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Parent  News |
A Parent Programs and Parent Association Publication |
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Welcome to a brand new year for parents of UNT students! |
 In This Issue: |
Sheri Kantner, PA Past President Farewell Letter |
It is hard to believe how quickly my year of service as your President has flown by. We have had a fun year building our first ever homecoming float and winning the "Most Spirited Award". Our spring social of the Mean Green Basketball Men's game, with a barbeque meal, was a fabulous event. To think we had so many parents volunteer at our spring goodie box stuffing that we stuffed 648 boxes in one hour is just unbelievable. Once again, we met our goal and awarded 52, $500.00 scholarships and 2, $1,000.00 academic scholarships. The volunteers that turned out for our parents orientation, coordinated by Sharon Wainscott our Vice President, brought such comfort to our new parents. Tony Hill, President-Elect, did a great job in organizing our board, and remote site volunteers for our well attended summer send-off parties. Our membership currently stands at over 1440 families and our Facebook site is fast approaching 800 members. It has been a joy speaking to our prospective students and incoming Freshmen parents. To witness the care and concern that our UNT parents have for each other has just been amazing and shows what a terrific school UNT is that it draws in this type of student and parent.
We have Family Weekend just around the corner so please go online and sign up and don't forget to use your 10% discount as a result of being a member of the PA. I can't wait to see you at this year events.
I cannot leave without thanking Catherine Olivarez and her staff for all the hours they have put in making the PA a Mean Green Success.
Thank you for allowing me to serve you. I hope I have been able to give back to UNT PA just a small portion of what UNT has given to my son's James Kantner, a senior, and Keith Kantner, a sophomore, in education and life experience. It has not always been a smooth road for them, but I know that when they leave UNT they will be well equipped to face the world.
Thank you UNT and thank you to the most fabulous parents association in the world - UNT PARENTS ASSOCIATION.
Go Mean Green! |
Upcoming Parent Association Events |
9/6/2014 - Tailgate with the Parent Association!
9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m. - The Hill at Apogee Stadium
Everyone is welcome to join the Parent Association under their tent before the Mean Green takes on SMU in the 1st home game this season!
09/19/2014 - Parent Desert Reception*
8:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - UNT Alumni Pavilion
The Parent Association welcomes all parents to come enjoy complimentary deserts and spirits. Volunteers will be recognized for their service this past year and this is also a great opportunity to meet fellow UNT parents.
09/20/2014 - Parent Association Meeting and Volunteer Reception*
10:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - Gateway Center
The officers for the 2014-2015 year will be elected and everyone will have the opportunity to brainstorm for the upcoming year. |
Family Weekend 2014 |
Family Weekend is a fun filled, three day event packed with activities, food, and the opportunity to cheer on the Mean Green football team as they take on Nicholls State. Register for Family Weekend to participate in a 5K Family Run, attend some great events like Scrappy's Extravaganza, a Movie Under the Stars, the President's Breakfast, and much more!
Check out our website for Family Weekend 2014 for more information. Parent Association members are eligible for a 10% discount on Family Weekend registration. If you have not received an email with a code to use for registration, please email us at [email protected].
