SFA University
Fifteen veterans, those currently in active duty, reservists, members of the U.S. National Guard and those commissioned in ROTC pose with their regalia during Stephen F. Austin State University’s inaugural Veterans Resource Center graduation luncheon May 3. The recognition included a presentation of their graduation stole; a red, white and blue honor cord; and a VRC challenge coin.
May 10, 2023 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s Veterans Resource Center hosted its inaugural veteran’s graduation luncheon Wednesday, May 3, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom to honor military-connected students graduating this month.
This is one of several new initiatives begun by Stesha Colby-Lynch, the newly appointed VRC program director, who said she is working to build up a veteran support network on campus.
A graduation stole, honor cords and challenge coins were given to 15 honorees during Stephen F. Austin State University’s inaugural Veterans Resource Center graduation luncheon.
The luncheon recognized 15 veterans, those currently in active duty, reservists, members of the U.S. National Guard and those commissioned in ROTC. The recognition included a presentation of their graduation stole; a red, white and blue honor cord; and a VRC challenge coin. Additionally, military-connected faculty and staff were in attendance, along with the families and chosen mentors of the recipients. Mentors also were presented a VRC challenge coin.
The VRC coin is a two-inch metal coin with the SFA logo on one side and the VRC logo on the other. Traditionally, similar coins are given during special events and given by high-ranking officials in recognition of good work.
“I felt that it was important to have a more ceremonious way to present them with their regalia and celebrate their accomplishments with family and friends,” Colby-Lynch said. “I also felt that it was important for the students to be able to nominate a mentor to be honored as well.”
The ceremony began with a brief introduction by Colby-Lynch, who then presented graduates with their regalia. After the ceremony, attendees were free to eat and mingle.
Students who chose not to participate could pick up their regalia at the VRC the week of graduation. Online students and those in satellite locations had regalia mailed to them.
For more information about the VRC, contact Colby-Lynch at Stesha.Colby-Lynch@sfasu.edu.
Evelyn McAdam, a Marine veteran graduating magna cum laude with a Master of Arts in photography, is given her graduation stole during Stephen F. Austin State University’s inaugural Veterans Resource Center graduation luncheon Wednesday, May 3. Fifteen veterans, those currently in active duty, reservists, members of the U.S. National Guard and those commissioned in ROTC were recognized during the event.
Chris Cotton, university archives and research coordinator at Stephen F. Austin State University, is one of eight recipients of this year’s President’s Achievement Award.
May 9, 2023 — He collects, organizes, indexes and safeguards Stephen F. Austin State University’s history through its archival collections. He helps students, faculty, staff and community members conduct in-depth research on East Texas. He interviews alumni about their experiences at SFA. He speaks with donors on topics ranging from East Texas lumber towns to World War II tanks.
All of this and more has earned Chris Cotton, university archives and research coordinator at SFA’s East Texas Research Center in the Steen Library, one of eight President’s Achievement Awards presented this year.
“It is such an honor to be a recipient, and it is really rewarding to know that my colleagues think so highly of me,” Cotton said.
This year, Cotton is extra busy serving on the committee that’s setting the scene for SFA’s centennial celebrations.
“The university’s upcoming centennial is something that is very exciting to be able to participate in directly,” he said. “As a historian and archivist, I firmly believe an understanding and recognition of the past will help SFA successfully move forward for our next 100 years.”
From 2016 to 2018, Cotton worked as an ETRC graduate assistant. In 2019, he was hired as the center’s archives associate. By 2022, he was the university archives and research coordinator managing ETRC’s student workers, several of whom have gone on to work in libraries or pursue a graduate education in library science.
The secret to his success is customer satisfaction, according to one of his nominations.
“Chris gives every researcher his maximum attention. Whether it is a student, faculty member or community member, I am impressed by the lengths to which he goes each and every time to make sure they get the most from their archival experience. He is adept at figuring out exactly what a person is looking for and then finding the information in the depths of the ETRC.”
Cotton said he believes that connecting ETRC patrons with the past in a tangible, hands-on way through archival materials can help them more fully connect with the past.
“In addition, helping our patrons find that missing piece of information or that story that brings all of their research together is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
Cotton works closely with professors to design archival visits and projects to improve undergraduate student learning and retention. For example, he has collaborated with Dr. Michael Martin, SFA professor of English and creative writing, for the past two years to help students with their projects in Martin’s New-Lumberjack Experience honors course.
