Sawdust Fall 2012 by SFA Alumni Association

TENNIS CHAMPS

PHOTO TIPS

T H E M A G A Z I N E O F T H E S FA A L U M N I A S S O C I AT I O N & S T E P H E N F. A U S T I N S TAT E U N I V E R S I T Y

FA L L 2 0 1 2

LUMBERJACK STYLE

SFA graduate student Sister Josephina Mwoleka of Tanzania and Dr. Chris Sams, SFA assistant professor of linguistics

HARDY’S PIC

DO-RE-MI The SFA A Cappella Choir performs inside the majestic St. Thomas’ Church in Prague, Czech Republic, during an 11-day trip to Central Europe in May. The choir also presented concerts in Germany and Austria, including the city of Salzburg, Austria, where The Sound of Music was filmed.

“Accompanying the A Cappella Choir on its European tour was an experience of a lifetime. I was able to capture thousands of images of stunningly beautiful landmarks and landscapes. The many cathedrals and monasteries we visited were among the most interesting to photograph, and the stately beauty of these places was only complimented by the choir’s moving performances.” – University Photographer Hardy Meredith

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Fall 2012 • Volume 39, No. 3 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jeff Davis ’02 Executive Director of Alumni Affairs EDITOR Amy Roquemore ’93 & ’12 Editorial Coordinator, SFA Public Affairs ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Rhonda Crim Director of Alumni Publications, SFA Alumni Association STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY is a comprehensive institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative work and service. Through the personal attention of our faculty and staff, we engage our students in a learner-centered environment and offer opportunities to prepare for the challenges of living in the global community. The SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the alumni, friends and current students of Stephen F. Austin State University through programs, scholarships and activities that create an attitude of continued loyalty and support.

FEATURES 10 Dr. Deer Lives Here ‘Father of modern deer management’ calls SFA home

16 Nothing But Net Tennis team serves up championship season

The Story of a Language Linguistics students help document Haya language

32 Triumph of Character

Local community rallies around alumnus

CAMPUS NEWS 2 3 5 8 13 14

Culinary Café Faculty Advising President’s Message Petroleum Geology Vista Viewpoint Veterans Resource Center

ALUMNI NEWS 24 Homecoming 29 From the Association 38 Scholarships 39 Chapters 40 Class Notes 43 In Memoriam 48 All Hail to SFA

SAWDUST is published four times a year by the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association and Stephen F. Austin State University. Full subscriptions are included in Alumni Association memberships. SFA alumni and friends receive complimentary issues twice a year. CONTACT Sawdust P.O. Box 6096, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962 (936) 468-3407 • (800) 765-1534 alumni@sfasu.edu • sfaalumni.com

CAMPUS NEWS

Lunch is Served

Hospitality students dish up gourmet fare at Culinary Café

STUDENTS IN SFA’S hospitality administration program in the School of Human Sciences are learning that serving gourmet fare involves much more than just putting food on the table. While operating the popular SFA Culinary Café, the students select themes, plan and prepare meals, and serve them to hungry patrons at $10 a seat. Meals are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays to a full house of guests from the campus community and the general public. Chef instructor Todd Barrios knows his way around a kitchen, having previously served as a certified executive chef for a country club in Baton Rouge, La. Certified by the American Culinary Association, he also spent six years in restaurant management, coming to SFA by way of Northwestern State University where he taught culinary arts.

“I benefited so much from this class,” said Sloane Meadows, a hospitality major who plans to graduate in May. “My goal is to be a hotel banquet manager. This class taught me to think for myself. When we prepared food, Chef Barrios encouraged us to be aware of our own senses. He was there if we needed help, but when we’d taste a dish, he would ask us what it needed.” The Culinary Café is a three-class collaboration. Barrios’ hospitality students work the “back of the house” – menu development, food preparation, promotion and ticket sales, etc. Students in Dr. Chay Runnels’ Customer Relations for the Hospitality Industry class work the “front of the house,” focusing on what the guests see in a restaurant, including hosts, hostesses, servers and bussers. Leisha Bridwell instructs Accessories in Interiors students

in assembling the floral centerpieces for the tables. The meals comprise three courses and center on student-chosen themes such as Asian, Cajun, country cooking, Creole, Latin, Mediterranean, nouvelle vegetarian and Texas barbecue. Seating is available for up to 50 guests, so students learn to plan and execute large-quantity food production. “Themes are chosen so students learn to concentrate on flavors within the theme while using the ingredients in unique ways,” Barrios said. “We want our patrons to have a dining experience they can’t get anywhere else in town.” Ryan Russell, a May 2012 SFA hospitality administration graduate, said the class helped prepare him for his career. “I love Southern food and would someday like to own my own restaurant,” he said. “The restaurant

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Do your digital photos leave something to be desired? Try these tips for taking better pictures from photographer Christopher Talbot, associate professor and director of the SFA School of Art. LIGHTEN UP Direction and color of light are very important in making good photographs. Early and late in the day, the sun lights the subject more from the side, giving photographs more depth and contrast. FILL THE FRAME Getting closer and filling the frame are great ways to get people to see what you want them to see. Sometimes it is not necessary to show the whole subject to get the message across. It can be more interesting to imagine the parts that are not pictured, and the use of space within the frame tends to be more pleasing.

business is fun but also very hectic. I learned how important it is to manage my time and plan ahead. This was the most beneficial class I took.” According to Barrios, students also learn about desirable menu progression, for example, starting with a heavy appetizer and finishing with a lighter dessert. In addition, while preparing meals for up to 50, as much of the warm cuisine as possible must be prepared ahead and held on a steam table until ready to be plated. Students are schooled on which foods hold up best in these conditions and which are the most easily served. Guests are seated promptly at noon, and service runs until 1 p.m. The Culinary Café is located on the south side of campus in a building that formerly housed the Early Childhood Lab. The cost of food items also plays

a major role in what selections the students prepare, Barrios said. “With a budget of only $10 per person, we have to be mindful that steak and seafood can be very expensive. We strive to give the perception of a $30 meal,” Barrios said. “The students learn to be creative with their choices and recipes.” Barrios said there are plans to showcase student work on the dining room walls by displaying trend boards developed by fashion-merchandising students and sketches by students in the interior design program. “Our goal is to teach students and promote their accomplishments,” Barrios said. “The comments we are getting tell us our patrons are excited and impressed with the meals and service, and the experience our students are receiving is invaluable.” –DONNA PARISH

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DO BACKGROUND CHECKS When looking through the camera, people tend to ignore everything but the subject. But problems like telephone poles or other objects appearing to sprout from people’s heads are obvious in the resulting images. Be aware of these potential distractions as you compose the picture. Moving a few steps to the right or left often solves the problem. NIX THE FLASH One of the best advances in digital photography is how well pictures can turn out even when photographed in low light. It might surprise you how good the natural light alternative looks compared to the on-camera flash. Try disabling the flash and using it only when natural light is not adequate. CLICK AWAY It doesn’t cost you money to make more digital photographs, and your chances of capturing great images increase when you take time to experiment with different viewpoints. When photographing people, they tend to become more at ease with the camera the longer you spend with them.

Photos by Stephanie Ballard

Gayla Mize Garden

THE NEWEST OF the university’s gardens has been named in honor of its namesake’s extensive preservation and beautification efforts on campus and in the community. The Gayla Mize Garden was dedicated April 16 and is located on the northeast corner of University Drive and Starr Avenue. The area is part of the 68-acre SFA Recreational Trails and Gardens and connects to the Ruby M. Mize Azalea Garden and Mast Arboretum. “Ray and Gayla Mize were a special part of making SFA’s gardens such a big success,” said Dr. David Creech, professor emeritus of agriculture and associate director of the SFA Gar-

dens. “Both were here when there was no staff, no tractors, no budget and no credibility – just a small patch of ground with a few students, wheelbarrows, shovels and energetic folks trying to make a bigger garden. Ray and Gayla both shared the vision that Nacogdoches and SFA would someday be a great garden spot in the Deep South.” Ray Mize attended the Nacogdoches Demonstration School on the SFA campus and later graduated from the university with a bachelor’s degree in business. He married Gayla Johnson Mize in 1973. The Mizes operated Mize Ranches and were instrumental in the completion of the Plaza Principal project to beautify downtown Nacogdoches, spending many hours selling and placing bricks, establishing statuary, and planting shrubs and gardens in the area. They are the parents of Lysa Hagan and Jimmy Mize, both of Nacogdoches. A Master Gardener, Gayla Mize was honored by the City of Nacogdoches for her dedication to the beautification of Nacogdoches. In 2000 she received the Outstanding Community Service Award presented by the American Association of University Women. She passed away on Feb. 22, 2009. –AMY ROQUEMORE

Mast Student Investment Roundtable A CENTER IN SFA’s Department of Economics and Finance that provides students with valuable hands-on investing experience has been named in honor of a local family’s generous financial support of SFA. The newly named Mast Student Investment Roundtable is a business course that gives students real-world experience, both in investing in the stock market and reporting to clients about monetary gains and losses. Office space for the Mast Roundtable is located on the first floor of the R.E. McGee Business Building. “Association with the Mast family adds a level of integrity and character to the investment roundtable,” said Dr. Todd Brown, SFA associate professor of finance and chair of the Department of Economics and Finance. “That’s an important aspect of investing, and the importance of reputation is something we focus on with our students.” The A.T. Mast family has endowed funds that benefit SFA academic and art scholarships, the School of Nursing, and SFA’s Mast Arboretum. A fourthgeneration native of Texas, the late A. T. Mast was prominent in the East Texas ranching and timber business. His son Travis Mast III is a retired Nacogdoches pediatrician, and his son John is active in timber and ranching endeavors in Nacogdoches and in New Mexico. Both are graduates of SFA. Their sister, Patricia Mast George, attended SFA, Sweet Briar College in Virginia and the University of Texas at Austin. The Mast Student Investment Roundtable invests more than $350,000 from sources including the SFA Alumni Foundation and the SFASU Foundation, and the earnings reports are shared with the organizations’ boards of directors. A portion of the proceeds from the investments are used for Alumni Association scholarships. –SHIRLEY LUNA

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

S ALUMNI, WE hold our SFA history and traditions close to our hearts. But as we embark on another academic year at our alma mater, we also celebrate new achievements and proud milestones. Our May graduation broke new ground in several ways. Not only did it involve the largest graduating class ever at SFA, but it also featured the greatest number of participants in the commencement ceremonies with 1,098 Lumberjacks crossing the stage in William R. Johnson Coliseum. In addition, half of the students earning degrees were the first in their families to graduate from college. We know from our long history of successful Lumberjacks that broken graduation records are likely just the beginning for these young alumni, and we look forward to their future accomplishments. You may have heard about the higher admissions standards that have gone into effect at the university this fall. These stricter standards were approved by the SFA Board of Regents in January 2010 based on recommendations from a special committee of faculty and staff members. We expect these new standards to eventually result in increased rates of enrollment and retention, which are important ways in which institutions of higher learning measure their success. The changes also will help ensure the students enrolling at our university are academically prepared for the rigors of collegiate study. One of my favorite SFA traditions, the Lumberjack Marching Band, will soon take the “Boldest Sound from the Oldest Town” to its biggest audience ever – the 2013 London New Year’s Day Parade & Festival. The annual event is watched by more than 600,000 spectators and televised to 280 million people around the world. Joining groups from more than 20 different countries represented in the parade and associated concert performance, the band will undoubtedly represent our university with the unique musical flair and steadfast Lumberjack pride that we all admire so much. If you cannot make it to London to hear and see the band perform, you will have plenty of other chances to do so this fall. Three of the best opportunities will be when the Lumberjack football team takes on Southern Methodist University in Dallas Sept. 8, Sam Houston in the Battle of the Piney Woods at Reliant Stadium in Houston Oct. 6 and Nicholls State in the Homecoming game Oct. 20 at Homer Bryce Stadium.

I hope to see you there. Axe ’em, Jacks!

BOARD OF REGENTS John R. “Bob” Garrett, Tyler chair Steve D. McCarty, Alto vice chair James H. Dickerson, New Braunfels secretary Carlos Z. Amaral, Plano Dr. Scott H. Coleman, Houston Brigettee C. Henderson, Lufkin Kenton E. Schaefer, Brownsville Ralph C. Todd, Carthage Connie Ware, Marshall Jourdan Dukes, Dallas student regent

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION Dr. Baker Pattillo president Dr. Richard Berry provost/vice president for academic affairs Dr. Steve Westbrook vice president for university affairs Danny Gallant vice president for finance and administration

Baker Pattillo ’65 & ’66 President, Stephen F. Austin State University

Jill Still vice president for university advancement

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Shirley Luna interim executive director of marketing and public affairs Hardy Meredith university photographer Amy Roquemore editorial coordinator

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“IF YOU LET them experience it, they will come” has proven a successful philosophy for the SFA School of Art, especially in relation to Art Day, a major recruiting effort held each November. For an entire day, the school hosts approximately 200 high school art students, offering them a virtual experience as a college art student. The participants, hand-selected by their high school art teachers, spend the morning in one of 12 studio art classes: advertising design, cinematography, ceramics, digital media, drawing, metals, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, art education and advanced figure drawing. “These college art classes are quite different than those at their high schools,” said Chris Talbot, director of the School of Art. “Because each class lasts three hours, students can actually complete a project. Plus, they have meaningful interactions with our instructors and the student assistants.” Ashley Martin, a 2010 participant from Cypress Ranch High School, said her cinematography group created and produced a short film they shot on campus.

