Stephen F. Austin State University will host Showcase Saturday, an open-house event for prospective students, on Nov. 16.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Future college students will have the opportunity to experience a taste of campus life during a free, action-packed open-house event at Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches on Saturday, Nov. 16.

Prospective students will get to visit with university faculty and staff, tour the campus and residence halls, and preview academic programs during the first of three SFA Showcase Saturday events set for this academic year.

"There is no better time than Showcase Saturday to visit the beautiful SFA campus and enjoy the Lumberjack Experience," said Ryan Horne, assistant director of the Office of Admissions.

"Guests are encouraged to visit one-on-one with our faculty to learn more about our quality, personalized academic programs, and our staff will be available to answer questions about everything from admission requirements to financial aid to residence life."

SFA is a comprehensive, residential university located in the heart of Texas Forest Country in Nacogdoches. Approximately 13,000 students attend SFA, which is within a few hours' drive of Texas' major metropolitan areas.

Showcase Saturday event registration will begin at noon on the first floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center and will remain open until 1 p.m. Each person who registers will receive an information packet. The opening program begins at 1 p.m. and will provide an overview of the day's events.

Guests will then be able to visit with representatives of the academic departments until 4 p.m. at the Academic and Student Services Fair in the Student Recreation Center. Student service department representatives also will be on hand to provide information on campus life until 4:30 p.m. in the student center.

Campus and residence hall tours will begin at 1:45 p.m. and continue until 5 p.m. Campus tours will take students on a guided walk of the SFA campus, while the residence hall tour will showcase several halls on both the north and south ends of campus.

Admissions counselors will be available to discuss admission procedures and requirements in the Rusk Building, Room 206, from 1:45 to 5 p.m.

Financial aid information sessions will be held at 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. in the Kennedy Auditorium, Room 101. Residence Life information sessions will be held at 2:30, 3:15 and 4 p.m. in the Baker Pattillo Student Center movie theater on the second floor.

Participating students will receive a free SFA T-shirt after turning in a completed evaluation form in the Grand Ballroom of the student center from 4 to 5 p.m.

Two additional Showcase Saturday events will be held on Feb. 22 and March 29, 2014. For more information about SFA's Showcase Saturday, contact the SFA Office of Admissions at (936) 468-2504 or admissions@sfasu.edu.