Stephen F. Austin State University has been named to the 2009 President's Higher Education Community Service Honor Roll, the highest federal recognition a college or university can receive for its commitment to volunteering, service-learning and civic engagement.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents on Friday approved increases in designated tuition and room-and-board rates for the 2010-2011 academic year.

The $8.85 increase in designated tuition will raise the rate from $111 to $119.85 per semester credit hour. A new schedule of course and lab fees also was approved for the upcoming academic year. Course and lab fees provide instructional departments with funds to support the actual cost of consumable supplies, service and travel related to specific courses.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Area 6- to 12-year-olds may register for an artistic clothing class offered by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday, March 6, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House as part of the Creative Art Saturday program.

Under the guidance of SFA Instructor of Art Matthew Sutherlin and art education majors, participants will discuss clothing as a form of self-expression and artistic product. Students will utilize non-traditional materials in the creation of a piece of clothing that functions as a self-portrait.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts, School of Art and School of Music will premiere a new feature-length film, "Sara's Book," at 7 and 9 p.m. Friday, March 5, in the Ledbetter Gallery of The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches. Admission is free and open to the public.

Shot entirely in Nacogdoches and the surrounding area by SFA film students, "Sara's Book" focuses on Sara Blake, a 16-year-old girl whose world comes crashing down when her parents die in a car wreck and she is sent to live in an orphanage.

Dr. Larry King, professor of communication and coordinator of institutional assessment, was appointed to the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board's Undergraduate Education Advisory Committee (UEAC). He will serve a two-year term that expires on Dec. 12, 2012.

The UEAC functions to solve issues and generate ideas to improve undergraduate education that comply with the goals of the Texas higher education plan.

The Columbia Regional Geospatial Service Center has moved from its downtown location on Pecan Street to the third floor of the McKibben Education Building on the SFA campus.

The new facility provides more space, allowing for a larger training lab and expanded student work area.

"We are excited to be back on campus," PR Blackwell, Columbia Center director, said. "Our new location is a huge improvement in terms of space, connectivity and capacity, allowing us to better serve the region."

American Ballet Theatre II dancers perform one of the dances from "Swan Lake" as a part of its varied repertoire. The SFA College of Fine Arts will present the dance troupe at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - American Ballet Theatre II will present a varied program of classical ballet and contemporary choreography during its performance at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 9, in W.M.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden will host the annual Nacogdoches Azalea Trail symposium on March 13 in Room 110 of the Agriculture Building on Wilson Drive.

Noted Texas A&M horticulturist Dr. William C. Welch will be the featured speaker. Welch will share his enthusiasm for camellias and other heirloom plants in his lecture, "A Passion for Camellias."

Karen Clarke

NACOGDOCHES, TEXAS - Karen Clarke, a member of the music faculty at Vanderbilt University, will present a guest violin recital at 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 2, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus. The recital is free and open to the public.