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We look forward to scheduling many ways to connect with our alumni and friends once we're allowed to gather in groups again.
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ALUMNUS
Brint Ryan ('88, '88 M.S.)
G. Brint Ryan, Chairman and CEO of Ryan, LLC and 1988 UNT alumnus, has been appointed by Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick to lead a task force on reopening the Texas economy. This group will develop strategies and deliver a roadmap for restarting the Texas economy once President Trump and Governor Abbott announce that businesses can reopen and Texans can go back to work.
“We know it will take us much longer to start the economy back up than it did to shut it down for the coronavirus pandemic emergency,” said Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. “I am confident Texas can lead a strong economic recovery both in our state and nationwide, and I want to make sure we are ready to go as soon as possible.”
“Texas businesses have played a key role in driving U.S. economic growth, and when the time is right, we plan to have the process in place to support a remarkable next stage of progress,” said Ryan. “I appreciate that Texas business leaders are anxious to lead our nation into a new, more powerful economic rebirth, and our task force will support their ability to flourish during this restart.”
Ryan also currently serves on Texas Lieutenant Governor Patrick’s Business Advisory Council and chairs the Advisory Board on Tax Policy.
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ALUMNUS
Jim McIngvale ('18, h.c.)
As a man known for his magnanimity as much as he is for his local television commercials in the Houston area or owning champion sprinter Runhappy, it was no surprise to anyone to see Jim “Mattress Mack” McIngvale doing his part to help the less fortunate members of his community during the unfolding coronavirus crisis.
On March 24, McIngvale posted a video on Twitter showing a drive-through area in the parking lot of his Gallery Furniture store where he and employees provided free grab-and-go meals and supplies for thousands of Houstonians. McIngvale has also been arranging for deliveries of food and supplies to the elderly, many of whom are quarantined or isolated because of their high risk for infection.
The tweet had over 3,000 retweets and 11,000 likes in a day, and the replies from the people of Houston were universally gushing. “Build this man a statue,” one said, “Mattress Mack is Houston’s Mother Teresa. Amazing man,” said another. It’s hard to argue, considering the philanthropic impact McIngvale has continually had in the United States’ fourth-largest city.
“We asked our customers through email, what could we do to help during this very strange pandemic,” McInvgale said Wednesday. “They said, without a doubt, help the children and seniors. The problem with children is that they’re out of school and so many kids from low-income families depend on school to have lunch. Meanwhile the seniors are locked in and can’t easily get food or supplies on their own.”
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Thanks to assistance from the UNT Jim McNatt Emergency Fund, business computer information systems major Muhammad Umer is on track to graduate this fall. Umer applied for emergency aid to help pay off this semester’s tuition, so he would not have to take out loans and further compound his current financial setbacks. As a result, he was awarded more than $2,000 to continue pursuing his academic goals--and he is not the only one.
More than 110 student have now been awarded over $220,000 from this critical funding source, enabling them to focus less on financial stress, and more on academics.
The McNatt Emergency Fund was established in 2019 by Jim and Linda McNatt with a generous $250,000 gift. While at UNT, Jim witnessed the needs of his fellow students that created barriers to obtaining their education. For that reason, the McNatts chose to create a way to assist students in similar situations. One thing they did not foresee, however, was the magnitude of impact it would have during the COVID-19 pandemic.
With nearly all funds from the McNatt's initial gift now depleted, Jim and Linda have recommitted an additional $250,000 to continue assisting those in need.
“During these tough times I was going through financial hardships and this scholarship will certainly help. I am grateful to Mr. McNatt,” said Umer.
Umer is now looking forward to walking the stage and landing his dream job as a business analyst.
Learn more about how the Jim McNatt Emergency Fund is here to help: https://cob.unt.edu/students/mcnattfund
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Students land top spot in international AIS competition
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Chase Sower and Thanh Hang, seniors majoring in business computer information systems, were selected as finalists for the international Association for Information Systems (AIS) Software Innovation Challenge.
The annual competition tasks student teams with proposing an IT solution to a challenge that addresses a sustainable development goal identified by AIS. For Sower and Hang, members of UNT’s AIS chapter, their solution entailed a web platform/application called OnMyWay.
OnMyWay offered a method for more efficiently coordinating ride-sharing solutions, while reducing environmental stress and delivering the highest value to users.
“We wanted to create an app that could positively impact society, with ours aiming to reduce traffic emissions, reduce traffic congestion, and save people money,” explained Sower, AIS treasurer for UNT.
From dozens of submissions around the world, Sower and Hang landed a spot among the top seven teams.
Both students credit Dr. James Parrish, assistant professor in the Department of ITDS, with helping them succeed in the competition.