“I enjoyed experiencing a different medium of art than I was used to,” she said. “In high school, I only focused on photography, so it was interesting to work in another art form.” After lunch, students are free to visit any of the other studios. While they don’t have time to complete an additional project, they still can get some hands-on experiences in the different areas and/or talk with the instructors and students from that program, Talbot explained. Amanda Clements, the only art teacher in the Chapel Hill ISD near Mount Pleasant, likes the exposure Art Day provides for her students. “I’m limited in what I can provide, and Art Day introduces my students to different areas and facilities and different teaching methods,” Clements continued. “The experience creates a spark and excitement about trying new things.” Martin, who is now pursuing an art education degree, said Art Day strongly influenced her decision to attend SFA.

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Because of my experience at Art Day, I felt comfortable attending SFA and knowing I would learn multiple ways to create art.” Ashley Martin 2010 Art Day Participant, Cypress Ranch High School

“It showed me what the art programs were like at SFA and how interesting it would be to learn there. Because of my experience at Art Day, I felt comfortable attending SFA and knowing I would learn multiple ways to create art.” Dr. Buddy Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts, explained that Art Day gives valuable information to the approximately 40 attending art teachers. “They get to know and trust our programs and, in turn, encourage their students to attend SFA.” The participating high school educators also receive professional enrichment. Dr. Marsha Blount, assistant professor of art and current director of Art Day, conducts a workshop for which continuing education credits can be earned. “It was through Art Day surveys that we learned many of the teachers wanted to further their art education,” Blount explained. “So, in 2009, we began offering courses toward a Master of Arts in art education.” The master’s program, designed to be completed in three summers with the options of taking some courses online and transferring up to 12 hours from another institution, is designed for

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working teachers’ schedules. Cuauhtemoc Murphy, art teacher at Bay City High School, began working on his M.A.A.E. this summer. He learned about the opportunity when he attended Art Day in 2010, and he was so impressed with what he saw that he decided to pursue his graduate work at SFA. “I could go to school in Houston – it’s much closer – but I really like the facilities and people at SFA,” Murphy said. “Art Day is a great recruiting tool,” said Himes. “We’ve found that whether prospective students are 18, 22 or 55, if they have a chance to interact directly with the faculty and experience our programs firsthand, they’re much more likely to enroll at SFA. Participation is the key.” Registrations already are being accepted for the 2012 Art Day, scheduled for Friday, Nov. 2. Interested teachers can visit www.art. sfasu.edu and search under “programs” to access more information and registration forms about Art Day and/or the M.A.A.E. degree.

Lumberjack Landing

–SYLVIA BIERSCHENK

Petroleum Geology AREA OIL AND GAS industry experts are helping students in SFA’s Department of Geology learn current practices and technologies, providing a boon to graduates seeking jobs in the competitive field of petroleum geology. Weekly lectures in a spring 2012 petroleum geology class were given by members of the East Texas Geological Society, a group promoting education and networking of oil and gas professionals, geologists and geophysicists. The guest lecturers each spoke on a specific aspect of the profession, such as exploration, production, geophysics and petroleum geology. “The oil and gas industry is changing so rapidly,” said Dr. Kevin Stafford, assistant professor of geology and director of the Texas Karst Outreach and Research Programs. Stafford, who also has a background in the petroleum geology field, led the class, which was offered to both graduate and undergraduate students. “By the time I teach the students what I know or they read something in a textbook, the information may be five years outdated. We were lucky enough to have these experts volunteer their time to teach our students how things were being done in the field, literally, that very week. The class worked out very well, and it should provide the students with a competitive edge when they look for jobs.” The geology department plans to offer a similar course in the coming academic year, he said. A total of eight ETGS members, most representing independent oil companies based in East Texas, met with the class throughout the semester. The speakers were recruited by Hal Bertram, president of Tyler-based HKB Resources, who earned his master’s degree from SFA in 2011. “Because of our proximity to the university – and many of us have attended SFA for graduate or undergrad studies – we decided we want to make more of a conscious effort to support the geology program and to help the students succeed in the industry once they graduate,” Bertram said The guest speakers’ real-world experience was intended to supplement the quality curriculum already being delivered by the department’s faculty, he said. “We wanted the students to know exactly what the oil companies are looking for so that when they graduate, they will have a good starting

knowledge of the information they need to hit the ground running.” Graduate student Bryan Byrd said the course provided him with a wealth of knowledge that will benefit him in his planned career as a petroleum geologist. He said he also was grateful for the opportunity to make professional connections that could benefit him in the future. “The speakers all know their respective disciplines so well, and they were very willing to talk about what is happening in their field,” said Byrd, who earned his bachelor’s degree from SFA in 2010. “Even for the students who didn’t necessarily have a good understanding of the business at that point, they were very adept at putting the information in layman’s terms so that we could all understand.” The discussions about underground porosity and permeability were particularly beneficial for Byrd’s thesis research, which is focusing on porosity in carbonate rock formations near the Yates Oil Field in Texas’ Permian Basin, he said. As a graduate student, he already has spent hundreds of hours exploring caves in the field to study how oil and associated fluids flow underground. Byrd also is president of SFA’s chapter of Sigma Gamma Epsilon Geological Honor Society and active in the student chapter of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists, which recently received the association’s Outstanding Student Chapter Award – one of only two awarded in 2012 and the only one given to an American school. The award recognized the group’s focus on community service, educational opportunities and professional integration, including the guest lectures offered last spring by the ETGS members. “I was at the conference in Long Beach, California, when the award was announced, and to be among students from schools like Princeton, Columbia, Rice, A&M and UT and be named best student chapter – it was amazing,” Byrd said. -AMY ROQUEMORE

“We wanted the students to know exactly what the oil companies are looking for so that when they graduate, they will have a good starting knowledge of the information they need to hit the ground running.” –Hal Bertram, president of Tylerbased HKB Resources

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Work Space

What you’ll find in. . . Dr. Jeana Paul-Ureña’s office

1. Hand-carved by Borucan Indians, these two small gourds were brought back by Dr. Paul-Ureña from a study-abroad trip she led to Costa Rica. 2. A framed photo of Paul-Ureña and Ernesto Cardenal of Nicaragua, one of Latin America’s most famous living poets, a politician and founder of a primitivist art community in the Solentiname Islands. 3. A goat hoof shaker from an agricultural community in Bolivia. The musical

instrument is made from hooves that are salvaged or clipped from milking herds, boiled and strung together to create ankle and hand rattles. 4. The license plate from the car Paul-Ureña drove while living in Brazil, teaching English at Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte – her first university job. 5. A collection of foreign-language movies that the professor has referenced in her film studies courses. 6. A piece of wood from Central America’s pejibaye palm that has been carved into a footed bowl. 7. Carved Argentinian mate gourds, used for sharing hot tea with close friends. 8. Paul-Ureña’s Doctor of Philosophy in Spanish and Portuguese from Texas Tech University. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts in English and a Master of Arts in Spanish from Texas Tech. 9. Various CDs recorded by Paul-Ureña and her husband and musical collaborator, Dr. Juan Carlos Ureña. 10. An autographed photo of Apollo 12 astronaut Alan Bean, the fourth man to walk on the moon and a longtime friend of Paul-Ureña’s father. The professor recalls being given the photo when she was 9 years old. 11. A colorfully painted dragon called an alebrije, hand-carved by artisans in Oaxaca, Mexico, a region known for its art tradition that is passed down through generations of families. 12. An ornate water jug, or bucela, the professor brought back from a trip to Albania. 13. A bilingual children’s book translated by Paul-Ureña. The book also contains a music CD recorded by Paul-Ureña and her husband. 14. The plaque commemorating Paul-Ureña’s selection as a Spotlight Speaker for the 2006 Bright Ideas Conference highlighting faculty research at SFA. 15. A çifteli, a plucked two-string instrument played mainly by the Gheg people of northern and central Albania and Kosovo. 16. A Brazilian berimbau, a one-string instrument used in capoeira, a martial art combining elements of dance and music. 17. A charango from Bolivia. This 10-string instrument is made from an armadillo’s shell. Dr. Jeana Paul-Ureña is chair of the Department of Languages, Cultures and Communication and a professor of Spanish and Portuguese in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. She came to SFA in fall 2000 after earning her Ph.D. from Texas Tech University and teaching in Brazil and Costa Rica. Paul-Ureña was recognized by SFA in 2006 for excellence in research, scholarship and artistry. Her academic research areas include Latin American novels, women writers, film studies and music. Paul-Ureña also is a professional musician, and, along with her husband, Dr. Juan Carlos Ureña (also a professor at SFA), she composes and performs at many universities, community theatres and festivals throughout the world. Together they have five albums, and their original music is available in most music stores throughout the world under the Putumayo World Music label.

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LIVES

HERE ON A RECENT walk through a lush East Texas forest, Dr. James Kroll cautiously approached a white-tailed deer food plot surrounded by an electric fence. Glancing over to his companions, he warned, “Steer clear of the wires. That’s 8,000 volts. It’ll dry your socks out.” The fence protects a pea patch where Kroll is conducting research on rotation grazing for white-tailed deer. For more than 35 years, “Dr. Deer” has been highly involved in the research of white-tailed deer all over North America through SFA’s Institute for White-tailed Deer Management and Research in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. As director of the institute, Kroll travels the country sharing his vast knowledge of America’s favorite biggame animal with wildlife researchers and other outdoorsmen. “When I was 7, I knew I wanted to be a wildlife biologist,” he said. “Growing up, I remember watching Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. The show’s host, Marlin Perkins, was a

hero of mine.” As Kroll got older, he said, he began to understand the important role media, especially television, plays in shaping people’s perceptions. He now has two of his own television shows, North American Whitetail in its 11th season and Dr. Deer in its second season. Both programs air on the Sportsman Channel. Born and raised in Waco, Kroll first came to Nacogdoches in 1967 to deliver a speech and was impressed with the city and its history. Dr. Laurence Walker, who was dean of the SFA School of Forestry at the time, offered him a job starting a wildlife program in 1973, and, Kroll said, “I jumped at it.” Along with director of the whitetailed deer institute, his current titles at SFA include professor of forestry, 1995 Alumni Distinguished Professor, 1995-96 Regents Professor, Henry M. Rockwell chair and director of the SFA Forest Resources Institute. His exper-

'Father of modern deer management' calls SFA home

tise in wildlife, especially white-tailed deer, has benefited literally thousands of SFA students through the years. “The majority of the time, our classroom is out here,” Kroll said, indicating the surrounding East Texas Piney Woods. “The only way to get the experience you need in this field is having your boots on the ground. When our students graduate, they are highly prized and shovel ready. They can get out there and go to work.” Some of the projects Kroll and his students are working on include testing small-scale farm equipment and conducting research on deer breeding and genetics. “Deer hunting has become a huge industry,” Kroll said. “In Texas, it totals $3 billion annually. In the United States, 85 percent of hunting is directed toward deer.” Kroll and his students designed and built one of the first deer-handling facilities in the world on 210 acres he owns near Cushing. The facility comprises a network of chutes, ramps and holding areas where deer can be temporarily detained and assessed, administered

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medications, or artificially bred. “Deer are wild animals, and I don’t advocate tranquilizing them,” Kroll said. “Instead, we are able to use the deer’s red colorblindness to our advantage. When they enter the holding area, we turn on a white light, and the deer initially go to it. Once the deer are inside, we turn on the red light, and they can’t see us so we are able to work with them.” Kroll said the deer remain relatively calm, and those that have been through the process multiple times are somewhat trained on what to do. “The ones you have to watch out for are the younger bucks. They can be unpredict-

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able. The big megabucks usually don’t give us any problems.” With decades of extraordinary experience under his belt, Kroll has become known to many as “the father of modern deer management.” However, he is quick to credit others with much of his success. He enjoys working alongside his SFA colleagues on research projects, and he said the late Arthur Temple Jr. also played a significant role in his career. “When I moved to East Texas, I began working at Boggy Slough, the Temple family’s hunting and fishing club. Mr. Temple wanted Boggy Slough to represent the best example of deer management in the country. After conducting research, I told Mr. Temple that in order to do that, we were

going to have to harvest a lot of does. The buck-to-doe ratio was 1:8, and the range was severely over-browsed, altering the forest. “He placed his trust in me, and eight years later, ironically, I harvested one of the biggest deer ever taken in our state. He was known as the Boggy Slough Monster and sported 9-inch bases and four drop tines,” Kroll said. Between teaching, conducting research and taping television programs, Kroll said he has had little time lately for his other, lesser-known passion – painting. “Very few people know I’m an artist,” Kroll said. “I haven’t painted in years, but I’d like to pick up the brush again. Of course, wildlife is my main subject. I’ve painted birds, ocelots and also wildflowers, but can you believe I’ve never painted a white-tailed deer?” –DONNA PARISH

