SFA University
Stephen F. Austin State University’s award-winning timbersports team, the Sylvans, invites the community to see if they have what it takes to be a lumberjack or lumberjill at the 2019 Lumberjack Games held during SFA’s Homecoming from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26. The fundraising event, held behind the Forestry Building at 419 East College St., will challenge teams of five to compete in a range of timbersport events, including the crosscut saw and axe throw. No experience is necessary, and cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams.
October 21, 2019 — Stephen F. Austin State University’s award-winning timbersports team, the Sylvans, invites members of the community to see if they have what it takes to be a lumberjack or lumberjill at the 2019 Lumberjack Games, which will be held during SFA’s Homecoming from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, October 26.
Dr. Jeremy Stovall, professor of forestry and the Sylvans faculty advisor, said campuswide lumberjack competitions were held in the past, but they have not taken place for at least a decade.
“From what we’ve heard, the original events had pretty diverse participation from all across campus,” Stovall said. “We’re trying to revive that SFA tradition.”
Teams of five will compete in a range of timbersports, including the axe throw, single and double crosscut sawing, caber toss and tug of war. Single individuals also may sign up as a free agent and be assigned to a team.
“A lot of people come to SFA and aren’t sure what it really means to be a lumberjack or don’t know SFA has a timbersports team,” said John Mike Arnett, forestry senior and Sylvans president. “I think it’s a great way to get our names out there and let people experience what it is like to be a lumberjack.”
Timbersports experience is not necessary, and members of the Sylvans will be on site to provide coaching and answer questions. Safety gear and equipment also will be provided.
The event will serve as a fundraiser for the Sylvans, with the potential to support other student organizations within the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, based on funds generated through registration.
Cash prizes will be awarded to the top teams, as well as a custom-made wood-burned trophy.
The Lumberjack Games will take place behind the Forestry Building, located at 419 East College St. For more information on the games, as well as how to register, visit www.sfasu.edu/lumberjackgames.
Story by Sarah Fuller, outreach coordinator for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Contact information: (936) 468-1185 or fullersa@sfasu.edu.
October 10, 2019 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Division of Multidisciplinary Programs will host a Pre-Seminary Day October 25 on the SFA campus for individuals interested in religious studies or seeking connection with Texas seminaries.
The keynote speaker will be Dr. Daniel B. Wallace, founder and executive director of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts and senior research professor of New Testament studies at Dallas Theological Seminary. He will present “Saving Scripture: The Work of the Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts” from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Kennedy Auditorium. This portion of the day is free and open to the public.
Wallace and his staff have recently discovered more than 75 ancient New Testament manuscripts. Wallace has traveled to 35 countries to examine unique, handwritten manuscripts in dozens of libraries, monasteries and private collections.
“We are thrilled to have Dr. Wallace speak at SFA. His work has revolutionized the historical preservation of the Bible,” Dr. Paul Shockley, lecturer in the Division of Multidisciplinary Programs, said. “He’s referred to by many as the Indiana Jones of biblical manuscripts.”
The day’s first event will begin with coffee and muffins at 9 a.m. in the Ferguson Building, Room G77. Wallace will speak with faculty members and students interested in religious studies and philosophy.
Dr. Jim Towns, professor in the Department of Languages, Culture and Communication, will moderate a panel discussion with local pastors for students interested in learning about how to prepare for seminary at 10:30 a.m. in the Ferguson Building, Room 271.
Simultaneously, history graduate students and faculty members will have the opportunity to discuss digital preservation of historical documents with Wallace at 10:30 a.m. in Dugas Liberal Arts North, Room 308.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., seminary recruiters will be available to speak with students in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Spirit Lounge. Representatives from several seminaries, including Dallas Theological, Fuller Theological, Houston Baptist University, Reformed Theological, Southwestern Baptist Theological, George W. Truett Theological and Southern Methodist University's Perkins School of Theology will be present.
