The UNTRA Bylaws, which were last updated in August 2024, establish a Board, Officers, and Committees to conduct the business of the Association. Click here to view the UNTRA Bylaws. Below are details about the Board Members and the various committees within UNTRA.

BOARD MEMBERS:

Marjorie Donzello
Hildegard Froehlich
Jean Greenlaw
Marie-Christine Koop
Jan Hillman
Jim Morrow
Daniel Peak
Darhyl Ramsey
Johnny Sue Reynolds
Rudy Seward
Denise Stansel
Carmen Terry
Martha Tarlton
John Windsor
Mary Ann Venner

STANDING COMMITTEES

  • Programs Committee: Proposes, plans and conducts programs and events of the Association.
  • Membership Committee: Recruits new members, helps maintain membership records, and coordinates membership matters.
  • Nominations Committee: Identifies UNTRA members willing to fill Board positions vacated each year by virtue of expiration-of-term or resignation.

Committees are each chaired by a member of the Board. Participation on committees is open to and encouraged for all UNTRA members. Members interested in any UNTRA committee may contact any member of the Board or the committee chair.

HISTORY

The UNTRA organization was formed in the early 1980s under the name “Retired Instructors, Personnel and Spouses”—commonly called “RIPS,” a tongue-in-cheek reference created by the late Steve Miller, Assistant VP for HR at UNT. The principal purpose of RIPS was to help retirees stay connected to the university and with each other.

While the frequency and types of activities varied over the years, the purpose and goals of the organization have remained steadfast. When the name was updated in 2006 to the “University of North Texas Retiree Association” (UNTRA), its reason for being and purposes were re-stated and strengthened.   

UNTRA, and RIPS before it, have been supported by a wide variety of university offices at different times in its history.  Sponsors have included the President’s Office, Human Resources, Advancement, Alumni Office, and since becoming UNTRA, UNT’s Lifelong Learning and Community Engagement department.

From its earliest incarnation, the group has been managed as a membership organization directed by an advisory board of elected members. While UNTRA still receives financial support from the university, it is now a dues-based organization with an affordable dues structure to encourage participation from all UNT retirees.

- Dr. Tom Hoemeke, former Chair of the Board

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