Daniel Spears, assistant professor in the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management, has traveled extensively in South Asia. He came to UNT from Hawaii, and offers travel tips for domestic and international excursions this summer.

What is your title?
Assistant professor in the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management.

How long have you worked at UNT?
Two years.

What is your area of expertise?
My areas of expertise include tourist consumption and activity behavior, tourism development and sustainability in small island destinations and tourism marketing. Recent projects include a study that identifies and evaluates those cultural, heritage and historical resources that exist in the Republic of the Marshall Islands and how these resources can advance tourism development and marketing. Another current study is focused on sustainable tourism development for the Northern Marshall Islands of Bikini and Rongelap Atolls. Previous and ongoing research has been focused on exploring shopping as a travel driving force, spending behaviors of Japanese tourists and cross-cultural consumption behavior of tourists.

Where have you traveled?
I’ve been all over the place. I have lived and worked in 11 different states. I am originally from Las Vegas, Nev. Professional travel has taken me to the Republic of the Marshall Islands, left, Palau, American Samoa, Vietnam, China and Taiwan.

What makes someone a good travel citizen?
People need to learn about the relevant culture, geographical area, local customs, beliefs and religion to be a good travel citizen. Understand your impact on the destination. Be environmentally conscious and aware of your footprint while visiting a destination. Minimize your negative impact, including what you consume when at your destination, the type of activities you do as well as understanding what environmental and socio-cultural impacts your visit has on the host community.

Human Resources will begin employee education sessions about the new compensation program in June. Find a schedule below. Register for training (continue to the page, despite the warning.)

Multiple sessions over several months will introduce employees to the new structure, philosophy, policies and procedures. Sessions will be held in one hour increments. This first session will provide an overview of a career band model and the new pay plan structure.

Staff employees are expected to attend the employee educational sessions. Supervisors should ensure that their employees are able to attend one of the scheduled sessions.

Managers, supervisors and any other administrators who supervise regular staff (part-time and full-time) will be required to attend a supervisor/manager session. Supervisory roles are those that have official, formal management responsibility of other staff positions (hiring, performance reviews, and salary decisions). They do not include positions that oversee students, hourly positions, or serve in a lead worker or back-up capacity.

Online registration is required at https://www.hr.unt.edu/main/forms/training/TrainingRegForm.php.

Employees without access to online registration may contact Human Resources at 940-565-4246 or 940-565-3885 to register.

Learn more from the Staff Classification and Compensation Project webpage, which will be updated with FAQs resulting from these educational sessions. Questions also may be submitted form the website.

Mandatory sessions for supervisors and managers; register online (continue to the page.)

• June 4, ESSC 255, 3-4 p.m.
• June 5, ESSC 255, 2-3 p.m.
• June 11 Marquis 118, 3-4 p.m.
• June 12 Marquis 118, 9-10a.m.
• June 15, Chilton 245, 10-11 a.m. 
• June 15, Dallas Campus 222, videoconference, 10-11 a.m.
• June 15, Discovery Park, D201 3-4 p.m.
• June 16, Marquis 118, 1-2 p.m.
• June 17, Marquis 118, 3-4 p.m.
• June 18, Marquis 118, 10-11 a.m.
• June 18, Discovery Park B185, 3-4 p.m.
• June 19, Marquis 118, 2-3 p.m.

Voluntary sessions for employees; register online (continue to the page)

•  June 22, ESSC 255, 9-10 a.m.
•  June 23, ESSC 255, 10-11 a.m.
•  June 24, ESSC 255, 11-12 p.m.
•  June 25, ESSC 255, 2-3 p.m.
•  June 26, Dallas Campus 222, videoconference, 3-4 p.m.
•  June 26, Chilton 245, 3-4-p.m.
• June 30, Discovery Park B185, 10-11 a.m.

The annual Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Writers Conference features award-winning writers whose topics have been pumpkins, Cuba and politics. Which Mayborn headliner is known for riding trains?

