SFA University

Stephen F. Austin State University will host its fourth-annual Purple Premium Cattle Sale beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center. All aspects of the sale are planned and executed by students enrolled in the advanced beef science course (pictured) taught by Dr. Erin Brown, professor of animal science at SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Attendees will have the opportunity to bid on 30 purebred lots, as well as more than 200 head of commercial females.

October 17, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University will host its fourth-annual Purple Premium Cattle Sale beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, November 11, at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center.

The sale is planned and executed by SFA students enrolled in Dr. Erin Brown's advanced beef science class.

Brown, professor of animal science in SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, said students are instrumental in all aspects of the sale, from obtaining cattle consignments to sale marketing and setup.

This year, the sale will offer 30 purebred lots of Beefmaster, Angus, Charolais, Horned and Polled Hereford, Red Angus, and Simbrah cattle, as well as more than 200 head of commercial females. While a number of the lots are consigned by cattle owners from Texas and the Southern U.S., cattle from SFA's herd also is included.

In addition to cattle being auctioned, attendees may bid on semen from high-quality bulls donated by several cattle breeders. A Nacogdoches get-away package that includes a one-night stay at The Fredonia Hotel with food and recreation accommodations also will be offered for bid.

Interested buyers may view the cattle from 2 to 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 10, or beginning at 8 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 11. The SFA Beef Farm is located at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center on County Road 123 off of Highway 259 in Nacogdoches.

To learn more about the sale, visit the SFA Purple Premium Sale Facebook page, Instagram, or email Dr. Erin Brown at browneg@sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University is home to the only undergraduate orientation and mobility program in the country. A key component of the program is its cane training where students learn to use a cane and navigate an area while under blindfold to simulate complete blindness.October 16, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University is home to the only undergraduate orientation and mobility program in the country.

Since the program began in 1972, faculty and staff members have trained hundreds of students to assist people with visual impairments or who are blind.

“Even though there is a small percentage of the population who needs these services, it is a growing need, especially since the likelihood of having a visual impairment increases with age,” said Michael Munro, director of SFA’s orientation and mobility program.

As the program’s name suggests, orientation means knowing where one is in relation to the environment, and mobility is knowing how to get from point A to point B in a safe and efficient manner. Students are taught the difference between being visually impaired and blind as well as the different visual impairments and eye conditions and how these impairments affect people.

Assessment is key in this field as no person with a visual impairment is the same as another. Students in the program learn how to travel under blindfold so they can show other people who do not have full vision how to use a cane and allow them to become confident in their walking and travel skills in a variety of environments. Students also learn to become more in tune with their non-visual skills such as learning to interpret what they hear and feel to help them to know where they are.

Jennifer Perry, clinical instructor in the orientation and mobility program, helps debunk some of the program’s misconceptions.

“The students in our program are not training people to become blind, as some people who see us may think. Our students are learning to become highly trained specialists who will assist individuals and families if vision loss occurs in their lives,” Perry said. “This a growing field that many people do not consider as a career choice because many people either do not know someone who is blind, or they are unaware that the name of this training specialty is called orientation and mobility.”

A key component of the program is its cane training where students learn to use a cane and navigate an area while blindfolded to simulate complete blindness. Students in training often are observed around campus using canes while blindfolded.

“Being under a blindfold helps students train others and learn what it’s like not to rely on sight and puts the skills we have taught them into practice. It really is a transformational-learning experience,” Munro said. “It’s incredible to see the students grow from when they first come here to when they leave. They do things they never thought they could such as crossing a street blindfolded and navigating a bus without being able to see.”

At SFA, students can receive a Bachelor of Science in rehabilitation services with a concentration in orientation and mobility or a master’s degree in special education with a specialization in orientation and mobility.

Students who complete training at either the undergraduate or graduate level are eligible to become nationally certified by the Academy for Certification of Vision Rehabilitation and Education Professionals. Students engage in 120 observation hours and 350 internship hours at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

For more information, contact Munro at (936) 468-1036 or munromicha@sfasu.edu

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

October 12, 2017 Nacogdoches — The annual Stephen F. Austin State University Homecoming celebration begins Friday, October 20, and runs through Sunday, October 22. This year’s theme is “Unmasque Your Spirit.”

The weekend festivities start at 11 a.m. Friday with the 44th annual SFA Alumni Golf Tournament at the Piney Woods Country Club. The individual entry fee is $150 and includes tournament play, golf cart, refreshments, box lunch and post-tournament hors d’oeuvres. Team entries also are available. This is a four-player scramble.

