NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– After an extensive national search, Stephen F. Austin State University has appointed Dr. Joe Douglas “Doug” Smith as the next dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, effective Jan. 1. Current dean, Dr. Hans M. Williams, will retire Dec. 31.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Axes and Embers barbecue competition team will serve attendees at Student Involvement’s Homecoming game tailgate from 2 p.m. until supplies run out Oct. 24 in front of Pineywoods Dining Hall on East College Street. Smoked jambalaya will be served from the Lumberjack Express mobile food lab before the football game versus Southeastern Louisiana University at 5 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium. Proceeds will fund Axes and Embers’ travel and competition costs including the team’s barbecue contest in Montgomery Dec. 5.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University was recently selected to be among the nearly 40 participating institutions in the Texas Leadership Scholars Program. Administered by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, the initiative supports Texas students who demonstrate academic achievement, leadership, service and financial need.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Art took 45 students, faculty and staff to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, for the "Perspectives on Contemporary Jewelry: An International Symposium" exhibition, held in conjunction with “The Jewelry of Dorothea Prühl” and “Going Underground: The Jewels of Bernhard Schobinger” exhibitions. Participants attended lectures by leading scholars and artists, shared lunch with prominent figures in contemporary jewelry and took part in a guided exhibition tour with the curators.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Students in Stephen F. Austin State University’s horticulture program will host Plants and Pancakes from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 and the eighth annual Fall Plant Fair from 3 to 7 p.m. Oct. 22, both at the SFA Plantery at 1924 Wilson Drive behind the Agriculture Building.

Plants available for purchase include a variety of winter annuals, edibles, native perennials, houseplants and succulents, all of which thrive in the East Texas area. Pancakes will be free at Plants and Pancakes, but donations are encouraged.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University’s Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering program has been accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology, the global accreditor of college and university programs in applied and natural science, computing, engineering and engineering technology.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University was awarded a nearly $2 million grant through the U.S. Department of Education’s Child Care Access Means Parents in School program, a federal initiative designed to help low-income parenting students access affordable childcare and complete their college degrees.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas –– Stephen F. Austin State University has a full calendar of events for Homecoming 2026, including the annual bonfire, drone show and concert featuring award-winning country artist, ERNEST.

The Student Activities Association’s annual SFA Homecoming bonfire lighting; drone show presented by Sky Elements; and pep rally featuring the Lumberjack Cheer and Dance Teams, Lumberjack Marching Band and Twirl-O-Jacks will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 23 at the Intramural Fields. ERNEST will take the stage at 9 p.m. This event is free and open to the community.

Stephen F. Austin State University received a grant from Better Together Nacogdoches to purchase a family-friendly workstation for the first-floor computer lab in Steen Library. The workstation, which allows parenting students a study space while caring for their child, was also funded by SFA’s Office of the Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs. Tim Lewallen, assistant director of customer service for SFA Information Technology Services, communicated the need for the workstation to fellow grant writers Dr. Heather Olson Beal, professor of education studies; Dr.