WI NTER 2 0 1 3 THE MAG AZINE OF T HE SFA A LUMNI ASSOCIATION & ST EPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY
CAMPUS NEWS
PUBLIC ART SFA STUDENTS PAINT THE TOWN
BACKING THE ’JACKS
ALUMNI-OWNED BOOKSTORE SPECIALIZES IN SCHOOL SPIRIT
DAYNA REED WESTBROOK ’91
DUAL COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES CHALLENGE FORMER LADYJACK
WINTER 2013 i
CAMPUS NEWS Danica Dizon ’12 scholarship recipient, Welch Foundation
Support SFA’s tradition of excellence by making a gift to the SFA Alumni Scholarship Fund. Your gift helps deserving students receive the financial assistance they need to succeed. Make a difference today. For more information, call (936) 468-3407 or visit SFAAlumni.com.
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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
T
HE HOLIDAYS ARE almost upon us, and the first semester of our alma mater’s 90th year will soon be completed. The celebration surrounding this important milestone in the school’s history continues as our Lumberjack family takes stock of past successes and looks forward to exciting future endeavors. One way in which Lumberjacks are honoring the anniversary is through a commitment to complete a combined 90,000 hours of community service this academic year. If you are able, I encourage you to join in this spirit of service and volunteer in your local communities. As many SFA students can attest, few of life’s endeavors provide a reward greater than the feeling we get from helping others. Social responsibility is one of six key objectives included in SFA’s proposed new core curriculum. This fall, the Board of Regents approved proposed changes, which will directly impact every student enrolled in our university. The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board issued rules requiring a complete overhaul of core curriculum in all Texas public institutions of higher education. The curriculum includes 42 semester credit hours of coursework that students can transfer to any higher education institution. In addition to social responsibility, the new requirements will include core objectives related to critical thinking, communication, empirical and quantitative skills, teamwork, and personal responsibility. Pending approval from the Coordinating Board, SFA’s proposed core curriculum will become effective in fall 2014. The university recorded a fall 2013 enrollment of 12,772 students, a slight decrease from last year. This can be attributed to several factors, including the higher admission standards at SFA and last May’s graduation of the largest class in school history (1,285 students). When the decision was made to increase standards, the expectation was that student retention rates would begin to increase as a result of more of our incoming students being fully prepared for the academic rigors of college. I am happy to report to you that, indeed, the firsttime, full-time undergraduate retention rate is on the rise at SFA. Due to a high number of expected graduates in December, SFA will host two commencement exercises for the second time this year. State Rep. Travis Clardy has graciously agreed to speak at both ceremonies. As alumni, you are always welcome to attend this important celebration of our students’ academic achievement, and I hope to see many of you there. In the coming weeks, we will hold a ribbon-cutting for our newest facility, the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building located at the Piney Woods Native Plant Center. The center will be used to develop and present environmental education programs to the tens of thousands of schoolchildren and other guests who visit the SFA Gardens each year. The facility’s energy-efficient design will meld into the existing forest and create a perfect setting to further the program’s mission of educating the public about growing and conserving native plants. The new year also will bring changes to the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building, one of the most beautiful and recognizable academic buildings on our campus. Seventeen state-of-the-art practice rooms are being added, creating needed space for rehearsing and one-on-one instruction for students enrolled in our distinguished School of Music. If you haven’t been on campus in a while, I encourage you to plan a visit during the coming year to see for yourself the results of 90 years of tradition and commitment to academic excellence at SFA. Our university has grown and developed in extraordinary ways since 1923, and much of our students’ success is a direct result of the generosity and involvement of our alumni. I look forward to your continued support as we approach SFA’s centennial in 2023. Axe ’em, Jacks!
Our university has grown and developed in extraordinary ways since 1923, and much of our students’ success is a direct result of the generosity and involvement of our alumni.
BOARD OF REGENTS Steve D. McCarty, Alto chair Dr. Scott H. Coleman, Houston vice chair Brigettee C. Henderson, Lufkin secretary David R. Alders, Nacogdoches John R. “Bob” Garrett, Tyler Barry E. Nelson, Dallas Kenton E. Schaefer, Brownsville Ralph C. Todd, Carthage Connie M. Ware, Marshall Matthew L. Logan, Mansfield student regent ADMINISTRATION Dr. Baker Pattillo president Dr. Richard Berry provost/vice president for academic affairs Jill Still vice president for university advancement Danny Gallant vice president for finance and administration Dr. Steve Westbrook vice president for university affairs MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS Shirley Luna executive director Donna Parish assistant director–creative Amy Roquemore assistant director–editorial Hardy Meredith university photographer
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CAMPUS NEWS
Winter 2013 • Volume 40, No. 4 INTERIM EXECUTIVE EDITOR Dale Green ’99 Interim Executive Director of Alumni Affairs
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SFA! The university continues to celebrate its 90th anniversary this academic year.
EDITOR Amy Roquemore ’93 & ’12 Assistant Director, University Marketing Communications ART DIRECTOR Rhonda Crim 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 nonprofit 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. 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 SAWDUST ONLINE Read past issues, watch video extras, submit Class Notes and preview upcoming features: sfasu.edu/sawdust facebook.com/sfasawdust
2 SAWDUST
5 Brain Health
Quick guide to keeping your mind sharp
27 Keeping the Faith Singer / songwriter Christie Cook ’87
CONTENTS
20
FEATURES 11 Work Space
CHEF INSTRUCTOR’S KITCHEN FEATURES TOOLS OF THE TRADE
14 Fit to Be Tied
TRACK ATHLETES’ BOW TIE BUSINESS GAINING SPEED
18 Backing the ’Jacks
ALUMNI-OWNED BOOKSTORE SPECIALIZES IN SCHOOL SPIRIT
20 Full-Court Press
DUAL COACHING RESPONSIBILITIES CHALLENGE FORMER LADYJACK
14
18
CAMPUS NEWS
ALUMNI NEWS
4 Art Students’ Mural
24 Homecoming
5 Faculty Advising
30 Scholarships
7 All the Right Answers
31 Alumni Networks
8 Rudy’s Bill
32 Class Notes
9 Vista Viewpoint
35 In Memoriam
13 Athletics
40 From the Archives
WINTER 2013 3
CAMPUS NEWS
SFA art students, from left, Santiago Escobedo, Levi Smith and Daniel Baugh recently completed a mural depicting the history of Nacogdoches on a brick wall at the Russian River apartment complex on Austin Street. The mural is called “Winds of Change.”
PAINTING THE TOWN
THREE SFA SENIOR art students spent a few weeks this summer helping to beautify Nacogdoches. Daniel Baugh of Austin, Nacogdoches native Levi Smith and Santiago Escobedo of Carthage teamed up to paint a mural depicting the history of Nacogdoches on a brick wall at the Russian River apartment complex (formerly Spanish Arms) on Austin Street. Titled “Winds of Change,” the project was commissioned by the building’s owners. The mural includes an illustration of SFA’s Chief Caddo tradition and depicts highlights from Nacogdoches history, progressing through time from left to right. “The owners gave us lots of artistic license,” said Smith. “They are in the process of renovating the complex and wanted the mural to help brighten up and call attention to the building and attract tenants. They wanted SFA art students to conceptualize and paint it to show a younger look.” The mural is the group’s first commissioned project. However, Baugh painted a smaller mural in the summer at another apartment complex. “I have some friends who live at The Californian,” Baugh said. “The lifeguard there also is an art student. He told me the owners were interested in having a mural painted, so I gave him my business card to pass along. One of the owners contacted me a few days later.” The trio said they enjoy working together. In the summer of 2012, they organized a gallery showing at the Burning House in Leggett, Texas. “On the way to Houston, I noticed this really cool structure off U.S. Highway 59,” Baugh said. “We learned it was a small art gallery owned by the brother of SFA alumnus and artist Clint Alexander. We contacted Clint about using it, and his brother generously agreed.”
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The group spent several days preparing the property, and the community showed its support, as well. “People would stop by and help us, and they even brought food and water,” Escobedo said. “We had more than 100 people attend the show and sold several pieces of our art.” The Winds of Change project pooled each of the young artist’s strengths. According to Smith, Santiago is most talented at drawing people and figures, while Baugh’s strength lies in spray painting and what Smith calls ‘can control.’ “His lines are impeccable. The artist doing the spray painting must complete the outlines. If those are off, the whole mural is off,” Smith said. “It’s kind of like starting with a skeleton and adding in the meat.” Baugh said that Smith is the “building artist” of the trio. “Anything that involves architecture, Levi can draw it.” Although the project was fun for the most part, it did present challenges. Painting a project of this scale involves lots of prep and cleanup time. Escobedo points out that a two-hour block of painting time is quickly consumed with erecting scaffolding and preparing the paint, brushes and rollers. You also have to figure in the same block of time to put everything away.
CAMPUS NEWS
FACULTY ADVISING > Want to improve your memory, keep your mind sharp and stave off agerelated dementia? Heed this advice from Dr. Luis E. Aguerrevere, director of SFA’s Human Neuroscience Laboratory.
Another problem the group encountered was grout lines. “The inset of the grout was very deep on this structure,” Baugh said. “It took much more paint than I had estimated and a lot more time to fill them in. They had to be done with a brush.” The three artists are quick to point out that, although the project had its obstacles to overcome, the reward in completing a project like this is the positive relationship formed with the community. “When we first started on the mural, we’d have people stop by, and they were unsure about what we were doing and how this was going to affect their neighborhood,” Escobedo said. “As we progressed, those same people would come by, and as they watched and interacted with us, they began to feel part of it.” Another positive outcome of the mural is having public artwork all people can enjoy. “Not everyone will go to an art gallery,” Smith said. “An outside mural takes you to a different place and lets you enjoy art without having to buy a ticket. You don’t have to dress up or make a several-hour commitment to view it. People embrace it, and it becomes part of the neighborhood.” –DONNA PARISH
EAT FISH: Diets rich in fish–especially fatty fish like salmon–can improve brain cell functions and connections. Cold-water fish, like sardines, anchovies, salmon and trout, are the most beneficial. EXERCISE: Exercise has positive benefits for the brain structure that are important for learning and memory. It can even help your brain create new cells! SLEEP: Sleep helps our brains to learn faster and consolidate what we learn. People who sleep well after studying or learning a new task store the information in their brains much more effectively than those who don’t get enough rest. WORK A PUZZLE: Completing a puzzle that is challenging for you requires fine visual judgments about where pieces belong. Mentally rotating the pieces, manipulating them in your hands and shifting your attention from details to the big picture aid connectivity between brain structures. USE YOUR NON-DOMINANT HAND: Start by brushing your hair left-handed if you are right handed (or vice versa.) Then try more complex tasks, such as brushing your teeth or texting. These exercises teach your non-dominant brain hemisphere new tricks as you establish better control of the lesserused hand. VISIT A MUSEUM: Pay careful attention to what you see there, and try to reconstruct the visit later by writing an outline that includes everything you remember. Research indicates that memory activity that involves thinking about new information helps increase connectivity between neurons in your “executive” brain area. BE POSITIVE: To help your brain store positive events, reflect once a week on what you’re grateful for and why. An improved mood can help rewire your brain to react more positively to difficult situations.
