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RECENT GRAD
Ebony Spells ('19)
Ebony Spells began her journey at UNT with one goal in mind: to be the first grandchild in her family to earn a college degree. She was set on becoming an entrepreneurial major with nothing but high hopes in her future, but the journey of heartache she faced shortly thereafter could never have been predicted.
During (what she thought was) her final year at UNT, Spells discovered she was pregnant. Despite this unexpected hurdle, however, she was determined to graduate and make her grandparents proud.
Finishing up her last courses, ready and on track to graduate at 29 weeks pregnant, complications arose and Spells found herself, and her prematurely born child, hospitalized. Her newborn remained in the NICU for three months, and Spells knew then that her dream of graduating would be put on hold.
The overwhelming air of obstacles she was facing, while simultaneously working to finish the classes she already started, began to get thicker. Continued setbacks pushed her graduation deadline beyond the following spring semester and into the summer. She soon discovered that she would have only four weeks to retake her courses.
Impossible to some, Spells knew no other option than perseverance—and by the end of summer 2019; she finally completed her degree requirements.
“It felt amazing to finally graduate,” said Spells. “I’m particularly grateful for the patience shown by the college’s faculty and staff.” More specifically, Spells recalled the tremendous support she received from Dr. Terry Pohlen and Ms. Sue Kangas during her time of need, and described them and their patience as being a “lifesaver”.
Spells officially graduated with a major in entrepreneurship and minor in hospitality management this past December, and her future has never looked brighter. With her hard-earned UNT degree, she has landed a job with American Airlines and is ready to take on the next chapter of her life.
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RECENT GRAD
Dominique James ('19)
Three-time team captain for the Mean Green soccer team and logistics and supply chain management major Dominique James isn’t afraid to pave her own way. James began her soccer career when she was 6 years old, dedicating countless hours to a sport she truly loves. When it was time to pick a university, she was astonished by UNT’s soccer program and the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.
At first, she declared a major in marketing, but after taking a logistics course, she realized how important logistics is to our everyday lives and decided to switch her major.
Thanks to the athletic tutors and Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences lecturer Melody White, James learned how to manage her time as a student.
Ms. White had a tremendous impact on her life. Being the first black faculty member James had during her time at UNT, White helped James figure out how to juggle being a student-athlete and how to communicate with her other professors about missing class and assignments due to her obligations as team captain.
“Being a student-athlete is fun but it can be stressful. After I figured it out, with Ms. White’s help, everything settled down. My advice for incoming athletes is to go to as many sporting events as you can and to enjoy UNT as much as you can.”
Being part of the Mean Green soccer team has come with challenges, but also great reward. Not only are they conference champions, but James has made life-long friendships.
In January, James will begin a new journey as a Transportation Management Trainee for BNSF Railway.
“My hope and goals after graduation are to be a successful logistics manager and live happily in the suburbs somewhere in Texas.”
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The Buehler Aviation Research Foundation
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The Buehler Aviation Research Foundation awarded the G. Brint Ryan College of Business $10,000 to increase outreach and support for future students. Specifically, their generous gift will fund scholarships for students to attend the 2020 Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy summer camp.
ACE camp is an interactive experience that provides high school students with the unique opportunity to use flight simulators, go on field trips to observe various aspects of aviation careers at local aviation industries and airports, and fly in an airplane with the US Aviation Academy.
The Buehler Aviation Research Foundation was established in 1984 to carry on the vision of Mr. Emil Buehler, aviation architect and engineer, through philanthropic efforts. The Foundation’s mission is “to provide funding to institutions, organizations, and foundations that carry forward the research and development of new and improved aircraft and promote the field of aviation science and technology.”
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Department of Accounting recognized with UNT Institutional Effectiveness Award for BS/MS taxation program
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The UNT Department of Accounting was recognized at the third annual UNT Institutional Effectiveness Awards Ceremony for their BS/MS taxation program. The ceremony took place to acknowledge UNT units for excellence in documenting the effectiveness of their programs and services in supporting UNT's mission.
The institutional effectiveness process at UNT — which complies with the principles of accreditation of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges — is focused on improving UNT’s student learning outcomes and services while increasing student success and institutional quality.
UNT has built institutional effectiveness plans for degree programs and academic departments as well as administrative, academic and student support, research and public service units. Through these plans, the university can document that each area is identifying expected outcomes, assessing the extent to which it achieves them, and seeking improvement based on an analysis of the results.
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Dr. Jose Grimaldo named executive director of the Professional Leadership Program
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Dr. Jose Grimaldo has been named the new executive director of the Professional Leadership Program (PLP) at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business, taking over for predecessor Dr. Rachel Cleveland. Grimaldo has worked at the university for eight years and was first recruited to the college in January of 2013 as associate director of program development for the Center for Logistics & Supply Chain Management.
During his tenure at the college, Grimaldo has been closely involved in PLP as a mentor and board member, giving him first-hand knowledge about program needs and successes.
