History Timeline

 

  • UNT President Harrison Keller

    2024: UNT President Harrison Keller takes office

    Dr. Keller, former commissioner and chief executive officer of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, becomes the seventeenth president of UNT. He succeeds Dr. Neal Smatresk.

  • UNT

    2023: Texas Voters Approve Proposition 5 to create 'Transformational' new funding for UNT

    Texas voters overwhelmingly approved a proposition on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023 that will provide transformational research funding for the University of North Texas, Texas State University, the University of Houston and Texas Tech University.

  • UNT STEM groundbreaking ceremony

    2023: UNT Dallas STEM groundbreaking

    University leaders, healthcare professionals, elected officials, and community partners broke ground on an innovative, state-of-the-art $100 million STEM complex at the University of North Texas at Dallas. The facility will pave the way for a new level of instruction, research, and collaboration.

  • Dr. Cynthia Weston

    2023: UNT Health Science Center selects a dean for College of Nursing

    Dr. Cindy Weston will lead the strategic planning, recruitment of personnel, and development of partnerships for the college, which is set to launch in the fall of 2024.

  • HSC instruction with simulation tools

    2023: UNT Health Science Center to launch College of Nursing

    In February, the UNT System Board of Regents voted to approve the College of Nursing at the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

  • 2023 UNT at Frisco Ribbon Cutting-300x220px

    2023: The first building at UNT at Frisco opens

    A ribbon cutting ceremony at the UNT at Frisco branch campus with UNT President Neal Smatresk opens the new state-of-the-art 135,000-square-foot Frisco Landing building before the start of the Spring semester on January 17.

  • Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams

    2022: UNT Health Science Center president Dr. Sylvia Trent-Adams takes office

    Dr. Trent-Adams became the seventh president of HSC, succeeding Dr. Williams. She served as HSC’s executive vice president and chief strategy officer prior to being elevated to president. Dr. Trent-Adams also served from 2015 to 2018 as the Deputy Surgeon General of the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps.

  • 2022 UNT at Frisco Central Mall and ped bridge drawing

    2022: UNT at Frisco construction continues to make progress

    Building of the Frisco Landing structure began in fall 2020, and classes are expected to begin at the campus in Spring 2023. The UNT at Frisco master plan will guide the growth and development for decades.

  • UNT Dallas College of Law building

    2022: UNT Dallas College of Law receives full accreditation

    Full approval from the American Bar Association (ABA) provides even more opportunities for UNT Dallas College of Law students and prospective students.

  • Chancellor Michael R. Williams

    2022: UNT System Chancellor Michael Williams takes office

    Michael Williams, former president of UNT Health Science Center, takes office as the fourth Chancellor of the University of North Texas System. 

  • UNT Dallas HSA

    2020: UNT joins UNT Dallas as Hispanic Serving/Minority Serving Institution

    UNT is designated a Hispanic Serving/Minority Serving Institution by the U.S. Department of Education, joining UNT Dallas.


  • UNT CVAD Building

    2019: UNT System Opens Four Buildings

    The UNT System and its member institutions completed and opened four new, or renovated, facilities totaling more than $300 million, including UNT's College of Visual Arts & Design, HSC's Interdisciplinary Research Building, UNT Dallas' Student Center and the UNT Dallas Law Center. 

  • UNT Dallas Track and Field team

    2020: UNT Dallas Launches Intercollegiate Athletics Program

    UNT Dallas launched its NAIA intercollegiate athletics program in September 2021 with its first-ever cross county meet. The Trailblazers began intercollegiate competition in three sports for both men and women -- cross country, basketball and track & field.

  • Chancellor Lesa Roe

    2017: UNT System Chancellor Lesa Roe takes office

    Lesa Roe, former Deputy Administrator for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), takes office as the third Chancellor, and first-ever woman, of the University of North Texas System. 

  • UNT Dallas College of Law graduation

    2017: UNTD College of Law granted provision accreditation

    UNT Dallas College of Law is granted provision accreditation by the American Bar Association in the same year its first class graduates. 

  • Old Municipal Building

    2017: UNT System acquires the Old Municipal Building

    UNT System acquires the City of Dallas Municipal Building (106 S. Harwood) to become the permanent home of UNT Dallas College of Law.

  • UNT Dallas residence hall ground-breaking

    2016: UNT Dallas breaks ground on first residence hall

    UNT Dallas breaks ground on its first campus residence hall, a milestone signifying the university’s continued growth. 

  • UNT ranked as top-tier research university

    2016: UNT ranked as top-tier research university

    The Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education™ ranks UNT among the nation's 115 top-tier research universities.

  • UNT Dallas College of Law

    2015: UNT Dallas College of Law files for provisional accreditation

    UNT Dallas College of Law files application for provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association for 2016

  • Bob Mong

    2015: Bob Mong named UNT Dallas President

    UNT Dallas names former Editor-in-Chief of the Dallas Morning News, Bob Mong, as President.

  • UNT Dallas stock photo

    2014: UNT Dallas College of Law admits first class

    UNT Dallas College of Law admits its first class consisting of 150 students.

  • UNT System College of Pharmacy students

    2014: College of Pharmacy program awarded Candidate Status

    The UNT System College of Pharmacy's Doctor of Pharmacy program is awarded Candidate Status by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE)

  • UNT President Smatresk

    2013: UNT names Dr. Smatresk as President

    University of North Texas names Dr. Neal Smatresk as President.

  • UNT System College of Pharmacy first class

    2013: College of Pharmacy admits first class

    UNT System College of Pharmacy admits first class

  • UNT Dallas Founders Hall

    2013: UNT Dallas awarded accreditation

    The Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) grants accreditation to UNT Dallas to award baccalaureate and master’s degrees.