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CAMPUS NEWS
Judge Thomas M. Reavley (right) visits with SFA President Baker Pattillo (center) and State Rep. Travis Clardy.
ARSCOTT DAY AT SFA
GIFT OF A LIFETIME
THE DOCUMENTS AND personal papers of a court of appeals judge with more than 70 years of civil service are now on display in the East Texas Research Center at SFA. Thomas M. Reavley, a senior judge of the 5th Circuit Court of Appeals, has donated his collection, which includes speeches, correspondence, scholarly works and photographs. Reavley grew up in Nacogdoches and attended SFA before receiving his bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas. After serving as a lieutenant in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Reavley poses with special collections librarian Kyle Ainsworth.
6 SAWDUST
he entered Harvard Law School and received his Doctor of Jurisprudence in 1948. The Reavley documents are now accessible to the public at the ETRC, located on the second floor of Ralph W. Steen Library. The center houses manuscripts, photographs, maps, books and other primary resources, including oral histories, county records, political papers and the permanent inactive records of the university. It also is the official repository for the East Texas Historical Association and the Texas State Genealogical Society.
THE SFA PRESIDENT proclaimed Thursday, Aug. 22, 2013, “William E. Arscott Day” on campus in honor of the cinematography program director’s 50 years on the faculty. The proclamation, which was read during a meeting of the faculty and staff, was a surprise to the professor, who began teaching painting, ceramics and sculpture in 1963 and is the longest tenured faculty member at SFA. “As director of the School of Art’s renowned filmmaking program, Bill Arscott has taught, mentored, and positively influenced the lives, education, and careers of hundreds of SFA students,” said Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president. “The proclamation is an expression of the SFA community’s admiration, gratitude, and high regard for Bill Arscott and his 50 years of dedicated service to his students, his craft, the university and the community.” Early in Arscott’s career, he became well-known for teaching art appreciation classes using innovative methods to captivate and inspire his students. For more than three decades, he has led SFA’s cinematography program, which is highly respected throughout the filmmaking industry. His professional accolades include being honored with a Texas Senate resolution, named an SFA Distinguished Professor and appointed Regents Professor for the 1984-85 academic year. The Nacogdoches native said it is his relationship with students that keeps him coming back to teach at SFA year after year. “When I came to SFA, I was thinking of staying for two years,” he said. “I keep teaching because I love my students. It is the most rewarding thing in the world to work with students to produce movies that are works of art–that say something and make people think.”
All the Right Answers
IMAGINE A CLASSROOM filled with 121,083 college seniors taking a required graduation test. The students represent 654 institutions from across the United States, and each student has a two-hour time limit to complete the 120-question exam. A little more than an hour into taking the test, an SFA student completes it and receives his grade – all correct answers, a perfect score. The equivalent of this remarkable achievement occurred earlier this year when SFA business major Glen McMahon took the Major Field Test, sponsored by Educational Testing Services. The test, used to measure students’ critical knowledge and understanding in a major field of study, was first administered to U.S. business college students in 1990. It was revised in 2010, and since that time, 121,083 students nationwide have taken the exam with only eight achieving a perfect score. At SFA, the test is generally administered to seniors in the Nelson Rusche College of Business. McMahon’s achievement is a first for SFA. “The exam is given online,” McMahon said. “When you complete it, the computer instantly generates your score. Dr. Ryan Phelps, SFA assistant professor of economics, proctored the test. I was the first student to complete the exam. When he saw my score, he said, ‘I’ve never seen this happen.’” McMahon, a triple major from Coppell, will complete his Master of Professional Accountancy in May 2014. He also will graduate with bachelor’s degrees in economics and in finance. “My mom graduated from SFA in 1982 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science,” McMahon said. “We visited the campus twice, and I really liked the trees. The friendliness of the faculty members and staff also impressed me.” Initially, McMahon planned on majoring in economics. About one year into his studies, he decided to add finance as a second major. He added accounting the following year. “I have a natural aptitude for working with numbers. Subjects that involve analytical problem solving are what I most enjoy. All my major areas of study are somewhat interrelated, and many of the courses cross over from one discipline to another.” McMahon said the Major Field Test is based on subject matter students learn in the course of their studies; therefore, it is difficult to know what to study. It measures knowledge retention, and the questions address the most common and important topics and skills. He said in order to do well, students must prove they have mastered the concepts, theories and analyti-
cal methods from several disciplines. Test questions cover accounting, economics, management, quantitative business analysis, information systems, finance, marketing, legal and social environment, and international issues. Questions that require interpretation of graphs, diagrams and charts also are included. Dr. Elton Scifres, SFA professor of management, teaches the capstone course during which students take the MFT. “The test allows us to see how our students are doing compared to students at similar institutions across the nation,” Scifres said. “The results can give us an idea of our program’s strengths and weaknesses and can theoretically lead to curriculum and/or course changes, if needed.” McMahon also has been involved with the Mast Student Investment Roundtable, a class in which SFA students manage a real-world equity portfolio. Last spring, McMahon traveled to the University of Dayton to attend the Redefining Investment Strategy Education conference, the longest-running student investment conference in the world. When he’s not in class, studying or acing tests, McMahon works as a graduate assistant for the finance department in the Nelson Rusche College of Business. He is a member of Beta Alpha Psi, the accounting honorary society; the Finance Club; and Beta Gamma Sigma, the internationally affiliated business honor society. McMahon said after graduation he would like to work for an accounting firm and sit for the Certified Public Accountant exam. He says the exam will require him to do something he didn’t have to do for the MFT: study. “I’ll need to spend several months preparing for that one.”
“I have a natural aptitude for working with numbers. Subjects that involve analytical problem solving are what I most enjoy.”
–DONNA PARISH
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CAMPUS NEWS
TRUE VISION
RUDY BECERRA ’10 may not be able to see, but the SFA alumnus and current graduate student has a clear vision for the future. His passion for helping others with visual impairment led him to draft and advocate for a bill that recently became state law. The new Texas legislation is intended to improve public education of students with visual impairments. Texas Senate Bill 39 was signed by Gov. Rick Perry on June 14, making Texas the first state to include Expanded Core Curriculum in the language of its laws regarding students with visual impairments. Becerra said the law “clarifies the areas of special education and instruction that must be addressed to meet the unique needs of students with visual impairments.” At the suggestion of instructor Michael Munro of SFA’s Department of Human Services, Becerra began researching laws pertaining to the education of students with visual impairments and found room for improvement. Garnering support from the Alliance of and for Visually Impaired Texans, he went to work drafting “Rudy’s Bill.” Becerra said that because of the gaps in his own early education, “I decided if there is a time when I have an opportunity to advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, I’m going to take it.” He found his opportunity at SFA, and the state of Texas is all the better for it.
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2013
Tell us what you think.
CAMPUS NEWS
FA L L
WEST TRAGEDY | SUMMER READING | BIOTECHNOLOGY RESEARCH
BRAD MAULE ’74 Professional Actor, SFA Lecturer
T H E M AG A Z INE OF T H E SFA A LU M NI A SS OC I AT IO N & S T EP HEN F. AU ST I N S TAT E UN IV ERS I T Y
facebook.com/sfasawdust
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
SUMMER 2013
Story and photo courtesy of The Daily Sentinel
As part of our continuous effort to improve Sawdust, we are conducting an online survey to gain information about the magazine and its readers. Thank you for helping make Sawdust a better publication.
90
TH ANNIVERSARY ISSUE
CELEBRATIONS TO HONOR TRADITION & PROGRESS
HOPE & FOOTBALL ONE PLAYER’S INSPIRATIONAL STORY
LUMBERJACK BAND THE SOUNDTRACK TO SFA’S STORY FALL 2013
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sfasu.edu/sawdust/survey
CAMPUS NEWS
VISTA VIEWPOINT
S I REFLECT on the past eight years that Jenny and I have been back in Nacogdoches serving our alma mater, including the last six years as your alumni executive director, I can’t help but feel a great sense of pride and accomplishment in the work the SFA Alumni Association has accomplished in that time. Through the generous support of our alumni and friends, the association has generated nearly $11 million in support of alumni scholarships and programs, realized robust growth in our association membership, doubled participation in our SFA ring tradition, and significantly increased our event offerings and outreach. We have worked hard to establish meaningful relationships with our alumni, connecting them to one another and SFA, and we have created the initial framework for a more meaningful and valued alumni network. I have had the pleasure of meeting and visiting with thousands of SFA graduates throughout the past eight years and had the opportunity to hear each of their unique SFA experiences. The common sentiment among the majority of those with whom I have visited is how much they enjoyed their time here in Nacogdoches and how they remain close friends with many of their former classmates. I ask that you continue to remember all the great experiences you gained at SFA and to encourage your classmates to reflect on their time here, as well. Take action to support your alma mater to ensure that generations of future students get to enjoy the same tremendous and life-changing SFA experience that we did. I am truly fortunate to have worked with a group of dedicated and passionate volunteers on our Alumni Association and Alumni Foundation boards, as well as our chapter and network volunteers, and I thank them for the time that they have invested and for their commitment to making SFA a better place. The university is extremely grateful for
By Jeff Davis
their service, along with that of the talented and dedicated group of alumni relations professionals on staff at the Alumni Association. Their work ethic and dedication to the university, its graduates and our current students is unmatched. The Davis family is embarking on a new adventure as we head to Starkville, Miss., and I take on a leadership role with the Alumni Association at my grandfather’s alma mater, Mississippi State University. Much like when I left SFA after graduation, I do so now as a significantly improved person with a great sense of accomplishment, and I am again leaving behind lifelong friends here at SFA and in Nacogdoches. It has truly been a blessing to serve my alma mater for the past eight years, and it has been my honor and pleasure to serve all of you Lumberjacks as your alumni director, as well as to work alongside the hard-working, caring and talented professionals here at the Alumni Association. Thank you for the kindness and support you have shown Jenny and me and our family, and know that Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches will always be in our hearts. “As years unfold, happy mem’ries we’ll hold. All hail to SFA!”
