University of North Texas

The university community is invited to a retirement reception for Lee Mears, community services manager in the Police, Parking and Transportation Department.

The reception will be from 2 to 4 p.m. Jan. 31 in the Gateway Center, Suite 170.

Mears joined UNT as a security officer Feb. 24, 1997.

What’s your favorite UNT memory?

I meet my wife here at UNT. I made some very good friends that I will never forget. I have enjoyed all of the times people called with problems and I was able to pull the solution out of my hat and make it work. I have worked with all most every department here at UNT in one way or another - it has been fun.

Least favorite memory?

Standing in Fouts Field Lot 20 during a graduation directing traffic and parking cars, with the rain so hard you could hardly see. The temperature was cold, wind blowing very hard and I did not have a dry spot on me. This started at 6 a.m. and I went home at midnight. This has happen more times than I can remember - graduations, football games, basketball games and special events.

What will you do in retirement?

I plan on traveling with my wife Penny (and dog) as much as possible. We have a motorhome and also a traveling car. It will be nice to be able to relax and spend quality time with my wife and family.

I used to fish quite a bit, and I plan on getting back to that, as well. I also enjoy working with wood and refurbishing old furniture.