NACOGDOCHES, Texas — A station completely free of seven major food allergens is one of several new features in an extensive, ongoing renovation to Stephen F. Austin State University’s Baker Pattillo Student Center dining hall.

Other major features include a dedicated “plant-forward” produce station to replace the former salad bar, a redesigned bakery allowing for confectionary pickup orders, a meat carvery station that will focus on lean meats, and the implementation of various physical distancing and health safety measures.

The appointments of three Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members to serve in interim leadership roles were approved by the Board of Regents during a regularly scheduled meeting today.

Matthew Beauregard, professor of mathematics and statistics, was named interim chair of the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy. Beauregard holds a degree from the University of New Hampshire and a master’s degree and doctorate from the University of Arizona at Tucson. He joined the SFA faculty in 2014.

While COVID-19 and Stephen F. Austin State University’s response to the pandemic were top concerns during the July quarterly meeting of the Board of Regents, actions taken were geared toward the future of the university.

Regents heard reports regarding the university’s plans to open campus for the fall semester and approved the budget for the upcoming academic year.  

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Despite being in the midst of global change, Stephen F. Austin State University has announced significant enrollment increases in both of its summer semesters.

Robert Flores is all about Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches. Although he’s a native of Corsicana, he fell in love with the city and community while attending the university.  

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus Clayton Wolf has been named the chief operating officer of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.

Wolf, who graduated from SFA with a Bachelor of Science in Forestry with a concentration in forest wildlife management, has a 27-year career with TPWD and previously served as the statewide wildlife division director.

“Any success I have achieved is because of my parents, all the great people around me and SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture,” Wolf said.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Brooks-Quinn-Jones Elementary School in Nacogdoches said farewell to its principal, Tom Miller, a Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus (1980 and 1996), this year. But former BQJ assistant principal, Gerald Fonzie, another SFA alumnus (2008 and 2010), has been promoted to the role to continue the school’s legacy of Lumberjack leadership.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Annual School of Art Faculty Exhibition at Stephen F. Austin State University, featuring a separate show by Jeffie Brewer, assistant professor of sculpture and drawing, opens with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

The faculty show is an event the university community looks forward to at the beginning of each fall semester, according to John Handley, director of galleries at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Dr. Lynda Martin, director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s School of Human Sciences, has been appointed to the American Association of Family and Consumer Sciences National Accreditation Board.

The board ensures undergraduate family and consumer sciences programs at accredited universities provide the highest quality educational experiences and prepare students for professional roles to improve the quality of life for individuals, families and communities, according the program’s website.

Martin will serve as a board member for three years.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Discipline is the name of the game for Stephen F. Austin State University graduate student Jeffrey Rodriguez, who, since mid-July, has been interning as an athletic trainer with NFL team the Houston Texans.

Rodriguez, an Austin native who is a second-year graduate student in SFA’s athletic training program, is one of five U.S. students selected for the summer internship.