The majority of the recipients belong to the Teach North Texas (TNT) program.  TNT is a joint venture by the College of Arts and Sciences and the College of Education that aims to address the nationwide shortage of secondary math and science teachers.  The program allows students who want to teach to earn a bachelor’s degree in math, science or computer science, while simultaneously earning their teaching certification. 

TNT was launched last spring with a $1.4 million grant from the Greater Texas Foundation.  As part of the program, students as young as freshmen will complete field experiences in area classrooms. Furthermore, to encourage students to explore the teaching profession, the first two 1-hour classes of the TNT program are offered tuition-free. 

“With Teach North Texas, future math and science teachers can get an early head start on their coursework in both pedagogy and their academic discipline,” says Dr. John Quintanilla, associate professor of mathematics and co-director of TNT. “Our scholarships will help students progress through their studies and get to where they’re needed, our schools.” 

The Greater Texas Foundation Scholarships are funded by a $150,000 grant from the Greater Texas Foundation Math and Science Scholarship program.  The grant was received during the summer of 2008, and the first three scholarships are being awarded for Spring 2009.  The scholarship is open to UNT students who have completed 25 percent of their major requirements and who are active in the TNT program.  Recipients receive $1,500 to put toward tuition and other school related expenses.   

The Spring 2009 recipients of the Greater Texas Foundation Scholarship are: 

·         Christopher Barthold, a junior physics major 

·         Matt Wolodzko, a junior math major 

·         Andreea Popa, a junior math major 

The Robert Noyce Scholarship is funded by a $500,000 grant from the National Science Foundation. The scholarships are dedicated to the memory of the late Dr. Robert M. Noyce, co-founder of Intel and the scientist credited with the invention of the circuit semiconductor.  The scholarship provides $7,750 per academic year to students who are current or potential UNT students with junior, senior or graduate standing.  The scholarship is open to TNT students, but other UNT students also can apply.  This year, one of the recipients was a TNT student.

The Spring 2009 recipients of the Robert Noyce Scholarship are: 

·         Tiffany Liden, a master’s student in biochemistry 

·         Erika Pennock, a senior biochemistry major 

·         Heather Franklin, a junior biology major, TNT student 

All six scholarship recipients will be recognized on Jan. 16 (Friday) at a 2 p.m. ceremony in the lounge of the chemistry department.  The Fall 2008 recipients of the Robert Noyce Scholarship also will be recognized.  The Fall 2008 recipients are: Kendall Henderson, a junior biology major; Stuart Spiker, a senior chemistry major; and Holly Van Houten, a master’s student in biology. 

Visit http://www.tnt.unt.edu/scholarship/ for more information on Teach North Texas and its available scholarships.