Accordance Bible Software will host the final seminar of the day. The company, which offers Hebrew and Greek Bible software, will offer a training session for people in the community who use Accordance Bible Software from 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the Ferguson Building, Room G78. Contact the company at 1-877-339-5855 to reserve a seat.
For more information about Pre-Seminary Day at SFA, contact Shockley at shockleypr@sfasu.edu or Geivonna Little at littlegm@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1229.
October 8, 2019 — The DC Wonder Woman College Run 5K will be a part of Homecoming festivities this year at Stephen F. Austin State University. The run will begin at 5:45 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, near the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza on the SFA campus.
The pre-race expo, featuring a DJ, interactive wall of inspiration, photo opportunities, packet pickup and more, will begin at 3 p.m. The course winds through the SFA campus and along the paved trails of the SFA Gardens' Tucker Woods, the SFA Arboretum and the Lanana Creek Trail.
Held nationally, the DC Wonder Woman College Run series is designed to empower adults from all walks of life to unleash the super hero within. Runners, families and “super dogs” are encouraged to dress in bold and colorful super hero attire and costumes for the event.
The SFA student/faculty/alumni registration rate is $30, and the general registration rate is $35. Race registration includes exclusive race shirt, finisher’s medal, commemorative race bib, complimentary photos, and entrance to the pre-race expo and post-race finish line festival with live entertainment. In addition, a contribution from race proceeds will be made to the Boys and Girls Club of Deep East Texas.
Steve Davidson, CEO of the Boys and Girls Club of Deep East Texas, said he’s excited the run will be hosted in Nacogdoches.
“We are honored to be chosen as the race’s nonprofit of choice. As this race empowers us all to find our inner super hero, our staff members work every day to build up our children to be heroes in our communities.”
The race is produced by Riddle & Bloom and Son Events, in partnership with Warner Bros. Consumer Products on behalf of DC and SFA’s Campus Recreation Department.
For more information, race registration and merchandise, visit sfasu.edu/wwrun.
September 25, 2019 Nacogdoches — A partnership between Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences and the East Texas Food Bank in Tyler aims to curb high levels of food insecurity in East Texas through a six-week Cooking Matters program.
This is the fifth year the school has partnered with the food bank to provide the informative and interactive program to the community. Justin Pelham, food, nutrition and dietetics clinical instructor at SFA, is using this program as a class project for students in his community nutrition course to showcase their skills in a real-world setting. This will be Pelham’s fourth year to lead the program.
“My goal is to provide real-world experience in the Nacogdoches community by allowing our students to demonstrate their nutrition knowledge with interactive education and cooking demonstrations,” Pelham said. “Community opportunities enhance the student learning experience when working with our underserved populations locally, making a significant impact in the students’ lives well past their undergraduate experience at SFA.”
The East Texas Food Bank is a nonprofit organization that distributes food to more than 200 partner agencies in an effort to feed children, the working poor and senior citizens throughout 26 counties in East Texas. According to food bank studies, one in four children and one in five adults experience food insecurity in East Texas.
Kinsey Jeffers, food bank nutrition education programs manager, and Brandi Gouldthorpe, SFA alumna and nutrition education specialist, visited Pelham’s community nutrition students recently to outline the food bank's mission and services.
“Cooking Matters is one of our main direct education programs,” Jeffers said. “We offer 15 to 20 six-week courses every year. There are nutrition education components, kitchen and food safety components, grocery store tours and hands-on food preparation. Then we all sit down and eat the meal together.”
Pelham’s students will serve in all Cooking Matters roles, from program recruitment officer to chef and instructor.
“The student-led program provides interactive experiences for all sides,” Pelham said. “Students will be showcasing their leadership abilities among our underserved community and practice their communication skills in written and oral formats with the public. The East Texas Food Bank appreciates the partnership because we are reaching more people in their region who could benefit from Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits.
“The community, too, benefits from the Cooking Matters program because they learn different nutrition education topics that correspond with the practical cooking skills gained through the lesson. Also, each participant receives a bag of groceries with the items prepared that day to cook the same dish at home,” Pelham added.