“The success of these projects and my students has greatly depended on all the time, energy and effort of Chris Cotton,” Martin said. “The students sense his interest, and they engage him every time they are in the archives.”
For this class, Cotton takes time from his regular duties to introduce students to the archives, help them choose research topics and work with them throughout their entire projects.
“Each day that my class is in the library, Chris makes himself available to the students, always looking for new and additional materials they may request,” Martin said. “After the students have gathered the research and built their posters, Chris attends the Honors Research Symposium, listens to the students practice their talks, and offers encouragement and suggestions.”
Cotton has become a go-to staff member when students need help in general, according to another nomination.
“Random students have started to come to Chris to get help with various types of research outside the archival realm or ask him to read their papers before they turn them in.”
Cotton said he’s happy to help anyone working on historical topics.
“The best part of my job is being surrounded by history every day and getting to share that history with the community.”
May 5, 2023 - The School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University has opened registration for its 2023 summer art camps.
The SFA Art Academies are offered for older students as well as elementary age students, according to Dr. Maggie Leysath, professor of art education in the School of Art.
The two-week Elementary Art Academy begins June 5 and concludes June 16 with an art exhibition. Students entering first through sixth grades will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays in the Art Building off Wilson Drive. Classes are arranged by approximate age and include drawing, painting, sculpture, ceramics and more. Registration fee received by June 1 is $250 per student. Late registration is $265. For more information or to register, visit https://art.sfasu.edu/artacademyelem.
The Secondary Art Academy, which begins June 26 and ends June 30, is for students entering seventh through 12th grades in the 2023-24 school year. Student artists will work with art teachers for a real art studio experience from 9 a.m. until noon. A lunch break will be taken at the SFA cafeteria. Art work resumes after lunch until 3 p.m.
Fees received before June 1 are $250. After June 1, fees are $265. When registering, secondary art academy students should indicate which art mediums in which they are most interested on the form. Registration fees also include lunch costs for the secondary students. Register at https://art.sfasu.edu/artacademysec.
“In Secondary Art Academy, students explore their artistic interests with guidance from our expert art education students,” Leysath said.
Discounts are available for children of SFA employees.
Registration for each academy may be accessed at the School of Art website at art.sfasu.edu under Programs/Community. Space is limited. For more information, contact Leysath at leysathmn@sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-4804.
May 2, 2023 — This fall, Stephen F. Austin State University’s James I. Perkins College of Education will add the Master of Education in curriculum and instruction to its offerings, which is designed for educators wishing to evolve their teaching skills to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse student population.
The program features evidence-based research to promote the expanding skills and knowledge professionals need in diverse EC-12 educational settings. It also takes the students through a holistic approach involving theory, research and practical application to develop multitiered teaching skills.
According to Dr. Susan Reily, program director and associate professor in the Department of Education Studies, the program is ideal for recent graduates of the Perkins College of Education as well as teachers and other educational professionals eager to build their skill sets in specific areas, such as instructional coaching, early childhood or as a reading specialist.
“Public school districts in Texas require teachers to have specialized skills like those offered through the Master of Education in curriculum and instruction in order to get teacher leadership positions with schools and districts,” Reily said. “Many districts are looking for teacher leaders, and this degree is a great way to specialize for a teacher leadership position within a district.”
The program was approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board in November 2022, and students will have year-round admission to best fit the busy schedule of classroom teachers and other education professionals. The program is slated to have 20 students in its inaugural semester, Reily said.
The program is completely online with the potential for some synchronous Zoom meetings — meaning those where students must sign on at a specific time. Interested candidates may choose from three concentrations, which each require 18 hours of concentration-specific courses in addition to the core curriculum:
- Early Childhood – This concentration builds skills and knowledge for teachers and educational professionals who aim to manage or develop early childhood learning environments.
- Instructional Coach – This concentration prepares teachers to move into an instructional coaching position for grades kindergarten through 12 at a public school district. Specific attention is given to developing best practices and research-based curriculum and instruction that allows students to grow in their academic achievement.
- Reading Specialist – This concentration focuses on the research-based curriculum and instructional development and is designed to build skills to earn the Texas reading specialist certification. These skills allow an individual to be employed within a public school district as a reading specialist.
All concentrations for the program can be completed in two to three years dependent on the number of courses taken per semester.
For more information, visit gosfa.com/medci or contact Reily at reilys@sfasu.edu.
By Nathan Wicker, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.
