UNT names Morton to system's governmental affairs office

The UNT System selected T.J. "Jack" Morton to serve in its new post of senior vice chancellor for governmental affairs beginning Jan. 14.

Morton previously served as associate vice chancellor for legal and public affairs for the Texas State University System, a multi-institution higher education system serving nearly 60,000 students at nine colleges and universities across the state.

Reporting to UNT System Chancellor Alfred F. Hurley and working primarily out of the system office in Austin, Morton will be responsible for leading the governmental affairs team in developing and strengthening crucial relationships with state officials. He also will work with elected officials, agencies and offices at local and federal levels.

Morton says strong governmental relationships are essential to increase recognition and support for the UNT System and its institutions.

Morton's primary responsibility for the Texas State University System centered on legislative representation.

Previously in private law practice, he represented clients before the Texas Department of Insurance, the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Railroad Commission, the Texas State Board of Medical Examiners, the Texas Workers Compensation Commission and other government agencies.

"Working in higher education has taught me success inevitably requires the ability to analyze issues, formulate policy and develop and articulate a unified course of action," he says. "I hope to use my experience to help build, organize and lead our teams to success in achieving the specific objectives and goals for the UNT System."

Hurley says Morton will be an asset to the UNT System.

"Jack Morton earned an admirable reputation in his governmental affairs role on behalf of the Texas State University System. All of us in this system who have seen him at work in Austin are very happy he was willing to join us. We expect that he will add considerably to that reputation as our senior vice chancellor," Hurley says.

Morton earned his bachelor's degree with honors in accounting from Stephen F. Austin State University in 1977. He also earned a juris doctor degree from the University of Texas School of Law in 1980.

The extensive statewide search that resulted in Morton's selection was launched last summer when Vice Chancellor for Governmental Affairs Walt Parker requested a reduction in his schedule to 60 percent for this year and 50 percent for 2002-03.

According to Hurley, Parker has made tremendous contributions since joining the North Texas administration in 1979 — after serving five consecutive terms representing Denton in the Texas Legislature.

The UNT System governmental affairs staff also includes Dan Jensen, associate vice chancellor for governmental affairs, who focuses primarily on the needs of the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth. Reymundo "Rey" Rodriguez Jr., who joined the system governmental affairs staff in January 2001 in time to help establish the UNT System office in Austin and to assist during the 77th legislative session, is assistant vice chancellor for governmental affairs.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

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• UNT faculty member to live Olympic dream
• Survey applauds UNT's copyright ownership policy
• Wanted: Your ideas for celebrations honoring UNT athletic accomplishments
• UNT to present film series with multicultural relations focus
• Pohl speaks about the status of 2002-03 raises
• Registration is going on now for the 2002 Equity and Diversity Conference

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