A. Ira Glass
B. Bill Minutaglio
C. Paul Theroux
D. Alma Guillermoprieto

The correct answer is C: Paul Theroux. Theroux, right, has written more than 40 novels, short stories and essays. Although his fiction has received international acclaim, he arguably is best known for his train travel through China (Riding the Red Rooster), South America (The Old Patagonia Express) and Asia (The Great Railway Bazaar and Ghost Train to the Eastern Star.) Theroux’s travel books are unsentimental observations about cultures, literature and people. 

Enter to win a UNT T-shirt gift pack and shopping bag – perfect for holding those books you’ll want to read before and after the conference. Send an e-mail to inhouse@unt.edu with “Mayborn” in the subject line by 5 p.m. June 5. Winners will be selected at random from all responses.

Learn more about the conference. Then, head for the Willis Library or your favorite bookstore and explore works recommended by George Getschow, writer-in-residence in the Department of Journalism. See Extended Entry for Getschow's suggestions. 

The Garden of Honor, monuments to honor societies for academic programs housed at Discovery Park, was dedicated May 21. From left, J. Scott Wallace, president, Wells Fargo community banking; Mitty Plummer, associate professor of engineering technology; Rollie Schafer, professor of biological sciences; President Gretchen M. Bataille, Provost Wendy K. Wilkins and Costas Tsatsoulis, dean of the College of Engineering; Elizabeth Figa, associate professor of library and information science; Rick Reidy, chair of materials science engineering. (Photos by Jonathan Reynolds)

About 3,500 students received bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees during spring commencement ceremonies May 15-16. Above, left, Provost Wendy K. Wilkins and President Gretchen M. Bataille lead the undergraduate ceremony academic processional in the Coliseum. Right, proud graduates enjoy their achievement. (Photos by Jonathan Reynolds)

(Editor's Note: The bill was not considered by the House of Representatives before the regular session ended June 1.)

(Editor's Note: The Texas Senate approved SB 1164 by a 20-10 vote May 19. Passage by the Texas House remains uncertain. Find a report in the Austin American-Statesman.)

The Faculty Senate has endorsed a resolution opposing proposed legislation that would allow firearms to be brought on campus. The senate unanimously approved the resolution by voice vote at its May 13 meeting.

The resolution states:
The Faculty Senate of the University of North Texas hereby resolves to oppose any legislative measure that removes or weakens the current ban on possessing firearms while on a campus or related facility of a Texas public college or university.

Two bills (HB 1893 and SB 1164) introduced during the 81st Texas Legislature will allow those with a concealed-carry license to bring handguns onto college campuses. Proponents of the bills say the measure would be a deterrent to campus shootings such as those in 2007 at Virginia Tech University and in 2008 at Northern Illinois University. Opponents say that public campuses have ample police protection from university and other law enforcement agencies.

The Student Government Association condemned the legislation, as did the Texas Council of Faculty Senates. The council’s resolution says that such legislation “threatens our ability to create and maintain a safe, open learning environment for students, faculty and staff.”

The House bill, HB 1893, missed procedural deadline for a vote. The Senate bill, SB 1164 remains on the legislative calendar. The session ends June 1.

See Extended Entry for the full text of the Faculty Senate resolution.

Congratulations to this week’s randomly selected winners who responded to last week's InHouse prize giveaways.

• Jeri Takimoto, team manager, Computer Information and Technology Center
• Christopher Horiates, computer support specialist, University Union
• Iva Zimmerman, academic advisor, College of Visual Arts and Design
• Marjorie Donzello, administrative services officer, Institutional Research and Effectiveness
• Jennifer Grund, academic advisor, College of Visual Arts and Design

Every week, the InHouse e-mail box explodes. Figuratively, of course. Within 30 seconds of sending the weekly e-mail newsletter, more than 100 people respond to opportunities to win prizes. Additional entries arrive throughout the week. We’re glad you are reading. And we're happy we can give away free, cool stuff.

Winners are randomly chosen from all responses. Prizes include UNT T-shirt gift packs and free tickets to concerts, sports and other campus activities that are generously provided by event sponsors and departments.

InHouse is the electronic newsletter that is always online and is regularly updated with news about events and strategic activities at UNT. The formatted version is e-mailed to faculty and staff each week, usually on Wednesdays. Click on headlines, which link to continuously updated postings, to find the complete article and its links to related information.