April 28, 2023 — Stephen F. Austin State University recognized faculty and staff for their years of service to the university during two installments of the 2023 Faculty and Staff Service Award ceremonies April 19 and 20, respectively.
“The tireless work our faculty and staff put in every day for our university and its students is one of the things that makes this university great,” said Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA president. “Their devotion and commitment to challenging the minds and changing the lives of our students is remarkable.”
Faculty
Faculty members who were awarded Teaching Excellence Awards included Jeremy Becnel, College of Sciences and Mathematics; Ric Berry, Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts; Stephanie Jones, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture; Robert McDermand, Nelson Rusche College of Business; Aaron Coy Moulton, College of Liberal and Applied Arts; Sarah Straub, James I. Perkins College of Education; and Jennifer Malmberg, Faculty Senate recipient.
Stephen Taaffe, College of Liberal and Applied Arts, was recognized as the 2022-23 Regents Scholar. Jeremy Stovall, Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, received the Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching, and Deb Scott, Elliott College of Fine Arts, received the Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Research and Creative Activity.
Ten-year award recipients included Justin Blount, Department of Business Communication and Legal Studies; Cheronda Brown, School of Social Work; Aryendra Chakravartty, Department of History; Vicki Ezelle-Thomas, Department of Education Studies; Eric Faulk, Department of Government; Tod Fish, School of Music; Ali Hachem, Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership; Karla Hamilton, Department of Education Studies; Gina Harden, Department of Management and Marketing; Scott Hutchens, Department of Psychology; William Nieberding, School of Art; Stacia Prince, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Susan Reily, Department of Education Studies; James Rowe, Department of Kinesiology and Health Science; Celina Serna, DeWitt School of Nursing; Mandy Seybold, Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication; Christina Sinclair, Perkins College of Education; Veronica Sjolander, School of Nursing; Robyn Whitehead, Department of Kinesiology and Health Science; and Tingting Xu, Department of Education Studies.
Twenty-year award recipients included Della Connor, School of Nursing; Carlos Cuadra, Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication; Jennifer Dalmas, School of Music; Amy Durham, Department of Human Services and Educational Leadership; James Faucett, School of Music; Michael Janusa, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; Darla O’Dwyer, School of Human Sciences; Evgeni Raychev, School of Music; Amanda Rudolph, Department of Education Studies; Scott Runnels, School of Art; and Kenneth Untiedt, Department of English and Creative Writing.
Thirty-year award recipients included Nita Hudson, School of Music; James Van Kley, Department of Biology; and Hans Williams, Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.
Forty-year award recipients included Russell Nielson, Department of Earth Sciences and Geologic Resources; and Walter Trikosko, Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.
William Arscott, School of Art, was recognized and awarded for 60 years of service.
Faculty retirees include Parker Ballinger, Department of Economics and Finance; Leisha Bridwell, School of Human Sciences; Kenneth Farrish, Department of Environmental Science; Thomas Judson, Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Leah Kahn, Department of Education Studies; Dee Kimbrough, School of Nursing; Jay Thornton, Department of Kinesiology and Health Science; Stephen Wagner, Department of Biology; Jerry Williams, Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology; Michelle Williams, Department of Education Studies; and Sherry Williford, Department of Mass Communication.
Staff
Staff members who were awarded the President’s Achievement Award included William “Bill” Bryant, Physical Plant Department; Kate Childress, Student Success Center; James Colwell, Physical Plant transportation; Chris Cotton, university archives; Kay Johnson, Procurement and Business Services; Cassandra Montesano, Department of Agriculture; Francisco Paco Morales, School of Music; and Kassondra Perry-Weaver, School of Nursing.
Ten-year recipients included Eleno Adame, University Police Department; Rosa Cabral, Physical Plant, custodial services; Rachel Clark, Student Publications/Divisional Media; Bradley Cobb, Physical Plant housing operations; Morgan Cortines, Office of Strategic Analytics and Institutional Research; Wally Crittenden, SFA Athletics; Martha Cruz, Campus Recreation; Crystal Deckard, Perkins College of Education; Nesha Deckard, School of Human Sciences; Richard Dorsett, Physical Plant building maintenance; Robbie Goodrich, Elliott College of Fine Arts; Heather Hawkins, Perkins College of Education; Heather Howell, Division of Student Affairs; Ashley Johnson, Information Technology Services; Donna Matheny, Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology; Deanna McCollum, Perkins College of Education; Melanie Mercer, Perkins College of Education; Gilbert Miller, Physical Plant building maintenance; Molly Moody, Perkins College of Education; Beverly J. Morehouse, Office of Research and Graduate Studies; Agatha Moreland, Physical Plant housing operations; Susan Nolan, Office of Title IX; Ragan Philliber, SFA Charter School; Antonio Rangel, Physical Plant custodial services; Amanda Romig, Perkins College of Education; Rebecca Self, School of Nursing; Chassity Stegall, Physical Plant custodial services; Julie Stephens, College of Sciences and Mathematics; Richard Stobart, Physical Plant custodial services; Carrie Stover, Perkins College of Education; Tammi Thompson, Office of Financial Reporting; Lissy Turner, Office of Title IX; Jessica Waguespack, Dean of Students Office; and Wil Willoughby, Physical Plant building maintenance.