Lumberjack Legacy A NEW ENDOWMENT program at SFA allows landowners to entrust their forestlands to the university while providing hands-on training and research opportunities for students and faculty members. The Lumberjack Legacy Forest Program has multiple beneficiaries, including landowners, SFA students and the properties themselves, according to Dr. Steve Bullard, dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “The landowners benefit from the knowledge that they are preserving the land for future generations. They also may receive tax benefits, and, with SFA managing the property, they no longer have those expenses.” The program also provides students with exclusive research opportunities and increased time in the field, giving SFA forestry graduates a distinct advantage in the job market, he said. “The forestlands benefit, as well, because SFA manages them using sustainable forest-management principles. Deed restrictions also can be put in place to help prevent forest fragmenta-

tion or conversion to non-forest uses.” Initially, efforts were directed toward acquiring properties located near Nacogdoches so they could be easily accessed by students participating in weekly labs. However, the program has now been expanded to allow for the donation of property in almost any location that is beneficial to the university’s mission. “Many properties provide revenue that can benefit SFA,” said Jason Grogan, research specialist in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture and Lumberjack Legacy Forest Program coordinator. “For instance, SFA might acquire the property and lease it with the proceeds going toward scholarships or research. The donor also can stipulate which program he or she would like to have the revenue applied to.” Funds can be earmarked for any SFA program, not just forestry, he said. Donated properties also can be sold and the revenue used to purchase land closer to Nacogdoches. “The great thing about this program is it provides so much flexibility,” Grogan said. “There also are no donor out-of-pocket expenses, unless stipulations require it, and the SFA Real Estate Foundation Inc. handles the transfer of the property.” STMicroelectronics provides an example of how SFA works with landowners to achieve mutual goals for the affected properties. ST initially approached SFA with a primary objective of carbon sequestration through reforestation. Growing pine trees sequesters carbon from the atmosphere and helps companies establish a carbon-neutral “footprint.” With the assistance of the SFA forestry program, ST purchased and reforested 3,449 acres of marginal pastureland. These properties were later donated to SFA; however, ST maintains

the rights to the carbon credits. Timber revenue generated from these properties currently benefits the Robert L. Banks – STMicroelectronics Scholarship, as well as other education and research activities at SFA. The Lumberjack Legacy Forest Program got its name, in part, because the forestry and environmental science professions are growing, and colleges and universities are not graduating enough students to fill the vacancies, the dean said. “Forestry also requires the professionals teaching the classes and conducting the research to be present—in the moment,” Bullard added. According to Grogan, the donors are giving SFA faculty members the opportunity to practice what they teach, and that is a legacy that will live on in students for generations. –DONNA PARISH

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VISTA VIEWPOINT by Dr. David Howard

Higher Education and Society in the 21st Century TO MANY OBSERVERS, the Western world of the second decade of the 21st century seems to be perched on the precipice of economic existence. In 2011, the United States GDP grew by only 1.7 percent while our gross debt rose to 101 percent of that GDP. Moreover, student loan debt is expected to exceed $1 trillion, eclipsing the nearly $900 billion in personal credit card debt. By any measure, the reality of the economic figures is unsustainable. Alarming economic indicators such as these continue to fuel the scrutiny of higher education. To be sure, many questions face higher education going forward. What will the federal government demand of universities in terms of lower tuition costs? How will instruction in higher education be delivered in the future? Will self-service learning systems such as that recently announced by MIT become widespread? And perhaps more vitally, how will universities distinguish themselves in an increasingly disrupted market? Allow me to suggest a strategy from a faculty member’s perspective. The most effectual long-term strategy is to embrace four foundational keys to achieving academic excellence, which are increasingly just out of reach in contemporary society. DISCIPLINE The hallmark of Western civilization is its reliance upon selfdiscipline. Benjamin Franklin, upon leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787, was asked, “Well, Doctor, what have we got? A republic or a monarchy?” He replied, “A republic, if you can keep it.” Implicit in Franklin’s words is a call for discipline. Perhaps many of the problems our nation faces stem from a lack of personal discipline. Certainly learning, scholarship and inquiry are lifelong disciplines, and the universities that can cultivate the pursuit of intellectual discipline will always excel. DILIGENCE Hard-won accomplishment is the sweetest and most enduring of any attainment. A challenging curriculum and high professorial expectations will, in the end, produce the most marketable students. The increasingly widespread expectation of success, regardless of personal effort, must be replaced with the expectation that with hard work comes satisfaction, enrichment and success. University policies and practices should instill this foundational characteristic.

Fall 2012

RESPONSIBILITY Faculty members will heartily agree that freshman students who possess a strong sense of personal responsibility for their learning ultimately demonstrate the most intellectual growth and academic success. The universities that encourage and expect students to be responsible will distinguish themselves as institutions that dominate the job market. At SFA, one of the root principles enumerated in the “SFA Way” is the principle of responsibility. PASSION The universities that assemble an intellectual, passionate faculty will always outperform differently inclined institutions. Moreover, universities that free faculty for scholarly pursuit will, in so doing, invigorate classroom instruction, thereby paving the way for student success. Passion produces, and passion propels. The four basic keys for achieving academic excellence just mentioned might be better called habits or arts. In fact, poet William Johnson Cory, educated at King’s College, Cambridge, said “You go to a great school not so much for knowledge as for arts or habits; for the art of expression, for the art of entering quickly into another person’s thoughts, for the art of assuming at a moment’s notice a new intellectual position, for the habit of submitting to censure and refutation, for the art of indicating assent or dissent in graduated terms, for the habit of regarding minute points of accuracy, for the art of working out what is possible in a given time; for taste, for discrimination, for mental courage and mental soberness.” As faculty, we strive for ever-more effective teaching strategies, for new ways to engage students and for new ways to inspire; yet, we at the same time hold fast to these timeless qualities. Together with students, staff, administration and especially alumni, we can help ensure that this great university Dr. David Howard is distinguished and is truly Associate Director of Choral dedicated to academic excelStudies, SFA School of Music lence and to a better tomorrow. Past Chair, Faculty Senate

Veterans Resource Center

TO BETTER MEET the unique needs of students who have served in the military, SFA has established an on-campus Veterans Resource Center that brings opportunities for guidance, networking, studying and recreation together under one roof. Veterans and their dependents visiting the new VRC will find information about academic advising, Web resources, disability and health services, counseling and career assistance. They also will have free access to computers and printers, quiet study areas, and a lounge for watching movies and playing video games on a 70-inch flat screen TV. Criminal justice major and Palestine native Brian Bailey said he began spending his breaks between classes in the VRC as soon as the center opened last spring. “It’s a quiet, comfortable atmosphere with good conversation from like-minded individuals,” said Bailey, who served in the U.S. Navy from 2003 to 2009. He says he considers the facility to be a true resource center, adding that if he has trouble with his GI Bill or a problem with a class, there is a strong likelihood that someone else at the center can relate and offer solutions. “Being able to come to the VRC and get help with my path through the university and encouragement to succeed at SFA is truly a blessing,” he said. “We have folks from every military branch, and we’re able to relate to one another while we take a breather during the day.” The VRC is committed to providing the best possible resources for veterans and their dependents, said Dr. Charles Lopez, assistant dean of student affairs for support services. Additional services, including scholarships and a bridge loan program, will be added soon. Because of the VRC and other efforts across campus to support military veterans and their dependents, SFA has been recognized as a Principles of Excellence School by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The VRC is an outgrowth of Lopez’ 2009 doctoral dissertation, which focused on the unique needs of men and women enrolling at SFA following their military service.

“My research was an in-depth look at who the SFA veterans were and the impact of affordability and accessibility on their academic success,” Lopez said. “I found that veterans wanted a place where they could meet with other veterans to talk about issues related to their needs and to hang out with one another.” Lopez reached out to U.S. Army veteran and SFA graduate student John Fontenot, and the two began to bring enrolled veterans together to discuss their needs and to help make the idea of the VRC a reality. Three years later, the VRC opened its doors in March 2012. The center is located on the first floor of the Baker Pattillo Student Center, easily accessible for the nearly 300 military veterans and their dependents currently attending SFA. “The VRC, to me, is a place that likeminded veterans can gather, socialize and form positive relationships that otherwise would not happen,” said Fontenot, who now serves as coordinator for the VRC. “Veterans, for the most part, keep to themselves on campus because they don’t have much in common with the regular student body. They commute to school, live off campus, have families to support and have jobs.” Leaving the military and resuming civilian life is not always easy, Fontenot said, and the additional stresses of college can make the transition even more challenging. “Military veterans come to SFA much different than a young student fresh out of high school. They are older, welltraveled, many will have seen combat, and many will carry visible and invisible injuries or disabilities,” Fontenot said. Long-term goals for the center include providing a veteran counselor and creating therapeutic programs focusing on health, wellness and mentorship. “Our ultimate goal is to get them to the graduation stage wearing the SFA veteran graduation stole and a huge Lumberjack smile,” Fontenot said. “In my estimation, with a mid-sized student body and the cozy layout of the campus, SFA is the best university in the state of Texas for returning veterans.” To learn more about the VRC, call (936) 4686494, e-mail sfaveterans@ sfasu.edu or visit www. sfasu.edu/vrc. Those interested in helping support the new VRC are encouraged to contact the SFA Office of Development at (936) 468-5406. –ROBIN JOHNSON

Sawdust

ATHLETICS Bowling

In just its third year of existence, the SFA bowling team reached new heights in the 2011-12 season, finishing ranked as the No. 10 team in the nation under firstyear head coach Amber Lemke. The Ladyjacks (No. 15 seed) advanced to and competed in the United States Bowling Congress Intercollegiate Team Championships, advancing all the way to the semifinals before falling to No. 2 seed Webber International. SFA finished with a 66-50 record and was led by sophomore Nicole Parkhurst, who received a 2012 NTCA All-American honorable mention. Parkhurst, a native of Utica, N.Y., earned a berth in the 2012 USBC Intercollegiate Singles Championship, becoming the first Ladyjack to do so. One of the biggest moments of the Ladyjacks’ season came in mid-March when SFA defeated both No. 1-ranked Fairleigh Dickinson and No. 4-ranked Vanderbilt at the Columbia 300 Music City Classic. The Ladyjacks will return their entire team for the 2012 season.

Kylie Louw

On the heels of a Southland Conference title and back-to-back SLC Player of the Year honors, senior midfielder Kylie Louw fulfilled a life-long dream this summer when she represented her home country of South Africa in the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. Originally from Discovery, South Africa, Louw first began playing soccer when she was 4, competing with mostly boys. She continued playing throughout her childhood, using her talent and speed to garner attention from the women’s national team and eventually making her first appearance for the senior team when she was just 16. Louw also captained the team until she accepted a scholarship to play for SFA in 2009. Louw, who was named the SLC Student Athlete of the Year in 2011, finished with a team-best 14 assists and 28 points while leading the Ladyajcks to their sixth conference title in SFA history. This summer marked the first-ever appearance by the South Africa squad in the Olympic games, which were highlighted by Louw helping guide her team to a 0-0 tie against defending World Cup champion Japan in the final game.

Fall 2012

Commisioner’s Cup

For the second time in three seasons, SFA has earned the Southland Conference Commissioner’s Cup, an award given annually to the league school that compiles the highest combined total of men’s and women’s all-sports points. SFA totaled 145.5 points to best Texas State by 5.5 points in the final cup standings. The Lumberjacks tallied 65.5 points, while the SFA women scored 80. The race for the cup was a tight battle throughout the year and came down to the final weekend of the baseball season. The ’Jacks won two of three games against Nicholls State to capture the cup. SFA finished the year with four conference championships. The Ladyjack soccer team got things started with the best season in program history. SFA went a perfect 9-0 in conference play, recording 13 shutouts and surrendering only one goal. The Ladyjack track and field team won both the indoor and outdoor titles, which set an SLC record for consecutive wins. The women’s tennis team added its first SLC title in program history by posting a 23-5 record and advanced to the NCAA Championships.

