NACOGDOCHES, Texas — More than 1,500 candidates will cross the stage during Stephen F. Austin State University commencement ceremonies on Saturday, May 18, in Johnson Coliseum.

Steve Stagner, a 1991 SFA alumnus and former Mattress Firm CEO, will deliver the commencement address.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University students in the community responsiveness and engaged advocacy in teacher education program recently celebrated the program’s first year by hosting a meet and greet with community partners and students.

Continuing its theme of collaboration with various departments and organizations, C.R.E.A.T.E. program participants partnered with students in a management in meal production course in the School of Human Sciences to serve food and beverages during the celebration.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music and the Friends of Music Concert Series will present members of the Texas New Music Ensemble performing at 6 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 21, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Houston-based ensemble’s program will focus solely on music written by composers who live and work in Texas, according to Chad Robinson, the ensemble’s artistic director and founder.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Friends of Music at Stephen F. Austin State University will host a fundraiser for the School of Music that will give the community and contributors an entertaining “behind-the-scenes” look at the school and its talented faculty and students.

 “Up Close and Personal” will be presented from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building on the SFA campus. Beginning with an opening reception in the lobby of Cole Concert Hall, participants will enjoy hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar and bid on silent auction items.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Orchestra of the Pines at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform the music of Samuel Barber and Felix Mendelssohn in a concert at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 20, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Dr. Pierre-Alain Chevalier, visiting director of orchestral activities in the School of Music, will conduct the orchestra performing “Sorrow and Joy” featuring Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915” and Mendelssohn’s “Italian.”

NACOGDOCHES, Texas — Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture will host a public ceremony on the SFA campus to officially crown the latest addition to the Texas Big Tree Registry.

The ceremony will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, March 1, at the SFA Arboretum gazebo, located at 2031 Wilson Drive.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A fun evening of jazz featuring the Swingin' Axes and Swingin' Aces from Stephen F. Austin State University will be presented from 7 to 11 p.m. Friday, March 1, at LugNutz Bar & Grill.

If weather permits, the jazz bands will perform on the outdoor stage. In inclement weather, the concert will be moved indoors.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas – The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present concert pianist Hai Jin performing the program “Summer Dreams” at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Feb. 22, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Filled with “lots of pictures and imagination,” the program features music from various periods and styles, from Baroque to Romantic, impressionism to nationalism, according to Jin.

“All of the pieces are related to paintings, poetic sources and the imagination,” she said.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Office of Multicultural Affairs will host the series "Something to Chew On" from noon to 1:30 p.m. Feb. 26 in the Office of Multicultural Affairs in the Baker Pattillo Student Center, Rooms 3.101 and 3.102.

The series helps stimulate open dialogue about current issues among the campus community. This event will focus on "Achieving Unity Within Diversity" and feature discussions on how to unify campus organizations and students.