It is September 2013 and our campus is already buzzing with Mean Green Pride. You can truly feel the green throughout our campus. Our UNT staff, professors, students, and University itself, are prepared and eager to make this the best year ever!
As the summer began to wind down, I asked my daughter, Hannah E, what we needed to do to prepare for her upcoming final year at the Mighty Mean Green UNT. Did we need to review her "needs list", or purchase items for classes? Normally, I receive a frazzled response, but this year was different. There was a sense of calm. No sense of urgency, but only a reflection of confidence. Miss H is a senior this year, and I thought to myself, hmmm, she has grown up right before our eyes, the time passed so quickly. Is this strong young woman our daughter, ready to embark into a new adventure and make her mark on our world? I take a deep breath and say, yes mom, she is. I then think to myself, for her to be where she is today, is a true result of not only our parenting, her attitude and diligence, but also a result of her time at UNT and the support of her professors, staff members, and her fellow students.
After 2 years of being your president, I will now transition to the role of "Past President" for my final year. Wow, how time flies. I remember when I was a frosh parent, bewildered, confused, and desperately looking for a parent program to help guide me through our family's journey at UNT. I then found the UNT PA, and a sense of relief came over me after attending only one meeting. I knew this was the place to be, and I have never been disappointed.
I am proud to be able to update our members on our association's accomplishments over the past year. So many opportunities for our parents to volunteer their time, and boy did you come through. Goody Box stuffing sessions were well attended both times last year. I have never been more excited about seeing pickup trucks and dollies in a parking lot. Student Summer Orientations were next. It was fun to see all of the new, excited freshman and transition parents and be able to welcome so many of them into our association. And again, our parent volunteers rocked. The orientation hours are long and hot, it is easy to get worn out during a volunteer shift, but each time I looked at our table, our parents were up laughing and welcoming, it was a proud sight to behold. We sold more merchandise during orientation than we did all of last year. All those sales go back to assisting us in awarding scholarships at the end of the year; another great accomplishment. We then headed into Summer Send Off parties, and I can again say, GREEN Success. Our attendees were busting out of the restaurant doors, and there was so much fellowship between regional parents. Our final event was "Mean Green Move-In", and while it was very hot, it was also very busy, and full of Mean Green fun. Many parents dropped by the booth to say "hi!", and tell us of their eagerness to volunteer.
The economy continues to be a struggle. With the help of our UNT PA Membership Committee, we were able to put together and send out a survey asking for feedback on member's experiences. We will use the information received for future membership drives. I would like to thank each member of this committee for all of their time and effort.
With that being said, in 2012-2013 we were still able to award 52, $500 Draw Scholarships, and 2, $1,000 Academic Scholarships to our member's students. Again, this is a result of our strong membership.
We have two important events right around the corner, Family Weekend and Homecoming.
Don't forget to go online and sign up for Family Weekend; you receive a 10% discount as a result of joining the PA. Also, this will be our second year to participate in the HC parade, and we are planning on stepping up our presence this year by having our first "float" in the parade.
I don't think I need to tell anyone how successful our Facebook page has become. At time of press, we had 339 members. And might I add, those are 339 "ACTIVE" Mean Green members. I "beam with green" when I see all of you assisting each other. Especially our seasoned parents, staff members, and alumni input. The positive comments assist in easing fears and nerves for all parents. While some of us might no longer be "freshman" parents, we have certainly all been there. It is also a treat when I read all of the positive comments from our parents regarding experiences on campus. There will always be as I call them, "green hiccups" as is with any university...but, when I see our parents being so supportive and overcoming issues with positive thinking, well, it can only mean success.
A BIG GREEN shout out of "thanks" goes out to Catherine Olivarez and her Student Staff. Long hard hours for all of them over the past 4 months and now right into fall. No stopping for a quick breath. They show up at each event ready to go with bright green smiles! I don't know what we would do without them!
I would also like to thank Melissa McGuire, Director of Orientation and Transition Programs at UNT, for being my sounding board. She is always there when I have a quick question or need guidance on our green path decisions. I could not have done it without her.
To close, I want to thank you all for supporting me during my years as President. I cannot put into words how fulfilling this chapter in my life has been. If you know me, you know I am a people person, and with my membership in the UNT PA, I have been blessed with making many new friends which I dearly treasure. I am honored to be a representative of not only our association, but also the great University of North Texas.
By having your support, and the support of our alumni and parent programs, I believe we have achieved great success. Many accomplishments were achieved which will not only enhance PA, but our University as well. UNT is only as strong as its students, and our students can only attain that strength with the support of their parents.
I am very proud to be a Mean Green Eagle, so when you see me on campus, with my Talon held up so very high, get your Talon up high as well and send me a friendly Kaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah shout out!
Go University of North Texas and Go Mean Green!