SFA University
Omar Thomas
October 5, 2023 - The Wind Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present “The Music of Omar Thomas” for its first concert of the 2023-24 academic year. The program will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 17, in Turner Auditorium inside the newly renovated Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.
“This will be the first concert for the Wind Ensemble in Turner Auditorium since the spring semester of 2020 before the COVID pandemic,” said Dr. Tamey Anglley, director of bands at SFA and director of the Wind Ensemble. “We have an exciting first program planned featuring the music of highly acclaimed and award-winning jazz and wind band composer Omar Thomas.”
Thomas, assistant professor of composition and jazz studies at The University of Texas at Austin, is guest composer in residency at SFA in early October, working with all three SFA concert bands, Swingin’ Axes jazz band and the SFA composition studio during his time on campus.
The Wind Ensemble will perform three pieces by Thomas as well as the band arrangement of “Summerland” by William Grant Still, which was originally composed for piano. Still was known as the “Dean of African-American Classical Composers,” composing nearly 200 works. “Summerland” is the second movement from “Three Visions” for piano and integrates hints of the blues and gives a nod to his fellow composer Claude Debussy, according to Anglley.
The first piece by Thomas will be “A Mother of a Revolution!” written in 2019. The composer writes, “this piece is a celebration of the bravery of trans women, and in particular, Marsha “Pay It No Mind” Johnson. Marsha is credited with being one of the instigators of the famous Stonewall uprising of June 28, 1969 – one of the pivotal events of the LGBTQ liberation movement of the 20th century.” Thomas integrates both a march-like style along with a disco vibe to honor the legacy of the Stonewall revolution.
“The Low-Down Brown Get-Down” was written in 2020, and Thomas describes it as “the soundtrack for a nonexistent blaxploitation film. It pulls from various sounds and styles of African-American folk music, such as funk, R&B, soul, early hip hop, the blues and even film noir.” He also gives a nod to the Godfather of Soul, James Brown, both in the composition and in the title.
The concert finale is Thomas’ most performed piece, “Come Sunday,” written in 2018. Thomas writes that it “is a two-movement tribute to the Hammond organ’s central role in black worship services. The title is a direct nod to Duke Ellington, who held an inspired love for classical music and allowed it to influence his own work in a multitude of ways.” “Come Sunday” is in two movements, including “Testimony” and “Shout!,” and is reminiscent of church services across the nation.
“This concert is not one to miss,” Anglley said.
Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. To purchase tickets, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit sfasu.edu/boxoffice, For additional information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.
Board members for Stephen F. Austin State University’s Alumni Association pose in front of the SFA ring statue during the Centennial Ring Plaza dedication event Monday. The SFA ring, which consists of approximately 100 sections of cast bronze panels, serves as a reminder to students of the hard work they put toward earning a degree.
September 21, 2023 - Lumberjacks filled the corner of Alumni and Vista drives Monday as Stephen F. Austin State University staff and administrators dedicated the new Centennial Ring Plaza and its towering ring statue, adding another landmark to the already picturesque campus. The dedication was part of SFA’s four-day Centennial Celebration.
Located across from the Austin Building, the plaza is a bricked area featuring a 9-foot-tall statue of the revered SFA ring. The ring is a representation of one of the crowning achievements a student will experience during the graduation process and will serve as a celebration of their educational journey at SFA.
An attendee takes a photo in front of the new Stephen F. Austin State University ring statue during the Centennial Ring Plaza dedication event Monday. Located at the corner of Vista and Alumni drives across from the Austin Building, the plaza is a bricked area featuring the 9-foot-tall statue of the revered SFA ring.
“The SFA ring serves as a symbol to the world that you are a proud SFA alumnus,” Erika Tolar ’02, president of the SFA Alumni Association, said during Monday’s dedication ceremony. “The ring sends a message to all who visit this beautiful campus how serious we are about student success while focusing on our Lumberjack legacy.”
The ring statue is a 9-foot replica of the SFA ring students may purchase as they near graduation. They receive their ring from the university president during the Big Dip ring ceremony, which is a beloved campus tradition that was expanded in recent years to include an overnight stay in the Stone Fort Museum the night before the dip ceremony. SFA’s ROTC cadets stand guard over the rings throughout the night.
