Dr. Willie Trotty

Dr. Willie Trotty, professor emeritus in the Prairie View A&M University Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, will deliver the keynote speech during Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs’ Black History Month Celebration. The event is slated for 7 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom.


NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host an event celebrating Black History Month at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 20, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Twilight Ballroom.

“We renamed this event from MLK Celebration because we want to recognize all black history figures – past, present and future,” said Veronica Beavers, director of OMA.

Dr. Willie Trotty, professor emeritus in the Prairie View A&M University Whitlowe R. Green College of Education, will deliver the keynote speech. Trotty holds bachelor’s degrees in biology and political science and master’s degrees in biology and secondary education from SFA. He received his doctoral degree in educational administration and supervision from Purdue University.

A former vice president for research and dean of the graduate school at Prairie View A&M, Trotty has held various offices throughout his career. At the state and national levels, he served as a member of the board of directors for the Texas Society for Biomedical Research, former chair of the Steering Committee for the Science and Engineering Alliance, and councilor and trustee for the Texas A&M Research Foundation. He also served terms as president of both the Association of Texas Graduate Schools and the Council of Historically Black Graduate Schools.

In addition to the keynote speech, attendees will enjoy dinner and various SFA student performances. Dress is business casual.

Tickets are $10 for faculty, staff and community members. Student tickets are $3 or a canned good, which can be dropped off in the OMA office, located in the student center, Room 3.101. Tickets can be purchased until Feb. 17.

For more information, email oma@sfasu.edu or call (936)468-1073.