The annual Homecoming online auction begins Thursday, October 12, and runs through Sunday, October 22. Visit www.biddingforgood.com/sfahomecoming to view and bid on your favorite items. Some items up for bids include a purple Michael Kors watch, custom axe handle, Alumni Drive naming opportunity, purple Sig Sauer pistol, destination getaways and travel packages, artwork, jewelry, unique SFA items, sports tickets, autographed sports memorabilia and more.

Friday evening’s Homecoming festivities begin with a Back In Nac Social starting at 4 p.m. at the Nine Flags Bar in The Fredonia Hotel. Jack Madness will kick-off festivities in the Johnson Coliseum on campus at 7 p.m. with a first look at SFA’s men’s and women’s basketball teams. The teams will host a small scrimmage, dunk contest and give away lots of prizes. The Torchlight Parade follows at 8:30 p.m. beginning at the SFA Ag Pond and concludes at the intramural fields where the bonfire, pep rally, fireworks and a special guest concert will be held. SFA’s Alumni Association staff members will distribute free 3-D fireworks glasses, sponsored by Nacogdoches Eye Associates, from the alumni tent.

The Homecoming Jack Track shuttle bus is free for Lumberjacks and guests to travel between the coliseum, bonfire and The Fredonia Hotel. The shuttle will run from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. between locations.

The fun continues Saturday morning with the Flap “Jack” Breakfast prepared from 8 to 10 a.m. at The Fredonia Hotel. Children can decorate their flapjacks with special toppings, receive coloring books and have their photo taken with the SFA Lumberjack and Ladyjack mascots and other members of the SFA spirit teams from 8 to 9 a.m. Flapjacks are free for those participating in the Homecoming 5K. The cost is $10 per person for those not participating in the run.

The eighth-annual Lumberjack Homecoming Certified 5K begins at 8 a.m. in downtown Nacogdoches. Pre-registration is available online at www.active.com.

The Homecoming Parade begins at 10 a.m. in downtown Nacogdoches where onlookers will line the streets to watch colorful-themed floats and pageantry, and listen to music. The Mardi Gras theme of “Unmasque Your Spirit” should bring lots of purple, yellow and green to the parade.

After the parade, the action moves to Alumni Corner (junction of Hayter and Raguet streets) beginning at noon for pregame tailgating. Admission to Alumni Corner is free for Alumni Association members, $15 for non-members, children ages 10 and under accompanied by an adult are $5, and children 5 years old and younger are free.

Alumni Corner will again feature the Suddenlink “Bundle U” Viewing Lounge, live entertainment, Mardi-Gras-themed tailgate food, games and the third annual Fall Fest where children can enjoy a bounce house, petting zoo, face stickers, Kona premium shaved ice, balloon animals and other fun festivities for free. The first 100 children to attend the Fall Fest will receive a “Future SFA Alumni” T-shirt. The Fall Fest is sponsored by Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry.

At 1 p.m. hundreds of yellow rubber ducks will race for more than $1,750 in prizes at the Ag Pond during the annual Duck Dash. Proceeds from the Duck Dash benefit SFA Alumni Association programs and scholarships. Ducks may be sponsored for $5 each or six ducks for $25. The deadline for sponsoring ducks is Friday, Oct. 20.

The highlight of Homecoming weekend is set to begin at 3 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium when the SFA Lumberjacks take on the Huskies of Houston Baptist University. Tickets start at $12 and are available by calling (936) 468-JACK, online at www.sfajacks.com or at the gate on game day.

End your evening at Fredonia Fest at the all-new Fredonia Brewery downtown. Live entertainment, food trucks serving German food and a special Fredoniafest beer will be featured from 2 to 10 p.m.

The Homecoming weekend continues Sunday with Second Story Tours from 1 to 4 p.m. Enjoy a self-guided tour through some of the beautiful downtown lofts and buildings while experiencing the breathtaking architecture and history downtown has to offer. Tickets are $25 each and are available at The Fredonia Hotel and the Charles Bright Visitor’s Center downtown. Many downtown stores will be open to shop for one-of-a-kind finds from the oldest town in Texas.

Thank you to the following SFA Alumni Homecoming event sponsors:

Liberty Mutual, The Fredonia Hotel, Barnes & Noble College Bookstore, University Rental, Suddenlink, First Bank & Trust East Texas, XETX Business Solutions, Lettermen’s Association, Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, Simpson Real Estate, Olivia King-Realtor and Nacogdoches Eye Associates.

