SFA University
August 24, 2017 - NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young” at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
The documentary, directed by Annika Iltis and Timothy James Kane, is about a race in Tennessee in which, during its first 25 years, only 10 people have finished. Based on the historic prison escape of James Earl Ray, this cult-like race tempts people from around the world to test their limits of physical and mental endurance, according to the synopsis at imdb.com.
The Barkley Marathons, created by ultra-runner Lazarus Lake, only accepts 35 runners each year through a secret application process. The race has an ever-changing and unmarked course. Participants battle through treacherous terrain to find hidden books as proof of following the route, according to imdb.com.
The film was named best feature documentary at the Kansas City FilmFest, earned an audience award at the Austin Film Festival, and earned numerous awards at the United Kingdom’s Sheffield Adventure Film Festival.
This screening is part of the School of Art’s monthly Friday Film Series and is sponsored in part by William Arscott, Nacogdoches Film Festival, Karon Gillespie, Mike Mollot, David Kulhavy, Brad Maule, John and Kristen Heath, Galleria Z, Jill Carrington, Jean Stephens, Jim and Mary Neal, Richard Orton, Nacogdoches Junior Forum and Main Street Nacogdoches.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.
Cutline: A free, one-night screening of “The Barkley Marathons: The Race That Eats Its Young” is at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 1, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.
August 23, 2017 Nacogdoches – When Cleo House Jr. first stepped foot onto the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University, it was to attend the High School Summer Theatre Workshop presented by the School of Theatre. Little did he know as a young aspiring actor in the early 1990s that he would return to SFA in the summer of 2017 as the director of the School of Theatre.
"It’s truly a full-circle type of … well it’s more than a moment,” House said. “It’s a life event … a full-circle life event that has brought me back to SFA and the School of Theatre. It was here that I discovered that I wasn’t alone in my passion for theatre.”
Athletics was an important part of House’s early family life. Growing up mostly in Hooks, Texas, his dad, now deceased, was a free agent for the Miami Dolphins. His brother graduated from SFA and played Lumberjack football on scholarship. His sister is a volleyball coach at Springhill ISD. His mother is a gospel minister.
But it was the theatre that captured House’s attention.
“In a way, SFA helped me solidify my life’s journey,” he added. “I was never one of those people who had doubts about their professional path, and there were plenty of folks who had questions about the choice for a life in the theatrical arts. But I knew theatre was it for me. I had always felt like a life in education was what I wanted, but it wasn’t until I found theatre that I realized what subject in education would be my specialty."
He earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Texas A&M Commerce and a Master of Fine Arts from Texas Tech University. He taught and eventually served as coordinator/chair of theatre and performing arts programs at Penn State University – Berks, Texas Southern University and Clark Atlanta University.
Professionally, he acted in a production of “Macbeth” that was co-directed by Aaron Posner and Teller (of Penn and Teller fame) and performed for two preeminent authors in their plays – August Wilson (“The Piano Lesson”) and Wole Soyinka (“Death and the King’s Horseman”). He has worked in a variety of theatre venues, such as The Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., The Lantern Theatre in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Two Rivers Theatre Company in Red Bank, New Jersey. Recent directing credits include “Miss Julie,” “Lend Me a Tenor,” “Dreamgirls” and “Medea.”
The diversity of the SFA theatre faculty and the school’s student body attracted House to apply for the director’s position, which was left vacant when former director Scott Shattuck became associate dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts.
House also feels a connection to SFA theatre students.
“I believe that how I grew up is very similar to the type of student that SFA attracts,” House said. Because of opportunities like UIL One Act Play and the summer theatre workshop, House believes many students come to SFA with a “burning desire” to establish the kind of work ethic necessary for a successful career in theatre.
“I also knew Allen Oster, and he was a fantastic teacher that influenced many like myself who attended the high school theatre workshop at SFA,” he said. “But even more than all of that, Scott Shattuck has done an excellent job leading the department and establishing the School of Theatre’s reputation as a school of choice for many in the South.”
