UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson to retire after four decades of public service in Dallas area

[Harry]

Looking out of his glass office near the corner of Main and Harwood streets, UNT Chancellor Lee Jackson can see the old Municipal Building where he started his career in Dallas more than 40 years ago.

Back then, he was a “very junior” assistant in the city manager’s office, tackling nuisances like high weeds and loose dogs or responding to protesters at council meetings.

He moved up in that office and went on to serve as a state representative for a decade and 15 years as Dallas County judge.

And now he’s wrapping up a career in public service after serving as UNT’s chancellor, where one of his main charges recently has been renovating the Municipal Building so it can one day house the university’s new law school.

Jackson will announce Thursday that he’s retiring from University of North Texas after 15 years leading the system.

“I had no idea my career would come full circle to this place,” said Jackson, 67, a native of Oak Cliff. “I could have been an ambassador and traveled, maybe. But really, I never thought I’d live anywhere other than North Texas. I just instinctively know how it works and doesn’t work.”

Often working out of the spotlight, Jackson helped usher many major developments in the Dallas area and pushed for regional approaches to the area’s biggest challenges, such as transportation and pollution.

As Dallas County judge, he was credited with revamping the juvenile justice system and stepping up efforts to address child abuse. He successfully lobbied for the creation of the North Texas Tollway Authority so the money generated could be spent easing the Dallas area's traffic woes. His support was the final push that led to the creation of the Sixth Floor Museum.

"In many ways, Lee Jackson is our Dirk Nowitzki of local government — scoring points every day and making that shot," Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings said. "He's a problem solver and bridge builder." 

Jackson took the helm of UNT when few university leaders were non-educators, a growing trend that was criticized at the time.

 

read more:  http://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2017/03/08/unt-chancellor-lee-jackson-retire-four-decades-public-service-dallas-area

[KingDL1]

It could not happen fast enough for me

[EagleMBA]

46 minutes ago, KingDL1 said:

It could not happen fast enough for me

 

Edited March 9, 2017 by EagleMBA

[southsideguy]

see you later jackson, to bad you couldn't find your way to the Denton campus.  I think things can only get better from here.

[KingDL1]

[Rudy]

Hope the doorknob gets jammed up your ass as you leave!