JEFF DAVIS ’02 executive director, Mississippi State University Alumni Association
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International Affair
SFA HOSTED THE 2013 installment of its Global Citizenship Series on Oct. 18 in downtown Houston. The foreign policy conference centered on the future of the relationship between North America and Latin America. Keynote speakers included Ambler Moss, professor of international studies at the University of Miami and former ambassador to Panama; Mark Langdale, former president of the George W. Bush Foundation and former ambassador to Costa Rica; and John Weekes, Canada’s principal negotiator for the North American Free Trade Agreement. The event, titled “Latin America and North America: The Future of the Relationship,” was the third international conference SFA has hosted in Houston in as many years. The relationship between the United States and Europe was discussed at the 2011 conference, and U.S.-Middle East relations highlighted the 2012 event. “The goals of the event are to expose our students and faculty to world leaders, to enhance understanding of a region critical to the nation’s prosperity and security, and to create opportunities for international program development,” said Dr. Brian Murphy, dean of SFA’s College of Liberal and Applied Arts, which sponsors the conference series. “This year’s event brought our highest-profile speakers to date,” he said. “It was an informative, stimulating and thought-provoking day.” Murphy said the relationship between Latin America and North America has taken a back seat in the public’s consciousness in recent years, a change that is potentially harmful to America’s long-term prosperity and security. “This esteemed group of policymakers and specialists have their fingers on the pulse of Latin American and North American economic, political and security relations and explored the future of the relationship in light of a vastly revised international landscape,” Murphy said.
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WORK SPACE 1 2
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3 5
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sfasu.edu/hms
What you’ll find in . . . Chef Todd Barrios’ kitchen: 1. An overhead rack for keeping sauce pans, hot pads and spatulas in easy reach for students preparing meals for the Culinary Café.
12. A box of parchment paper used to line sheet pans when making cookies and other baked foods.
2. A fine strainer called a chinois, which is used to make sauces and custards.
7. A free-standing, commercial-sized pot called a tilting skillet used for cooking large batches of soups, stews, gumbos and pastas. An attached handle allows the cook to tip the pot forward, so food can be moved from the kitchen to the nearby prep area.
3. A deep-fat fryer used in making fried dumplings, shoe-string sweet potatoes, diced potatoes and beignets.
8. Barrios’ tools of the trade – when not in use, he keeps his favorite set of knives in a locked toolbox.
14. A food scale for weighing ingredients used in Culinary Café menus.
4. Ingredients of ground beef and bacon on hand for the students’ smoked baconwrapped meatloaf, the headliner of a recent luncheon with a “country cookin’” theme.
9. Assorted kitchen utensils, including an immersion blender, diamond-chip knife sharpener, avocado slicer, meat tenderizer and a dumpling press, which is used to seal wontons or dumplings.
5. The kitchen’s brand-new smoker, which has been used to make brisket, pulled pork, peaches for a smoked peach cobbler, smoked pork belly and other delectable dishes. 6. Fresh produce to be used in butternut squash cheese grits, a farmer’s market salad and other veggie dishes for the café. Barrios shops for all of the Culinary Café’s ingredients at a local grocery store, spending an average of $400 per week.
10. A large pot on the gas stove holds a simmering custard, which will form the basis of homemade vanilla bean ice cream to be served with a candied jalapeno reduction. 11. An over-sized mixer regularly used to make cookie dough, cupcake batter, flavored mayonnaise, waffle and pound cake batter, guacamole, and more.
13. A convection oven, which uses an internal fan to circulate hot air and promote faster and more efficient cooking.
New Orleans native Todd Barrios is chef instructor in SFA’s culinary arts program. Certified by the American Culinary Association, he is a former country club executive chef and worked in restaurant management for six years. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Northwestern State University, where he also taught culinary arts before joining the SFA faculty in 2011. He oversees SFA’s student-run Culinary Café, offering lunch to the campus and community twice a week during the fall and spring semesters.
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CAMPUS ATHLETICSNEWS
’JACK TALK
Houston Texans Cheerleader
and SFA AXΩ alum
KAYLA NEATHERLY
was
featured
on
the
NFL’S OFFICIAL INSTAGRAM!
We are so proud of you, sister! @SFASU_ AX0 INSTAGRAM
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY SFA!
Hope you treat our GRANDDAUGHTER
next fall as great as you did her
MOTHER
and
BROTHER
in the late ’80s! CONNIE MULLEN SFA FACEBOOK
WE HAD A BLAST at Battle of the Piney Woods! @SFAJWALKERS TWITTER
Congratulations
AND
BROKEN
LEGS
to SFA theatre alumnus
Joshua Estrada
ON HIS NEW YORK CABARET
showcase premiere
tonight at legendary
Don’t Tell Mama
in the heart of the Broadway theatre district! SFA SCHOOL OF THEATRE FACEBOOK
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APP ’EM, JACKS
ANDROID AND IPHONE users can now utilize SFA’s updated app. The free app can be accessed at sfasu. edu/app.asp or directly through the phone’s app store. “Technology changes so rapidly,” said Jason Johnstone, university webmaster. “The previous app launched a few years ago and offered basic features. The updated version provides more functions that the students, faculty and staff will find useful.” One of the features SFA newcomers will find beneficial is a campus map. Users can select a campus location and view detailed information, including street names, that will help expedite campus travel. The new map feature is aligned with an updated version of the faculty and staff directory, allowing users to search for employees by first or last name and then contact them by phone or email just by touching the screen. The directory feature also displays on the campus map where the employee’s office is located. Current SFA students will find several features of interest, including “Tutoring,” where students can access comprehensive information concerning the Academic Assistance and Resource Center’s tutoring schedule; “Courses,” which provides links to Desire2Learn, SFA’s learning management system, and mySFA, the university’s intranet portal; and “Library,” where students can search for books and other research material directly from their smartphones. Prospective students can access the “Become a Student” feature and view campus tour dates and times, academic opportunities, information on campus living and residence life, and even apply for SFA admission. For users who are sports enthusiasts, the app provides SFA athletic scores and player rosters. “If you’re at a Lumberjack football game and want to know more information about player number 81, you can access it immediately from the app,” Johnstone said. Additional features include a university events calendar, the latest SFA news stories, access to the campus alert system and a link to SFA traditions. There also is direct access to KSAU, SFA’s radio station, where users can listen in live. “Not all faculty, staff and students carry a laptop or iPad, but most never leave home without their smartphone,” Johnstone said. “This updated app provides a way for the SFA community to obtain important information about the university almost instantly and stay connected.”
ATHLETICS
Highlights SOCCER
THE SFA SOCCER TEAM claimed its third consecutive Southland Conference title in November, but hopes of repeating a tournament championship were dashed a few days later when the women fell 3-1 in a penalty shootout against No. 3 seed Southeastern Louisiana in the title game. Despite the disappointing finish, SFA recorded a record-breaking 14th shutout on the season in the game, having recorded 13 shutouts in both the 2011 and 2012 seasons. The Ladyjacks also finished the regular season undefeated (8-0-2) on the road for the first time in program history, and head soccer coach Wally Crittenden was named the Southland Conference Coach of the Year for 2012-13.
MENS BASKETBALL
THE 2013-14 EDITION of the Lumberjack basketball team will have a much different look and feel than last season. Former South Carolina assistant Brad Underwood has begun a new era of SFA basketball in his first full season as a head coach after taking over for Danny Kaspar, who departed for Texas State in April. SFA went 27-5 last season en route to a school record in wins and a third Southland Conference title and returned a handful of lettermen this year, including senior shooting guard Desmond Haymon. Haymon averaged
10.6 points per game in 2012-13 and will look to carry much of the scoring load this season. Other returnees include Patrick Costello, Nikola Gajic, Jacob Parker, Trey Pinkney, Deshaunt Walker and Thomas Walkup. Parker was a top perimeter shooter for SFA last season, connecting on 26 of 63 shots from beyond the arc while averaging 7.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest. The Oklahoma native scored in double figures 10 times. Walkup was the ’Jacks sixth man last year and was the team’s top offensive rebounder. Pinkney is expected to start at point guard. The ’Jacks have reloaded after losing reigning SLC Player of the Year Taylor Smith and second-team all-conference selections Antonio Bostic and Hal Bateman to graduation. The team entered the season with a slate of new signees, including Ben Brown-White, Connor Brooks, Dallas Cameron, Tanner Clayton, Justin Dotson and Sharife Sergeant. Rounding out the ’Jacks’ roster are late walk-ons Jason Martin and Reed Westbrook.
WOMENS BASKETBALL
THE LADYJACKS ARE coming off a 201213 season in which they recorded a 14-17 campaign and extended their streak of consecutive Southland Conference Tournament appearances to 26. Head coach Brandon Schneider is entering his fourth season as the head coach of the Ladyjacks and has compiled a 49-45 record at SFA. The Ladyjacks are the consensus selection to win their 16th league crown in program history and their first since 2007. SFA was picked first in both the coaches and
sports information directors’ polls released in October. The team brought back all five starters and added two players with starting experience. The Ladyjacks returned nine letter winners in all and welcomed five newcomers from the high school and junior college ranks. Porsha Roberts, a second team allSLC selection as a sophomore, was one of two SFA players to land on the preseason all-conference list for the 2013-14 season. Roberts was an automatic selection, after earning league honors last season. Antionette Carter was named to the second team. The class of five signees includes Alexis Fatheree, Brentley Branch, Taylor Ross, Destiny Bragman and Adrienne Lewis. Completing the Ladyjacks’ roster are Daylyn Harris, Tierany Henderson, Kali Jerrell, Brittney Matthew, LaNesha Middleton, Victoria Pena and Paulletta Powell.
BOWLING
THE LADYJACK BOWLING team captured its first two tournament titles in program history this fall with back-to-back victories in New Orleans, La., and Hackensack, N.J. The first title came Oct. 20 at the Tulane Invitational, where the Ladyjacks stamped their first tournament win with a convincing final game score of 227-149. The women gave a repeat performance Nov. 3 with their second-ever tournament win at Fairleigh Dickinson University Jamboree. Led by coach Amber Lemke, the 5-yearold team also was honored recently by the National Tenpin Coaches Association with the grade-point average award for the 2012-13 academic year.
WINTER 2013 13
CAMPUS NEWS
Fit Tied Track athletes’ bow tie business gaining speed By Donna Parish
14 SAWDUST
sfajacks.com/allaccess Watch: Visit to view video story extras. Opposite Track and field athletes Cass Brown Stewart (left) and Jamal Peden make bow ties in their apartment near campus for their upstart business, Demeanor.
