Stephen F. Austin State University

A ceremony today announcing a new leader to carry Stephen F. Austin State University forward was attended by leaders who have carried the university in the past.

Former SFA president William R. Johnson, for whom the university's coliseum is now named, spoke at the meeting shortly after the Board of Regents named Dr. Baker Pattillo the eighth president of SFA.

"This board holds a responsibility to the state of Texas for the welfare of SFA," Johnson told the regents. "You have made a great choice, and I am very proud for SFA. Baker Pattillo will do the best he can, and that's more than enough."

Johnson was the fourth president of the university and served in that capacity when Pattillo was named vice president in 1979.

Former regents who were present for the election included R.A. Brookshire of Lufkin, Kelly Jones of Arlington, Lynn Montes of Lufkin, Jim Perkins of Tyler, Wayne Salvant of Fort Worth; and Peggy Wright of Nacogdoches. State Rep. Wayne Christian also attended the meeting

Pattillo has served as SFA president since July 2006 when the board named him interim president. He was named sole finalist for the position on Jan. 3.

Dr. Pattillo graduated from SFA in 1965 with a B.S. degree in English and history and earned his master's degree in guidance from SFA in 1966. He immediately was named assistant director of placement and financial aid, was promoted to director in 1970. He continued his studies during that time and, in 1971, received a Ph.D. in educational administration from Texas A&M.

Pattillo was named the dean of student services at SFA in 1972, vice president for student affairs in 1979, and vice president for university
affairs in 1982.

Other interim positions that were approved as permanent placements during the meeting included Dennis Gravatt, department chair of biology, and Mark Barringer, associate professor of history and associate dean of Liberal and Applied Arts.

Shirley Dickerson was named interim director of Steen Library. Dickerson is associate director of Steen Library and holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from SFA and a master's degree in library science from Texas Woman's University. She has been a member of the library faculty since March 2002.

New faculty appointments included Larry Cupit, instructor of elementary education, and Dr. Matthew Tippens, visiting assistant professor of history. Also, Marcus Z. Cox, an adjunct faculty member in the College of Business, was named lecturer and development officer for the college. Paula B. Griffin, an adjunct faculty member in the College of Education, was named project coordinator, and Dixie Morgan, adjunct faculty of psychology, was named lecturer of psychology,

Athletics appointed included James C. Harper, head football coach; Arlington Nunn, assistant head football coach; and assistant football coaches Gerald Broussard, Darren Drago, Matthew Graves, Todd Schonhar and Harold Christopher Truax;

Other staff appointments included Dyson V. Nickle, academic advisor; Heather Rachele Nixon, assistant director of financial aid; Mark A. Porter, fine arts technical director/stage carpenter; Johnny Charles Brown, geospatial applications specialist; Sandra K. Menscer, network support specialist; Bryan Lawrence Patton, Student Center technology specialist; Urisonya Roberson, Multicultural Center coordinator; and Samuel Allen Smith, Student Center director.

James Bills, a research associate, has been named systems administrator for the Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center, and Jason L. Johnstone, Web development designer, has been named Webmaster.

Jordana L. Wise, a hall director, was named manager of housing administration, and Sarah L. Hardy, former housing administration manager
was named manager of Housing Systems.

Regents accepted the retirements of Dr. Clarence Bahs, director of School of Theatre; Bill Bryan, department chair of Human Services; Glender Chatman, assistant registrar; Jamie Fain, director of housing; and Gerald E. Tyler, assistant professor of sociology.

Regents issued final approval of mid-year salary increases. In December, regents approved a mid-year raise pool of 2.5 percent. Proposed individual raises were recommended and approved through administrative channels in accordance with budget approval processes.