Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards

A long-standing university tradition, the Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards is an annual event that recognizes outstanding achievement, service and support of UNT alumni and friends. These Alumni Awards are bestowed in the Fall during Homecoming.

Recipients represent the best in our alumni body. Throughout their careers, these distinguished graduates have contributed significantly to their companies, communities and the university while upholding the highest standards and values. 

2018 Distinguished Alumni Achievement Award Honorees 

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI AWARDS

First presented in 1965, this is one of the university’s most prestigious awards. It is awarded to individuals who have achieved prominence in their profession and significantly contributed to society and the university.

Jim McIngvale


Also known as “Mattress Mack,” McIngvale owns and operates the Gallery Furniture retail chain in Houston. During Hurricane Harvey, McIngvale opened two of his Gallery Furniture locations to provide shelter to displaced Houstonians. McIngvale is a prolific philanthropist, contributing to the United Service Organizations Inc., the Salvation Army, the Texas Heart Institute, the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston Medical School, and many other causes in Houston and beyond. McIngvale, who attended UNT from 1972 to 1974, is a former UNT football letterman and was instrumental in the construction of the UNT Athletic Center and adjacent football practice facility. He is a member of the McConnell Society and a recipient of UNT’s Gulf Coast Alumni Award in 2005.

Laura Wright (’82, ’82 M.S.)

Wright is the owner and founder of GSB Advisory, L.L.C., a strategic and financial consultancy for non-profits and other organizations seeking growth. There she translates executive leadership experience earned from a 25-year career at Southwest Airlines, serving last as chief financial officer and senior vice president of finance. In addition to her consulting expertise, Wright serves on the board of directors of multiple public companies, including SRI International, Spirit AeroSystems, TE Connectivity, Pebblebrook Hotel Trust and CMS Energy and its subsidiary Consumers Energy. For her professional accomplishments, Wright was inducted into the UNT College of Business Hall of Fame. Wright has served the university in many capacities. She is a standing vice chairman of the UNT System Board of Regents. She served on the UNT 2013 Presidential Search Committee, and was a member of the UNT Foundation Board and the College of Business Accounting and Murphy Enterprise Center advisory boards. Wright and her husband, Randy, are members of the President’s Council and the Mean Green Scholarship Fund. They are life members of the UNT Alumni Association.

DISTINGUISHED YOUNG ALUMNI AWARD

Created in 2011, this honor was established to recognize alumni under 40 for distinguished career achievement and contributions to society and the university.

John Williams (’05)

Williams is the principal owner of two popular bars near the Denton Square: East Side Denton and Oak St. Drafthouse and Cocktail Parlor. He also co-owns Dot’s Hop House and Cocktail Courtyard in Dallas’ Deep Ellum neighborhood. Williams is UNT Athletics’ biggest football season ticket holder. He partners with UNT Athletics to sponsor football ticket, tailgate and transportation packages for hundreds of UNT alumni each season. Williams is a member of the Mean Green Scholarship Fund and serves on the UNT Alumni Association’s Denton County Alumni Chapter Steering Committee.

OUTSTANDING ALUMNI SERVICE

First presented in 1974, this award honors individuals who have provided exceptional volunteer service to UNT and the community.

Gregory Matthews (’95)


Matthews is president of Matthews Financial Services, a registered representative of TCM Securities and an investment advisor representative with Triumph Wealth Advisors. Williams was a starter for the Mean Green Football from 1990 to 1994. He now serves on the board of directors for the North Texas Lettermen’s Association. He is a past president and treasurer of the UNT Alumni Association and was instrumental in formalizing a secure relationship between the association and the university. Matthews also is active in his community, volunteering with youth sports and teaching continuing education classes on finance in the business sector.

Joseph O. and Betty A. Roy

Joe is president of Denton Consultants, specializing in Japanese business interactions. He is retired from Exxon Mobil Corp., where he served mostly in international operations, including 17 years abroad in Thailand and Japan. Betty is a former travel coordinator. The Roys became UNT honorary alumni in 2005. They created the Joseph and Betty Roy Music Scholarship at UNT and support the College of Music through service on the Advisory Board and the Community Advisory Council. Joe served on the Denton committee of Campaign North Texas and the Dallas Advisory Board. Joe also is a guest lecturer for the UNT College of Business, where he created the College of Business Administration Department of Management Advisory Board Scholarship. The Roys both volunteer as community liaison coordinators for UNT International Studies and Programs. They are life members of the Dean’s Camerata, the UNT President’s Council and the UNT Alumni Association. Joe is a member of the Mean Green Scholarship Fund, and Betty is a founding member of the Diamond Eagles Giving Society.

ULYS KNIGHT SPIRIT AWARD

Presented since 1975, this award is given to any individual or group that has made noteworthy efforts to sustain spirit among the UNT family.

Lou Ann Bradley

Bradley retired from UNT as assistant dean for facilities and head of access preservation in 2010. During her tenure at UNT, Bradley was active in the areas of preservation and disaster preparedness. She was a member of the UNT League of Professional Women and the Amigos Bibliographic Council. Upon retirement, Bradley was honored with the title of Emeritus Librarian. Bradley is a passionate UNT Athletics supporter and has been a season ticket holder since 1988. She has served on the UNT Athletics Council, the Women’s Basketball Advisory Committee and the NCAA Certification Steering Committee and is a long-time member of the Mean Green Scholarship Fund. She attends almost all UNT Athletics activities, including events, tournaments, games and conferences at home and on the road.