For more information about Homecoming events, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407, or visit www.sfaalumni.com/events. You also can visit the Tracie D. Pearman Alumni Center on the SFA campus Monday through Friday.

Moore Farms Botanical Gardens education and events manager Rebecca Turk will be the guest speaker for the SFA Gardens’ monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series, slated for 7 p.m. Oct. 12 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.October 6, 2017 Nacogdoches, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 12, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. Rebecca Turk, education and events manager for Moore Farms Botanical Gardens in Lake City, South Carolina, will present “Moore Farms Botanical Garden: A Germinating Success from Concept and Collections to Programs.”

Turk is responsible for all visitation programs and outreach at Moore Farms Botanical Gardens. She graduated with her Bachelor of Science in agriculture from SFA in 2010 before completing her Master of Science in horticulture from North Carolina State University in 2012.

Turk discovered her passion for public horticulture and teaching through her mom as well as various jobs at the SFA Mast Arboretum, Nacogdoches Naturally, Missouri Botanical Garden and the JC Raulston Arboretum. She has a strong interest in educating the community and sharing her love of the outdoors.

Turk and her husband, Christopher, love their shared interest in horticulture and enjoy every moment outside with their cat, Daphne, and two dogs, Gaia and Hazel. They recently celebrated the birth of their first child, Emilia, in July.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare-plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

Three Stephen F. Austin State University graduate students in the athletic training program interned with the NFL and Women’s NBA during the summer. Pictured from left: Cody Oliver, Lufkin native, spent seven weeks working with the Houston Texans; Sara Caitlin Godwin from Auburn, Alabama, interned with the New York Liberty Women’s NBA team; and Chris Elliott of Nashville, Tennessee, served the Tennessee Titans.October 5, 2017 Nacogdoches — Being on the sidelines never looked so good.

During the summer, three graduate students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s athletic training program interned as athletic trainers with the NFL and Women’s NBA.

Cody Oliver, Lufkin native, spent seven weeks working with the Houston Texans, and Chris Elliott of Nashville, Tennessee, served the Tennessee Titans. Sara Caitlin Godwin from Auburn, Alabama, interned with the New York Liberty Women’s NBA team.

During their internships, both Oliver and Elliott were tasked with helping athletes with their morning treatments, setting up and breaking down the field for daily practices, administering post-practice treatments and more.

“As far as athletic training goes, the NFL is considered one of the top jobs you can get,” Elliott said. “Being part of the NFL, seeing how it operates, and being around some of the world’s best athletes and helping them perform their best was a really cool experience.”

Both Elliott and Oliver worked with their team’s defensive backs. For Oliver, the Houston Texans’ game against the New England Patriots was a highlight of his internship.

“There was one athlete whom I worked with a lot. It was surreal when he ran out of the tunnel and onto the sidelines to play against the reigning Super Bowl Champs with 75,000 people screaming,” Oliver said. “That’s when it hit me that I was in the NFL. To see him back on the field for the first time in months and have a great game was rewarding.”

Likewise, Godwin’s work routine was similar to Oliver’s and Elliott’s. Every morning she would set up for practice, prepare equipment and administer treatments. She was the only intern for the team.

“It was great to be put into that environment and expected to perform from the get go,” Godwin said.

While in the Big Apple, Godwin experienced a change of pace and learned how to operate in a new environment.

“New York is busy and fast. It truly is the city that never sleeps and that’s kind of the attitude of the New York Liberty,” Godwin said.

The team practiced in Tarrytown, New York, and would often play in the infamous Madison Square Garden. Godwin would be on the sidelines at every game and described the experience as “surreal.”

“I was walking around the hallways thinking there were so many famous people here before me. I felt like a little fish in a big pond,” Godwin said.

Becoming an athletic trainer wasn’t always the plan for Godwin. As an undergraduate, she dabbled in chemical engineering and exercise science, but she soon began researching athletic training as a career. Oliver, however, played college baseball for four years and considered a career in the medical field. HIs passion for sports lead him to athletic training.

“I fell in love with it,” Oliver said. “I’ve been called to serve and doing this is a way to give back to athletes now that I’m not playing anymore. The feeling you get seeing an injured athlete you’ve been working with get back on the field and play the sport he loves is amazing. You can’t get that feeling from any other profession.”

