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Dr. Kent Willis, senior vice president for enrollment and student engagement at Stephen F. Austin State University, hands new Lumberjacks a silver challenge coin as they walk across the Johnson Coliseum stage during SFA’s New Student Convocation Aug. 23. The students were challenged by SFA President Dr. Neal Weaver to give their silver coin to somebody who makes a difference in their success before they graduate to help them develop a sense of gratitude and appreciation. During their graduation, the students will receive a gold coin to keep as a remembrance of their time at the university. SFA faculty and staff donned their regalia to welcome the students for the university’s new academic year, which began Aug. 24.

Dr. Lauren Burrow, professor of education studies at Stephen F. Austin State University, was awarded the 2026-28 Montgomery Professorship for Humane Education in the James I. Perkins College of Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences.

Stephen F. Austin State University faculty, staff and students, along with a retired professor of art, recently visited the Naranjo Museum of Natural History in Lufkin to begin the process of creating a 3D replica of a moon rock from Apollo 14. Pictured are Dr. William Nieberding, associate professor of art, left, and Chase James, SFA Makerspace technologist.