SFA University

November 17, 2016 - The Stephen F. Austin State University SFA Gardens will host a garden seminar, “Deck the Halls: Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays,” from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec. 3, at the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.
 
Evergreen branches and garlands once served as symbols of enduring life and a fruitful year to come. Join Dawn Stover, research associate at SFA Gardens, to learn how to create elegant wreaths and garlands using materials from the garden. 
 
Participants will learn principles of wreath, garland and centerpiece construction and make a wreath to enjoy and take home for the holidays. 
 
In addition to the traditional wreaths and garlands, Stover will introduce new crafts using natural items from the garden and forest. All materials will be provided.
 
Class size is limited, so register in advance by calling (936) 468-1832 or emailing sfagardens@sfasu.edu. The cost is $25 for SFA Garden members and $30 for non-members.

November 16, 2016 - Stephen F. Austin State University received the No. 1 ranking from topcounselingschools.org for having the top-value counseling master’s degree in Texas.
 
Topcounselingschools.org is an organization committed to helping students find the best higher-education counseling programs. The rankings were created using the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs online directory to find accredited counseling programs in Texas.
 
The top 10-ranked schools were based on program completion rate, job placement rate, licensing exam pass rate, accreditation length, research productivity, and tuition and fees.
 
Dr. Le’Ann Solmonson, director of SFA’s professional counseling program and professor, said she is thrilled to see this level of recognition for SFA’s program.

“We recognize and take seriously the responsibility of training professional counselors. We have high expectations for our students, and they rise to the challenge,” Solmonson said. “We believe we do an excellent job training counselors. This ranking provides validation to the strength of our program.”
 
SFA’s 60-hour master’s in professional counseling program includes three degree concentrations: school counseling, clinical mental health counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling. The program is a combination of online and face-to-face courses.
 
Solmonson boasted the program’s unique philosophy and approach. Students in the three programs take a common set of classes comprising 48 hours and then take 12 hours in their specialization. This arrangement provides students with exposure to all three areas. Regardless of their specialization, students have strong clinical training, Solmonson said.
 
All three programs lead to the Licensed Professional Counselor credential. The school counseling and clinical rehabilitation counseling students also are certified in their specialization, Certified School Counselor and Certified Rehabilitation Counselor.
 
“The ability to obtain dual credentials is another unique aspect of our program,” Solmonson said. “We have students who have received their degree at other universities and come to us for the additional coursework to get the second credential.”
 
The program’s size is another feature that sets it apart from competing universities.
 
“With an enrollment between 65-80 students, we know our students and develop relationships with them. We love watching them grow as people and as professionals,” Solmonson said. “We receive very positive feedback from employer and internship site supervisors and consistently hear that our students stand out.”

November 15, 2016 – The Wind Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will present an “Autumn Concert” at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 21, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

“This concert is the culmination of our fall rehearsals,” said Fred J. Allen, director of bands at SFA. “It features various styles of music.”

Among the featured works will be “Kingfishers Catch Fire” by American composer John Mackey.

“The piece captures the beauty of the colorful kingfisher bird,” said Allen. “It is in two movements: a slow brooding opening, followed by an exciting fast movement that pictures the birds taking flight.”

Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands at SFA, will serve as guest conductor on Percy Grainger’s “Children’s March.”

A piece for brass by Baroque Italian composer Giovanni Gabrieli will open the concert, followed by “Serenade” by Richard Straus, which is primarily for woodwinds, Allen said.

Also on the program will be pieces by John Philip Sousa and Johann Sebastian Bach.

The concert is a presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

November 11, 2016 - The Sampson Brothers, a Native American dance duo, will perform native dances for the Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches communities twice Wednesday, Nov. 16, first at noon in the plaza outside of the Baker Pattillo Student Center and again at 7 p.m. in the student center Grand Ballroom.

The event was created and will be hosted by the SFA Office of Multicultural Affairs to celebrate and acknowledge Native American tribes, their heritage and their history.
 
“The idea for the event came from the need to represent all racial and ethnic groups, as well as host an event that acknowledges and applauds the roots, culture, existence and contributions of the Native American people,” said Dr. Griselda Flores, OMA assistant director.
 
