"The best inheritance is a college education. A degree cannot be lost or taken away."
- a wise parent
About UNT
When was UNT founded?
The university was founded in 1890 as a teacher’s college and has grown tremendously in the past century. UNT is the flagship university of the UNT System, which includes the UNT Health Science Center at Fort Worth and the future UNT at Dallas. The current UNT Dallas Campus, an extension of the flagship, will move to the first building on a new 264-acre campus in January 2007. In 2009, UNT at Dallas will become the city’s first public university.
Why did the university change its name from North Texas State University?
In 1988, the Texas Legislature approved the change of the name to reflect the university’s increasing stature as a research university with a thriving graduate school. Today, UNT offers 93 bachelor’s, 111 master’s and 50 doctoral degree programs.
Since enrollment is now more than 32,000, are any new buildings being constructed?
For several years, UNT has been planning for growth. Here is a summary of new buildings:
Opening soon
- Chestnut Hall — The 73,000-square-foot building housing a student health and wellness center, career center, and counseling and testing center will open in early 2007.
- Honors Hall and Legends Hall — Two residence halls housing a total of 550 students will open in Fall 2007. Honors Hall will be exclusively for Honors College students, and Legends Hall will be open to all students.
Opened in 2006
- Waranch Tennis Complex — The 12-court complex includes a clubhouse, office space and locker rooms for the Mean Green tennis team. It is also available for recreational play.
Opened in 2005
- Athletic Center — The 47,000-square-foot training facility includes offices and meeting rooms.
- Mean Green Village — Several women’s athletic facilities, including soccer and softball fields, are located at the village, in addition to an academic center for student-athletes.
Opened in 2004
- Chemistry Building —The 105,000-square-foot building includes state-of-the-art laboratories.
- Sorority Row — Five adjoining townhouses have a common area for chapter meetings.
- UNT Research Park — Four miles north of the main campus, the 553,000-square-foot facility houses the College of Engineering, nanotechnology and other research activities, and a business incubator.
- Victory Hall and Champs Dining Hall — The 600-bed residence hall and dining facility are just across I-35 from the main campus.
Other new buildings
- Pohl Recreation Center — The facility features lap and leisure pools, a soccer gym, a weight and fitness room, a walking/jogging track, aerobics rooms, a climbing wall and courts for basketball, volleyball and badminton, plus a deli.
- Traditions Hall — A 287-bed residence hall adjacent to Santa Fe Square is located between Fouts Field and West Hall.
Who are some of UNT’s successful former students?
- Dr. Hyun-Soon Chong,
- National Cancer Institute researcher
- Thomas Haden Church,
- Academy Award nominee for Sideways
- Joe Greene,
- NFL Hall of Fame member
- Norah Jones,
- eight-time Grammy-winning singer/songwriter
- Dr. Phil McGraw,
- talk show host
- Larry McMurtry,
- Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and Academy Award-winning screenwriter
- Jesús Bautista Moroles,
- nationally recognized granite sculptor
- Patricia Racette,
- soprano with the New York Metropolitan Opera
Parents may also remember other alums such as Pat Boone, Phyllis George, Don Henley and Roy Orbison.
What sports are offered at UNT?
The Division I-A Mean Green football team won the Sun Belt Conference championship four consecutive years from 2001 through 2004, as well as the New Orleans Bowl in 2002. Other men’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, and track and field. Women’s sports are basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, and volleyball. For details, visit the North Texas Athletics web site.
Is the UNT Dallas Campus the same as the main campus?
The UNT Dallas Campus opened in January 2000 and offers only junior-, senior- and graduate-level courses leading to bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees. The campus is located near the intersection of I-20 and Hampton Road. The current UNT Dallas Campus, an extension of UNT at Denton, will move to the first building on a new 264-acre campus in January 2007. In 2009, UNT at Dallas will become the city’s first public university.