Football

The Lumberjack football team opened preseason camp with a lot of high expectations, and for good reason. After winning its final five games of 2011, the preseason polls have SFA picked to finish second in the conference. In addition, SFA is returning 10 starters on offense, including quarterback Brady Attaway and All-America receivers Cordell Roberson and Gralyn Crawford. Attaway can breathe a sigh of relief knowing that four of five starters return from an offensive line that led the nation in pass protection last season. SFA will have to replace six starters on defense, but the ’Jacks return several key pieces. Led by All-America defensive end Willie Jefferson and junior Malcolm Mattox, SFA led the nation in sacks and tackles for losses last season. Senior linebacker Ryan Epperson led the league in tackles during his first year as the starter, averaging better than 10 tackles per game. Three of four starters return in the secondary led by junior Josh Aubrey. He will be joined in the secondary by his brother, Jordan, and junior Caleb Nelson, both of whom received All-SLC honors in 2011. The Lumberjacks kick off the season Thursday, Aug. 30, against Southwestern Oklahoma. The game is slated to begin at 6 p.m. at Homer Bryce Stadium.

THE SFA WOMEN’S tennis team has seen plenty of success in the past two years, but the 2012 campaign will go down as the best season in program history. Following on the heels of its first-ever 20-win season, SFA posted a school-record 23 wins, won its first Southland Conference regular-season and tournament titles, and advanced to the NCAA tournament where the team faced No. 25 Tulsa in the opening round. SFA entered the NCAA’s field of 64 as one of the most successful teams in the country. The Ladyjacks’ 23 victories tied for the fourth-most wins in 2012 behind only No. 3 Duke, No. 60 College of Charleston and University Akron. Along the way, the ’Jacks rattled off a program-best 14-match win streak, which included a win against nationally ranked Tulane and a 7-0 victory over North Texas, who landed in the national rankings in the next poll. SFA’s efforts on the court didn’t go unnoticed by the pollsters as the ’Jacks cracked the poll at No. 35 and were ranked No. 46 at the start of the NCAA tournament. The ’Jacks opened tournament play as the No. 3 seed in its four-team pod, the highest seed earned by an SLC women’s team. “The season was obviously very exciting,” said new head coach Stephanie Wooten, who served as assistant coach during the 2012 season. “There is nothing better than to see all the hard work pay off in victories. Some teams get arrogant with that kind of success, but these young ladies were humble and just focused on getting better every time out.” The most impressive fact about the 2012 season may have been the overall youth of the squad, she said. The 2012 roster consisted of only one senior, two juniors, a sophomore and four freshmen. “As far as the majority of the team being young, that is a definite challenge as a freshman playing the No. 1 position,” Wooten said. “But they’ve played so many international tournaments that these are world-class athletes. I really think that played to our advantage, but as the season wore on, it became more difficult because they were not used to playing back-to-back matches.” With the number of talented incoming players SFA had for

the 2012 season, it would have been understandable if jealousy over playing time had been an issue, she said. Each newcomer brought with her a résumé of success, and none was used to watching the action from the sidelines. But, instead of squabbles over playing time, the strong talent and varying backgrounds seemed to bring the team closer together. “Tennis is an individual sport, and coming to college as an 18- or 19-year-old who has never been a part of a team is hard,” Wooten said. “But this group of young ladies got along exceptionally well. Those who didn’t play in a particular match were on the fence cheering. They each had a great deal of respect for everyone else. It didn’t matter who was on the court playing, they just focused on getting the job done.” Following the season, SFA coaches and players were honored by the league. Six players received All-Southland Conference honors, including four first-team selections. Former head coach Patrick Sullivan also was named SLC Coach of the Year. –JAMES DIXON

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up s e v r e s eam Tennis t son a e s p i h s champion

â&#x20AC;&#x201C;Stephanie Wooten, SFA head tennis coach

Fall 2012

“I remember seeing a girl walking down the sidewalk at SFA with a full skirt on and NO PETTICOATS!!! LOL! In the late ’50s, that was pretty daring and provocative. . .” June Billingsley (Alumni Association Facebook)

“I love how helpful the professors in the College of Business are. They want to help students out because they want them to succeed and are genuinely interested in their students.” Lydia Elseth (The Pine Log – What I love about SFA)

“After a summer at SFA orientation, it’s good to see Chief Caddo returned to the Field House. Another sign that football is nearing.” (SFA Athletics Facebook)

“Can’t wait for Jack Camp and to meet all my new Lumberjack brothers and sisters in the Class of 2016!” Austin Fenoglio (SFA Facebook)

“I love my SFASU. . . Proud to wear my PURPLE!!!!” Penny Michelle (Alumni Association Facebook)

“I just realized how PROUD I AM to be an SFA Alum, just had an Alumni event here in DC, pretty awesome!”

Ryan Goicoechea ’04 (SFA Facebook)

Dig This The Ladyjack volleyball team recently was honored as one of 102 Division I women’s teams in the nation to earn the American Volleyball Coaches Association Team Academic Award. SFA was one of only four Southland Conference institutions and six from the state of Texas to receive the honor. It is the second consecutive season SFA has earned the award. The team was similarly honored five consecutive times from 2000 to 2004. The award, which was initiated in the 1992-93 academic year, honors collegiate and high school volleyball teams that display excellence in the classroom during the school year by maintaining at least a 3.3 cumulative team grade-point average on a 4.0 scale or a 4.10 cumulative team GPA on a 5.0 scale.

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RESEARCH

The Story of a Language STORY BY AMY ROQUEMORE illustrations BY emily e. graves

Last spring, Dr. Chris Samsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; undergraduate linguistics students and a Catholic nun from Tanzania helped document a language spoken in a tiny corner of the world 9,000 miles away. >

Fall 2012

CLOISTERED IN A typical classroom at SFA, half a world away from the southwestern coast of Lake Victoria in Tanzania, East Africa, where the Haya language is spoken, 15 linguistics students peppered their extraordinary field research informant with questions. How do you say “dog”? How do you say “hand”? How do say “eight”? With uncommon patience and endurance, the informant dutifully responded to each inquiry, repeating words and phrases in her native tongue dozens of times if needed for the students’ comprehension. The unfamiliar tones, inflections, vocabulary and grammatical rules that make up the complex NigerCongo language were neatly recorded in the field notes of the students, who spent time outside of class listening to recordings of these sessions, sometimes for hours on end. This painstaking process was repeated class after class, week after week, throughout the spring 2012 semester in a rare field research course for undergraduate linguistics students led by Dr. Christopher Sams, SFA assistant professor of linguistics and director of English education. When it was all said and done, the students had contributed to the broader understanding of one of the world’s critically under-documented languages. What’s more, they had gained an appreciation for how field research can uncover unexpected common ground shared by two far-flung cultures, even when they are brought together purely by happenstance.

connected with someone who, to a linguistics researcher, must have seemed like a winning lottery ticket. Sister Josephina Mwoleka is a petite and unassuming Catholic nun who grew up in the village of Ruhole-Bulamula in the Kagera region of Tanzania. Besides her native language of Haya, she also speaks Rwandan, Swahili and English. “I was very surprised when Chris first told me about this opportunity to help his students,” said Mwoleka, who is in her second year as a graduate student in the SFA School of Social Work. “But I was very happy to get the chance to learn more about how languages are studied. I thought it was also a time to share something about my culture with others.” Having already earned a master’s degree in psychology from the University of Minnesota, Mwoleka came to SFA specifically to pursue a Master of Social Work. Upon graduating, she will return to Tanzania where she hopes her education will benefit the Santa Maria Gorati Orphanage Center where she has long worked as a missionary. The center serves more than 5,000 of Tanzania’s most vulnerable citizens, mostly women, children and orphans whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS. At the mission, they are provided basic education, food, shelter and health care and are taught the skills needed for future self-reliance. On a recent return visit to the mission, Mwoleka shared information with her colleagues about the research project she had participated in back at SFA. Curious about every detail of American culture, her community members were both flattered and mystified to learn of the research SFA students were conducting regarding their native tongue.

How do you say “dog”?

How do you say “eight”?

The Informant

Almost a year ago, Sams was accepted into a program to implement the university’s Quality Enhancement Plan emphasizing High Impact Practices at the undergraduate level. Such practices have been shown to improve higher-order thinking skills, cultivate deep learning, and lead to academic success and a better-prepared workforce. He began thinking about how he might structure a new class that would fit with the goals of the QEP and eventually settled on a field methods course for undergraduate linguistics students – something of an anomaly in itself. “Field methods is an upper-level master’s or Ph.D.-level class in most linguistics programs, so undergraduates don’t typically get to do this sort of thing,” he said. “But I knew I had some enthusiastic students in our program who would be up to the challenge.” Sams was thrilled to receive a $1,000 implementation grant for the course through SFA’s Office of High Impact Practices. And he immediately began putting out feelers for a current SFA student who would be willing to serve as the class’ field research informant in exchange for a modest stipend. He contacted the SFA Office of International Programs and was soon

Illustrations by Emily E. Graves

How do you say “hand”?

The Language

Immediately upon learning who the source for their research would be, Sams’ students were presented with their first challenge of the semester – choosing which of Mwoleka’s languages they wanted to study. The safe choice was Swahili, a well-documented language that would allow them to conduct field research into an unfamiliar tongue but enjoy the benefit of the many volumes of academic literature already holding answers to research questions they might pose. The alternative was a much rarer opportunity to study Haya, a severely under-documented tonal language about which the number of previous publications can be counted on one hand. And most of those were written decades ago. The Haya language is spoken by about 825,000 people in Tanzania, too many for it to be technically considered endangered, so it has received little attention from scholars over the years, Sams explained. But the dearth of documentation of

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The Research

Mwoleka began joining the 8 a.m. class each Tuesday and Thursday. With the students’ chairs arranged in a semi-circle around their distinguished informant, the fledgling researchers, tentatively at first, took turns asking Mwoleka to sound out vocabulary words in her native Haya. Often, the students would ask her to repeat a word more slowly, use it in a sentence, vary the tense – or all of these – until they were satisfied and ready to move on. Using the International Phonetic Alphabet, the students carefully recorded the vocabulary words and grammatical structures of the language in their field notes, becoming more comfortable with their informant and the language with each passing week. “The students were very cooperative and eager to learn,” Mwoleka said. “This language is not theirs, so sometimes I needed to repeat things to help them understand. I didn’t mind. I was glad to do it.” By the end of the semester, the students had compiled a list of about 150 words that are not included in the only known Haya dictionary, a small, rudimentary volume that provides English translations for a limited number of Haya words. Sams has since been in contact with the dictionary’s editor, who has enthusiastically agreed to include the SFA students’ findings in the next printing. “To me, that was the most exciting part of all – that we were able to blaze a trail for other researchers,” said Justin Stoker, a senior English major from Wylie who is minoring in linguistics.

Photo courtesy of the SFA Office of High Impact Practices

the language in the form of grammar texts, dictionaries and scholarly works meant that whatever his students were able to glean from their research would likely contribute to the body of knowledge available to future researchers. In the end, one student admitted, it really wasn’t much of a choice at all. “I think this is common of a lot of linguistics students, but we wanted to do something out of our comfort zone,” said Lindsey Antonini, who participated in the class and graduated in May. “We were nervous and had serious doubts about whether we would be successful. But, in the end, we decided we’d rather work with Haya and do something to help the linguistics community instead of doing Swahili, which would really only be helping ourselves. We wanted to see what we were capable of.”

“We weren’t just simulating research in a field methods class. We were actually doing the research, applying what we have learned in a way that can benefit the overall field,” he said. “For those of us who are planning to go on to graduate school and pursue a career in linguistics, this was an amazing opportunity to learn research methods and make a real contribution at the same time.” Participation in the field methods class already has benefited Antonini, who was accepted into the prestigious Ph.D. program in linguistics at the University of Georgia immediately upon receiving her bachelor’s degree from SFA. She credits the field methods course for helping her stand out among the other applicants, although she ultimately decided to pursue a master’s degree in linguistics before embarking on a doctoral program. “I think a class like this really gives the students at SFA an advantage over similar programs, because no one has taken a risk quite like this. But, I feel like our risk really paid off,” said Antonini, a native of Baytown. “We can take our experiences from this class with us to graduate school and into the work force, and not many undergrads can do that. That’s a big deal.” >>> Haya is a Niger–Congo language spoken by the Haya people of Tanzania, in the south and southwest coast of Lake Victoria. The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north; Rwanda, Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west; and Zambia, Malawi and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern border lies on the Indian Ocean.

Fall 2012

The Lesson

For their final class project, Sams’ students were asked to translate from Haya to English a popular fable that Mwoleka learned as a child and has retold to countless children at the mission. It is a cautionary tale of a small child who ventures into the wilderness alone to gather wood and is captured by a hungry cheetah. The cheetah is eventually outwitted by the village’s elders, and the boy is safely reunited with his family. At Mwoleka’s request, each of the students also shared a short story from their childhood with her. The stories topped off a discussion of similarities and differences between the two cultures that had paralleled the students’ linguistics research throughout the entire semester. Both the students and their research informant reported that this increased understanding of one another’s culture – as well as a new perspective of their own – was among the most rewarding aspects of the experience.

“You never think you are going to sign up for a class that will actually alter a field – even in a seemingly small way, like adding words to a dictionary,” Antonini said. “But, by the end of the semester, I think we wanted even more to give back to Sister Josephina for everything she did for us. She was amazing. And I hope that, by helping document the language of her people, we have reciprocated her kindness in some small way.”