House said he is looking forward to learning more about the culture of SFA, the College of Fine Arts and the School of Theatre.
“I look forward to continuing the relationships the School of Theatre has developed over the years with the community,” he said. “Ultimately, I’m excited about the opportunities this new era presents for the School of Theatre.
“The School of Theatre has a great opportunity to capitalize even more on the diversity that is represented among the students,” he added. “Another factor that makes working at SFA desirable is the fact that the School of Theatre is supported by the university in a real and tangible way.”
Although he plans to spend a good deal of time initially “listening and learning,” House said his ultimate goal for the school is to “shoot for the stars.”
“It’s my intention to make sure that everyone knows how awesome our students and faculty are,” he said. “I want to find more opportunities for our students and faculty to gain recognition for their talents beyond our walls – which in turn increases the profile of the School of Theatre. It’s very important to continue to lessen the divide between a professional career in theatre and being a student at SFA. I want to increase the number of students we have going into graduate programs; to increase interdisciplinary collaborations with other SFA departments and the community; to get off campus to see theatre; and to support all the things the School of Theatre is already doing so beautifully.”
House officially takes over Sept. 1 as director of the School of Theatre. Dr. Rick Jones, who has served as interim director for the past year, will return to full-time teaching this fall.
August 10, 2017 Nacogdoches — For several years, Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members in the James I. Perkins College of Education, Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, and the Rusche College of Business have collaborated with Oglala Lakota College, a tribal college of Pine Ridge Reservation in Kyle, South Dakota, to develop resource interpretation and hospitality and tourism concentrations within the Lakota Studies degree.
The National Parks Service, SFA and OLC worked to create this new curriculum to provide indigenous students with the necessary resources to tell their own stories and market their heritage to park visitors seeking an authentic experience.
Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of SFA’s College of Education, is the principal investigator for the project and is working with SFA’s School of Human Sciences’ Dr. Chay Runnels, associate professor, and Dr. Gina Fe Causin, assistant professor, as well as Dr. Shelby Laird, assistant professor, and Dr. Pat Stephens Williams, associate professor, in SFA’s College of Forestry and Agriculture, and Dr. Carol Wright, assistant professor, in the Rusche College of Business.
“The tribal college system provides opportunities for young tribal members that many would not have otherwise,” Abbott said. “We were honored to partner with OLC and the National Park Service on this project to help expand the curriculum options for OLC students. This project taught us about relevancy, diversity and inclusion in academia.”
Through the curriculum design and development process, SFA faculty members inventoried OLC courses, themes and emphasis areas. They also proposed strategies to strengthen indigenous interpretive curriculum and practice.
Laird has been working on the project since January 2015 and has dealt mainly with the interpretation aspect of the curriculum.
“Interpretation is generally the sharing of and communication about our cultural and natural resources through written and oral communication and multimedia presentations. One way to think about it is educational storytelling,” Laird said. “Every park ranger you’ve met likely does interpretation on a daily basis.”
After review, project stakeholders decided to expand the proposed curriculum to include tourism and hospitality studies. Runnels and Causin were then brought on board to write the tourism job outlook of South Dakota and to develop hospitality and tourism curriculum for OLC that would allow students to work in national parks, museums and hospitality establishments.
“We were trying to provide a way for students to connect to the bigger industry of travel and tourism and interpretation in a way that would help them rise out of their situation,” Runnels said.
In addition to joining the workforce, “OLC students will bring authenticity to the stories and storytelling about the Lakota people’s culture,” Causin said.
SFA faculty members traveled to South Dakota several times during the past few years to work on this project.
“It was personally a rewarding opportunity to be able to visit places like Wounded Knee and hear the indigenous story told there and to go into the Badlands with Lakota storytellers,” Runnels said. “It really shifted my perspective on tourism in that part of the country.”
