[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 88 (Tuesday, May 21, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     HONORING UNIVERSITY OF NORTH TEXAS PRESIDENT NEAL J. SMATRESK

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. MICHAEL C. BURGESS

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 21, 2024

  Mr. BURGESS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor University of North 
Texas (UNT) President Neal J. Smatresk, PhD who has dedicated his 
career to advancing education and transforming institutions. President 
Smatresk's tenure at UNT has been marked by innovation, growth, and a 
relentless commitment to excellence.
  President Smatresk's journey in academia has been distinguished by 
his unwavering dedication to fostering academic success and research 
excellence. Before assuming his role at UNT, President Smatresk held 
pivotal leadership positions at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas 
(UNLV), the University of Hawaii at Manoa, and the University of Texas 
at Arlington.
  Prior to his roles in Administration, Dr. Smatresk was a 
distinguished biologist and researcher. His scholarly pursuits focused 
on advancing our understanding of respiratory neurobiology, garnering 
substantial grant support, and resulting in numerous publications. His 
dedication to STEM education and outreach left an indelible mark on 
countless aspiring scientists and scholars.
  President Smatresk's leadership at UNT has been nothing short of 
transformative and has propelled UNT to unprecedented heights, 
fostering a culture of achievement and inclusivity. Under his guidance, 
UNT has achieved a remarkable five-year record of continued enrollment 
growth, now serving almost 47,000 students; reflecting President 
Smatresk's dedication to expanding access to higher education and 
empowering students to pursue their academic aspirations. Additionally, 
President Smatresk led UNT to becoming a Carnegie-ranked Tier One 
institution that has emerged as a top 10 U.S. public university on the 
rise. While his strategic vision and commitment to student success has 
propelled UNT to new heights, earning recognition as both a Minority-
Serving and Hispanic-Serving Institution and securing its place as one 
of only 22 Carnegie-ranked Tier One research universities designated as 
Hispanic-Serving Institutions.
  President Smatresk's impact extends far beyond the realm of academia. 
Through strategic partnerships with industry leaders and innovative 
program offerings, such as UNT's groundbreaking M.B.A. program in sport 
entertainment management in collaboration with the Dallas Cowboys, 
President Smatresk has positioned UNT as a pioneer in higher education. 
His innovative approach to fostering partnerships between academia and 
industry has positioned UNT as a leader in addressing the evolving 
needs of the workforce. Through strategic collaborations with companies 
such as American Airlines, Liberty Mutual, Google, and JP Morgan Chase, 
President Smatresk has created new avenues for experiential learning 
and professional development, ensuring that UNT graduates are well-
equipped to thrive in today's competitive job market.
  Moreover, his commitment to expanding UNT's presence in Collin County 
through the establishment of the UNT at Frisco branch campus 
underscores his dedication to expanding UNT's reach across the growing 
DFW region and fostering economic development through education. 
President Smatresk has also overseen a commitment to athletic 
investments and facility expansions that has transformed UNT's athletic 
program into a powerhouse of excellence and helped to secure UNT's 
membership into Conference USA. The Mean Green student-athletes and 
teams, under his leadership, have flourished, exemplifying the 
university's spirit of determination and achievement.
  President Neal J. Smatresk's visionary leadership, unwavering 
dedication, and profound impact on higher education will leave an 
enduring legacy at the University of North Texas and beyond. On behalf 
of the constituents of the 26th Congressional District of Texas, I 
extend my heartfelt gratitude to President Smatresk for his exemplary 
service and wish him a fulfilling and rewarding retirement.

                          ____________________