Sawdust

Fall 2012

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

FRIDAY OCT. 19

10:30 a.m. SFA Homecoming Golf Tournament, Piney Woods Country Club 2–5 p.m. SFA Homecoming Frisbee Golf Tournament, Pecan Park 4:30–5 p.m. Annual Alumni Association Membership Meeting, Rusk Room, Hotel Fredonia

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

Oct. 19 - 20

5–7 p.m. “Back in Nac” Social, Nine Flags Bar and The Patio, Hotel Fredonia 6:30 p.m. Alumni Legacy Reception: 6:30 p.m., Dinner: 7 p.m., Live Auction and Benefit Drawing: 8 p.m., Hotel Fredonia

9 p.m. Torchlight Parade, SFA statue 9:30 p.m. Bonfire, Intramural Field 8 p.m.– Alumni All-Greek Reunion, Sports Midnight Shack. Proceeds benefit alumni scholarships. 8 p.m.– Bonfire After Party, Jack Ingram perforMidnight mance, The Barn Bar and Grill. Proceeds benefit alumni scholarships.

SATURDAY OCT. 20 7:30–10 a.m. Fourth Annual Homecoming 5K Fun Run, parking lot behind Schlief Tennis Complex, corner of Wilson and Starr. Proceeds benefit the Dr. Ray Worsham Scholarship. 7–10 a.m. Flap ’Jack Breakfast, J. McKinney’s, Hotel Fredonia 7:30 a.m. Golden Jacks Breakfast, Class of ’62, Banita Ballroom, Hotel Fredonia 9 a.m. Early Bird Coffee, Hotel Fredonia lobby 10 a.m. Homecoming Parade, downtown Nacogdoches 11 a.m.– Lumberjack Day with the Sylvans 2 p.m. 11:30 a.m – Alumni Corner Tailgate/Kids Zone, Kickoff corner of Hayter and Raguet Noon Duck Dash and Junior Jacks Duck Pluck, Ag Pond 3 p.m. SFA vs. Nicholls State, Homer Bryce Stadium 8 p.m.– SFA Homecoming Tailgate @ Concert, The Barn 1 a.m. Bar and Grill. Proceeds benefit alumni ALUMNI scholarships. CORNER Tent opens 1:00 p.m.

SUNDAY OCT. 21

11 a.m. – Alumni/Community Homecoming 2 p.m. Brunch, J. McKinney’s, Hotel Fredonia

Alumni

$50/person, $90/couple

LEGACY

RECEPTION • PLATED DINNER • LIVE AUCTION Honoring former SFA Alumni Association staff: Bob Sitton, Betty Ford and Mitzi Blackburn

ONLINE AUCTION

BACK in

NAC Alumni Social

GAMES & BOUNCE HOUSES

OCT. 6 - 21

www.biddingforgood.com/sfahomecoming

• Live music on the patio at Hotel Fredonia • Free appetizers • Drink specials • $2 purple beer • Photo booth Junior Jacks Duck Pluck. FREE! Every kid a winner. Next to Duck Dash.

The 22nd annual SFA Alumni Association Duck Dash will be held at noon Saturday, Oct. 20, at the Ag Pond. Toy ducks race to win prizes. You don’t have to be present to win. Sponsor ducks securely online at www.sfaalumni.com. Your lucky duck could win one of these great prizes! • $1,000 gift card to Jack Backers College Bookstore • The new iPad, Airport Scrap Metal • Four rounds of golf, lunch and cart rental at Piney Woods Country Club, Piney Woods Country Club • Kindle Fire, Wells Fargo Advisors • $200 gift card, Nacogdoches Clearing House • $100 MasterCard gift card, Commercial Bank of Texas • $100 Target gift card, Target • $100 Wal-Mart gift card, Wal-Mart • $50 Chili’s gift card, Chili’s • $50 Best Buy gift card, Best Buy • $25 Bed Bath & Beyond gift card, Bed Bath & Beyond Wells Fargo Advisors: Bruce Mayberry II, financial advisor; Sharla Covington, A.A.M.S., associateSawdust vice president – investments;

Ann Arscott Moore, associate vice president – investments; Wendy Wyatt Buchanan, A.A.M.S., A.W.M.A., senior vice president – investments

Tailgate with the SFA Alumni Association at Alumni Corner! Enjoy a catered meal with friends before the game. Tent opens three hours before kickoff. ADMISSION TO ALUMNI CORNER: Alumni Association members, alumni and fans can gain access to Alumni Corner by purchasing a single-game tailgate pass online at www.sfaalumni.com or at the tent. • SFA Alumni Association members - single game, $10 • Non-members - single game, $15 • Kids 10 and younger, $5 (with an adult) • Kids 5 and younger, free (with an adult)

Fall Tailgate Schedule Southwestern Oklahoma Thursday, Aug. 30, 6 p.m., Nacogdoches SMU, SATURDAY, SEPT. 8, 7 P.M., DALLAS

MENU Beef and chicken fajitas, chili con queso w/tortilla chips, Spanish-style rice and borracho beans, black bean salsa, tortilla salad, and hot tortillas.

Texas State, Saturday, Sept. 22, 6 p.m., San MarcOS CENTral Arkansas, Saturday, Sept. 29, 6 p.m., NacogdocheS Sam Houston State, Saturday, Oct. 6, 3 p.m., Reliant Stadium, HoustoN Nicholls state, Saturday, Oct. 20, 3 p.m., NacogdocheS McNeese State, Saturday, Oct. 27, 7 p.m., Lake Charles, LA. Lamar, Saturday, Nov. 3, 6 p.m., Nacogdoches Northwestern State, Saturday, Nov. 17, 6 p.m., Nacogdoches

Alumni Tailgate, co-sponsored by Lumberjack Fans Alumni Network. No cost to attend.

SPONSORED BY

Alumni Tailgate @ SMU. Free food for the first 1,000 attendees. No cost to attend.

MENU Honey-glazed ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fruit salad, black-eyed pea salad and hot dinner rolls. Alumni Tailgate @ Reliant Stadium. Free food for the first 1,000 attendees. No cost to attend. MENU Breaded pecan chicken breasts, gumbo, red beans and rice, vegetable Creole, spring mix salad, fruit salad, and jalapeño cornbread. Alumni Tailgate @ McNeese State. No cost to attend.

MENU Smoked sausage, pinto beans, corn on the cob, potato salad, cole slaw, fresh relish tray and Texas toast. MENU Carved herb-roasted pork loin with Dijon white wine sauce, roasted potatoes, green beans and whole baby carrots. In addition to iced tea and water, beverages from R&K Distributors will be available, and a sheet cake will be served for dessert.

Bundle U Viewing Lounge showing college football games prior to Lumberjack home games.

Fall 2012

ALUMNI NEWS FedEx discounts for SFA alumni SFA alumni will receive discounted shipping rates through a new partnership between FedEx and the SFA Alumni Association. SFA is the first alumni association in the country to offer this program, which will benefit individual members and small business owners while raising funds for Alumni Association scholarships and programs. “I am thrilled through this partnership we are able to offer this valuable program to our alumni, and to be the first alumni association in the country is a tremendous opportunity for the association and our alumni,” said Jeff Davis, executive director of the SFA Alumni Association. The program will bring substantial FedEx discounts to SFA alumni. Small business owners can save up to 27 percent on FedEx Express, up to 15

percent on FedEx Ground and up to 10 percent on FedEx Home Delivery shipments. Individuals can save up to 20 percent with FedEx Express and up to 10 percent with FedEx Ground and FedEx Home Delivery. For those with heavyweight shipments, the program also offers discounts on less-than-truckload (LTL) shipping with many of the nation’s premier LTL carriers. Small business owners can save on inbound, outbound and third-party shipping costs and put the savings back into their business. The Freight Savings Plan is free for all SFA alumni, and there’s no minimum shipping requirement. Alumni simply have to sign up to take advantage of the discounts. Service provider Siriani & Associates has designed comprehensive freight savings plans for

various trade associations since 1980 and takes pride in providing association members with unparalleled customer service. Siriani looks forward to helping SFA alumni reduce their shipping costs by taking advantage of this valuable program. To sign up for the program or for information, visit www.sfaalumni. com/page/fedex or contact program provider Siriani & Associates at (800) 554-0005.

Become a member of the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association, and you’ll receive all four issues of Sawdust during the year. Reading Sawdust is a great way to keep up with SFA activities, news and events. Member discounts include SFA apparel, hotels and rental cars; plus, members receive invitations to special alumni events.

Join online at www.sfaalumni.com or call 800.765.1534

Membership dues also help provide scholarships for SFA students and fund alumni events like homecoming weekend, tailgate parties and chapter activities. Rediscover the Lumberjack Experience by becoming a member of the SFA Alumni Association. Find the full list of membership benefits at www.sfaalumni.com.

Sawdust

Andrea Thompson ’94, small business owner AN SFA COMMUNICATION graduate has found her niche in this dogeat-dog job market embracing skills, tasks and creatures that had not previously appealed to her. Andrea Thompson ’94 is the owner, chief cook and bottle washer for Katie’s Jar, an independently owned San Antonio bakery that churns out delicacies such as empanadas, churros, gingerbread, vegetable chips and frozen treats – all especially formulated for man’s best friend. The talented freelance graphic designer said had she read a description of her current job in a “Help Wanted” ad, she would have passed it up because it involves lots of tasks she never thought she’d do. “I’m not a sales person, never liked to cook and don’t like to wash all the dishes I have to wash,” she says, “not to mention the fact that I never really wanted a dog or any kind of pet.” But that was before Katie came into her life. The bakery, Katie’s Jar, is named after Thompson’s beagle, whose allergies inspired the cottage-industry endeavor. After taking in the 4-year-old pup when her brother was unable to keep her, the new owner discovered the dog was allergic to a variety of common pet food ingredients, including many grains and soy. “After two food switches, I finally found a healthy grain-free, cornfree and soy-free (dog) food,” Thompson recalls. “Then I looked at the treats I was giving her and realized they were made with all the fillers I was working hard to keep out of her diet.” Through research, a lot of test baking, and sharing with doggie friends and their owners, Thompson came up with some tasty treats that Katie eagerly devoured and that were good for her. All of the products she sells, including Katie’s favorite “sweet potato chews,” “pupcakes,” “berry churros” and “granolabones,” are free of preservatives and made with fresh ingredients. “When Christmas came around that year, our first big batch of gingerbread and the first version of our Carob Peanut Butter Cookie went out as gifts to our canine friends,” she said. “They got rave reviews.” Since she had recently turned down a graphic-design job in New York City offered by her former employer, Thompson had plenty of time to jump into her dog treat business with all the enthusiasm she typically brings to projects that intrigue her. She has put her design skills to good use creating marketing and packaging materials for her business. Thompson sells her treats through word of mouth and the Katie’s Jar Facebook page and website (katiesjar.com), as well as at a local San Antonio pet store and various farmers’ markets in the area. She also mails products to customers, many of whom she met in college, across the country.

Fall 2012

At SFA, Thompson was editor of the Stone Fort yearbook in 1993 and 1994. At the time, she was the first student to have embraced that challenge two years in a row. After graduation with a B.A. in communication, she worked for a printing company in Lufkin and later for several companies in Dallas and San Antonio designing books and catalogs. She says while all her jobs have been different, each has helped prepare her for the challenges of running her own business. “It’s a fun job,” she said. “I don’t have a long-term business plan yet; I just like to create things for the pups. I am having a good time with Katie’s Jar.” - PAT SPENCE

Photos courtesy of Andrea Thompson

Lumberjack Style

IN THE BAG

Beautifully feminine yet rustic, this rich purple burlap bag is the perfect fall accessory. $48 Crossbody Burlap Purse @ theruffleddaisy

Find one-of-a-kind fashions at Etsy, the world’s handmade marketplace. Check out these shops on etsy.com for fashionable (and sometimes quirky) clothing and accessories to show off your SFA spirit.

