Join us as we celebrate UNT’s 125th anniversary with university-wide celebrations centered on these anchor events. Mark your calendars for the dates below.
Upcoming Events
April 11-17, 2016
This series of 125th anniversary year events celebrates the expanse of excellence across UNT's history and future. Events include the grand opening and dedication of the new University Union, open houses and tours, concert series and the Wingspan Gala.
I Heart UNT Day
April 11
UNT's Student Alumni Association will host "I Heart UNT Day" to kick off a weeklong series of events April 11-14 in the Library Mall for the UNT community to show why they love UNT and how they give back to the university. A Scavify Mobile App competition will run through the week with opportunities to win prizes by attending and documenting Wingspan Week events with pictures. A UNT backdrop will be in the Library Mall for picture taking.
Cupcakes - Discovery Park
April 12
To celebrate Wingspan, cupcakes will be given out in the Discovery Park hallway from 11a.m. to 1 p.m.
125th Anniversary Book Reception & Brave Combo Performance
April 12
To celebrate the launch of the book Independent, Original and Progressive: Celebrating 125 Years of UNT, the UNT Libraries will feature a live performance by Brave Combo, a two-time Grammy-winning band with UNT roots who is featured in the book, and a series of live readings and short lectures on UNT culture and history. The free reception will be from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Forum of the Willis Library.
Build an Eagle
April 13
Come create your own eagle in celebration of Wingspan in the Discovery Park lounge from 11a.m. to 1 p.m.
Senior BBQ
April 13
Seniors, this is our chance to celebrate you! Come out to the rooftop garden of the University Union from noon to 2 p.m. to enjoy free food and drinks. The Orientation and Transition Programs Office and the UNT Alumni Association will give away a UNT class ring and other prizes.
Union Fest
April 14
The 40th anniversary celebration will include many activities and fun from from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m. at the new University Union.
Student Government Meet & Greet Breakfast
April 14
The Student Government Association and Graduate Student Council will host a breakfast and open house for students 9 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. in the University Union 344.
Lab Band Performances
April 14-15
Enjoy music by the different jazz lab bands from noon to 12:50 p.m. in the Syndicate in the new University Union.
Scrappy Exhibit & Ice Cream
April 14
A historical Scrappy exhibit will be on display in the Art Gallery in the University Union April 9-18. The Talons will be on site April 14 from 1 to 4 p.m. to answer questions about the history of our mascot and hand out free Scrappy ice cream.
Mayborn Media Mania
April 14
Come see the media facilities at the first floor of the General Academic Building 4 to 6 p.m. and join student escorts as they tell the Mayborn School of Journalism story. Snacks and beverages will be available at The North Texas Daily and a photo booth will be set up to take digital pictures that will be dropped into a pre-published front page of the paper as a takeaway.
Thursday Night Music
April 14
Enjoy music at UNT on the Square from 7 to 9 p.m. featuring works composed by faculty and students past and present. From 7 to 8 p.m., UNT faculty members Felix Olschofka (violin) and Kimberly Cole Luevano (clarinet) joined by Antonia Loannides (piano) will showcase contemporary works by UNT composers. From 8 to 9 p.m., students from UNT faculty member Jennifer Lane's voice studio will perform vocal selections. Concerts are free and open to the public.
University Day
April 15
Join us for University Day – celebrating when North Texas State College became North Texas State University in 1961 – at the Library Mall with a flag parade at 11 a.m., followed by a program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. that includes the mayor’s proclamation, time capsule presentation, food and live music.
College of Business: "Then and Now, A Walk Through the Years"
April 15
Join us for an open house from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the atrium of the Business Leadership Building and celebrate the history of the College of Business from 1942 through the present. Refreshments will be served.
Discover PACS Scavenger Hunt
April 15
Learn about Chilton Hall, home of the College of Public Affairs and Community Service, through a scavenger hunt! Each clue will help tell the story about the college's history of strengthening communities through teaching, research and service. Students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to an awards reception 2:30 p.m. in the second floor foyer of Chilton Hall.
Eagle Speak
April 15
Did you know that nice once meant ‘silly’ but silly once meant ‘worthy’ or ‘blessed’? UNT linguists provide clues as to how and why everyday words have changed in meaning over the course of a few centuries. Visit the Linguistics booth from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the Library Mall to learn more.
Barnes & Noble at UNT Bookstore Ribbon Cutting
April 15
Celebrate the new Barnes & Noble at UNT Bookstore with a ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:15 a.m. at the interior University Union entrance inside the east Union entrance, off Union Circle on level 1. In store events throughout the day include a 50 percent off clearance sale, commemorative gift with purchase for the first 150 customers, and light refreshments.
Campus Tours
April 15
Tours of campus will be available at 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. beginning at the University Union information desk on the second floor.
Union Dedication/Ribbon Cutting
April 15
Celebrate the new University Union at the west vestibule at the Library Mall with a dedication ceremony and ribbon cutting event at 1:30 p.m. An artist reception will take place at 2 p.m. in the Union Small Ballroom, Room 333 A&B, featuring Murielle White, artist of the Campus Chat mural, and Norie Sato, artist of the Meditation Room, followed by an art tour at 2:30 p.m.
Cheers to the Union: A Student Toast
April 15
Join us in celebrating the official ribbon cutting of the University Union with a sparkling juice toast served in a commemorative cup and cookies at 2pm! A large group photo will be taken to commemorate the occasion.
Nobel Prize Speaker
April 15
Robert Grubbs, an organic chemist from Caltech who won the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his work on catalysis that has led to a wide variety of applications in medicine and industry, will give a presentation, Design and Applications of Selective Oelefin Metathesis Catalysts at 3:30 p.m. in the Lyceum at the University Union.
