Class of 1978 - Angela Russell & Paula Coggins
When they transferred to North Texas State University in the late 70s, it was one of the few universities offering a bachelors degree in fashion merchandising. As they researched the positive attributes of NTSU from snow-covered Cleveland, Ohio, two features stood out in their minds. NTSU was located in the "sunbelt" and in close proximity to the growing fashion mecca, Dallas, Texas. "It's still unbelievable that our parents allowed us, two female teens, to drive over 1,200 miles by ourselves to a bigger-than-life state we had never been to before," remarked Angela Russell. Their car (without an air conditioner) was packed with all they owned. Somehow they did it, and have never looked back.
When they transferred to North Texas State University in the late 70s, it was one of the few universities offering a bachelors degree in fashion merchandising. As they researched the positive attributes of NTSU from snow-covered Cleveland, Ohio, two features stood out in their minds. NTSU was located in the "sunbelt" and in close proximity to the growing fashion mecca, Dallas, Texas. "It's still unbelievable that our parents allowed us, two female teens, to drive over 1,200 miles by ourselves to a bigger-than-life state we had never been to before," remarked Angela Russell. Their car (without an air conditioner) was packed with all they owned. Somehow they did it, and have never looked back.
They both graduated in 1978 receiving a B.S. in Home Economics with a concentration in Fashion Merchandising and immediately began working in the fashion industry at major retailers in Dallas.
Fast-forward to 2007, both are self-employed. Paula Coggins lives in Houston and has left the fashion industry for a career as a business coach. Angela lives in Atlanta, Georgia and owns a full service custom drapery workroom. She designs and installs draperies, bedding, pillows, table linens, etc. Angela is also a veteran after a 7 year commitment to the U.S. Army. While overseas, she took the initiative to partner with a German cleaner to do alterations for the soldiers. Although neither of them is directly involved in the clothing fashion industry, those roots still linger. On a recent trip back to UNT for homecoming they both could not resist shopping for hats and accessories, in addition to mingling with old friends.
"The campus is still beautiful and being back brings up memories of walking across campus for classes, good friends in the dorm that I still am in contact with, and partying at that house on the golf course," commented Paula. "I wouldn't trade those years at UNT for anything. I learned a lot about life and was prepared to enter the workforce. All my memories about NTSU-UNT are extremely positive."