Sawdust Winter 2011 by SFA Alumni Association

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

W I N T E R 2 0 11

FITNESS TIPS HOUSTON ARTIST ALUMNI AWARDS

Jim Morrison ’69

Hardy’s Pic

Junior Kylie Louw of South Africa, a mid-fielder for SFA’s 2011 Southland Conference Championship soccer team, leaps over a downed player from Northwestern State University during a recent match in Nacogdoches. Louw also competes with the South African National Team, which has qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympic Games in London.

“I have enjoyed photographing Kylie as she has grown into a premier player for SFA, as well as the Southland Conference. She is a great team player and competes with a combination of grace and intensity that is exciting to watch.” – University Photographer Hardy Meredith

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Winter 2011 • Volume 38, No. 4 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jeff Davis ’02, Executive Director of Alumni Affairs EDITOR Amy Roquemore ’93, Editorial Coordinator, SFA Public Affairs ARTISTIC DIRECTOR Rhonda Crim-Tumelson, Director of Alumni Publications, SFA Alumni Association STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY is a comprehensive institution dedicated to excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative work and service. Through the personal attention of our faculty and staff, we engage our students in a learner-centered environment and offer opportunities to prepare for the challenges of living in the global community. The SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION is a non-profit organization dedicated to serving the alumni, friends and current students of Stephen F. Austin State University through programs, scholarships and activities that create an attitude of continued loyalty and support.

FEATURES 10 Great & Grand

Houston alumna creates wearable art from heirlooms

17 What a Trip

Website combines fans’ love of sports and traveling

Gulf Guardian EPA honors longtime advocate for artificial reefs

24 ’Jacks of All Trades

Portfolio manager puts business degree to work on West Coast

10 CAMPUS NEWS 2 3 4 5 6 8

Online Degree Programs Faculty Advising President’s Message Alternative Bonfire George Foreman Gift SFA License Plates

ALUMNI NEWS 5 1 16 18 28 32 35 40

Association Scorecard From the Association Homecoming Photos Alumni Awards Class Notes In Memoriam All Hail to SFA

SAWDUST is a joint publication of the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association and Stephen F. Austin State University. It is published four times a year in the winter, spring, summer and fall. Subscriptions are included in SFA Alumni Association memberships.

ON THE COVER “Gulf Guardian” Jim Morrison ’69 is pictured at the Aquarium at Galveston’s Moody Gardens.

Campus News Online Education Perkins College announces degree programs

IN RESPONSE TO the state’s need for educational leaders and challenging economic times, Stephen F. Austin State University is making selected education degree programs more accessible and affordable for nontraditional students. The James I. Perkins College of Education is now offering three degree programs completely online and at reduced prices. The SFA programs include the Master of Education in educational leadership with principal’s certification, the Master of Education in early childhood and the Bachelor of Science Head Start degree completer program. “These programs involve existing SFA courses taught by our highly qualified faculty members,” said Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the Perkins College of Education. “The difference is simply that we have identified these programs as especially critical for preparing future graduates for important work in the field of education. We are becoming more flexible in order to better meet the immediate education needs of today’s students, many of whom are working adults with families who don’t necessarily live close enough to SFA to attend traditional classes.”

The Master of Education in educational leadership with principal’s certification is a 30-credit-hour program and is being offered for $5,500. This price is only available to Texas residents. The Master of Education in early childhood program requires 36 credit hours and is priced at $8,150. Because the Head Start degree is a completer program, cost varies according to the number of college hours a student already has fulfilled. The price for that program is less

than $200 per credit hour. Unique eligibility and admission criteria are required for each of the three programs, Abbott said. “In the 21st century, there are countless ways in which to earn a degree online,” Abbott said. “But SFA’s reputation for offering the highest quality programming and providing the best preparation for our education graduates makes our institution stand out in the crowd. “It’s our affordability coupled with our reputation for academic ex-

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Does your New Year’s resolution involve getting in better shape? Here are some tips for embracing exercise in 2012 from Dr. DawnElla M. Rust, SFA health science professor.

PLAN FOR SUCCESS Those who plan for success are more likely to succeed! Buy the right shoes (visit a store with professionals who can assist you); identify an exercise program that fits your abilities and goals (visit www.active.com for ideas); and determine the specific days and times you will exercise each week.

cellence that makes these offerings such an extraordinary value.” The Master of Education in early childhood and Head Start degree completer programs also offer compressed course schedules, reducing the length of each required course from 15 to eight weeks. The concentrated schedule not only allows students to complete their degrees faster, but it also provides six different program entry points throughout the year as opposed to the traditional four.