Craig Turnage, executive director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Alumni Association, addresses attendees during the Centennial Ring Plaza dedication event Monday. SFA joined such institutions as Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, The Citadel and Tarleton State University with outdoor ring statues.
Fashioned after these class rings, the new statue consists of approximately 100 sections of cast bronze panels and serves as a reminder to students of the hard work they put toward earning a degree. Each SFA ring is inscribed with “Mentor for Life” to remind all Lumberjacks to extend the help they received throughout their academic career to future Lumberjacks.
The plaza will be forever tied to the Big Dip tradition, which invites students to submerge their right hand and ring finger into a large bowl containing purple liquid. It has been voted by students as the best tradition for the past several years, according to polls from The Pine Log, SFA’s century-old student publication.
Pyrology Foundry and Studio created the statue, which took roughly 11 months and 2,000 hours to complete. Located in Bastrop since 1981, Pyrology has created multiple noteworthy and recognizable statues, including the Texas A&M University Aggie Ring monument, the Gateway Monument in the heart of downtown Nacogdoches, and Buc-ee statues at most locations of the popular gas station and convenience store chain.
Erika Tolar, president of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Alumni Association, addresses attendees during the Centennial Ring Plaza dedication event Monday. The ring is a representation of one of the crowning achievements a student will experience during the graduation process and will serve as a prime reminder of their educational journey at SFA.
SFA will join institutions such as Texas A&M University, Texas Tech University, The Citadel and Tarleton State University with outdoor ring statues. SFA’s statue will be the second largest in existence, second only to the Texas A&M University Aggie Ring monument.
“No one ring statue is the same, and SFA’s is truly a piece of art,” said Craig Turnage ’00 & ’05, SFA Alumni Association executive director. “The statue is unique to SFA because it embodies one of our university’s biggest traditions and is a rite of passage for our graduates. From the iconic symbols contained on the ring statue to its large size, it is truly a sight to behold.”
The idea and funding for the statue came from Balfour, SFA’s exclusive ring provider for over 20 years. The Alumni Association also received support from the on-campus Barnes & Noble Bookstore, the Office of the Registrar, the Office of Alumni Relations and the Office of the President.
The ring base was funded by Dorothy Clagett ’70, an alumna and family member of Turnage who passed away in June 2021. The Alumni Association will place a plaque at the base of the statue in her honor.
Visit SFA’s YouTube page or gosfa.com/SFAring to view a video of the creation of the ring statue. For more information about the Alumni Association, visit sfaalumni.com.
September 20, 2023 — To celebrate Stephen F. Austin State University’s 100 years of higher education, the Division of University Marketing Communications held the SFA centennial design contest to involve all Lumberjacks in celebrating the historic milestone.
UMC asked for artists of all ages to submit an original design using a coloring page of the centennial logo. Winning designs were turned into centennial-themed merchandise and are now available for purchase.
Emma Villafranco, 10, daughter of alumni Enrique Villafranco ’13 and Erika Rangel Villafranco ’13, won the contest’s child category. Her winning design features a vibrant, multicolored background and lots of purple.
The centennial design contest’s child category winner.
“I chose these colors because I thought it really showed SFA spirit, and if the SFA Lumberjack would have colored this page, he would have picked them, too,” Emma said. “I chose to enter this contest because coloring is one of my favorite hobbies and I want to go to SFA!”
Leah Fox, 16, winner of the teen category, is the daughter of alumni Lt. Col. Matthew Fox ’03 and Gina Fox ’03. Leah’s winning design depicts an axe with a purple background imposed under the centennial logo.
Centennial design contest’s teen category winner.
“What a blessing and honor to be chosen to represent the teen division,” Leah said. “I was thrilled that the university I would like to attend to pursue a degree in graphic design chose me as the winner. Thank you, SFA, for giving me this boost of confidence in myself and my work.”
Savannah Walker ’19, winner of the adult category, was inspired by different iconography of SFA and Nacogdoches for her design.
