BOLDLY GO newsletter

March 2025

Spring ushers activities aimed at preservation, renewal

Dear Friends,

Spring often is associated with a time of renewal, and I am pleased to share news about a couple of activities that fittingly demonstrate the university’s commitment to preservation and habitat restoration.

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Iconic brick mural to be preserved

The university is working to preserve the star mural on the patio building, which was designed by Texas artist and then-assistant professor of art, Coreen Mary Spellman. The patio building is no longer an economically viable structure, and is slated to be torn down this summer. But before it is razed, a masonry specialist has been commissioned to carefully remove the brick mural in sections so that it can be preserved for future use. Spellman, a member of the “Forgotten Nine,” was a revered artist and taught at Texas Woman’s for 45 years and her star motif mural has been a part of this university since the building was completed in 1956.

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TWU to host Texas Wildflower Day

In another nod to springtime preservation, Texas Woman’s will host Texas Wildflower Day on April 24-25 on the Denton campus. The event is a celebration of Texas’ native wildflowers and includes an array of activities such as art projects and educational programming. Texas Woman’s has been the designated location for the annual celebration since it launched in 1980. The university is proud to be actively engaged in efforts that help sustain ecosystems that are so vital to Texas.

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Dallas CEO honored for raising STEM awareness

In March, Texas Woman’s honored Nicole G. Small with the 2025 Virginia Chandler Dykes Leadership Award, which was presented at one of the university’s signature events, the Dallas Leadership Luncheon. Small is CEO of LH Capital, Inc. and Lyda Hill Philanthropies, and she was recognized for her outstanding contributions in helping fund advances in science that improve communities. As part of her work, Small co-founded the IF/THEN initiative, which promotes women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). The initiative actively portrays women in STEM through media and learning experiences to pique interest in those careers. This is especially important to the university as it aligns with Texas Woman’s strategic initiative aimed at boosting STEM activities and opportunities.

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Journalist, “She Said” author headlines Jamison Lecture

Best-selling author Jodi Kantor will be the featured guest at this spring’s Jamison Lecture, which is set for 7 p.m. on April 10 in the Phyllis J. Bridges Auditorium in Hubbard Hall. Kantor and fellow journalist Megan Twohey broke stories in 2017 recounting decades of sexual abuse allegations against Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein. The pair were later awarded the Pulitzer Prize for Public Service. Kantor and Twohey also wrote the best-seller “She Said,” which offered behind-the-scenes details of the Weinstein investigation. Kantor has a history of writing articles that scrutinize people in powerful positions. The lecture is free to everyone but seating is limited and registration is required.

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TWU Athletics shines in post season

While the basketball season did not end the way we hoped, the Pioneers continued to cement their place among the nation’s best after winning a second consecutive Lone Star Conference Tournament title and earning another Sweet 16 appearance. Just this past weekend, TWU artistic swimming finished fourth at the U.S. Collegiate Nationals and won the B Elements competition, while the Pioneer Dance team took first place in the Division 2 pom and hip hop categories at the American Dance/Drill Team Collegiate Championship. TWU gymnastics finished second at the Midwest Independent Conference Championships, and the team next competes at the Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics National Invitational Championship on April 11-13. In other post-season news, TWU STUNT, ranked 10th nationally, made it to the semifinals in the 2025 LSC Women’s STUNT Championship. Collectively, our student-athletes continue to shine a spotlight on our university.

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I leave you with this picture of the TWU Concert Choir, which delivered an emotional and thought-provoking performance during the American Choral Directors Association’s National Conference on March 21. The performance included arrangements by Director of Choral Activities Joni Jensen, DMA, and a new stunning composition by our associate professor, Paul David Thomas, PhD, whose composition was inspired by Gibran’s well-known work The Prophet.

As always, email me with your comments or questions. I am delighted that you have spent a few minutes with me today.

Warm Regards,

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Carine M. Feyten, Ph.D.

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Page last updated 10:48 AM, April 4, 2025