M. Jean Greenlaw

M. Jean Greenlaw is Regents Professor Emeritus at the University of North Texas, where she taught for 27 years. Prior to that she taught at the University of Georgia. She received her undergraduate and masters degrees at Stetson University in DeLand, Florida, and her PhD at Michigan State University.

Jean writes a monthly column for the Denton Record-Chronicle, Book Talk. She is also the co-founder of Club Book Talk, a book club that meets on-line.

Dr. Greenlaw has been very active professionally, both as a writer and a speaker. Her numerous publications include the books Ranch Dressing: The Story of Western Wear and Welcome to the Stock Show. Involvement in professional organizations includes serving on the prestigious Newbery Committee, and receiving the Arbuthnot Award from the International Reading Association, given to the most outstanding professor of children’s literature in the U.S.

She has won numerous awards for her teaching and service. When she retired in 2005, the University of North Texas created the Jean Greenlaw Literacy Award, as recognition of her lifetime’s work. The award will be given each year at the annual Texas Association of Improvement of Reading conference.

Dr. Greenlaw also participates in her community. She serves on the board of UNTRA, was active in The Arts Guild, on the Boards of the city Library Board, and Keep Denton Beautiful, was on the Citizen Bond Committee and is a Denton Ambassador. She was on the board of UNT’s Emeritus College, now known as OLLI at UNT. She has served on the board of the Greater Denton Arts Council, Denton County Historical Commission, and the Friends of the Denton Public Libraries. She has also been a docent at the Cowgirl Hall of Fame in Fort Worth. She served on the Advisory Board of the College of Arts and Sciences at Stetson University, the Editorial Board of The Denton Record-Chronicle and is currently serving on the College of Music Advancement Board.