Hollywood composer and SFA alumnus John Dickson will emcee the upcoming "Piney Woods Home Companion," a scholarship fund-raiser for SFA's Music Preparatory Division on Saturday, Oct. 9, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - In celebration of providing quality musical training to East Texas children for 30 years, the Music Preparatory Division at Stephen F.

After four months of renovations and safety updates, Stephen F. Austin State University's historic Chemistry Building reopened just in time for the start of the fall semester.

The $7.35 million renovation budget addressed safety issues and infrastructure needs, including new windows, doors, lighting and restroom upgrades.

The project included a sprinkler system for the three-story building, electrical rewiring, new plumbing and lab facility upgrades needed for compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Award-winning country music artist Miranda Lambert is slated to take the stage at Stephen F. Austin State University on Thursday, Nov. 4.

The Lindale, Texas, native will perform at 7:30 p.m. at the William R. Johnson Coliseum as part of the Country Music Television 2010 Revolution Tour. Special guests include country music artists Eric Church and Josh Kelley.

Stephen F. Austin State University students were welcomed back to campus this week with a new main entrance and limestone signage.

The project at North Street and Griffith Boulevard began last March and included the construction of a new entrance plaza roadway, a large monument sign with the university's name, decorative pillars on Vista Drive, street and traffic signal reconfiguration, and extensive landscaping. A large American flag waves above it all.

This untitled work by SFA Assistant Professor Michelle Rozic will be included in the "SFA Faculty Exhibition," which opens at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept. 10, at The Cole Art Center @The Old Opera House.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The combined talent of the Stephen F. Austin State University art faculty will be on display during the "SFA Faculty Exhibition," which opens at 6 p.m. Friday, Sept.

Pianist Gabriela Imreh will be the featured soloist during the Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra's concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. The concert is a part of the SFA College of Fine Arts' 2010-2011 University Series.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The internationally acclaimed Philadelphia Virtuosi Chamber Orchestra will perform in concert at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 14, in W.M.

Damon Derrick has been named the new general counsel for Stephen F. Austin State University. He has served as interim since March.

Derrick first joined the general counsel's office in 2008 after completing his degree at The University of Mississippi School of Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in marketing from Lamar University and is a member of the Texas State Bar Association and the National Association of College and University Attorneys.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and Friends of the Visual Arts will present a one-night screening of "Addicted to Plastic: The Rise and Demise of a Modern Miracle" at 7:00 p.m. Friday, Sept. 3, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches as part of its monthly film series. Admission is free.

Melissa Manning of Spring, global public relations director for IHS Inc., has been named president of SFA's College of Liberal and Applied Arts Advisory Board.

Manning has more than 20 years of experience as a marketing communications professional and is based in her company's Houston office. IHS is a leading source of information and insight in pivotal areas that shape today's business landscape: energy, economics, geopolitical risk, sustainability and supply chain management.