2025 Emeritus Recognition

Congratulations to the following faculty members, who earned the honorary title of Emeritus in recognition of their many years of distinguished service to the University of North Texas.

Stephen Austin
Professor, Division of Vocal Studies, College of Music

Dr. Stephen Austin joined the UNT faculty as an associate professor in 2001 and was promoted to professor in 2014. AUNT alumnus, he earned his Master of Music in vocal performance in 1983 and served as chair of the Division of Vocal Studies from 2013 to 2017. Dr. Austin retired in June 2023, concluding a remarkable 22-year career marked by exceptional contributions as a teacher, researcher, and leader. His internationally recognized expertise in vocal performance and pedagogy is best exemplified by his acclaimed book, Provenance: Historic Vocal Pedagogy Viewed through a Contemporary Lens (2017). His scholarship has led to prestigious speaking and coaching engagements worldwide, including in Australia, Austria, China, Colombia, the Czech Republic, and the UAE. Dr. Austin was instrumental in the growth and success of the College of Music, both through his leadership as division chair and his contributions to the Center for Performing Arts Health. Dr. Austin also was pivotal in student recruitment, consistently drawing top talent to the program and dedicating significant time and effort to these initiatives. His influence extended to nearly every facet of the College of Music, leaving a profound and lasting legacy.

Robert Bland
Endowed Professor, Department of Public Administration, College of Health and Public Service

Dr. Robert Bland retired on August 31, 2024, after more than 40 years at the University of North Texas. As the Endowed Professor in Local Government, he has had a distinguished career as a researcher, author, mentor, and scholar. He has published more than 21 papers, eight book chapters, and the landmark book Budgeting Guide for Local Government (4th edition). As the inaugural chair of the Department of Public Administration, he expanded a single M.P.A. degree into a program currently ranked No. 1 in Texas and 8th in the nation for local government management by U.S. News & World Report. He also helped establish the UNT Center for Public Management, the main cash handling training organization for the State of Texas. Dr. Bland has received numerous honors, including being named a National Academy of Public Administration Fellow in 2012 and an honorary member of the International City/County Management Association (ICMA) in 2017. He received the ICMA Stephen B. Sweeney Academic Award, the inaugural TCMA Terrell Blodgett Academician Award (twice), and the UNT Foundation Eminent Faculty Award. In 2020, he was elected vice chair of the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management and now serves as chair. He continues to contribute to the field, recently beginning a term on the Government Accounting Standards Advisory Council and planning to co-author the 5th edition of his book.

William Cherry
Associate Professor, Department of Mathematics, College of Science

Dr. William Cherry served the Department of Mathematics for 26 years. He earned his doctorate in 1993 from Yale University and started as an assistant professor at UNT in 1998, advancing to associate professor in 2003. His years at UNT were marked by thoughtful leadership, mentorship, and collaboration on projects with students and colleagues. He taught an impressive variety of courses, from the elementary "Survey of Mathematics" to specialized graduate courses. He is a respected mentor and served as a long-time associate chair and co-faculty advisor for the department's undergraduate program. As associate chair, he regularly coordinated efforts within the college, the University Undergraduate Curriculum Committee, TAMS, the Core Oversight Committee, the Vice Provost for Student Success, and the Learning Center. He is a respected colleague and twice received the department's award for outstanding service. For the university, he was a past member of the UNT Faculty Senate, the SACS reaffirmation writing team, the Oversight Committee on the Core Curriculum, and the University Curriculum Committee (for which he also had a term as co-chair). His mathematical contributions and publications include his 2001 monograph on Nevanlinna Theory (with Z. Ye) and his 2011 paper on Landau's theorem for holomorphic curves (with A. Eremenko). Dr. Cherry retired in January 2024 but continues to work with the department in a modified service capacity.