According to their website, the Sampson Brothers strive to promote cultural pride, unity and hope through setting a positive example through art, education and dance. They hope to give back to their tribe and the indigenous community as a whole by breaking stereotypes and creating opportunities for generations to come.
 
“Attendees should expect to be educated and entertained about aspects of the Native American culture, as well as participate in live dancing,” Flores said. “The purpose of the event is to remind others that Native Americans are still here. And because Nacogdoches is a city whose citizens share pride in the city’s history, this is a nice opportunity for the community and campus to embrace the native history of not only Nacogdoches but America.”
 
The Sampson Brothers’ performances are free to attend.
 
For more information, visit the OMA website at www.sfasu.edu/multicultural.

November 11, 2016 - The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform a concert of jazz masterpieces at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Swingin’ Aces, directed by Dr. J.D. Salas, associate professor of tuba and euphonium, will open the concert with several hits from The Count Basie Orchestra, including “Moten Swing” and “Switch in Time.” Other highlights will be performances of jazz classics “On the Sunny Side of the Street,” made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, and Billie Holiday’s hit “God Bless the Child.”

The Swingin’ Axes, directed by Dr. Deb Scott, professor of trombone and jazz studies at SFA, will present a program of “jazz giants,” she said.

 “Our program is about historically important jazz composers who were also leaders and performers in their own big bands. We will start in 1945 and progress through 65 years of big band sounds,” Scott said. “All of these pieces were recorded by their own big bands, too.”

The program will include Tommy Dorsey’s “Chloe,” “All My Yesterdays” from the Thad Jones-Mel Lewis Orchestra, and “Berlin Bei Nacht” by Oliver Nelson and his “Berlin Dreamband.”

“There are also two important modern composer-band leaders included: Gordon Goodwin’s ‘Hunting Wabbits’ by his Big Phat Band, and ‘Aurora’ by Patrick Williams and His Big Band,” Scott said.

This concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music.

Tickets are $8 for adults, $6 for seniors and $3 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

The Swingin’ Axes and Swingin’ Aces jazz bands at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 18, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

November 9, 2016 - A reception for the opening of the “All Things Nacogdoches” photo exhibition is planned for 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, November 17, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

Sponsored by the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau, the exhibition will feature the winning entries from a photo contest designed to highlight a variety of themes that showcase Nacogdoches, according to the entry application.

The exhibition will include the best submitted photos taken of Nacogdoches nature, culture and food, best photos taken with a mobile phone or tablet, best photos captured by someone 21 and younger, best photos of action or adventure moments, and photos that show “what Nacogdoches represents to you.” The CVB accepted entries Sept. 7 through Nov. 7.

Winners in the juried competition will be announced at the reception, and cash prizes will be awarded. The exhibition will show through Jan. 14 in the Reception Gallery. Admission is free.

“The photo contest is a great opportunity for the CVB to partner with the Cole Art Center, to feature local talent and to build upon the CVB’s library of images that will be used to showcase our destination as a film friendly city, and for other promotional purposes such as the CVB’s website and social media, just to name a few,” said Sherri Skeeters, marketing director for the Nacogdoches CVB.

The Cole Art Center is Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art’s historic gallery at 329 E. Main St.

For more information, visit www.VisitNacogdoches.com or contact the CVB at (936) 564-7351. Contact Cole Art Center at (936) 468-1131.

November 7, 2016 NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Appointments approved during Monday’s meeting of the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents included a new associate provost and a new director of human resources for the university.

Dr. Janet Tareilo was appointed associate provost and vice president for academic affairs, and Loretta Doty was named director of Human Resources.

Dr. Janet TareiloTareilo’s position was created in conjunction with implementation of the university’s strategic plan, and she will oversee the leadership of a Student Success Center, operating in SFA’s Steen Library since Sept. 1, according to Dr. Steve Bullard, provost.

“Dr. Tareilo is responsible for the center, as well as the Center for Teaching and Learning, and the library,” Bullard said. “The Student Success Center is designed to enhance student retention, graduation, and time-to-completion rates by assisting students as they make the transition to college and providing resources throughout their undergraduate study.”

Tareilo, who joined the SFA faculty in 2004, previously served as associate dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education. In 2010, she received the Teaching Excellence Award for her work in the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership. Her research regarding online teaching, educational leadership and the use of technology in educational environments has been published in books and in state and national journals.

