SFA University
Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host a fruit research field day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 starting at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
August 10, 2024 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host a fruit research field day from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 27 featuring kiwifruit, muscadine grapes, blueberries, figs, feijoas and other fruits.
Speakers will include Dr. David Creech, director of SFA Gardens, and Drs. Tim Hartmann and Justin Scheiner, faculty members in Texas A&M University’s Department of Horticultural Sciences.
“While East Texas has suffered through several climate challenges in the last few years, the region has many comparative advantages for the fruit grower,” Creech said. “Low-cost land, easy access to high-quality water sources, big nearby population centers, and more folks interested in growing their own fruit all point to promise in the years ahead.”
The day will start at 9 a.m. with presentations at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building in the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. There will be a break for attendees to leave for lunch, then participants will go to the fruit research plots at Hinds Park and the Mast Arboretum around 1 p.m. Transportation to the fruit plots will be provided.
The cost of the field day is $15 per person. Register in advance online at sfasu.edu/sfagardens at the “Visit & Events” tab or on-site the day of the event.
For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
Heat-tolerant perennials, like Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Goldsturm,' will be offered at the Plant Sale.
September 4, 2024 – Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host its annual Fabulous Fall Festival Plant Sale from 9am to 2pm October 12 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
The sale will feature an array of hard-to-find, “Texas-tough” plants, like East Texas native plants and pollinator-friendly selections. Expect to find great trees, including Japanese maples, red buds, bald cypress and more. A list of all available plants will be posted on the SFA Gardens website two weeks before the sale.
This popular event helps fund SFA Gardens’ staff member salaries and daily operations. The areas under the SFA Gardens umbrella include the Mast Arboretum, Pineywoods Native Plant Center, Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, Gayla Mize Garden and Kingham Children’s Garden. Visiting the gardens is free, and plant trails are open to the public every day from dawn to dusk.
Parking for the Fabulous Fall Festival Plant Sale will be available at SFA’s Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, located at 2428 Raguet St. Visitors are encouraged to arrive early and bring a wagon for their plants.
For more information and a list of available plants, call (936) 468-4404 or visit sfasu.edu/sfagardens.
More than 150 volunteers assisted during Stephen F. Austin State University’s fall 2024 move-in weekend as the university implemented a new, streamlined check-in process centralized in the commuter parking lot.
August 29, 2024 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s Residence Life Department and volunteers moved in more than 4,100 new and returning residents to campus this weekend, with this year's move-in featuring significant improvements that enhanced the overall experience for students and their families.
SFA's residence hall capacity for fall 2024 increased to 4,153 beds, up from 3,911 beds in fall 2023, with current occupancy reaching 92.7% compared to last year's 88.7%. This growth underscores the university's commitment to accommodating an evolving student population and fostering a vibrant campus community.
The most notable change was the centralization of the check-in process to the commuter lot on both Friday and Saturday. This strategic adjustment alleviated the burden on the Residence Life team, allowing them to focus on greeting students and troubleshooting any issues that arose. This resulted in an average check-in rate of nearly two students per minute on Friday and over one student per minute on Saturday.
"The new process was a wild success," said Dr. Andrew Dies, interim director of SFA’s Residence Life. "It not only helped streamline our check-in process but also significantly reduced traffic and congestion around the residence halls."
More than 4,100 Stephen F. Austin State University students moved into residence halls Aug. 23-25, putting the university’s fall 2024 occupancy rate at 92.7%, which is 4% higher than last year.
The move-in weekend was made possible by the efforts of more than 150 dedicated volunteers, a record number for SFA’s move-in weekend. These volunteers managed check-in operations, assisted students in the parking lots, and helped them move their belongings into their new residences.
"Our volunteers went above and beyond this year," Dies said. "Having dedicated teams for check-in and support in the parking lots allowed us to provide a smooth and welcoming experience for everyone."
Move-in weekend highlights included special appearances from notable figures such as SFA President Neal Weaver, who assisted students in moving their belongings, and head football coach Colby Carthel, who greeted students at check-in. Additionally, teams from Student Affairs, Athletics, and Enrollment Management worked tirelessly from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. on both days to ensure a seamless transition for all incoming residents.
“As a two-time SFA grad, I was ecstatic when our son chose SFA. However, being six hours from home now, we were nervous and anxious as the move-in date approached,” said Sarah Kleinwachter, parent to an incoming Lumberjack. “The moment we arrived at SFA, we were greeted by friendly faces who went above and beyond to provide a smooth check-in process. We arrived at 7:45 a.m., and our son was completely unloaded by 8:30 a.m. His and our nerves immediately disappeared as we knew this was only the start to a great year ahead as he was now at his home away from home!”