Kris Chesky
Professor, Division of Instrumental Studies, College of Music

Dr. Kris Chesky joined UNT in September 2007 and has made significant contributions to both the institution and the wider academic community in performing arts health over his 17-year tenure. He retired on August 31, 2024. Dr. Chesky earned his undergraduate degree in trumpet performance from Berklee College of Music and completed his master's and doctoral degrees at the University of North Texas. As the founding co-director of the Texas Center for Performing Arts Health and executive director of the Health Promotion in Schools of Music project, he exhibited exceptional leadership. Backed by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Grammy Foundation, his initiatives were pivotal in enhancing health and safety standards for music programs across the country. Dr. Chesky developed a highly regarded undergraduate occupational health curriculum and established a graduate field in music and medicine. Beyond the university, Dr. Chesky has served as an editorial board member for academic journals and held leadership positions in organizations including the National Hearing Conservation Association and the Performing Arts Medicine Association. A sought-after international consultant and guest lecturer, his work has been recognized with numerous awards, including the prestigious Safe-in-Sound Award from the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health, highlighting his enduring impact on the field of performing arts health.

Rhonda Christensen
Distinguished Research Professor, Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information

Dr. Rhonda Christensen retired in January 2025 after 25 years of outstanding service to UNT, where she excelled as a research professor, scholar, mentor, and leader in educational technology. AUNT alumna, Dr. Christensen earned her Ph.D. from the University of North Texas in 1997. As a professor, she co-founded and co-directed the Institute for the Integration of Technology into Teaching and Learning (IITTL), securing major federal grants that elevated UNT's standing as a Carnegie Tier One institution. Her scholarly achievements include more than 300 publications, 100 conference presentations, and numerous keynote talks worldwide. With over 8,900 citations and an h-index of 45, her work has brought significant national and global recognition to UNT. In addition to her research, she taught highly rated undergraduate and graduate courses and mentored a dozen doctoral students, many of whom began as research assistants on her grants and have gone on to successful academic careers. Despite a 100% research appointment, Dr. Christensen also dedicated herself to service, leading organizations including the American Educational Research Association, the International Society for Technology in Education, and the biennial EDUsummIT. Her career exemplifies academic excellence, innovation, and mentorship, earning numerous honors, including "Distinguished Paper" and "Outstanding Paper" awards. Her contributions have been integral to furthering UNT's research mission and expanding its global visibility.

Carol Anne Costabile-Heming
Professor, Department ofWorld Languages, Literatures, and Cultures, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. Carol Anne Costabile-Heming joined UNT in 2012 after serving as an associate dean and professor at Missouri State University and department chair at Northern Kentucky University. At UNT, she chaired and taught in the German language section until her retirement on August 31, 2024. In 2020, she became an affiliate faculty member in the women's and gender studies program, and in 2021, she became UNT's faculty associate for Fulbright programs. A highly regarded scholar of post-war and post-unification German literature and culture, Dr. Costabile-Heming received the Dr. Richard M. Hunt Fellowship from the American Council of Germany, the Fulbright Senior Research Award, and four Scholarly and Creative Activity Awards from UNT. In addition to developing and teaching 15 undergraduate and one graduate course, she served on numerous dissertation and thesis committees in the Department of History. She was active on various university committees and held leadership roles in several prestigious professional organizations, including vice president and president of the American Association of Teachers of German (AATG) and president of the Southern Conference on Language Teaching. In recognition of her advocacy for German language teaching, she was awarded an Honorary Membership in the AATG in 2023.

Sushama Dandekar
Principal Lecturer (Continuing), Department of Chemistry, College of Science

Dr. Sushama Dandekar retired in August 2023 after a distinguished 23-year career at UNT. She earned her Ph.D. from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in 1992 and joined UNT as a postdoctoral research associate in 1998, later advancing to lecturer in 2001, senior lecturer in 2015, and principal lecturer in 2020. Specializing in the rigorous undergraduate organic chemistry sequence, Dr. Dandekar transformed the curriculum to focus on conceptual learning through collaborative projects, peer-led instruction, and online tools. She also developed the honors section and mentored graduate teaching assistants while establishing a peer mentoring program for students. For more than two decades, she served on the Health Professions Advisory Committee, guiding countless students toward health-related graduate programs. She also contributed to the Barry M. Goldwater Scholarship Committee for 18 years and served as a McNair Conference evaluator for 20 years. Dr. Dandekar's exceptional work earned her two of UNT's highest honors: the UNT Foundation Outstanding Lecturer Award (2020) and the Ulys & Vera Knight Faculty Mentor Award (2023).