PLUSH STUFF

This felt lumberjack might look tough, but he’s soft at heart. $25 Tiiiiiiiiiimber Lumberjack @ passivejuicemotel

SMELLS LIKE SFA

A hand-blended outdoorsy scent that combines pine, evergreen and cedar. $9 Lumberjack Perfume Oil @ PuurBody

A TUTU, TOO

Tiny dancers love these pretty tutus; moms like the coordinating headband with satin bow. $32 Purple Pizzazz Tutu @ TutuGorgeousGirl

THE SHOE FITS

Hand-painted Toms are a great way to show your SFA pride! $95 SFA Toms @ PersonalizedShoes

TOP IT OFF

Honoring all-things Lumberjack, these unique and eccentric designs pay homage to our favorite burly icon. The shop features T-shirts, patches, pillows and more. $22 Reunion T-shirt $2 Timber! Patch @ timberps

BEARDED BEANIE

LINKED IN

Laser-cut bamboo cuff links add a fun touch to any serious shirt. $20 Axe Cuff Links @ Cabin

Acrylic knit hat, newborn to adult sizing. Moustache optional. $27.95 Lumberjack Beanie @ thebabykeeper

Sawdust

FROM THE ASSOCIATION

SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Curtis Sparks ’85 - president Roger Robinson ’92 - president-elect Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - past president ASSOCIATION BOARD

all is in the air – or at least it will be soon. I look forward to this time of year because it means cooler weather is around the corner, football season is about to kick off and Homecoming is fast approaching. Homecoming is for you – our alumni – and we have worked hard to make the 2012 festivities memorable. Homecoming often is the one time of year alumni return to campus, and we hope to make you Lumberjack proud. So, on behalf of the Alumni Association, I invite you and your family to join us in Nacogdoches Oct. 19-21 as the Lumberjacks host Nicholls State. As you can see from the schedule of events, there are plenty of Homecoming activities to enjoy. I want to highlight a few of this year’s special events. First, we will kick off the weekend on Friday with a Frisbee Golf Tournament at Pecan Park and a Homecoming Golf Tournament at Piney Woods Country Club. On Friday evening, please join us at Hotel Fredonia for live music on the patio at the Back in Nac social. Following the reception will be a new event we hope will become a favorite tradition – The Alumni Legacy Reception. For the inaugural event, we will be honoring three people who have been instrumental in building and promoting your alumni association – Bob Sitton, Betty Ford and Mitzi Blackburn. I hope you will join us as we celebrate their important contributions to the Alumni Association. Dinner will be served, followed by a live auction. Start your Saturday with coffee and a flapjack breakfast or watch the 5K Fun Run followed by the Homecoming Parade. Then it’s off to Alumni Corner for tailgating until the 3 p.m. kickoff. Oh, and don’t forget to buy your ducks for the Duck Dash. These guys have been in training all year and look forward to the race. After the game, there will be a party and concert at The Barn Bar and Grill. And don’t forget to stop by for brunch Sunday morning at Hotel Fredonia before heading back home. Well, as you can see, there will be a number of activities packed into a few short days. I want to thank board member Kent Hutchison and his committee, Director of Join the SFA Alumni Events and Engagement Samantha Mora, and the rest of Association at these the alumni staff for the work they have put into this year’s exciting events: events. Homecoming is about you and your support for your alma mater, so please help make it a success.

SFA @ SMU Sept. 8 Battle of the Piney Woods Oct. 6 Homecoming Oct. 19-20

See you at Homecoming!

Wendy Buchanan ’85 Don Cox ’71 & ’76 Robin Dawley ’77 Karen Gantt ’95 Mike Harbordt ’63 Doris Havard James Hawkins ’83 Kent Hutchison ’92 David Madrid ’02 Justin McFaul ’04 Susan Roberds ’75 Phillip Scherrer ’99 Erika Tolar ’02 Steve Whitbeck ’75 Chris Woelfel ’95 Student Foundation Association Josh Perry ’12 SFA ALUMNI FOUNDATION GOVERNORS Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - chairman Brad Bays ’91 Lewie Byers ’68 Ford Cartwright ’69 Shirley Crawford ’58 & ’70 Stephen Greak ’92 James Hamilton ’77 Bill Roberds ’75 Curtis Sparks ’85 SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Jeff Davis ’02 executive director of alumni affairs Katy Crawford assistant to the executive director of alumni affairs Rhonda Crim director of alumni publications Dale Green ’99 director of marketing & membership

Curtis Sparks ’85 President, SFA Alumni Association

Samantha Mora ’08 director of alumni events & engagement Alicia Roland Chatman gifts & records specialist Emily Payne ’99 & ’01 chapter coordinator Beverly Smith ’96 accountant Mo Davis Williams ’09 scholarship coordinator

Fall 2012

Judith Barroeta ’10 coordinator of marketing & communications

AS A 10-YEAR-OLD, Paul Brigner ’94 enjoyed his first substantial interaction with a computer, then still more a wonder of the world than a staple of the American home and student backpack. “My brother-in-law was a genius techie, and he introduced me to the iconic Apple II computer, just about the time it was going mainstream,” Brigner said. That youthful encounter triggered a lifelong curiosity in Brigner, propelling the Dallas native to pursue an information systems degree at SFA and, later, to seize various tech-related career posts. Brigner’s tech journey reached a new crescendo in March when he was named director of the Internet Society’s North America Regional Bureau. “The Internet Society is exclusively focused on keeping the Internet open, evolving and vibrant,” said Brigner, whose new role will include developing the Internet Society’s membership and local chapters, building positive discussion around Internet-related policy issues, and leading solutions-oriented discussions among key stakeholders. While evolving and vibrant are fitting words for the Cyberworld, they are just as apropos for Brigner’s professional career, one that crisscrosses tech, business and legal landscapes. After a stint in the U.S. Army following high school, Brigner landed at SFA motivated in large part, he confesses, by his then-girlfriend – and now-wife – Sharon Butler, as well as reservations about a military career. Yet, there was also intrigue about SFA’s computer programming curriculum. “By the early 1990s, it was clear to me that computers were going to be a vital part of business moving forward, so some entrepreneurship kicked in,” Brigner said. At SFA, Brigner immersed himself in academics and on-campus work. He started as an RA and eventually became Hall 16’s assistant director. He later moved to a spot at the Ralph W. Steen Library, fittingly as the facility was transitioning to network PCs. “This dovetailed perfectly with my academic work,” Brigner said. “To this day, I say I got my baptism into network systems at the library, which expanded my knowledge beyond the classroom and gave my career a valuable head start.”

After graduating from SFA in 1994 with a “near perfect GPA” and honors as the university’s Outstanding Computer Science Graduate, Brigner landed his first professional job at Tenneco, where he programmed scheduling for the massive energy conglomerate. He later moved to Enron, gaining his first exposure to Web programming and developing the firm’s first online trading system for natural gas. “At the time, Enron was an incredibly dynamic company working on the cutting-edge of technology,” Brigner said of the now-infamous corporation. In 1997, Brigner accepted a tech consultant position at an upstart Washington, D.C.-based consultancy firm. There, he furthered his skills in JAVA Web development and emerged a wellregarded subject matter expert. Yet, Brigner felt he had reached a professional crossroads. The world was becoming more computer-centric with legal and business issues increasingly flowing into his work. With foresight and motivation, Brigner began pursuing his law degree at Georgetown University in 2001, but not before landing a job as chief architect at Verizon. “Verizon offered the stability and the environment that allowed me to go back to school,” he said. Three years later, Brigner joined Verizon’s Federal Regulatory Affairs department. As Brigner focused on general stakeholder relations and Internet policy, he also had his first contact with the Internet Society. “I knew right away they were doing incredibly valuable work,” Brigner said of his current employer. Yet, before Brigner left Verizon in 2010 to become the chief technology policy officer at the Motion Picture Association of America and lead that organization’s efforts to combat film piracy, he sparked the rebirth of the Internet Society’s dormant Washington, D.C., chapter. Whereas North Americans can easily take the Internet for granted, an unquestioned, routine slice of life, the Internet – and specifically its standing as a vibrant and accessible vehicle of information – is far more precious and guarded in other parts of the world, such as Africa, Asia and South America. “There is the potential for forces to

Photo courtesy of Paul Brigner

Guarding the Internet

BRIGNER come in and change the Internet, which has become such a fundamental part of our lives, and that’s why the Internet Society’s mission is so vital and relevant,” said Brigner, who also earned an MBA from Georgetown in 2011. Though 18 years removed from his time in Nacogdoches and now immersed in the vast Internet galaxy, Brigner said he owes much to his SFA experience. From the computer science professors who offered him the foundational knowledge and applied experience that spurred his success in the ever-changing tech marketplace to the leadership positions he held in campus jobs, Brigner reveres the university’s underlying role in shaping his professional ascent. “The experiences I had at Stephen F. Austin were critical in helping me learn new technologies, build relationships and develop competencies that would serve me well in my professional career.” –DANIEL P. SMITH

“There is the potential for forces to come in and change the Internet, which has become such a fundamental part of our lives, and that’s why the Internet Society’s mission is so vital and relevant.”

Sawdust

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

The SFA Alumni Association bestows its highest honors on those who have made outstanding contributions to their professions and community, committed themselves to advancing the values and goals of SFA, and ensured a better quality of life for future generations.

6 p.m. Cocktail Reception, 7 p.m. Dinner, Friday, Nov. 16, 2012 Convention Center A, Hotel Fredonia

SFA ALUMNI HALL OF FAME

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS

James Campbell ’48

Melvin White ’86

Don Keasler ’61

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA

DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR

Dr. Jennifer Criss Montes ’98

Dr. Hollie Gammel Smith ’00

Dr. W.D. Clark

Tickets to the awards ceremony dinner are $50 per person, $90 per couple or $350 for a table of eight. Purchase tickets online by Nov. 1 at www.sfaalumni.com or by calling the SFA Alumni Association at (936) 468-3407. Dress is business attire. Fall 2012

Photo courtesy of Andrew Brosig, The Daily Sentinel

Coach Farshid Niroumand â&#x20AC;&#x2122;80 & â&#x20AC;&#x2122;82 walks to the podium amid cheers of support from community members at a meeting of the Nacogdoches ISD school board. Sawdust

Fall 2012

SFA student Farshid Niroumand in 1979.

ecades ago, Farshid Niroumand ’80 & ’82 arrived in America in his early 20s with very little money and even less in the way of English-language skills. He became a widely respected high school coach and educator who produced world-class athletes, including his most famous student, Clint Dempsey, one of only two Americans to score in more than one World Cup game. According to Dempsey and other former players, Niroumand exemplifies the characteristics of a truly great coach because he treats all students the same – whether they are athletically disinclined participants in a mandatory physical education class or future World Cup stars.

Sawdust

“I looked around and told myself that I am not any less than those who have made it – Chinese, Iranian, Vietnamese and others.” This even-handed integrity and ability to inspire generation after generation of student athletes to excellence has led Niroumand’s teams to nine district championships and 22 trips to the state play-offs, five of those as regional finalists. Niroumand has been honored 15 times as District Coach of the Year and three times as Region Coach of the Year. It was this success that led the Nacogdoches school district to offer Niroumand the position of athletic director in 2010. The only person who protested the offer was Niroumand himself. “When (former) Superintendent (Rodney) Hutto offered me the job, I asked him if he realized what he was doing,” Niroumand recalled. “I pointed out that since I wasn’t the football coach, people wouldn’t consider me the appropriate person for the job. I’m still considered by some people to be a foreigner. The superintendent said that didn’t matter and that he was sure of what he was doing.” Niroumand accepted the job, and it was in this position that he implemented a very strict no-drug/no-alcohol policy for all athletes. The policy had been accepted and enforced for decades without question by NHS soccer players; the same rules would now apply to all athletes. Things ran smoothly for the department for several years, but the tranquility came to a screeching halt when members of the school board requested a change in the coach’s zero-tolerance disciplinary policy. Niroumand did not support the change, and, after being told he would be reassigned to an administrative position, he announced his plan to resign. Niroumand’s impending resignation was scheduled to be voted on during a December school board meeting. When news of the circumstances reached the public, an outcry erupted, and a petition began circulating in the community in support of the popular coach.

Fall 2012

EGINNINGS

As a native of Shiraz, Iran, Niroumand knows what it’s like to be a young outsider without access to the privileges enjoyed by one’s peers. “I was not born in a wealthy home. My father was a laborer with no education, and my mother was a housewife with a third-grade education,” Niroumand said. “Their hope and their wish was that their children would have a better lifestyle.” In addition to living in poverty, Niroumand’s family suffered constant persecution. “My country was Muslim and fundamentalist; my family was not Muslim and we were denied many basic rights,” he explained. “We were not issued rationing coupons during the Ten Years War with Iraq, and my father’s small radiator repair shop was looted and burned many times.” The terror escalated when Niroumand’s sister, who was about to graduate with a master’s degree in physics, was imprisoned because of her religious beliefs. After refusing to denounce her own religion, she was executed by hanging. Niroumand’s 20-year-old brother also was killed under suspicious circumstances while trying to escape the country. Niroumand joined the Iranian military immediately after his high school graduation. When he was released, he was able to leave the country on a U.S. student visa and made it safely to the campus of Kilgore College, where he had been accepted as an international student.

After completing his studies at Kilgore, Niroumand matriculated to SFA and earned a bachelor’s degree in 1980. He worked at a variety of parttime jobs: cleaning chicken houses, building fences, mowing yards and even an all-night job at a doughnut shop. In 1982, he earned a master’s degree and received an offer from the Nacogdoches school district: a one-year contract to establish a men’s soccer program that is now one of the most respected high school soccer programs in the state.