“My design was inspired by my personal experience on campus and my many fond memories of SFA,” Walker said. “The squirrel, baby ducks, and the baby armadillo I would see at the Art Building pay homage to the East Texas wildlife that I encountered on campus, which always made my day.”
Centennial design contest’s adult category winner.
Walker said the inclusion of university traditions was also an important aspect to include in her design.
“Traditions like decorating axe handles and the Big Dip helped create some of my best memories of campus life. I also had to add Steen Hall done up for Christmas. This was my way of preserving those special moments and translating them into a piece that I think captures the heart of SFA,” she said.
Merchandise with the winning centennial designs can be purchased at gosfa.com/jackbackers for the child category or gosfa.com/unlimiteddesigns for the teen and adult categories.
To view the winning designs and obtain more information on SFA’s centennial, visit sfasu.edu/centennial.
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 36 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.
September 19, 2023 - In addition to its 100th anniversary and affiliation with The University of Texas System this year, Stephen F. Austin State University is celebrating the release of fall 2023 enrollment data that shows the university registered its largest first-time undergraduate class in five years.
According to a census report taken Sept. 12, the fall 2023 first-time undergraduate class totals nearly 2,000 students and marks an increase of 4% from 2018 data. It’s the second year in a row SFA has witnessed its largest first-time undergraduate class since pre-COVID-19 years.
“SFA has much to celebrate this year, and seeing a return of first-time undergraduate students seeking out their bright futures in the pines is among them,” said SFA Interim President Gina Oglesbee. “University administrators continue to plan new and unique initiatives to help boost enrollment, and we’re excited for the assistance that affiliation with the UT System will provide in that respect.”
The university’s total fall headcount, which includes all undergraduate and graduate classifications, dropped slightly to 10,888 — a 4% overall decrease compared to fall 2022. However, the increase in first-time undergraduate students indicates a return to the classroom for one of the university’s primary student groups and a slowing of the enrollment fallout caused by COVID-19.
Membership in the UT System became official Sept. 1, and administrators are hopeful that the many benefits of that affiliation will serve to point enrollment trends in a positive direction. These include a large financial aid boost to SFA’s Purple Promise program through a $1 million endowment from the UT System. The additional funds will help SFA offer 100% tuition coverage to more than 1,200 students.
Additionally, affiliation with the UT System has given Lumberjacks access to Coursera, a major microcredential provider, which allows students to complete buildable credits toward niche certifications. Part of the Texas Credentials for the Future initiative, the UT System’s Coursera partnership is intended to complement traditional degree offerings and graduate students prepared to fill industry skill gaps.
Fall 2023 totals also show that SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics witnessed an increase in total headcount primarily due to having the largest overall undergraduate headcount increase with 163 more majors, or a 10% uptick. Also contributing were the significant growth in nursing and the new electrical and mechanical engineering bachelor’s degree programs.
New outreach efforts leveraging marketing initiatives as well as partnerships with high schools and community colleges resulted in more new Lumberjacks for the college this fall. Additional students are expected to engage in SFA nursing and engineering programs as these disciplines represent some of the most progressive and high-demand employment opportunities in the state.
For graduate headcount, three colleges reported slight increases or stable numbers, though graduate enrollment was down 7% overall. Despite this, master’s- and doctoral-level students in the James I. Perkins College of Education maintain the strongest major group reported, comprising nearly one-half of SFA’s total graduate population.
Other positive enrollment trends include a more than 3% increase in Hispanic student enrollment, as well as a consistent year-over-year increase of international student totals. With 139 students for fall 2023, international enrollment is the highest it’s been since 2010.
SFA administrators continue to discuss short- and long-term initiatives that would boost enrollment, including the development of a strategic enrollment plan to identify areas for enrollment growth and implement strategies. SFA will also begin piloting a direct admission program whereby potential best fit students are identified and offered conditional admission.
More in-depth institutional data, including figures from past years, can be found on the Office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research website at sfasu.edu/sair.