Mark Davis
Department of Management, G. Brint Ryan College of Business

Dr. Mark Davis joined UNT in 1998 as an associate professor of management and was promoted to full professor the following year. He played a pivotal role in the health services management program, serving as its coordinator for 14 years. In 2019, he became chair of the Department of Management, a position he held until his retirement on September 1, 2024. During his tenure, Dr. Davis made significant contributions to the department and university. As chair, he led key initiatives such as creating the sports management program at UNT Frisco, establishing the People Center, hiring an endowed professor of entrepreneurship, and expanding the human resources management program. He also served on various committees, including the Faculty Development Leave Committee and the Reappointment, Promotion, and Tenure Committee. Dr. Davis's research was widely recognized and respected, with 40 peer-reviewed articles in prestigious industry journals and presentations at more than 30 conferences. He mentored doctoral students and significantly aided in their publishing efforts, serving on 18 dissertation committees and chairing ten. Highly regarded by his peers for his collegiality, Dr. Davis's efforts were instrumental in the growth of sports management, entrepreneurship, and human resource management programs, leaving a lasting legacy at the G. Brint Ryan College of Business.

Jesse Eschbach
Professor, Division of Keyboard Studies, College of Music

Dr. Jesse Eschbach joined the UNT College of Music faculty in 1986, dedicating nearly his entire career to the institution as a professor and scholar. He also served as chair of the Division of Keyboard Studies, leading faculty in fortepiano, harpsichord, piano, piano pedagogy, and organ. He holds bachelor's and master's degrees in organ from Indiana University and a Doctor of Music Arts from the University of Michigan, with international studies at the Conservatoire de Rueil-Malmaison in France. Dr. Eschbach has earned numerous accolades as a performing artist, including the Prix d'Excellence and Prix de Virtuosite. As a featured artist, scholar, and presenter, he has appeared across Europe and North America, with recordings on the Centaur label. He has published significant scholarship on the original stop lists of Aristide Cavaille-Coll, making a lasting impact on pipe organ performance and pedagogy both nationally and internationally.

Judith Forney
Professor, Merchandising and Digital Retailing, College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism

For 32 years, Dr. Judith Forney shaped the futures of UNT students and faculty while leading the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism to national prominence for its unique curricula and strong industry connections. Dr. Forney served as dean of the School of Merchandising and Hospitality Management from 2001 to 2011, championing its official transition to the College of Merchandising, Hospitality and Tourism in 2012. She continued to serve as dean until her return to faculty in 2018. Dr. Forney spearheaded some of the college’s most significant transformations, establishing a 100%-online graduate program in merchandising, overseeing the implementation of the first-ever digital retailing degree program, and pioneering numerous initiatives that demonstrated her ability to anticipate industry trends and prepare UNT students to become leaders in their fields. Among faculty, she fostered a culture of collaboration and professional growth through an unwavering commitment to mentoring junior faculty as they navigated their academic careers, all while maintaining her own robust research agenda. Dr. Forney will conclude her distinguished career at UNT on April 30, 2024, after a prolonged medical leave. Her creative and insightful leadership will continue to shape the college’s academic programs and guarantee their relevance and viability for generations to come.