OACHING FOR LIFE

Niroumand has mentored thousands of students during his 29 years of coaching. “Some students have vacancies in their lives and need guidance but won’t ask for it,” said Niroumand, who interacts with more than 500 students a day. “As a good coach and mentor, you should fill those vacancies.” Joseph Randel, a former player of Niroumand’s, shared how the coach has influenced almost every area of his life. “Today as I was leaving the bagel shop, I cleared my table, wiped the crumbs up and left the table as clean as

Professional soccer player Clint Dempsey meets up with Niroumand on a recent trip back to Nacogdoches.

“I could not speak English, and the second semester, my chemistry teacher gave up on me. I was depressed, miserable and homesick, and I did not have any friends. But I did not want to go back and be a disgrace to my family and myself. I looked around and told myself that I am not any less than those who have made it – Chinese, Iranian, Vietnamese and others.”

I found it. And that’s because whenever the soccer team would eat after the games, Coach Farshid would make us do exactly that and explain to us that it doesn’t matter if there’s someone there to clean it up, you do it because you’re representing Nacogdoches High School, the soccer program, your family and especially yourself, and you need to always take pride in that. That lesson’s stuck with me for almost 10 years, along with plenty of others I could write a book about.”

Years ago, students came up with a nickname for their beloved coach: The Fash (pronounced “Fosh”). When Nacogdoches graphic designer Dana Britton, a former manager of Niroumand’s team, became aware of the circumstances surrounding the coach’s impending resignation last winter, his creativity took over. “I just sat down, and I immediately had this idea,” Britton said of his impromptu design. “I wasn’t planning to post it to Facebook. But I was just sad about all that was happening, and I decided to go ahead and post it so that maybe someone would get something out of it.’” Within minutes people were downloading the “FASH” logo for profile pictures, posters and T-shirts. Hundreds of supporters signed their names on the “Support Coach Farshid” Facebook page, including Niroumand’s most famous former student, Clint Dempsey. Britton was not surprised by the fervor of the coach’s community of supporters, which extends to locations around the world.

“That man has the most character of anyone I’ve ever met in my life,” he said. “And it’s great that he was able to see how much people truly admire him. It’s amazing.”

ESOLUTION

The much-anticipated December school board meeting was relocated to the high school auditorium, but the facility still wasn’t large enough to contain the crowd. Every seat was taken, and lines of students, parents and community residents stood in the aisles and squeezed into the corridors outside. Niroumand was called on to begin the first portion of the meeting, which was designated for public comments. As he began to make his way to the podium at the front of the room, the crowd – representing a wide range of ages, races and socio-economic backgrounds – stood and cheered for the man who brought them to the one issue on which all could agree: the punish-

ment for violating a school rule should be applied in an equitable manner to all students. “At the superintendent’s strong request, I have agreed to continue as athletic director and soccer coach for the remainder of my contract,” Niroumand announced. No touchdown, no goal scored or blocked, no homerun at Nacogdoches High School has ever brought a more resounding cheer. While Niroumand believes that difficulties and unpleasant events are an inseparable part of life, he also has learned that being stubborn has its advantages. “People, like tea bags, never know our strength until we get into hot water. Thirty-nine years later, I am here, and my stubbornness is paying off. I constantly remind my players that what we value in this country is not our right, but our privilege. And with every civil right, there is a civil obligation.”

“Some students have vacancies in their lives and need guidance but won’t ask for it. As a good coach and mentor, you should fill those vacancies.” 36

Sawdust

UPCOMING EVENTS

Alumni Corner

SEPT. 8

SEPT. 20

SFA@SMU SMU campus, Dallas Tailgate 4:30-6:30 p.m. Game 7 p.m. Tailgate spot is across from Anette Caldwell Simmons Hall at the corner of Airline Rd. and University Blvd. No cost to attend.

Oct. 12-13 SFA Theatricians Reunion SFA Campus Schedule and registration at sfaalumni.com

SEPT. 21

San Antonio Network Event 5:30-7:30 p.m. La Hacienda de Los Barrios 18747 Redland Rd. San Antonio, TX 78259 (210) 497-8000 http://lhdlb.com

Austin Network Event 5:30-7:30 p.m. Cedar Door Bar and Grill 201 Brazos St. Austin, TX 78701 (512) 473-3712 www.cedardooraustin.com

Oct. 19-20

Nov. 16

Homecoming Weekend SFA Campus and Hotel Fredonia Schedule and registration at sfaalumni.com

Alumni Awards Ceremony Tickets are $50 per person, $90 per couple or $350 for a table of eight. Purchase tickets online by Nov. 1 at www.sfaalumni.com or by calling (936) 468-3407.

OCT. 3 Touchdown Club of Houston Athletic Luncheon Noon to 1 p.m. J.W. Marriott, 5150 Westheimer Houston, TX 77056 Tickets are $45 each and $450 for a table of 10. For tickets, contact Neal Farmer at (713) 849-9860 or houtdclub@att.net.

OCT. 5-6 Battle of the Piney Woods Friday Reception, Westin Memorial City, 6-8 p.m. Saturday Tailgate, Reliant Stadium, 3-5 p.m., No cost to attend tailgate. Game 7 p.m. Tickets at sfajacks.com.

Nov. 17

Aug. 30-Nov. 17

Student Foundation Association Chili Cookoff SFA Campus, time TBA Schedule and entry forms at sfastudentfoundation.com

Alumni Corner SFA Campus, corner of Raguet and Hayter streets. Tent opens 3 hours before kick-off. Tickets: SFA Alumni Association Members - Single Game, $10 • Non-members - Single Game, $15 • Kids 10 years of age and under, $5 (with an adult) • Kids 5 years of age and under, Free (with an adult)

*Times and dates are subject to change. Visit www.sfaalumni.com for the most recent information.

Fall 2012

Allene and Randolph Hankla Memorial Scholarship The Allene and Randolph Hankla Memorial Scholarship provides funds for graduate students in the SFA counseling and administrative education programs. Allene Whitton Hankla (Nov. 10, 1919 - May 8, 2012) graduated from SFA with a bachelor’s degree in 1948 and a master’s in 1957. She began her first teaching assignment at Geneva Elementary School and was a teacher at Santa Rosa High School for many years. For more than 22 years, Hankla worked as an assistant night dean at Santa Rosa Junior College before she retired from education. Her enjoyment came from assisting others in obtaining their educational goals. In 2010 she attended a 50-year class reunion of Santa Rosa High School, and the students gave her a standing ovation in appreciation of how she touched their lives. Education was her life, and she always had a special spot for SFA and the many friends and teachers she met there. During her undergraduate years, she was voted one of SFA’s Beauties. Her hope for those coming after her was to establish a scholarship both at Santa Rosa Junior College and SFA. Those dreams have now been realized.

How to Start a Scholarship 1. Make the decision to help.

Future SFA alumni need your financial assistance. Plan your contribution today.

2. Name your scholarship.

You may name your scholarship after yourself or in memory or in honor of someone else.

3. Determine eligibility criteria.

You may include college major or GPA or restrict the scholarship to certain types of recipients.

4. Complete an endowment packet. You may download and submit documents online at sfaalumni.com or request documents via U.S. mail.

5. Contact us.

(936) 468-3407 or (800) 765-1534 crawfordkp@sfasu.edu

More than $20 million has been contributed to the SFA Scholarship Fund by thousands of former students and friends to assist future students in achieving their goal of a college education. The SFA Alumni Association awards scholarships through the SFA Scholarship Fund administered by the SFA Alumni Foundation. Alumni scholarships make it possible for students to enjoy all college life has to offer by helping relieve some financial burdens. The association has awarded more than $1 million in scholarships to students during recent years. Scholarships are endowed by cash or gifts of stocks, bonds, life insurance, memorial contributions and wills, as well as corporate matching gifts. A minimum of $20,000 is required to endow a scholarship. This may be accomplished during a 10-year period.

Make the decision to help secure educational opportunities for generations of future SFA students. Contact us to find out how to start creating your legacy today. Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association P.O. Box 6096, SFA Station Nacogdoches, TX 75962-6096 Phone: 936.468.3407 Toll Free: 800.765.1534 Fax: 936.468.1007 E-mail: alumni@sfasu.edu Website: www.sfaalumni.com

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ALUMNI NETWORKS

Be proud. Be part of it.

100%

LUMBERJACK! Happy Hours Networking Tailgating Freshman Send-Offs

WASHINGTON, D.C., NETWORK EVENT

Service Projects Luncheons FORT BEND N

ET WORK EVEN

Family Picnics Golf Tournaments Visit our website to find alumni networks and special interest chapters. www.sfaalumni.com

EVE ET WORK

N DALLAS

BEAUMONT FRESHMAN SEND-OFF

THE WOODLANDS NETWORK EVENT

Join fellow alumni at a network event near you!

Fall 2012

Tyler Chapter Freshman Send-Off

HOUSTON FRESHMAN SEND-OFF

CLASS NOTES

1970

Marie Whitehead ’71 of Rusk received the Best of East Texas Award for WHITEHEAD a lifetime of work on behalf of East Texas history. John McClain ’72 is the mayor of Diboll. Kirthell Roberts ’72 of Mount Pleasant has been the pastor of Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church since 1984. Dr. Kenneth Craycraft ’75 of Dallas is executive vice president of CRAYCRAFT Academic Partnerships of Dallas. Julia Ann “Jan” Ellis Cassard ’76 of Henderson was selected Rotary High School Teacher of the Year for Henderson ISD.

Michael “Ted” Haynes ’76 of Sachse was appointed to the Texas Institute of Health Care Quality and Efficiency Board of Directors. Marila D. Palmer ’76 of Longview is the assistant provost and PALMER assistant professor of education at East Texas Baptist University. Richard A. “Tony” Bennett ’79 of Austin is president and executive director of the Texas Forest Industries Council. Mark Burroughs ’79 is the mayor of Denton. BURROUGHS

1980

Kaye Mathews ’80 was named San Augustine Intermediate Teacher of the Month.

Walter Eagleton ’78 of Denton recently was named president of the Texas Professional Photographer’s Association. After receiving his Bachelor of Fine Arts at SFA and Master of Music Education at North Texas State University (now the University of North Texas), Eagleton pursued a career as a professional musician and private teacher. He began his professional photography career at the age of 40, and later built his dream portrait studio in 2000. Eagleton Photography is based out of Denton, where Eagleton serves on the board of directors for United Way of Denton, the Denton Public School Foundation and the Greater Denton Arts Council. In his role as president of TPPA, Eagleton serves the largest professional photographer’s association in the country and helps to facilitate the nation’s largest photography school—an intensive one-week training with more than 1,000 attendees. Eagleton was named Certified Master of Photography in 2010, the highest honor the association bestows on its members. Mike Olle ’80 of Schulenburg is assistant vice president/business development of Fayette Savings Bank. Calvin Finch ’81 of San Antonio is director of the Texas A&M FINCH University System center developing projects focused on high-priority water issues.

Sandy Schoen ’84 of Houston is facilities project manager of the Property and Project Management Group-Administrative Facilities & Campus Operations for the University of Texas, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Lori Fogleman ’85 of Waco is the director of media FOGLEMAN communications at Baylor University. James Brockway ’85 of League City is chief operating officer and commercial broker of Property Commerce Management Company in Houston. He also owns Brockway Realty, a residential brokerage firm. Connie Rudd ’86 of Lufkin teaches theatre at the American School of Kuwait. Chris Rupp ’86 of Houston is the baseball coach at Deer Park High School.

Katie Elizabeth Freed ’05 and Elliott James Soeder ’06, both of Houston, were married May 5.

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Brian Niblett ’88 of Mount Pleasant was recognized for 15 years of service at American National Bank where he is president and CEO.

1990

John B. Booth ’90 & ’04 of Levelland is superintendent of DeKalb ISD. Rachel Melcher ’91 of Houston is vice chairman of wine competition for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Wine Events Committee. Kristy Morrison ’91 of Crockett is a fourth-grade teacher of English/language arts at David Crockett Elementary School. T.J. Pelton ’91 of Pearland is a manager at Ben Taub General Hospital. Brad Sears ’91 of Mount Vernon was recognized by members of SEARS the Mount Vernon Rotary Club as the Rotarian of the Year for 2011-12. Vicki Gotcher ’93 of Jacksonville is a member of “The President’s Own,” the U.S. Marine Band in Washington, D.C. Joe Burns ’93 of Vidor is superintendent of Copperas Cove ISD. Gerald Chandler ’94 of Lumberton is assistant superintendent of Lumberton ISD. Jon Moore ’94 joined American State Bank in Tyler as senior vice president and senior credit officer.

Fall 2012

Dozens of “Pikes of the ’60s” recently attended their annual reunion at Middle Grounds Ranch in Hext, Texas. Members of the Epsilon Omicron Chapter of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity initiated between 1960 and 1970 have been holding the annual gathering at the ranch of R.B. Pool ’69 for the past several years. Melanie Chapman ’95 of Daingerfield is vice president of CHAPMAN human resources at Pilgrim Bank. Melanie Miller ’95 of Nacogdoches is director of women’s services at Nacogdoches Medical Center. Sherri Skeeters ’95 of Athens is the city’s director of tourism. Ray Merrill ’96 of Rowlett is principal of Sachse High School. Eva Thomas ’97 of Mount Vernon is senior vice president/senior audit and compliance officer at Pilgrim Bank. Chris Walker ’97 is Nacogdoches Fire Department captain. WALKER

Julie ’98 and Doug East ’97 of Arlington welcomed daughter Piper Ann on March 19. Timothy Chargois ’98 is superintendent of Beaumont ISD.

the Texas Exes Award for Outstanding Teachers. Gary Fairchild ’00 of Kirbyville is superintendent of Evadale ISD.

