Coming Home

(The Aerie, Yearbook of the University of North Texas, 1992)

It is true to say that every year, students look forward to attractions that abound during Homecoming week. They range from social scheduling like keg parties, meetings, to pep rallies, and other preambles before the big game.

During this time also, expectations are very high, and some students are very anxious to see who will be crowned Homecoming Queen.  As far as one female student was concerned, the parade and the crowning of the Homecoming Queen were the two highlights that fascinated her the most during that eventful weekend.

In complete contrast, members of the football team are only thinking of how many touchdowns they must make and how many fumbles they must cause to win the game.

It is therefore not unusual to find the football team engaged in far-reaching practices and workouts well in advance to the match.

The marching band, cheerleaders and other groups also put themselves in readiness for this weekend. Over the years, the marching band has transformed its outlook and increased its scope of its activities to include performing at basketball and football games, taking part in several competitions nationwide and of course showing up in full force for Homecoming.

The Green Brigade also has had its share of the Homecoming celebrations. With costumes that mark a drastic departure from the old, the quality of the music if nothing else has been captivating.

Fraternities and Sororities also celebrate this event in their ways. They take time out to “count their blessings” and revel in their achievements.

The Delta Zeta Chapter, a sorority that chartered at UNT in 1968 has created a niche in this society. So has Alpha Kappa, Alpha Phi Alpha and a host of others on campus.

It has been very satisfying to note that Homecoming events come and go without a hitch.

TAMS students place as semifinalists

 North Texas Daily Reporter  Thursday, October 1, 1992

Thirty-seven students at the Texas Academy of Math and Science(TAMS) have been named National Merit Scholarship semifinalists.

These students took the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test administered by the College Board in October 1991 as 10th graders and they scored in the top one-half of one percent. More than 1 million juniors at 19,000 U.S high schools took the exam.

Waleed Mebane, second-year academy student from Houston is one of 1,500 semifinalists nationwide in the National Achievement Scholarship Program for African American students. “I feel pretty good about it. I came to the academy because of the challenge it offers and I am looking forward to becoming a finalist,” he said.

In addition, three second-year academy Hispanic students who are among the 5,000 students nationwide qualifying for the National Awards Program are, Yehoran Hofman,Laredo, Dale Johnson, El Paso and John-David Rocha, Flower Mound.

Dr. Richard Sinclair came to the academy as the director on Sept. 1.

“The students are wonderful. It is a joyful experience to work with them because they are very bright. What we have here are the future leaders of Texas in science and technology,” he said.

Approximately 200 high school sophomores from throughout Texas are admitted to the academy each year. Admission is based on scholastic aptitude test scores, grades, teacher recommendations, parental support and commitment, a student essay, a math diagnostic test and a personal interview.

There are 351 students in the academy. They reside in McConnel Hall with a live-in supervisory staff and they have access to all NT student services.

The academy was created by the Texas Legislature in 1987 to provide an opportunity for gifted students with particular interest in math and sciences to simultaneously complete their last two years of high school and first two years of college.

“TAMS is unique because it is a residential program for high school students.  There are other programs in the country but this is the only one that gets you a high school diploma and two years of college credit at the same time,” Sinclair said.

The academy’s primary mission is to encourage students to pursue science, engineering, and math to address the shortage of qualified professionals in these fields.

UNT Board of Regents – Cohesiveness is the key to success

(The Arie, Yearbook of the University of North Texas, 1992)

The Board of Regents at UNT is comprised of nine members appointed by the governor of Texas and confirmed by the State Senate. Usually, the board meets four times a year, but meetings may be called by the chairman on its initiative. Recently, the current board chaired by Jerry Farrington could not wait until the regularly scheduled meeting to discuss the bond sale, so one was called.

Also, to approve strategic plans for submission to the state, two sessions were held in stages.

The board members at UNT were very efficient and worked well together. Cases of dissent were rare or non-existent. Since the arrival of Dr. Hurley, Chancellor of the University, there has been no time when the board members were at odds with each other.

It was the opinion of the secretary of the board that the Chancellor was well informed and very interested in its affairs. It goes without saying that the one thing that makes a good board is a good chief executive. This fact has ensured the smooth conduct of the board of regents.

There was no record of proposed action introduced by a board member or Chancellor that has substantially affected UNT/ Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine (TCOM) policy.

