University of North Texas 
UNT Materials Science and Engineering 30th Anniversary
Experience UNT MTSE Today. Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence.
Friday, October 23, 2026
10:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.
UNT Discovery Park and UNT Hub Club
Join the University of North Texas Department of Materials Science and Engineering as we celebrate 30 years of excellence in Materials Science and Engineering at UNT.
On Friday, October 23, 2026, alumni, students, faculty, staff, university leadership, industry partners and friends of the department will come together to reconnect, experience MTSE today and celebrate three decades of education, research and innovation.
The daylong celebration will feature outstanding alumni seminars, facility tours, student research, scientific research showcase, founding faculty keynote, dinner and opportunities to reconnect with the MTSE community.
Experience UNT MTSE Today
The celebration begins at UNT Discovery Park, home of the Department of Materials Science and Engineering. Guests will have an opportunity to hear from outstanding alumni, explore MTSE facilities, connect with faculty, students and fellow alumni, and discover the research happening across the department today.
Featured alumni speakers include Dr. Jessica Rimsza of Sandia National Laboratories and Dr. Sivanesh Palanivel of Tesla.
The afternoon will feature department facility tours followed by the MTSE Poster Competition and Research Showcase in collaboration with Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Processes Institute (AMMPI), and the MTSE Scientific Research Showcase.
UNT Discovery Park Schedule
3940 N. Elm St., Denton, TX 76207
| Time | Activity | Location |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30-11 a.m. | Coffee and Welcome | MTSE Conference Room (DP E132) |
| 11-11:10 a.m. | Welcome Remarks - Dr. Jincheng Du | DP K150 |
| 11:10-11:45 a.m. | Outstanding Alumni Seminar - Dr. Jessica Rimsza, Sandia National Laboratories | DP K150 |
| 11:45 a.m.-12:20 p.m. | Outstanding Alumni Seminar - Dr. Sivanesh Palanivel, Tesla | DP K150 |
| 12:30-1:30 p.m. | Networking Lunch | MTSE Conference Room |
| 1:30-2:30 p.m. | Department Facility Tours | |
| 2:30-4 p.m. | MTSE Poster Competition and Research Showcase in Collaboration with AMMPI / MTSE Scientific Research Showcase | DP E-Wing Hallway |
| 4-4:30 p.m. | Travel to UNT Main Campus |
Celebrating 30 Years of Excellence
The celebration continues at the Hub Club on UNT's main campus with an evening recognizing the people and accomplishments that have shaped Materials Science and Engineering at UNT.
Guests will have an opportunity to reconnect with alumni, faculty, students and friends of the department during the reception before anniversary remarks and a special keynote address from founding faculty member Dr. Bruce Gnade, NAE, professor emeritus at The University of Texas at Dallas.
The evening will conclude with dinner and networking as the MTSE community celebrates 30 years and looks toward the department's future.
UNT Hub Club Schedule
1251 S. Bonnie Brae St., Denton, TX 76207
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 4:30-6 p.m. | Guest Arrival, Reception and Networking |
| 6-6:20 p.m. | Welcome and Department Vision - Dr. Jincheng Du, Department Chair |
| 6:20-6:30 p.m. | Dean's Remarks - Dr. Paul Krueger |
| 6:30-6:50 p.m. | Founding Faculty Keynote Address - Dr. Bruce Gnade, NAE, Professor Emeritus at The University of Texas at Dallas |
| 6:50-8 p.m. | Dinner and Networking |
Celebrating the MTSE Community
For 30 years, the UNT Department of Materials Science and Engineering has been shaped by its students, alumni, faculty, staff, partners, and friends.
This anniversary provides an opportunity to reconnect, recognize the people and accomplishments that have contributed to MTSE's history and celebrate the department's continued growth and impact.
Together, we celebrate the first 30 years of MTSE and look forward to the discoveries, achievements, and people who will define its future.
Support the Future of MTSE
As we celebrate 30 years of Materials Science and Engineering at UNT, we also look ahead to the students, research and opportunities that will shape the department's future.
Support for MTSE helps strengthen opportunities for students and advances the department's continued commitment to education, research and innovation.
Commemorate 30 Years of MTSE
Celebrate this milestone with a special MTSE 30th Anniversary T-shirt organized by the Material Advantage student organization.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will support student organization activities and initiatives.
Learn More About Material Advantage.
Celebrating Our Past. Building Our Future.
For three decades, UNT Materials Science and Engineering has brought together students, faculty, alumni, researchers and industry partners through a shared commitment to education, discovery and innovation.
As we celebrate this milestone, we recognize the people and accomplishments that have shaped MTSE while looking forward to the next generation of materials scientists and engineers who will carry that legacy forward.