AMAL PEDEN AND Cass Brown Stewart are Stephen F. Austin State University seniors and track and field athletes who certainly have hit their strides. Peden, a sports marketing major from Wylie, Texas, and Brown Stewart, a double major in economics and business management from Fort Worth, each played an important role in helping the Lumberjacks win the 2013 Southland Conference Outdoor Track and Field Championship last spring in Lake Charles, La. Peden is a 2012 Olympic trials qualifier in two events – the long and triple jumps – and Brown Stewart, holds five SFA records – two in the 400-meter dash, one in the 4x100-meter relay and two in the 4x400-meter relay. The men are not only SFA track and field champions but also are on their marks when it comes to another talent – sewing. “We started our business last fall,” Brown Stewart said. “A friend of ours is involved in the Fashion N’ Motion organization, so we decided to start making bow ties.” Eventually, Peden and Brown Stewart began making the bow ties on their own in their apartment near campus. They named their business Demeanor, which they say reflects their desire to make each bow tie customized to the wearer’s
unique personality and style. They debuted their creations during the Fashion N’ Motion 2012 spring fashion show at SFA, and since then they have been steadily designing and sewing bow ties, which sell for between $15 and $30. “As an economics major, I did some research and calculated that students, who are our main patrons, can generally afford to make a purchase in this price range without having to save and plan,” Brown Stewart said. “We can make most designs in about an hour. The more embellishments and the more time that is involved, the costs goes up accordingly.” Recently, the athletes/fashion designers were blessed with the addition of a sewing machine. On a visit home, Brown Stewart told his aunt about his and Peden’s new business venture and how difficult it was sewing the bow ties by hand. That discussion resulted in Brown Stewart’s aunt purchasing the sewing machine and gifting it to the two entrepreneurs. “It speeds up the process dramatically,” Peden said. “Cass got a quick lesson on how to use the machine from the saleslady at the fabric store. He came back and taught me.” The pair buys most of their materials at craft stores, but say they also frequent thrift shops where they find vintage fabrics, faded jeans and other unique supplies to make their one-of-a-kind creations. “Every bow tie is 100-percent designed to reflect the wearer’s demeanor,” Peden said. “We’ll talk to the person and get an idea of their personality type–whether he or she has a strong or more subdued personality. This helps us determine fabric choice and also whether or not we will recommend embellishments.” For example, Brown Stewart says someone on the demur side might choose a wool, corduroy or canvas fabric, while a more outgoing person might select satin or a patterned silk and also may add rhinestones or sequins.
Brown Stewart also points out that many more bow ties are sold to women than to men–approximately 60 percent of total sales. “We make a style especially for females,” Brown Stewart said. “It’s more like a necklace. We can attach the bow tie to a ribbon or chain.” The duo also said that making bow ties for females is much easier than for males. “Females generally purchase a bow tie and make it work with an outfit they already have. Men want a tie to go with a specific shirt or suit to wear to a formal occasion, so they are much more selective about style and color,” Peden said. Recently, the pair was contacted by coaches of the SFA Lumberjack basketball team about making bow ties for the male players to wear to away games. “We’re still working out the details on that,” Peden said. Soon, the entrepreneurs say they hope to launch a website to help market their bow ties and also have plans to establish a store on Etsy. In the meantime, they say most potential customers contact them through word-of-mouth. “We’re known as those two guys on the track and field team who make the bow ties,” Brown Stewart said.
The recent gift of a sewing machine has sped up the athletes’ bow tie-making process.
WINTER 2013 15
ALUMNI NEWS
GREEN NAMED INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR HOUSTON NATIVE DALE Green ’99 of Nacogdoches has been named interim executive director of the SFA Alumni Association. Green joined the Alumni Association staff as director of marketing and membership in January 2011. He previously served as vice president/director of training for a private professional development/ corporate training firm in the North San Francisco Bay Area. He received a Bachelor of Arts in communication from SFA and a Master of Business Administration from California State University-Sonoma. “Dale is intimately familiar with the day-to-day operations of the SFA Alumni Association, so he is uniquely qualified to lead that office during this period of transition,” said Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president. “I am grateful that Dale has agreed to serve the Alumni Association and the university in this important role for the
16 SAWDUST
near future, and I am confident he will do so effectively and with distinction.” Green’s appointment fills the position left vacant by previous Executive Director Jeff Davis, who recently left SFA to head the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. “We have a great staff that has put countless hours and boundless energy into connecting with our alumni on a personal level, and I’m pleased to help continue the forward momentum during this interim period,” Green said. Green was in the Leadership Nacogdoches Class of 2012-13 and is an active member of the Nacogdoches Rotary Club where he serves on the Membership Development Committee. He also is a member of the Council of Alumni Association Marketing and Membership Professionals, Alumni Professionals of Texas and the Nacogdoches Jaycees. A committee co-chaired by Curtis Sparks, president of the SFA Alumni Association Board of Directors, and Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs, has been appointed to direct the search for a permanent executive director.
FROM THE ASSOCIATION
S
EASON’S GREETINGS! THIS time of year is often hectic as we deal with myriad social, business, and personal activities and events. Thank you for taking a few minutes to peruse this issue of Sawdust. In this message, I would like to share some of the recent events and happenings at the SFA Alumni Association. Your board and staff have worked hard during the past year and recently completed a successful Homecoming. The weekend was full of activities, and purple was definitely the color of the weekend in Nacogdoches. We raised funds for scholarships, engaged alumni with a number of events, conducted a successful live auction and online auction, honored Dr. “Ab” Abernethy, and cheered on our Lumberjack football team as they added a game to the win column. The Alumni Association’s mission is to recruit members and generate scholarships and to connect and reconnect with you. We currently have more than 98,000 graduates, 8,197 members of the association and 515 scholarships, and we participated in 127 events last year – all in an effort to boost pride and support for our alma mater. We are dedicated to improving what we do, and we will continue to work long hours, log many miles and host numerous events to accomplish our goals. I hope you will continue to help us in the pursuit of our mission. Only together will we be successful. Our alumni awards dinner was held on Nov. 15, and I would like to acknowledge the following distinguished recipients: Dr. Paul Boynton, Dr. Greg Powell, Tom Boggus, H.N. “Moe” Litton, Cory Beasley, Cody Corley, Ryan Emmons and Dr. Leon Young. We take great pride in the accomplishments of these SFA alumni, and I hope you will congratulate them as well. At the end of the year, we have three board members whose terms expire, and I want to acknowledge Susan Roberds, Wendy Buchanan and Kent Hutchison for their years of service and commitment to the Alumni Association. Their contributions have been invaluable, and they will be missed. As a result of these vacancies, we elected the following new board members at our annual meeting: Bob Williams, Bob Francis and Charlotte Ashcraft. I know these new members are up to the challenge and will be instrumental in our future endeavors. In addition to these changes, it is with mixed emotions that we say goodbye to our executive director, Jeff Davis, who now leads the Mississippi State University Alumni Association. Although we will miss Jeff ’s leadership, we take great pride in the fact that he was selected to lead the alumni relations efforts of an SEC school. I want to thank Jeff for his leadership and contributions over the past eight years and wish him well in his new endeavor. It seems like it was only yesterday that I was elected as president of the Alumni Association, but my two-year term is up at the end of this calendar year. It has been an honor and privilege to serve you and help guide the Alumni Association in pursuit of our mission. Taking my place as of Jan. 1 will be Roger Robinson. Roger has been involved with our Dallas alumni chapter since 2000. He became a committee member of the Alumni Association in 2006 and was elected to the board in 2007. I know the association will continue to grow and prosper under Roger’s leadership, and I hope you will join me in congratulating him. On a personal note, I want to thank you, our alumni, for your continued generous support of the Alumni Association. Additionally, I want to acknowledge and give my heartfelt thanks to the past and present board members, staff and committee volunteers with whom I have worked. It has indeed been my pleasure. I wish you all a safe and happy holiday season and prosperous New Year.
Only together will we be successful.
Axe ’em, Jacks! Curtis Sparks ’85 President, SFA Alumni Association
SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Curtis Sparks ’85 - president Roger Robinson ’92 - president-elect Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - past president ASSOCIATION BOARD Wendy Buchanan ’85 Don Cox ’71 & ’76 Robin Dawley ’77 Karen Gantt ’95 Mike Harbordt ’63 Doris Havard James Hawkins ’83 Ron Hunt ’91 & ’94 David Madrid ’02 Justin McFaul ’04 Susan Roberds ’75 Phillip Scherrer ’99 Erika Tolar ’02 Steve Whitbeck ’75 Chris Woelfel ’95 SFA ALUMNI FOUNDATION GOVERNORS Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - chairman Lewie Byers ’68 Ford Cartwright ’69 Rick Couvillon ’85 Shirley Crawford ’58 & ’70 Stephen Greak ’92 James Hamilton ’77 Bill Roberds ’75 Curtis Sparks ’85 ASSOCIATION STAFF Dale Green ’99 interim executive director of alumni affairs Katy Crawford assistant to the executive director of alumni affairs Samantha Mora ’08 director of alumni events & engagement Alicia Roland Chatman gifts & records specialist Beverly Smith ’96 accountant Emily Martin scholarship coordinator Derek Snyder ’01 communications & marketing coordinator
WINTER 2013 17
ALUMNI NEWS
Alan and Pam Fitch are pictured at the East College Street Jack Backers location with Max, one of two dogs who come with the couple to work every day. The younger pooch, Jack (not pictured), is not as well-behaved as Max, so he is usually relegated to the back of the store during open hours.
W “We both remember what it was like to be a student on a tight budget trying to find textbooks and how stressful it can be when you can’t get what you need when you need it. We work very hard to make the process simple for both the faculty and students.” –Alan fitch ’97
18 SAWDUST
HEN SFA ALUMNI Alan and Pam Fitch returned to Nacogdoches in 2008 to open Jack Backers College Bookstore, the couple wanted to do a lot more than sell textbooks. They wanted to support the university that gave them their professional starts, boost the visibility of their alma mater in the marketplace and serve the greater Nacogdoches community. And they wanted to do it all with a superior level of customer service. More than five years later, Alan’s and Pam’s respective backgrounds in bookselling and marketing/community relations have combined to make Nacogdoches’ only alumni-owned bookstore a storied success. The focus of the business is on making the textbook buying (or renting) process as affordable and trouble-free as possible for SFA students and their families. But Jack Backers also is a popular spot for alumni needing to get outfitted for the big game or find Lumberjack-themed gifts for any occasion. “We are both very proud to be SFA alumni, and so, from the very beginning of this venture, we were committed to doing whatever we could to support the university and spread Lumberjack spirit among current and former students,” said Pam, who earned a dual degree in journalism and political science from SFA in 1993.
