UNT celebrating 125th anniversary with ‘WingSpan Week’
Brittany Lloyd | Staff Writer
“WingSpan Week” is underway, and faculty, students, alumni and donors will celebrate UNT’s 125th anniversary with events devoted to the university community.
Events began Monday and will run through Sunday.
“The reason Wingspan week is so important is because it’s a cultivation of events celebrating UNT’s 125th anniversary and a time to really bring those who are a part of the university together in celebrating all things UNT, and the excellence of UNT,” director of special events Laura Irving said.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today in Discovery Park, participants will get the chance to build their own eagle to personalize their WingSpan Week.
“The events are really all levels and angles of what makes UNT so great,” Irving said. “There’s fun to be had by all.”
There will be special UNT senior’s reception on the rooftop garden of the University Union. The UNT Alumni Association and the Orientation and Transition Programs Office will give away prizes, including a UNT class ring.
Thursday is UNT’s Union Fest, events will be taking place all day at the Union, from 8:00 a.m. until midnight.
Many other celebratory events will be commencing Thursday, including: Meet & Greet Breakfast hosted by the Student Government Council and Graduate Student Council, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in Union 344; Several jazz lab band performances starting at noon in the Syndicate; and a historical Scrappy exhibit displayed in the Union Art Gallery from 1:00 to 4:00 pm.
There will also be Mayborn Media Mania, an opportunity to see the ins and outs of North Texas Daily and other university media facilities. Participants will hear firsthand, from the students, the story behind the Mayborn School of Journalism. Participants will be given a special pre-published front page takeaway, with photos taken exclusively during their Mayborn experience.
“The week is just all these nuances that help celebrate who we are,” Irving said. “Not only now, but looking to the future and celebrating all we will become.”
Members of the North Texas Sweethearts pose with UNT president Neal Smatresk during I Heart UNT events held in library mall. Courtesy | North Texas Sweethearts
Friday will be devoted to celebrating when UNT changed its name from North Texas State College in 1961. “University Day” will begin at 11:00 am with a flag parade at the Library Mall, followed by a program including the mayor’s proclamation, time capsule presentation, food and live music.
Friday will include the dedication of UNT’s new University Union, with a ceremony and ribbon cutting event at 1:30 pm.
“The ribbon cutting event is going to be really cool too, especially now with the new University Union,” Irving said, adding that the morning University Day events will also include a special unveiling.
“The SGA is going to reveal the contents of the time capsule, which will then be installed into the South wall of the Union. It will remain there for the next 25 years, before being unveiled at UNT’s 150th Anniversary, where future students will see the items in the capsule, indicative of UNT today.”
The ceremony is followed by many events, including an open house, campus tours, Nobel Prize Speaker Robert Grubbs presentation at 3:30 p.m., and finally the WingSpan Festival from 5:00 to 7:00 pm, where live music, food and cupcakes will be served.
The WingSpan Gala will be held Saturday April 16 at 6:30 pm in the Union.
“One that’s very important to us is the donor recognition event, where we take time to celebrate and recognize recent donors, some who’ve contributed to the National Merit Finalists,” Irving said.
The green tie formal event is in honor of excellence in teaching, student success, notable alumni and generous donors. The event will include an orchestral debut, performed by UNT’s own Concert Orchestra, of Richard DeRosa’s 125th anniversary composition for UNT. Other special performances and presentations will follow.
“The event is going to be really, really special,” Irving said. “The donors in attendance will be sitting at the student’s table, who’s education they’ve contributed to. The students will meet the donors who are funding their education, which is pretty awesome.”
For any and all who want to be a part such a grand celebration or find out more on UNT’s WingSpan Week, go to the university’s 125th anniversary website.
“It has just been such a joy seeing people come together for this celebration, and show so much pride in UNT,” Irving said. “It’s a very special thing to be a part of.”
Featured Image: Students pose next to the class of 2016 signed wall during I Heart UNT events in library mall on Monday. Courtesy | UNT Student Alumni Association
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