Similarly, Elliott played college basketball for four years and said he was hurt about 50 percent of the time, which led to him developing a good relationship with one of the athletic trainers.

“He helped me a lot with rehab, physically and mentally. The way he mentored me and invested in me made me want to have that same relationship and be able to help other athletes like he did for me,” Elliott said. “I knew through my experiences I could be empathetic to a lot of what other college athletes are going through.”

Through SFA’s professional athletic training program led by Dr. Linda Bobo, students earn a Master of Science in athletic training and participate in various hands-on learning experiences such as internships and clinical work. Students work with athletes in various sports and work with doctors in general medical settings to gain real-world experience.

This year, Oliver is working with Diboll High School’s football team, and next year he will be working with Angelina College’s softball team. Godwin is working with Angelina College’s men’s basketball team and will work with SFA’s baseball team in the spring. Elliott is currently serving SFA’s volleyball team and will work with SFA’s track and field team in the spring.

“I had a lot of at experience coming into the program; however, I lacked confidence. Dr. Bobo’s program is rigorous and very helpful. You either sink or swim, and I chose to swim,” Oliver said. “I learned on the go, so when it came to the summer, it was a breeze. I’m really thankful for this program and all it’s done to help me in just one year.”

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

This semester, SFA is hosting its most diverse group of foreign exchange students with 14 undergraduate and graduate students representing six countries. Some of the participants include, from left to right, Kay Dimech from Malta, Mariem Hmidy from Tunisia, Sujata Panjwani from Pakistan and Jessica Wu from Taiwan.

October 5, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of International Programs is hosting 14 exchange students from six different locations this semester.

“This has been one of the most diverse groups of foreign exchange students the university has hosted,” Heather Catton, SFA director of international programs, said.

The group comprises two students from Pakistan, two from Tunisia, five from France, three from the United Kingdom, one from Taiwan and one from Malta. Eleven of the students are undergraduates while three are graduate students.

The students participate in exchanges through different programs.

Two programs are offered by the U.S. State Department: Global UGRAD, which is part of a broader effort to promote a better understanding of the U.S. abroad, especially among future world leaders, and the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, which allows students to develop a deeper understanding of American culture and gain new skills that will help them further the economic growth and development of their country.

Along with the U.S. State Department programs, students come from the Rose Bruford theatre exchange program, the LaRochelle business exchange program and the ISEP world-wide study abroad program.

Sujata Panjwani, a Pakistan exchange student through the Global UGRAD program, said studying in America will help both her education and personal growth.

“I have a great desire to enhance and share my knowledge and explore the widely diversified cultures in the U.S.,” Panjwani said. “Being a Pakistani and coming from a different culture, I have a lot to share in terms of my beliefs, perception and ideology.”

Mariem Hmidy, an exchange student from Tunisia through the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, believes her time in America will benefit her when she returns home.

“Tunisia needs its young citizens to help make the country better,” Hmidy said. “Tunisia needs active young people to help its economic and political needs. This exchange program teaches me how to be a better citizen.”

While at SFA, Hmidy will undergo career preparation activities in the fall and an internship in the spring.

The SFA Office of International Programs works to ensure the students thrive during their time at the university. The program works to help students easily transition to living in America. Many exchange students deal with a myriad of issues and new challenges, such as introductions to new and different foods, academic course offerings and lack of public transportation. The office also verifies that credits acquired at SFA will transfer when the exchange students return to their home countries.

Catton said she encourages the exchange students to participate in different activities while studying abroad.

“A lot of students get to experience what life is like at a U.S. university while they are here, such as enjoying social clubs and joining fraternities and sororities. Many foreign colleges do not have the same social opportunities we do in the U.S., so these students really take advantage of those activities while here.”

The Office of International Programs hopes to expand the number of exchange programs SFA offers. In the spring, Catton said they are planning to add Université Jean Monnet in France to the list of participants.

For more information about international programs at SFA, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/oip/.

The Stephen F. Austin State University equine program successfully exhibited two weanling colts from the university’s breeding program at the 2017 American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show in Fort Worth. Make Me Move, a solid paint-bred colt, was named Reserve Breeder’s Trust Futurity Champion and placed sixth in the solid paint-bred Weanling Stallions Class, while Remember the Name, also a solid paint-bred colt, placed fifth in the same class. Pictured from left are SFA student Kelsey Chatigny, Michaelle Coker, SFA equine center supervisor, Remember the Name, and SFA student Sarah Bone

October 4, 2017 Nacogdoches — The Stephen F. Austin State University equine program successfully exhibited two weanling colts from the university’s breeding program at the 2017 American Paint Horse Association World Championship Show held in Fort Worth.

