NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University pledged to join the Institute of International Education's Generation Study Abroad initiative to double the number of American students who study abroad by the end of the decade. SFA has committed to increasing the number of undergraduate students who study abroad to 3 percent during the next five years.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - A group of Stephen F. Austin State University theatre students will attend the annual conference of the United States Institute of Theatre Technology where two students will present a special architectural project on which they have collaborated with a former SFA theatre alumnus who is also a theatre consultant of international acclaim.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and Schools of Music and Theatre will present "Gianni Schicchi" and "Sister Angelica," two one-act operas (sung in English) by Giacomo Puccini, at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 27 through 29, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Steel Band, also known as Jacks of Steel, directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, director of percussion studies, will present the ensemble's annual spring concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 25, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

The Jacks of Steel will perform a wide-ranging selection of fun and exciting tunes, including Brian Nozny's arrangement of "Inspector 8" (from the The Ernies' popular ska song), "Brown-eyed Girl," "Guantanamera," and "Hot Hot Hot."

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Four Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre students participated in the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship Competition at the Kennedy Center/American College Theater Festival Feb. 25 through March 1 at Centenary College in Shreveport, La.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Center for Rural Heritage Research at Stephen F. Austin State University has placed a new display at the Nacogdoches Railroad Depot in recognition of National Reading Month.

The exhibit focuses on trains in literature, including books for both children and adults. Since their invention in the 19th century, trains have represented strength, independence and adventure. These themes are reflected in books from Watty Piper's "The Little Engine that Could" to Paul Theroux's "The Old Patagonian Express."

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre will present the Fredonia Players performing "Broadway in the Downstage" at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, March 20 through 22, in the Downstage Theater on the SFA campus. A 2 p.m. performance is also slated for Saturday, March 22.

The Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden, featuring more than 200 varieties of the Japanese maples

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The 13th annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail Symposium will be held from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 22, at the newly opened Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building location at Stephen F. Austin State University's Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present the Gemini Flute Duo in a guest/faculty recital at 7:30 p.m. Friday, March 21, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus as part of the Cole Performing Arts Series.

The recital will feature performers Christina Guenther, associate professor of flute at SFA, and Jennifer Keeney, affiliate artist of flute at the University of Houston, Moores School of Music, with Geneva Fung, SFA staff accompanist, on piano.

SFA students and faculty members constructed a Sierpinski pyramid in world-record time Feb. 28 during the annual SFA STEM Day. More than 400 area students and teachers attended the event, which focuses on science, technology, engineering and mathematics careers. Participants also investigated black holes, looked at the science behind the spread of influenza, discovered the mathematics underlying music and the chemistry within cooking, and much more.