The project team proposed three new interpretation courses and a new hospitality and tourism course for the degree plan in November 2016. OLC approved the courses in January 2017 for implementation into the fall 2017 semester.
“Our greatest hope is that this degree program will give direction to the Lakota people in telling and interpreting their own stories in the context of the broader world and not letting others be the ones interpreting their sacred traditions,” Laird said.
August 9, 2017 Nacogdoches — Wading into Lanana Creek, three Nacogdoches High School seniors enrolled in Stephen F. Austin State University’s STEM Academy collect water samples to test the creek’s water quality. It’s 7:30 a.m., and immediately the students take note of the environment, jotting down the temperature, humidity and pointing out the creek’s shallowness.
After recording their initial observations, Brandon Smith, Marin Beal and Miranda Allbee take the water’s temperature and measure the depth and flow rate at different locations along the creek.
“We are looking at the water quality in the creek both upstream and downstream of the bridge construction to see if it’s affecting the water,” Smith explained.
Since the first week in July, the three students have been collecting samples at Lanana Creek for their research project, which is a requirement of SFA’s STEM Academy for fourth-year students.
Through the STEM Academy, which is part of SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics, students from Nacogdoches and Lufkin High Schools are exposed to rigorous science, technology, engineering and mathematics curriculum and investigative laboratory and field experiences.
SFA STEM’s curriculum is delivered at the high school campuses and tailored to match science course curriculum. Students in the STEM Academy also participate in half-day visits to SFA laboratories and field sites every three weeks where they interact with and learn from SFA faculty members.
Dr. Dennis Gravatt, associate professor of biology at SFA, works with many STEM Academy students, including Smith, Beal and Allbee.
“The academy offers students an opportunity to experience science outside of their high school courses,” Gravatt said. “They are exposed to different facets of science that they wouldn’t be exposed to otherwise.”
The academy is organized by class level, and each level has a specific focus area. For example, freshmen are in STEM 1, which is focused on biology; sophomores are in STEM 2, which is centered on chemistry; and juniors are in STEM 3, which is mainly physics. During their fourth year, STEM Academy students engage in experimental design and conduct their own research.
Smith, Beal and Allbee are one of many student groups working on their research for their final year in the academy.
“The STEM Academy is great because you get to do stuff like this,” Beal said, referencing the group’s ability to conduct field research at the creek.
Allbee agrees the academy provides more hands-on experiences, and although the academy is challenging, it is worth it.
“Before Brandon, Marin and Miranda began their project, we had a brainstorming session where we discussed all their options. I acted as a mentor and facilitator to help the students think critically, work through their research questions and instigate thoughts,” Gravatt said. “For the students, this was a great experience as they were able to see what it’s like working with scientists, asking questions and having discussions.”
After fine-tuning the research proposal, the students decided to study how the construction of the bridge on Starr Avenue would impact Lanana Creek’s water quality in regard to biological health. Gravatt explained the students collect samples in deep and shallow areas of the creek because different organisms live in each area, and each depth has different oxygen levels and temperatures.
Overall, the students will collect samples for six weeks, three times a week. They check the pH and oxygen levels, turbidity (how cloudy the water is), conductivity, and water temperature at the surface and bottom of the creek. Additionally, students look for macroinvertebrates, which are small organisms without backbones that are visible without a microscope such as dragonflies and damselflies.
Students will begin to analyze the data and discuss the implications of their findings during the fall. Other STEM Academy students are in various stages of their own research projects.
August 8, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host Permaculture Design 101 with Theron Beaudreau from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 26 at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building, located at 2900 Raguet St.
Through this introduction to the sustainable gardening techniques of permaculture, participants will learn about holistic design strategies for East Texas that regenerate the land and surrounding ecosystems.
“Permaculture design focuses on the relationships between elements in the garden and how gardeners can arrange these elements for the most efficient and low-maintenance gardens,” Beaudreau said.
Beaudreau’s design methods help produce an abundant harvest with minimal weeding and watering, which can be beneficial for gardeners.