Jack Backers’ shelves and racks are teeming with licensed SFA gear suited for every taste and budget. The store also fulfills orders for the SFA Alumni Association’s online marketplace, ShopSFA. com, shipping SFA-themed clothing, accessories and specialty items to alumni all over the country. A portion of every sale from the site benefits student scholarships. “First and foremost, we are a bookstore, but we can and do offer other products and services that augment the business and help promote the university, as well as Nacogdoches and other schools in the community,” said Alan, a Nacogdoches native. Alan majored in criminal justice and minored in business at SFA, graduating in 1997. He started in the college bookstore industry in 1985, working at Varsity Bookstore on East College Street adjacent to campus. The store was purchased by Nebraska Book Company in 2003, and Alan became a top-performing manager for the company. In 2006, he was transferred to Lubbock to manage four of the company’s stores. While in West Texas, Pam, who hails from Bossier City, La., worked for the city of Lubbock as assistant to the city council and later as assistant to the city manager. She had previously served as the executive director of the Nacogdoches
Convention & Visitors Bureau for eight years and as public relations director for The Burke Center in Lufkin for five years. “When we left Nacogdoches in 2006, I told my friends, ‘We will be back. I don’t know if it will be five years or 20 years, but we will be back,’” Pam recalled. “I said that with confidence because Alan and I both love Nacogdoches, and we love SFA. There is no place we would rather be.” As it turned out, their hiatus from the Piney Woods only lasted a couple of years. They returned in May 2008 and six weeks later opened Jack Backers in the space formerly occupied by Lasergraphics Printing on North Street just north of campus. Last summer, the couple opened a second location in the former Varsity Bookstore location – the very place Alan got his start in the book business more than 25 years ago. Alan is “the book man” in the partnership, says Pam, who relies on his experience to keep book sales, rentals, special orders and shipping running smoothly, working directly with SFA faculty members to stay one step ahead of the demand each semester. The stores currently stock more than 2,000 unique titles. “We both remember what it was like to be a student on a tight budget trying to find textbooks and
how stressful it can be when you can’t get what you need when you need it,” Alan said. “We work very hard to make the process simple for both the faculty and students.” Pam focuses her efforts on marketing, accounting, computer systems and general merchandise orders, as well as the screen printing and embroidery operations. While the business has continued to grow and expand to meet changing demands, both partners remain committed to meeting or exceeding customer expectations with every transaction. Recently, their hard work and community service was recognized by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce, which honored Jack Backers with its Small Business of the Year award. “We are so pleased that our business has been able to help strengthen connections between the university and the community and between current and former students and the school,” Pam said. “As alumni, we are also very proud to support current students in the pursuit of their goals and to promote Lumberjack spirit far and wide. To be able to do all of this in Nacogdoches has really been a dream come true.”
WINTER 2013 19
ATHLETICS
20 SAWDUST
I
N HER HEYDAY as a high-scoring point guard on the Ladyjack basketball team, Dayna Reed (in front above) relied on a combination of quickness, agility, flexibility, quick thinking and patience to lead her team through one of the most exciting eras in the history of SFA sports. She will undoubtedly be calling again on all of those skills in the coming months as she performs one of the rarest feats in all of Texas high school sports: coaching both a varsity boys and a varsity girls basketball team in the same season. Known best by her current and former players as “Coach D,” Dayna Reed Westbrook ’91 has been coaching girls basketball in Douglass ISD near Nacogdoches since 2002. The Douglass girls have experienced much success in the past 11 seasons and have been playoff contenders each of the past three years. Before arriving at Douglass, Westbrook served briefly as an assistant at SFA after a successful eight-year stint at Central Heights ISD. There she led the girls to the Class 2A State Championship and was selected as the conference Coach of the Year by the Texas Sportswriters Association. Last summer, she was asked to take on additional responsibilities at Douglass after the longtime boys coach Mark Leuschner ’91 & ’12 left for an administrative position. The new duties come with high expectations. The boys team advanced to the 1A state championship game last spring and is expected to make another deep run into the playoffs in 2014. Leading last year’s squad was Westbrook’s oldest son, Reed. He has since graduated from Douglass and made his debut on the Lumberjack basketball team this fall. Her youngest son Bryce is a senior on this year’s Douglass team. Sawdust recently visited with Westbrook about her playing days at SFA, her coaching philosophy and her strategy for surviving her most hectic basketball season to date. >
WINTER 2013 21
Is there a common thread that runs through all of the successful teams of which you have been a part? Dedication, sacrifice, good team chemistry, leadership and talent.
What has been your proudest professional achievement?
Winning the 2001 2A Girls State Basketball Championship at Central Heights with an outstanding group of girls. The entire season and journey was unforgettable. That team had all five of the important qualities just mentioned.
What is your personal coaching philosophy? I like man-to-man
defense–even though one day (former Ladyjacks coach) Gary Blair told me I couldn't guard a Christmas tree! I like up-tempo offense, but you always have to adjust to your players and their abilities. I am big on my players not letting the opponent “see you sweat,” so I encourage them to be mentally tougher and not show any weakness or frustration that the other team could use to its advantage.
“I am big on my players not letting the opponent see you sweat, so I encourage them to be mentally tougher and not show any weakness or frustration that the other team could use to its advantage.” Westbrook’s outstanding college basketball career was highlighted by four Southland Conference titles, four NCAA tournament appearances, two trips to the NCAA Sweet 16 and a school record in three-point field-goal percentage. She was inducted into the SFA Letterman’s Association Hall of Fame in 1999.
22 SAWDUST
Who was the most influential coach you ever had, and what did you learn from him or her? I have three. Marianne Jones, my
high school coach at Tyler Lee, took me under her wing and helped me mature as an athlete. I had a very short temper and was not mentally tough, even though I was physically skilled. She took the time to help me get control of my emotions and use them in a positive way. From that point, every aspect of my game improved. Gary Blair, my SFA coach, taught me to pay attention to little things and have confidence in his ability to put us in position for success. When I was a player, he would infuriate me at times, but he was and is a powerful motivator who could get us to work harder than we ever wanted to or thought we could. Last is Pat Summit, women’s coach at the University of Tennessee. I've read every book she has written and watched interviews she has given. I even got to meet her in 1997. She is a very sincere, intense and driven woman in everything she does. Love the stare, too!
The Douglass boys team advanced to the 1A state championship game last spring and is expected to make another deep playoff run in 2014.
How has your perspective of the game changed as you have progressed from player to coach to mother of athletes? After my first few years of coaching, I would always say: "If I knew then what I know now" and just shake my head. Instead of being able to help the team by playing, I have to show and teach in practice and hope to get the points across about what needs to be accomplished. All parents are looking out for their own child, but, as a coach, I am looking out for all of the kids as a group.
Describe your thoughts and emotions upon learning that Reed would be joining the Lumberjack basketball team this year? I am very happy for him because I know that he is a great competitor and loves the game of basketball. I knew he would miss the sport dearly if he didn't continue to play, and he would have always wondered 'what if?' He is being greatly challenged every day at this level, and I am proud of the growth I have seen in him as a young man and as a basketball player.
What has it been like coaching your own son? Bryce is a
coach's dream in that he brings his best every day, always trying to get better and encouraging others to do the same thing. The night we found out I would be coaching the boys, too, he told me he was not going to call me "Coach" in a game. I said, “You can't holler ‘Momma’ across the court,” and he kept saying that he would. Then, when I left his room, he said, “G'night, Coach.”
What are the biggest differences between coaching boys and girls? There is always more drama with girls than boys! With that
being said, girls will run through a wall for you if they buy into what you're doing. Guys are very competitive and a little more mischievous than girls.
Logistically, how are you managing coaching both the boys and the girls at the same time? The girls have workouts before
school and during the athletic class, and the boys practice during the class and after school. A big support group at the school helps a great deal. Being a small school, it is common for the girls and boys to play their games back to back, both at home and away, so we only had to make a couple of adjustments to the game schedule to make it all work. I am a Type-A personality, so I am also trying to learn to delegate more!
What advice would you give current SFA students who hope to coach one day? Be flexible! Be willing to wear many hats.
Be a team player at your school. Realistically, you will probably not start out in your dream job. Be committed to whatever your responsibilities are, whether you enjoy them or not. Learn from all experiences and from all the people you encounter. You can learn both good and bad ways of handling any situation.
What do you expect from every player, every day, regardless of skill level? Every player, boy or girl, should be
willing to compete and push themselves and their teammates to get better on a daily basis. I expect them to be supportive of each other and accept their roles for the betterment of their team, even if that means sacrificing some of their individual goals.
How do you handle the boys locker room situation?
I just tell them to take care of their business and let me know when I can enter. I will say this: the girls dressing room smells much better than the boys! I think it is safe to say my time in the boys locker room is short and focused!
What do you like about teaching and coaching in a small, rural school setting? You have an opportunity to see your
students get involved in many different activities. Like everywhere else, we all want to win, but we also understand that acting responsibly, working hard and learning from both good and bad experiences is most important. I think at some large districts and university settings, there is a 'win-or-else' culture that I have been fortunate enough to avoid in my coaching career so far.
right Former Ladyjack Dayna Reed Westbrook ’91 is pictured with son Reed, a freshman on the Lumberjack basketball team, and husband Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs at SFA. left Her youngest son Bryce (left) is a senior on the Douglass team this year.
WINTER 2013 23
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
H.N. “Moe” Litton ’53 & ’56
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
Tom Boggus ’78 & ’80
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.
DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS
Dr. Greg Powell ’80
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Cory Beasley ’95
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Cody Corley ’01
OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS
Ryan Emmons ’03
SFA ALUMNI HALL OF FAME
Dr. Paul L. Boynton
DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR
Dr. Leon Young
24 SAWDUST
Below SFA President Baker Pattillo, left, and SFA Alumni Association President Curtis Sparks (right) present a wooden plaque honoring new SFA Alumni Hall of Fame inductee Dr. Paul L. Boynton, SFA president from 1942 to 1958, to Boynton’s grandson, Paul Boynton.
THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS Lumberjack Spirit ($1000+) • • • • • •
Daily Sentinel Hotel Fredonia Legends/Lumberjack Lofts Little Jacks Pediatrics Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry Signarama
Timber ($250) • America’s Self Storage • Urgent Doc • Liquor Mart
Axe ($100)
• Allstate Insurance The Bagley Agency • Pineywoods Media Works • Simpson Realty • St. Mary’s Catholic Student Center • Party-N-Things
Homecoming Partners • • • • • • • • • •
Campus Rec FedEx Liberty Mutual MyPlates.com Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau Piney Woods Country Club R&K Distributors Suddenlink Jack Backers College Bookstore Shop SFA
Duck Dash Sponsors • • • • • •
SFA Alumni Association Piney Woods Country Club Airport Scrap Metal Wells Fargo Advisors Nacogdoches Clearing House Commercial Bank of Texas
Please visit sfaalumni.com to see a full list of homecoming and auction sponsors.
WINTER 2013 25
SFA ALUMNI REPORT 98,155
92K
ALUMNI NEWS
SAWDUST CIRCULATION
Lumberjacks by the numbers for FY 2013
GIRLS RULE Nearly 58% of alumni are women
EVENTS
127 events 33,117 attendees
SOCIAL MEDIA 8,547 facebook.com/sfaalumni
twitter.com/sfa_alumni
1,395
1980s
linkedin.com 1990s
2000s
graduated between 1990 and 2013
2010s
fiveNEW hundred fifty-five ANNUAL MEMBERS
515 26 SAWDUST
PARTICIPANTS
HOME SWEET HOME More than 80% of alumni reside in Texas
FOLLOW US ONLINE
email addresses on file
BIG DIP
AXE ’EM, JACKS!
LIVING ALUMNI
ALUMNI 1920s-50s BY GRAD YEAR 1960s
1970s
six hundred nineteen
5,270
8,197 SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION MEMBERS
STAY CONNECTED
NETWORKS
34 Regional 30 Special Interest
LIFE
members of the alumni association
TAG ANNUAL
JOIN or RENEW MEMBERSHIP and UPDATE CONTACT INFORMATION at SFAALUMNI.COM
FY 2013 SCHOLARSHIP REVENUE
TOTAL ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS
$ 2,307,387
Photo courtesy of Clay Bostian
’JACKS OF ALL TRADES
Christie Cook ’87 Christian singer and songwriter
SOME PEOPLE ARE born into a family vocation. Some are trained for one. Others feel divinely called. Christie Cook ’87 came to her career as a singer-songwriter by virtue of all three. Raised by a mother who loved music, Cook and her siblings embraced it with a passion. “As Mom would play the piano, we would all march around her dancing and playing our own instruments,” she recalled. “I was the youngest of seven, and when I was too little to play anything, I got to play a spoon on a pan. We loved it.” She switched from pans to the piano at age 4, and by the time she was 6, she was already under the tutelage of an instructor. “I don’t ever remember music not being part of me,” Cook recollects. “As a child, whenever I walked by the piano, it was like a magnet to me. It still is.” Cook picked up the guitar at an early age, as well, and it soon became clear that her interest would be more than a childhood occupation. “I wrote my first song when I was 10. It was about this mountain man. I can’t believe my dad didn’t laugh; he just smiled so big and encouraged me,” she said. As the music she was born into became her passion, Cook realized she needed excellent training if she were going to pursue her music. In 1982, she earned a piano scholarship to SFA studying under Dr. Andrew Parr. “He poured his whole heart into his lessons with me, and he was just a phenomenal teacher,” she recounts. “And I worked. Oh, I worked. I spent hours and hours in that practice room at SFA, but I learned so much.” After five years, she had not only earned a Bachelor of Arts in piano performance but also degrees in French and Spanish, utilizing the study-abroad program that
took her to Mexico and Quebec. Later, she received a Rotary Scholarship to study in France. “I wanted to live abroad. I loved languages, so it was a wonderful opportunity.” While still finding her way musically, Cook obtained a master’s degree in Spanish from Texas A&M University and taught French and Spanish to students from kindergarten through college, serving for a time as an adjunct faculty member at SFA and Angelina Junior College. “I never stopped loving music. For the entire time I was teaching, there was a deep yearning to just focus on my music.” She continued to perform and recorded CD projects in the midst of her teaching career and raising a family, but it wasn’t until she was in her early 30s that her passion actually became her calling, and the direction of her music changed. At that moment, Cook began to see her music as more than a career, and the message in the songs as more than entertainment. “I heard a man share a message about how many people do not know God and His love for them. Something struck me deeply,” she said. “I really never had read the Bible before then. I opened to the book of John, and asked our Lord to help me become better acquainted with Him, His word and His love. I experienced new birth. An entire new world opened up to me, and He revealed to me many unseen beautiful things. I asked Him to guide me in my songwriting, and I told Him that I wanted to glorify Him through my music. Since then, the songs just keep flowing and flowing.” Cook writes her songs from a vantage point overlooking “Fair Breeze,” the property she shares with her husband Stan, an SFA forestry graduate. There, the couple has made a home with their two daughters, Morgan and Chloe. Recently, she left her bit of Texas paradise to record a new CD project titled Every Good Thing with renowned Nashville producer Mitch Dane. “We recorded for three weeks with an incredible team. The violinist plays for James Taylor, the bass player for Sara Groves and the drummer for Andrew Peterson,” Cook explained. “It was intense, long hours, exhilarating, fun, exciting and grueling. I was so grateful to God that He opened that door for me.” Now, with a talent born through her family, honed through hard work and training, and ignited by a calling, Cook shares her music to encourage others personally through concerts, Christian conferences, women’s retreats and her CD recordings. “I just want to share through my songs all I have learned about God and awaken people’s hearts and minds to Him. He is such a beautiful being, and I just can’t stop singing about Him.” –KIM WIER ’85 contributing writer Find out more about Christie Cook and her music at christiecooksongs.com and fairbreezecottage.com.
WINTER 2013 27
ALUMNI NEWS
28 SAWDUST
UPCOMING EVENTS
DECEMBER
2
Monday
SENIOR SEND-OFF 5:30 to 7 p.m., downtown Nacogdoches (on the brick streets behind the Visitor Center), 200 E. Main St.
Wednesday
11
MR. AND MISS SFA RECEPTION 5 to 5:45 p.m., Murray Shaw Room, William R. Johnson Coliseum, 700 E. College St., Nacogdoches
Thursday
5
12
FEBRUARY
Friday
28
ALUMNI MEMBER NIGHT @ THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW & RODEO BAR-B-QUE CONTEST 6 to 10 p.m., Food served from 6 to 8 p.m., Reliant Park, Houston. Free admission for Alumni Association members.
MARCH
6
7
SFA ALUMNI NIGHT – DALLAS MAVERICKS VS. UTAH JAZZ 7:30 p.m., American Airlines Center, 2500 Victory Ave., Dallas, $30 per person (Upper Level, Section 308, Rows H, J and K)
FORT WORTH HOLIDAY WINE SOCIAL 6 to 8 p.m., Times Ten Cellars, 1100 Foch St., Fort Worth Friday
Friday
MYWORKSTER SFA ALUMNI BIG DIP CAREER FAIR / RECRUIT Noon, BPSC Grand Ballroom, HOUSTON VIP MEET & GREET SFA Campus 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., University of Houston Campus Recreation Center, 4500 University Park, Houston
HOUSTON HOLIDAY WINE SOCIAL 6 to 8 p.m., Sonoma Wine Bar – Upper Kirby, 2720 Richmond Ave., Houston
THE WOODLANDS HOLIDAY WINE SOCIAL 6 to 8 p.m., Crush Wine Lounge, 20 Waterway Ave. #200, Spring
8
DECK THE HALL ALUMNI CHRISTMAS EVENT 6 to 8 p.m., Tracie D. Pearman Alumni Center, 300 E. Vista Drive, Nacogdoches, (936) 468-3407 Thursday
DALLAS HOLIDAY WINE SOCIAL 6 to 8 p.m., WineTastic!, 4140 Lemmon Ave. #130, Dallas
Saturday
3
Tuesday
Fri.-Sun.
7-9
JACK CAMP ALUMNI REUNION Cost is $100 per person, and spouses are invited! Register for the event at: http://jackcamp.eventzilla.net/
Friday
28
SCHOLARSHIP STARS DONOR RECEPTION 5:30 to 7 p.m., Location TBD, Nacogdoches
Times and dates are subject to change. Visit sfaalumni.com for the most recent information.
WINTER 2013 29
CAMPUS NEWS SCHOLARSHIPS
ELIZABETH RYAN BRICE SCHOLARSHIP
was endowed by Richard Brice and Susan Ryan Key and is awarded to deserving SFA students who are majoring in pre-law. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.0 gradepoint average and be a junior or senior. Brice graduated from Clear Lake High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in political science from SFA in 1979. She also earned her Juris Doctor from South Texas College of Law and was licensed to practice law in 1983. She established her own family practice in Nacogdoches and was closely associated with Nacogdoches County Teen Court, where she helped with organization and the training of participants. In 1989, she began a second career as a lecturer in the Department of General Business at SFA. Just as her law clients were not simply clients, her students were not simply students. Rather each was to Brice a unique and worthy individual, and she found joy in their success. Brice passed away in 2012.
SUSAN PERRY BRYAN MUSIC SCHOLARSHIP
was endowed by Life Member Susan Perry Bryan, and is awarded to deserving students who are majoring in music and maintain at least a 3.0 gradepoint average. Bryan earned a Bachelor of Science in home economics from SFA in 1941. She was active in the Pine Burr Social Club (now the Epsilon-Zeta chapter of Chi Omega), serving as president her senior year. Following graduation, she taught home economics in the Ysleta school district before beginning graduate school at the University of Chicago. She later worked in the experimental kitchen at Ballard Mills (now Pillsbury), as a county home extension agent and as a home service adviser for Texas Power and Light. Bryan and her husband Arnold had three children: Betty Bryan Cruikshank, the late Sally Bryan and William Arnold Bryan. She has five grandchildren and three greatgrandchildren. Bryan loves sharing about her time spent at SFA. She lives in a retirement community in Tyler.
