April 19, 2002 UNT Inhouse publication: UNT VP for administrative affairs to retire

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UNT VP for administrative affairs to retire

After 22 years at UNT, Frederick "Fred" R. Pole, UNT vice president for administrative affairs and UNT System vice chancellor for administration, has announced plans to retire effective Aug. 31.

Pole took over his present position in February 1982 when Alfred F. Hurley left the post to become UNT's 12th president and chancellor of the UNT System. Pole's first assignment at UNT was as executive assistant to the president and, later, he served as vice president for external affairs. While continuing to serve in his university vice presidency, Pole accepted additional system responsibilities when the board of regents appointed him as UNT System vice chancellor for administration in October 1999.

Since moving into the administrative area, Pole has served the UNT regents, the chancellor and the university president in taking oversight and implementation responsibility for the most comprehensive update of the Campus Master Plan in UNT history.

"Fred Pole has done an extraordinary job for UNT in so strongly leading the physical development of the campus and in overseeing so effectively such administrative areas as human resources and the police department," says Hurley. "It will be very difficult to replace Fred because of the richness of his background, and his wide array of skills and his unfailing commitment to the success of UNT and the UNT System."

During Pole's 20 years in administrative affairs, UNT has invested more than $285 million in construction and renovation to expand and update its facilities. Most recently, he focused considerable effort on planning that led to the March 14 groundbreaking for construction of the 137,000-square-foot, $31 million Student Recreation Center that will open in fall 2003.

Major construction projects completed under his direction include: the new Gateway Center (completed December 2001); the state-of-the-art Murchison Performing Arts Center (completed 1999); the 18,000-square-foot Speech and Hearing Clinic (completed 1999); the 117,000-square-foot Environmental Education, Science and Technology Building (completed 1998); and the 77,000-square-foot Eagle Student Services Center (completed 1997).

In addition to new construction on the UNT campus, Pole orchestrated a number of significant renovation projects, including extensive work on Chilton Hall (completed 1985) and the Radio, TV, Film, and Performing Arts Building (reopened fall 2001).

"Fred's contributions to this campus are very visible, and we appreciate everything he has accomplished during his tenure, not just the physical changes he has overseen, but also his strong university spirit and community involvement," says Norval Pohl, UNT president.

Given the breadth of the administrative affairs position and the vision for the university's future, UNT President Norval Pohl is considering how to fill Pole's duties in the administrative structure.

Considering all projects completed during his tenure, Pole says he takes pleasure in all of them and especially in the major renovations to Chilton Hall. "Built in 1939, the facility had served well and faithfully, but it was long overdue for restoration in the 1980s. With innovative planning and design the building was transformed into a source of pride for the entire campus," he says.

Among Pole's other accomplishments are:

developing the model and negotiating the land lease that led to the construction of the hotel that is now the Radisson Hotel and Conference Center;
developing the model and negotiating the details that resulted in the construction of the campus parking garage;
supervising the development of an extensive environmental and risk management program;
directing development of model human resource customer service programs;
directing the development of model campus police, security, parking and transportation programs; and
launching a campuswide beautification program.

An active citizen in the Denton community, Pole has represented UNT in civic and business activities throughout his 22 years in the area. He is former chairman of the board for the Denton Chamber of Commerce and was the 2001 recipient of the Otis Fowler Award, which is the highest civic recognition bestowed by the chamber. He continues to represent UNT as an ex-officio member of the chamber.

In addition, he is a current member and former chairman of the board of trustees of Denton Community Hospital. He is former campaign chairman and a life member of Denton County United Way Board of Directors. He serves on the advisory board of Texas Bank in Denton and served on the board of trustees of the Hockaday School in Dallas for six years.

Pole came to UNT in July of 1980 after serving 27 years in the U.S. Army. He was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers, branch transferred to the Adjutants General Corps and retired in the grade of colonel.

He is a graduate of the Army War College and the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, with degrees from the University of Nebraska and Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania, and advanced management study at Harvard University and at the University of Texas at Austin Graduate School of Business.

Pole and his wife, Barbara — who is a volunteer with several community programs — will continue to live in Denton. They plan to focus on family, travel and community service.