Gretchen Bataille

The histories, and futures, of Denton and the University of North Texas are tightly intertwined. It was the vision and the actions of the people and early city leaders of Denton who gave us our start above a hardware store on the Denton Square.

This beginning provides a legacy that is propelling UNT forward as one of Texas’ largest universities.

Today, UNT continues to increase its national reputation for excellence in academics, arts, research and athletics.

The people of Denton continue to shape our institution — by serving as our faculty, staff members and students, by being partners in our community programs and by participating in and supporting the very life of the university.

Likewise, the university has played a key, yet perhaps indefinable role in shaping Denton. Our impact on the culture and economic development of our city is profound. Our alumni have built successful business careers and established meaningful lives in this city.

UNT always has been and always will be proud to be part of Denton. We are committed to remaining in, partnering with and serving Denton. Together, we make great things happen. This fall has brought many significant changes to our university — changes that also are important for our city.

In September, expert opinions in U.S. News & World Report hailed UNT as one of several universities that are “leading the pack” in innovative changes in academics, faculty, students, campus life and facilities.

In October, our efforts to create a carbon neutral campus catapulted UNT to the forefront of environmental stewardship in Texas.

We are among the nation’s top 17 percent of all colleges and universities, according to the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment.

Early this month, Texans voted to establish the National Research University Fund that will provide a dedicated and independent source of funding for UNT and Texas’ other emerging research universities once each institution qualifies.

We learned that the state will award us $1.7 million in funds to support research as part of its new gift-matching program. These advances come on top of a year of incredible growth in the amount of funded research we’re conducting. Since 2007, our restricted research expenditures and awards are each up more than 60 percent.

A robust research program guarantees that the quality of our academics will only grow stronger while also improving the impact we have on our communities. That impact isn’t just about discoveries in the laboratory. This fall we launched an Emeritus College to enrich the lives of community members age 50 and older, after offering our first Grandparents University program last summer.

This Saturday, UNT will take a giant step forward to ensure that the future of athletics at Texas’ fourth-largest university is just as bright as our academic and research outlook. At 11 a.m. Saturday we will break ground on a new football stadium. I invite you to join us and to learn more at www.unt.edu/stadium.

During this celebratory event, you will hear me talk about UNT’s long-term commitment to providing top-quality programs and facilities that benefit not just the university community but the entire North Texas region. And, I assure you we are committed to developing the stadium responsibly and respectfully.

Building with care is a hallmark of our campus, and we are taking particular care to work with our neighbors to maintain safety, security and quality of life in the areas surrounding the new stadium.

A task force of neighborhood volunteers, UNT and Denton police, and city of Denton staff are working together on developing creative, responsive and flexible solutions to issues that inevitably accompany a major development. They will roll up their sleeves at monthly meetings beginning in January and they will continue to work together beyond the stadium’s opening in 2011.

I look forward to a wonderful event Saturday and a future full of continued success for both UNT and Denton.

GRETCHEN M. BATAILLE is president of the University of North Texas.