Krishna Kavi
Regents Professor, Department of Computer Science and Engineering, College of Engineering

Dr. Krishna Kavi concluded his distinguished career at UNT on August 31, 2024, after 23 years of service. Dr. Kavi became a full professor in 2001 and was awarded Regents Professorship in 2019. He held numerous leadership roles at UNT, including serving as the chair of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering for eight years. Dr. Kavi is among the pioneers of dataflow computer architectures and dataflow models for concurrent processing systems. His dataflow architecture was the basis for two major projects that led to several startup ventures. He is among early researchers to use ontologies to categorize computer security issues and to quantitatively obtain security severity due to known and unknown vulnerabilities. Dr. Kavi authored nearly 200 technical publications including 50 journal articles and 125 refereed conference proceedings, either as the primary author or as a co-author with his graduate students. Dr. Kavi holds three patents and has received over $10 million in funding - including nearly $7 million while at UNT - from various reputable sources including NSF, DoD (including Air Force, Navy, Army, and DARPA), NASA, State of Texas, and many companies. Dr. Kavi's mentorship has been invaluable to the UNT community. As credit, he supervised 25 doctoral dissertations, over 50 theses, and supported over two dozen research assistants using research grants. His record of service to the research community is outstanding, with several highimpact journal editorships, chairing technical program groups, and serving on committees of numerous international conferences.

James Kennedy
Regents Professor, Department of Biological Sciences, College of Science

Dr. James Kennedy retired in January 2025 after an exceptional 38-year career at UNT marked by significant contributions to teaching, research, and service. A Regents Professor since 2011 and the 2022 recipient of the prestigious UNT Foundation Eminent Faculty Award, Dr. Kennedy brought international recognition to UNT and leaves a lasting legacy. A renowned scholar in stream ecology and aquatic insect biology, Dr. Kennedy published 92 research articles, five books, 17 book chapters, and three field guides. His research spans biodiversity, ecological risk assessment, invasive species, and environmental education. He was a beloved instructor and mentor, advising 16 doctoral and 57 master's students. In addition to teaching popular courses such as Insect Biology, Aquatic Insect Ecology, Stream Ecology, and Sub-Antarctic Bio-Cultural Conservation, he led numerous study abroad programs in Mexico, Cuba, and Chile. Dr. Kennedy was recognized with the College of Science Teaching Excellence Award in 2018 and the College of Arts and Sciences Teaching Excellence Award in 2014. As executive director of the Elm Fork Education Center and Natural Heritage Museum, a role he held from 2005 to 2023, he expanded programming to serve thousands of schoolchildren annually. He also co-founded and directed the pioneering UNT Water Research Field Station and co-directed the Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Program, enhancing UNT's global reach.

Kelley King
Associate Professor, Teacher Education and Administration, College of Education

Dr. Kelley King arrived at the University of North Texas in 2006 as a lecturer and moved steadily through the ranks to associate professor, a title she held from 2013 until her retirement in 2022. For 16 years, Dr. King served the Department of Teacher Education and Administration and the College of Education in significant ways. Notably, she played a leading role in transforming the master’s degree in curriculum and instruction to an online format, significantly boosting its enrollment. This involved chairing committees, conducting market research, and guiding the approval process. She also participated in redesigning doctoral programs, introduced international exchanges and specializations, and managed various program administration roles, including assistant department chair. As coordinator for accreditation research, she developed program evaluations, collected and analyzed program data, prepared reports, and hosted visits for the educator preparation national accreditation body. In 2017, her work was recognized with department and college awards for outstanding service. Throughout her tenure, Dr. King chaired critical committees, mentored faculty, contributed to scholarly work, and served in leadership roles for national organizations, amassing a record of service that transformed teacher education at UNT and made a lasting impact in the wider academic community.

