NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University urban forestry students worked alongside representatives from the Texas A&M Forest Service on Jan. 27 to assist volunteers with planting more than 100 trees representing 46 different species in Tyler.

The event was part of the City of Tyler’s Arbor Day Celebration and drew close to 1,000 volunteers from throughout the community.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host an MLK Celebration for members of the SFA and Nacogdoches communities to celebrate the life and legacy of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 20, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center’s Twilight Ballroom on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved various leadership changes during its quarterly meeting Tuesday.

Ron Watson was named director of the physical plant, the university department responsible for the administration of all education and general facilities and associated services, such as grounds and building maintenance, custodial services, transportation services and campus construction projects.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University is cooking up new transformational experiences for students in the School of Human Sciences.

At its quarterly meeting, the SFA Board of Regents approved the purchase of a mobile food lab — a gourmet food truck — that will be utilized on campus and at recruiting events such as career and college fairs.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – Seven students in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music were selected to participate in last fall’s Regions 4 and 21 clinic and concert at Longview High School.

Texas Music Educators Association auditions were held in October, and the clinic and concert took place in December.

Participating in the high school orchestra were Catherine Meisenheimer (concertmistress), Shelby Rotramel, Mattie Chauvin, Ashlynn McBroom, Adalyn Vaughn, Haley McBroom and Rachel Wilder.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The College of Fine Arts and School of Art at Stephen F. Austin State University will usher in February’s observance of Black History Month with three diverse performances.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 8, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

The lecture series will feature Houston landscaper Cindy McClimans presenting “Creating Unique Landscapes.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University will host its third annual Darwin Day program from noon to 1 p.m. Monday, Feb. 12, in the Kennedy Auditorium. The featured speaker, Dr. Barbara Forrest, former professor of philosophy at Southeastern Louisiana State University, will present “Why Academic Freedom is a Fraud: The Threat to Science Education.”

A sophomore Stephen F. Austin State University student was found deceased in her campus residence hall Friday, university officials announced.

Erin Valenta, 20, was a music major and a resident of SFA’s Lumberjack Village. Originally from Allen, Texas, Valenta graduated from Allen High School in 2016.

A residence hall staff member was called to perform a welfare check, which had been requested by a friend. There were no signs of foul play, and an autopsy has been requested.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Wind Symphony and the Symphonic Band at Stephen F. Austin State University will present their first concert of the spring semester at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

The program will feature early band classics by British composers.