UNT is embracing innovation. We recognize the importance of innovation to BE and STAY RELEVANT. Always evolving. Always growing. Competitive, yes; more importantly, challenging. UNT prides itself on CHALLENGING ITS STUDENTS. With those efforts — and outcomes — UNT also is challenging the marketplace. Challenging by example on our own, and through the recognition of those people, projects and products that are INNOVATING in the North Texas region, THE INNOVATION HUB.

UNT’S inaugural “DFW’S MOST INNOVATIVE”at this, we’ve reached back for a few of these selections — they are noteworthy, and we believe they set the pace for those to follow.

UNT knows: COLLABORATION IS THE KEY to INNOVATION and the FUTURE.

For this annual recognition program, UNT pulled an “Our Picks” team together that included representatives from research, arts, business, engineering, information, intellectual property, technology, biology — the ingredients for a mixed-bag of innovation, with a (heavy) dash of collaboration.

Nominating and selecting from perhaps the most dynamic market in the world … well … it wasn’t easy,but we think you’ll enjoy “Our Picks.” Some may be a little obvious, others … not so much.

People, Projects and Products. Our selection process was subjective. The selections were generated and chosen through another area in which UNT is taking pride: COLLABORATION.

UNT’S 2017

DFW’S MOST

PEOPLE. PROJECTS. PRODUCTS.

Here we go!

EVITAVONNI

Paula LambertFor being a tremendous ambassador while creating a new tradition in fresh food and hands-on cuisine. Mmmmmmm. Cheeeeese. A few trips abroad, and she has AN IDEA! Italian — REAL Italian — style cheese for the people of the North Texas region, and beyond. Made right here! Thank you, Paula!

Dak PrescottFor stepping up and making it work. Cowboys fans let out a huge, collective sigh … then … the Rookie steps in and figures out a way to get it done — creative and determined.

Chief David Brown (Dallas PD retired)For leadership and problem solving — creatively and with purpose.

Praise can be lauded upon Chief Brown for

many courageous acts, but perhaps the most heroic was that moment when he decided to do something

that had never been done before — on

that ominous night of July 7, 2016. He went into action. On the spot, he took something "known" and created a new "way."

Ross Perot Jr.For continuous "smart" development AND commitment to community. Perot and Dallas just go together. Good thing! Rather than sit back, Jr. keeps going — creating new methods for meeting ever-changing, demanding consumers and markets, and doing it with finesse and heart.

Jordan SpiethFor showing us all what a TRUE sportsman looks like. Works like. Acts like. It’s obvious Jordan’s spirit and commitment are pure — he’s doing it HIS way: positive and still having fun!

Michael Hooten (Trinity Environmental Academy)For creating a truly unique learning "environment" for unique students. Michael set out to “provide an innovative community-based

environmental education to engage and empower scholars to

become tomorrow’s global change agents.” Done.

Jennifer SandersFor pushing to create a

"smart city" AND actually putting it in motion! The Dallas

Innovation Alliance is focused on: digital dominance and cornering connectivity. Go Jennifer!

Mayor Betsy PriceFor so many things — latest: pushing Fort Worth to be a healthy, fit, "Blue Zone." The bike-

riding mayor! We love her! Making

a statement, making a mark, making

a difference.

Heather Rinaldi (Texas Worm Ranch)For sharing

with us the innovative "nature" of the Worm. Vermicomposting and worm raising — bet that wasn’t on YOUR "business ideas" list! Heather found an innovative way to decrease her environmental impact and "grew" a business.

Carlyn Ray For quietly and beautifully personifying, "Maker Culture." She IS a MAKER — she doesn’t just talk about it or write about it, she LIVES

it … Carlyn literally breathes it. Beautiful glass formations never before seen, and they are hers. Personally conceived and crafted.

Larry Allums, founder: Festival of Ideas (Exec. Dir., Dallas Institute Humanities and Culture)For leveraging "humanities and culture" to lead: new ideas, imaginative thought, dialogue and programs — Larry has kept the heart and soul of the institute going, and has done its founders proud by keeping the institute’s work current.

Alliance Airport For being the "world’s first." AND a vision that defines: Master Planned Community.

The Music FactoryFor bringing four seasons of entertainment to the North Texas region. Where have all the great outdoor music venues gone …? Wait! There’s one … and it’s bigger, better, dynamic and brings an EXPERIENCE to music. New and fresh.

Big Design ConferenceFor being ahead-of-the-curve. Quietly "doing:" user experience, content strategy and web influence since 2008, these guys go to the head of the innovation class!

Reverse Litter CampaignFor bringing awareness to the

importance of WATER throughout the region.

"TEN on TUESDAY" — that’s them. And

they’re focused on our precious waterways. Creative. Productive.

C’mon — pick up YOUR 10!

North America Competitiveness Scorecard (The George W. Bush Institute)For "pushing the envelope" toward economic sustainability and growth. On a quickly changing landscape for doing business, the Scorecard — and the work behind it — has raised the level of discourse, and is driving a new-look, 21st century North America.

AT&T Discovery DistrictFor building "experiential living"

— for employees AND the community. (And they also gave us, The Foundry.)

Klyde Warren ParkFor breathing "life" into Downtown Dallas. Its creative offerings and innovative buildout is more "backyard," than attraction. Just ask the thousands of users.

IDEA Works FWFor best reuse of

neighborhood assets (building), while creating new neighborhood assets (people). You saw a dilapidated building. They saw, HOPE and power, and people’s futures!