Beaudreau studied with Geoff Lawton at the Permaculture Research Institute of Australia, and he has been involved in permaculture design and education for more than a decade. He also is the owner of Integrated Acres, a consultation and design firm that has helped farmers and ranchers across Texas hone their stewardship approach to the land.
The seminar costs $15 for SFA Gardens members and $20 for non-members. To register, contact SFA Gardens’ education office at (936) 468-1832 or sfagardens@sfasu.edu.
August 4, 2017 Nacogdoches — With iPads raised to the sky, dozens of Lil’ STEM Jacks and their family members map the constellations using the Skyview app as night falls over the Stephen F. Austin State University Observatory.
As lines connect stars into shapes, animals, gods and goddesses on the iPad, viewers have a clearer picture of constellations millions of miles away. Suddenly, what looks like a shooting star whizzes by, and the crowd buzzes with excitement.
“It’s the International Space Station,” many shout as they lift their iPads to the stars to confirm.
Recently, participants in SFA’s Lil’ STEM Jacks, a two-day outreach program offered within the College of Sciences and Mathematics’ STEM Research and Learning Center, had an out-of-this-world experience as they traveled to the SFA Observatory for a constellation party.
“We were so excited to have our Lil’ STEM Jacks at the observatory. The students were able to see so much more by using technology. The iPads gave them the ability to explore and see what they wanted to see,” said Julie Sandifer, kindergarten through 12th grade outreach coordinator for SFA’s STEM Research and Learning Center.
Utilizing high-powered telescopes, attendees were able to view craters on the moon, see the patterns on Jupiter’s surface and its four moons, and clearly see Saturn and its rings.
“It’s easy to talk about the planets and show students photographs, but to actually have them see Saturn, Jupiter and the moon up close through a telescope is a whole new, amazing experience,” Sandifer said.
The constellation party was one of many events the Lil’ STEM Jacks enjoyed. During the two-day program, participants investigated the biology of plants and made take-home planters, learned about the planets, played planet bingo, explored the nursing and the medical professions, took part in demonstrations using medical mannequins, and participated in a wildlife show. Another highlight was the EV3 Lego Mindstorms, where students programmed robots to move, make sounds and complete tasks.
“Our goal with the Lil’ STEM Jacks program is to encourage children to get excited about science, math, engineering and technology,” Sandifer said. “This year’s program exceeded our expectations. Not only did the kids enjoy the activities, but many family members had fun, especially at the constellation party.”
Last year, SFA created the Lil’ STEM Jacks program to provide opportunities for children ages 6 through 10 to learn and play using science, technology, engineering and mathematics. More than 30 children participated this year.
August 2, 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, August 10, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. Dr. Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, will present “The Greater Atlanta Pollinator Partnership: A Model of Urban Pollinator Conservation.”
Cruse-Sanders was made director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia at the beginning of the year. Prior to February, she served as vice-president for science and conservation at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where she launched the Center for Southeastern Conservation and helped to host the inaugural Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation meeting.
Cruse-Sanders was the recipient of the 2016 Marsh Award for International Plant Conservation from Botanic Garden Conservation International, 2016 Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award from the Natural Areas Association, and the 2015 USDA Forest Service Wings Across the Americas International Award for Urban Communities in Conservation. She also has published numerous conservation articles with collaborators and students at botanical gardens and universities.
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
August 1, 2017 - NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. John T. Moore, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry, will offer the commencement address during the university’s summer graduation ceremony Saturday, Aug. 12.
Moore served SFA for 46 years in various roles, including lab coordinator, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, and interim chair for both the chemistry and biology departments. During his tenure, he also helped establish the Teaching Excellence Center and served as its director for eight years.
Dr. Michael Janusa, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at SFA, said Moore has been a major influence within the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
“Through the years, Dr. Moore has contributed to the important mission of teacher preparation, and he has affected the overall quality of teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade and the quality of education for young minds,” Janusa said.