The cover of Stephen F. Austin State University’s 2023 Stone Fort yearbook features debossed numerals and gold foil lettering. A limited number of this special centennial volume is available for purchase by SFA alumni, supporters and community members this fall. Contact the SFA Department of Student Publications for more information.
September 13, 2023 — A limited number of centennial volumes of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Stone Fort yearbook, celebrating a century of Lumberjack history and tradition, are available this fall for purchase by alumni, supporters and community members while supplies last.
The full-color, hardback edition costs $67 and features 312 pages of SFA images and stories pertaining to the past year and all 99 years that came before it. Proceeds from annual yearbook sales are used to help cover the cost of printing and pay for SFA student writers, photographers and editors who work for the award-winning publication.
“The yearbook staff set a goal in summer 2022 to elevate the centennial edition in all aspects, from making it full color to delving deep into the institution’s history for content and perspective to designing a high-quality cover that would look nice on any Lumberjack’s coffee table for years to come,” said Laney Wise, current Stone Fort editor-in-chief.
"Working on the centennial yearbook was such an honor,” said Wise, a junior graphic design major from Keller. “I feel incredibly lucky to have been a part of such an important piece of SFA history, and I had an amazing time getting to talk to so many of my peers to help tell the story of SFA."
Many historical photos and references from past SFA yearbooks made their way into the special centennial edition, said SFA Department of Student Publications Coordinator and Stone Fort advisor Rachel Clark.
“The students and staff have had a lot of fun during the last year reviewing past yearbooks and seeing how the campus has changed over the decades, not to mention students’ outfits and hairstyles,” she said. “But just as remarkable to us was the realization that a lot of aspects of student life at SFA, in particular Lumberjacks’ school spirit and reverence for tradition, haven’t really changed that much in the past 100 years.”
The first volume of the Stone Fort yearbook was produced in 1924 and chronicled the first academic year of SFA’s history. Except for two years during the Great Depression, the yearbook has recorded each intervening year of the unique SFA student experience.
Just a handful of Texas universities and only four public institutions in the state are still producing a traditional, printed yearbook each year, according to Amy Roquemore, director of student publications and divisional media at SFA. The Stone Fort routinely wins writing, photography and design awards from the Texas Intercollegiate Press Association and earned two national awards from the College Media Association in 2022.
“Changes in the student staffs’ interests and preferences, as well as publication design trends and cultural and societal institutions, have resulted in each Stone Fort yearbook’s uniqueness, yet the volumes share a throughline of Lumberjack history, spirit and tradition,” Roquemore said. “For the centennial edition, the staff doubled down on SFA history, and the students did an outstanding job of encapsulating highlights of the 2022-23 academic year while also paying homage to the history and alumni behind a lot of the traditions and activities Lumberjacks take part in today.”
Roquemore said the professional and student staffs decided early on in the centennial yearbook’s production to make the special edition available to alumni and community members in addition to current student yearbook subscribers.
“We knew this would be a one-of-a-kind piece of SFA history that Lumberjacks would want to have, whether they attended classes last week or many decades ago,” she added.
To purchase a centennial Stone Fort yearbook, call the SFA Department of Student Publications at (936) 468-4703, email clarkr1@sfasu.edu or stop by the office located in Room 2.308 of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.
Stone Fort yearbook
Preserving one of the oldest traditions at SFA, Stone Fort staff members strive to create a yearbook that accurately captures the essence of the university and what it means to be a Lumberjack. Through compelling storytelling, captivating images and imaginative design, the staff works to foster a sense of community while developing talented students who share passions for journalism and art. Each volume is intended to portray the SFA student experience with accuracy and integrity, serving as one of the university’s primary sources of recorded history.
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 36 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.
September 1, 2023 — Following a 13-month process that included the formation of representative input groups, the collection of community and public comment, and the filing of state legislation, Stephen F. Austin State University today officially becomes the 14th member of The University of Texas System.
The formal action of transitioning SFA into the UT System was finalized during the Aug. 24 UT Board of Regents meeting in Austin to become official Sept. 1.
