University of North Texas

Alton Thibodeaux Jr., 69, died June 6 in Denton. He served UNT from 1972-1992.

Thibodeaux was founding director of the Office of Equal Opportunity and the university’s first African American Equal Opportunity Officer. He also was assistant director of financial aid. He retired in 1992 as associate vice president for equity and diversity. In 1993, he was named an honorary alumnus, and the Alton Thibodeaux Scholarship was established in honor of his work at UNT. The Student Government Association also established the Alton Thibodeaux Leadership Diversity Award. 

Thibodeaux was honorary co-chair of UNT’s yearlong observance of its 50th anniversary of desegregation and was a committee member for the annual Emerald Ball, which raises funds for the Emerald Eagle Scholars program. 

Thibodeaux was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Shepherd Thibodeaux, an associate dean in the College of Business.