Make Me Move, a solid paint-bred colt, was named Reserve Breeder’s Trust Futurity Champion and placed sixth in the solid paint-bred Weanling Stallions Class, while Remember the Name, also a solid paint-bred colt, placed fifth in the same class.

“The success of this world show, coupled with the success of the Palomino Horse Breeders Association World Show when I showed Missbehavenhollywood, another SFA-owned horse, puts us on the map as not only contenders in the show pen, but also as breeders of world show-quality horses,” said Michaelle Coker, SFA equine center supervisor. “This will only boost our program and help us reach our goals of a winning show team and a viable breeding program.”

The colts were born this winter at SFA’s Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center and are a significant milestone in the growth of the university’s equine program that received a donation of seven broodmares in 2015 from Trudy Day and Nancy Batzloff.

“It’s a very small brood mare herd, but it’s mighty,” Coker said. “Fifty-percent of our broodmare herd had offspring competing at the world championship show this year.”

In addition to Make Me Move and Remember the Name, SFA-born Smokn Lopin was shown by a representative of Hat Creek Ranch and placed fourth in Open Ranch Riding and eighth in Open Ranch Trail Riding.

Coker said she believes this is the first time that a university has shown a horse they bred at the American Paint Horse Association World Championship.

Students are an integral component of the expanding program and play key roles in every aspect of foaling, training and showing.

Kelsey Chatigny and Sarah Bone, both senior animal science majors, were enrolled in the equine reproduction course that monitored the gestation and birth of both colts. They continued their direct involvement through an independent study course designed to prepare students to work in the equine industry. With assistance from Coker, Bone and Chatigny fed, groomed, trained and exercised the colts six days a week in preparation for the world show.

“We spent the entire summer at the equine center at all times of the day,” Chatigny said. “We learned a lot of time management and organizational skills.”

Their steadfast care undoubtedly paid off as the two colts were led through a litany of inspections from judges who examined everything from the colts’ teeth to the manner in which they move.

To learn more about the SFA equine program, contact Michaelle Coker at cokermk@sfasu.edu.

Story by Sarah Fuller, Stephen F. Austin State University Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture outreach coordinator.

This semester, SFA is hosting its most diverse group of foreign exchange students with 14 undergraduate and graduate students representing six countries. Some of the participants include, from left to right, Kay Dimech from Malta, Mariem Hmidy from Tunisia, Sujata Panjwani from Pakistan and Jessica Wu from Taiwan.

October 3, 2017 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of International Programs is hosting 14 exchange students from six different locations this semester.
 
“This has been one of the most diverse groups of foreign exchange students the university has hosted,” Heather Catton, SFA director of international programs, said.
 
The students comprise of two from Pakistan, two from Tunisia, five from France, three from the United Kingdom, one from Taiwan and one from Malta. Eleven of the students are undergraduates while three are graduate students.
 
The students participate in exchanges through different programs.
 
Two programs are offered by the U.S. State Department: Global UGRAD, which is part of a broader effort to promote a better understanding of the U.S. abroad, especially among future world leaders, and the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, which allows students to develop a deeper understanding of American culture and gain new skills that will help them further the economic growth and development of their country. 
 
Along with the U.S. State Department programs, students come from the Rose Bruford theatre exchange program, the LaRochelle business exchange program and the ISEP world-wide study abroad program.
 
Sujata Panjwani, a Pakistan exchange student through the Global UGRAD program, said studying in America will help both her education and personal growth.
 
“I have a great desire to enhance and share my knowledge and explore the widely diversified cultures in the U.S.,” Panjwani said. “Being a Pakistani and coming from a different culture, I have a lot to share in terms of my beliefs, perception and ideology.”
 
Mariem Hmidy, an exchange student from Tunisia through the Thomas Jefferson Scholarship, believes her time in America will benefit her when she returns home.
 
“Tunisia needs its young citizens to help make the country better,” Hmidy said. “Tunisia needs active young people to help its economic and political needs. This exchange program teaches me how to be a better citizen.”
 
While at SFA, Hmidy will undergo career preparation activities in the fall and an internship in the spring.
 
The SFA Office of International Programs works to ensure the students thrive during their time at the university. The program works to help students easily transition to living in America. Many exchange students deal with a myriad of issues and new challenges, such as introductions to new and different foods, academic course offerings and lack of public transportation. The office also verifies that credits acquired at SFA will transfer when the exchange students return to their home countries.
 
