125th Anniversary Collection

Collection

Identifier: U0721

Staff Only
No requestable containers

Scope and Contents

On September 16, 1890, Joshua C. Chilton created the Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute from a single rented room above a hardware store in downtown Denton. 125 years later, from what began as a humble school of 70 students, The University of North Texas spanned 875 acres, offered over 139 majors, and was home to over 37, 973 students… and is still growing. This collection offers tangible memorabilia that reveals how UNT celebrated its anniversary and its history. The 2014-2015 Accomplishment Summaries are programs that highlighted UNT’s priorities such as infrastructure, enrollment, student support, academic, research, and economics as well as illustrated the successes in each area. These accomplishments were listed at the 2015 State of the University and new goals were elaborated upon. The 2015 State of the University was one of the central events of Founder’s Week and formally launched all 125th Anniversary celebrations. Approximately 800 people attended and it was here that the documentary “UNT at 125” premiered. A link to the film can be found on this page under Related Materials. On April 12, 2016, Willis Library hosted a reception to promote the newly created Independent, Original and Progressive: Celebrating 125 Years of UNT commemorative book that records and retells University history through unique and charming anecdotes. Denton musical legend and Grammy-award-winning band Brave Combo performed live at the event. A physical copy of Independent… can be accessed in the UNT Special Collections department and a digital copy is available for the UNT community online. A link to the digital version of the book can be found on this page under Related Materials. Yet another invitation included in this collection is that belonging to the 2016 Wingspan Gala; a “green tie” event that celebrated excellence across the University. Professors, students, alumni, and donors were all honored. The historic exhibit, UNT’s Corridor of Years: From Normal to Now, was featured and an orchestral composition titled “Suite for an Anniversary” by Richard DeRosa was performed by the UNT Concert Orchestra. A link to the composition can be found on this page under Related Materials. In addition to the event invitation, two publications are included in this collection; The North Texan’s “125 things We Love About UNT” and the Denton Record-Chronicle’s “Celebrating 125 Years.” Both newspapers are filled with articles praising The University of North Texas and Denton as well as local attractions and tidbits of history.

Dates

Creation: 2014-2016
Creation: Majority of material found in 2015

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is not restricted.

Conditions Governing Use

Reproduction and publication of materials in this collection are subject to the policies of the UNT Special Collections department. Copyright restrictions may apply.

Biographical or Historical Information

After the Texas Normal College and Teacher Training Institute was established, the school began to expand rapidly. In 1894 the two names were replaced by new nomenclature and the North Texas Normal College was born. The institution’s name changed yet again in 1901 to the North Texas State Normal College. 1913 was a big year for the school; the first library was opened, over 1,000 students enrolled, and the first official sports began. Just as World War I was beginning, standard four-year degrees became available. In 1923, the college became known as the North Texas State Teacher’s College and as the 30s rolled around, the school became one of the first in the nation to provide adult education courses. A new library and the construction of the first on-campus dorms marked the decade as a period growth and expansion. However, in the 40s NTSTC served as a military training site for World War II and enrollment dropped by half as students left to serve. In 1949, “Teachers” was dropped from the school’s name and it became North Texas State College. Doctoral programs began and the first African American students enrolled during the 1950s. Enrollment broke into the 10,000s during the 60s and the college became an official university in 1961, now called North Texas State University, or NTSU. During the 80s, enrollment hit over 20,000 and in 1988 the University experienced one last name change to The University of North Texas. Now in the 2000s, enrollment is at an all time high, UNT is ranked as a Tier One research university, and can boast a unique and diverse community of students and teachers. From humble beginnings, an impressive university emerged.

Note written by

Extent

1.00 boxes

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection is comprised of correspondence, various event invitations, publications, and UNT accomplishment programs that document and describe the University of North Texas' 125th Anniversary.

Arrangement Note

This collection is arranged into two Series; Series One: 125th Annivesary Committee and Series Two: 125th Anniversary Events. Series Two is organized both chronologically and by material type.