Twenty-year award recipients included Sabrina Delaney, Office of the Registrar; Letitia Hamilton, Office of Financial Reporting; Jason Johnstone, Division of University Marketing Communications; Ronald King, School of Art; Kimberly Morris, Office of Admissions; Donna Shelton, Procurement and Business Services; and Lynn Shivers, Department of Management and Marketing.
Thirty-year award recipients included Joy Rhodes, Department of Government, and Janice Thorn, Physical Plant custodial services.
Forty-year award recipients included Barbara Olds, Steen Library, and Carolyn Spears, Stone Fort Museum.
April 28, 2023 — During its three-day quarterly meeting, the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents made plans for the anticipated passage of the bill making SFA a member of The University of Texas System.
As the regents met, Senate Bill 1055 was undergoing its second reading on the House floor of the 88th Texas Legislature in Austin. When it completes its third reading, the bill will be forwarded to Gov. Greg Abbott for signature.
“We don’t anticipate any issues,” said Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA president. “It’s just a matter of process. It is one of the most universally agreed upon pieces of legislation we’ve encountered.”
Westbrook thanked state Sen. Robert Nichols, R-Jacksonville, and state Rep. Travis Clardy, R-Nacogdoches, and their staffs.
“They have worked tirelessly on behalf of the university on what is a complex piece of legislation,” Westbrook added.
He also thanked Dr. Charlotte Sullivan, SFA’s director of governmental relations, and her counterparts at the UT System along with UT Chancellor James Milliken and UT Board of Regents Chair Kevin Eltife.
“This new era will be a game changer for the university and the citizens of Nacogdoches County and East Texas,” Westbrook said.
The SFA regents proceeded to make recommendations to keep the transition process moving once the bill is signed by the governor.
“We want to be well positioned for the transfer of management and control and make it as seamless as possible,” Westbrook said. “You won’t even see the lights flicker.”
Transfer of management and control to UT System
SFA is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges. For SFA to retain its status as an accredited institution, SACSCOC requires that any governance change receive the prior approval of SACSCOC’s Board of Trustees, and that any approved governance change occur within 30 days of its approval.
The regents unanimously recommended that, should the legislation filed to create Stephen F. Austin State University, a member of The University of Texas System, become law and SACSCOC approve the change in governance at its June 2023 meeting, the UT System Board of Regents takes necessary action to accept management and control of SFA when transferred by the SFA Board of Regents effective no earlier than July 1 and no later than July 28, with a target date of July 1. This transfer includes SFA’s operations, real property and other assets.
The SFA regents also granted the SFA president the authority to suspend university policies as needed to manage SFA from April 26 until management and control are transferred to the UT Board of Regents.
Appointment of an interim SFA president
The SFA board will still be the governing body of the university on May 31, the date of Westbrook’s retirement. The SFA regents will collaborate with the UT System to appoint an interim president most likely at a special-called SFA board meeting May 10, during which Westbrook’s retirement will be accepted by the regents.
The interim president will serve until the 11th president is named by the UT System, which will conduct the presidential search after the legislation is signed by the governor.
Other board actions
Regents also acknowledged receipt of the audit services report and approved:
- curriculum changes
- grant awards totaling $8,240,994 for fiscal year 2023
- policy revisions
- and the minutes of previous meetings.
Regents heard general presidential, faculty, staff and student reports from Westbrook; Dr. Chris McKenna, chair of the Faculty Senate; Alison Reed, chair of the Staff Council; and Jada Cartwright and Nathan Lyons, Student Government Association president and vice president, respectively.
For more information, visit sfasu.edu/regents.