In spite of the fact that some members live away from Denton and traffic obstructions might delay the arrival of any such member to a meeting thus creating a lack of quorum, at all times, there have been at least five permanent members to constitute a quorum for transactions of business.

Using his wise office, Dr. Hurley has promoted, established and developed such programs as were needed to fulfill, the academic, research and servicing goals of the College of Osteopathic Medicine without duplicating them with those of UNT.

He established policies and procedures within the laws of the state and the bylaws of the Board that was necessary for the efficient operation of TCOM.

However, this does not suggest that the board just rubber stamped whatever was tabled by the chief executive. Approvals were made after serious discussions and considerations of the entire board.

By the powers vested in him, he had executed contracts, memorandums of agreement and other legal documents for TCOM that were financially and legally sufficient. Of course, these do not require action by the Board of Regents.

There were five committees appointed by the chairman to facilitate the smooth running of the board.

These were: the Budget and Finance Committee, the Facilities Committee, the Advancement Committee tasked with the responsibility of reviewing proposed major changes in academic programs, degree offerings, administration organizations, UNT and TCOM relations, personnel matters and other significant matters assigned for deliberations.

The Transformation of Dallas 

(Cover Story- African Profiles International  December 1996)

Since the oil recession of the 80s to the economic rebirth  Dallas is now experiencing, a lot of water has passed under the many bridges that span the Trinity River, linking the less developed southern half of the city to the Central Business District.

One man who is a cog in the wheel of the changes is Attorney H. Ron White, who has served the city for about 25 years in a cornucopia of capacities from judge to director.

He is a partner in White, Sims and Wigging LLP, which is at the forefront of African- American law firms in Texas. Among the company’s many resources, inclusive of its affiliations with the internationally recognized firm of Jones Day Reavis and Pogue, the firm has a well-respected list of corporate clients ranging from financial institutions to government agencies and major public and private corporations.

The firm’s different posture allows it to assist clients in developing commercial and business relationship with Africa, the Caribbean, Central and South America.

No stranger to changes himself, Mr. White elected to switch from a science career(graduated in biology and chemistry) to become a lawyer in the early 60s because “social and economic changes could be more effectively achieved through a law career,” he said.

He acknowledged that Dallas has changed regarding living patterns, demographics, and infrastructure but hastily added that there are many areas in need of development.

“A lot of businesses have come and gone, but there are still very few that are owned by African Americans,” he said.

On racism, he believes that one cannot completely eradicate it but “there will be significant improvements like changes in behavior and attitude,” he went on.

African-Americans in prominent positions in the persons of Mayor Ron Kirk, City Manager John Ware, and City Attorney Sam Lindsay are at an all-time high.

White said, “the majority community of Dallas have made a statement through their public endorsement of a new African American leadership, which brings a new energy, vision, and solutions to ensure broader ethnic participation in both problems solving and profits.”

Dallas Chamber of Commerce 

(African Profiles International December 1996)- Conversation with David Biegler

“The Dallas Chamber of Commerce’s primary role is economic development, and that includes everything from marketing Dallas as well as relocations in trade growth.” These are the words of Mr. David Biegler, Chairman of the Dallas Chamber of Commerce who spared no effort to spell out the chamber’s mission in an encounter with African Profiles International.

On The Chamber’s primary mission, he described it as an economic development measured by job growth.

“That is if broadly stated,” he went on, “the activities of the chamber is directed at the goal of real economic development to marketing the city. That ensures that the economic development in Dallas occurs across the full spectrum of the community, to international trade development and international relationship building for the area and then government relations aimed at promoting a proper business atmosphere.”

The international arm of the Chamber of Commerce has an international trade development group that is active in promoting trade between Dallas companies and those of the world.

The chamber and the city work in close cooperation on many international activities including outreach to many African countries.

Asked when Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) will live up to its name and be rapid, the chairman responded, “how do the people comprehend how Dallas has changed ?”

“10 years ago Dallas was on the crest of its cycle, and it went through a readjustment period and for the last several years it has been back very much in a growth mode,” Biegler was happy to say.

Feeling exquisite about where Dallas is heading, he said, ” Dallas has been one of the job growth leaders in the nation for the past several years and it is very much on the way back in. It is not just economic development. I think it is the attitude in the city and that is one of the principal attractions in the election of Ron Kirk.”