Another class location has been added to this year’s Cooking Matters partnership, allowing organizers to double program participation. While Pelham’s students lead the course on campus, a second class will occur simultaneously at the Helping Other People Eat Pantry in Nacogdoches. Additionally, SFA’s new mobile food lab, the Lumberjack Express, will be driven to the HOPE Pantry for the class’ graduation event and potluck.
Cooking Matters classes will begin Oct. 7 and continue each Monday through Nov. 11.
For more information about East Texas Food Bank services, visit easttexasfoodbank.org.
September 16, 2019 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication in collaboration with the Division of Multidisciplinary Programs will bring five foreign cinematic productions to the SFA campus during the Fifth Annual International Film Festival.
The features will begin at 7 p.m. Oct. 7, 8 and 9, and Oct. 14 and 16, in Liberal Arts North, Room 142 on SFA’s campus. Admission is free. The festival will show one film each night with English subtitles. SFA faculty members will lead pre- and post-discussions of the films.
“Everybody Knows (Todos lo saben)” will kick off the festival. This story follows Laura (Penélope Cruz), a Spanish woman living in Buenos Aires, who returns to her hometown outside Madrid with her children for a wedding. While catching up with friends, Laura’s daughter is kidnapped, and old secrets find their way into the present.
Dr. Mario Morera, SFA visiting professor in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, will lead a discussion on the film’s topics, including culture and identity, family, immigration and exile, and more.
The second night will feature “A Translator (Un traductor)” a film set in Havana, Cuba, in 1989. The film stars Rodrigo Santoro, of “Westworld” fame, as a Russian literature professor who receives orders from the government to act as a translator between Cuban doctors and the families of young patients from the Chernobyl disaster. Dr. Alexandra Martynova-Van Kley, SFA professor in the Department of Biology, will discuss the films portrayal of culture and identity, family, global economy, health and aging, international politics, human rights and more.
The third feature, “Birds of Passage (Pájaros de verano),” will take the audience to the La Guajira Desert, where an indigenous Wayúu clan tells their story. Guided by matriarch Ursula Pushiana, the clan faces constant risks of violence and incarceration from outsiders in Northern Colombia. Cultural differences arise and threaten to destroy the Wayúu’s way of life. Dr. Gabriela Miranda-Recinos, associate professor in the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication, will discuss the film’s use of violence, criminal justice, indigenous people, religion and more.
“Camila’s Awakening (El despertar de Camila)” will be featured the fourth night of the festival on Oct. 14. The film explores how Camila, a teenager whose ambition is larger than life, deals with trials after she suffers a cerebrovascular accident that forces her to reinvent herself with courage, humor and love. Dr. Dianne Dentice, associate professor in the Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, will lead a discussion regarding body image, disability, women and youth, and more.
The festival’s final feature is “I Girl (Yo niña),” which tells the story of Armonia, a young girl living among the lakes, rivers and forests of Southern Argentina, away from a consumer society and civilization. Armonia navigates life alongside Pablo and Julia, neo-hippies, vegetarians and questioners of the system. Dr. Anne Smith, professor of philosophy, will lead a discussion about activism, education, global economics, sociology and more.
Foreign film standards vary from those in the United States, and film topics may address controversial subject matter. Use discretion when deciding to view these films.
The International Film Festival was made possible with the support from Pragda, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain, Spain Arts and Culture, and a grant from Humanities Texas.
For more information, contact Dr. Gabriela Miranda-Recinos at mirandag@sfasu.edu or Dr. José Neftalí Recinos at recinosjn@sfasu.edu.
September 3, 2019 Nacogdoches — The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association will honor four alumni during its annual awards banquet September 6 at The Fredonia Hotel in Nacogdoches.
The SFA Alumni Awards honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and the community and who advance the goals and values of SFA.
The award recipients are Steve Whitbeck, Lumberjack Pride Award; Cole Tomberlain, Outstanding Young Alumnus Award; and Michael Calbert and Dr. John D. Weete, who each will receive the Distinguished Alumni Award.