“This is just the beginning of our journey. We are convinced that this new relationship will make each of us stronger,” UT System Board of Regents Chair Kevin P. Eltife and UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken said in a joint open letter to the SFA community distributed Aug. 24. “From SFA’s regents to faculty and staff, students and alumni, to the entire Nacogdoches community, we have been inspired by your enthusiasm and many new friendships that have evolved over the past year. It is our pleasure to officially welcome you to The University of Texas System.”
Benefits of affiliation with the UT System began emerging before the transition was made official. The first was announced in January 2023, when the UT System invested $1 million in SFA’s Purple Promise tuition coverage program. This need-based financial aid initiative funded through the system’s Promise Plus endowment is allowing more than 1,200 students to attend SFA tuition-free in the first year alone.
“It’s a historic year for SFA. Today, we celebrate our affiliation with the UT System and in a few weeks will celebrate our university’s 100th anniversary of educating students,” said Gina Oglesbee, SFA interim president. “SFA’s ability to continue offering a quality education in the pines will only be strengthened by our membership in the UT System.”
The UT System has also committed $22 million to address transition costs, including compensation for SFA faculty and staff, and $80 million to support capital projects, including a new forestry, agriculture and interdisciplinary facility, and investments in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and the Nelson Rusche College of Business’s Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship.
More than $4 million in annual support services at SFA will be covered by the UT System and will range from access to free student mental health services to cybersecurity expertise.
Affiliation process
The process of affiliating with a public university system began in August 2022, when then-SFA Interim President Dr. Steve Westbrook announced to the campus community that representatives from four Texas university systems had extended interest in affiliating.
A months-long fact-gathering process followed, headed by an SFA Board of Regents subcommittee that included Karen Gantt, chair; Tom Mason, vice chair; Jennifer Wade Winston, secretary; David Alders, member and former chair; and Westbrook.
Over the course of five weeks in 2022, from Aug. 22 to Sept. 23, representative campus groups, including the Deans Council, Chairs Forum, Faculty Senate, Staff Council, Student Government Association and Alumni Association, developed questions related to their constituent groups. These question sets were provided to each of the four systems Sept. 26 with an invitation to respond by Oct. 6.
On Oct. 30, representatives from all SFA constituent groups shared their thoughts on the respective systems’ answers; and on Nov. 29, the SFA Board of Regents approved an affiliation with the UT System.
Sponsored and drafted by eight Texas legislators, including Sen. Robert Nichols and Reps. Travis Clardy and Trent Ashby, Senate Bill 1055 passed and was signed May 10, 2023, by Gov. Greg Abbott, effectively authorizing the transition of SFA into the UT System.
On July 27, 2023, the UT System Regents voted in favor of assuming management and operational control of SFA, effective July 28. The vote was also a requirement of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges’ continued accreditation of SFA. As a condition of continuous accreditation, SACSCOC required that the UT System assume management and control of SFA no later than July 28.
Answers to common questions related to affiliation with the UT System can be read at sfasu.edu/ut-system.
For information on the full affiliation process, visit sfasu.edu/system.
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 36 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.
About the University of Texas System
The University of Texas System has enhanced the lives of Texans and individuals worldwide through its commitment to education, research and health care for 140 years. With 14 institutions collectively enrolling over 254,000 students, the UT System stands as one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions annually produce over 66,000 graduates and award more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as over 60% of the state's medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.7 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days last year. The UT System’s $3.8 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative and ranks No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation for federal research expenditures. The UT System has an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024 and employs more than 116,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and student workers.
The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine officials and Stephen F. Austin State University representatives sign an early assurance program agreement to create a pathway for students between their undergraduate degree and medical school.
August 22, 2023 - On Aug. 16, 2023 Stephen F. Austin State University joined seven local colleges and universities to celebrate The University of Texas at Tyler School of Medicine’s early assurance program signing day.
“This is a significant milestone for UT Tyler School of Medicine and our partnering colleges,” said President Kirk A. Calhoun, MD, FACP. “The Pathways program reflects our commitment to recruiting local talent and promoting excellence in medical education. Through this program, we are creating a pathway for East Texas students to pursue a career in medicine.”