“Historically, people have thought of a university as a place – a specific location where students go to receive an education,” Abbott said. “What we are trying to do with these and other online degree programs at SFA is meet adult workers where they are so that they may take advantage of some of the same education and career opportunities that our traditional students enjoy.” For more information about these online education degree programs, visit sfasu.edu/education.

SET GOALS Expectations for your exercise program should be SAM: Specific, Attainable and Measurable. • Specific – A goal of “exercising aerobically for 30 minutes, three time per week” is preferable to one of simply “working out more;” • Attainable – Losing 10 pounds in eight to 10 weeks is a realistic and attainable goal; • Measurable – It should be obvious when you achieve your goal because your success can be measured objectively. BUILD A TEAM Surround yourself with other people who exercise regularly. You are more likely to work out if you have exercise buddies to encourage you and help hold you accountable to your fitness goals. RECORD YOUR PROGRESS Make your exercise plan and fitness success public. (Go ahead, post it on Facebook!) You’d be surprised how motivating sharing your progress can be. MAKE IT FUN Exercise should be fun! If it’s not, keep trying new activities until you find a form of movement that you do enjoy.

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President’s Message

s we celebrate the blessings of the holiday season at Stephen F. Austin State University, we are reminded that the pursuit of higher education often provides academic and cultural experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. Such opportunities often lead Lumberjacks to other parts of the world, as will be the case for many SFA music students in the coming months. One of SFA’s most recognizable groups will be representing the university during highly anticipated musical performances in Europe this spring. The 52-member SFA A Cappella Choir will embark on an 11-day tour to Austria and the Czech Republic in May, presenting at least six concerts in Salzburg, Vienna and Prague.

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

In addition, the Lumberjack Marching Band will take its “Boldest Sound from the Oldest Town” to the 2013 London New Year’s Day Parade & Festival where it, too, will represent SFA on a global stage. The parade performance will be watched by more than 600,000 spectators and televised to 280 million people around the world. More than 20 different countries will be represented in the parade and associated concert performances.

As SFA alumni, we can take pride in the fact that our current students are seizing unique opportunities to travel, study and showcase their talents in places they may otherwise not have the chance to visit. These experiences contribute richly to a well-rounded SFA education that prepares our students for successful careers and global citizenship. Your continued loyalty and support of SFA help make these and so many other educational opportunities possible for current and future Lumberjacks. I wish you and the rest of the SFA family many blessings in the new year. Axe ’em, Jacks!

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

UNIVERSITY ADMINISTRATION Dr. Baker Pattillo, president Dr. Richard Berry, provost/vice president for academic affairs Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs Danny Gallant, vice president for finance and administration Sid Walker, vice president for development OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Shirley Luna, interim executive director of marketing/public affairs Hardy Meredith, university photographer Amy Roquemore, editorial coordinator

NONFIRE DUE TO THE extreme drought in East Texas, this year’s SFA bonfire and torchlight parade were modified to ensure safety without dampening the Lumberjack spirit surrounding the annual tradition. The bonfire structure was not lit but was set aglow with electric lights, providing a spirited backdrop for the introduction of the Lumberjack football team and the Homecoming king and queen. The annual torchlight parade preceding the event featured lanterns, glow sticks and other portable lights as opposed to the customary flaming torches. As always, students and alumni joined the SFA spirit teams and marching band as they proceeded down Raguet Street and Starr Avenue to the bonfire site on the intramural fields. “The homecoming bonfire is one of our most cherished traditions; however, we consulted with local leadership with regard to this matter and were assured that the prolonged drought made lifting the burn ban inadvisable,” said Dr. Adam Peck, dean of student affairs. SFA students are sensitive to the fact that Texans have

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lost homes, businesses and, in some cases, their lives in recent wildfires throughout the state, he said. Members of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity, Student Activities Association and Traditions Council worked with university officials to plan an alternative bonfire celebration that allowed for the expression of Lumberjack pride and Homecoming spirit without placing the campus or its neighbors in danger. “I know that our campus community was disappointed, but I also know everyone was supportive of this decision because our consideration for others is so engrained in the campus culture,” Peck said. “We look forward to hosting the traditional bonfire and torchlight parade for Homecoming 2012.” Another aspect of the SFA bonfire tradition, the Burn Shirts, took on added meaning this year. During Homecoming week, students, faculty and staff were encouraged to discard apparel branded with the logos and names of other universities in exchange for free SFA T-shirts that read “Lumberjack Spirit Burns in My Soul!” This year, the discarded clothing was donated to Texas wildfire victims.