Wingspan Festival
April 15
Join us for live music by headliner D and Chi and opening act UNT student Kelsey McLaughlin at the Library Mall from 5 to 7 p.m. Free angus burgers, vegetarian chili, fruit and cupcakes will be served.
UNT Debate Face Off
April 15
Join the College of Arts and Sciences in celebrating UNT’s longstanding reputation of debate excellence during a reception and public debate from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Gateway Alumni Center. Former and current UNT Debate members will face off during this lively debate. RSVP to emma.carnes@unt.edu or 940-565-2048 to attend.
Wingspan Gala
April 16
A green tie formal event honoring excellence in teaching, student success, notable alumni and generous donors begins at 6:30 p.m. at the new University Union. Featured will be UNT’s archive exhibit From Normal to Now and the orchestral premiere of Richard DeRosa’s 125th anniversary composition for UNT, Suite for an Anniversary, performed by the UNT Concert Orchestra. Special presentations and performances include UNT's Four Tenors and the One O'Clock Lab Band followed by dancing with entertainment by the Emerald City Band All Stars. Purchase tickets or reserve a table.
Talons Alumni Banquet
April 17
A special event for Talons alumni and current members from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Small Ballroom 333 in the University Union. A silent auction begins at 1 p.m. followed by lunch and remarks given by former and current Talon members. Free admission for reservations in advance and $10 at the door. RSVP by April 13.
For more events, view the complete UNT calendar.
Past Events
UNT will formally kick off its 125th anniversary by honoring the day of its founding – Sept. 16, 1890 – with highlights including the President’s State of the University Address. Other events include the season's first football game Sept. 12 at SMU, Family Weekend Sept. 18-20 and the first home football game Sept. 19 against Rice.
State of the University
Sept. 16, 2015
President Neal Smatresk will outline UNT’s accomplishments from the past year and priorities for the future at 2 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16 in the Murchison Performing Arts Center.
Giving Week
Sept. 14-19, 2015
UNT Giving Week is the university's 125-hour campaign starting Sept. 14 and ending the morning of Sept. 19. Created to commemorate UNT's 125th anniversary year, the campaign is the first-ever in the university's history to span more than one day and include all of UNT's community. Gifts can be made to any of the university's 4,000 funds such as the Inspire UNT Fund, which helps promote academic excellence here on campus.
Future Eagles
Sept. 15 and Sept. 17, 2015
As part of Founder's Week, UNT will celebrate its longtime ties to the Denton community by hosting 6th graders from the Denton Independent School District on campus for two days. Students will tour campus Tuesday, Sept. 15 and Thursday, Sept. 17.
Happy Birthday UNT! Cupcake Celebration
Sept. 16, 2015
To celebrate UNT’s birthday and founding in 1890, UNT will give away 3,000 cupcakes on the Library Mall at 11 a.m. Wednesday, Sept. 16.
Founder’s Week Picnic
Sept. 17, 2015
Open to the campus community 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 on the Library Mall.
Chill with Chilton
Sept. 14-17, 2015
Student Affairs will recreate Joshua C. Chilton's beard for the week's Chill with Chilton event. Students will try on Chilton's beard and have their photos taken at booths set up across campus, including at Kerr Hall, Bruce Hall and the Pohl Recreation Center. Booths will be open from:
- 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday-Wednesday, Sept. 14-16 at Bruce and Kerr Halls, Stovall Lounge and the Pohl Recreation Center
- 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Bruce and Kerr Halls Thursday, Sept. 17
- 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 17 on the Library Mall
Family Weekend
Sept. 18-20, 2015
The three-day event starts Friday, Sept. 18 with Scrappy Extravaganza, a dinner for students and their guests. Students and their families will gather Saturday, Sept. 19, for a 5k run/walk and breakfast with President Smatresk, a tradition for the event. The Mean Green's Sept. 19 home opener against Rice University at Apogee Stadium and farewell brunch for students and their families on Sunday, Sept. 20, will bring Founder's Week to a close.
Celebrate UNT’s spirit, history, traditions and achievements through a weeklong series of activities, including UNT’s Alumni Awards, Spirit March and bonfire that Friday and parade and football game on Saturday.
Distinguished Alumni Awards Event
Oct. 8, 2015
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Alumni Awards event at the Gateway Center Ballroom. Reception at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 7 p.m.
Spirit March
Oct. 9, 2015
Begins at 7 p.m. at Fraternity Row on Maple Street and proceeds to the bonfire site near UNT’s Apogee Stadium.
Bonfire
Oct. 9, 2015
Lighting of the bonfire at the northwest side of Apogee Stadium. Alumni are invited to the Alumni Pavilion 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. for the best seats in the house.
Fun Run
Oct. 10, 2015
Free and open to the public, the 5K intramural Homecoming Fun Run starts in front of the Pohl Recreation Center at 7:15 a.m. Registration until 7 a.m.
Golden Eagles Class of '65 Breakfast/Reunion
Oct. 10, 2015
Event held at 9 a.m. in the Gateway Center Ballroom. For reservations, RSVP at alumni@unt.edu or call 940-565-2834.
Homecoming Parade
Oct. 10, 2015
Beginning at 10 a.m., watch the parade around the Denton square and along Hickory Street and North Texas Boulevard. Parade ends at North Texas Boulevard and Highland Street.
Mean Green Village
Oct. 10, 2015
Tailgating around campus starts early and ends 30 minutes before kickoff. Organization, department and college tents at Apogee Stadium at 1-3:30 p.m.
Alumni GameDay Grille
Oct. 10, 2015
Join UNT Alumni Association members and friends for an open house at 2 p.m. at the Alumni Pavilion near Apogee Stadium.
Mean Green vs. Portland State
Oct. 10, 2015
Kick-off at 4 p.m. at Apogee Stadium. Buy tickets.