Looking beyond move-in, SFA is excited to continue supporting new and returning students through Weeks of Welcome, a two-week series of events and programs designed to help students acclimate to campus life and build lasting connections within the community. More information can be found at sfasu.edu/orientation.
"We are thrilled with how move-in weekend turned out," Dies said. "Our focus on improving the check-in process and the incredible support from our volunteers and staff made this one of our most successful move-ins yet. We look forward to continue to welcome our new students and helping them thrive at SFA."
August 23, 2024 –– Beginning this fall, the sports business and entrepreneurship programs in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business will offer the new Sports Innovation Certificate to any SFA undergraduate or nondegree-seeking student.
“This certificate is designed to help our students launch their careers and provide them with the skills desired by sport organizations,” said Dr. Jason Reese, SFA associate professor of marketing. “Any student at SFA can take part in this 12-hour academic certificate and enhance their understanding of sports entrepreneurship and innovation.”
The certificate courses focus on the latest name, image and likeness (referred to as NIL) developments as well as the principles of entrepreneurship that contribute to success in the ever-changing field of sports.
“Whether you're a student interested in working in the NIL field or an SFA student-athlete wanting to manage your NIL, this program is designed with innovations in higher education sports in mind,” said Dr. Raymond Jones, director of SFA’s entrepreneurship program. “It is a fast-growing area for new positions in collegiate athletics.”
Prospective employers are eager to see how students completing this certificate will contribute to the sports industry after graduation.
“Universities must offer programs for students to seize new opportunities, and I am excited about the future of SFA’s sports business and entrepreneurship programs,” said Norman Schippers, founder and president of Alodia Basketball Academy, SFA accounting graduate, and chair of the Rusche College of Business Executive Advisory Board.
With the rapid generational shift in sports impacting youth, high school, collegiate and professional athletics, Schippers believes the new certificate program will help students develop the entrepreneurial mindset they will need in their careers.
“The Sports Innovation Certificate embodies progress in sports by fostering innovation and entrepreneurship to reshape the future of athletics,” he said.
For more information, email Jones at raymond.jones@sfasu.edu or Reese at reesejd1@sfasu.edu.
August 22, 2024 - From Latin rock rhythms to “Last Comic Standing” laughs to magnificent puppet beasts taking audiences along on spellbinding adventures, the 2024-25 touring entertainment series at Stephen F. Austin State University is sure to captivate lovers of live performance like none other in recent history.
SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts University Series’ Magical Season features music, comedy and giant spectacle in family friendly performances in the Turner Auditorium. This year’s University Series spans a rich tapestry of genres and styles, ensuring an unforgettable experience for audiences of all ages.
In an age dominated by screens and digital content, the value of live performances has never been more apparent. Live theater is a visceral experience, engaging all the senses and fostering a deep connection between the performers and the audience. It is a space where stories are not just told, but felt, where the energy of the performers and the reactions of the audience merge to create a unique and unrepeatable moment in time.
Live performances bring emotions and stories to life in a way that films and TV simply cannot, and the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts’ University Series is dedicated to preserving this irreplaceable art form and bringing world-class performances to our community, according to Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts.
Drs. Jeana Paul-Ureña and Juan Carlos Ureña, chair and professor, respectively, in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, along with special guests, will present “Shadows at Dawn – An Evening of Latin American Sounds” on Sept. 26.
The season opens with “Shadows at Dawn – An Evening of Latin American Sounds” on Sept. 26. Dr. Juan Carlos Ureña, professor of SFA’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, began writing, composing and performing music in Costa Rica during the 1980s, and he was an integral part of the Nueva Canción movement in Central America. He began working in 1994 in duo with Dr. Jeana Paul-Ureña, chair of SFA’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, and who hails from Texas, Brazil and Costa Rica. Together, these SFA faculty members and husband-wife team create a unique fusion of intricate guitars, mandolin and piano; Caribbean, Brazilian and pop rhythms; poetic Spanish lyrics; and beautiful harmonies. They will be joined in this University Series performance by Mario Ulloa, classical guitar, from Brazil; Gabriel Gutiérrez, percussion, Mario Álvarez, bass guitar, and María Pretiz, piano, from Costa Rica; and invited guests from the SFA School of Music, including Christina Guenther, flute, and Evgeni Raychev, cello.
The Latin group Del Castillo brings a cross-cultural power uniting music lovers of all ages, creeds and colors when they perform in Stephen F. Austin State University’s University Series Oct. 18.