Lumberjack Pride Award
Steve Whitbeck ’75 has supported the purple and white since his time as a student. He served as the Lumberjack mascot in 1972 and also as a cheerleader for two years, backing the Lumberjacks and Ladyjacks during athletic competitions, while also serving in this capacity as an ambassador for the university at various other university-related events. While pursuing his Bachelor of Business Administration, he became a charter member of the Nu-Xi Chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity.
As an insurance provider in Nacogdoches, Whitbeck has continued his support of SFA and the Nacogdoches community. This support includes his service as co-chair of the Texas Blueberry Festival, 13-year membership with the Nacogdoches Jaycees, honorary life member of the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce and three terms on the SFA Alumni Association’s Board of Directors. Whitbeck also endowed a scholarship for future generations of Lumberjacks.
Whitbeck and his wife, Dr. Katherine Whitbeck, a two-time SFA graduate, have many family members who also have graduated from the university, including their two children, Samantha and Kendall.
Outstanding Young Alumnus Award
Cole Tomberlain ’10 enrolled at SFA in 2007 with a desire to get involved and volunteer. While a student, Tomberlain was a member of the SFA chapters of Ducks Unlimited and National Wild Turkey Federation. He also was involved with the Student Activities Association. In addition, Tomberlain was a student instructor for the freshman seminar SFA 101, executive director of the Student Foundation Association, and he served on the SFA Alumni Association Board of Directors as a student representative. He also cofounded and was a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon, Texas Phi Chapter. Outside of SFA, he was a volunteer firefighter with the Appleby Volunteer Fire Department.
After graduating with a business degree, Tomberlain returned to Longview, his hometown, to join the family’s insurance and real estate business. He also is the co-owner of Texas Toasted Cigar Distributors and The Smoking Aces Mobile Cigar Lounge. Tomberlain is the founding chairman of the annual Bourbon & Bowties fundraiser event, which benefits the Longview World of Wonders Children’s Hands-on Discovery Center. He continues to give back to SFA through his service on the Alumni Business Advisory Council with the Nelson Rusche College of Business, and he is highly involved with the SFA East Texas Alumni Network Chapter in Longview. This chapter helps provide scholarships to current and future Lumberjacks through its annual golf tournament fundraiser.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Michael Calbert ’84 was born in San Angelo and raised in Tyler and Longview before coming to SFA by way of his older brother, Craig ’82. During his time at SFA, he was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, which led to him meeting his wife, Barbara ’84. The Calberts have been married 33 years and have three sons, David, Mitchell and Ryan.
Calbert entered SFA as a music major. However, after taking an accounting class, he discovered his interest in public accounting and quickly changed his major to business with an emphasis in accounting. Calbert started his professional career working in the accounting department at Elliott Electric Supply during his time at SFA.
After graduating from the university, he accepted an auditor position with one of the “big five” accounting firms, Arthur Andersen Worldwide in Houston, and he later moved into the consulting practice. Calbert graduated from the University of Houston with a Master of Business Administration and holds a certified public accountant certificate (inactive).
During his career, Calbert served as the executive vice president/chief financial officer of Randall’s Food Markets, a $2.5-billion revenue retailer based in Texas.
Calbert recently retired after a 15-year career as a partner at private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. He ran the global retail private equity practice, generating more than $30 billion in transactions during his career. While at KKR, he served on the firm’s global private equity investment and portfolio management committees.
Calbert has been a member of the board of directors for Shoppers Drug Mart (Canada) and Toys ’R Us, and chairman of Academy Sports & Outdoors, Dollar General, Pets at Home (United Kingdom) and U.S. Foods.
He continues to serve as chairman of the board for Dollar General. He also serves as lead director for Brookshire Grocery Company and is on the board of directors of Vestcom International and AutoZone.
Distinguished Alumnus Award
Educator and researcher Dr. John D. Weete ’65 & ’68 came to SFA and majored in biology. He was a cheerleader and member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, and as a graduate student, Weete served as the graduate class president and class favorite in 1967.
