The Finished Fountain (jody's Fountain)

[bobelok]

Took a few pictures Friday before the storms. Looks very nice.

The waterfall.

Original fountain, with a new circle of small followers. They also filled in this part, so it's not nearly as deep as before.

THe 2 pools running towards the Admin. Building. Both also have small streams (on the right hand side in this picture). Close-up below.

Looking towards the big fountain. There is a plaque stating its origins.

Aforementioned plaque. Notice the dedicated date: April 23, 2007.

Lots and lots of benches.

[CMJ]

Wow....awesome....

[NT80]

Thanks for the pics, looks very nice. Where is the waterfall from the other fountains?

[UNTFan23]

Thanks for the pics, looks very nice. Where is the waterfall from the other fountains?

I think the waterfall faces Highland Street.

[NM Green]

Thanks for letting the out of towners see the new and improved campus. The shots are awesome - the fountain if first class.

mahalo,

GMG

[Guest Aquila_Viridis]

Three words: NORTH TEXAS PRIDE.

By the way, I really like the 'concentric arches' picture.

[MeanGreenBrigader]

I was shocked with how fast this project moved last week. You can tell they pushed for President Bataille's inauguration. It looks great, and it feels good walking around campus with the finished product up and running.

[Green Means Go!]

You see that name on the plaque: Robert Onstead?

He's worth a ton of money. He founded the Randall's grocery store chain (and they eventually bought the Tom Thumb grocery stores). I guess that fountain is named after his sister-in-law.

Anyway, Robert Onstead is good friends with Drayton McLane (Astros owner).

Mr. Onstead has the money to probably build us 15 football stadiums (or at least he did at one time).

Beautiful fountains, btw.

Edited April 15, 2007 by Green Means Go!

[UNTFan23]

He's worth a ton of money. He founded the Randall's grocery store chain (and they eventually bought the Tom Thumb grocery stores).

Tom Thumb is part of the Safeway chain now. Safeway bought Tom Thumb/Randall's in 1999. There is a mention of Robert Onstead on Tom Thumb Wiki page.

Edited April 15, 2007 by UNTFan23

[FirefightnRick]

You see that name on the plaque: Robert Onstead?

Plumm has been educating us all on the Onstead's for abut 10 years now. Does anyone know or not if the Onstead's donated the money for the completion of this mall?

Rick

[Go_UTA]

This completed mall area looks fantastic. I offer my compliments.

[bobelok]

Here's a few more pictures I have showing the waterfall in relation to the big fountain. The waterfall does face the street, and it's about 50 feet from the big fountain. In between there's some wood chips with swinging benches, and a giant brick-covered surface with 2 machines (water pumps?) underground. I saw them put these under during construction but have no idea what they are.

View from the street, towards the Admin. Building.

You can see the big fountain in the background.

The machines during construction, now under the bricks. The square metal grates stick out, but it's otherwise flat.

[NTEdgex2]

I met my husband by the steps going up to the left of the waterfall. A monument to a wonderful 33 year marriage! We met in '71 and married in '74 after I graduated. I can never walk by there without pausing and remembering my days at NTSU. Thanks for the pictures.

GMG!

Edited April 15, 2007 by NTEdgex2

[PlummMeanGreen]

You see that name on the plaque: Robert Onstead?

He's worth a ton of money. He founded the Randall's grocery store chain (and they eventually bought the Tom Thumb grocery stores). I guess that fountain is named after his sister-in-law.

Anyway, Robert Onstead is good friends with Drayton McLane (Astros owner).

Mr. Onstead has the money to probably build us 15 football stadiums (or at least he did at one time).

Beautiful fountains, btw.

Sadly, "Green Means Go", Mr. Onstead suddenly passed away 2-3 yrs ago while on vacation abroad. He was originally from Ennis, Texas (if memory serves me on that).

UNT alum Robert Randall Onstead came within a gnat's whisker of being the owner of the Houston Astros major league baseball club, but his good buddy Drayton McClane just barely outbid him for that honor. His son, ie, Robert Randall Onstead, Jr. is a Texas Tech graduate.

For those who still think we don't have wealthy alums, Mr. Onstead is yet even more proof which would continue to dispell that rumor started by (probably) some old timers up there or fund-raiser staffer types in decades's past who would have us all believe such fiction. Granted, we started out as a teacher's college in 1890, but many should not forget that while NT was putting out some of our state and nation's best teachers (and administrators), we also had a Business Department (which is now the UNT College of Business) that at the same time were putting out future entrepeneur$ and busine$$ leader$ for our state, nation and world. Robert Randall Onstead, Sr. was most definitely one of those.

Concerning the main theme of this thread: Very, very, very impressive thing UNT officials have done with the fountain and our entire library mall area; very gol' darned impressive matter of fact. I know we all applaud their efforts and thanks to the entire Onstead clan for their (apparent) huge contribution. Can't wait to see all this in person soon.

Edited April 16, 2007 by PlummMeanGreen

[gksmith]

I did not know they would finish that so fast. Looks real good. I may have to take a trip to the campus to see it in person.

AND NO BATHING NAKED IN THE FOUNTAINS!

[KingDL1]

Click

Last Sunday morning about 11:30.

4-15-2007

Edited April 17, 2007 by KingDL1

[Bryan316]

The Mall really turned out beautifully. Those are good pics, too. They were behind schedule, and somebody got kicked in the rear, because it went from dirt hills and broken stone to this in like 2 or 3 weeks.

[sports88guy]

yea it looks great now and the last week they made alot of progress, it really is amazing how fast they can do it when they want to. and just wondering but why is it called the "mall" area?

[EagleChick03]

It looks great. Thanks so much for posting those pictures. I think I'm gonna take a trip up there just to see it all in person. That waterfall is a HUGE improvement from what that area used to be. I'm excited!

[Bryan316]

and just wondering but why is it called the "mall" area?

Seriously not trying to be an ass; from dictionary.com, "a large area, usually lined with shade trees and shrubbery, used as a public walk or promenade." With the new trees and plant life, that definition is perfect. I searched the UNT site, but I didn't find anything other than in-house update info.

[Stan R]

Looks awesome and thanks for taking these pictures.

[BonfireBrian]

I did not know they would finish that so fast. Looks real good. I may have to take a trip to the campus to see it in person.

AND NO BATHING NAKED IN THE FOUNTAINS!

Unless you are female of course, then it's perfectly acceptable.

[eppy4life]

so can i bath with my clothes on?

[FirefightnRick]

So again, did the Onstead's donate for this? Anyone know?

Rick

[bobelok]

Here's what I found on the UNT web site:

UNT alumna and former librarian Louise Evans contributed $130,000 for the project. Her donation, along with $50,000 left from funds donated for the Cartwright Plaza (the brick plaza with the North Texas mark at the north end of the mall), will cover the cost of the waterfall feature.

Link 1

They (the Board of Regents) also will consider naming the Library Mall fountain and central plaza “Jody’s Fountain” after Jo Ann Park Onstead, a 1944 graduate who was a distinguished elementary school teacher with a passion for art education.

Charles Onstead, a 1947 graduate, and his sister-in-law, Kay Onstead, will give $200,000 to the university for the renovations to the central area of the Library Mall.

Link 2