Meet Our Patron Saints

Nick and Ann Ricco

Narrative journalism tells the private story behind a public phenomenon.

For five years, the annual Mayborn Literary Nonfiction Conference has brought in the "best of the best," whether it's Gay Talese, Susan Orlean, Joyce Carol Oates, Bob Shacochis, Paul Theroux, or Ira Glass.

The private story involves Nick and Ann Ricco, two North Texans who have repeatedly – and generously – helped the Frank W. Mayborn Graduate School of Journalism. They helped launch the literary conference in 2005 and now financially back the Ten Spurs, the conference's literary journal. It was Nick's idea to offer cash prizes for works submitted to the conference – an idea that has paid off handsomely, launching careers and bestowing major book contracts on winning writers.

Nick didn't set out to a literary lion. Back in the '50s, he enlisted in the Air Force as a specialist in radar bombing, but became so proficient in nuclear weaponry, meteorology and worldwide navigation that he instructed Strategic Air Command pilots and navigators. Intent on getting a banking degree, he returned to UNT for a BBA in 1959, only to be waylaid by an accident that launched a new career in insurance. In the '60s, the Navy recruited him for the Cold War fight. Nick became expert in cryptography and oceanography while commanding Naval flying squadrons. He kept right on accumulating insurance agencies, too – 44, and thus was born his commercial and residential real estate business.

At age 67, Nick re-enrolled at UNT to get a master's degree in journalism. He is now active in The Mayborn Conference's Advisory Board.