Catton said she encourages the exchange students to participate in different activities while studying abroad.
 
“A lot of students get to experience what life is like at a U.S. university while they are here, such as enjoying social clubs and joining fraternities and sororities. Many foreign colleges do not have the same social opportunities we do in the U.S., so these students really take advantage of those activities while here.”
 
The Office of International Programs hopes to expand the number of exchange programs SFA offers. In the spring, Catton said they are planning to add Université Jean Monnet in France to the list of participants.
 
For more information about international programs at SFA, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/oip/.

September 27, 2017 -  While Stephen F. Austin State University is reporting a fall enrollment of 12,614 students, a 1-percent decrease from fall 2016, there are bright spots to be found in the enrollment numbers.
 
The highest first-time undergraduate retention rate for fall 2017 is 71.6 percent, representing a 4.3-percent increase during the past five years.
 
SFA has recorded a five-year increase in the number of first-time undergraduates of 6.6 percent. In 2013, there were 2,016 SFA students who were first-time undergraduates; in 2017, there are 2,150 first-time undergraduates.
 
“This upward trend is a reflection of the new initiatives we have implemented to create meaningful and sustained enrollment growth,” said Dr. Steve Bullard, SFA provost and vice president for academic affairs. “We are setting tuition and fees earlier so that we can offer financial aid packages sooner, and we’ve increased the amount of scholarship dollars that are available. We created new programs, including an online Bachelor of Business Administration and programs in Houston and The Woodlands. All of these will contribute to future growth in enrollment.”
 
SFA also awarded more degrees in 2017 than in 2016, when 2,703 degrees were distributed. During the 2017 academic year, the university awarded 2,767 degrees, a 2.4-percent increase over the prior year.
 
The number of students in each of SFA’s six colleges is:
· Rusche College of Business, 1,848, a 3.4-percent increase from 1,787 in fall 2016;
· James I. Perkins College of Education, 3,968, a 2.6-percent decrease from 4,076;
· College of Fine Arts, 920, a .1-percent increase from 919;
· Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, 800, a 4.2-percent increase from 768;
· College of Liberal and Applied Arts, 2,672, a decrease of 1.9 percent from 2,724; and
· College of Sciences and Mathematics, 2,406, down 2.5 percent from 2,468.
 
While SFA recorded increased graduate enrollment in half of its colleges for fall 2017, overall enrollment in SFA’s Graduate School was down 3.3 percent.
 
“As market and student demands change, we respond by developing new graduate programs and by offering existing degrees in new ways,” said Dr. Richard Berry, Graduate School dean. “Other such offerings are in the works now and will launch in the coming year. These changes in program delivery are a part of the university’s initiative to ‘meet our students where they are.’”
 
Among the graduate programs offered by the university are a Master of Social Work in a face-to-face format in The Woodlands and an online Master of Public Administration. This fall, the university also began offering a Master of Science in Nursing with a nurse practitioner focus online. In the coming year, SFA will implement a Master of Science in cybersecurity.
 
In the College of Sciences and Mathematics, graduate enrollment increased by 13.2 percent with a total of 137 graduate students enrolled. Additionally, graduate enrollment grew in the Rusche College of Business from 128 to 134, a 4.7-percent increase from fall 2016. Also, graduate enrollment in the College of Fine Arts grew from 78 to 82 students, a 5.1-percent increase. Decreases were reported in the College of Education, from 989 to 965; Forestry and Agriculture, from 107 to 91; and Liberal and Applied Arts, from 261 to 220.

September 26, 2017 - The following students received degrees from Stephen F. Austin State University during the August 2017 commencement exercises:

Center, TX 

  • Christopher Ryan Draper, Master of Education, Educational Leadership, James I. Perkins College of Education
  • William Jacob Hudspeth, Master of Science, Kinesiology, James I. Perkins College of Education
  • Johnathan Eli Liker, Bachelor of Business Administration, Management, Nelson Rusche College of Business
  • Ashley Ann Sellman, Bachelor of Science, Fashion Merchandising, James I. Perkins College of Education

Shelbyville, TX 

  • Elizabeth Nicole Grissom, Bachelor of Science, Health Science, James I. Perkins College of Education

Tenaha, TX 

  • Michael Patterson Hill, Doctor of Education, Educational Leadership, James I. Perkins College of Education

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