SFA University
August 26, 2015 - Stephen F. Austin State University’ Music Preparatory Division has announced the formation of the SFA Choristers to be directed by Carolyn Andrews.
Formerly the SFA Children’s Choir, the Choristers will be comprised of students in 5th through 8th grades. Rehearsals will be from 4:30 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays beginning September 8th in Room 170 (orchestra room) in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building.
Auditions for the SFA Choristers will be from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Thursday, August 27, in the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. Auditions will also be held on two Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. August 29 and September 5 at the Music Prep House. Singers are encouraged to be prepared to sing a simple folk tune such as “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”or a more elaborate solo of their choice, according to Pat Barnett, director of the Music Preparatory Division.
“We are so happy to have Carolyn Andrews as the choirmaster,” Barnett said.
Andrews is a graduate of Baylor University where she received her Bachelor of Music Education degree and studied piano at the Brevard Summer Institute and sang in the Institute Chorus. She also conducted various choirs wherever she resided. Most recently, Andrews is the music teacher and choir director at Regents Academy in Nacogdoches.
During the fall semester, the Choristers will meet for 14 weeks and will end the semester with a choral concert. Tuition for the ensemble is $60 for the semester.
For more information, contact Barnett at pbarnett@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1291.
August 20, 2015 - The Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association will provide buses to transport SFA alumni and fans from the Tracie D. Pearman Alumni Center in Nacogdoches to three away football games this fall.
The first SFA alumni fan bus will travel to Amon G. Carter Stadium at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth at 8:30 a.m. Saturday, September 12th. Tickets will be $50 per person and include round-trip transportation.
The bus will arrive at the SFA Tailgate on Bellaire Drive in time for lunch and tailgate festivities at the SFA Alumni Association tent before the game begins at 2:30 p.m. After the game, the bus will depart from the stadium and stop for dinner en route to Nacogdoches.
Lumberjack fans will have their second opportunity to ride the fan bus for the Battle of the Piney Woods game against rival Sam Houston State University. The fan bus will depart at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, October 3rd, for NRG Stadium in Houston. Tickets are $45 each and include round-trip transportation. The game begins at 3 p.m., and the bus again will stop for dinner.
Lastly, the SFA alumni fan bus will head to Harry Turpin Stadium in Natchitoches, Louisiana, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, November 21th, for the game against Northwestern State University at 3 p.m. Tickets are $45 each and include round-trip transportation. The bus will again make a dinner stop.
Space is limited and reservations will be secured on a first-come first-served basis. Snacks, water and soft drinks will be available for all bus riders.
Bus tickets do not include tickets to the games. Tickets to the Battle of the Piney Woods and the game against TCU can be purchased by calling the SFA ticket office at (936) 468-5225. TCU game tickets must be purchased by August 27th. Tickets to the game against Northwestern State University can only be purchased by calling (318) 357-4268 or online at www.nsudemons.com.
For more information, contact the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407.
August 18, 2015 - The Stephen F. Austin State University Department of Public Safety (DPS) recently launched the Lumberjack Guardian mobile phone app to enhance campus safety through real-time interactive features creating a virtual safety network of friends, family and the DPS.
Lumberjack Guardian fits into today's mobile lifestyle with its virtual technology.
"We at the Department of Public Safety are pleased to offer this app technology feature to our university community to better enhance campus safety and personal protection by providing immediate connections to trusted resources," Marc Cossich, DPS chief of police, said.
Lumberjack Guardian is available for iPhone and Android devices and is free to download. Students, faculty and staff members can download the app by selecting the Rave Guardian app in the appropriate app store.
The app is designed with four safety features: safety profile, panic button, tip texting, and personal guardians and safety timer.
Upon opening the app, users must create their personal profile by entering their SFA-issued email address and phone number. Safety profiles are user-created and contain information such as residence details and medical information. Individuals' profile data is privately and securely stored within Rave Mobile Safety's databases. The information is shared with pre-designated personal contacts and/or safety officials only when users initiate an alert or a set safety timer expires.
