Building a Lasting Legacy
"I'm proud that I went to school at UNT. I truly earned an education there; it wasn't just a degree."
Kristin Farmer ('95 M.Ed.), UNT scholarship recipient and president and CEO of Autism Comprehensive Educational Services
When Kristin Farmer (’95 M.Ed.)received a full scholarship to attend the University of North Texas and earn her master’s in education, it was a life-changing moment.
Given freedom to study without financial worry, she learned from experienced, passionate educators in a program that focuses on hands-on learning. And she discovered her calling to teach students with autism.
In 1996, Farmer founded Autism Comprehensive Educational Services, a system of California-based educational centers that teaches life skills to individuals with autism. Working with school districts and families, ACES has served more than 2,000 people.
Farmer is just one of many alumni who use their UNT education every day to make a difference.
Frank Spencer (’44), a Marine surgeon whose innovative arterial repairs in the Korean War combat zone saved limbs, became the chair of surgery at New York University and a pioneer in coronary bypass surgery. G. Brin Ryan (’88, ’88 M.S.), who earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in accounting, founded America’s largest independent state and local tax consulting firm, Ryan Inc. Richard Gonzalez (’90), a first-generation college graduate, became a successful entrepreneur and Honorary Consul of Paraguay. He founded Phoneraiser, a company that works with organizations nationwide to recycle cell phones and printer cartridges to raise money for nonprofits, including The Chiapas Project’s Recycle to Eradicate Poverty microfinance program.
These alumni — and many more — are committed to expanding UNT’s legacy by giving back to the University. Through financial gifts and volunteer service on boards and in the classroom, UNT alumni support the University’s growth and keep the UNT legacy strong.
Thanks in large part to the generosity of alumni such as these, UNT has received more than $87 million in the last four years in gifts and commitments that will further the University’s excellence.
UNT alumni are the University’s richest legacy. Their work expands UNT’s impact. Their continued support opens doors for students today and tomorrow.