Spring Break
Former UNT President Pohl Dies
Matt Goodman
Issue date: 6/9/09 Section: NEWS
Former NT president Norval Pohl died last night in his home in Arizona from pancreatic cancer, according to former co-worker and NT alum Dustee Tucker. Pohl was NT's 13th president, serving from Oct. 15, 2000 until August of 2006.
Under Pohl's presidency, the students voted to approve a $75 per semester fee that paid for the construction of the Pohl Recreation Center, which was named after him in his final semester as president. He also established the university's first College of Engineering and was integral to the building of its home, Discovery Park, which was then named Research Park. Also under his presidency, the university built a new 105,000 square-foot Chemistry Building.
After NT, Pohl traveled to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., which is about two hours from Phoenix, where he served as University Chancellor, according to the Embry-Riddle Web site.
"He made it a point to meet with students on a regular basis," Tucker said. "He wanted to make sure students knew he had an open-door policy."
Under Pohl's presidency, the students voted to approve a $75 per semester fee that paid for the construction of the Pohl Recreation Center, which was named after him in his final semester as president. He also established the university's first College of Engineering and was integral to the building of its home, Discovery Park, which was then named Research Park. Also under his presidency, the university built a new 105,000 square-foot Chemistry Building.
After NT, Pohl traveled to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Prescott, Ariz., which is about two hours from Phoenix, where he served as University Chancellor, according to the Embry-Riddle Web site.
"He made it a point to meet with students on a regular basis," Tucker said. "He wanted to make sure students knew he had an open-door policy."
Viewing Comments 1 - 9 of 10
Fuad Khan
posted 5/13/09 @ 1:32 PM CST
This is a great loss. I had the oppurtunity to meet him while I was a PLP officer at UNT. He was a man with an open mind and a plan for UNT's future. His candidite and straight forward attitude towards students made him both approachable and trustable as an authority figure. (Continued…)
Scott Jamison
posted 5/13/09 @ 1:54 PM CST
This is a true loss. He pushed the University forward like few before him and was a true gentleman. I met him several times during his tenure and had the honor of judging a Business Case Competition for the COBA on two occasions. (Continued…)
Harris Sayed
posted 5/13/09 @ 2:10 PM CST
May he Rest in Peace!
Smelly Hippie
posted 5/13/09 @ 4:42 PM CST
Nice guy. This is a shame.
Andy Hogue
posted 5/13/09 @ 5:45 PM CST
Take care, Dr. Pohl! Thanks for taking a stand for what was right, and for all you did for UNT.
Phillip W. Young
posted 5/13/09 @ 8:25 PM CST
It is with genuine sorrow that I read the sad news of Norval Pohl having passed away. He made a number of very significant contributions to UNT, while serving as its president, most noteworthy of which was obtaining the former TI plant for UNT's current Research Park, and at an astonishingly low price, because he had the good business sense to wait until TI was ready to make a great offer to UNT, before he recommended the purchase to the UNT Board of Regents. (Continued…)
David Y
posted 5/13/09 @ 8:42 PM CST
I met Dr. Pohl briefly at the graduation reception in Dec 2002. He struck me as very intelligent and personable. B/c of this man, the UNT campus now has a flourishing College of Engineering that is growing in status and recognition. (Continued…)
Havok
posted 5/14/09 @ 1:58 PM CST
I missed him after he left and I'll miss him more now. Rest In Peace Dr. Pohl.
John Doe
posted 6/03/09 @ 8:56 PM CST
While it is a shame Dr. Pohl died of cancer and may he rest in peace. I have to say there was a "dark" side of Dr. Pohl few know about or have the courage to say. (Continued…)
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