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GIVING IMPACT
HONORING OUTSTANDING ALUMNI
The following alumni will be honored at the 2021 UNT Alumni Association’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards at 6 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Union Ballroom.
Distinguished Alumni Award
The most prestigious award given by the UNT Alumni Association, honoring alumni for professional achievement and significant contributions to society and the university.
Lynn Gravley (’87) is president and CEO of NT Logistics, Inc. He serves on the board of directors for the North Texas Tollway Authority and the Transportation Intermediaries Association, and is chairman of the Highway Logistics Conference.
Wilson Jones (’85) held several prominent positions during his career with Oshkosh Corporation, including chief operations officer, president and CEO. In 2018, he won a Glassdoor Employees’ Choice Award honoring the top CEOs.
Frank Lawlis (’62, ’65 M.Ed.), a retired faculty member, held several positions on the Dr. Phil Show, including chief of oversight production and resource supervisor. He serves on the Dr. Phil Foundation Board of Directors, the Mensa Research Journal Editorial Advisory Board and the Inner Space Training Advisory Board. World Bank’s Youth-to-Youth program and serves on the board for Inspire Spaces, Inspire Students.
Outstanding Alumni Service Award
Presented to individuals who have provided exceptional volunteer service to UNT or the community.
Michael Penaluna (’88), member of UNT’s inaugural class of the Emergency Administration and Planning program, worked as an emergency management coordinator at the City of Denton Fire Department. He now serves as a consultant for UNT Emergency Management and volunteers as a guest lecturer and mentor at the university.
Distinguished Young Alumni Award
Presented to alumni under the age of 40 for professional achievement that has merited the honor and praise of peers and colleagues.
Dustee Jenkins (’01) is currently the head of global communications and public relations at Spotify, the world’s most popular audio streaming service. She previously served as senior vice president and chief communications officer at Target.
David Wachira (’13 Ph.D.) is a public finance and governance specialist at The World Bank. He is co-secretary for The
Ulys Knight Spirit Award
Given to an individual or group that has made noteworthy efforts to show exceptional UNT spirit.
Steven Pettit (’02) is a Mean Green Club Member and steadfast UNT athletics supporter. He is the former director of pharmacy operations at Dougherty’s Pharmacy in Forest Park Medical Center and has served as an advisor to Vitae Industries.
Nominate alumni for next year’s Distinguished Alumni Achievement Awards. untalumni.com/nominate
— Lorenzo Wilson
Accounting junior and Kuehne Scholar
Kuehne Speaker Series Scholarship Program
The UNT Kuehne Speaker Series was established in 2013 by alumnus Ernie Kuehne (’66) to create meaningful networking opportunities, bring prominent speakers to North Texas and give UNT visibility in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. But there’s always been a deeper vision for the donor-founded series — supporting academic excellence at UNT.
Now, with more than $3 million raised for scholarships, the series Board of Directors has launched the Kuehne Speaker Series Scholarship Program. In the spring of 2021, the first three Kuehne Scholars were awarded $25,000 each for the 2021-22 academic year — one of the largest donor-funded scholarships at UNT.
“This is such an amazing opportunity that offers a lot of financial stability and helps me set a firm foundation for the plans I have after graduation,” marketing senior Camryn Yoder says.
The Kuehne Scholars will receive more than funds to help with tuition, room and board. They’ll also have access to networking and mentorship opportunities with members of the board of directors and at the semi-annual Kuehne Speaker Series event.
“These scholarships go beyond financial aid,” says David Wolf, vice president for university advancement. “They provide exceptional opportunities to pair recipients with
From left, 2021 Kuehne Scholars Camryn Yoder, Lorenzo Wilson and JaQualia Morris
members of the incredible Kuehne Speaker Series Board of Directors, who will ensure our scholars are set up for success.”
Accounting junior JaQualia Morris says that being a UNT student has already helped her strive for greatness. As a Kuehne Scholar, she is motivated to push even further academically.
“I feel very encouraged, like my hard work is paying off,” Morris says. “And now my family can relax and know that I am focusing on school and putting forth my best efforts.”
Hesitant to apply for such a competitive scholarship, accounting junior Lorenzo Wilson was speechless when he was told he had been selected as a Kuehne Scholar. But the award falls in line with how he sees his university — a caring place full of opportunity.
“Thanks to the Kuehne Speaker Series donors, I’m a member of the UNT family, part of a tight-knit community,” Wilson says. “It’s truly life-changing.”
Learn more about the scholarship program and the Kuehne Speaker Series 2021-22 season, featuring James Carville and Herschel Walker. kuehneseries.unt.edu