In 1970, Weete received his doctoral degree from the University of Houston and worked as a scientist at the Lunar Science Institute, which was affiliated with NASA’s Johnson Space Center during the Apollo program.
Weete began his academic career at Auburn University in 1973 in the Department of Botany and Microbiology. In recognition of his work, Weete received the Director’s Research Award, the William Howard Smith Faculty Fellowship Award and was named Alumni Professor. In 1983, he was one of only 36 scientists invited to participate in a conference at the prestigious Rockefeller Study and Conference Center in Bellagio, Italy.
Weete has been issued four U.S. patents and has authored more than 100 research articles and two books. He also served as associate dean for research and director of the Leach Science Center in the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University, where he is currently emeritus professor and associate dean.
At West Virginia University, Weete served as vice president for research and economic development and president of the WVU Research Corporation, where he established the infrastructure for linking research to economic development. He is recognized as the architect of the WVU Research Enterprise, where funding for research increased 140% during his tenure.
In 2007, Weete returned to Auburn to serve as executive director of the Auburn Research and Technology Foundation. He was responsible for developing the Auburn Research Park and the Auburn Business Incubator. In 2016, he was inducted as a fellow by the prestigious National Academy of Inventors.
For more information about the Alumni Awards, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407 or alumni@sfasu.edu.
“The Color of Grief,” an exhibition set to open Tuesday, Sept. 3, in The Cole Art Center, features artwork by children who have experienced grief through the loss of a loved one.
August 28, 2019 – The School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University will open “The Color of Grief ” exhibition Tuesday, Sept. 3, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
“The Color of Grief” features art created by children attending a youth grief camp through Hospice in the Pines.
“This exhibit showcases the existential and spiritual reality children experience in the loss of a loved one, such as a parent or sibling,” according to John Handley, director of SFA art galleries. “Through the expression of art, the inner truth, layers and stages of grief are revealed.”
These small paintings on canvas were created by children ages 4 through 16.
“Each work of art is a living tribute to and bridge between the land of the living and those who have transitioned beyond this life,” Handley said.
The camp and its program started as a vision and dream of social worker Jacob Thomas, director of social services at Hospice in the Pines.
“It was an idea, a vision, that was manifested so our community can have a creative dialogue about the visceral, vulnerable topic of grief and loss and how such matters lead to the inner transformations of individuals,” according to Thomas. “The expression and inner dialogue of grieving youth can be a difficult process and is not always expressed verbally; yet the dialogue that is inwardly experienced can be accessed in non-verbal ways.”
Utilizing water color paintings – brush strokes, color choices and pallets – each child expressed his/her vision, emotion and story, Thomas explained.
“We utilize methodologies such as art making, and in this case paintings, as a symbol and bridge to connect our older generations with the younger generations,” Thomas said, “and to see how the dialogue regarding topics of grief, joy, awe, wonder and loss are communicated as truths and as an alternative form of creating dialogue within our community.”
A reception for “The Color of Grief” is planned for 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at Cole Art Center. Art exhibitions and receptions are sponsored by William Arscott, the Flower Shop, Nacogdoches Junior Forum and the Friends of the Visual Arts. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.
August 16, 2019 Nacogdoches — Those interested in learning more about intellectual property can engage with intellectual property attorneys and representatives from the United States Patent and Trademark Office at a workshop hosted by Stephen F. Austin State University’s College of Sciences and Mathematics from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sept. 12, in the Cole STEM Building, Room 401.
Co-sponsored by the college, the USPTO and the Intellectual Property Section of the State Bar of Texas, the workshop will provide information and advice on how securing trademarks and patents on innovation, inventions or creative ideas can strengthen businesses, said Dr. Michele Harris, associate dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics and professor in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
“Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and meet with the experts individually to get advice tailored to a specific project, idea or business plan,” Harris said.
The workshop is part of an ongoing initiative to introduce patent education to SFA students and the community.