The early assurance program, known as “Pathways to Medicine,” will prepare 40 students each year from local colleges and universities for a successful career in the medical field by providing clinical exposure and developing necessary study skills for medical school. Up to 15 will be admitted into the School of Medicine.
The eight partnering institutions include:
- East Texas Baptist University
- Jarvis Christian University
- LeTourneau University
- Stephen F. Austin State University
- Texas College
- Texas A&M University – Texarkana
- The University of Texas at Tyler
- Wiley College
“The Pathways program is an excellent opportunity for SFA to strengthen partnerships and help address health care needs in our region,” said Gina Oglesbee, SFA interim president. “Through this program, our selected SFA students will have additional resources and support to help achieve their goal of attending medical school. We are proud to be part of this initiative with the UT Tyler School of Medicine.”
The Pathways program encompasses a one- to two-year curriculum for junior and senior years. Program activities include professional development, speakers and panel discussions, standardized test prep including MCAT, volunteering and physician shadowing. Participants undergo the same rigorous admissions process and interviews as other prospective students, and their selection is based on a holistic evaluation of their qualifications.
“With a strong emphasis on community engagement and preventive care, the early assurance program will encourage and support greater numbers of students interested in medicine,” said Dr. Gisele Armond Abron, UT Tyler School of Medicine associate dean of admissions. “This initiative is not only shaping the future of health care but also ensuring that our region welcomes more dedicated and competent physicians.”
If you attend a participating institution and are interested in enrolling in the Pathways program, email sompathways@uttyler.edu to obtain contact information for your institution’s early assurance program designee.
Pictured are muscadine grapes from the SFA Gardens Jimmy Hinds park.
August 16, 2023 — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host a fruit research field day from 9am to 3pm Friday, September 29 featuring kiwifruit, muscadine grapes, blueberries, figs, feijoas and other fruits.
Speakers will include Dr. David Creech, director of SFA Gardens; and Dr. Tim Hartmann and Dr. Justin Scheiner, both 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 9am 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. After the break, participants will then go to the fruit research plots at SFA Gardens around 1pm.
The cost of the field day is $15 per person. Register on-site the day of the event or in advance online at sfasu.edu/sfagardens.
For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
August 15, 2023 - In an event that happens once in a lifetime, Stephen F. Austin State University is celebrating its 100th anniversary with a full slate of months-long initiatives that will culminate in a weekend of celebrations in September.
“Since SFA first opened its doors in 1923, it’s been a place of transformation for thousands of students eager to forge a bold path for themselves,” said Gina Oglesbee, SFA interim president. “SFA’s first class totaled just 270 students. Today, more than 115,000 alumni continue to make a difference using the lessons they learned here on our beautiful pine-covered campus. I am excited to welcome them back to celebrate their alma mater alongside our current students, faculty, staff, SFA friends and Nacogdoches and regional community members.”
Schedule of events
An all-are-welcome birthday party Sept. 18, SFA’s Founders Day, will cap off a four-day weekend of events celebrating the university’s 100 years. The official Centennial Celebration kickoff begins with the SFA Alumni Association’s annual awards ceremony Sept. 15, which is open to the public. Tickets can be purchased at sfaalumni.com.
The weekend celebration’s second day, Sept. 16, will be dedicated to honoring the relationship the university has long held with its host town, Nacogdoches. Visitors, returning alumni, students and community members are encouraged to attend events and initiatives taking place throughout the city. A complete list will be shared closer to the event.
“Planning for our Centennial Celebration has been ongoing for years because we understood the gravity of this immense milestone,” said John Branch, SFA Centennial Committee chair and interim assistant vice president for finance and administration. “We made sure the weekend of events honors the university’s past while celebrating its bright future.”
The Griffith Fine Arts Building grand reopening will be the focus of festivities Sept. 17. A ribbon-cutting will take place at 1:30 p.m. followed by plaque unveilings at 2 p.m. The $53 million expansion more than doubled the size of the existing building and added state-of-the-art performance spaces, rehearsal halls, and dance studios, among many other additions in the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts. The full scope of the project can be viewed at finearts.sfasu.edu/expansion.
