Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University will honor a Nacogdoches native and celebrate the new status of the School of Human Sciences beginning at 1 p.m. Wednesday, April 9.

The Department of Human Sciences will now be known as the School of Human Sciences. According to Dr. Becky Greer, assistant director of human sciences, the new name better reflects the specialized and professional programs offered by the school and the overall educational experience of graduates.

Speakers at the celebration in the Human Sciences North Building will include Dr. Lynda Martin, human sciences director; Dr. John Jacobson, dean of the James I. Perkins College of Education; Dr. Gloria Durr, former chair of human sciences; and Paul G. Pond, SFA regent, and his wife, Lila Long Pond, whose grandfather was an early administrator at the university.

A reception, beginning at 1:45 p.m., will follow the celebration in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Regents Suite B.

Dr. Dolores Durr Basden of Nacogdoches will be honored with the Edna Wilkin Teagarden Award for Exemplary Service in Human Sciences at the annual Honors Convocation, which begins at 2:30 p.m. and recognizes outstanding students, alumni and faculty. The ceremony will be held in the student center’s Regents Suite A.

Basden, a radiation oncologist and licensed dietitian, completed her Bachelor of Science degree with honors at SFA and a Master of Sciences at Auburn University with a major in foods and nutrition. She earned her medical degree at University of Texas Medical School in Houston and completed a residency at Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

Basden is active in cancer research activities and served as a Joint Policy Board Member for the Arizona Oncology Associates in 2006-2007. During her undergraduate years at SFA, she was active in Chi Omega sorority and recognized for outstanding scholarship by the SFASU Panhellenic Council of Social Sororities. Basden was also recognized by Who’s Who Among Students in American Colleges and Universities and Outstanding Young Women of America.

She is married to John Basden and is the daughter of long-time Nacogdoches residents, Ken and Gloria Durr, both former faculty at Stephen F. Austin State University, in the departments of general business and human sciences, respectively.

Academic awards will be presented at the Honors Convocation to students in each of the seven majors offered through the School of Human Sciences: family and child development; family and consumer sciences; fashion merchandising; food, nutrition and dietetics; hospitality administration; interior merchandising; and interior design. The Willie Lee Campbell Glass Faculty Spirit Award will be presented to a faculty member.