Left: UNT Health Fort Worth President Dr. Kirk Calhoun; Right: UNT Dallas President Dr. Warren von Eschenbach [Photos: UNT]

The University of North Texas System board of regents unanimously voted Thursday to fill the presidencies of two of its major campuses.

Kirk Calhoun was named president of UNT Health Fort Worth and Warren von Eschenbach was named president of UNT Dallas. The vote came after Texas’ mandatory 21-day plus waiting period for presidential appointments. Calhoun and von Eschenbach were chosen as sole finalists for their respective positions on June 27.

“On behalf of the board of regents, I’m honored to welcome Dr. Calhoun and Dr. von Eschenbach as the next presidents of UNT Health and UNT Dallas,” Board Chair Laura Wright said in a statement. “Their steadfast dedication to student achievement and community impact assures us of a strong and promising future for both institutions.”

The system said Calhoun becomes the eighth president of UNT Health after serving in the role of interim president since February.

“I’m honored to serve this incredible institution as president,” Calhoun said. “Since joining UNT Health in February as interim president, I’ve seen firsthand the impactful work being done in health education, research and care. I look forward to building on that momentum as we work together to improve the health of our communities.”

Von Eschenbach becomes the fourth president of UNT Dallas after serving in the role of interim president since April 2024.

“I’m profoundly grateful to Chancellor Williams and the University of North Texas System board of regents for entrusting me with the privilege of leading UNT Dallas,” von Eschenbach said. “As the university celebrates its 15th anniversary this year, it’s humbling to reflect not only on past successes but equally as important on an exciting future full of promise. I look forward to advancing our missing of empowering students, transforming lives, and strengthening communities as we prepare our students for a purpose-driven, career-ready future.”

Chancellor Dr. Michael R. Williams said the new presidents will be instrumental in moving their campuses forward.

“The UNT System could not have two more transformational leaders than Dr. Calhoun and Dr. von Eschenbach,” Williams said in a statement. “Their leadership will continue to foster an environment where our faculty excels and our students can realize their full potential. I am excited about the meaningful progress this collective leadership will bring to the entire UNT System community.”

The UNT System serves nearly 50,000 students at UNT campuses in Denton and Frisco, UNT Dallas in south Dallas, and UNT Health Fort Worth.

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