New state rep speaks at Fall 2000 commencement

Myra Crownover, the newly elected state representative for Texas House District 64, presented the commencement address to members of the Fall 2000 graduating class Dec. 16. About 1,800 students received degrees during ceremonies throughout the day.

During the general convocation, two honorary degrees were awarded. William W. "Bill" Winspear, the founder, president and chief executive officer of Dallas-based Associated Materials Inc. received an honorary doctor of performing arts degree. Frances Brannen Vick, who served as director of the UNT Press from 1989 until her retirement in August, received an honorary doctor of humane letters degree.

Following the general convocation, ceremonies were held in the Coliseum for UNT's individual schools and colleges.

Crownover, whose district includes the UNT campus, was elected to her first full term in the Texas Legislature in November. The seat was held previously by her husband, Dr. Ronny Crownover, a 1969 graduate of UNT who died of complications due to leukemia in March. She earned the right to complete his unexpired term by winning a special election in May.

Winspear and his wife, Margot, are known throughout North Texas for their support of the region's arts and cultural and civic organizations. Since 1975, they have supported numerous North Texas students in music, music education and music literature. In that effort, they have made UNT's College of Music one of their biggest beneficiaries.

Their most recent gift ($2 million in 1998) covered construction costs for completion of the Lyric Theater in UNT's state-of-the-art Murchison Performing Arts Center. Winspear Hall in the new center is named in their honor. The gift continues to fund eight annual scholarships for deserving music students.

Vick helped establish the UNT Press in 1987 and served as its co-director until 1989. Under her leadership, the UNT Press emerged as one of the most successful university presses in Texas.

More than 25 national and regional award winners are among some 170 books published during Vick's years at the UNT Press. Those awards include recognitions from the Texas Historical Commission, the New York Public Library, the American Library Association, the National Cowboy Hall of Fame and the San Antonio Conservation Society.

BY RODDY WOLPER rwolper@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue

• Retired football coach Gene Stallings joins UNT as athletics consultant
• Updates from the president
• Campus construction continues
• Physics professor works to improve accuracy
• Weather closing information
• Two TAMS students have promising year ahead
• UNT beats SECC $100,000-goal by $28,172
• Network set to accommodate students

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