McNatts give University of North Texas $2.61 million

[Harry]

Jim and Linda McNatt of Corinth have given $2.61 million in grants to the University of North Texas to support academic and athletic initiatives.

The gifts include $1.36 million to establish endowments for logistics research, autism studies and the Kuehne Speaker Series and to fund grants to National Merit Scholars. The other $1.25 million will be used to enhance Mean Green Athletics.

Some of the grants are eligible for matching funds from Texas, which could augment the donations by $790,000, according to university officials.

Both graduates of UNT, the McNatts are longtime philanthropists who have also given generously to the Denton Animal Shelter Foundation, schools in four regional counties and the North Texas Fair and Rodeo. Jim McNatt operated a string of car dealerships in the area and still co-owns Luttrull-McNatt Chevrolet in Sanger and Luttrull-McNatt Buick/Chevrolet/GMC in Gainesville.

McNatt, whose sister and brother-in-law also earned degrees from UNT, said the donations express his family’s gratitude to the university.

“I’m proud of the current administration and athletic leadership,” McNatt said. “They are dedicated to ensuring the university remains a quality institution, expands its outreach and grows its nationally ranked educational programs.”

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