Reminder: The Parent Association meeting during Family Weekend is on Saturday, September 20 at 10:30 am -12:30 pm in the Gateway Center, Room 43/47. You do not have to register for family weekend to attend this meeting. |
Family of the Year Award Nominations |
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The Office of Orientation & Transition Programs and Parent Programs are now accepting Family of the Year nominations! Your students have the opportunity to give their families a big THANK YOU for their support. Nominations will close Monday, September 8th. All nominations will be reviewed based on the student's academic standing, community involvement and a short essay. The family chosen will be recognized during the Family Weekend Farewell Breakfast Sunday morning. |
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 I am really excited for a new academic year here at UNT. This is my fourth year at the university, and third serving as the Coordinator for Parent Programs. With each year that passes, I never grow tired of seeing bright-eyed, eager faces ready to take on this exciting journey that is college. After seeing some of your posts on the Parent Association Facebook page, it seems many of you are equally (or more) excited for your students. I have a few tips that may come in handy as your family adjusts to life with a college student. Whether this is your first, last or only child to college some things you may find useful. For some of our more "seasoned" parents, you may be well aware of this advice and that's ok; pass them on to your friends who have (or will soon have) a child in college. Tuck these suggestions away in your "college resources" tool belt and use them when you need them! Don't always expect your student to be available. They are in a new environment and are likely making new friends. Their adjusting to a new schedule and also getting involved on campus. With their new found freedom, they may also become a bit forgetful about calling home. I know you may want to pick up the phone, but rest-assured, they'll call or text to let you know they're thinking of you, too. Your role as parent has started to change. When they do call, it may seem like things aren't going well. They may just want to vent about their day. And while you'll want to solve their problems, it's best to let them find a way to resolve it first. Do, however, give gentle reminders and words of encouragement about using the appropriate resources - like going to the career center for resume help, or visiting the Student Health and Wellness Center if they're feeling sick. Do not be surprised if you see (or have seen) a change in your student's attitude. Some witnessed it during orientation, others during Mean Green Move-In. Your student is trying to become his/her own person. They are learning to be independent without mom, dad, or their siblings around to help. Support them during this time and know that this will pass. However, if you become concerned about their behavior, let us know so that we can find ways to help your student out. For more readings about what to do to help your students, check out UniversityParent for some great articles that share even more tips for parents. I hope to see many of you at Family Weekend and Homecoming this fall. #GMG! Catherine Olivarez |
Upcoming Events for Your Students |
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Fine Arts Series Presents:
"The Funny Story Behind the Funny Stories" |
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The Mary Jo & V. Lane Rawlins Fine Arts Series is dedicated to enriching the lives of UNT students by presenting exciting performers. This September, they are hosting Scott Dikkers. His hilarious, yet inspiring story explains how he and a few friends created a fake newspaper that eventually became what we know today as The Onion. Dikkers and his friends became founders of TheOnion.com, the world's first humor website and one of the most popular humor destinations in the world.
Dikkers is now the creator of The Onion News Network, a best selling author, winner of the Thurnber Prize for American Humor and the holder of numerous other distinguishing achievements. More information about Dikkers and this event can be found at The Fine Arts Series. |
Meet the new Graduate Assistant |
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Welcome new parents and welcome back to our experienced UNT parents! It is the start of a new semester and I am excited to introduce myself.
I am Shanae Jefferies, but feel free to call me Shae. I am the new Graduate Assistant for Parent Programs! This is my second year in the PhD Sociology program. In May of 2013 I graduated from St Edward's University in Austin, Texas. There I earned a B.A. in Sociology. The following fall I began this graduate program, which allows me to earn my Master's on the way to my PhD. I am originally an Army brat from Copperas Cove, Texas, (next to Fort Hood) but I also consider Austin as my hometown.
I am a first generation college student like many students here at UNT and excited to help calm some concerns you might have. When I first started college I did not think I would end up in graduate school (and certainly not working on a PhD) but my undergraduate years brought out the true scholar in me. With that being said, I may be able to connect with some of your students and relate because I was in their shoes not too long ago.
While at St Edward's I worked with admissions programing to improve African American recruitment and retention. In doing so I co-founded the Black Student Alliance (BSA), first serving as secretary and later as president. In that time I spoke with numerous parents about campus life and really started to understand the frustrations my parents went through when letting me go to college.
My research involves name discrimination, specifically focusing on African American's with distinctively black names, with regard to hiring, housing and admission practices and policy. I began this research as an undergraduate sophomore and was accepted into the McNair Scholars program where I received the opportunity to research under a federally funded grant. The McNair Scholars program is aimed at first generation students and underrepresented populations with a strong academic record in their respective field of study. This experience afforded me the opportunity to travel across the nation to present my research and network across academic disciplines. To anyone who's student believes they want to pursue a Ph.D., I strongly encourage them to consider applying for scholarships and fellowships early. They should also begin thinking about their academic acheivements now, rather than later, to create a solid portfolio for their applications.
I have been in Denton for a full year now and feel pretty acclimated. While it is not the same flashy lifestyle of Austin, I have come to call it home and appreciate the abscence of traffic. Please feel free to contact me at [email protected] with any questions, comments or concerns that I can help with. It is going to be a great year!
Best & Go Mean Green,
Shae |
Want to stay up to date with different events, activities, and services on at UNT? Check out these awesome social media sites!
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 Join the Parent Association group on Facebook!
Add Parent Programs as a friend! |
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Roadside Assistance Information
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The 2014-2015 Roadside Assistance packet will be available online through Blackboard Learn on September 24! To access this information, please email [email protected] for the login information. |
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