UNT Dallas Milestones

2025

  • Launched Center for Experiential Learning and Career Success (CELCS)
  • UNT System Board of Regents appoints Dr. Warren von Eschenbach as fourth President of UNT Dallas
  • Launched Center for Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL) 
  • Men's basketball team advances to SAC tournament after winning final two games of regular season.

2024

  • Held topping-off ceremony as final beam on new STEM Building is hoisted into place.
  • Dr. Warren von Eschenbach named Interim President following Bob Mong's retirement.
  • Announced plans to build a new regional law enforcement training center on campus through a public-private partnership with the City of Dallas.
  • Received a $10 million grant from Communities Foundation of Texas, the largest philanthropic gift in university history. 

2023

 2022

  • Celebrated a $2 million gift with dedication and opening of Ryan Tower.
  • Ranked No. 21 as a Top Public School and No. 23 as a Top Performer Social Mobility among Regional Universities West by U.S. News & World Report .
  • College of Law received full accreditation from the American Bar Association.
  • Opened Innovation Center at 4315 S. Lancaster Road. A southern Dallas property redeveloped by former Dallas Cowboy Emmitt Smith.
  • Founded the Center for Socioeconomic Mobility through Education.

2021

  • UNT Dallas College of Law ranked #1 in the U.S. for law school diversity.

  • First Class of UNT Dallas Early College High School students celebrated graduation.

  • UNT Dallas broke ground on Amanda & G. Brint Ryan Tower – a new landmark, which will be visible for miles in every direction.

  • UNT Dallas opened Hart Amphitheater, an open space for small gatherings, outdoor classes and cultural performances.

2020

2019

  • UNT Dallas opened the $63 million Student Center.
  • UNT Dallas College of Law moved into the former Dallas City Hall following— a $71 million renovation on the historically significant building.

2018

  • UNT Dallas earned reaffirmation of its accreditation from the SACSCOC.
  • UNT Dallas is ranked as the lowest debt upon graduation of any university in the United States.

2017

  • UNT System acquired the historic City of Dallas Municipal Building (106 S. Harwood) to become the permanent home of UNT Dallas College of Law.
  • UNT Dallas College of Law received approval for provisional accreditation from the American Bar Association.
  • UNT Dallas was awarded $2.58 million for TRIO Upward Bound Programs by U.S. Department of Education.
  • UNT Dallas opened University Hall, the campus’ first residence hall.

2016

  • DART opened a new UNT Dallas campus light rail station.
  • Ground was broken on UNT Dallas’ first residence hall, a milestone signifying the university’s continued growth.
  • UNT Dallas announced record enrollment, exceeding 3,000 students for the first time.

2015

  • Former Dallas Morning News Editor in Chief Bob Mong named President of UNT Dallas.

2014

  • The UNT Dallas College of Law admitted its first class.

2013

  • Senior U.S. District Judge Royal Ferguson, Jr., stepped down from his bench at the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, to become founding dean of the UNT Dallas College of Law.
  • UNTD presented degrees to its first graduating class.
  • In June, UNTD received accreditation by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACS) retroactive to January 1, 2013.

2012

  • The Commission issued its report, which made recommendations focused on teaching, students and affordability.

2011

  • The UNT Dallas Commission on Building the University of the 21st Century was formed.
  • Houston School Road north of I-20 is renamed University Hills Boulevard.

2010

  • The second academic building was completed and occupied.
  • In the fall, UNTD welcomed its first freshman class.
  • A $5 million appropriation to fund start-up costs for the law school was authorized in the 2010-2011 state budget.

2009

  • In May Governor Perry signed Senate Bill 629, which released $25 million in revenue bonds.
  • Construction got underway on a second, companion academic building.
  • Work began on Vision 2020: A Framework for Achieving Comprehensive University Status. The effort was spearheaded by Bain & Co.
  • Legislation establishing the UNT Dallas College of Law passed and was signed by Governor Perry.

2006

  • The initial academic building was completed and occupied.

2005

  • The master plan for UNTD’s new Dallas campus, which took 18 months to complete, was approved.
  • Ground was broken in October to begin construction of UNTD’s initial academic building—a 75,000 square foot, three-story structure.

2003

  • The Communities Foundation of Texas awarded the UNT System a $500,000 planning grant to fund a high quality, professional master plan for property UNTD owned. Consisting of 264 wooded acres, the site was ideally located just east of I-20 on what was then Houston School Road. 
  • The Legislature authorized $25.4 million for construction of UNTD’s initial academic building.

2001

  • On May 8, Governor Rick Perry signed into law Senate Bill 576, which formally created an independent University of North Texas at Dallas. Enrollment had surpassed the 1,000-students threshold, required before independent status could be triggered.
  • Dr. John Ellis Price was named UNTD’s first chief executive officer.

2000

  • Dr. Virginia Wheeless, UNT’s Associate Chancellor for Planning, was appointed the System Center’s interim executive director.
  • In the fall, the institution began offering degree-related programs at temporary quarters in a Dallas business park.

1999

  • In January, the coordinating board granted permission to the University of North Texas to open the UNT System Center at Dallas.
  • In June, the Texas Legislature and governor approved a $4.2 million appropriation to fund start-up costs and operations at the System Center. Support for the funding was led by State Sen. West and State Rep. Giddings.

1998

  • In July, the committee recommended that the study area be broadened to include Ellis County as well as southern Dallas County.
  • In September, the University of North Texas was selected to be the new university’s educational partner.

1997

  • State Senator Royce West and State Representative Helen Giddings introduced SCR 75 at Texas’ 75th Legislative Session. The bill authorized the establishment of a commission to study the creation of an institution of higher learning to be located in southern Dallas County. The bill passed but was vetoed by the governor.
  • Not to be deterred, organizers formed the Southern Dallas County Higher Education Feasibility Task Force. That summer, the Task Force made a formal request to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to conduct the study.
  • By fall, the coordinating board commissioner had appointed a special committee to coordinate the study.