Denton, Texas – The University of North Texas (UNT) commenced the Fall 2024 semester with its annual First Flight Week, a series of events and activities designed to welcome new and returning students. The program, which marks the beginning of the academic year, brought together the UNT community to celebrate and prepare for the upcoming semester.
The week’s activities began with the New Student Convocation at the UNT Coliseum, where first-year and transfer students were formally welcomed to the university. The event featured performances by the UNT Green Brigade Marching Band, North Texas Cheerleaders, and North Texas Dancers. UNT’s mascot, Scrappy, also made an appearance, engaging with the crowd by tossing t-shirts and posing for photos.
UNT President Harrison Keller addressed the students during the convocation, congratulating them on the start of their college journey and emphasizing the university’s commitment to innovation and leadership.
“This is a university where we’re willing to do things differently — where we lead with our values and innovate the future,” Keller said. He also encouraged students to take advantage of the resources and opportunities available to them at UNT, urging them to use their talents to make a positive impact.
The convocation concluded with a pinning ceremony, during which new students recited the academic creed and donned eagle-shaped lapel pins, which they will keep until their graduation in 2028.
The celebration continued as the Green Brigade Marching Band led attendees from the Coliseum to the Library Mall and South Lawn for the 26th annual Mean Green Fling. This event brought together over 300 student organizations, university departments, and local businesses, offering students a chance to connect with the campus community, learn about various organizations, and collect free items such as t-shirts.
The University Program Council (UPC), which organizes over 70 free on-campus events each semester, was among the organizations present at the Fling. UPC president Derek Dotson highlighted the importance of these events in helping students connect with the campus, especially those without easy access to transportation.
“A lot of first-year students may not have their own vehicle, which makes it hard to go out and do things. So, we offer as much as we can on campus,” Dotson said.
Freshman students like biochemistry major Violet Lash and sociology major Lauryn Wettengel expressed their enthusiasm for the new semester and the welcoming atmosphere at UNT. Wettengel, reflecting on her decision to attend UNT, shared her positive experience, noting, “It’s truly a fun and inviting place. I’m happy I decided to come here.”
First Flight Week and the Mean Green Fling serve as key elements in helping students acclimate to university life and fostering a strong sense of community as the academic year begins.