Prior to joining SFA, Tareilo served as principal for the school districts in Lufkin and Hudson and as director for the gifted and talented program and a teacher for Lufkin ISD. She received her Bachelor of Science with honors and her master’s degree from SFA, and she also holds a doctoral degree in educational leadership.

Loretta DotyLoretta Doty, former director of human resources for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission and consultant for the city of Austin, was named director of SFA human resources. The Jacksonville native holds a bachelor’s in management from the University of Texas at Tyler and has served as chair of the Texas State Human Resources Association. She replaces Glenda Herrington, who recently retired from the university.

Stacy Hendricks’ appointment as associate professor of secondary education and interim associate dean of the education college was approved by regents. Other appointment approved included Troy Davis, history professor, serving as interim chair of the Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, and Elizabeth Vaughn, professor and chair of the Department of Elementary Education, as interim chair of the Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership.

Other changes of status within the education college are Carrie Baker, from academic adviser to educator preparation academic program manager; Frankie Clark, from adjunct faculty member to clinical instructor of human services; Megan Kelley, from secretary to academic adviser; and Jennifer Kennon, from instructor to assistant professor of human services.

Approved faculty appointments within the education college include Flora Farago, instructor of human sciences; Erin Keeling and Amanda Pruit, clinical instructors of human services; and Justin Pelham, clinical instructor of human sciences.

In the College of Fine Arts, Richard Jones, a professor in the School of Theatre, was approved as interim director of the school. Regents approved the following faculty appointments: James Adams, assistant professor of music; Wesley Berg, visiting assistant professor of art; Stephen Campbell, Richard Leonberger and Lee Goodhew, visiting assistant professors of music; and Stephanie Murphy, visiting assistant professor of theatre.

Appointments approved in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture include Hans Williams, from associate dean to interim dean; Matthew McBroom, associate professor of forestry, as interim associate dean of the college; Joey Bray, associate professor of agriculture and director of the Poultry Research Center, as interim chair of the Department of Agriculture; Brandy Bishop, former academic adviser in education, as academic adviser; and Stephanie Pulley, assistant professor of agriculture.

Appointments approved within the College of Liberal and Applied Arts include Kristopher Teters and Savannah Williamson, visiting lecturers of history. Jessica Boone was approved as an academic adviser for the college, and Deborah Siblia, a visiting instructor of government, has been appointed assistant professor. In the Department of English and Creative Writing, Sara Henning is a visiting assistant professor, and Amber Wagnon, an adjunct faculty member, was approved as lecturer.

Kelly Noe, an associate professor of accounting, was approved as interim director of the Schlief School of Accountancy in the Rusche College of Business. Theunis Oliphant is a lecturer of management, marketing and international business, and Megan Sellers is an academic adviser.

In the College of Sciences and Mathematics, Liane Stevens was appointed assistant professor of geology. Status changes were approved for Melinda Faulkner, from lecturer to assistant professor of geology; and Wesley Turner, from adjunct faculty member to lecturer and lab coordinator of geology.

The board also approved staff appointments within the Department of Athletics: Mikkel Bjerch-Andresen, women’s golf assistant coach; Keri Burns, assistant director of athletic media relations; Jeremy Cox, men’s basketball assistant head coach; Mackenzie Cutter, athletic academic services assistant; Nicole Dickson, head softball coach; Audrey Farfan, assistant softball coach; Jessica Grayson, women’s basketball assistant coach; Keith Stein, assistant softball coach; and Daniel Wenger, athletic strength and conditioning assistant.

In Residence Life, regents approved James Allen Jr., BreAnna Hall and D’Andrea Jones as hall directors and Ashleigh Kellis-Carr as coordinator of Residence Life programs.

Additional staff appointments include Paul Henley, assistant director of institutional assessment, Academic Affairs; Lauryn Kitchen, teacher, SFA Charter School; Megan Henderson and Rebecca Gatwood, teachers, Early Childhood Laboratory; Jennifer Leuschner, registered nurse, and Mary Manis, director, Health Services; Alanna Millis, coordinator, Office of International Programs; Jamal Smith, director, Orientation programs in Student Affairs; and Linda Hernandez, Student Affairs Support Services counselor.

