NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. DawnElla M. Rust, professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science, will present “Finding Happiness — The Science” at the university’s upcoming Regents Lecture.

Rust, the 2018-19 Regents Professor, will deliver the address at 5:30 p.m. April 23 at the Janice A. Pattillo Early Childhood Research Center, Room 212. This event is free and open to the public. A reception with refreshments will follow.

Reserved for exemplary university role models, the title of Regents Professor is the highest honor SFA bestows upon members of the faculty and is held for one academic year.

“I am truly honored to be recognized as the Regents Professor. To me, it means that my passion for the profession and my students was acknowledged,” Rust said. “My dedication to the profession is and has been to make a difference in my students’ lives. I refer to these students as ‘my kids,’ and I truly care about their success.”

Rust’s lecture will demonstrate with science and life stories the role of happiness in health outcome.

An SFA faculty member since 1997, Rust holds a Bachelor of Science in community health and a doctoral degree in health promotion from Oklahoma State University and a Master of Science in physical and health education from Emporia State University.

This is the 14th in a series of lectures delivered by SFA Regents Professors. The SFA Office of the Provost and the University Lecture Series Committee sponsor the series.