V. Lane Rawlins

Dear Alum,

I'm a strong believer in the power of education to enhance the quality of one's life and career. A college education is an important investment, with rewards that far outweigh the costs.

There is no better time to consider returning to UNT to advance your career, start a new career path or recommend that your friends and children study here. As you may know, UNT is fast becoming a place for superior education and scholarship because of our deep commitment to advancing educational excellence with high-quality faculty and an excellent, supportive environment. We are committed to providing an affordable education that is on par with the best public research universities.

We have many nationally ranked programs for those wanting to continue their education and for those just starting out. Our graduate programs include online programs, professional science master's programs and graduate academic certificate programs that allow one to enhance their job skills or start a new career in a way that suits their schedule and needs. We also offer professional certification programs such as UNT’s private investigator certificate program, which was recently ranked as one of the top five such programs in the nation. And our many undergraduate degree programs allow students to pursue virtually any career while gaining valuable hands-on experience in research and scholarship.

As you can see, UNT is a great place to earn a degree. If you're a parent of a college-age student, you and your child can explore our campus at UNT Preview April 28 to get a glimpse of campus life and see why UNT is the right place to be.

More than ever, UNT is determined to provide a green light to greatness for our students by giving them a high-quality education in a supportive environment that helps them successfully learn and grow.

Sincerely,
V. Lane Rawlins
President

Features

Students celebrate during UNT International Week.

Moving Forward: UNT ranked a top institution for international student enrollment

UNT is focused on becoming a global leader in education and research, and we've been recognized nationally for our progress. UNT recently was ranked among the top 50 institutions for hosting international students in the Institute of International Education's Open Doors 2011 report. Open Doors, supported by a grant from the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State, is a comprehensive resource for international students and scholars. The recognition speaks to our continued efforts in the global community, which include UNT's recent partnership with higher education institutions in India to lay the groundwork for new internship programs, faculty research collaborations and student recruitment -- all of which will strengthen UNT and prepare our students to compete in the global marketplace.

Athletic Director Rick Villarreal (right) names Mike Petersen (left) head coach of women's basketball.

Mike Petersen hired as women's basketball coach

Athletics is an important part of campus life at UNT, and having a talented women's basketball coach to lead us to more victories on the court is invaluable. Athletic Director Rick Villarreal has named Mike Petersen as the new head coach of Mean Green women's basketball. He replaces former head coach Karen Aston, who left UNT to become head coach of the women's basketball program at the University of Texas at Austin. Petersen joins UNT from Wake Forest University where he was the winningest coach in the program's history. As a coaching veteran, he brings more than 30 years of experience to the Mean Green program, including three seasons as the head coach at Texas Christian University. His other career achievements include being one of three inductees into the Northwest Christian College inaugural Athletics Hall of Fame.

Physics researchers advancing infrared technology

Two physics researchers' studies on infrared technology could help soldiers locate enemy forces with infrared-equipped smartphones and allow everyday drivers to navigate evening commutes with the assistance of thermal video screens. With two grants totaling $1 million, Chris Littler, professor of physics, and A.J. Syllaios, a UNT researcher and senior engineering fellow at L-3 Communications, are investigating how changes in temperature and other properties affect the electrical conductivity of thin wafers of amorphous silicon, the non-crystalline allotropic form of silicon that has been used in thermal cameras. They hope their research will make this technology cheaper to produce, allowing it to become more accessible to everyday drivers.

SWOOP students work with the ad agency's creators, Sheri Broyles and Bill Ford.

On-campus media agency gives students job experience

SWOOP, UNT's new student-managed advertising and public relations agency, is preparing students for the next stage after college -- the job market. Opened in fall 2011, the agency creates on-campus opportunities for students to gain valuable experience working on projects for actual clients. Students who major in advertising and public relations can earn practicum credits by working at the agency or students of other majors can work as volunteers. Students in SWOOP, which is part of UNT's Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, provide a full list of services, including branding, graphic design, social media and advertising and public relations.

David Hoeinghaus

Faculty Focus: David Hoeinghaus

David Hoeinghaus, assistant professor of biology, focuses his research on ecological theory and seeks to test and advance current ecological concepts. He links his findings to pressing problems in conservation biology and the sustainable use of natural resources. His groundbreaking work has contributed to UNT's legacy in water research. Dr. Hoeinghaus, an ecologist who does much of his work in Brazil, recently teamed up with other UNT researchers for a National Science Foundation funded project to study aquatic ecosystems and water sustainability along the Trinity River basin. As researchers in UNT's Institute of Applied Science, the team looked at the upper Trinity River basin as a model system facing rapid urbanization and increased reliance on surface water.

Traditions: SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society

UNT is ranked among the top schools for veterans to earn a degree, and those who excel in their education receive support through the UNT chapter of the SALUTE Veterans National Honor Society. The honor society recognizes American active military and student veterans who show exemplary work in their academic careers by maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or higher as an undergraduate and a GPA of 3.5 or higher as graduate student. UNT's chapter inducts new members each fall and spring. Each new member receives a certificate, a challenge coin and a medallion to be worn at commencement. UNT has continually been recognized as a Military Friendly School and is ranked among the best schools for veterans by national publications because of the support we provide to more than 2,500 veterans and their dependents through the UNT Veterans Center.

Featured Link: The North Texan

Read about how some alumni are working together in innovative business partnerships in the spring issue of The North Texan, the university's quarterly magazine for alumni and friends. And be sure to watch "Crazy Girl," a video by the Eli Young Band, whose members are alumni featured in the cover story. The song earned Song of the Year at the 47th Academy of Country Music Awards. Also find out how UNT's Honors College has propelled alumni into successful careers at northtexan.unt.edu.

UNT Alumni Association

Meet up at the UNT Alumni Association Pavilion from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. April 21 for the association's free tailgating party for alumni, students and friends of the university before the annual spring Green and White scrimmage game. Coach Dan McCarney and the Mean Green football team will be on the field at 2 p.m. to play in UNT's LEED Platinum-certified Apogee Stadium. Located at the northeast entrance of the stadium, the 2,000 square-foot alumni pavilion is the perfect place to gather for gameday festivities with three high-definition televisions, misting fans, food/beverage station, great views of the stadium and other amenities. Learn more about the alumni association by visiting www.UNTalumni.com or contact the alumni association at alumni@unt.edu or 940-565-2834.