The College of Science is preparing for the Fall 2019 Commencement, where around 250 STEM-focused students will cross the stage as part of the newest graduating class of the University of North Texas. We are honored that UNT alumnus (Biology, 2001) Dr. Thomas Black, MD, will be delivering the commencement address at our undergraduate ceremony, which will begin at 7:30 pm on Saturday, December 14, 2019. (The ceremony can be live-streamed here.)
For over a year now, Thomas Black has been a member of the College of Science's Advancement Board, a group of dedicated alumni and friends that meet regularly to discuss fundraising and other initiatives that will help advance education and research in our college. The depth of his background and experiences are a valuable asset to the team, and one of the reasons he was asked to share some of his compelling story and wisdom with the 2019 graduating class.
"I think our students will find Dr. Black's career path unique and intriguing," said Dean Gao, who has prepared an introduction to the address to give some background on Thomas' illustrious and nontraditional career path as a doctor, veteran, and businessman. "His story will touch on some deep topics about passion, courage, and perseverance, and will be a great inspiration for our students when they think about their future career choices."
After his first five years in the U.S. Armed Forces (he would go on to serve another eight as an officer after his undergrad education), Dr. Black began his studies at UNT, completing a BA in Biology in 2001. He made the choice to attend the University of North Texas because of the programs here specifically designed to offer support for veteran students.
"UNT was a great fit for my post-military education. I wanted to be a part of something more intimate than a traditional public school," said Thomas. "My goal at the time was to become a physician, and a degree in Biology seemed to be the fastest way! In retrospect, I wish I would have utilized the opportunity to broaden my education in regards to finance and business as well."
Knowing he wanted to become a physician, Dr. Black continued his education after his bachelor's, going on to earn his medical degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, where he was selected as a member of Alpha Omega Alpha Medical Honor Society and graduated with honors. He then completed his residency at Indiana University Emergency Medicine Residency Program, and now practices emergency medicine in the North Texas region as the President of Baylor Scott & White Health 24 Hour Physician Group.
Since his time at UNT, Thomas has achieved great success in not just the medical field, but business leadership as well. Even as an undergraduate he was beginning a career in real estate at his job overseeing residential mortgage loans at Wells Fargo Financial. Following graduation from medical school, he also began investing in real estate, eventually shifting his focus from single-family units to multifamily housing and hotels before co-founding Napali Capital.
Dr. Black knows from experience that each student has their own story and struggles, and recalls the shift he experienced when he was first studying at UNT: "I stepped onto campus straight off a Navy ship. It was a huge new freedom; immersing myself in the academic world allowed me to find myself in an objective way. UNT was the prefect mix of opportunities to broaden my values from what I had experienced in the military and abroad."
In hopes of helping new students find their way into the world of medicine, Dr. Black and his wife, Micaela Black (also a UNT alum), recently made a generous donation to the College of Science, establishing the Health Professions Alumni Scholarship, an endowed scholarship specifically for pre-med students at UNT. Giving back to the university is one way Thomas feels he can positively impact the lives of students who have their own unique set of challenges and the future of health care in North Texas.
To show our deepest gratitude for Dr. Black's gift and recognition of his service, Dean Gao will be presenting him with an alumni award on behalf of the college during the ceremony.
"This generosity doesn't just help the students who are working to become medical professionals, it helps every person they come in contact with throughout their entire career," said Matt Bethea, Executive Director of Development. "The ripple effect of a donation like this echoes for generations, the impact is incalculable, and the world will be a better place because of it."
We look forward to hosting Dr. Black at UNT this weekend for commencement, and extend our sincerest congratulations to all the students who will be graduating on Saturday. We know they have a bright future ahead of them. To learn more about how to get involved with the College of Science's Advancement Board or how to make a gift to the university with the most impact, please contact Matt Bethea or Meghan Dours in the Dean's Office.