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SFA Recognizes Sitton with New Award

The SFA Lifetime Achievement Award designed by SFA art faculty member, Jennifer Sholtis, was presented at the 2003 SFASU Foundation's Annual Gala.

Bob Sitton, a graduate and long-time employee of Stephen F. Austin State University, was honored this past Saturday, Dec. 13, as the first recipient of the SFA Lifetime Achievement Award.

A surprised Sitton received the award in front of 360 attendees at the university’s 15th annual Gala. “It was a tremendous honor to be recognized for something that I enjoy doing,” he said.

The board of trustees of the SFASU Foundation created the award in 2002 to recognize individuals who over time have consistently promoted and contributed to the success of SFA, according to Dr. Jerry Holbert, Vice President for University Advancement.

“This is not an honor that will necessarily be awarded annually but rather when the trustees determine that a particular individual’s activities or generosity or service are so clearly outstanding as to warrant special recognition,” Holbert said. “Bob Sitton certainly meets all the criteria.”

Sitton, who currently works part time as director of public relations for the SFA Alumni Association, graduated from SFA in 1960 and became the Alumni Association’s first executive director in 1972. During the 26 years that he led the organization, its scholarship endowment grew from $12,855 to more than $11 million and the number of Life Members increased from 112 to more than 6,800, with the Life Member endowment exceeding $12 million.

The university bestowed Sitton with the President’s Award in 1997 and the Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1998.

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