  • Texas Governor Rick Perry

    2011 Texas Gov. Perry helps establish College of Pharmacy

    Texas Gov. Rick Perry signs HB 4 establishing the UNT System College of Pharmacy.

  • UNT Dallas campus

    2010: UNT Dallas opens

    The University of North Texas at Dallas officially opens as the third independent institution of higher education in the UNT System.

  • UNT System building after remodel

    2009: UNT System headquarters moves to Dallas

    UNT System headquarters moves to 1901 Main Street in downtown Dallas.

  • Ribbon-cutting for UNT Dallas College of Law

    2009: UNT Dallas College of Law approved

    The State of Texas approves UNT Dallas College of Law and earmarks $5 million of the State’s 2011-2012 budget for the law school.

  • UNT Dallas Seal

    2009: UNT Dallas becomes stand-alone institution

    Gov. Rick Perry signs Senate Bill 629, allowing UNT Dallas to become a stand-alone institution.

  • UNT System building in downtown Dallas

    2008: UNT System acquires 1901 Main St.

    UNT System acquires 1901 Main Street in downtown Dallas as an eight-story classroom and office facility.

  • 1900 Elm Lofts

    2006: UNT System acquires Majestic Lofts

    UNT System acquires Majestic Lofts, located at 1900 Elm Street in downtown Dallas, next to the UNT System Headquarters building.

  • Chancellor Jackson

    2002: Judge Lee F. Jackson named Chancellor

    Dr. Al Hurley retires as UNT System Chancellor and the Board of Regents appoints Dallas County Judge Lee F. Jackson as Chancellor.

  • UNT Dallas land before construction

    2001: UNT System acquires land for UNT Dallas campus

    UNT System acquires 202 acres of attractive, undeveloped land between Camp Wisdom Road and I-20 to be the permanent campus of UNT Dallas.

  • 2001 UNT Dallas building entrance

    2001: SB 576 approves creation of UNT Dallas

    Gov. Rick Perry signs Senate Bill 576, formally approving the creation of an independent University of North Texas at Dallas.

  • UNT System Seal

    2001: Formal UNT System status takes effect

    Formal UNT System status takes effect on January 1 with System offices headquartered on UNT campus in Denton.

  • Dr. Norval Pohl

    2000: UNT announces Norval Pohl as President

    Board of Regents appoint Dr. Norval Pohl as President of UNT, while Dr. Hurley becomes the UNT System's first full-time Chancellor.

  • 2000 Dallas Morning News

    2000: Chancellor and UNT President positions separated

    Board of Regents separate Chancellor and UNT President positions.

  • UNT System plaque

    1999: UNT System created

    Senate Bill 751 passes to formally create the University of North Texas System.

  • TCOM Building

    1993: UNT Health Science Center is formed

    TCOM is renamed the University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth.

  • The North Texas Daily front page

    1988: North Texas State renamed

    North Texas State University is renamed the University of North Texas.

  • Dr. Al Hurley

    1982: Dr. Hurley named Chancellor and President

    Board of Regents appoints Dr. Al Hurley as Chancellor and President of North Texas State University System and Chancellor of TCOM.

  • TCOM under North Texas State

    1975: TCOM under North Texas State

    Senate Bill 216 placed the then-private TCOM under the oversight of the North Texas State University Board of Regents, making it a state-supported medical school and the second public institution in the UNT System.

  • TCOM ground-breaking

    1970: TCOM founded

    Private Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) is founded by doctors in Fort Worth, laying the foundation for what will later become the University of North Texas Health & Science Center.

  • NTSU cheerleader

    1961: North Texas State College renamed

    North Texas State College is renamed North Texas State University.

  • North Texas State College awards first doctoral degrees

    1963: First doctoral degrees awarded

    North Texas State College awards first doctoral degrees

  • Blank Image

    1949: North Texas State Teachers College renamed

    North Texas State Teachers College is renamed to North Texas State College.

  • Jazz Studies

    1946: First "Jazz Studies" degree established

    North Texas State Teachers College establishes first "Jazz Studies" degree in the nation.

  • Audience in Administration Building 1926

    1923: North Texas State Normal College renamed

    North Texas State Normal College is renamed North Texas State Teachers College.

  • Intercollegiate football at North Texas State Normal College

    1913: Intercollegiate football begins

    Intercollegiate football begins at North Texas State Normal College.

  • 1913 Walking students at North Texas State Normal College

    1913: Enrollment surpasses 1,000

    Enrollment at North Texas State Normal College surpasses 1,000.

  • 1901-1906 Joel Sutton Kendall

    1901-1906: Joel Sutton Kendall, first President of North Texas Normal College

    J.S. Kendall (1849-1906) became the first principal (the title "president" was not extended to the heads of Texas teachers' colleges until about 1910) of North Texas Normal College. He pressed for increased state funding for the construction of new facilities and the repair of existing facilities on the 10-acre campus.

  • NTSN College

    1901: North Texas Normal College renamed

    North Texas Normal College is renamed North Texas State Normal College.

  • 1899 North Texas Normal College graduating class

    1899: Legislation for state college status

    Legislation is signed to make North Texas Normal College a state college.

  • Teacher's Training Institute

    1894: Teachers' Training Institute renamed

    Texas Normal College and Teachers' Training Institute is renamed North Texas Normal College.

  • Joshua C. Chilton

    1890: UNT founded

    UNT is founded as Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute by President Joshua C. Chilton.

  •