The panic button alerts DPS to the user’s exact location using GPS services and delivers the user’s personal information from the safety profile to DPS.
Tip texting enables anonymous two-way communication and crime-tip reporting through text and images.
The personal guardians and safety timer offers two functions. Users can assign anyone they trust the role of "Guardian" through the app, including friends, family and DPS. During a timer session, guardians can ensure the user reaches his or her destination in the allotted time frame. For example, if a student was going on a date, he or she could set a timer for an hour. If the timer goes off or is not deactivated by the user at the end of the hour the app notifies the user's guardian. Then, the guardian can try to contact the user or the DPS.
Furthermore, the guardian will automatically receive the user's Lumberjack Guardian profile to proactively identify and check in on the individual.
"The Department of Public Safety has researched this technology and found that the benefits offered to our university community are immeasurable and give our stakeholders a tangible indicator of the university's commitment to personal safety," Cossich said.
Lumberjack Guardian supplements the JackAlert system already in place at SFA. JackAlert notifies the SFA community of major emergencies and class cancelations, while Lumberjack Guardian serves as a personal safety system.
Cossich encourages the SFA community to sign up for both systems.
Anyone who needs assistance with the Lumberjack Guardian app or registering for JackAlerts can contact the Department of Public Safety technology division at updtech@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-2252.
July 31, 2015 - The deadline to submit scholarship applications to attend fall classes in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music has been extended, according to Pat Barnett, Music Prep director.
Originally set for August 1, the deadline has been pushed to August 14 to allow additional time for students to apply, Barnett said. Scholarship applications can be downloaded from the website at www.music.sfasu.edu/prep
New student registration and auditioning for the Piney Woods Youth Orchestra is from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, August 8, at the Music Prep House, 3028 Raguet St. Teachers will be present to advise students and parents on private lesson opportunities and group activities. Private 16-week lessons begin Monday, August 24, and private 12-week lessons with SFA student instructors begin Monday, September 14.
For more information, contact Barnett at pbarnett@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1291. The Music Prep office is open from 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
July 29, 2015 NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Authorized by the Texas Legislature, the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved a $46.4 million investment for the construction of a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics building on campus.
Regents approved Kirksey Architecture of Houston as the designer. The Houston-based firm of architects, designers and planners pledged to provide a design reflective of the university’s environment and reputation.
Kirksey Architecture has completed science facilities for Texas Tech University in Lubbock and the Texas Tech Health Science Center in El Paso, as well as for the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio. The company designed SFA’s newest residence hall, Lumberjack Landing, and the adjacent parking garage.
The board approved J.E. Kingham Construction Company as construction manager for the project. With more than 120 years of experience in the construction industry, the Nacogdoches-based company has completed various jobs across the state and community, as well as numerous projects for SFA.
“Kirksey Architecture recognizes the rapidly changing needs of STEM disciplinary teaching and research and presented a plan that embraces the collaborative and innovative nature we envisioned and identified as a priority in the new STEM facility,” said Dr. Kim Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics. “The partnership between Kirksey and Kingham Construction will be powerful in moving creative, high tech plans into reality on the SFA campus.”
Representatives from Kirksey Architecture and Kingham Construction made presentations to the board’s Building and Grounds Committee on Monday, earning the selection over two other architectural firms and two construction companies being considered.
The Lufkin-based architectural firm Goodwin, Lassiter and Strong was approved to design a housing operations facility that will be located near the current University Woods residence hall complex east of University Drive. The firm assisted in development of the proposal as part of an existing architectural contract.
Regents also approved an institutional operating budget for fiscal year 2016 totaling approximately $242 million, which includes a 3-percent merit pool for faculty and staff members. A $7 million capital plan was approved and will include capital renewal, planned maintenance and renovation projects across the campus.
Regents approved extension of a contract with Ad Astra Information Systems to examine instructional delivery efficiency opportunities, including a detailed analysis of student course demand and class scheduling.