May 19, 2009

Dear UNT community members,

As part of our culture of success, UNT has the opportunity to recognize those whose efforts have led to extraordinary achievements and bettered our lives. These accomplishments may be exhibited in many areas whether through the professions, arts, humanities, science, or community service.

We have a newly revised policy that allows faculty, staff, students and alumni to nominate outstanding individuals to receive honorary UNT degrees. The policy allows us to confer honorary degrees on individuals whose successes and contributions deserve recognition and our appreciation.

Recipients must be individuals whose successes and contributions demonstrate:
• Eminence in the course of a career, in intellectual, scholarly or creative activity;
• National or international recognition and contributions that have enhanced society or enriched a particular group;
• Noteworthy association or relationship with UNT and its mission and purpose.

The honorary degree committee will meet the third week of every February, May and September to review nominations. To be considered for selection, nominations must be submitted to the Office of the President by the Monday of the preceding week.

These honorary degrees allow UNT to recognize those who have gone above and beyond in contributing to society or to the university and who have exhibited our Eagle virtues in doing so. I encourage you to nominate those individuals whose achievements and impacts have contributed to the betterment of our university, our community and our world.

With green pride,

Gretchen M. Bataille
UNT President

Watch out for exuberant graduates, proud families and friends and lots of traffic in the Coliseum area May 23 through June 16. Twenty-three North Texas high schools have selected the Coliseum as the site for commencement.

The busiest time will be the weekend of June 5-7, when 10 high schools celebrate graduation. 

Here is a schedule:

Lake Dallas, 3 p.m., May 23
Aubrey, 10 a.m., May 30
Winfree Academy, 2 p.m., May 31
Allen, 7 p.m., June 2
Coppell, 4 p.m., June 3
Argyle, 8 p.m., June 3
Decatur, 5 p.m., June 4
Sanger, 8 p.m., June 4
Denton Ryan, 1 p.m., June 5
Denton, 4:30 p.m., June 5
Guyer, 8 p.m., June 5
The Colony, 10 a.m., June 6
Hebron, 2 p.m., June 6
Flower Mound, 6 p.m. June 6
Newman Smith, 9 a.m., June 7
R.L. Turner, 1 p.m., June 7
Creekview, 4 p.m., June 7
Ranchview, 7 p.m., June 7
Marcus, 4 p.m., June 8
Lewisville, 8 p.m., June 8
Northwest, 4 p.m. June 9
Gainesville, 7 p.m., June 9
Ponder, 8 p.m., June 10

The majority of Metroplex residents believe that the seriousness of the H1N1 flu (swine flu) is generally exaggerated, researchers found.

Paul Ruggiere, director of the UNT Survey Research Center, oversaw the survey, which was conducted by telephone at the center’s Denton telephone facility. A total of 697 respondents, age 18 or older, participated between May 4 and May 14. The poll included residents of Dallas, Tarrant, Collin and Denton counties.

The survey found that 58 percent of Metroplex residents believe that the seriousness of the swine flu is exaggerated, 33 percent believe the seriousness is generally correct and 9 percent believe the seriousness is generally underestimated.

Regardless of their opinion of the seriousness of the swine flu, Metroplex residents did alter their behaviors to avoid contracting it:

• 71 percent reported washing their hands more frequently.
• 29 percent reported that they avoided public gatherings and 14 percent had cancelled plans to attend a public gathering.
• 14 percent of the respondents with children reported that their children’s school had been cancelled. An additional 4 percent of the parents with children kept them home even though school was not cancelled.
• 7 percent had cancelled travel plans.

Find information about UNT's response to flu. 
Learn more from Ruggiere at 940-367-8829 or paul.ruggiere@unt.edu.

UNT has become a favorite for transfer students, thanks in part to its efforts to help them earn a degree. About 7,500 new students enrolled in Fall 2008. How many were transfers?

A. About one-third of the new enrollees, or 2,500
B. More than 50 percent: 3,800
C. Ten percent; 750
D. About 500

The correct answer is B: more than 50 percent of the new enrollees. The number of new students in Fall 2008 totaled 7,424, including 3,890 transfer students. Transfer students represented 52.4 percent of the new enrollees. The total fall enrollment was 34,796, a record-setting number for the eighth consecutive year. 