As a passionate educator, Moore academically challenged his students to foster critical-thinking skills.
“I tried to ensure that each of my students had the opportunity to develop the critical-thinking skills that allowed them to be successful in the area of chemistry,” Moore said. “I maintained high academic standards and tried to facilitate my students' learning.”
While SFA students may recognize him for wearing a tie-dye lab coat, Moore also is prominently known outside the university for authoring several books, including “Chemistry for Dummies” and “Chemistry II for Dummies,” and serving as co-author of “Biochemistry for Dummies” and “Organic Chemistry II for Dummies.”
He was named the 2008-09 Regents Professor, which is the highest honor SFA may bestow upon a faculty member. Additionally, he was awarded the SFASU Foundation Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching in 2006 and the Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Sciences and Mathematics in 2002.
“Dr. Moore’s dedication to teaching and SFA is evident by the numerous teaching accomplishments he has achieved during his career at SFA, which is particularly distinguished by his work in science education,” Janusa said. “His knowledge has been shared across the world, and his achievements have brought honor to SFA, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.”
Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Asheville-Biltmore College (now the University of North Carolina — Asheville), a master’s degree in chemistry from Furman University and a doctoral degree from Texas A&M University.
SFA’s summer commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Johnson Coliseum. Approximately 540 degrees are expected to be awarded, including 386 bachelor’s, 148 master’s and 10 doctoral degrees. More than 50 students are expected to graduate with honors, including 17 cum laude, 16 magna cum laude, 17 summa cum laude and eight university scholars.
July 26, 2017 Nacogdoches, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University Regents approved plans for the university’s future during the board’s quarterly meeting this week. Those plans include expansion to campuses at Houston Community College’s central campus and Collin College’s Collin Higher Education Center in McKinney, as well as additional programs to be added to SFA offerings at Lone Star College.
“Our Strategic Plan, SFA Envisioned, states that we will expand our reach,” said Dr. Steve Bullard, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “In keeping with that vision, the James I. Perkins College of Education will offer a Bachelor of Science degree in interior design at Houston Community College, and the Rusche College of Business will offer a program through Collin College.”
The university will seek approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to offer those programs, as well as the Bachelor of Business Administration in sports management at Lone Star College’s University Center – Montgomery campus, Bullard said.
The board approved an institutional operating budget totaling $254.7 million for 2017-18. The budget reflects a reduction in operating general revenue resulting from a $2.7 million decrease in funding provided by the Texas Legislature.
“The $2.7 million general revenue reduction included cuts for funding special items that support educational centers on our campus,” said Dr. Danny Gallant, vice president for finance and administration. “Funding was reduced for the Stone Fort Museum and the Center for East Texas Studies; the College of Forestry and Agriculture’s Center for Applied Studies, Soil Testing and Water Analysis Lab, and Applied Poultry Studies; and the Rural Nursing Initiative in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.”
In creating the new budget, Gallant said reductions were spread out to departments across campus, both academic and support services, and that 26 employee positions were eliminated.
“We worked together to share in budget reductions as a team to bring back a budget that is a strategic investment,” he said. “Significant reallocations were made to fund the university’s initiatives to meet our future goals.”
The Board of Regents authorized the university to solicit bid proposals for a campaign consultant to provide professional counsel and guidance in launching and managing a comprehensive fundraising campaign.
Dini Spheris conducted a campaign feasibility study, which Regents approved in November 2016, and the findings support the launch of a comprehensive campaign to meet the university’s future financial needs. Michelle Buchanan, certified fundraising executive at Dini Spheris, presented findings from the research and said as the university approaches a major milestone with its 100-year anniversary, it is “in a good place, has good resources, and it’s a good time to start a campaign.”
Regents also approved a $9.2 million capital plan for 2017-18. The plan includes academic, student life, building, and life safety initiatives, addressing capital renewal, planned maintenance and renovation projects.
