Shelby County Today

June 23, 2017 - Structural steel beams are being placed and foundational concrete poured as construction of the Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building remains on schedule to be completed by fall 2018 on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University.

“The project began with the demolition of Todd and Gibbs Halls. The site then had selective tree clearing and grading to prepare for foundation construction,” said Ron Watson, associate director of SFA’s physical plant department. “First-floor concrete placement and the related under-slab plumbing and electrical rough-in continue."

In response to a national call for reform in science, technology, engineering and mathematics education, SFA began years ago to implement activities, courses and public outreach initiatives that would enrich STEM-related interests. That same push for STEM reform was later incorporated into the SFA 2020 campus master plan.

Enrollment for STEM-related degrees increased at SFA following the push, creating the need for more classroom and equipment space. In 2015, the 84th Texas Legislature granted SFA approximately $46.4 million in tuition revenue bonds helping fund construction of the building.

As part of the university’s 2020 master plan, the SFA Board of Regents approved the demolition of Gibbs Hall, Todd Hall and University Woods in preparation for construction of the new building and relocation of the Residence Life Operations headquarters.

“We are still using the plan outlined during the building-programming phase,” said Dr. Dan Bruton, associate dean of SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. “The Department of Computer Science and the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy will be moving into the building, but there will be multipurpose spaces that will be used by other departments as well.”
 
Officials in the College of Sciences and Mathematics said they have already experienced a spike in interest from potential students.

“I've also had a student tell me that he is coming to SFA specifically because of the STEM building,” Bruton said. “Students are most excited to utilize makerspaces, the maker lab, the digital media lab, huddle spaces and the planetarium.”

The construction area was recently extended temporarily to install hot and chilled water lines. A small portion of sidewalk between the McGee Business Building and Norton H.P.E. Complex will remain closed to pedestrian traffic for approximately six weeks.

Videos and updates on construction can be found on the College of Sciences and Mathematics Facebook page: facebook.com/CollegeOfSciencesAndMathematics.
 
Cutline: Structural steel beams are being placed this month as construction continues on the Ed and Gwen Cole STEM Building on the SFA campus. Officials said all projects are on schedule, and the building should be completed by fall 2018.

June 21, 2017 Nacogdoches - The following students have been named to the President's List at Stephen F. Austin State University for the spring semester:

Center, TX
Trista Fountain, Interdisciplinary Studies
Juan Garcia, Art
Celia Gonzalez, Interdisciplinary Studies
Whitney Haddox, Communication Disorders
James Holt, Computer Science
Taylor Hudspeth, Interdisciplinary Studies
Kimber Hughes, Social Work
Rani Jamison, Kinesiology
Julie McSwain, Computer Science
Haley Shofner, Interdisciplinary Studies
Lindsey Snell, Interdisciplinary Studies

Joaquin, TX - Samantha Cheatwood, Accounting

Shelbyville, TX - Tiffanee Vaughn, Interdisciplinary Studies

Timpson, TX
Cade Archer, Computer Science
Margo Hooper, Agriculture Development
Monica Montoya, Interdisciplinary Studies

To be eligible for this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more semester hours and maintain a grade-point average of 4.0.

June 20, 2017 - Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business offers students the opportunity to study abroad in France and Austria through partnerships with two business schools.

Since 2013, SFA business students have had the opportunity to study at either Groupe Sup De Co La Rochelle in France or MCI Management Center Innsbruck in Austria, which are both business schools accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.

Lone Wittliff, lecturer in SFA’s Department of Management, Marketing and International Business, was instrumental in bringing these partnerships to fruition and continues to work as a liaison in helping SFA students enroll in this exchange program.

“Our students meet others from all over the world and gain cultural understanding and experiences,” Wittliff said. “For many of them, this is the highlight of their college experience with memories to last a lifetime.”

Since its inception, 21 SFA students have studied abroad with 18 studying in France and three in Austria. SFA also has hosted nine French students.

During this semester long program, SFA students enroll in various courses abroad that count toward their SFA degree plan.

“Students not only learn the essential business skills that will help them advance in their careers, but they also gain cultural experiences that will help them stand out to employers,” Wittliff said. “Much of the student body at both schools in Europe is international. This gives our students incredible insights to cultural differences and understandings and provides them with the opportunity to make lasting friendships.”

All College of Business students, except accounting majors, are eligible for the program. Students must have at least a 2.5 GPA and have completed various introduction business foundation courses. Students meeting the criteria may be eligible for a $1,200 scholarship from SFA’s Office of International Programs.

Those with a 3.0 GPA may receive an additional $1,000 scholarship from the College of Business. Participation in the college’s Student Success Passport Program also may provide additional scholarship opportunities. For this program, students pay SFA tuition, and room and board fees are approximately the same or less in France and Austria than in Nacogdoches.

For more information, contact Wittliff at lwittliff@sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University students studying at the Business and Hotel Management School in Switzerland will have the opportunity to take a variety of classes from culinary labs and specific areas of hotel operations and management to leadership classes geared toward the service industry. B.H.M.S. offers highly ranked hospitality management and culinary arts programming.

June 9, 2017 Nacogdoches — Stephen F. Austin State University students in the hospitality administration program can now study abroad at the Business and Hotel Management School in Switzerland during their junior year thanks to a new exchange agreement between the two institutions.
 
Dr. Lynda Martin, director of SFA’s School of Human Sciences, explained this exchange agreement presents an opportunity for SFA hospitality administration students to experience Switzerland’s prestigious service industry.
 
“Switzerland is considered the gold standard with regard to fine service in the hospitality industry,” Martin said. “Students will learn first-class service in the classroom with students from around the world and will have hands-on experience at some of the finest levels offered by our industry.”
 
Andrea Gardner, U.S. representative for B.H.M.S., helped spearhead this partnership.
 
“We are thrilled to partner with SFA’s hospitality administration program to offer this unique opportunity to SFA students,” Gardner said. “When I visited Nacogdoches last year, I was impressed by the facilities, leadership and level of instruction I witnessed at SFA. Our programs align nicely, and I am encouraged to see that Dr. Martin and her team are committed to providing students with a global, well-rounded understanding of the industry.”
 
B.H.M.S. offers highly ranked hospitality management and culinary arts programming. SFA students studying at B.H.M.S. will have the opportunity to take a variety of classes from culinary labs and specific areas of hotel operations and management to leadership classes geared toward the service industry.
 
Students will study two consecutive semesters or one year abroad, and their courses will count toward their SFA degree. The first semester, students will earn the equivalent of 12 SFA credit hours, and the following semester they will participate in an internship where they will have the opportunity to work with one of B.H.M.S’s industry partners.
 
“With SFA students having the opportunity to do an internship at a Swiss hotel or restaurant, they will truly build credentials that are admired by all within the hospitality field,” Martin said. “Not only will our students’ skills and credentials be enhanced, but they also will become better global citizens and hosts.”
 
To participate in this exchange, students must have good academic standing, completed at least one year of full-time study at SFA, be eligible to enroll in subjects that constitute a full-time load at B.H.M.S. and have the required language proficiency to take classes at B.H.M.S.
 
B.H.M.S. is located in the heart of Lucerne, Switzerland, and is within walking distance of the city center.
 
For more information, contact Martin at (936) 468-2255 or martinlj@sfasu.edu.
Cutline (Lucerne Switzerland): The Business and Hotel Management School is located in the heart of Lucerne, Switzerland, and is within walking distance of the city center, which will provide SFA students various opportunities to experience Switzerland’s prestigious service industry.