Enter to win a free UNT T-shirt gift pack by sending an e-mail to inhouse@unt.edu with “Transfer” in the subject line by 5 p.m. May 22. Winners will be selected at random from all entries.

Transfer students enroll at UNT in part because the university has established programs and services to help them succeed. In 2008, four-year transfer students have a 63.4 percent graduation rate, and two-year transfer students, a 26.8 graduation rate.

UNT's  expertise has not gone unnoticed. The university is ranked first in Texas and in the top 10 nationally for transfer students by U.S. News and World Report in the 2008 edition of "America’s Best Colleges."

UNT’s experience and institutional knowledge of transfer programs led it to establish the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students and to host the first statewide Texas Transfer Success conference May 22 at Texas Motor Speedway. 
 
• Learn more about the conference.

By the time that U.S. television broadcasts are switched from analog to digital signals on June 12, an estimated 22 million digital-to-analog converter boxes, left, will be purchased by Americans. These boxes could consume more than 3 billion kilowatt hours per year and cost Americans $270 million annually in additional electricity bills, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.

In a project led by researchers at UNT's Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning, middle school students will test the energy efficiency of  boxes and other household appliances and electrical devices. The results will be used to build models of energy consumption that can be used to develop new, greener products.

The project, Middle Schoolers Out to Save the World, or M-SOS-W, is funded by a three-year, $1.5 million grant from the National Science Foundation’s Innovative Technology Experiences for Students and Teachers program. The program was established to address the looming shortage of technology workers in the United States.

Approximately 600 students from seven middle schools in Texas, plus Louisiana, Maine and Vermont will participate in M-SOS-W beginning in September. Texas schools are Calhoun Middle School in Denton, Houston and Lamar Middle Schools in Irving and Good Shepherd Episcopal School in Dallas.

UNT researchers hope to stir student interest in science, technology, engineering and mathematics. “The whole purpose behind the funding is workforce development,” says Gerald Knezek, right, professor of learning technologies and institute director.

Knezek is principal investigator for M-SOS-W, working with the institute’s associate directors, Tandra Tyler-Wood, associate professor of educational psychology, and Rhonda Christensen, a research scientist.

Sheri Lara, a mechanical engineer and former teacher, is utilities manager in the Facilities Department. She keeps tabs on maintenance and repair for nearly every building on campus. She enjoys travel and nature photography and dreams of getting paid to do both.

What is your title and department?
Utilities manager in Facilities Department. This position is responsible for providing and maintaining the university owned electrical, water, natural gas, sewer distribution systems on campus. My group provides all the electrical, lighting, HVAC, chillers, boilers, and plumbing maintenance for all general and academic buildings. We also provide support maintenance auxiliary buildings such as Chestnut Hall, Athletics, University Union and the Pohl Recreation Center.

What is your educational background and past experiences?
I am a mechanical engineer. I worked a number of years for TXU in various capacities including safety, environmental and state regulatory issues; power plant and gas transmission; pipeline maintenance; natural gas and coal fuel purchasing; Texas lignite mine planning; and scheduling coal trains from Wyoming to Texas.

What is the most interesting part of your job?
I learn something new every day in the process of working with my team to resolve maintenance issues and seek a better way to do the work.

(Editor's Note: Visit Goolsby Chapel from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 15 and May 18 to reflect on the life and career of Dr. Norval Pohl. Share memories and leave condolences online.)

May 13, 2009

Dear UNT community members,

It is with regret that I inform you of the passing of Dr. Norval F. Pohl, right, the University of North Texas’ 13th president and my predecessor.

Our campus has experienced a profound loss. As president, Dr. Pohl personified dedication and engagement and contributed greatly to the success of UNT and its students.

During his six years as president, Dr. Pohl fostered a vibrant campus life, best illustrated by the Pohl Recreation Center that bears his name, and the Athletics Center that is the anchor of Mean Green Village and provides a first-class athletic and academic environment for our student-athletes.

Dr. Pohl also ushered in initiatives that moved UNT forward as a public research university. He oversaw the creation of what is now known as Discovery Park, our nearly 290-acre research park that is housed on the site of a former Texas Instruments facility. And he helped establish our College of Engineering and our state-of-the-art Chemistry Building that opened in 2004.