Richard McCaslin
Professor, Department of History, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. Richard B. McCaslin retired in September 2023 after nearly two decades of exemplary service to UNT as a professor in the Department of History. Dr. McCaslin, who earned his Ph.D. in history from the University of Texas at Austin in 1988, dedicated the majority of his career to the University of North Texas, where he began teaching in 2004. He served as chair of the Department of History for eight years and held the distinguished title of Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) Professor of History from 2016 until his retirement. A leading scholar of Civil War and Texas history, Dr. McCaslin authored or edited more than 20 books, including acclaimed works such as Tainted Breeze: The Great Hanging at Gainesville, Texas, 1862 (1997), Lee in the Shadow of Washington (2001), and Fighting Stock: John S. "Rip" Ford of Texas (2011). His scholarship has earned numerous awards and brought significant recognition to UNT. As a publicly engaged historian, he lectured widely to professional and general audiences, conducted workshops for high school teachers, and served the Texas State Historical Association in multiple leadership roles. He also was recognized for his distinguished service to Civil War Round Table discussion groups, further demonstrating his commitment to historical education and public outreach.

Cathleen Norris
Regents Professor, Department of Learning Technologies, College of Information

Dr. Cathleen Norris arrived at the University of North Texas in 1987 as an assistant professor and moved steadily through the ranks to full professor, which she was awarded in 1995. After serving over 42 years at UNT, Dr. Norris retired August 31, 2024. She leaves a remarkable legacy to educational technology, demonstrating the highest standards of academic excellence, scholarly achievement, and dedicated mentorship. As a reflection of her outstanding service and leadership, she was awarded the distinguished title of Regents Professor in 2019. Dr. Norris has made significant contributions to research and scholarship in the field of teaching and learning technologies. Her groundbreaking research on digital learning and smart learning environments earned her national and international recognition. Her publications have also made valuable contributions in the advancement of knowledge in her field. During her years at UNT, Dr. Norris has published more than 200 articles and delivered more than 300 presentations at major conferences. Beyond her academics, Dr. Norris has been an invaluable mentor and leader. She has served with distinction in numerous administrative roles, most recently as associate dean of research for the College of Information. In professional communities, Dr. Norris has served on various leadership committees and held prominent leadership roles including president of the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) and president of the National Educational Computing Association. Dr. Norris has consistently exemplified the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to the mission of higher education.

Dee Ray
Regents Professor, Department of Counseling and Higher Education, College of Education

Dr. Dee Ray concluded her exceptional 23-year career in the Department of Counseling and Higher Education in December 2024. Her contributions to research, teaching, and service will leave a lasting impact on the university, the mental health field, and the community. A leading scholar, Dr. Ray's impressive body of work includes more than 169 publications and has been recognized by the Association for Play Therapy, American Counseling Association, and Texas Counseling Association. She is a founding board member and past president of the Association for Child and Adolescent Counseling and served as editor of the International Journal of Play Therapy and the Journal of Child and Adolescent Counseling. Dr. Ray's teaching excellence earned her UNT's highest honors, including the 'Fessor Graham Award, the UNT Teacher Scholar Award, the University Distinguished Teaching Professorship, and the Regents Professorship. As a mentor, she chaired 60 doctoral dissertations, with many of her students now serving as faculty nationwide. As director of the Center for Play Therapy and the Child and Family Resource Clinic, Dr. Ray integrated clinical training, research, and community service. She co-developed international certification programs in Child-Centered Play Therapy and Child-Parent Relationship Therapy, training thousands globally, and oversaw the Denton County ISD play therapy outreach program, providing critical support to local schools.

Michael Richmond
Professor, Department of Chemistry, College of Science

Dr. Michael Richmond concluded his remarkable 37-year career at the University of North Texas on August 31, 2023. He earned his doctorate from the University of Alabama in 1983, joining UNT as an assistant professor in 1986. His dedication and expertise led to his promotion to associate professor in 1992 and full professor in 1998. In 2023, he retired and transitioned to modified service. As a researcher, Dr. Richmond focused on platinum group metals, specializing in the synthesis and ligand activation of mono- and polynuclear organometallic compounds. His prolific research output includes more than 300 peer-reviewed articles and two chapters in the prestigious monograph series Catalysis of Organic Reactions. As an educator, Dr. Richmond consistently ranked among the department's top-rated instructors throughout his career, known for his commitment to excellence in teaching organic chemistry. His distinguished service to UNT, including two terms as department chair, along with his continuous research funding and exceptional contributions to organometallic chemistry will leave a lasting impact on the university and the wider academic community.

