NACOGDOCHES, Texas — For the first time in almost one year, students at Stephen F. Austin State University will be honored for their academic achievements during commencement ceremonies in Johnson Coliseum. To make this possible in a safe manner, the university will host its first-ever slate of five commencement ceremonies – two on Dec. 11 and three on Dec. 12.

To accommodate both physical distancing mandated by COVID-19 concerns and the construction project currently underway at the coliseum, each graduate has been allotted six tickets to provide to their guests.

Editor's Note: After this article was written, Sloane Evans lost her job with the XFL's Houston Roughnecks because the league folded due to COVID-19. Evans has since accepted the position of Director of Corporate Partnerships with the Houston SaberCats of Major League Rugby.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Research conducted by Stephen F. Austin State University environmental science graduate student Kimberly Gamez is adding to a growing body of work with the goal of alleviating the ever-increasing demand on one of Texas’ most precious natural resources — water.

According to the Texas Water Development Board, Texas’ population is expected to increase by more than 70 percent during the next 50 years. Accompanying this growth is increased demand on the state’s already strained water resources.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — What do Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks, campus landmarks, squirrels and six children have in common? The answer is “A Day at SFA,” a new SFA Press publication geared toward children that encourages them to start considering the university as their future alma mater.

Written by University Marketing Communication staff members and alumnae Dr. Shirley Luna and Donna Parish and illustrated by 2019 alumnus Tristan Brewster, the book is filled with information about what makes SFA a special place — from its traditions to its iconic buildings.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University mass communication students recently had the opportunity to speak with alumnus Anthony McLemore, an Emmy Award-nominated television producer, director and writer.

McLemore spoke to students enrolled in Dr. Al Greule’s radio-television production course via Zoom. Greule, associate professor of mass communication, taught McLemore when he was an SFA student.

“I always try to have an SFA alumni speak to students so they can hear firsthand what it’s really like after graduation,” Greule said.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Stephen F. Austin State University Charter School’s 12th annual Walkathon has raised over $24,000, a fundraising record for the school, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We're incredibly grateful to our community of family, friends and supporters for their generous giving,” said Jordan Wright, Walkathon co-chair and secretary of the SFA Charter School Parent-Teacher Organization. “It’s because of them that we’ve had such a successful fundraiser.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Nacogdoches Helping Other People Eat food pantry is expanding thanks to a grant that involves a collaboration with three Stephen F. Austin State University schools.

Nacogdoches HOPE is using the funding from a large fiscal year 2021 Infrastructure and Capacity Building Challenge grant awarded by the East Texas Food Bank to purchase a building and property next to the food pantry and Jo’s Diner soup kitchen at 2100 E. Main St. This will help increase the number of individuals who can be served and food distribution, expand services and improve efficiency.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — When the COVID-19 pandemic moved many college students to online learning, teacher candidates at Stephen F. Austin State University were among them.

Those in SFA’s Community Responsiveness and Engaged Advocacy in Teacher Education program, or C.R.E.A.T.E., saw their usual face-to-face community engagement projects canceled, but they soon found service-learning opportunities through a new partnership formed between C.R.E.A.T.E. and the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences at Whiteville.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — For the second consecutive year, the Society of American Foresters recognized the Stephen F. Austin State University student chapter among the top three in the nation during the organization’s virtual conference held in October.

“Winning this award for the second year in a row is very gratifying,” said Jacob Muggeridge, forestry major and president of the SFA student chapter. “I hope we can continue the tradition this upcoming year with further events and engagement in the spring semester.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — For 45 years, Dr. Harry Downing, professor and former chair of the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy, has made a career of serving others at Stephen F. Austin State University.