The following changes of status are among those approved by the board:

  • Shea Roll, from hall director to area coordinator, Residence Life;
  • James Maple, from head coach of spirit programs to coordinator of spirit programs, Student Affairs Programs.
  • Jennifer Hanlon, from assistant director to interim director of research and sponsored programs, Office of Research and Sponsored Programs;
  • John Calahan, from coordinator of academic space scheduling and utilization to coordinator of academic space scheduling and utilization and interim director of institutional assessment, Academic Affairs;
  • Mary Smith, from assistant director to interim director of instructional technology, Center for Teaching and Learning;
  • Shannon Jacobs, from interpreter to senior interpreter and coordinator of deaf and hard-of-hearing services, Disability Services;
  • Alison Reed, from administrative assistant in the Office of International Programs to teacher in the Early Childhood Lab;
  • Henry Wiederhold, from technical support specialist I to systems programmer I, Information Technology Services; and
  • Jasmine Anderson-Hayes, from library associate to assistant supervisor of library access services, Steen Library.

The board approved the retirements of the following faculty and staff members with more than 130 years of combined service to the university: Billie Baggett, benefits manager; Glenda Herrington, director of human resources; Hossein Hosseinpour, lecturer of mathematics and statistics; Stephen McGee, systems programmer II; Robert Strader, professor of computer science; and Belinda Vanglahn, academic adviser. 

November 7, 2016 NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Visitors to the Steen Library at Stephen F. Austin State University soon will have access to the papers of legendary leaders of the Republic of Texas, thanks to a decision made in Monday’s quarterly meeting of the SFA Board of Regents.

The board approved the purchase of a collection of Texas historical documents from members of the Rusk family, including materials from legendary leader Thomas J. Rusk and his brother, David. The collection contains more than 1,000 Republic of Texas historical materials that have been in the Rusk family since the 1830s, and include legal and personal documents signed by other notable leaders such as Sam Houston, Mirabeau Lamar and James Starr.

Thomas J. Rusk was a political and military leader of the Republic of Texas, serving as its first secretary of war and as a general at the Battle of San Jacinto. He was later a U.S. politician and served as a senator from Texas. His brother, David Rusk, served as a sheriff and tax collector of Nacogdoches county during the Republic period. The materials help tell the story of Nacogdoches as well as the Republic of Texas, according to Kyle Ainsworth, special collections librarian at SFA’s East Texas Research Center.

“The highlights of the collection are the more than 50 letters received by David Rusk from his older brother, appointments to serve as Nacogdoches County sheriff signed by Sam Houston and Mirabeau Lamar, and several rare maps,” Ainsworth said.

Ainsworth is currently organizing the collection, which is expected to be open to the public in February 2017.

Additionally, regents approved changing the name of the Department of Physics and Astronomy to the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy. Since the four-year engineering program launched in 2014, the department has seen tremendous growth, according to Dr. Kim Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

During the meeting, Childs provided a report on SFA’s STEM program and the national STEM initiative. In 2015, the 84th Texas Legislature granted SFA approximately $46.4 million in tuition revenue bond funding to construct the new science, technology, engineering and mathematics building. Regents participated in a groundbreaking ceremony for SFA’s new Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building Monday afternoon following the regents meeting.

In other business, regents heard presentations from three fundraising consulting firms and selected Dini Spheris, a Houston-based firm with more than 47 years of experience, to partner with the university to conduct a professional feasibility study to assess the viability of a comprehensive capital campaign for the university.

Regents heard reports from the Faculty Senate, Student Government Association, President Baker Pattillo and Dr. Scott Coleman, chair of the board. The board also received an update on the university’s marketing campaign and new SFA website.

During the Monday meeting, the board received a report from the SFA auditor and approved the annual audit report. Regents also approved:

-       building and grounds policy, financial affairs policy, and academic and student affairs policy revisions;
-       the final version of the 2018-19 Legislative Appropriations Request, which includes non-formula funding requests of $38,915,895 and $2,493,854 in exceptional item requests;
-       the ratification of $77,354 additional grant awards allocable to the 2016 fiscal year and $5,512,863 grant awards for fiscal year 2017;
-       the deletion of more than $1,500 in course and lab fees for fiscal year 2016-17;
-       minutes of the July and September meetings; and
-       intercollegiate athletic policies and procedures manual revisions.

