SFA University
November 27, 2018 Nacogdoches – The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House will host a holiday exhibition that provides a glimpse into the celebrations of Christmas from bygone eras.
The Christmas display, which shows December 1 through December 30, includes vintage and antique ornaments, decorations, dolls and toys from days gone by. The vignette will offer a glimpse into how this favorite holiday was celebrated 100 years ago, according to John Handley, director of art galleries for Stephen F. Austin State University.
“This will be the third year we have featured a vignette in the center of the Ledbetter Gallery at the Cole Art Center,” Handley said. “Several museums around the United States put up holiday displays as a family-friendly feature. The Taft Museum in Cincinnati does a series of elaborate displays each December, highlighting the artistry and history of Christmas celebrations from a century ago.”
Mike Moore with the Nacogdoches Public Library will present family-friendly Christmas stories at 2 p.m. Sunday, December 9, with some simple craft projects to follow.
Sponsors for the display are The Flower Shop, SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, William Arscott and Nacogdoches Junior Forum. Admission to exhibitions is free.
SFA School of Art’s historic downtown gallery, The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.
Cutline: Antique ornaments, decorations, dolls and toys from days gone by will be featured in a vintage Christmas display showing at Cole Art Center December 1 through December 30.
November 15, 2018 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s Beef Research Center barn was destroyed in a fire that occurred early on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 14.
“The fire caused significant damage to the structure and contents of the building,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “We are very thankful that no people or animals were injured.”
The Beef Farm is a part of SFA’s 726-acre Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center, and it is an integral part of the learning experience for SFA’s agriculture students.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated.
Friends and alumni who wish to donate funds to aid in the recovery of the facility and its contents may contribute in a variety of ways.
To donate online, visit www.sfasu.edu/give. Select “other,” specify “Beef Farm” and follow the designated steps to complete the donation.
Checks made payable to the SFA Office of Development also may be sent to P.O. Box 6092-SFA Station, Nacogdoches, Texas, 75962. Please include a note stating the contribution is for the SFA Beef Farm.
Donors also may call the SFA Office of Development at (936) 468-5406 to make a gift by phone. Once again, please designate the donation is intended for the SFA Beef Farm.
For any inquiries regarding other ways to help, contact Dr. Joey Bray, chair of the SFA Department of Agriculture, at (936) 468-3705 or Dr. Erin Brown, professor of animal science, at (936) 468-3705.
November 14, 2018 Nacogdoches — The SFA Gardens will host a garden seminar, “Deck the Halls — Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays,” from 9 a.m. to noon, Saturday, Dec. 1, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Stephen F. Austin State University Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.
Evergreen branches and garlands once served as symbols of enduring life and a fruitful year to come. Join Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, to learn how to create elegant wreaths and garlands using materials from the garden.
Participants will learn principles of wreath, garland and centerpiece construction and make a wreath to enjoy and take home for the holidays.
In addition to the traditional wreaths and garlands, Stover will introduce new crafts using natural items from the garden and forest. All materials will be provided.
Class size is limited, so please register in advance by calling (936) 468-1832 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu. The cost is $30 for SFA Garden members and $35 for nonmembers.
November 13, 2018 - The Children’s Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University will present two performances of the holiday classic “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” on Tuesday, Nov. 27, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.
Inspired by the timeless poem “A Visit from St. Nicholas” and the real life of its author, Clement Moore, this funny musical introduces Santa Claus in a particularly beneficent light, according to Diane Peterson, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and director of the children’s series.
“This classic tale has been charming audiences nationwide for many years,” Peterson said.
Presented by Virginia Repertory Theatre with book, music and lyrics by Bruce Craig Miller, “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” targets children in kindergarten through fifth grade.
Performances are at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium, which is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more.
Presented by the SFA College of Fine Arts, the Children’s Performing Arts Series annually features five shows designed to entertain, educate and engage young audiences of all ages, according to Peterson. Study guides provide suggestions for pre- and post-performance activities and discussions for teachers to use in the classroom. A comprehensive study guide for “’Twas the Night Before Christmas” may be accessed at cpas.sfasu.edu.
Other upcoming CPAS performances include “I Have a Dream” on Friday, Feb. 1; “Madeline and the Bad Hat” Wednesday, March 6; and “The Jungle Book” on Thursday, May 16.
To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.
November 13, 2018 Nacogdoches — As part of their annual Thanksgiving Homebound food drive, members of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Jack’s Council on Family Relations collected and donated food to 137 families, which is the most families this drive has served since it began in 2011.
JCFR is a student organization focused on building networks and helping families within the community. It is part of SFA’s School of Human Sciences.
"Our goal is to give back to the Nacogdoches community," said Lindsey Lightfoot, JCFR president and human development and family studies major. "Sometimes Thanksgiving can be overlooked, and I think this project is a great reminder to help families, be thankful and remember the real reason for the holiday."
Representatives from the Greater East Texas Community Action Program Head Start, East Texas Family Crisis Center and Solid Foundation visited the SFA campus Monday to collect the donations. Each organization will distribute the food to the selected families. Members of SFA’s Interfraternity Council also assisted with loading the boxes of food.
Food items were collected from university departments, clubs and organizations, and local businesses. Through this project, JCFR matches participants with families and sends participants a description of a family and a checklist of items to purchase. The checklist includes grocery items, such as potatoes, cornbread mix, vegetables and dressing. Participants also are asked to purchase a $25 gift card to help their family buy perishable items, such as meat, butter, milk and eggs.
“This has given me a great outlook on the community of Nacogdoches. I’ve seen so many local organizations come together to provide meals for these families,” Lightfoot said.