Gustavo Romero
University Distinguished Professor, Division of Keyboard Studies, College of Music

Gustavo Romero joined the piano faculty of the University of North Texas College of Music in fall 2002, after five years at the University of Illinois and nine years with the Eastern Music Festival in Greensboro, North Carolina. He discovered his passion for piano at age 5 and performed publicly by age 10, winning his first competition that same year. By 13, he had already performed with the New York Philharmonic, and at 14, his exceptional talent earned him a place at the Juilliard School. Throughout his career, Professor Romero has garnered numerous accolades, including first prize at the Clara Haskil International Piano Competition in Switzerland, the Avery Fisher Career Grant, and the Musical America Young Artist Award. He is internationally celebrated as both a solo recitalist and concerto soloist, performing with prestigious orchestras such as the New York Philharmonic, Los Angeles Philharmonic, English Chamber Orchestra, Radio France Orchestra, New Japan Philharmonic, and Shanghai Orchestra. His extensive recordings and collaborations with these renowned ensembles highlight his esteemed status in the music world. Professor Romero retired on August 31, 2024, leaving behind a legacy as an internationally recognized concert pianist and a distinguished teacher.

Catherine Sassen
Librarian, University Libraries

Catherine Sassen joined the University of North Texas in 1980 and steadily advanced through the ranks, achieving the title of full librarian in 2021. She retired on June 1, 2024. Over her remarkable 42-year tenure in the Collection Management Division, she made a lasting impact as a dedicated librarian. Ms. Sassen presented at numerous conferences and authored more than 40 high-quality publications, establishing herself as an essential member of the faculty. Her most enduring legacy, however, lies in her commitment to mentoring. There is hardly a member of the Collection Management Division whom she didn't mentor in some capacity, and she played a pivotal role in founding a library-wide mentoring program. In recognition of her outstanding contributions and dedication to helping others, Ms. Sassen was honored with the 2024 Outstanding Library Faculty Award.

Gustav Seligmann
Associate Professor, Department of History, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Dr. Gustav L. Seligmann retired in January 2023 after an extraordinary 56-year career at UNT. Joining the faculty in 1967, the same year he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona, Dr. Seligmann built a distinguished legacy that has profoundly impacted the Department of History, the university, and his field. Throughout his tenure, Dr. Seligmann took on numerous leadership roles, including associate and acting director of core programs for the College of Arts and Sciences, chair of the university tenure committee, and member of the Faculty Senate Executive Committee. His professional service included roles as book review editor for the Southwestern Historical Quarterly and president and list editor for H-Net, an international organization that connects scholars and teachers in the humanities and social sciences. He dedicated his career to advancing educational opportunities at every level, securing major grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities to support curriculum development at UNT and a grant from the U.S. Department of Education to enhance teacher training for Denton ISO. His research and scholarship reflect wide-ranging interests, from New Mexico and Mexican American history to pedagogy and political campaign songs. His work was published in respected journals such as the New Mexico Historical Review and Arizoniana, and he co-edited influential works including Chicano: The Evolution of a People (1973), Chicano: The Beginnings of Bronze Power (1974), and The Sweep of American History (1970), further contributing to the fields of American and Chicano history.