More than 3,500 students are expected to graduate at spring commencement ceremonies May 15-16.

• Watch commencement live online.
• Find parking information.

More than 2,900 undergraduate students have applied for May graduation, in addition to 577 master's students and 61 doctoral students. Right, 2008 undergraduate ceremonies.

The weekend begins with a ceremony dedicated to master’s degree recipients at 4 p.m. May 15 in the  Coliseum. Each master's graduate will receive a lapel pin embossed with the UNT seal from President Gretchen M. Bataille. Master of Fine Arts candidates will wear tams and brown cords to distinguish them as MFA candidates and as recipients of a terminal degree. They also will lead the processional of master's candidates in recognition of their achieving the highest degree for their discipline.

The doctoral commencement ceremony will be at 7 p.m. May 15 in the Murchison Performing Arts Center. Each doctoral candidate will receive a medallion with the university seal from Bataille.

Baccalaureate commencement ceremonies for UNT’s nine colleges and schools will be at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. May 16 in the Coliseum.

The Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science, a highly touted and rigorous program for gifted high school students, will graduate its 3,000th student during 7 p.m. ceremonies May 15 in the Auditorium Building. 

TAMS began in 1987 as a way to help Texas’ brightest teenagers get a head start on careers as physicians, engineers and science researchers. Students enroll at UNT following their sophomore year of high school and can complete two years of college while earning high school diplomas. Students live on campus, conduct research with professors and work in university laboratories for two years.

The academy’s success has been unequivocal. Among the accomplishments of this year’s graduating class:
• Four Goldwater scholars, the most any university can have.
• The first-place winner of the 2009 Siemens Competition in Math, Science and Technology and 14 finalists.
• Eight semifinalists and one finalist in the 2009 Intel Science Talent Search.
• U.S. Presidential Scholar.
• Gates Millennium Scholar.

The National Science Foundation reports that only 5 percent of U.S. bachelor’s degrees are in engineering and only 12 percent are in mathematics and physics, life, environmental and computer sciences. At TAMS, however, more than 80 percent of the 2009 graduating class has declared a major in one of these fields.

James “Jim” Miller, the founding dean of the planned Emeritus College, has selected a seven-member advisory board. The board will be responsible for recruiting faculty and designing a curriculum for the new program.

The Emeritus College will be operated by the Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning, and will feature not-for-credit courses, lectures, field trips and travel learning opportunities designed for community members 50 and over. The program offerings will be primarily taught by emeritus faculty. Board members are: 

• Kenneth Dickson, retired professor of biological sciences
• Hildegard Froehlich, emeritus professor of music
• M. Jean Greenlaw, emeritus professor of education
• Henry Hays, emeritus professor of business administration
• William Kamman, retired professor of history
• David Kesterson, retired professor of English
• Jean Schaake, associate dean, College of Arts and Sciences

Learn more from Marilyn Wagner, director of the Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning, at 940-565-3487 or Marilyn.Wagner@unt.edu. 

 (Photo, seated from left, Greenlaw, Miller, Froehlich; standing, Dickson, Hays, Kamman and Schaacke; not pictured, Kesterson.)

Texas high school students will explore the intersection of science and technology in everyday life at the June 7-27 Texas Governor’s School, a rigorous program for academically gifted high school students.

About 106 students who have completed their sophomore year in high school will study science and technology at UNT and live in Bruce Hall. The school’s theme is “How advances in science and technology affect our world.”

This is the third year UNT has hosted the free Texas Governor’s School. The program is funded by the Texas Higher Education Coordinator Board and Exxon Mobil. UNT will host Texas Governor’s School through 2011.

Rick Reidy, interim chair and associate professor of materials science and engineering is director of Texas Governor’s School.

Future students and their parents  and friends can learn about UNT by taking a tour led by a special student group. Who are these tour guides?

A. Eagle Ambassadors
B. Eagle Guides
C. Mean Green Scholars
D. Green Group

The correct answer is A: Eagle Ambassadors. The Eagle Ambassadors program first started in fall 1998 to provide a student perspective on the university. Ambassadors lead regularly scheduled campus tours and are knowledgeable about UNT history and traditions, campus activities and general information. Left, Eagle Ambassador Nick Chen explains it all at NT Preview, April 2008.

