Verizon donates $50,000 to UNT's TAMS

Verizon Southwest recently donated $50,000 to UNT's Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science.

The gift from Verizon will help the academy create the Verizon Technology Center to replace an outdated computer laboratory in McConnell Hall, the residence hall designated for TAMS students.

The center will be dedicated in memory of Eugene L. "Buddy" Langley, vice president of Verizon's predecessor, GTE Southwest. Langley was a former member of the UNT Board of Regents and a key supporter of TAMS.

The new technology center will include 24 to 26 desktop computers, two new scanners, Adobe PageMaker and Photoshop software, firewall software to secure the computers from hackers and viruses, and a ceiling-mounted projector and screen.

Steve Banta, president of Verizon Southwest, says the gift not only helps to honor the memory of Langley, but also recognizes the educational value of TAMS.

"The academy provides a wonderful opportunity for students who excel in math and science. Verizon is pleased to provide the academy with funding for advanced technology equipment," he says.

Langley became a key player in establishing TAMS after he had previously raised funds to establish the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics during the 1970s when he was president of GTE Southeast in Durham, N.C.

In 1987, after becoming president of GTE Southwest, he rallied support for a mathematics and science program at UNT that resulted in Texas House Bill 2079 establishing TAMS. The following year, he organized a fund-raising campaign for TAMS that brought together more than 120 chief executive officers and leaders from throughout the region and the state. By December 1988, more than $500,000 had been raised for the academy's first operating year.

TAMS has since become a national model for residential math and science high schools. The academy, saw its 2,000th student graduate during its commencement ceremony on May 9.

Since 1993, 27 TAMS students have been named semifinalists or finalists for the Intel Science Talent Search, the nation's premier program to recognize high school student research in science, mathematics and engineering. In addition, more than 20 students have received Barry M. Goldwater Scholarships, which are considered among the country's most prestigious scholarships awarded to students planning careers in mathematics, science and engineering, and numerous students have received National Merit Scholarships.

Langley served as chair of the TAMS Advisory Board from the time the academy opened in 1988 until his death in 2001. He was a member of the UNT Board of Regents from 1989 to 1995.

Awarded an honorary doctor of humane letters degree by UNT in 1989, Langley and his wife, Dottie, were named honorary alumni of UNT in 1997 and of TAMS in 1998.

Richard Sinclair, TAMS dean, says Langley actively promoted TAMS to the local business community until his death.

"Honoring him with the technology center will assure that every TAMS student in the future knows about his many contributions to the academy," Sinclair says.

BY NANCY KOLSTI nkolsti@unt.edu

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• More changes on the way for UNT employee prescription drug plan
• UNT work attire standards relax as temperatures go up
• Faculty Senate holds final 2002-03 meeting
• UNT chancellor hits the books
• First Flight Week planned to help incoming freshmen learn about life on campus
• National String Project Consortium extends College of Music funding with $10,000 grant
• UNT holds first-of-its-kind bilingual education camp for high school students
• UNT professor: New Harry Potter book will continue inspiring reading, discussion between adults and children

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