Axe ’Em, Jacks!
Dear Lumberjacks,
As I approach the end of my first year as president of Stephen F. Austin State University, I am filled with gratitude and excitement for all we have accomplished together. It has been a remarkable journey, witnessing the dedication and passion of our students, faculty, staff and alumni, all working tirelessly to take SFA to new heights. The enthusiasm and commitment to excellence within our community have led to significant milestones and set the stage for a bright future.
Since my arrival in May, I have seen tremendous momentum building for SFA's future, particularly in our enrollment trends. This positive shift underscores the growing confidence in our institution and highlights the promising path ahead. Last fall, SFA welcomed its largest first-time undergraduate class since 2017, and undergraduate semester credit hour production for the 2024-25 academic year rose by 4%, marking the first increase in a decade. We expect these positive trends to continue with the return of SFA alumnus Dr. Kent Willis as the inaugural senior vice president of enrollment and student affairs. Among numerous strategies already implemented, his team has launched the Lumberjack Transfer Alliance, a partnership with East Texas community colleges offering guaranteed admission, scholarships and enhanced student services.
Thanks to additional investments from The University of Texas System Board of Regents in November, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our Purple Promise program. Starting this fall, the program will cover the cost of tuition and fees for eligible students from families with an annual income of $100,000 or less. Prior to joining the UT System, our program was only available to families with an annual income of $30,000 or less. This initiative creates a transformative opportunity for students and their families to access higher education in East Texas.
Earlier this semester, production crews from the Amazon Prime television series “The College Tour” spent a week on campus filming our episode, set to premiere later this year. Ten outstanding students from various programs will be featured, showcasing our incredible institution to prospective students and alumni. The episode will be available for streaming on multiple platforms, including Amazon Prime Video, Google TV, Niche and Nearpod, and will be shared with 60,000 high school counselors nationwide.
In February, the Board of Regents approved an additional $5 million to supplement the nearly $80 million already allocated for new forestry and agriculture buildings. This funding will support the construction of the Agricultural Engineering and Technology Building adjacent to the Forestry and Agriculture Building site. The investment will benefit future students, strengthen SFA's leadership in forestry and agriculture education, and advance vital environmental research. Over the next five to seven years, we anticipate investing nearly half a billion dollars in campus construction projects, transforming the experiences of students, faculty, staff and the broader community.
Our students achieved remarkable success in competition this year, showcasing their dedication and talent while bringing both regional and national attention to SFA. The women's soccer team captured both the regular season and tournament championships in the Southland Conference, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament for the fourth time in program history. Elkana Kipruto won the individual Southland Conference title in men's cross country, setting a school record and finishing 13th at the NCAA South Central Regional. The men's track and field team also took home first place at the 2025 Southland Conference Indoor Track and Field Championship. Meanwhile, the women's basketball team won the Southland Conference Basketball Tournament, marking their 19th appearance in the NCAA Women's Basketball Tournament. Their game against Notre Dame was the first SFA game ever broadcast on ESPN's primary linear television channel. Lastly, the SFA Sylvans timber sports team won the 66th annual Association of Southern Forestry Clubs Conclave, clinching their 19th title and extending their winning streak to seven consecutive conclaves, tying a historical record.
There is no better time to get involved with SFA than now as we boldly step into our new future. In the coming months, we will share the results of our campus master plan and strategic plan committees' work. Your support and involvement are vital to our success. I hope you have a terrific summer, and I look forward to seeing you back on campus soon!
Axe 'em!
Dr. Neal Weaver
President
Stephen F. Austin State University