April 28, 2023 — Jason W. Downing ’92, Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus as well as principal, Deloitte and chief operating officer of its clients and markets business unit, will give the commencement addresses during the university’s four graduation ceremonies Friday and Saturday, May 5-6.
Downing, a certified public accountant who earned a Bachelor of Business Administration at SFA, began his career at Deloitte in its audit subsidiary and later transferred to the consulting subsidiary. He has spent the last 31 years in a variety of management and client service roles serving some of Deloitte’s marquee clients that range from middle-market, high-growth companies to the Fortune 50.
Downing also serves on the boards for Deloitte US, the United Way Foundation of Metro Dallas and the SFASU Foundation. He’s a member of the Young Presidents’ Organization, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and National Association of Corporate Directors.
To attend commencement, guests must present tickets to enter Johnson Coliseum. Tickets are free and will help university officials ensure the venue is not overcrowded. Each graduation candidate will be allotted 10 tickets with an option to request more. All commencements will take place in Johnson Coliseum.
The public also is invited to attend, and community tickets will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis at the coliseum ticket office.
Candidates from the College of Liberal and Applied Arts will participate in a ceremony at 6 p.m. Friday, May 5.
Candidates from the Nelson Rusche College of Business, the School of Human Sciences and the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts will participate in a ceremony at 9 a.m. Saturday, May 6.
Candidates from the departments of education studies, human services and educational leadership, and kinesiology and health science — all in the James I. Perkins College of Education — are slated for the 12:30 p.m. ceremony, followed by the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and the College of Sciences and Mathematics at 4 p.m.
Degrees to be awarded include 1,120 bachelor’s and 323 master’s degrees. Nearly 550 students will graduate with honors, including 162 cum laude, 142 magna cum laude and 240 summa cum laude. Forty-six students will graduate with the university scholar designation.
For more info, visit sfasu.edu/commencement.
April 20, 2023 — Business owners, travel and tourism professionals, and local economic development leaders are invited to attend the Deep East Texas Travel and Tourism Conference from 8:30am to 4pm May 3 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.
A collaboration between faculty members at SFA and Tarleton State University, this conference is the first in a series of education and engagement sessions that are part of the larger Texas Forest Country Travel and Tourism Collective.
The collective is focused on enhancing the preparedness of the East Texas travel and tourism workforce, developing new travel packages to attract external guests to the region, improving existing travel and tourism practices and services, and strengthening and diversifying the regional economy.
“We are expanding the travel and tourism conference we started last year beyond the deep East Texas region to include the Texas forest region, as well,” said Dr. Gina Fe Causin, SFA associate professor of human sciences. “This region includes all cities and counties from Port Arthur to Texarkana.”
The conference will include a student research showcase, legislative and other updates from regional tourism professionals, and a keynote presentation on the economic impact of tourism on rural communities.
“I am excited about our renewed focus on the Texas Forest Country area,” said Dr. Jennifer T. Edwards, TSU professor of communication. “Our small towns and cities will definitely benefit from the information and networking opportunities.”
Outreach efforts related to the conference are funded by SFA’s Center for Applied Research and Rural Innovation.
Register for the conference at tinyurl.com/TXForestCountry.
For more information, Causin at causingf@sfasu.edu or Edwards at jtedwards@tarleton.edu.
April 19, 2023 — The Stephen F. Austin State University Division of Student Affairs announced Michalla Byrd of Joaquin, Heath Sharr of Jacksonville, Jay Teamer of Lewisville, and Curtis Tran of Nacogdoches as recipients of this year’s Best of SFA Awards.
“The committee was overwhelmed with the amazing pool of candidates for the awards this year, yet it was clear these students exemplify the SFA spirit and genuine passion for the institution,” said Lacey Folsom, director of Student Engagement. “We were honored to celebrate these individuals and their achievements.”
The awards are given annually to recognize students who excel in the areas of scholarship, participation and leadership in academic and co-curricular activities as well as service and loyalty to the university. These exemplary students are honored during the Lumberjack Achievement Awards Banquet held each spring semester and go on to represent SFA throughout the following academic year.
Michalla Byrd
Byrd is a communication sciences and disorders major. A graduate of Joaquin High School where she was valedictorian, she is the daughter of Teri and Michael Joe Byrd.
She is a Twirl-o-Jack in the Lumberjack Marching Band, a member of the National Student Speech and Language Hearing Association, and a former member of Sigma Phi Lambda. In her spare time, she volunteers at food pantries and sings at nursing homes. She also leads vacation Bible school at the First Baptist Church of Joaquin.