The 20 ambassadors have different backgrounds, experiences and academic interests that add to a comprehensive view of the university and college life, says Jennifer McLendon, customer experience manager. Eagle Ambassadors help “prospective students to see how they will fit in at UNT," she says. About 15,000 prospective students, parents and visitors are served each year by Eagle Ambassadors.

Each Eagle Ambassador receives a $2,500 scholarship and earns an hourly wage. The scholarship is renewable; ambassadors must reapply each year.

Enter to win a UNT T-shirt gift pack by sending an e-mail with “Ambassadors” in the subject line to inhouse@unt.edu by 5 p.m. May 15. Winners will be selected at random from all responses. 
 
• Learn who will be Eagle Ambassadors in 2009-2010.
• Learn more about Eagle Ambassadors.

The annual Flight Ceremony on April 29 celebrated the lives and contributions of UNT employees who passed away in the past year. From left, presentation of colors and speakers Student Government Association president Jeff Kline, President Gretchen M. Bataille. (Photos by Jonathan Reynolds)

This year, Robocamp offers three new Xbox Game Development camps on June 22-26, July 6 -10 and July 20 – 24. The five-day camps are free and open to male and female students ages 14 -18. The camps will give students the opportunity to build their own video games and play them on Xbox. Students will present and demonstrate their games. Contests with prizes will be sponsored during the camp.

Thanks to a grant from the Texas Workforce Commission Youth in Technology Program, college scholarships for Robocamp and Xbox camp alumni are available now. The College of Engineering will offer five $4,000 scholarships for Fall 2009, and 10 $4,000 scholarships for Fall 2010 for students who have previously attended one of the camps and enroll at UNT in Computer Science, Computer Engineering or Information Technology degree programs.

Camp days are from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Lunch and snacks are provided. Each participant receives a camp T-shirt, study materials and other souvenirs. Registration is limited to 20 students per camp.

The Xbox camps are funded through a grant from the Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Robocamps are funded by a grant from the Motorola Foundation. A $102,000 two-year grant from the Texas Workforce Commission Youth in Technology Program also supports the programs. The camps are designed to interest middle- and high-school age boys and girls in computer science and engineering. There also will be a three-day Advanced Robotics Workshop offered for those who have attended any previous Robocamps. In addition to the camps for teens, a program for high school guidance counselors and teachers is available this summer.

Robocamps are located at Discovery Park in Denton and the UNT Dallas Campus. There are additional programs through Carrollton ISD and the Stewpot, a comprehensive resource center for homeless and at-risk individuals of Dallas. Robocamp was awarded a grant of $18,600 from the Dallas Women’s Foundation to fund the Stewpot program for Summer 2009.

A complete listing of Robocamps and online registration is available. For more information, contact David Keathly at 940-565-4801.

The NCAA released its annual Academic Progress Rate, or APR, data today (May 6) in which several teams continued to illustrate progress in the classroom.

Led by Mean Green soccer, which ranked among the nation’s top 10 percent with a multiyear rate of 994, UNT had 12 sports that posted multiyear rates at or above 955, and seven had perfect single-year 1,000 scores in 2007-08.

“It is evident that our commitment to academic progress is continuing to pay off,” says Director of Athletics Rick Villarreal, left. “We had 13 of our 16 teams with a 2007-08 single-year APR score equal to or better than the previous year, and the three teams that declined dropped only slightly from scores of 1,050, 1000 and 975.”

The football team posted a multiyear rate of 911 and will be forced to compete with a maximum of 81 scholarships - four shy of the NCAA limit of 85. The scholarships of all current student-athletes and signees will not be affected.