“Dr. James Parrish advised me on how to secure and think about the UI and UX of the software,” said Hang.
As for the future, Sower and Hang have ambitions to continue using their critical thinking and passion for learning in the IT industry. “I plan to focus my career on software development and database analysis… I’m dedicated to continue learning and improving myself in these fields,” said Hang. Sower also commented, “I plan on going into Mainframe programming or something related to networking. I enjoy IT work and plan on working with technology for the rest of my life, as there are always new things to learn and experiment with.”
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Academic home run for UNT's Sport Entertainment Management program
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Chad Wynn, 2005 UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business alumnus, has an office half packed in boxes. He digs a personalized Louisville Slugger out of his "keep" pile, slings it across one shoulder and strolls across the street to the nearly finished, billion-dollar Globe Life Field he soon will call home. The Texas Rangers' director of business partnerships has been with the club for almost 15 years, and the bat was a gift commemorating his 10th season in a job he dreamt about his entire life.
"I'll do anything. I'll cut the grass. I'll cook the hot dogs, but I really want to be in sales," Wynn remembers telling Rangers executives in 2006. It wasn't his first meeting with his future employers -- or his second, or even third. He remembers hearing "no" a lot. But Wynn had decided this was the career for him.
"So I came out one last time, and in essence said, 'I'm not leaving here until you hire me,'" Wynn says. "And they were like, 'That's a little weird. We have security for that, but we appreciate the passion.'"
A few months later, Wynn finally got the call. The Rangers hired him for inside sales.
UNT’s sport entertainment management program exists for students who, like Wynn, are certain they are destined for careers as leaders in sports franchises. The program, housed at UNT at Frisco, includes a sport entertainment management track as part of a BBA in business integrated studies, as well as an MBA in sport entertainment management.
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Murphy Center offers resources for entrepreneurs seeking funding
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The Murphy Center at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business offers information regarding external funding resources for small and entrepreneurial businesses. Venture funding is available to UNT students, faculty and alumni, and the page has added fund sources targeted specifically addressing covid-19 pandemic impact during these difficult times.
Please visit the Murphy Center website for a list of thirteen external funding opportunities. These opportunities are frequently updated, so be sure to check back regularly for the most current information.
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Dr. Peggy Jimenez shares tax advice amid COVID-19 pandemic in first episode of Business Conversations podcast
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The UNT G. Brint Ryan College of Business announces the release of its first podcast series: Business Conversations. The podcast's inaugural guest, Clinical Assistant Professor Dr. Peggy Jimenez, answers questions in regards to taxes during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Jimenez offers insight into the types of deadline extensions that are being put in place, if people can expect the government’s stimulus plan to impact their 2019 tax filings, and whether or not it's advised to continue contributing to your 401(K) during this time.
Hear what Dr. Jimenez has to say on the topic and tune in to future Business Conversations episodes for featured expert faculty opinions on news affecting today's business world.
LISTEN TO THE PODCAST...
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Undergraduate advisors flawlessly transition to online platforms
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The G. Brint Ryan College of Business undergraduate advising team flawlessly transitioned their entire advising program online during one of the busiest times of the year.
When the news hit that everyone would need to practice social distancing and begin to work remotely, the college's advisors were forced to become accessible and flexible in new, innovative ways. Without any complaints, or any down time, the team came together to maintain their high level of service without comprising student success.
"This situation has produced some of the best qualities in the staff," commented Christina Aguilar, director of student engagement and recruitment. "It's been a testament to how everyone can just roll with the punches."
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PHILANTHROPIC OPPORTUNITIES AT THE RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS
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$10,000
THE MCNATT EMERGENCY FUND
The McNatt Emergency Fund was established in 2019 by Jim ('66) and Linda McNatt to provide Ryan College of Business students facing financial crisis with the necessary funding to keep them enrolled and progressing toward their degree. Awards as large as $3,000 are granted to students to alleviate the financial stress they may be facing. Since inception, the McNatt Emergency Fund has provided more than $220,000 to those in need.
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$5,000
UNT CARES FUND
A $5,000 gift will support UNT's presidential initiative to provide financial support to students who have immediate and pressing needs related to the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19). Funds will fulfill short-term needs and help students achieve their long-term educational objectives.
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$1,000
G. BRINT RYAN COLLEGE OF BUSINESS DEAN'S EXCELLENCE FUND
The Dean’s Excellence Fund also provides immediate, essential support to our programs. This fund serves as a vital resource to help our students and campus respond to opportunities and challenges as they occur. When you support the Dean’s Excellence Fund, you support the strategic vision of the college by allowing the Dean to have flexibility in directing the use of resources to the priorities of the college during this difficult time.
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