"I know what this program legacy has been built on and I know what it takes to help lead the program to the next level," explained Grimaldo. “I am most excited about using my gifts and talents in working with students and being a part of their development to help them grow into the best our university has to offer the business community."
His mentoring experiences date back prior to joining UNT. In 2001, Grimaldo was awarded the Mentor of the Year Award at Texas A&M. His past mentoring experiences and passion to develop students into future business leaders will be instrumental in continuing to grow the program.
“Since the program is centered around our student members, we are already planning for a very successful spring 2020 and a very successful 2020-2021 academic year... We are committed to making sure our students graduate with significant tools for success and are work ready.”
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Lakewood Brewing taps UNT students for marketing advice
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Garland based brewing company, Lakewood Brewing, became the focal point of Dr. Lou Pelton’s UNT capstone marketing class this past semester.
The Texas-based brewery, with distribution across the state, challenged students with developing a successful strategic marketing plan for their company. The semester-long project involved students breaking up into teams as they conducted market research and compiled a proposal that was industry-ready.
At the conclusion of the semester, each team was tasked with presenting their projects to Lakewood Brewing president and founder Wim Bens, and creative director Ryan Meigs. While only one team was chosen as the winner, Bens and Meigs expressed that they were highly impressed with what was presented and noted that each team provided sound contributions worth “putting in the hopper.”
“The opportunity for students to engage in real-world, real-time marketing improves their preparedness for careers and professional development,” said Pelton.
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2020 UNT HR Collaborative series kicks off on February 6
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The UNT Department of Management will kick off its 2020 HR Collaborative series on February 6 at MORSCO Corporate Headquarters in Dallas. HR professionals are invited to join us for this networking opportunity and panelist discussion. Keynote Speaker Dr. Sabrina Volpone, assistant professor at the University of Colorado—Boulder Leeds School of Business, will present on “the impact of financial outcomes when diversity efforts don’t feel inclusive,” while panelists will lead a discussion on diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Panelists include representatives from Ryan LLC, PepsiCo, Texas Health Resources, and Mr. Cooper.
Individual tickets can be purchased at the discounted rate of $15, now through January 6. All registrations include lunch.
Register today at: cob.unt.edu/hr
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G. Brint Ryan selected for membership by Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc.
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Horatio Alger Association of Distinguished Americans, Inc., a nonprofit educational organization honoring the achievements of outstanding individuals and encouraging youth to pursue their dreams through higher education, announced that G. Brint Ryan, founder, chairman, and CEO of Ryan, LLC, has been selected for membership in this prestigious organization.
Mr. Ryan joins 13 other exceptional business, civic, and cultural leaders from across North America in receiving 2020 honors. For more than 70 years, the Horatio Alger Award has been annually bestowed upon esteemed individuals who have succeeded despite facing adversities and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their communities.
From humble beginnings, Mr. Ryan battled adversity through much of his early life. His parents met in high school and eloped shortly after in Mexico to avoid age legalities in the United States. As a boy, Mr. Ryan grew up on a farm outside of Big Spring, Texas where finances were tight because of his father's meager earnings at a gas processing plant. His mother sold insurance to help keep the family afloat. Throughout his upbringing, his parents struggled with alcohol, and they ultimately divorced. Tragically, his mother was killed in an alcohol-related automobile accident while still very young. Although his adolescent years were often chaotic, Mr. Ryan was a diligent student and worked a number of jobs. His first job was a newspaper carrier. He later helped pay his way through college by bagging groceries at a Piggly Wiggly supermarket. He attended the University of North Texas for both undergraduate and graduate school, majoring in accounting.
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PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES AT THE RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
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$10,000
CENTER FOR LOGISTICS EDUCATION AND RESEARCH
The UNT logistics programs are among the best in the nation. Consisting of four major components: the Center for Logistics and Supply Chain Management, the Complex Logistics Systems Research Cluster, the logistics and supply chain management degree programs and the only four-year aviation logistics degree program in the country, students are given unique opportunities to excel at UNT. With a donation to the Center for Logistics Education and Research Fund, you are supporting the future of the program and its important research initiatives that will help advance the field even further.
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$5,000
AVIATION CAREER EDUCATION ACADEMY CAMP
Donations to The G. Brint Ryan College of Business Aviation Career Education (ACE) Academy camp support students with interests in aviation and aerospace. The goal of the camp is to give students awareness of aviation history, different career opportunities within aviation, preparation and planning a flight, the physics of flight, as well as the design and maintenance of aircraft. Attendees are offered many great opportunities, including a chance to fly in an airplane with the US Aviation Academy. Your gift will enable these opportunities by providing scholarship support for those interested in participating.
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$1,000
DEAN'S EXCELLENCE FUND
The Dean's Excellence Fund exists to give the Dean flexibility in supporting immediate needs and opportunities within the college. Whether that be a student's travel fees to an upcoming competition, a program that needs additional marketing collateral, or a piece of technology that must be fixed in the classroom, your unrestricted gifts toward the Dean's Excellence Fund, in any amount, are a critical part of our operations.
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