DENTON (UNT), Texas — While other University of North Texas students are spending their spring break traveling, seeing family members and catching up on sleep, TV and movies, Colin Quinn is checking Google Alert every day for the latest news about nuclear power. At 11 a.m., he goes to a UNT classroom to argue why nuclear power is a positive form of energy for the U.S.

Quinn, a junior communication studies major from Glenview, Ill., is one of four UNT students who are preparing for this year’s National Debate Tournament — the most prestigious...

­DENTON (UNT), Texas--Downtown Dallas will transform into the Emerald City and will rock to the rhythms of the music of UNT alumnus Roy Orbison at 6 p.m. Monday, April 15, with the inaugural Emerald Eagle Honors: Recognizing a Lifetime of Contributions to the American Landscape, an event hosted by the UNT Foundation and the University of North Texas, at the Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center.

The star-studded program is a fundraiser for the university’s Emerald Eagle Scholars program. Presenting sponsors of the evening are Wells Fargo and the Newman Foundation. A...

DENTON (UNT), Texas — Katherine Lester, a senior geography major at the University of North Texas, is one of 199 college and university students in the nation to be selected as a finalist for a 2013 Harry S. Truman Scholarship. She is the daughter of Marsha Lester of Richmond, Va., and a 2004 graduate of Mills E. Godwin High School in Richmond.

The Harry S. Truman Foundation was established by Congress as the official federal memorial to honor the 33^rd president. The foundation awards scholarships to students with exceptional...

DENTON (UNT), Texas--University of North Texas President V. Lane Rawlins today told the UNT community that he intends to retire on or before December 31, 2013.

Rawlins, who joined UNT in May 2010 as an interim appointment, said “I never dreamed I would stay more than a few months, but UNT is such a special place that I fell in love with the university, its students, faculty and staff."

“I am honored to have served as president of this great university for the past three years, and I hope I have helped shape its future. I look forward to the progress we will continue to make...

DENTON (UNT), Texas — On Dec. 18, 2010, a series of street demonstrations began in the small North African country of Tunisia, where citizens protested high unemployment, food inflation, corruption from government officials, poor living conditions and a lack of freedom of speech and other political freedoms. Twenty-eight days later, President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali was ousted after 23 years in power, and democratic uprisings were spreading to Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Syria and Yemen in what would be called the Arab Spring.

The Middle East Peace Conference at the...

What: UNT's first Student Engagement and Philanthropy Day hosted by the Student Alumni Association and NT40. CASE Affiliated Student Advancement Programs is organizing the global event, which involves nearly 70 institutions around the world.

When/Where: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Feb. 28 (Thursday) in the University Union Atrium

DENTON (UNT), Texas--Betheny L. Reid, former Dallas County Community College District associate vice chancellor of development and president of the DCCCD Foundation Inc., has been named senior associate vice president and capital campaign manager at the University of North Texas.

UNT will soon enter the public phase of its comprehensive capital campaign.  Reid will help develop, coordinate and implement initiatives to ensure the success of the campaign. The campaign will conclude in 2015 marking the 125^th anniversary of the university. She will report to the vice...

What: “UNT Speaks Out: Alzheimer’s disease and dementia” – A University of North Texas professor, UNT Health Science Center professor and a psychology doctoral candidate will speak on different aspects of Alzheimer’s disease, including research, caregiving and the fear of dementia. The event is presented by the UNT Libraries.

When: 6-8 p.m. Feb. 28 (Thursday)

Where: The Forum on the first floor of UNT's Willis Library, which is located one block east of Highland Street and Avenue C...

DENTON (UNT), Texas —Dorothy M. Bland, a professor of journalism at Florida A&M University’s School of Journalism & Graphic Communication, has been named the new dean of the University of North Texas’ Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism. Her appointment will begin in June.

Bland will replace M. Jean Keller, who has served as the school’s acting dean since September 2012.

UNT Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Warren Burggren called Bland’s hiring “a highly significant academic...

DENTON (UNT), Texas--A rock and roll legend and business leaders are among the 10 University of North Texas alumni who will be honored for their outstanding career achievements and service to UNT Feb. 22 (Friday) at the 2013 Annual Alumni Awards Dinner.

The event includes the Generations of Excellence Award — to honor a family for its support of UNT through several generations. Watch a video of alumni award winners at http://www.youtube.com/...