Dr. Dan Bruton and Dr. Brian Oswald

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Two outstanding Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members will be honored during the 25th annual SFA Gala on Saturday, Dec. 14, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre along with the Nine Flags Festival will present "A Classic Christmas" by the Fredonia Players at 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 5 and 6, and at 2 and 9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7, in Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

The musical theatre group will perform classic Christmas tunes that will delight and entertain, such as "Winter Wonderland" and "Let It Snow," according to Shari Ellsworth, theatre appreciation instructor at SFA and the new director of the Fredonia Players.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stone Fort Museum at Stephen F. Austin State University will host an opening reception for the exhibit "Sacred Spaces: Connecting with the Land" from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5.

The "Sacred Spaces" photography project explores the spiritual connection to the environment and landscape within the Nacogdoches area. The exhibit utilizes descriptions of the East Texas landscape dating back to the late 1600s, as well as from contemporary journals.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Percussion Department will present its annual holiday concert, "Percussion in the Pines," at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 3, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

The performance will feature both the SFA Percussion Ensemble and the SFA Steel Band, known as the Jacks of Steel, performing a collection of carols, popular tunes and contemporary holiday arrangements for percussion.

Outstanding Stephen F. Austin State University donors and faculty members will be honored during the 25th annual SFA Gala on Saturday, Dec. 14. Pictured at the 2012 SFA Gala, from left, are: Bud Wright, chair of the SFASU Foundation Board of Trustees; 2012 honorees Jim, John and Bob Kingham; Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president; and Jill Still, SFA vice president for university advancement.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Outstanding Stephen F.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - A number of violin students in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music's Preparatory Division earned positions in All-Region orchestras earlier this fall in competition in Tyler.

The students are studying with Music Prep teachers Dr. Jennifer Dalmas, Brenda Josphesen and Melissa Nabb.

"Music Prep is very proud of these students for this great accomplishment," said Pat Barnett, director of the Music Prep division.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band will present "JFK: In Memoriam" at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2, in W.M. Turner Auditorium in Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus.

A joint presentation of the SFA College of Fine Arts and School of Music, the concert commemorates the 50th anniversary of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.

The Symphonic Band, under the direction of Dr. Tamey Anglley, assistant director of bands, will open the concert with "An American Fanfare" by Rick Kirby.

Stephen F. Austin State University students were on the first-, second- and third-place teams at the recent American Advertising Federation conference and competition in Houston. The students had eight hours to create ad campaigns for a new digital radio station. More than 250 students from five states participated in the competition.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art has announced holiday closures for its galleries during the week of Thanksgiving.

The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House will be closed Thursday, Nov. 28, for Thanksgiving and open during regular hours Friday, Nov. 29, and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 30.

Regular hours for the art center are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

Donna Oliver (left) and Jean Dodge show off wreaths they created at the SFA Mast Arboretum's 2012 holiday seminar. The 2013 event is scheduled for Dec. 7 on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, Texas - Stephen F. Austin State University's Mast Arboretum will host a garden seminar titled "Deck the Halls - Using Evergreens to Decorate for the Holidays" from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Dec.