Cost is $10, and lunch is included. Register by Thursday, Sept. 5, at sfasu.edu/IPWorkshop.
For more information, contact cosm@sfasu.edu.
August 14, 2019 Nacogdoches — Dr. Karen Embry-Jenlink, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emerita of secondary education and educational leadership in the James I. Perkins College of Education, will offer the commencement address during the university’s graduation ceremonies Saturday.
Receiving her doctoral degree in education from Texas A&M University-Commerce, Embry-Jenlink worked in a variety of roles throughout her career, including bilingual science educator, graduate program coordinator, professor and academic dean. She is a prolific author and speaker with over 300 research presentations, four books and 70 publications.
Embry-Jenlink joined the SFA faculty in 1998 as associate professor and was promoted to professor in 2003. After serving as an academic dean at another Texas institution, she returned to SFA in 2009 to serve as professor of doctoral studies in educational leadership. She served as chair of the SFA Faculty Senate for two years.
Additionally, she served as the 97th national president of the Association of Teacher Educators, the president of Texas Association of Teacher Educators and board chair of the Consortium of State Organizations for Texas Teacher Education. She currently serves on the World Federation Association of Teacher Education board of directors.
Candidates from the Perkins College of Education and the College of Fine Arts will participate in a 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Candidates from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the Rusche College of Business, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in a 2 p.m. ceremony.
Degrees to be awarded include 298 bachelor’s, 186 master’s and five doctoral degrees. Students graduating with honors include 13 cum laude, eight magna cum laude and nine summa cum laude. Five will graduate with the university scholar designation.
To view the ceremony online, visit facebook.com/sfasu.
August 8, 2019 Nacogdoches – With recent performances like the Moscow Ballet’s “Nutcracker,” the high-energy dancing of Step Africa! and popular holiday shows by the Annie Moses Band and Dailey & Vincent, it’s no wonder the audiences attending the University Series and Encore Events presented by the College of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University continue to grow.
The 2019-20 season brings another versatile and exciting lineup of shows that range from comedy to musical theatre to dance to the world’s foremost children’s chorus.
“It has been enormously gratifying to see our audiences double and redouble in size over the past few years,” said Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the series. “While we’re seeing more full houses, however, there’s still plenty of room to accommodate many more of our Nacogdoches neighbors at the University Series and Encore Events.”
The University Series will feature the world-famous comedy of The Second City on Sept. 6; the high-energy rockabilly performance of Lee Rocker of the Stray Cats on Oct. 24; the beloved holiday story of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol” on Dec. 10; the powerhouse Argentinian dancing of Che Malambo on March 3; and a boisterous celebration of the Harlem Renaissance in the musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” on April 16. All performances are at 7:30 p.m. in Turner Auditorium.
Two special Encore Events will feature the angelic-voiced musicians of the Vienna Boys Choir on Nov. 21 and the bluegrass Southern gospel of The Isaacs on Jan. 24.
There’s a reason the biggest names in laughter all catapulted their careers from The Second City. Chicago’s renowned comedy club has been the funniest place on the planet since 1959, and The Second City kicks off the University Series’ 2019-20 season. This small cabaret theatre has grown to become the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world, fostering generations of superstars from Joan Rivers and Alan Alda to John Belushi and Bill Murray, from Mike Myers to Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler. This show is recommended for mature audiences.
“With sketch comedy, hilarious original songs and world-famous improv, The Second City will have Nacogdoches rolling in the Turner Auditorium aisles,” Shattuck said.
Lee Rocker made his mark singing, playing, standing on, spinning and rocking his giant upright bass as a founding (and current) member, along with Brian Setzer and Slim Jim Phantom, of the Grammy-nominated rockabilly group the Stray Cats, which sold more than 10 million albums and garnered 23 gold- and platinum-certified records worldwide. Rocker and his band are headed to Nacogdoches to perform Stray Cats hits like “Sexy and Seventeen,” “Stray Cat Strut” and “Rock This Town,” plus many other rock-era songs he has performed post-Stray Cats with music legends from Ringo Starr and George Harrison to John Fogerty and The Rolling Stones. The performance is sponsored in part by Lehmann Eye Center.