To learn more, visit sfasu.edu/hms/125.asp.
By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
November 8, 2018 - Audiences are giving rave reviews of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Oklahoma!” presented by Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre, School of Music and SFA Dance Program.
Performances are at 7:30pm nightly through Saturday, Nov. 10, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Pictured are junior Thomas Falconar, Rose Bruford American Theatre Arts student from London, England, as Curly, and senior Sidney Lowell of Huffman as Laurey. Single tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for youth. Tickets for SFA students are $5.
For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.theatre.sfasu.edu.
November 8, 2018 Nacogdoches – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre, School of Music and SFA Dance Program will present Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical “Oklahoma!” at 7:30 p.m. nightly through November 10 in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. Among the show’s performers are, front from left, theatre majors Sadie Mae Taylor, Arlington sophomore; Bayley Owen, Royse City sophomore; Richard Rogers, Kerrville junior; back from left, dance majors Christina White, Rockwall senior; and Sarah Boon, Ennis junior. Single tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for youth. Tickets for SFA students are $5. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.theatre.sfasu.edu.
November 7, 2018 Nacogdoches — Future college students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of campus life during a free, action-packed open house Saturday, November 10, at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches.
Prospective students can visit with university faculty and staff, tour the campus and residence halls, and preview academic programs during the SFA Showcase Saturday event.
"A Showcase Saturday is the perfect way to visit the beautiful SFA campus and experience firsthand what it's like to be a Lumberjack," said Erma Nieto Brecht, SFA executive director of enrollment management. "Guests will have the opportunity to visit with faculty members to learn more about our quality academic programs, and staff members will be available to answer questions about everything from admission requirements to financial aid to residence life.”
SFA is a comprehensive, residential university located in the heart of Texas Forest Country. Approximately 13,100 students attend SFA, which is within a few hours’ drive of Texas' major metropolitan areas.
Showcase Saturday event check-in will begin at 11 a.m. on the first floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center. The opening programs begin at 1 p.m. and will provide an overview of the day's events.
Guests will then be able to visit with representatives from academic departments until 4 p.m. during the Academic Fair in the Student Recreation Center. A Student Services Fair will be held from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. on the first floor of the student center.
Campus and residence hall tours will begin at 1:30 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Campus tours will take students on a guided walk of the SFA campus while the self-guided residence hall tours will showcase several halls on both the north and south ends of campus.
Admissions counselors will be available to discuss admission procedures and requirements from 1:30 to 5 p.m. in the Rusk Building, Room 206, and during several freshman and transfer admissions sessions held throughout the day.
Several informational breakout sessions will take place simultaneously at 2, 3, and 4 p.m., including Residence Life sessions, financial aid sessions and freshman admissions sessions. Additional breakout sessions will take place on transfer admissions, orientation and VA/Hazlewood Act benefits.
In addition to receiving a high-energy Lumberjack experience, participating prospective students will receive a free SFA T-shirt after completing an evaluation form.
For more information about SFA's Showcase Saturday, contact the SFA Office of Admissions at (936) 468-2504, or email admissions@sfasu.edu.
November 5, 2018 - The Stephen F. Austin State University Photo Club will host its first juried show of student work, the Pineywoods Photography Exhibition, Nov. 14 through Dec. 12 in Griffith Gallery on the SFA campus.
Juror Priya Kambli selected work for the exhibit from more than 75 submissions sent in by students from across the SFA campus. Three awards will be announced during the opening reception, which is scheduled for 5pm to 7pm Wednesday, Nov. 14, in the gallery.
Kambli is a photographer and artist whose work has been shown nationally and internationally. Her work is featured in the exhibition “Priya Kambli: Color Falls Down,” which shows in Griffith Gallery through Nov. 8.
Born in India, Kambli emigrated to the U.S. at the age of 18 and often makes work informed by that experience. She completed her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree at the University of Louisiana in Lafayette and received a masters degree in photography from the University of Houston. She is currently professor of art at Truman State University in Kirksville, Missouri. In 2008, PhotoLucida awarded her a book publication prize for her project “Color Falls Down,” published in 2010.
Griffith Gallery is located in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive.
The SFA Photo Club is a student organization open to all students interested in photography. Group members plan events and activities throughout the year, including workshops, field trips and exhibits. For more information, follow them on Instagram at @sfasuphotoclub or email sfaphotoclub@gmail.com.
November 2, 2018 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s planetarium in the Cole STEM Building will open November 3, taking visitors on immersive journeys of scientific discovery.
Seating 119, the planetarium provides a unique learning space for all ages, offering more than 20 new programs, covering astronomy, biology, chemistry, climate science, Earth science, engineering, geology and space science.
“The SFA planetarium is like a simulated space ship staffed with knowledgeable tour guides so visitors can explore the wonders of the universe,” said Ed Michaels, planetarium director and lecturer in the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.
Public shows will be offered every Saturday, with group shows available throughout the week by reservation. Before each show, Michaels will give a tour of the current night sky, pointing out planets, stars and constellations.
Starting November 3, two shows will be offered. “Molecularium” introduces audiences to the world of atoms and molecules and will be presented at 2 p.m. Though geared toward children ages 5 to 8, the show is open to all ages. Tickets are $3.
“Dark Universe” will be presented at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m., letting audiences explore deep space and learn about dark matter and dark energy. Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children, students, and faculty and staff with ID.
Tickets will be available for purchase at the planetarium box office 30 minutes before each show.
To learn more information about shows, view the schedule or make a reservation, visit planetarium.sfasu.edu/home.
By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
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