UNT renames visual arts education institute to honor sustaining donors

Wednesday, September 10, 2014 - 16:20

DENTON, Texas (UNT) – The University of North Texas College of Visual Arts and Design announced today it will honor longtime supporters Jo Ann (Jody) and Dr. Charles O. Onstead by renaming the North Texas Institute for Educators on the Visual Arts (NTIEVA).

The Jo Ann (Jody) and Dr. Charles O. Onstead Institute for Education in the Visual Arts and Design, made possible through a $2.5 million gift from the Dr. Charles & Jo Ann Onstead Foundation, will foster research, support talented arts and design educators, and collaborate with local, state, national and international arts and cultural agencies in unique ways to advance arts awareness for future generations.

"The Onsteads understood how central an appreciation of the fine arts is to a child's development," said Robert Milnes, former dean of the College of Visual Arts and Design. "Arts and design integrated learning is imperative to cognitive development and cultural awareness. The Onsteads' greatest legacy will be that they supported educational and artistic opportunities that enrich the lives of people of all ages."

Support for the Institute follows more than $1.4 million in gifts from Dr. Charles Onstead and the Onstead estate to seed the Institute and to endow the Jo Ann (Jody) and Charles O. Onstead Master Fellows Fund. The Onstead Master Fellows Fund provides financial assistance to promising UNT graduate students who intend to pursue careers in art education. Nine students have received fellowships since the Fund's 2009 inception date.

Charles and Jo Ann "Jody" Onstead met during their college years at UNT. Jody graduated in 1944 with a bachelor's degree in elementary education. Charles graduated with a political science degree in 1947 after serving in World War II. Jody taught elementary art in the Dallas public schools while Charles earned  a medical degree from UT Southwestern Medical School. Dr. Onstead became a career military officer and served at several posts including the Vietnam War.  Charles retired in 1970 at the rank of colonel and as Chief of Radiology at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. He subsequently practiced medicine in the private sector until retiring in 1992. The couple was married for 57 years before Jody's death in 2003. Charles died in 2012.

Dr. Onstead, Dr. Charles & Jo Ann Onstead Foundation and the Robert R. & Kay M. Onstead Foundation  combined gifts to UNT $4.5 million.  These other gifts include  the establishment of Jody's Fountain and the Onstead Promenade  located within UNT's Willis Library Mall. Matching gifts totaling over $150,000 have been received from the State of Texas. UNT could receive additional support for the Onstead Institute or its fellowship fund through the Texas Research Incentive Program, in which the state of Texas matches eligible gifts that advance research at emerging research universities.

UNT's College of Visual Arts and Design produces about one half of the state's certified art educators each year, and U.S. News & World Report ranks the college 62nd nationally among top graduate schools for fine arts.

For more information about giving opportunities at the University of North Texas visit Giving to UNT online.

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