The first special Encore Event, sponsored in part by Commercial Bank of Texas, features the world-renowned Vienna Boys Choir. This performance will usher in the magic of the holiday season as these angelic-voiced singers perform a delightful program of Austrian folk songs, classical masterpieces, hymns and perennial favorites. Widely recognized as the world’s foremost children’s choral group, for six centuries these young cultural ambassadors have been adored the world over for their wide range of repertoire, purity of tone and generosity of musical spirit.
Gather the family and join the College of Fine Arts to celebrate the spirit of Christmas in spectacular fashion with PerSeverance Productions’ presentation of Charles Dickens’ classic tale, “A Christmas Carol.” With all the splendor, magic and joy of the holiday season, this fabulous gift of a show overflows with 26 beloved yuletide songs and warm good humor as Jacob Marley and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future visit that great bah humbugger himself, Ebenezer Scrooge. This holiday show is sponsored in part by Nacogdoches Medical Center.
The second Encore Event of the season is a performance by the multi-Dove Award-winning and two-time (2017 and ’18) Grammy-nominated family of gospel singers, The Isaacs. Their inspirational style blends tight harmonies with contemporary acoustic instrumentation to produce a sound that appeals to audiences all over the world.
“Their unique mix of bluegrass, folk, country, rhythm and blues, contemporary and southern gospel is heard regularly at the Grand Ole Opry and at Carnegie Hall, CMA Fan Fest and recently on ABC-TV’s CMA Country Christmas with superstar Reba McIntyre,” Shattuck said. This special performance is sponsored in part by BancorpSouth.
Powerhouse all-male Argentine dancers bring to life the legacy of South American gouchos (cowboys) in Che Malambo’s percussive dance and music spectacle. This fiery melting-pot performance blends flamenco, tango, tap and Irish step dance with the drumming of traditional bombos, singing and whirling boleadoras lasso work in a phenomenon of unbridled energy that is thrilling audiences around the world. Their performance is sponsored in part by Cataract, Glaucoma, Cornea & Retina Consultants of East Texas/Benchmark Optical/Medical Arts Surgery Center.
A celebration of the African American musicians of the 1920s and ’30s Harlem Renaissance, the Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Ain’t Misbehavin’” takes its name from Fats Waller’s ageless song. “Ain’t Misbehavin’” whisks audiences back to the high-society Cotton Club and Savoy Ballroom and to dives where piano players banged out the new beat known as swing.
“Coming to SFA through a partnership between the College of Fine Arts, the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs and the Nacogdoches Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc., ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’’ is a fun night of rowdy and humorous songs that will make theatregoers shimmy in their seats,” Shattuck said. “To quote another favorite song from the show, when they look around Turner Auditorium they’ll shout ‘This Joint Is Jumpin’!”
Season tickets for the 2019-20 University Series went on sale Aug. 1 and are $120 for adults, $96 for seniors (62 and up), $60 for SFA faculty and staff and $48 for students. Encore Event tickets are sold separately, but season subscribers may add them to their season-ticket order.
"These are fantastic prices for entertainment of this quality," said Diane Peterson, Fine Arts Box Office manager. "Season tickets provide a 20-percent savings over single tickets, and patrons can have their same seat throughout the season.
"Plus, we offer season-ticket options," she said. "The classic package includes one ticket to each of the five performances, and the TixMix package allows patrons to create their own season.”
Single-event ticket purchases for the University Series, Encore Events or any of the other performances presented through the College of Fine Arts can be made beginning Aug. 15. Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $30 for adults, $24 for seniors, $15 for SFA faculty and staff and $12 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.
Encore Event tickets are $45 for Section A seating; $36 for Section B seating; and $27 for Section C seating. Discounts are available for seniors, students, children and SFA faculty and staff members.
For more information, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.
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