NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Master’s Programs Guide, a website dedicated to helping students find the best graduate degree, recently ranked Stephen F. Austin State University among its 50 best schools in the nation for its online master’s degree in special education.

Site editors, who ranked SFA No. 21, evaluated institutions based on publicly available resources about student accommodation, accreditation, learning outcomes and affordability. Dr. Paige Mask, graduate advisor for SFA’s master’s in special education program, said this ranking is an honor.  

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Preston Turnage, of Nacogdoches, and Madeline Reina, of Whitehouse, will serve as children of the court during Stephen F. Austin State University’s Homecoming celebrations Oct. 20 and 21.

Preston Aaron Turnage is the 11-year-old son of Craig, a 2000 and 2005 SFA graduate, and Tonya, a 1999 SFA alumna. The Turnages are lifetime members of the Alumni Association.  

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University is home to the only undergraduate orientation and mobility program in the country.

Since the program began in 1972, faculty and staff members have trained hundreds of students to assist people with visual impairments or who are blind.

“Even though there is a small percentage of the population who needs these services, it is a growing need, especially since the likelihood of having a visual impairment increases with age,” said Michael Munro, director of SFA’s orientation and mobility program.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The student has become the teacher. This statement is true for several of the current teachers who work in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Early Childhood Lab.

Dr. Lori Harkness, director; Karen Farris, pre-kindergarten I master teacher; Tammy Wall, infant teacher; Emily Tacquard, pre-kindergarten II master teacher; Rebecca Gatwood, infant teacher; and Falynn Monk, pre-kindergarten II teacher; all began their careers with the lab as student teachers while in the elementary education program at SFA.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Stephen F. Austin State University timbersports team, the Sylvans, won its third-consecutive collegiate title at the annual Arkansas State Lumberjack Competition held Oct. 6 and 7 at the Arkansas Timberfest in Sheridan, Arkansas.

Students competed against the University of Arkansas at Monticello, Louisiana Tech University and Southern Illinois University in five physical timbersport events.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University will host its fourth-annual Purple Premium Cattle Sale beginning at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 11, at the Walter C. Todd Agricultural Research Center.

The sale is planned and executed by SFA students enrolled in Dr. Erin Brown's advanced beef science class.

Brown, professor of animal science in SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, said students are instrumental in all aspects of the sale, from obtaining cattle consignments to sale marketing and setup.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs is hosting a religious panel discussion as part of its Brave Space Series from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Regents’ Suite A.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The A Cappella Choir at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a collaborative program with the SFA School of Theatre and the Dance Program to perform music from around the world in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The program title, “Sing a New Song,” was selected to celebrate Dr. Michael Murphy’s first concert as the new director of choral activities at SFA. Murphy was named choral director following the retirement of Dr. Tim King this past summer.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present Christopher Durang’s full-length play “Baby with the Bathwater” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, and at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Oct. 28, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus.

Directed by Center senior Avery Tindol, “Baby with the Bathwater” is a dark comedy about the struggles of both parenthood and childhood. It is recommended for mature audiences.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Texas State University Trio will present music for horn, violin and piano when the ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29, in Cole Concert Hall on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

The trio includes Texas State University School of Music faculty members Dr. Lynn Ledbetter, violin; Dr. William McNally, piano; and Dr. Caroline Steiger, horn. Their program will feature Trio for Horn, Violin and Piano by György Ligeti and Horn Trio, Op. 40 by Johannes Brahms, among other selections.