Earth Week, April 20 to 24, was filled with activities including trash sorting, left, kick-off reception, moonlight tree planting, environmental summit, sustainability fairs and entertainment. Pictured from left, Chuck Fuller, Todd Spinks, Charlie Jackson and Lanse Fullinwider. (Photos by Michael Clements)

Outstanding staff members were honored at the April 23 President's Staff Sack Lunch. President Gretchen M. Bataille presented awards to these honorees:

• Finance and Adminstration outstanding employee, Lynda Hutson, left, schduling coordinator, Facilities Services, and Jeff Arrington, UNT Police
• Finance and Administration outstanding department, project manager Dorothy Flores and the EIS upgrade team of the Computing and Information Technology Center.
• Academic Affairs, outstanding employees, Jeff MClung, near left, art technician, College of Visual Arts and Design.
• Academic Affairs, outstanding department, Amyn Amlani, assistant professor, and the Department of Speech and Hearing Sciences.
• Student Development, outstanding employee, Kathryn MCauley, student legal advisor
• Student Development, outstanding department, manager Gary Salmon and the Coliseum and Gateway Center staff.
• President’s Special Recognition Award, Chuck Fuller, right, assistant vice president, Business Services 

From left, Arrington, McCauley and Flores with Bataille.

Coliseum staff, rear, from left: Steve Humphreys, John Keil, Brian King, Doug Renner, Randy Sikes, Kenny Herndon, Jake Nielsen, Cecil Miller, Tony Karkhoff and Michael Slater; front, from left, Gary Salmon, Connie Verdin, Courtney Burke and Mary Moore.

EIS Team, front, from left: Russ Heeter, Dorothy Flores, Ginny Anderson, Brenda Cates; middle, from left, Vicky Walker-Brookes, Joy Aswalop, Tina Koenig, Nmaemeka Onuoha, Susan Sims, Debbie Reynolds, Frank Arnold, Daphne Fernander; rear, from left, Cleatus Estes, Alan Wilson, Pablo Ozuna, Joey Saxon, Lynne Sinclair.

Speech and Hearing Sciences, from left, Sarah Florence, Amyn Amlani, Donald Noska, Stephanie Denison.

Twenty-eight faculty members were honored for teaching and service to the university at the annual Spring Faculty Meeting April 16. The meeting also featured the 2009 Regent’s Lecture by D. Jack Davis, right, Regents Professor of art.

Awards presented by Provost  Wendy K. Wilkins:

Twelve Texas Academy of Mathematics and Science students formed a new gardening group called the Mean Green Thumbs.  The garden, inspired by victory gardens popular during World War II, is behind McConnell Hall. TAMS students plant, water and cultivate the garden and enjoy the science behind growing food. Pictured are TAMS students Lance Silva, Jenny Mae Samson, Aaron Sanchez, Thomas Sutton, Amy Sesar and UNT grounds supervisor, Larry Swenson. (Photos by Vanessa Mendoza)

Congratulations to randomly selected winners who responded to the April 22 and April 29 Fun Fact and event ticket giveaways:

• Billi J. Gravely, computer support specialist
• Tanya Quiroz, admissions representative, Office of Admissions
• Lora Connaughton, customer service estimator, Printing Services
• Barbara A. Rodman, associate professor of English
• Denise Jeppson, academic advisor
• Margaret Peguero, program/project coordinator
• Christina Parivash Spurgeon, accountant
• Joshua McGhee, customer service student worker, Purchasing & Payment Services
• Gail Marsden, administrative assistant
• Daniel Stauffer, student assistant, Discovery Park
• Paul Salinas, service representative, Office of the Registrar
• Lynne W. Brister-Cox , academic counselor
• Sabine Thepaut, ESL instructor
• Dolores Lopez Argo, administrative services officer
• Karen Snyder, administrative assistant
• Kimberly Manzer, administrative assistant, Department of Finance, Insurance, Real Estate and Law
• Aida Olivas, accounting technician, Purchasing and Payments Services
• Senta Macaraeg, financial aid administrator, Student Financial Aid and Scholarships
• Naomi Wilson, administrative assistant, Kinesiology, Health and Recreation 
• Jerilyn Doss, secretarial assistant, Political Science
 
Go ahead; scan the newsletter and fire off an e-mail. Every week, several hundred readers send e-mails in response to InHouse prize opportunities. Winners are chosen at random from all responses, and prizes include UNT T-shirt gift packs and free tickets to concerts, sports and other campus activities. Go for it.

InHouse is the electronic newsletter that is always online and is regularly updated with news about events and strategic activities at UNT. The formatted version is e-mailed to faculty and staff each week, usually on Wednesdays. Click on headlines, which link to continuously updated postings, to find the complete article and photos on inhouse.unt.edu.