Dr. Richard Jones, professor of theatre at SFA, assists Mae Johnston, guest actor playing the role of Josie, with blocking for School of Theatre’s production of “By the Bog of Cats” by Irish playwright Marina Carr while theatre student Kara Bruntz, in the lead role of Hester Swaine, looks on. The show is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 15 through 19, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.November 4, 2016 - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre’s presentation of Irish playwright Marina Carr’s “By the Bog of Cats” in the fall of 2016 is not coincidental, and it was not selected by its director on a whim.

Rather, 2016 happens to be the centennial year of the Easter Rising in Ireland, a short-lived but extremely significant revolt against British rule, which led eventually to the establishment of the Irish Free State.

Dr. Rick Jones, professor of theatre and interim director of the School of Theatre, directs the play. Jones specializes in Irish theatre in his scholarly work; much of his research for the past 20 years has focused on Irish versions on inherited material, including Greek mythology. He’s taken SFA theatre students to Ireland six times to study Irish theatre, taught courses on Irish theatre and authored numerous publications on the subject. Still, he’s never had the opportunity to direct an Irish play in his 16 years at SFA, and the centennial of the Easter Rising seemed an appropriate time to break that drought.

Described by Jones as “hilarious in places, darkly disturbing in others,” “By the Bog of Cats” is Carr’s best-known play. Loosely based on the Medea legend, this haunting drama is “part tenderness, part quirkiness, and part ferocity,” Jones said. “It is my favorite play by my favorite contemporary Irish playwright.”

This play has been on Jones’s “someday” list for a long time, but he wasn’t confident he could cast the youngest character – the role of 7-year-old Josie – using college-age students. But when he learned that Junior Jacks veteran actor Mae Johnston, 11, might be interested in performing in the Mainstage production, successful casting of “By the Bog of Cats” became a possibility. Junior Jacks is the summer theatre camp at SFA for students in third through ninth grades.

“Mae is a remarkably intelligent girl – a quick study,” Jones said, adding that she came with recommendations from associate professor CC Conn, the driving force behind Junior Jacks, and from the SFA theatre students who worked with her in the camp. “In order to put the show in this season, I needed to know I could fill that role. So, she’s been in the role since May.”

All these aspects came together this year to allow “By the Bog of Cats” to be included in the 2016-17 Mainstage Series.

Dialect will be one of the greatest tasks all the actors will face in this play, Jones said. The skills of new theatre faculty member and visiting assistant professor Stephanie Murphy will be utilized to help students conquer dialect challenges.

“We will be using three different variations of Irish dialect, loosely described as northern, western and an upper-class Dublin accent,” he said.

In addition to the dialect, another challenge will be the portrayal of the complex characters that are “more human” in the sense that they have both positive attributes and flaws. Foremost among these characters is the play’s protagonist, Hester Swaine.

As the play opens at dawn, Hester receives prophecies that she will be dead by dusk. It is the wedding day of the man who was once her common-law husband and is the father of her child, and he is being wed to someone younger, prettier and richer, Jones explained.

“Basically, it is a day-in-the-life, but it is a significant day,” Jones said. “Hester is extraordinarily strong-willed, but she’s pushed to the edge and reacts with vengeance. Whereas we like certain people more than others, Hester is vengeful, given to violence, sometimes dishonest, and she’s got to be our heroine. She has to be sufficiently charismatic, and it is important that we understand why she behaves the way she does. We don’t have to approve of her actions, but we have to have some sort of admiration for her.”

Whereas a good share of the play is funny, it is a play that is “ultimately about sadness and anger,” Jones said. “Fitting those ideas into the same play is my challenge.”

“By the Bog of Cats” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 15 through 19, in W.M. Turner Auditorium in the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus. The play is recommended for mature audiences. A content advisory may be viewed at www.theatre.sfasu.edu.

A reception and post-performance interdisciplinary discussion in the Griffith Gallery featuring SFA faculty from theatre, folklore, classical studies and psychology will follow the Thursday night performance.

Single tickets are $15 for adult, $10 for senior and $7.50 for student/youth. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.theatre.sfasu.edu.

