive Director of AECT, the CEO of the New Media Consortium, a Walden University Program Director, the VP for Outreach at Midwestern State University , the Associate VP for Instructional Technology at Texas State University, the Executive Director of the National Health Occupations Students of America, the CEO of a private educational technology consulting company, the former VP for Educational Research at Texas Instruments, a nationally known management consultant, the Executive Director of the USAF Personnel Center, a retired IBM Executive, and the Assistant Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs for the Tennessee Board of Regents. Eight of the 12 Board members were able to participate in the full-day meeting in person. Two more participated via video-conferencing. The other two sent regrets due to conflicting commitments made long ago but asked for feedback so as to be kept informed. Faculty member, Mickey Wircenski, coordinated the agenda and day’s events. By all accounts, the meeting was productive and ended with constructive recommendations to the department. Six specific recommendations for LT were provided at the end of the meeting:

Advisory Board members expressed their generally positive impressions of the department and their thanks for being asked to join the Board.

Many of the Board members stayed for the second annual LT Alumni Spring fling – co-organized by Cindy Trussell and Jurhee Curtis with the assistance of many others. More than 50 people participated in this year’s spring fling festivities which included alumni, students and faculty.

Mayborn School of Journalism

Deadline extended for Mayborn conference contest for high school, community college students

By writing down eyewitness accounts of history for the competition, students may receive scholarships to attend the 2013 Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference this summer. The deadline for the competition has been extended to Saturday, June 29.

Athletics

Check out the video unveiling the All-Century football team here!

2013 Football Schedule

The 2013 North Texas Mean Green football schedule of opponents has been released.  For additional information go to www.MeanGreenSports.com or visit http://www.conferenceusa.com/genrel/012313aab.html.

2013 Football Season Ticket Deposit

Book your deposit today!  Deposits are $50 per seat.  For additional information call (940)565-2527 or email TicketOffice@unt.edu or book online HERE

Scrappy’s Pals

North Texas Athletics is committed to providing groups in the community with opportunities to attend Mean Green sporting events.  Scrappy’s Pals is designed to offer at-risk youth, disabled person and disadvantaged youth the opportunity to experience the higher education atmosphere offered through Mean Green sporting events.  Find out how you can help support this program by contacting the North Texas Athletic Ticket Office at (940) 565-2527 or TicketOffice@unt.edu.

For Mean Green tickets, parking, tailgating, and Apogee Stadium information call 940-565-2527 or visit NorthTexasFanGuide.com.

Alumni Excursions

GREEK ISLES ODYSSEY – OCEANIA CRUISES
Athens to Istanbul (7 nights)
Date:    May 14–22, 2014   Riviera
Price:    From $2,499 per person double occupancy (Airfare included)

Discover incredible ancient wonders on this Aegean odyssey from Athens to Istanbul while cruising aboard the graceful Riviera, Oceania Cruise’s newest ship. Depart Athens and sail to the lovely Greek island of Santorini, a stunning natural spectacle of volcano-carved landscapes and blue-domed, whitewashed towns. Explore Turkey’s vibrant port city of Kusadasi, or visit the amazing ruins of Ephesus, a former Roman town that is now one of the best-preserved archaeological sites on the Mediterranean. Cruise to the island of Rhodes, world famous for its ancient Acropolis and former site of the legendary Colossus. Savor its picturesque fusion of medieval walls and archeological sites with sweeping, white sand beaches and dazzling, turquoise waters. Next stroll though Mykonos, a winding seaside maze of streets amid stark white homes dotted with brightly painted shutters and doors, before cruising to Kavala, home to neoclassical museums and a spectacular Byzantine fortress. Before your exceptional odyssey comes to a close, relish the impressive Blue Mosque, Topaki Palace and fascinating Grand Bazaar in Istanbul, the magnificent city astride two continents.

Click here to learn more and to register for the trip!

CANADA & NEW ENGLAND FALL FOLIAGE – OCEANIA CRUISES
New York to Montreal (12 nights)
Date:    September 16–28, 2014   Regatta
Price:    From $4,499 per person, double occupancy (Airfare included)

Invigorate your autumn with a lively splash of color as you sail the East Coast of North America aboard the elegant Oceania Cruises Regatta. Fiery orange, red and golden leaves dance in the breeze as you cruise the eastern shores from New York to Montreal. Visit mansion-covered Newport, Rhode Island, where Victorian, Colonial and Federal style homes hint at its past. Continue to Boston, one of America’s oldest and most influential cities, and then admire Victorian-filled neighborhoods and 19th-century architecture in the vibrant city of Portland. Experience more of Maine’s allure in the resort of Bar Harbor, a seaside paradise boasting stunning vistas of sparkling blue waters edging towering granite cliffs. Your voyage then continues to Canada: first to the picturesque harbor town of Saint John, New Brunswick; then to Halifax, Nova Scotia, a beautiful modern port city with a rich heritage. Uncover more of Nova Scotia’s fall foliage and charms along Sydney’s historic waterfront and take in the lovely, forested town of Corner Brook, Newfoundland, surrounded by ponds, coves and the Bay of Islands. The breathtaking beauty of nature reveals itself as you travel the scenic waterways of the St. Lawrence to Quebec City. Stroll the city’s historic streets that exude an unmistakable French ambiance and take in the grand Château Frontenac, before sailing on to Montreal, a city bursting with European charisma and home to Mount Royal—the three-peaked mountain from which the city takes its name. Although your cruise concludes in Montreal, the memories of these captivating port cities will remain as striking as autumn’s brilliant colors.

Click here to learn more and to register for the trip!

Quotes for Scholarships

Help others enjoy the advantages of a UNT education.

As a UNT alum, you know the value of a good education. Now you can help support other students’ goals through Liberty Mutual’s partnership with your alma mater. Simply get a free quote on Liberty Mutual auto, home or renters insurance between February 15^th and May 15th^. 1 For each individual quote, we will donate $5 directly into the UNT Alumni Association scholarship fund. And by insuring with Liberty Mutual you could save hundreds on quality auto, home and renters protection.²

Visit Liberty Mutual www.libertymutual.com/qfs-unt or call 855-323-2150 today for a free, no-obligation quote.