Dear Alum,

This month, our university launched a new look for our web site that will provide UNT's thousands of virtual visitors with clear, easy-to-access information and reinforce your alma mater's growing reputation as a student-centered public research university.

The new site was designed with users in mind. It allows viewers to access information based on their UNT relationship (for example, alums) or explore resources organized by topic (for example, academics, research or news).

But the new look is more than just a pretty window into our university. It also allows for better findability in search engines, better access for people with disabilities and faster display for those using hand-held devices.

I'm proud of our new "digital reality" and of the hard working staff who made it possible. Visit us online and explore the new site at www.unt.edu.

Also, I thought you'd like to know that I recently received a letter from a family whose son felt particularly welcomed by staff members assisting in his transition to UNT after his New Orleans university was evacuated because of Hurricane Katrina. This parent's act of kindness in donating $10,000 to UNT was truly a surprise, but it did not surprise me to hear about his son's experiences with our dedicated and determined staff.

I'm constantly proud of all the people at UNT who continue to make our university great.

Best,
Norval

January 2006
STORIES BELOW

Win a UNT license plate, other goodies

Alumnus McMurtry earns Golden Globe

Engineering college receives new equipment

Campus eateries going high tech

Professor named sport psychologist for Olympic team

Cool link of the month:
KNTU

UNTRIVIA:
Where were North Texas' first classes held?

NTExes:
Rent UNT's living room

Win a UNT license plate, decal or T-shirt
Last month, I challenged you to get more involved in our university community. Now, I'd like to help you spread UNT green beyond our community by giving away some goodies. The first person to e-mail me will get a check for the $30 registration fee ($22 goes to UNT scholarships) for a UNT license plate (you still have to pay your own car registration -- I'm only paying for the UNT plate!). The next 100 responders will get UNT decals, and I'll randomly throw in a few T-shirts for good measure. To participate, e-mail me your address at presidentpohl@unt.edu.

Alumnus McMurtry earns Golden Globe
One of our shining alums, Larry McMurtry, earned a Golden Globe this month for his collaboration with Diana Ossana on the motion picture screenplay for Brokeback Mountain. A 1958 graduate and Pulitzer Prize winner, McMurtry also could be up for an Academy Award with Brokeback Mountain. His 1986 Pulitzer Prize was for Lonesome Dove. To read more, visit inhouse.unt.edu/index.cfm?commentID=39. To read a past North Texan story about McMurtry, visit www.unt.edu/northtexan/archives/s02/mm.htm.

Engineering college receives new equipment
Our College of Engineering recently partnered with Austin-based Freescale Semiconductor, which agreed to donate state-of-the-art technology and equipment to UNT's engineering technology program. The donated Microcontroller Student Learning Kits will enhance the department's curriculum and give students a more competitive edge in the job market. The equipment also will allow students to perform advanced level operations in analog and digital electronics. To read more, visit web2.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=9501.

UNT's eateries going high tech
Next time you visit campus, you might be surprised to see students paying for their eats with the touch of a fingertip. This month, UNT became one of two campuses nationwide to begin using technology that uses a biometric finger scan for purchases. The days of waiting in line behind someone fiddling in their pockets for loose change, credit or debit cards may be coming to an end. To read more, click the link below. inhouse.unt.edu/index.cfm?commentID=387

Professor named sport psychologist for Olympic team
Karen Cogan, an assistant professor of psychology, will attend her second Winter Olympics when she travels to Torino, Italy, in February with the U.S. Freestyle Mogul Team as one of several sport psychologists on hand to provide support to the athletes and coaches. In 2002, she was right at the start of the mogul course at the Salt Lake City Winter Olympics when two Americans became silver medalists in freestyle mogul. To read more, visit web2.unt.edu/news/story.cfm?story=9536.

Cool link of the month: Listen Live to KNTU
On UNT's own radio station, KNTU FM 88.1, you'll hear everything from big band to Dixieland to classic jazz performers, as well as today's up-and-coming musicians. KNTU, which began its mostly jazz format in the mid-1980s, is on the air from 6 a.m. to midnight every day. Listen live at www.kntu.unt.edu.

UNTRIVIA: Where were North Texas' first classes held?

a. Denton County Courthouse
b. Texas & Pacific Rail Outlet
c. B.J. Wilson Hardware Store
d. Missouri, Kansas and Texas Rail Outlet

Answer

Exes invite you to rent the university's living room
If you are looking for a location for your next business meeting or social function, the North Texas Exes Center might be the perfect spot. The center, which features a large kitchen, is available year-round for up to 200 people. To learn more, call (940) 565-2834 or e-mail alumni@unt.edu. To learn more about the Exes and how you can get involved, visit www.ntexes.org.

Spread the word! If you enjoy this e-mail newsletter and know a fellow alum or UNT loyalist who also might benefit from it, please forward it on. Anyone can sign up at http://www.unt.edu/president/insider.

North Texas Insider is an e-mail digest of fun and interesting facts about the university brought to you by the Office of the President and created by UNT's Division of University Relations, Communications and Marketing. If you no longer wish to receive the newsletter, simply go to http://www.unt.edu/president/insider. You also may write to North Texas Insider, University of North Texas, P.O. Box 311070, Denton 76203-1070, or drop by the Hurley Administration Building (Room 360) at 1501 Chestnut Street, Denton.0, or drop by the Hurley Administration Building at 1501 Chestnut Street, Denton.

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