The world premiere of a composition commissioned for the university’s centennial — and created by Dr. Stephen Lias, professor of composition in SFA’s School of Music — will take place at 4 p.m. Sept. 17 in the Griffith Fine Arts Building’s Turner Auditorium.
The open house also features self-guided tours of the building before the auditorium is opened for its first public viewing and concert. While all activities of the day are free and open to the public, the concert is a ticketed event due to limited seating. Complimentary tickets, available while they last, can be obtained by contacting the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or boxoffice@sfasu.edu starting Sept. 1.
The final day of the centennial weekend, Sept. 18, will begin with the dedication of the Centennial Ring Plaza at 10:30 a.m. and the unveiling of a new campus statue gifted to the university by the SFA Alumni Association. Guided and self-guided tours will be ongoing into the weekend’s grand finale: a sprawling centennial birthday party on and along Vista Drive, which will take place at 4 p.m. that day.
“We’re planning to give a nod to the way celebrations occurred during the beginning years of the university by having long communal tables lining the road for Lumberjacks to meet up and celebrate our history and our future,” said Heather Howell, SFA Centennial Committee member and SFA director of advancement services. “The area near Vista Drive will be set up similar to a festival, filled with vendor booths, activities, memories and more so visitors can truly acknowledge what this university means to them.”
During the festival, visitors will be invited to partake in birthday cake and ice cream, take self-guided tours of campus, and participate in games and activities set up in the area. Guests will also be invited to tour the Centennial Axe Handle Exhibit, which will be set up in the Pearman Alumni Center’s Hall of Honor.
Centennial initiatives
Lumberjacks are encouraged to continue participating in and contributing to several ongoing initiatives and projects meant to honor the university’s 100th anniversary:
- Centennial Axe Handle Exhibit — Alumni can submit their decorated axe handles to SFA’s Centennial Axe Handle Exhibit. The exhibit will feature axe handles loaned by the university community, and a digital slideshow ensures that distant Jacks can also participate.
- 100K Service Hours for 100 Years — Students, alumni and SFA employees are competing to see who can log the most volunteer hours in honor of SFA’s centennial year. Keep up with totals and log volunteer hours at sfasu.edu/centennial.
- Planting 100 Pine Trees — SFA has a goal to plant 100 pine trees in honor of SFA’s 100 years. Individuals, organizations, fraternity and sorority chapters, groups of friends and the public can make a donation to have a tree planted on the SFA campus in honor of another person or group.
All SFA Centennial Celebration events are open to the public, and all except the SFA Alumni Association awards ceremony are free.
View the up-to-date SFA Centennial Celebration schedule of events, read about the university’s history, find downloadable graphics and more at sfasu.edu/centennial.
August 4, 2023 — Lumberjacks and friends of Stephen F. Austin State University are encouraged to participate in the university’s third-annual Giving Day, which is also happening in conjunction with SFA’s centennial celebration.
SFA welcomed its inaugural class of students Sept. 18, 1923. To celebrate the university’s 100th anniversary, this year’s campaign goal is $192,300.
“Since 1923, generations of alumni and friends have supported SFA to ensure the Lumberjack experience is available to today’s students,” said Trey Turner, associate vice president for university advancement. “Coinciding with the university’s centennial, Giving Day provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate SFA while simultaneously investing in its future.”
Some areas that donors may consider helping include colleges or departments from which they graduated, student organizations they participated in, athletics, scholarships and more.
“The centennial Giving Day is a one-day event that will bring together alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty and staff, both online and in person, to support SFA and celebrate 100 years of Lumberjacks,” said Mallory Marshall, coordinator for annual giving.
The Giving Day webpage will go live in the upcoming weeks, and everyone interested can follow Giving Day announcements and updates on SFASU Foundation’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. There will also be opportunities to give in person at the centennial celebration events taking place throughout the day. Campaign progress will be actively updated on the @SFASUFoundation social media pages.
Donations can be made online during the day through Giving Day platforms, and links will be provided through emails and shared on social media. All donations are tax deductible.
For more information about SFA’s Giving Day, contact Marshall at Mallory.Marshall@sfasu.edu.
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