Regents heard reports from the Faculty Senate and Student Government Association and approved grant awards. They acknowledged receipt of an audit services report, approved the adoption of the SFA Envisioned strategic plan, and heard an update on the marketing initiative.
The board also approved:
- core curriculum revisions;
- re-election of the university president, general counsel, director of audit services and coordinator of board affairs;
- naming of a banking program and a financial-advising program within the Nelson Rusche College of Business;
- reallocation of energy savings operating funds to support the Phase III energy project with Siemens Industry;
- continued participation in the Education Advisory Board Student Success Collaborative and the Care Coordination Platform through December 2020;
- revisions to the athletic policies and procedures manual, and the purchase of athletic video and scoring system upgrades from Daktronics;
- licensing agreements with Tree Town USA and Almost Eden nurseries as distributors of the Purple Pride cultivar;
- academic, student affairs, financial affairs, and building and grounds policy revisions;
- revisions to the rules and regulations of the board of regents; and
- late payment fees.
July 28, 2015 - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will present a free, one-night screening of “Scrap” at 7 p.m. Friday, August 7, in The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
“Scrap” is a feature documentary following the history of two eccentric builders and their amazing structures which were each built by a single man: "The Forevertron" built by Tom Every and "Bishop Castle" built by Jim Bishop. The film focuses on the architects of these structures, as they are “as fascinating and awe inducing as their creations,” according to information at www.imdb.com.
Paul von Stoetzel directed the film, which runs 101 minutes.
This screening is part of the School of Art’s monthly Friday Night Film Series and is sponsored in part by The Liberty Bell, Main Street Nacogdoches, Bill Arscott, Jill Carrington, Karon Gillespie, John Heath, David Kulhavy and Brad Maule.
The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131
July 10, 2015 - The following students have been named to the President's List at Stephen F. Austin State University for the spring semester:
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.
Center
April Broomfield, Professional Accountancy, Accounting
Kayla Broomfield, Physics, Physics & Astronomy
Lesley Cockrell, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Yvette Garcia, Mathematics, Mathematics & Statistics
Whitney Haddox, Communication Disorders, Human Services
Carsen Jones, Social Work, School of Social Work
Meagan Nehring, Nursing, School of Nursing
Kristin Peace, Accounting, Accounting
Chloe Rogers, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Joaquin
Nicholas Cheatwood, Biochemistry, Chemistry
Katelyn Cockrell, Communication Disorders, Human Services
Shelbyville
Casey Lovell, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Timpson
Katie Bush, Biology, Biology
July 10, 2015 - The following students have been named to the Dean's List at Stephen F. Austin State University for the spring semester:
To be eligible for this honor, a student must be enrolled in 12 or more semester hours and maintain a grade-point average of 3.5.
Center
Amber Fountain, Kinesiology, Kinesiology & Health Science
Terena Hartsfield, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Darby Hudspeth, English, English
Jessica Massey, Art, School of Art
Chelsea McDaniel, Music, School of Music
Alex Morris, Art, School of Art
Destiny Russell, Environmental Science, Environmental Science
Zane White, Crim Justice Law Enforcement, Government
Joaquin
Bailee McSwain, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Johnathan Watson, Spatial Science, Forestry
Shelbyville
Ryon Vaughn, Kinesiology, Kinesiology & Health Science
Tenaha
Nancy Joubert, Animal Science, Agriculture
Lindsey Murphy, Interdisciplinary Studies, Elementary Education
Charles Scull, Management, Mgmt, Mktg & Inter Business
Timpson
Cade Archer, Computer Science, Computer Science
Jace Archer, Computer Science, Computer Science
Cindy Carrillo, Political Science, Government
Kinsey Carrington, Modern Languages, Languages, Cultures & Communic
July 10, 2015 - The following student received a degree from Stephen F. Austin State University during May commencement exercises:
Center, TX
Gloria Davis, Master of Education, Elementary Education
Steven Hennigan, Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology
Cameron Lathan, Master of Education, Elementary Education
Jami Mosby, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing
Destiny Russell, Bachelor of Science, Environmental Science
Tiffany Snider, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing
Kaela Ward, Master of Education, Educational Leadership
Zane White, Bachelor of Arts, Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
Joaquin, TX
Katelyn Cockrell, Bachelor of Science, Communication Disorders
Sherry Roberts, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing
Erin Stone, Master of Science, Speech Language Pathology
Courtney Strong, Bachelor of Science, Family and Consumer Sciences
Shelbyville, TX
Summer Koltonski, Doctor of Philosophy, School Psychology
Tenaha, TX
Alexia Guilbeau, Master of Education, Elementary Education
Timpson, TX
Susan Adams, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Nursing
Kinsey Carrington, Bachelor of Arts, Language
June 12, 2015 - 
NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Nacogdoches Photographic Association and Nacogdoches Art League will open their 2015 gallery shows with a reception at 6 p.m. Friday, June 19, in The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
Theme for the photographic association show is “Tells a Story,” and serving as juror was Johanna Warwick, assistant professor in the School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University.
