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DENTON – For the first time since opening in 2011, DATCU Stadium will host a complete sellout as the North Texas Mean Green football team takes on USF on Friday night at 6:30 p.m.

The sellout marks a historic milestone for UNT Athletics, underscoring the growing energy around the 5-0 Mean Green, the best start for the program since 1959. Fans in attendance are encouraged to Wear Black.

"This is a tremendous moment for our program, our fans, and the entire Mean Green family," said Vice President and Director of Athletics Jared Mosley. "The passion and support we're seeing across Denton and beyond show what's possible when our community rallies behind this team. DATCU Stadium is going to be rocking."

All available tickets, including student, season, and single-game allotments, have been claimed. […]

The sellout adds to what's shaping up to be one of the most exciting weekends in recent UNT history. With Friday afternoon classes canceled after 12:00 p.m., students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to join in pregame festivities. Tailgating on The Hill begins at 1:30 PM.

Fans attending the game are encouraged to arrive early to avoid traffic and enjoy pregame festivities, which begin at 1:30 p.m. in and around DATCU Stadium. Gates open at 5:00 p.m.

-- GMG --

UNT Dallas has received the largest private donation in its history, $17 million, from the Commit Partnership, on behalf of the O’Donnell Foundation. Both are Dallas-based organizations dedicated to improving education and economic opportunity.

The record-breaking contribution was announced at a special event on Oct. 6, 2025, at the Dallas Museum of Art. UNT Dallas President Warren von Eschenbach and several members of the university's cabinet attended the award presentation. 

“UNT Dallas accepts this generous and transformational gift, which is the largest in the university’s history, with deep gratitude and appreciation,” said the President. “It will support expanded classroom-to-career initiatives and ensure UNT Dallas students have access to the resources they need for a successful, purpose-driven, career-ready future.”

UNT Dallas will use a significant portion of the $17 million to establish a new team of Student Success Coaches, who will support students from admission through graduation, helping them navigate college and ensuring they have the necessary resources to succeed.

The coaches are one of several university-wide initiatives announced by President von Eschenbach at the start of the 2025-26 academic year. He said they will be “the connectors” between students and resources that help them thrive – and graduate fully prepared for a competitive, evolving workforce.

The $17 million is part of a $50 million O'Donnell Foundation gift that also includes Dallas College, the University of Texas at Dallas, and Southern Methodist University, with the goal to expand opportunity and improve degree completion for Dallas County students. In conjunction with the O'Donnell Foundation’s investment of $60 million late last year to the Dallas County Promise, this collectively represents one of the largest philanthropic investments to grow postsecondary success in the history of our region and perhaps our state and country.

Dallas County Promise is an innovative, life-changing program that aims to send students in Dallas County to college tuition-free. The UNT Dallas-Dallas County Promise Scholarship covers the remaining balance on the full cost of tuition for up to four academic years or bachelor’s degree completion (whichever comes first) that is not covered by other grants, scholarships, exemptions, benefits, and/or waiver programs received by the student.

Sergio Barrera, a 2024 UNT Dallas School of Business Graduate, is among many Dallas County Promise recipients who attend UNT Dallas at a Trailblazer Elite Recognition Event is receiving an award from UNT Dallas's Dr. Kimberly Riddick, Director of Student Leadership and Success

“By aligning school districts, higher education institutions, philanthropy, and community partners, we can absolutely change the trajectory for Dallas students and our region," said Commit Partnership CEO Todd Williams. "These investments are not just in institutions—they represent investments in the lives of our young people who will fuel the future prosperity of North Texas." 

The late Edith and Peter O’Donnell Jr founded the O’Donnell Foundation in 1957. Its primary mission was – and still is – to support educational institutions at all levels and strengthen math, arts and science programs throughout Texas. To date, the foundation has invested approximately one billion dollars in philanthropy.

UNT Health Fort Worth is reporting strong fall enrollment growth, with preliminary numbers showing a nearly 5% increase in students compared with fall 2024.

As of Sept. 11, the institution’s unduplicated headcount stands at 2,446 students, up 4.89% from the prior fall enrollment of 2,332. This fall’s enrollment includes 959 new students and 1,487 continuing students.

“This growth reflects both the surging interest in health science careers and our university’s investment in programs that meet the state’s critical workforce needs,” said Dr. Kirk Calhoun, president of UNT Health. “We are proud to continue building a pipeline of health care professionals for Texas and beyond.”

Key highlights include:

• College of Health Professions enrollment grew 11.23%, driven by a new hybrid Doctor of Physical Therapy program in Frisco that welcomed 30 students. The residential DPT track also saw an eight-student increase.
• College of Nursing enrollment surged 256% compared with fall 2024, with an additional group of 30 traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing students and increased enrollment in Master of Science in Nursing programs. The college, UNT Health’s newest, welcomed its first class in fall 2024.
• Enrollment in the Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences rose 0.8%, with 33 students added to the popular degree completion program.

Enrollment in the Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, College of Biomedical and Translational Sciences, College of Public Health and College of Pharmacy remained steady, underscoring strong student retention. Although some graduate programs were flat or dipped slightly due to accreditation limits and competitive admissions, UNT Health continues to enroll at capacity across its clinical offerings.

University leaders credited the increase to a combination of new program launches, expanded cohorts, targeted recruitment and strengthened student retention efforts.

“UNT Health’s recent growth is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the Enrollment Management team, including Financial Aid, Registrar and Student Records, and Admissions and Recruitment,” said Darrius Douglas, Ed.D., vice provost of enrollment management. “These teams have worked tirelessly to support and drive this growth through intentional collaboration, strategic initiatives and creative approaches to recruiting new students.”

During the 2024-25 admissions cycle, UNT Health’s Admissions and Recruitment engaged with more than 4,600 prospects in virtual information sessions, had a presence at more than 600 college fairs and events, hosted more than 1,500 admissions interviews, and processed nearly 10,000 applications.

“As Texas faces growing demand for health care providers, UNT Health is answering the call,” said Christopher Ray, Ph.D., senior vice president and provost. “Through innovative new programs and continued excellence in our established offerings, we are preparing students to serve patients and communities with skill and compassion.”

The momentum also comes as UNT Health Fort Worth launched a major rebranding effort in July. The initiative highlights that UNT Health is an integral part of the UNT System and is focused on educating the next generation of health leaders, delivering hands-on care through its clinics, and advancing world-class research.

Since December, UNT Health’s Marketing & Communications team has partnered with The Harris Poll to track brand perception among prospective students ages 18 to 30. The university’s average monthly brand equity score and awareness about the university are increasing, signaling early progress from the rebranding effort, said Andy North, vice president of Marketing & Communications.

“A strong brand is one piece of the puzzle in reaching prospective students and continuing our enrollment growth,” North said.