Dr. Ashley Clayburn ’98 of Cypress is assistant superintendent of school improvement and accountability for the Cypress-Fairbanks ISD. Jon Moore Jr. ’98 of Hallsville is CEO of Abundant Life Home and Community Service. Charles M. Watson ’98 of Rowlett is an assistant professor in the DepartWATSON ment of Biology and Health Sciences at McNeese State University.

2000

Richard Boring ’00 of McKinney, a baseball and football coach and chemistry and biology teacher at Princeton ISD, was awarded

HUDAK

High School.

Jeff Hudak ’00 of Watauga is head boys basketball coach at Joshua

Delta Zeta Alumnae: Join your sisters for a 50th Anniversary Celebration April 26-28, 2013! We will have a cocktail reception at Hotel Fredonia Friday evening, a luncheon on Saturday and a soiree that evening. Please register online at deltazetazetapsi. weebly.com.

Stephen Patterson ’06 of Orangefield is superintendent of Orangefield ISD.

Tiffany Roberts ’03 and Michael Deal of Houston were married Jan. 6. Cassandra Harper ’02 of Jasper is administrator for Timberlake Health and Rehabilitation Center. Sam Brandt ’03 of Jacksonville is offensive coordinator for the Jacksonville High School football team. Amy Jordan ’03 and Raymond McCreary of Conroe were married April 28. Danny Russell ’04 of Flint is head boys basketball coach at Katy ISD. Diane Stevens ’09 of San Antonio and Earl Forney ’06 of Nacogdoches FORNEY were married Aug. 11. Julie Diane Collier ’06 of Lufkin and Jacob Wade Seamans ’10 of Huntington were married Dec. 31, 2011.

John Seybold ’06 of Jasper, principal of Jasper Junior High, was recogSEYBOLD nized for being an outstanding principal by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals.

COOLEY

Jessica Cooley ’07 of Lufkin is the senior reporter for The Lufkin Daily News.

Josh ’07 and Allison Howard ’08 of Brenham welcomed daughter Reagan Aubrey on May 10. Suijuan ‘Kris’ Chen ’08 of Jacksonville is the Nacogdoches County auditor.

The SFA Alumni Association would like to thank the following alumni who recently became life members. We appreciate your support. 7755. Preston A. Vickrey ’10 of Timpson 7756. Constance E. Dodds ’12 of Pasadena 7757. Ashley D. Graeber ’11 of Garland 7758. Christine C. Hunt ’11 Duncanville 7759. Alison M. Cote ’10 of Conroe 7760. Scott E. Johnson ’11 of Magnolia 7761. Richard Shade of Nacogdoches 7763. Danny R. Bragg, Jr. ’11 of Pineland 7764. Willie F. Watson ’97 of Hutto

Autumn Finchum ’08 of Woden is a Certified Public Accountant with Axley & Rode LLP.

7765. Liza Baker-Watson ’97 of Hutto

Nathan Hague ’09 of Tyler is a sports writer and reporter at the Center Light and Champion newspaper.

7767. Brett W. Bailey ’12 of Lufkin

2010

7769. Kevin E. Hagar ’04 of Wake Village

Jill Hudnall ’10 of Lufkin is the manager of the Buckle store in the Lufkin Mall. Aaron Godwin ’12 of Nacogdoches teaches eighth grade GODWIN English/language arts at Marshall Junior High.

Emily Wilson ’08 & ’11 and Walter Tacquard IV ’10 of Nacogdoches were married Dec. 10, 2011.

LIFE MEMBERS

7766. Eric D. Bush ’11 of Ville Platte, La.

7768. Alexandria C. Ranc ’11 of The Woodlands

7770. Kevin P. Thornhill ’11 of Huntington 7771. Thomas E. Gunning ’69 of Schertz 7772. Ryan J. Adams ’00 of Kansas City, Kan. 7773. Ronnie Strahan ’02 of Nacogdoches 7774. Lauren E. Luetge ’11 of New Ulm 7775. Shannon N. Jones ’10 of Houston 7776. Kristin L. Gatewood ’11 of Beaumont

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IN MEMORIAM Retired Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Huel F. Callaway ’76 of Austin, June 19. Wilma Maurice Whitton Cecil ’32 of Nacogdoches, Jan. 9. James Davis ’64 & ’79 of Jasper, June 24. Frances Garrett ’92 of Longmont, Colo., July 22. David German, ’80 of Houston, Feb. 1. Jack E. Graham ’94 of Pflugerville, July 23. Sarah Hale ’10 of Kilgore, July 27. Allene Hankla ’48 & ’57 of San Augustine, May 8. Virginia A. Hanna ’42 of Rusk, Feb. 27. Johnnie Faye “Jeff” Hattman ’45 of Orange, May 3. Maureen Hoffman ’84 of San Antonio, May 9. George H. Hutcherson of Hallsville, May 20. Monte Michael Marrs Sr. ’70 of Arlington, March 2. Norma Meador ’43 & ’54 of Conroe, May 28. John Mills ’64 & ’67 of Carthage, June 27. Herman “Moon” Mullins ’49 & ’51 of Henderson, May 12. Robbie Javan “Jay” Randall ’55 of Nacogdoches, March 20. Margery Smith ’82 of Baytown, May 1. Terry Taylor ’72 of Lufkin, May 9. Juanita Alleen Weaver Tomasini ’40 of Fairfield, Calif., May 15. Eric Vincent Wade ’80 of Tyler, May 18. Elsie Waller ’58 of Georgetown, May 1. Doris Watts ’39 of San Antonio, May 8. Cline Weaver of Nacogdoches, Oct. 27, 2011. William “Bill” Robinson Welch II of Brighton, Tenn., June 27. Ronald Earl “Butch” Williams ’67 of Garland, July 28. Howard A. “Woody” Wolfson ’72 of Nacogdoches, June 17. Elsie Waller ’58 of Georgetown, May 1. Doris Watts ’39 of San Antonio, May 8. Dr. Archie P. McDonald passed away Aug.16. He was born Nov. 29, 1935, in Beaumont to Mr. and Mrs. G.H. Tucker. McDonald taught history at SFA for 48 years and served as director of the East Texas Historical Association and editor of the association’s journal for 37 years. He is a past president of the Texas State Historical Association, past vice chairman of the Texas State Historical Commission, author/editor of more than 20 books, a weekly commentator on National Public Radio, and author of a weekly newspaper column. The Archie McDonald Speaker Series was created in 2010 to honor McDonald’s legacy as a distinguished scholar, educator and community commentator.

Fall 2012

Maco Stewart of Corsicana, passed away June 27. He was born Sept. 17, 1913, in Pursley to James R. and Edna Owen Stewart. Stewart was a man of character, integrity, honesty and dependability. He was inducted into the Corsicana High School and the SMU football Halls of Fame. Stewart served in the Navy for four years, and coached in Mexia, McAllen and Longview. A golf tournament in his name has served as a reunion for his players for more than 20 years. An SFA Alumni Association scholarship in his name benefits students aspiring to become teachers. Elizabeth Ann Ryan Brice ’79 passed away June 19. She was born to Winston Rayburn Ryan and Mary Sadler Ryan Sept. 11, 1957, in Charleston, W. Va. She earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from SFA, and a law degree from South Texas College of Law. She and her husband, Richard, have two sons, Ryan and Robert, both of whom attended SFA. Brice was closely associated with Nacogdoches County Teen Court and joined the faculty of the SFA Department of General Business in 1989. She saw her students as unique and worthy individuals, and found joy in their success. A scholarship in her name has been established through the SFA Alumni Association. Hazel Shelton Abernethy ’48 & ’71 passed away March 22. She was born in Nacogdoches on May 20, 1927, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shelton, who had come to Nacogdoches in 1923 as a faculty family for the opening of Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College. Coach Bob Shelton was SFA’s first coach and athletic director and later served as dean of men. Abernethy attended SFA’s Demonstration School and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1944. She earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from SFA, where she was named Miss SFA. She taught history at SFA while her husband, Francis, taught English and son, Robert, taught geology. All of her children attended SFA, and Hazel was a devoted alumna. J.E. “Jim” Kingham ’47 passed away July 29. He was born on Aug. 6, 1923, in Nacogdoches to parents Florence Blanton Kingham and Ellis Anthony Kingham. Kingham, a veteran of World War II, was a prominent commercial builder in the East Texas area, and built many buildings on the SFA campus. He served as chairman of the board of the J.E. Kingham Construction Company, and is survived by four sons who carry on the family business. He set the stage for his sons to work in the company, first learning the ropes as laborers when they were teenagers. Today they work in administrative levels.

Ticket Information Fans can purchase tickets through the SFA Ticket Office by calling (936) 468-JACK or toll free (800) 775-3358 or at sfajacks. com. Ticket prices range from $15 to $38. Hotel Information: Westin Memorial City SFA Headquarters, Booking: (281) 501-4308 945 Gessner, Houston, Texas 77024 SFA Fan Rate: $99 per night, Specify â&#x20AC;&#x153;SFA Fan Blockâ&#x20AC;? Touchdown Club of Houston Luncheon The Touchdown Club of Houston will host a Battle of the Piney Woods luncheon from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 3, featuring SFA head football coach J.C. Harper and Sam Houston head football coach Willie Fritz. The luncheon will be at the J.W. Marriott at 5150 Westheimer near the Galleria. Tickets are $45 each and $450 for a table of 10. For tickets, contact Neal Farmer at (713) 849-9860 or e-mail houtdclub@att.net. Emcees will be Channel 13 sports director Bob Allen, an SFA grad and Channel 2 sports director Randy McIlvoy.

Reception: SFA will host a reception at the Westin on Friday, Oct. 5 for fans, friends and alumni from 6 - 8 p.m. Everyone is invited. Tailgating at Reliant Stadium On Saturday, Oct. 6, SFA will host a tailgate party at the southeast corner of Reliant Stadium adjacent to the Astrodome from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Food will be available for the first 1,000 fans, and cash bars will be open throughout the event. Stadium gates open at 1:30 p.m. and kick-off is slated for 3 p.m. Individual tailgating for SFA fans is located in the Blue Lot. Suite Information at Reliant Private luxury suites will be available for $75 per ticket. Each suite seats between 16 and 22 guests. Parking, food and beverage are not included in the price. For more information, fans can contact Shari Rainey with the Houston Texans Suite Sales Office at (832) 667-2135 or shari. rainey@houstontexans.com.

More info @ sfaalumni.com

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Liberty Mutual Insurance is a proud partner of Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association

Celebrating Lumberjacks on and off the field.

Auto coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty County Mutual Insurance Company, 2100 Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX. Home coverage provided and underwritten by Liberty Insurance Corporation, 175 Berkeley Street, Boston, MA. ÂŠ 2012 Liberty Mutual Insurance

Fall 2012

www.austinbank.com Local People â&#x20AC;˘ Local Decisions SM

We invite you to participate in a project that will forever link the past to the future: the SFA Walk of Recognition. For $100, $250 or $500, you may permanently make your mark on an inscribed brick. The Walk of Recognition is located in the Sesquicentennial Plaza around the Stephen F. Austin fountain. Your name carved in a brick will symbolize the spirit you felt when you were at SFA. The bricks are available in two sizes. They are hand-etched and laid geometrically in the plaza. Walk of Recognition bricks are ideal graduation and birthday gifts and provide a meaningful way to honor or memorialize a special Lumberjack. Printed certificates are sent upon request for such gifts. You may purchase bricks securely online or download an order form at www. sfaalumni.com. Contact the SFA Alumni Association at (800) 765-1534 for more information.

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Fall 2012

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The East Texas Research Center and Sawdust would like to know more about this SFA photo. From the Charles Robin Photo Collection, the photo is labeled ‘SFA Flour Fight - Feb. 1959 Pine Log’ but no other identifying information has been found. If you know more about the flour fight, or can identify people in the photo, please contact: alumni@sfasu.edu or (800) 765-1534. The ETRC at SFA collects, preserves and provides physical and virtual access to East Texas’ unique cultural history. It also is responsible for managing SFA’s Records Management Program and caring for the university’s archives.

If you have SFA-related photographs, journals or memorabilia you would like to donate to the ETRC, please call (936) 468-4100.

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A portion of the proceeds from ShopSFA goes to support the SFA Alumni Association

Fall 2012

Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association P.O. Box 6096, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962

Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Stephen F. Austin State University

OCTOBER 19-20, 2012

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION