Perry McNeill: Serving UNT students and residents of Denton

	Perry McNeill is a man of many callings. He has served for years on the UNT engineering technology faculty and in recent years has served Denton residents as a member of the City Council.

Perry McNeill, professor of engineering technology, took tests to determine what possible career fields best suited him while he was in the U.S. Air Force in the 1950s. As a result, his military adviser suggested he run heavy equipment rather than attend college. Four degrees and several decades later, he is glad he didn't listen to that advice.

The West Virginia native has traveled the world, from an outpost in Turkey to Brazil, Yemen, Algeria and Indonesia.

McNeill, who once lived in California and graduated from high school in Honolulu, has traveled throughout the United States as well – as a child with his parents and as an adult with his wife, June, whom he married 47 years ago last month. He credits her as the greatest influence in his life, his voice of reason. They have raised two daughters, have five grandchildren and recently welcomed their first great-grandchild.

A professional engineer licensed in Texas and Oklahoma, McNeill was a member of the faculty at Oklahoma State University until 1988. He also earned his associate's, bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees there.

In 1989, he brought his teaching talent and expertise to UNT. Since that time, he has envisioned and helped accomplish many goals for the engineering technology program.

"I've always hoped to see UNT develop a separate college of engineering," he notes.

His hope became a reality on April 18, 2002, when the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board unanimously approved the university's application to establish an engineering college at UNT.

Though McNeill went on modified service at the university in 2002, he has not slowed down and continues teaching in the engineering technology department.

Michael Kozak, associate professor of engineering technology, says, "No one comes close to Perry McNeill in the energy and determination he brings to his teaching and research."

In the area of community relations, McNeill's interests have spread into city politics. He was elected to a seat on the Denton City Council in 2001, hoping to contribute to the community. He was re-elected this year and currently is serving in the 4th District. While he has worked with the city council, Denton has realized many goals, including construction of a recreational water park and a series of road improvements.

McNeill is an avid reader who also enjoys the History Channel and National Geographic Explorer. His other interests include dining at different restaurants throughout the area, trying new foods whenever possible.

He believes that education is the key to personal success.

"As an educator, you are successful when you see a program grow and your graduates benefit from their education," he explains.

BY ROBIN FLETCHER inhouse@unt.edu

Other featured articles in this issue:

• Regents approve 2004 budget, 2 percent raise pool for faculty, staff
• UNT announces tuition task force, seeks to create guaranteed tuition rates
• UNT to petition Texas Education Agency for virtual charter school authority
• UNT offices moving to, from and within the Hurley Administration Building
• UNT Observatory to provide up-close view of Mars
• New Fouts Field scoreboard, videoboard to be finished in time for first home game
• Agreement links UNT, Ukranian university
• Faculty members honored at annual convocation
• Dance, theatre arts tickets on sale soon

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