In addition to new furniture, roof replacement and a new $1.4 million heating, ventilation and air conditioning system for Hall 20.
Renovations to the Baker Pattillo Student Center will continue, as regents approved the second phase of the project. In this phase of the renovation, updated video projection equipment will be installed in the Grand Ballroom, along with upgraded sound systems and new furniture. The cost will not exceed $2.4 million. The budget for Phase I of the project was increased to $1.4 million to allow for changes to the plans identified by architects that will create more efficient banquet and meeting room spaces.
Goodwin-Lasiter-Strong developed construction drawings for renovation of the third and fourth floors of the Rusche College of Business, located in the McGee Business Building. A request for construction bids and project budget approval will be presented to the board at a later date. The first and second floors of the McGee Business Building were renovated in 2015.
The purchase of property at 1401 N. Mound St., which is adjacent to property owned by the university, was approved by the board.
Regents approved a name change for a department within the College of Business that has recently developed new academic majors in human resource management and sports business. To reflect this emphasis, the name of the unit is being changed from the Department of Management, Marketing and International Business to the Department of Management and Marketing.
A contract that will provide an assessment of the university’s Information Technology Services, including staffing, architecture and security, was approved by the Board of Regents. Gartner, a research and advisory company headquartered in Stamford, Connecticut, will conduct the assessment at a cost of $120,000.
Regents approved the annual audit plan and heard a report from Chief Audit Executive Gina Oglesbee that included information regarding a variety of audits, including audits of the accounting, mass communication and theatre departments. Oglesbee also presented updates on a financial aid audit, as well as information regarding the state auditor’s office audit and the Joint Admission Medical Program grant selection.
The board received reports on enrollment planning, current construction, and the university’s marketing campaign and website. Dr. Brian Murphy, dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and Dr. Buddy Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts, also delivered reports during the meeting.
Regents heard reports from SFA President Baker Pattillo, Faculty Senate Chair Le’Ann Solmonson and Student Government Association President Jessie Jenkins.
In addition to core curriculum revisions, regents approved:
- ratification of grant awards received as a result of faculty member research and service engagement, including federal, state and private awards, totaling $812,848;
- the athletic policies and procedures manual, and policy revisions for academic affairs, financial and student affairs, and building and grounds, best-value procurement, ethics, fixed-rate tuition plans and year-end purchasing;
- selection of firms for inclusion on the university’s pre-approved lists of outside legal counsel to be utilized when needed in the fields of wills, trusts and estates; employment; financial law; health law; higher education; intellectual property; immigration; public finance and bond issuance; real estate; sports law; tax law; oil and gas, mineral interests, and/or utilities; and Federal Communications Commission-related matters;
- an amendment to a prior authorization of services provided by Acquia for website hosting and Technical Account Manager team support;
- granting of an easement to Deep East Texas Electric Co-op to serve a water well at the SFA Beef Farm; and
- ratification of the fixed-pricing contract with the Texas General Land Office to supply natural gas for SFA and locking-in additional natural gas fixed-pricing contracts when market conditions are favorable.
July 26, 2017 Nacogdoches, Texas — Dr. Hans Michael Williams was named dean of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture during the Board of Regents quarterly meeting Tuesday.
Williams joined the SFA faculty in 1993 and has served in various roles, including interim dean and associate dean of the college as well as associate professor and professor of forestry.
“I am honored and grateful for the opportunity entrusted to me by the Board of Regents, university administration, and college faculty and staff members and students,” Williams said. “I look forward to working with our dedicated faculty and staff members as we create innovative ways to enhance the professional development of our students and serve as an important source of information for the citizens of Texas on the management of our agricultural and natural resources.”
Williams served as Regents Professor, the highest honor SFA bestows upon faculty members, from 2010-11. His achievements and awards include the Kenneth Watterson Teaching Excellence Award and Kenneth Nelson Distinguished Professorship.
Williams received his Bachelor of Science in forestry from Purdue University, Master of Science in forestry from Clemson University and doctoral degree from Auburn University. He will assume the role of dean Sept. 1.
