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Lumberjacks Make Great

Become Great at SFA

Have a dream career or a major in mind? Still undecided? With more than 120 areas of interest at SFA,
you can find your path to becoming great.

VISIT ACADEMICS

Fast Facts

#1 Regional Texas
Public School

in the U.S. News &
World Report
Best Colleges
rankings.
July 2025

$2.73 million
portfolio

managed by
Mast Student
Investment
Roundtable
Lumberjacks

September 2025

Approximately
200,000 sq. ft. of
new construction

upgraded dining and
academic facilities
over the next two years
May 2025

Study Abroad
with scholarships

10 faculty-led programs
13 destinations
162 students
July 2025

Explore your passions, meet our faculty

Select an area of interest and discover how we inspire success – one Lumberjack at a time.

SFA Traditions

The Axe Handle

SFA freshmen receive an axe handle to personalize with their own Lumberjack spirit. Students can be seen (and heard) banging axe handles on the bleachers at SFA football games.

 

Ole Cotton

Ole Cotton is an imposing 75mm cannon that fires a celebratory shot every time the SFA Lumberjack football team scores. The SFA ROTC cadets man Ole Cotton just beyond the south end zone at Homer Bryce Stadium. The powerful blast can be heard – and often felt – all over town.

 

The Homecoming Bonfire

SFA's traditional bonfire and pep rally are the centerpieces of homecoming. Usually held in October, homecoming is a series of traditions that bring Lumberjacks together to celebrate SFA. Other events include homecoming elections, downtown parade, football games and much more.

 

Purple Haze

Press play to hear our rowdy Purple Haze student section in action. At SFA’s home football games, fans in the student section loudly bang their axe handles on a metal “Purple Haze” sign to show support for our beloved Lumberjacks (and to rattle the opposing team). Now that’s a home-field advantage!

  • Stephen F. Austin State University’s IEEE Robotics Team. Pictured, from left, are Maegan Honeycutt, first-year electrical engineering student from Humble; Ashley Brewster, mechanical engineering senior from Center; Duston Judson, electrical engineering senior from Nacogdoches; Kevin Claypool, electrical engineering senior from Liberal, Kansas; Aaron Boehm, mechanical engineering senior from Kingwood; and Dalton Cardwell, mechanical engineering senior from Arlington.

    Stephen F. Austin State University’s IEEE Robotics Team captured first place at the IEEE Region 5 Robotics Competition in March in Boulder, Colorado. SFA engineering students competed against 25 teams from 23 universities to earn top honors at the prestigious event sponsored by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ Southwestern U.S. region. Pictured, from left, are Maegan Honeycutt, first-year electrical engineering student from Humble; Ashley Brewster, mechanical engineering senior from Center; Duston Judson, electrical engineering senior from Nacogdoches; Kevin Claypool, electrical engineering senior from Liberal, Kansas; Aaron Boehm, mechanical engineering senior from Kingwood; and Dalton Cardwell, mechanical engineering senior from Arlington.

  • Peaches, Dennis Quaid’s English bulldog, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and actor Dennis Quaid

    Actor Dennis Quaid and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick discussed the job opportunities created for the state’s film industry through Senate Bill 22 at the fifth installment of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series April 9. Pictured, from left, are Peaches, Quaid’s English bulldog, Patrick and Quaid.

  • Stephen F. Austin State University’s construction management students working on their capstone project at The Village Nac.

    Stephen F. Austin State University’s construction management students will host the Hard Hats Open House to present their capstone project work from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 1 at The Village Nac at 1188 County Road 823 in Nacogdoches. The event is free and open to the public.