Byrd is a Dean’s List recipient and was voted sweetest Twirl-o-Jack and Twirl-o-Jack of the year by her peers. Upon her graduation in December 2023, Byrd plans to apply for the speech-pathology graduate program at SFA and Baylor University. Her dream is to work as a speech-language pathologist assistant to help children with their speech and language in a supportive environment.
Heath Sharr
Sharr is a graphic design major with a film minor. He is a Jacksonville High School graduate and the son of Heather and Paul Sharr.
During his time at SFA, Sharr has been involved in Omega Delta Phi Fraternity as the social media chair, historian and social chair. He was a Jack Walker and served as the social media chair for the organization. In addition, he has participated in the American Institute of Graphic Artists, American Advertising Federation and Jack Camp as well as served as the Men’s Volleyball Club president.
Sharr also worked with Campus Recreation for promotions and facilities as a student employee. He plans to work as a full-time employee for Campus Rec upon graduation in May and continue his education at SFA. Sharr hopes to impact the next generation the same way he was impacted by seeing how exciting and interesting the behind-the-scenes work can be.
Jay Teamer
Teamer is a music education major with a concentration in voice and an art minor with a focus on graphic design. He is a Lewisville High School graduate and the son of Kim and Dwayne Teamer.
Teamer has been a self-employed musician since 2018 and has performed with SFA’s A Cappella Choir, Opera Theatre and Chamber Singers. He’s held several positions at SFA, including stage manager, usher and music theory tutor. He is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia fraternity and served as vice president and music director.
Outside his passion for music, Teamer was involved in SFA Student Engagement as lead content creator; Omega Delta Phi Fraternity as president, vice president, secretary, service chair and fundraising chair; and Multicultural Greek Council as vice president and public relations chair. He also has contributed to Jack Camp, Orientation, Weeks of Welcome, Order of Omega, Jack Walkers and the Student Activities Association.
His academic achievements include being named to the President’s List two times, to the Dean’s List four times, as a Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts Top Scholar for the Undergraduate Research Conference and as a recipient of numerous scholarships.
Upon his graduation from SFA in May, Teamer will continue his education at Oklahoma City University to earn his Master of Music in vocal coaching and work as a graduate student collaborative piano accompanist. His dream jobs include being a teacher to impact upcoming generations using music as a vehicle and being a music director at a theater company to direct musicals and conduct pit orchestras.
Curtis Tran
Tran is a finance major and Nacogdoches High School graduate. He is the son of Sandy Huynh and Binh Tran.
Tran is a Jack Walker, a member of the Rusche Business Mentor and Mentee Program, and an intern at Oakwood Management. A member of the Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity, he has served as the secretary and public relations chair. Tran is the president and founder of the Organization of Asian Excellence, a student organization that promotes education for Asian culture.
Tran served on the Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Presidents Council and was a recipient of the 2023 undergraduate DEI Student Excellence Award. After his graduation in May, he plans to work for Oakwood Management as an asset management associate. His dream job is to be a chief financial officer for a real estate company and help better the community by offering and being able to build homes for all.
The Children’s Performing Arts Series at SFA will present three performances of “Reading and Rhyming with Mother Goose” on Wednesday, April 26, in Kennedy Auditorium.
April 12, 2023 - Seats are still available for the April 26 performances of “Reading and Rhyming with Mother Goose,” a presentation of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts and its Children’s Performing Arts Series at Stephen F. Austin State University.
Targeting children in pre-kindergarten through second grade, “Reading and Rhyming with Mother Goose,” presented by MCP Shows, teaches children classic poems by acting out the stories within them using lively puppets and other props, according to Diane Peterson, Fine Arts Box Office manager and director of the children’s series.
This article is copied from Shelby County Today without permission.
“Children are invited to join Mother Goose, along with Lamby, Mary, Goosey, Itsy Bitsy and her other puppet friends, as she shares the music of language expressed in rhyming,” Peterson said. “Children will leave the theatre with enthusiasm for reading, language and creativity.”
Performances are at 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. in Kennedy Auditorium on the SFA campus. Tickets are $7.50 for individuals and $6 per person for groups of 20 or more. This show is funded in part by the Texas Commission on the Arts.
The Children’s Performing Arts Series features shows designed to entertain, educate and engage young audiences of all ages, according to Peterson. To order tickets, call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS. Visit the CPAS website at cpas.sfasu.edu for additional information.
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