Within the College of Forestry and Agriculture, regents also approved Dr. Matthew McBroom as associate dean of the college. McBroom began his career at SFA as a graduate research associate in 1995. In 2016, he was promoted to professor of forest hydrology.
Longtime SFA professor of agriculture Dr. Dale Perritt was named professor emeritus of agriculture by the Board of Regents following 36 years of service to the university. Perritt is retiring from the university on Aug. 31.
Perritt has taught agricultural development and courses in agricultural systems management at SFA. He has served as chair of the Department of Agriculture and coordinator of the agriculture science teacher program at SFA for teaching certification in Texas public schools.
Perritt was awarded the SFA Alumni Foundation's 2009 Distinguished Professor Award, the 2010 Agriculture Educator of the Year award and the Texas AgriLIfe Extension Service “Man of the Year” in 2014.
In the James I. Perkins College of Education, Dr. Stacy Hendricks was approved as assistant professor of secondary education and associate dean, and Dr. Christina Sinclair, associate professor of kinesiology and health science, was named associate dean for assessment and accountability.
Hendricks joined SFA’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership in 2011 after serving 18 years in public education as a teacher and administrator and working as project director of the Consortium for Excellence in Rural Teacher Preparation for English Language Learners in 2010. She received her bachelor’s degree from Southern Arkansas University, master’s degree from Southeastern Oklahoma State University and doctoral degree from Texas A&M University.
Sinclair joined SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science after moving from the University of Northern Colorado where she worked for 12 years. Sinclair graduated with a bachelor's degree in kinesiology from the University of Texas at San Antonio, with a master's degree in education from Sul Ross State University and with a doctorate in physical education from the University of New Mexico.
Dr. Troy Davis, professor of history to professor, was named interim chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, and Kelly Noe, associate professor of accounting was named interim director of the Schlief School of Accountancy in the Nelson Rusche College of Business.
Faculty appointments approved by regents included Amanda Breitbach, assistant professor of art, and Dr. Cleo House, associate professor of theatre and director of the School of Theatre in the College of Fine Arts. House also was granted tenure by the board.
Drs. Aaron Moulton and Samuel Sutherland were appointed assistant professors of history in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and Pushkar Ogale was appointed assistant professor of computer science in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.
Staff appointments approved within the Department of Athletics include Alejandro Rodriguez, athletic trainer, and Morgan Spearman, assistant softball coach.
In Residence Life, regents approved staff appointments for Erin Pratico, hall director, and Elizabeth Roshell, coordinator of Residence Life programs.
Additional staff appointments include Benito Telesca, assistant director of Campus Recreation; Will Honea, coordinator of records management and publications in Steen Library; and Jennifer Hopson, nurse practitioner in Student Affairs Support Services. Former substitute teachers Holly Franz and Amanda Scanlan were approved as teachers for the SFA Charter School.
Approved changes of status within the Department of Athletics include Desmond Haymon, from adjunct faculty member in the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science to assistant men’s basketball coach; Casey Watkins, from graduate assistant to coordinator of athletic operations; and Alexander Vanvalkenburgh, from athletic trainer to head athletic trainer.
Regents also approved the following changes of status: Wesley Berg, from visiting assistant professor of art to assistant professor of art; Stacy Little, from programmer/analyst I to programmer/analyst II, Information Technology Services; and Karrie Roberson, from web design specialist to database administrator, Steen Library.
Ginger Kelso, associate professor of human services, was granted faculty development leave for one academic year to pursue additional training and experience in special education within public schools.
The board approved the retirements of the following faculty and staff members with 184 years of combined service to the university: Tim Clipson and Keaton Grubbs, professors of business communication and legal studies; Richard Langley and John Moore, professors of chemistry; Michael Pickard, professor of computer science; Alan Sowards, professor of elementary education; and Nagalpura Viswanath, visiting professor of human services.
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