BILL AND CAROLYN HAMRICK HUMAN SERVICES SCHOLARSHIP
was endowed by Carolyn, Dave and Kathy Dunn Hamrick and their children, Jacob and Hannah and Joe and Elin Ferrell, in honor of the late Dr. Bill Hamrick and Carolyn Hamrick and is awarded to deserving SFA students who are enrolled in programs offered by the Department of Human Services. Hamrick graduated from East Texas State Teachers College at Commerce with a Bachelor of Science in agriculture and a Master of Education in secondary education and earned his Doctor of Education in counseling psychology from the University of Missouri at Columbia. He joined the SFA faculty in 1962 and taught for 26 years, chairing the Department of Human Services until his retirement in 1988. He initiated many department programs, including Orientation and Mobility, Visual Impairment, Counseling, Special Education and Speech Language Pathology. Carolyn Lemon Hamrick was his supportive and loving wife for 62 years. Carolyn was active in the Women’s Faculty Club and worked as an interior decorator for many years. Bill and Carolyn were lifelong members of Westminster Presbyterian Church.
DR. NEAL B. HOUSTON SCHOLARSHIP
was endowed by his widow, Joan Houston, and is awarded to deserving SFA students who are majoring in English. Recipients must maintain at least a 3.5 grade-point average and be classified as a junior or senior. Houston graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Science and was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon Fraternity. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. On release from the Army, he studied at University of California, Los Angeles, Southern Methodist University and UT Austin, where he received two master’s degrees. In 1965 he received his Ph.D. in English from Texas Tech University. Houston taught at SFA from 1966 until his retirement in 1992. At SFA he was promoted to full professor after one year of service. He was named Regents Professor for the 1987-88 academic year in appreciation of his contributions to the university. An accomplished researcher, he published articles at New York University, Dalhousie University, UT Austin and many other universities. A longtime member of Christ Episcopal Church in Nacogdoches, he served on the vestry and was president of the Episcopal Day School Board.
Your gift to support SFA students secures educational opportunities for generations of future Lumberjacks. Contact us to create your legacy today. SFA 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 Website: sfaalumni.com | Email: alumni@sfasu.edu
30 SAWDUST
ALUMNI NETWORKS
ALUMNI CORNER TAILGATE
SOUTHLAKE
LUBBOCK N
VENT NETWORK E
ETWORK EV
ENT
REUNIONS
HAPPY HOURS It’s been an exciting year of events. We’ve hosted Homecoming, happy hours, regional get-togethers, networking socials, campus tours, reunions, tailgates, members-only events and more. Come on out and show your support by attending an upcoming event: December Holiday Wine Events: - Dallas - Fort Worth - Houston - The Woodlands February Houston Rodeo Bar-B-Que Contest Dallas Mavericks Game
NETWORKING
TAILGATES
SEND-OFFS
Email alumni@sfasu.edu with your contact information to receive news and event updates.
WINTER 2013 31
CLASS NOTES 1970s
Former Hallsville girls athletics coordinator Beth Anders Kelsey ’71 was honored for 22 years of service in HISD.
James Dorman ’73 of Sherman is Wortham ISD’s Technology Coordinator. Mary Ann Whiteker ’73 of Hudson, superintendent of Hudson ISD, is the 2013 region 7 Superintendent of the Year. Debbie Interwicz Fleitman ’76 & ’78 was named to the Gainesville ISD Educator Hall of Fame. She and husband Allen ’78 reside in Gainesville. Charles Castle ’79 of Colorado Springs, Colo., has published a book of non-fiction short stories, Encouraging the Soul.
Dr. Barrie Barber Choate ’80 of Dallas recently established her own pediatric dentistry office. Craig Ruby ’82 of Diboll is principal of Kountze High School. Fred Burrell Jr. ’83 of Dallas County earned a Distinguished Service Award from the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service. Lynda Buckingham ’84 of Gatesville is an elementary math teacher for Gatesville ISD. Joel Ashbrook ’88 of San Angelo is the band director at Central High School.
Kevin Swor ’89 served as president of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas for the 2012-13 school year.
1990s
Ed Bandas ’90 of Belton is founder and race director of the Army Marathon.
Don Denbow ’84 of Rockdale is interim superintendent for Rockdale ISD.
Mark Engel ’90 of Gilmer is minister of Gilmer Church of Christ.
Jeff Tillery ’86 of Houston is vice president of sales and business development for Bissinger’s Handcrafted Chocolatier.
Tom Winn ’90 of Houston is interim director of the Master of Security Management for Executives at the University of Houston-Downtown.
TREY TURNER ’98 & ’02 of Nacogdoches has been named executive director of development at SFA. Turner joined the SFA development team as a major gift officer in fall 2008 when the office was restructured to include a fundraising team that focuses solely on securing major gifts for the university. In his new role, he will oversee that team and administer the daily operations of the Office of Development, including SFA giving programs and capital campaigns. “During the past five years, it has been a privilege to work closely with some of SFA’s most successful alumni in the pursuit of building excellence and prestige at our university,” Turner said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve my alma mater as executive director of development and look forward to greatly advancing our fundraising efforts and impacting generations of future Lumberjacks.” Turner graduated from SFA in 1998 with a Bachelor of Business Administration and earned a Master of Public Administration from the university in 2002. In addition, he also earned a graduate certificate in nonprofit management from the Bush School of Government and Public Service at Texas A&M University. He is nearing completion of a doctoral degree in higher education administration from Texas A&M and expects to graduate within a year. “With five years of experience as a gift officer, Trey understands the importance of building the relationships that are critical for the advancement of the university, making him a natural fit for leading SFA’s development efforts,” said Jill Still, vice president for university advancement.
32 SAWDUST
Casey Coffman ’89 of Augusta, Ga., is senior director of business affairs at Augusta National Golf Club.
1980s
Harry J. Hickey ’92 of McKinney is chief financial officer at Barson Utilities and the Hope Clinic in Dallas. Ron Holmgreen ’92 of Granbury is principal for Crossland Ninth Grade Center. Trisha Jensen ’92 of Houston is food contracts director and assistant director of Choice Partners for the Harris County Department of Education. Paul McNutt ’94 of Port Neches is managing director of global investment banking for RBC Capital Markets in New York City. Joyce Olson ’94 of Houston is principal of Pine Shadows Elementary School.
Lance Austin Stansberry ’94 of Edna is a sixth-grade world history teacher at for Industrial ISD. Flicka Croley ’95 of Sulphur Springs is a middle school reading and English teacher for Saltillo ISD. Charles Worley ’98 of Carthage is the institutional advancement director at Panola College.
2000s
Shelly Slaton ’00 of Lufkin is the assistant principal of Lufkin High School and was named Outstanding Secondary School Principal of the Year. Jessica Post ’01 of Mount Vernon is a seventh-grade writing teacher for Mount Vernon ISD. Susannah Ross Romero ’01 of Carthage is vice president/relationship banker for BankTexas for Carthage and Panola counties. Andy Trekell ’01 of Diboll is principal of Diboll High School.
Dale Burk ’05 of Athens is principal at Athens Christian Academy. Julie Maxwell ’05 of Frankston is the certified pharmacy technician at Maxwell Pharmacy. Kimberly Rose ’05 and Charlton Holmes ’06 welcomed their daughter, Sophia, on Jan. 10.
H. Zane (Bud) Askins ’06 of Nacogdoches recently returned from his fourth Peace Corps assignment as a Community Health Volunteer. He served in the Fiji Islands, Liberia, Bulgaria and the Philippines. Brandie Broihier ’06 of Plano and John Henderson ’04 of Round Rock were married Nov. 9.
Ted Smith ’07 of Nacogdoches has been named the SFA director of athletic development. Cory T. Blake ’08 of Magnolia is an instructor of Pre-AP World Geography and AP Human Geography at Klein Oak High School in Spring. Elizabeth Davis ’08 of Wylie is a theatre teacher at Cooper Junior High School. Ross Langdon ’08 of Wylie is band director for Wills Point ISD.
Coleman Swierc ’05 & ’07 and Jennifer Kielman of Tyler were married Oct. 5 and have settled in Springfield, Mo.
John A. Thompson ’09 and Melinda Bevly ’10 of The Colony were married Aug. 9 in Lufkin.
DR. SHERILYN R. EMBERTON ’79 & ’81 is serving as the 13th president of Huntington University in northeast Indiana. “Dr. Emberton is a gifted leader with extensive higher education administrative experience,” said Kelly Savage, chair of the Board of Trustees. “She will effectively guide Huntington University into the future with innovative ideas for program development, as well as groundbreaking strategies to increase awareness of our institution.” Emberton previously served as the provost and vice president for academic affairs at East Texas Baptist University in Marshall. She earned a Doctor of Education in 1999 from Texas A&M University-Commerce. She earned a Bachelor of Science in education and a Master of Education from SFA. Emberton is a native Texan who was born in Irving. Prior to her work at East Texas Baptist, she was the provost and vice president for academic affairs at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tenn. Upon completion of her doctorate, she was hired by LeTourneau University in Longview to lead its new teacher education program. In 2005, she was named the associate vice president for academic affairs for the institution. Emberton has extensive experience in areas of diversity initiatives and academic program development, having launched graduate programs in counseling, education, law, medicine, religion and sports leadership. She began her tenure on June 1, becoming the first female president to serve the institution in its 116-year history.
WINTER 2013 33
CLASS NOTES
LIFE MEMBERS The SFA Alumni Association would like to thank the following alumni who recently became life members. We appreciate your support. 7867. Lyndon H. Davis ’82, Nacogdoches 7868. Trisha K. Overgoner ’95, Nacogdoches 7869. Mary Smith ’78, ’93 & ’95, Nacogdoches 7870. Christie M. Nyfeler ’12, Texarkana 7871. Aaron C. Good ’13, Nacogdoches 7872. Era E. Billingsley ’30, Timpson 7873. John R. Jamieson ’98, Irving 7874. Brook R. Jamieson ’00, Irving 7875. Sean T. Doyle ’10, Texas City 7876. Dr. Richard Lorenz ’75, Houston 7877. Lloyd L. McMillan ’07 & ’09, Houston 7878. Dr. R. Tyler Spradley ’95 & ’02, Nacogdoches 7879. Dr. Elizabeth Spradley ’00 & ’02, Nacogdoches 7880. John R. Derbonne ’91, Keatchie, La. 7881. Earl M. Forney ’06, Nacogdoches 7882. Diane M. Forney ’09, Nacogdoches 7883. Amy L. Wright ’13, Lake Jackson 7884. Lauren E. Schroeder ’06, Nacogdoches 7885. Stacy A. White ’10 & ’12, Nacogdoches
Victoria and Seth Feldman ’05 of Orange County, Calif., were married May 25 in Pasadena, Calif., at the Rose Bowl. SFA alumni in attendance included Alex Ryser ’09, Merissa Olvera ’09, Jeannette Davie ’03, Michael Page ’06, Chad Benoit ’01, Craig Yager ’01, Shanon Waddy ’01, Michael Rivera ’01, Edward Burnham ’04, Jeff Davis ’02, Jenny Davis ’03, Lance Thornton ’06 and Rachel Thornton ’06. Feldman is a senior business manager for AT&T.