On Oct. 18, the Latin group Del Castillo brings a cross-cultural powerhouse sound, uniting music lovers of all ages, creeds and colors. Their original music blends rock, Latin, blues and world music into a cinematic celebration of sound that lifts the soul. Del Castillo has toured nationwide playing with such diverse acts as Styx, Los Lonely Boys, Ozomatli, Kinky, Don Henley, Los Lobos, Ryan Bingham and Willie Nelson. Their music can be heard in every movie by film director Robert Rodriguez since 2003, as well as in Quentin Tarantino's "Kill Bill Vol. 2.” The band has played major festivals across the U.S. and Canada and has toured overseas making new fans throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Norway, Scotland and London, England. This performance is sponsored in part by Cataract, Glaucoma & Retina Consultants of East Texas | Medical Arts Surgery Center | Benchmark Optical.
Comedian Greg Warren takes Turner stage Jan. 30, delivering sharp wit and hilarious observations during a performance in Stephen F. Austin State University’s University Series.
Prepare for an evening of laughter as acclaimed comedian Greg Warren takes Turner stage Jan. 30, delivering sharp wit and hilarious observations. Warren is a favorite on the nationally syndicated “Bob & Tom Radio Show,” which led to Warren touring theaters nationwide. His comedy has been a staple on Sirius/XM’s “Laugh USA” and Jeff and Larry’s Comedy Roundup channels. You can hear him on podcasts like “Nateland,” “Never Not Funny,” “Bertcast,” “Dumb People Town,” “The Adam Carolla Show” and many more. He’s performed as a New Face of Comedy at JFL, on Comedy Central’s “Premium Blend” and NBC’s “Last Comic Standing.” From St. Louis, Missouri, he has captivated audiences with anecdotes about the conflict inherent in meshing his two disparate high school identities of varsity wrestler and band geek. Opening for Warren is comedian Tim Convy. This performance is sponsored in part by Etech.
“Dragons & Mythical Beasts” is a visual masterpiece that combines intricate puppetry, stunning visual effects and an enchanting storyline. Don’t miss this brand-new spell-binding adventure coming to Stephen F. Austin State University Feb. 28.
Enter a realm of fantasy and wonder with a performance that features gigantic mythical beast puppets. “Dragons & Mythical Beasts” is a visual masterpiece that combines intricate puppetry, stunning visual effects and an enchanting storyline to create a show that is as mesmerizing as it is magical. Unveil a myriad dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Discover the colossal Stone Troll, the mysterious Indrik and Japanese Baku, the Tooth Fairy (not as sweet as you'd think), an adorable unicorn and majestic griffin. Take your place among legendary heroes, just don't wake the dragon! Nominated for the 2022 Olivier Award for Best Family Entertainment, don’t miss this brand-new spell-binding adventure coming to SFA Feb. 28. This performance is sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center.
All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive, on the SFA campus. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit Fine Arts Box Office website, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Ticket prices range from $3 for SFA students to $35 for adults. Tickets go on sale Sept. 3.
Dr. Whitney Griffin will present “The Art of Growing Plants Where Plants Don’t Want to Grow” for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 12 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
August 21, 2024 – Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7pm Thursday, September 12 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
Dr. Whitney Griffin, landscape software product manager, will present “The Art of Growing Plants Where Plants Don’t Want to Grow.”
Griffin is a passionate green industry proponent, having held several positions in a variety of green industries while earning her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticultural sciences at Auburn University in 2008 and 2010, respectively.
Griffin served as director of maintenance at a boutique contractor specializing in green roofs and living walls shortly after completing her doctoral degree at The University of Maryland in 2014. In this role, she was responsible for over 2 million square feet of living walls and green roofs from New York City down to Raleigh, North Carolina, and as far west as Chicago. Her doctoral research specialized in green roofs, specifically the optimization of green roof substrates for stormwater management.
Griffin served as a faculty member in the Department of Horticultural Sciences at Texas A&M University from 2015-19, where she taught landscape design, computer-aided design, landscape business management and landscape construction courses. In 2019, she joined a firm in Austin as lead landscape designer and project manager for custom residential landscape development.
Since 2021, Griffin has been a part of the product management team at Aspire, a landscape software solution, where she collaborates with industry professionals to design and deliver industry-focused software for high-growth companies. She lives in Austin with her partner, Kenneth, their border collie, Pixel, and usually at least one foster dog they are rehabilitating with Border Collie Save and Rescue.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each moth and includes a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, and donations to the lecture series fund are always appreciated.
Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center or Raguet Elementary School.
For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
August 12, 2024 –– Homeschool K-12 students are invited to “EcoAdventures: A Homeschool Journey into Nature” from 1-3pm September 16 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Students in grades K-5 will experience nature-based activities that model the life stages of trees, the essential needs of animals, animal adaptations for survival, and methods of plant seed dispersal. Offerings for students in grades 6-12 include analyzing the gene pool of a threatened and endangered animal, conducting research on invasive species of East Texas, and designing an imaginary ecosystem restoration project. The event cost is $5 per student, with no charge for accompanying adults. Registration and payment are required in advance to attend the event. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/sfagardens/youthprograms or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
About Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
August 8, 2024 – Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture was awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant from the United States Department of Agriculture to assist in the creation of a demonstration area for climate-smart agricultural practices.
The $417,493 grant will support the implementation of beneficial agricultural practices involving silvopasture, the deliberate integration of trees and grazing livestock operations on the same land, and biochar, a substance made from the burning of wood in an oxygen-limited environment. Applying biochar to silvopasture can benefit livestock production and the overall environment.
“Biochar will be used both in traditional pastures and silvopasture to improve soil health, structure, nutrient holding capacity, pH balance and carbon sequestration, and plays a significant role in ensuring the sustainability of agricultural practices,” said Jason Grogan, research associate in the College of Forestry and Agriculture. “In addition to the other many benefits, biochar also increases crop productivity and has the opportunity for carbon sequestration on agricultural lands.”
Silvopasture has the potential to increase carbon sequestration, reduce nutrient and sediment runoff, improve pollinator and wildlife habitats, and reduce heat stress to cattle from shade provided by flourishing trees.
Forestry and Agriculture students have worked with faculty members to gain hands-on experiences provided by the silvopasture demonstration area. Through laboratory and work-study activities, students have taken part in native grass planting, woody vegetation control and unmanned aerial vehicle use for tree survival and health monitoring.
SFA’s project is one of 53 projects that the USDA is supporting in an effort to improve the environment and agricultural production. In total, the USDA is investing $90 million in Conservation Innovation Grants.
“The awarded funds will be used to purchase equipment and materials and pay labor costs to implement numerous climate-smart agricultural practices that ultimately will result in improving the environmental footprint of the Todd Agricultural Research Center while also increasing productivity,” said Grogan.
The project will serve as a resource to inform local agricultural producers, SFA students and others about the advantages of biochar and native forage utilization.
For more information about forestry at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/atcofa.
An exhibition of works by the Woodworkers Club of East Texas is showing through Aug. 10 at The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House, Stephen F. Austin State University's historic downtown gallery.
July 31, 2024 - An exhibition of works by the Woodworkers Club of East Texas will show through Aug. 10 in the Reavley Gallery of The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
Woodworkers Club of East Texas is an organization for people who have an interest in woodworking and desire to nurture, share and expand their knowledge, to provide their skills in support of public woodworking projects for the common good and to promote the practices of woodworking through public education, according to information at the club’s website. The group meets the first Saturday of each month in Stephen F. Austin State University's Forestry Laboratories.
The exhibition “Renewed and Reclaimed” was organized by Dr. David L Kulhavy, professor of forestry, geospatial science and environmental science in SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, and Dr. David A. Lewis, professor of art history in SFA’s School of Art; curated by Weelynd McMullan, lecturer and exhibition coordinator in the School of Art; with photography by Joshua Moore. A closing reception is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, at The Cole Art Center, 329 E. Main St.
The exhibition is supported by the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts and School of Art. Admission is free.
Cole Art Center hours are noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.
Steven Chamblee, retired director of horticulture at the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center, is the August speaker for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series.
July 30, 2024 – Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7pm Thursday, August 8 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.
Steven Chamblee, retired director of horticulture with the Longview Arboretum and Nature Center, will present “Am I Tired or Just Retired? Gardening as a Lifestyle and Not a Hobby.”
Chamblee is a horticulturist and public speaker with a great history of gardening and a unique perspective on life and people. Active in horticulture for more than 40 years, he uses humor and heart to bring hard science home and inspire gardeners across Texas.
Chamblee’s love for plants began when he would help his father transplant trees in the late 1970s. He soon formed Southern Lawn Care, a landscape maintenance company, and in 1986, he joined the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as a gardener.
Chamblee’s natural curiosity led him to enroll in Tarrant County College, where he earned his Associate of Applied Science in horticulture. Still working full time at the garden, Chamblee earned his Bachelor of Science in ornamental horticulture from Tarleton State University and a Master of Science in public horticulture administration from the University of Delaware.
After graduate school, he served as the native plant horticulturist for the Heard Natural Science Museum and Wildlife Sanctuary in McKinney before returning to the Fort Worth Botanic Garden as the grounds manager. He has also served as chief horticulturist for Chandor Gardens in Weatherford and as the executive director of the Longview Arboretum.
The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.
Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet Street.
For more information, call (936) 468-4129 or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
About Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.
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