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 Dallas.
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 97 bachelor’s, 101 master’s and 49 doctoral degree programs.
Since enrollment is now more than 36,000, are any new buildings being constructed?
For several years, UNT has been planning for growth. Here is a summary of new buildings:
Construction under way
- Life Sciences Building — A new $33.2 million, 81,000-square-foot building that will connect with the Biology Building and include 24,000 square feet of research labs. It is scheduled to open in December 2009.
- Business Leadership Complex — Flexible classroom spaces, cutting-edge technology and a global learning emphasis will be the hallmarks of this $60 million building for business students.
Opened in 2007
- Chestnut Hall — The 74,000-square-foot building houses the Student Health and Wellness Center, Career Center, the Student Money Management Center, and Counseling and Testing Services.
- Honors Hall — A residence hall exclusively for Honors College students that features study rooms with library access, a computer lab and music practice rooms.
- Legends Hall — A 276-bed residence hall open to all students with semi-private and private rooms and is located near the Pohl Recreation Center.
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 for coaches and support staff and meeting rooms.
- Mean Green Village — Located off Bonnie Brae Street south of Interstate 35E, the village features playing venues for the women’s soccer, volleyball and softball teams and an academic center for athletes.
Other recent additions
- Chemistry Building — The 107,000-square-foot building includes state-of-the-art laboratories.
- Discovery 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.
- 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.
Who are some of UNT’s successful former students?
Dr. Hyun-Soon Chong, College professor conducting cancer research
Thomas Haden Church, Emmy Award winner for the movie Broken Trail; 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 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?
UNT’s Division I-A athletic program features six men’s sports (football, basketball, cross country, golf, and indoor and outdoor track and field) and 10 women’s sports (basketball, cross country, golf, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, tennis, indoor and outdoor track and field, and volleyball). The men’s basketball team played in the 2007 NCAA Tournament after winning the Sun Belt Conference title during the 2006-07 season. For more details, visit www.meangreensports.com.