Phyllis Slocum
Principal Lecturer, Department of Media Arts, College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Phyllis Slocum has been an exceptional principal lecturer, station manager for NTIV, and faculty advisor at UNT for over 23 years. She holds a B.A. in Political Science/International Studies from Kalamazoo College and an M.A. in Radio, Television, and Film from UNT. Since joining the Department of Media Arts in 2002, she has become known for her leadership of UNT's award-winning college television station. With a career in both radio and television, her primary focus has been on television news, management, and the broadcasting industry. Beyond industry and academia, she also works as a professional voice-over talent, assisting companies with on-air sound and providing voice presentation coaching. At UNT, she teaches upper-level and graduate courses in media with an emphasis on television, including the capstone Television News Producing course, which leads to a special certificate for students. Her other courses include Media in the 21st Century, International Communications, Broadcast Copywriting, and Interviewing and Performance. Throughout her career, Ms. Slocum has created new classes, redesigned syllabi, served as a mentor to adjunct faculty and graduate students, and actively contributed to various committees at the department, college, and university levels.

Linda Stromberg
Principal Lecturer, Department of Teacher Education and Administration, College of Education

Throughout her distinguished 24-year career in the UNT College of Education, Dr. Linda Stromberg demonstrated unwavering commitment to teaching, leadership, and service until her retirement in June 2024. A UNT alumna, Dr. Stromberg earned her master's and Ph.D. in reading and obtained both principal and superintendent certifications. Before joining academia, she held leadership roles in Carrollton-Farmers Branch and Dallas ISDs, bringing invaluable practical experience to her career in higher education. At UNT, she advanced to principal lecturer and led the master's in educational leadership and principal certification programs for more than 15 years, guiding thousands of students to successful careers in education. Under her leadership, the programs achieved high CAEP and SACS accreditation ratings and national recognition. She pioneered online education, launching UNT's first accelerated online program and securing a $700,000 grant in collaboration with Denton ISD. A two-time recipient of the College of Education Outstanding Lecturer Award and an Exemplary Online Teacher and Course awardee, Dr. Stromberg also served as a faculty senator, participated in 30 faculty searches, and mentored more than 50 doctoral committees. Her exceptional contributions to the department, college, and university embody the spirit of UNT's mission, and her legacy will continue to inspire students, faculty, and the broader educational leadership community.

Richard Vedder
Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences, G. Brint Ryan College of Business

Dr. Richard Vedder joined UNT in 1984 as an assistant professor after earning his Ph.D. from the University of Arizona. He was promoted to associate professor in 1990 and to professor in 2000. From 2004 to 2005, he served as interim chair of the ITDS department, contributing significantly to the department, university, and discipline as an administrator, researcher, and educator. Dr. Vedder held various leadership roles throughout his career, including program coordinator for the ITDS master's degree and representative on the RCOB master's program committee. He helped foster partnerships with companies such as Microsoft, strengthening the department's industry connections, and played a key role in the doctoral program by chairing several dissertation committees. He developed and taught a wide range of courses at both undergraduate and graduate levels, such as Visual Programming for Business Applications and Web-Based Systems Development and published more than 37 academic articles in esteemed industry journals. He is known for his research on expert systems and IT offshoring, with support from companies including Texas Instruments and Microsoft.

John Windsor
Professor, Department of Information Technology and Decision Sciences, G. Brint Ryan College of Business

Dr. John Windsor joined UNT in 1983 after earning his Ph.D. from Georgia State University, dedicating 35 years to the university and the ITDS department before retiring in 2018. As chair ofITDS for nearly 12 years (1993-2004), his leadership was pivotal in developing a robust academic department known for its rigorous technical curriculum and strong industry connections. The department's current strength in mainframe computing is largely due to Dr. Windsor's vision. He was instrumental in establishing the Information Systems Research Center, which created lasting connections with regional IT leaders. Even after stepping down as chair, Dr. Windsor remained deeply involved, serving as chair of the ITDS PAC, coordinating undergraduate programs, and chairing both scholarship and curriculum committees. He also played a key role in shaping the ITDS curriculum and supervised many dissertations, serving on countless committees. Dr. Windsor's research focused on IT management and information systems security, contributing numerous scholarly articles to premier academic journals. His collaborative work often included doctoral students and junior faculty, furthering the field's development.