2010s
Zach Temple ’11 of Lufkin is a game warden for Presidio County.
Catherine Moss ’10 of Mount Pleasant is a fourth- and fifth-grade math and science teacher for Winfield ISD.
Christopher Taliaferro ’12 and Dusty Taliaferro ’14 visited Verrettes, Haiti this summer with Medical Student Missions.
Amy Vance ’10 of Mount Vernon is a high school agricultural science teacher for Mount Vernon ISD. Melinda Manning ’88 of Houston is vice chairman of the Commercial Exhibitors Committee for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
20TH
ANNUAL
Robert D. Dickerson M
E
GOLF
M
O
R
I
A
L
TOURNAMENT
Camille Blount ’12 of Tyler is a staff associate at Henry & Peters P.C. Brittany Pierce ’13 of Jacksonville opened “Brittany’s Elite Starts Dance and Cheer Studio” in Jacksonville.
Y ou are cordially invited to play in the 19th Annual
April 26, 2014 Woodland Hills Golf Course Robert D. Dickerson Nacogdoches Visit sfaalumni.com/events Memorial Golf for more information.
T ournament to be held at W
oodland Hills
Golf Course in Nacogdoches, T
34 SAWDUST
exas on
April 27, 2013. Y our participation in the tournament
ALPHA TAU OMEGA SHEET REFERENCE 45th Founder’s Day April 4-6, 2014 Woodland Hills Golf Course
WHERE
319 Woodland Hills Drive The brothers and of the ATO fraternity will On US. Hwy 59 S. between Nacogdoches Lufkin Nacogdoches, Texas 75961celebrate their 45th Founder’s Day. Call for directions: 936.564.2762 Events include a welcome party, golf
FORMAT Four tournament, person Scramblebarbecue lunch, dinner, banquet and a breakfast meeting on Sunday. For more information, SCHEDULE visit sfaalumni.com/events. Friday, April 26, 2013
Gathering and JAZZ at the FREDONIA HOTEL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5pm Saturday, April 27, 2013 Registration and practice range . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11am-12:30pm Putting Contest . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .12:30pm Shotgun Start . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1pm Dinner and Award Presentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30pm
IN MEMORIAM John Adesina of Cypress, Aug. 9 Charles Bright ’60 of Nacogdoches, Aug. 24 Jerry Burns ’64 of Jacksonville, Oct. 2 Anna B. Butler ’68 of Lubbock, Sept. 2 Jack Carlton ’78 of San Diego, Calif., Nov. 1 Gary M. Carrigan ’80 of Hewitt, Oct. 6 Philip A. Darby ’63 of Austin, Aug. 27 Norma J. Earl ’60 of Hurst, Aug. 16 Jack Foshee ’53 of Garrison, Aug. 17 Charles Gardner of Nacogdoches, Aug. 13 David Granger of Rockwall, Sept. 29 Jerald D. Hover ’76 of Lake Jackson, Aug. 15
GARY Q. FRIELDS ’75 of Nacogdoches passed away Aug. 24. He was born in 1946 in Waco. He graduated from University High School in 1964 and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts in 1969 from Baylor University where he also played football. After serving as a motion picture specialist in the U.S. Air Force in Southern California during the Vietnam War, he returned to Texas to begin his graduate studies in SFA’s School of Art. After completing his Master of Fine Arts in drawing and sculpture, he became chair of the Art Department for Kilgore College in 1978. He returned to SFA to teach in 1986. In 2010, he married Tamara Robertson.
Terry C. Irick ’62 of Longview, Sept. 24 Bryan William Gatlin of Cushing, Oct. 21 Louise Irwin Jacks of Henderson, Aug. 14 Richard Johnson of Nacogdoches, Aug. 13 Kevin B. Koonce ’90 of Etoile, Aug. 7 Marjorie Sue Lee of Dallas, Sept. 12 Kenneth Mauritzen ’60 of Carthage, Sept. 14 Winnie Melancon ’53 of Lufkin, Aug. 17 Floyd H. Mize ’60 of Lufkin, Aug. 7 Rex Nelson ’72 & ’75 of Henderson, April 22 Robbie Pickett ’46 of Nacogdoches, Sept. 5 Robert Poland Sr. of Lufkin, Oct. 30 Phonso Neill Rayford ’62 of Elkhart, July 24 Alan Rowe ’75 & ’92 of Longview, Oct. 11 Garth “Don” Sitton ’96 of Nacogdoches, Oct. 24 Mary K. Solomon ’80 of Hot Springs, Ark., July 29 Tim L. Smith ’65 of Jacksonville, Aug. 5
BUM PHILLIPS ’50, the folksy Texas football icon who coached the Houston Oilers during their “Luv Ya Blue” heyday and later led the New Orleans Saints, passed away Oct. 18. Born in 1923 in Orange, Phillips played football at Lamar Junior College before joining the U.S. Marines. After World War II, he came to SFA, playing two more football seasons before earning a bachelor’s degree in education. He spent two decades coaching in high schools and colleges before becoming an assistant with the San Diego Chargers in 1967. He came to Houston in 1974 as defensive coordinator and became coach and general manager the following year. Phillips led Houston to two AFC Championship games. He left Texas to coach the Saints in 1981, retiring from the NFL in 1985.
Claude Stoutamire ’52 of Tallahassee,Fla., Oct. 7 Gerald K. Taylor ’86 of Shreveport, La., Aug. 17 James M. Tiller ’70 of Las Vegas, Nev., Oct. 8 Jamie Lynn King Vulpo ’97 of Crockett, July 28 Thomas Dewey Wilson Jr. of Houston, Aug. 31 Ashley Wiltsey of Dallas, Sept. 24 Theodoshia M. Windham ’42 of Nacogdoches, Sept. 19 Fritzi L. Woods ’81 of Dallas, Sept. 18
HARRY MILLER, former Lumberjack basketball coach, passed away Feb. 13. An incorrect photo ran with the original notice. Sawdust regrets the error.
ALBERT NELSON “J BO” RUSCHE ’49 passed away Sept. 17. He was born in 1924 in Appleby, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration from SFA. He served his country honorably as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II where he was awarded the Purple Heart. Rusche founded A.N. Rusche Distributing Company and Mister Car Wash. He was a member of Lakeside Country Club, the Petroleum Club, the Houston Club, Houston Country Club, Texas Food and Fuel Association and the Colonneh Club and was a founding member of the Mansfield Club in Port Mansfield. He was an avid quail hunter, fisherman, gin player and golfer. Rusche honored SFA by endowing the Nelson Rusche College of Business in 2002.
WINTER 2013 35
STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY POSITION ANNOUNCEMENT
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR of ALUMNI RELATIONS Overview The Executive Director will design, plan, execute and assess an integrated, strategic alumni relations program that seeks to deepen alumni engagement and involvement leading to volunteerism, financial support and other visible signs of heightened affinity and connectedness. As a senior colleague in the University Advancement Division, the Executive Director of Alumni Relations has the opportunity to develop the Alumni Relations staff as a creative and proactive team to build strong and effective alliances with partners. The Executive Director will have an intensive focus on driving team performance by overseeing their department’s daily operations and fostering a team culture that translates strategic plans into clear action to obtain meaningful metric‐oriented results. This position reports to the Vice President for University Advancement, as designee of the President, and the SFASU Alumni Association Board of Directors. To Apply Apply on‐line at www.sfasu.edu/hr (search Exempt Staff Positions.) Application Deadline Application review will begin on December 4. No applications will be accepted after December 31. Stephen F. Austin State University is an affirmative action equal opportunity employer. Name and qualifications of candidates who apply are subject to disclosure under the Texas Open Records Act.
NACOGDOCHES MAIN
36 SAWDUST
STREET
NACOGDOCHES MAIN
STREET
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Liberty Mutual is a proud partner of the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association Celebrating Lumberjacks past and present! Responsibility. What’s your policy?
Š 2009 Liberty Mutual Insurance Company. All rights reserved.
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WINTER 2013 37
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38 SAWDUST
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WINTER 2013 39
FROM THE ARCHIVES
The East Texas Research Center and Sawdust would like to know more about this SFA photo. If you have information about this 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.
40 SAWDUST
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WINTER 2013 41
Non-Profit Org. US Postage PAID Stephen F. Austin State University
Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association P.O. Box 6096, SFA Station Nacogdoches, Texas 75962
SFA BASKETBALL LUMBERJACKS
LADYJACKS
12/06/13 vs. Towson 12/07/13 vs. James Madison 12/15/13 at North Texas 12/21/13 vs. Elmhurst 12/30/13 vs. Cal State Northridge 01/02/14 vs. Lamar * 01/04/14 vs. Sam Houston State * 01/09/14 at Houston Baptist * 01/11/14 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi * 01/16/14 at Northwestern State * 01/23/14 at Oral Roberts * 01/25/14 at Central Arkansas * 01/30/14 vs. Abilene Christian * 02/01/14 vs. Incarnate Word * 02/06/14 vs. Nicholls State * 02/08/14 vs. McNeese State * 02/13/14 at Lamar * 02/15/14 at Sam Houston State * 02/22/14 vs. Northwestern State * 02/27/14 at New Orleans * 03/01/14 at Southeastern Louisiana * 03/06/14 vs. Oral Roberts * 03/08/14 vs. Central Arkansas * 03/12/14 Southland Conference Tournament
12/04/13 at TCU 12/08/13 at Louisiana-Monroe 12/15/13 vs. Grambling St. 12/19/13 vs. Henderson State 12/30/13 vs. Texas A&M-Commerce 01/02/14 vs. Lamar * 01/04/14 vs. Sam Houston State * 01/09/14 at Houston Baptist * 01/11/14 at Texas A&M Corpus Christi * 01/16/14 at Northwestern State * 01/23/14 at Oral Roberts * 01/25/14 at Central Arkansas * 01/30/14 vs. Abilene Christian * 02/01/14 vs. Incarnate Word * 02/06/14 vs. Nicholls State * 02/08/14 vs. McNeese State * 02/13/14 at Lamar * 02/15/14 at Sam Houston State * 02/22/14 vs. Northwestern State * 02/27/14 at New Orleans * 03/01/14 at Southeastern Louisiana * 03/06/14 vs. Oral Roberts * 03/08/14 vs. Central Arkansas * 03/12/14 Southland Conference Tournament
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* Conference Event