October 2024

National recognition, new program have TWU flying high

Dear Friends,

Just one month into the academic year, Texas Woman’s finds itself in good company among some of the nation’s top colleges. Plus, our inaugural crop of aviation students has already taken to the skies, and the university is gearing up for one of its largest, community-wide events of the year.

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Three publications name TWU among nation’s best

Texas Woman’s was named among the country’s top universities by three national publications – U.S. News & World Report, the Wall Street Journal and Forbes – and was specifically recognized for its value, student experience and opportunities for social mobility, among other factors. TWU ranked fifth among 18 public colleges and universities in Texas – and second among all public and private institutions in the Metroplex – that made the WSJ/College Pulse 2025 Best Colleges in the U.S. list. Also, TWU was third in the state for social mobility and best value, fourth for student experience, and fifth for best salaries, the category that focuses on graduates’ job income after they graduate. U.S. News recognized Texas Woman’s bachelor of nursing program as tied for the state’s third best (and 54th nationally), while also listing the university’s business and psychology programs on the index of top national programs. Additionally, U.S. News recognized Texas Woman’s for social mobility and ranked it tied for first in Texas for ethnic diversity.

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Students take 'first flight' in aviation program

As many of you likely know, Texas Woman’s this fall launched its inaugural class of the Doswell School of Aeronautical Sciences, with an aim toward producing more women commercial pilots and leaders in the aviation industry. Just one week into the semester, 24 students – 22 of them women – took their first flight to get a feel for the instructional experience. TWU’s aviation program is getting widespread visibility, as each of the major television affiliates in the DFW area reported on the first flight, as did a handful of other print and broadcast news outlets. And there is evidence that this important program is filtering to prospective students. Last spring, information sessions on the program drew 10 or fewer prospective students. This fall’s first information session attracted 49 registrants.

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Longtime Texas Woman’s educator left lasting legacy

Last month, many of us in the TWU community took time to reflect on the extraordinary life of former professor Mona Hersh-Cochran, who passed away on Sept. 6. She was a trailblazer, researcher and an educator who inspired and mentored a generation of TWU students. Hersh-Cochran was the first woman to earn a Ph.D. from SMU and served more than three decades teaching economics at Texas Woman’s. She was selected as a Cornaro Professor for her outstanding teaching here, and SMU recognized her with its Distinguished Alumni Award. But many remember Hersh-Cochran best for her inspiring lectures and unwavering dedication to students. Many of those former students formed a “Mentored by Mona” club as an homage to her tutelage. She was an excellent example for faculty and students alike. A thorough obit about her life and career appeared in the Dallas Morning News last month.

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University prepares for family-friendly Halloween fest

Texas Woman’s annual Halloween celebration, Boo at the U, is one of the university’s largest community-wide events, which offers a festival-like atmosphere and trick-or-treating for children. It has become a staple for Denton-area families, who have become an integral part of the event since it began on campus more than two decades ago. The event typically draws more than 3,000 people and serves as a collection hub for the local food bank, bringing in hundreds of cans of non-perishable food items. This year’s celebration takes place on Oct. 17 on the Hubbard Hall lawn.

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Lastly, I leave you with this image of Provost Angela Bauer and some Texas Woman’s students during a campus trivia challenge we conducted recently to test students’ knowledge of all things TWU. Enthusiastic participants were rewarded with T-shirts bearing a message with which they truly connected.

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 9:57 AM, November 20, 2024