November 3, 2016 - The annual Stephen F. Austin State University Homecoming celebration begins Friday, Nov. 4, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 6. This year’s theme is “Life, Liberty and Lumberjacks.”

The weekend festivities start at 11 a.m. Friday with the SFA Alumni Golf Tournament at the Piney Woods Country Club. The entry fee is $150 and includes tournament play, golf cart, refreshments, box lunch and post-tournament hors d’oeuvres.
 
The fifth annual Homecoming online auction runs through Nov. 6. Visit www.biddingforgood.com/sfahomecoming to view and bid on your favorite items. Some items up for bids include Clint Dempsey signed sports memorabilia, a chair from the 2016 NCAA tournament, a custom SFA Yeti cooler, destination getaways and travel packages, artwork, jewelry, gift cards, unique SFA items, sports tickets, autographed sports memorabilia and more.
 
The Homecoming Friday evening festivities begin with a Lumberjack basketball exhibition game at 6:30 p.m. against Huston-Tillotson University in Johnson Coliseum. The Torchlight Parade follows at 8:30 p.m. beginning at the SFA statue, “Surfing Steve,” and concludes at the intramural fields where the bonfire, pep rally, fireworks and David Nail concert will be held. Representatives from the SFA Alumni Association will be in attendance distributing free 3-D fireworks glasses from the alumni tent.
 
The fun resumes Saturday morning with the Flap “Jack” Breakfast prepared by members of the Nacogdoches Kiwanis Club from 8 to 10 a.m. in the lobby of Commercial Bank in downtown Nacogdoches.
 
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. Flapjacks are free to participants in the Homecoming 5K. The cost is $6 per person for those not participating in the run.
 
The seventh annual Lumberjack Homecoming Certified 5K begins at 8 a.m. at the Student Recreation Center. Pre-registration is available online at www.active.com.
 
The Homecoming Parade kicks off at 10 a.m. in downtown Nacogdoches where onlookers will line the streets to watch colorful-themed floats and pageantry, and listen to music.
After the parade, the action moves to Alumni Corner (junction of Hayter and Raguet Streets) beginning at noon for pre-game tailgating. Admission to Alumni Corner is free for Alumni Association members and $15 for non-members. Entry for children ages 10 and under accompanied by an adult is $5 and for children 5 years old and younger is free.
 
Alumni Corner will again feature the Suddenlink “Bundle U” Viewing Lounge, live entertainment sponsored by Premier Kia, Lumberjack-themed tailgate food, games and the second annual Fall Fest where children can enjoy a bounce house, face stickers, hair painting 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.
 
Benefit drawing tickets will be sold at Alumni Corner until 2 p.m. for $100. The winner of the benefit ticket drawing will receive $5,000 to apply toward the scholarship of his/her choice. Ticket purchases are tax deductible; however, tickets other than the winning ticket cannot be designated to a specific scholarship.
 
Hundreds of yellow rubber ducks will race at the Ag Pond at 1 p.m. for more than $1,750 in prizes during the 26th annual Duck Dash. Proceeds from the Duck Dash benefit the SFA Alumni Scholarship Fund administered by the SFA Alumni Association. Ducks may be sponsored for $5 each or six ducks for $25. Ducks may be sponsored until Nov. 4.
 
The highlight of Homecoming weekend is set to begin at 2:30 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium when the SFA Lumberjacks take on the Bears of the University of Central Arkansas. General admission tickets are $12 and available by calling (936) 468-JACK, online at www.sfajacks.com or at the gate on game day.
 
For more information about Homecoming events, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407 or visit www.sfaalumni.com/events. Event and benefit tickets and Duck Dash sponsorships may be purchased online at www.sfaalumni.com/events or in person Monday through Friday at the Pearman Alumni Center on the SFA campus.
 
The SFA Alumni Association would like to thank the following Homecoming event sponsors: Liberty Mutual, Premier Kia, KTRE, Barnes & Noble Bookstore, University Rental, Suddenlink, Party ’N Things, First Bank & Trust East Texas, XETX Business Solutions, Lettermen’s Association, Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, Simpson Real Estate, Olivia King-Realtor; Nacogdoches CVB, Nacogdoches Kiwanis Club and Heritage Texas Properties, Natalee Kelaher.

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