Tickets and prizes are generously provided by event sponsors and departments. Winners are randomly selected from all e-mail responses.

UNT offers about 50 camps each summer. Children and teenagers can learn about nature, science, music and other fields. Which camp is new this year?

A. Cooking School
B. Rock Climbing Camp
C. Grandparents University
D. Fashion College

The correct answer is C: Grandparents University. The two-day camp, sponsored by the Center for Achievement and Lifelong Learning, will offer grandparents and their grandchildren ages 7-12 the opportunity to attend classes together and earn a Grandparents University degree.

Participants can major in two of 10 subject areas: art, music, generational research, astronomy, environmental technologies, graphic design, emergency administration, Spanish, criminal justice and merchandising.

Enter to win a UNT T-shirt – perfect for wearing to camp – and gift pack by sending an e-mail to inhouse@unt.edu with “Grandparents” in the subject line by 5 p.m. May 8. Winners will be selected from all responses.

The first UNT-sponsored Grandparents University will be June 25-26. Activities begin at 8:30 a.m. June 25 and end at 2:30 p.m. June 26 after lunch and graduation. Participants have the option of spending the night in a residence hall. Fee is $295 for one grandparent and one child. Scholarships are available for participants who meet income guidelines. Scholarship applications are due May 15.

• Learn more from Mary Boydston at 940-369-7293 or mary.boydston@unt.edu.
• Learn about other camps that focus on nature, technology, debate and music, and about camps for children with disabilities.

(Photo, participants in an Elm Fork Education Center camp, 2008.)

Mitch Land, chair of the Department of Journalism and director of the Mayborn Graduate School of Journalism, says newspapers that understand the business dynamics of the online world will survive. 

What is your title and department?
I am the director of the Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism. (He has been named interim dean of the new Mayborn School of Journalism which opens Sept. 1.) Currently, I teach media ethics, public opinion and propaganda, and international communication.

How long have you worked at UNT?
Since fall 1994 - almost 15 years.

What is your educational background and past experiences?
I received my doctorate in radio, television from the University of Texas at Austin, a master’s in journalism at UNT and a master of divinity at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary. My bachelor’s degree is in French from Midwestern State University, and I have a Certificat d'etudes françaises-premier degré from the Université de Haute Bretagne.

What are your biggest achievements?
I founded the Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Writers Conference (scheduled July 24-26). I worked in media development in the Francophone countries of Africa for 15 years with the International Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention, before becoming a professor in 1989. From 2002 to 2005, I led the Mayborn Institute in helping Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique launch an undergraduate journalism program. My ethics book, Contemporary Media Ethics, was nominated for the 2006 Clifford G. Christians Ethics Research Award from the Carl Couch Center for Social and Internet Research.

How has the economy affected journalism, especially newspapers?
Newspapers are in the throes of trying to redefine their business models. In the traditional business model, they practically dictated terms to advertisers. That is no longer the case, as the same information is available online, and increasingly, readers are going online for even local news. Newspapers have to meet the challenge by offering greater services online, but not necessarily giving away content.

UNT H1N1 (Swine Flu) Advisory Update
May 1, 2009

Please read this document thoroughly, as it contains new information. (See Extended Entry for previous information.)

• Find official periodic updates on the UNT homepage.  

At this time, the university is operating as usual and is not cancelling classes nor events scheduled to be held on our campus as a result of the H1N1 influenza (also known as swine flu). However, we are encouraging people to exercise their own judgment about the appropriateness of event attendance. Should the university cancel major events, the information will be posted to the university’s website home page.

Communication
According to the Denton County Health Department, it’s likely that the H1N1 flu is incubating in the county’s communities and may produce larger numbers of ill persons. It is important that members of our university community inform themselves about this rapidly spreading disease. To assist you, the university’s H1N1 Swine Flu site has links to various web sites.

As new information about H1N1 transmission and the university’s response to it is posted to the university’s website home page, more announcements will be emailed to students, faculty and staff members. In the event of an emergency or university closing, UNT also will send information out through Eagle Alert and will activate its Emergency Hotline.