The “Tells a Story” theme was chosen because although many pictures are taken primarily because the subject captures the attention of the photographer to the beauty of the scene, or to the uniqueness of the scene, or because the scene satisfies an assignment, not every picture has an implicit story within it, explained R.G. Dean, member of the NPA. However, the occasional photograph becomes a way of both telling and preserving a story, he said.
“The challenge for the photographer is to combine the skills of composition, framing and proper exposure while recording a message,” Dean said. “Most photographers are occasionally fortunate enough to make a photograph which does that, so we chose a theme which gave us an opportunity to ‘retell’ some of the stories we have recorded with our cameras.”
The images were judged in three categories: “Fits the Theme,” “Appeal (how interesting the picture is and if the viewer wants to keep looking at it)” and “Technical Skill.” Warwick selected 66 images from the 128 that were entered by NPA members. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places and honorable mentions in two categories, including traditional and digitally enhanced. The 2015 Best of Show recipient will be announced at the opening reception.
Since the Nacogdoches Art League embraces all visual art media and has members in numerous media, no theme is adopted for its gallery show. Awards will include Best of Show, first, second and third places and honorable mentions in four categories in each of two divisions – professional and non-professional. The categories in each division are: “Watercolor and Mixed-Media,” “Oils and Acrylics,” “Three Dimensional” and “Photography.”
This year’s juror is Jason Daniel, a native of Nacogdoches who earned BFA and MFA degrees from SFA. He taught studio art at Southern University in Baton Rouge for eight years and has taught art at Jersey Village High School in Houston for 10 years. Recently, his interests have included a more surrealist approach to painting and a renewed interest in ceramics.
The Nacogdoches Art League was organized in 1969. Its purpose is to encourage appreciation of and participation in the various visual art media. Activities include one or more annual exhibitions, art demonstrations and informative programs, and the awarding of one or more art scholarships each year to a Nacogdoches County high school senior who will attend SFA with a major or minor in art.
Regular meetings are held at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month September through June at The Cole Art Center, and guests are welcome to attend. Membership in NAL is open to anyone interested in the visual arts. For information, contact Dean at dean@sfasu.edu.
NPA meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month (except on field-trip nights) in The Cole Art Center. For more information about the Nacogdoches Photographic Association, contact NPA president Bob Stout at nacvet@hotmail.com, or Dean at dean@sfasu.edu.
Both shows will run through July 18 with the NPA show in the Reavley Gallery and the NAL show in the Reception Gallery.
All receptions and gallery exhibitions are free of charge.
Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main Street. For additional information, call (936) 468-1131.
Cutline: The photograph “Urban Beauty” by Sharon Scifres was awarded Best of Show at the 2014 NPA annual juried show. The 2015 Best of Show winner will be announced at the opening reception of this year’s show at 6 p.m. Friday, June 19, at The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
Cutline: The Best of Show award in the 2014 NAL show went to R.G. Dean for “Stained Glass.” The 2015 Best of Show winner will be announced at the opening reception of this year’s show at 6 p.m. Friday, June 19, at The Cole Art Center at The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.
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