Trinity River VisionFor bringing tubing to downtown Fort Worth while preserving the ecosystem. Who needs New Braunfels?! We got Fort Worth! Business, meet fun. Residents, meet lifestyle.

Texas Innovative Academies (Gov’s Office)For the creation of partnerships that will ready our students for the future. State education solutions are on-the-move. Yeehaw! The Star — The Dallas Cowboys World HeadquartersFor going well beyond "practice facility," and thinking: Community. This is NOT just another development. The Star in Frisco, Texas, goes beyond mixed-use, too. The Jones family just keeps breaking the mold.

© 2008 N

on-dropframe (tinyurl.com

/hj2rhqr)SunToWater

Glen E. Ellman

Associated Press

Courtesy of Carlyn Ray

Maker Culture vs. Digital Society

With the increasing number and frequency of technology and electronic "incidents" — when an undeniably large percentage of our day-to-day lives depend

so strongly upon it — watch for the evolving and enveloping Maker Culture to take center stage. A back-to-basics approach. INNOVATION taking cues from the pre-technology

HOF

© 2013 Steve R

ainwater (tinyurl.com

/zk5y77d)

I.M. Pei brought "modern" to Dallas City Hall and the Arts District; Welton Becket designed the Dallas skyline’s highly recognizable "ball," aka Reunion Tower; the breathtaking, Modern Art Museum of Fort Worth was brought to you by international standout Tadao Ando; but … perhaps the region’s most recognizable, iconic and beloved symbol is BIG TEX.

At 55 feet tall, Big Tex towers over the State Fair of Texas. His presence, however, is known and felt well beyond the fairgrounds. Conceived and created in 1952, Big Tex was ahead-of-his-time — an innovative approach to marketing and customer care. And he’s been innovating ever since: his voice in 1953; his wave in 1997; his turning head (Is he watching me?!) in 2000; regular wardrobe updates (and for his shirt size, 200 x 325, that’s no small feat! — oh … feet? — that’s a size 96, folks!).

During his 60th birthday year, Big Tex was taken from us. An electrical fire got the better of him, or so we thought! He picked himself up, brushed himself off, and rising from the (literal) ashes, he "reinvented" himself! BIG TEX proves: INNOVATION is an ongoing process; INNOVATION requires EVOLUTION. And BIG TEX has proven over his 60-plus years: INNOVATION is the KEY to RESILIENCE.

HALL OF FAME

Artificial Disc/Back (Texas Back Institute)For giving so many much needed relief. THANK YOU!

Pie Five PizzaFor taking a concept that’s working pretty darn well and making it your own. Custom pizza! As if we needed another reason to eat pizza …!

Music Audience Exchangeaka MAX For creating connections and supporting the business of music.

King Architectural MetalsFor Koenig Eisen — hand-forged, crafted architectural metals that love the environment. Who knew?!

Justin Brands, Inc.For J-Flex Flexible Comfort System and every other BOOT TECHNOLOGY born in Fort Worth. Since 1879. They invented quality and innovate style, year after year. If you’re looking for the "how" of longevity …

C.H. RobinsonFor Navisphere® — bringing our supply chains together efficiently. A global 3PL that’s ideating. Here’s what they say, “Leaders never coast. They generate new ideas and put them into action.” We agree.

VariDeskFor helping us standup to long workdays. See a problem, fix a problem. Voila! No engineering degree required. Sit AND stand throughout your workday — with very little effort at a very low cost. INSPIRED design.

SunToWater

Justin Brands, Inc.

© 2013 Steve R

ainwater (tinyurl.com

/zk5y77d)

Cykochik

SunToWater TechnologiesFor "inventing" much-needed water. Make your own water — that’s right! Off the grid and ready to drink.

Eater Dallas HeatmapFor helping us find Dallas’ “hottest” restaurants.

PeterbiltFor "driving" a more automated, fuel efficient big rig. Leader of the pack. Nat gas. Biodiesel. They’ve been innovating use of alt fuel since 1996.

Firestone & Robertson Distilling Co.For their proprietary yeast strain that brings us: TX Blended Whiskey. Yum!

Top GolfFor taking something old and REALLY making it new, and FUN! Family and corporate outings … team building … and a bar! New twist, indeed.

CykochikFor making "vegan," fashionable. She says "unconventional," we say "innovative!" Cruelty-free and totally chic. The company’s three c’s:

creativity + craftsmanship + community; we’ll add: COOL!

Nothing Bundt CakesFor making it simple, scrumptious and SOLD! Ahhh, the bundt cake. A clever business strategy; an incredible product; and great timing — congratulations, and “lemon bundtlet to go, please."

Maker Culture vs. Digital Society

era, and finding ways to not only secure, but IMPROVE lifestyle and business experiences and outcomes. Prediction: robots make room for REAL innovation.

Imagine it.INNOVATION is in you. What’s your idea, your dream, your vision? UNT will help you shape it — and achieve it. Bioproducts to Astronomy. Microbes to Materials.

Arts AND Sciences — Collaborating for Your Future.

Learn more about partnering with UNT:

Office of Research and Innovation1155 Union Circle #310979Denton, Texas 76203-5017940-369-7428untresearch@unt.edu

Learn more about UNT research by visiting research.unt.edu.AA/EOE/ADA URCM 1/17 (17-399) © 2017