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Gift of a lifetime

George Foreman donates collection to SFA FORMER HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION boxer, iconic businessman and Houston pastor George Foreman has donated his personal papers, recorded sermons and other documents to SFA’s East Texas Research Center. Foreman, a native of Marshall, said he decided to make the gift to SFA so that his children and grandchildren would understand the importance he placed on education, and so that he would be remembered for being more than just a boxing champion. The ETRC is located in the Ralph W. Steen Library. It 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 Histori-

cal Association and the Texas State Genealogical Society. “The influence of the ETRC reaches much further than our campus,” said Dr. Ric Berry, SFA provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It holds official papers for a number of East Texas families and well-known personalities. This resource is made use of by researchers from around the country.” In formally accepting the collection, Steen Library Director Shirley Dickerson promised Foreman that the documents and recordings will be carefully preserved and made accessible to the public. “It is an honor to receive this collection, which will help identify Steen Library as a key cultural resource center for students, educators, researchers and the public at large,” Dickerson said. “All of this serves as a valuable contribution to

the rich heritage of East Texas.” Foreman’s gift was announced at a meeting of SFA’s Board of Regents, during which Foreman also accepted the university’s Lifetime Cultural Achievement Award. The award was created to honor participants in the annual Archie McDonald Speaker Series. Foreman was the honored guest at the first installment of the series in April 2010, but the accompanying medallion had not yet been designed. It was presented to Foreman in conjunction with the announcement of his gift to the ETRC. While presenting the medallion to Foreman, SFA President Baker Pattillo said, “This is an award no challenger can take away from you.”

Former heavyweight champion boxer George Foreman (left) and SFA President Baker Pattillo sign the agreement formalizing the donation of Foreman’s personal collection to the university’s East Texas Research Center.

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“Doesn’t matter how many years pass since the GOOD OL’ DAYS. . .I still throw an AXE in the air when I see a fellow ’Jack bumper sticker rollin’ around Houston!”

Sarah M. Prewitt (SFA Facebook)

“Will be headed to East Texas shortly for SFA’s season opener against McMurry. AXE ’EM, JACKS!” Chuck Cox ’94 (Facebook)

“Transfer!! From Sam Houston!! I abandoned the Bearkats to be a Lumberjack!!!”

Coleigh Kaye (SFA Facebook)

“Being an SFA grad certainly makes us the best-prepared teachers out there!” Yvette Smith Dralle ’83 (Alumni Association Facebook)

“Wearing my new purple hard hat with my SFA polo out in the field today!”

Matthew Reynolds (SFA Facebook)

“My pride remains STRONG for my college. . . the foundation of my incredible EDUCATION and SUCCESSFUL life. . .a place that makes DREAMS COME TRUE.”

Demetress Harrell ’90 & ’97 (Alumni Association Facebook)

Assistant SFA football coach Todd Schonhar and his wife, Julia, show off their new custom SFA license plate.

New SFA license plates hit the road LUMBERJACK FANS MAY now ride with pride and contribute to student scholarships at the same time by purchasing a newly designed SFA license plate. Since 1993, SFA has had an official Texas license plate that supporters could purchase to help raise scholarship money and show their Lumberjack spirit. Last year, SFA had 229 plates on the road, raising more than $7,000 for scholarships. Previously, each license plate sold delivered $22 in scholarship money. The new plates could more than triple that amount. SFA has partnered with My Plates to market and sell the newly designed plate. New options include giving plates as gifts, purchasing a plate for one, five, or 10 years, and layaway.

To order, visit www.myplates. com, click on the SFA design and choose the level of personalization you desire. The number of letters you choose determines the plate price. Your plate will arrive at a county tax office for pick up in about three weeks. Those who purchased the previous SFA plate design may continue to renew those plates. All terms are grandfathered as long as the plates are renewed on time. Customers who have the previous design may switch to the new SFA plate design at www. myplates.com or 888-7MY-PLAT (888-769-7528). Plates start at $55 a year. Personalization is an additional cost. Purchasing for a five- or 10year term provides the best value.

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Vista Viewpoint By Mitzi Blackburn

Longtime staffer bids farewell to SFA IF SOMEONE HAD told me 28 years ago that I would be working where I am today, I would have laughed at them. It was 28 years ago that a high school classmate contacted me and asked if I would be interested in working at SFA. At the time, I was enrolled at Angelina Junior College with intentions of eventually transferring to SFA. The thought of working at the university was very appealing to me; I could work there and take classes, too! So I began working at the Physical Plant Department as a secretary. I worked there for seven years, attempting to take classes during that time, too. The staff and administrators at the Physical Plant were amazing to work with. Some played important roles in molding me into the person I am today. (They know who they are without naming names.) Fast forward to working at the Alumni Association. I took a yearlong hiatus to seek adventure. Well, the adventure took a twist, and I returned to work at SFA with an engagement ring from Philip Blackburn on my finger. We scheduled the wedding date before I began working at the Alumni Association, and it coincidentally fell the weekend before Homecoming! Needless to say, my honeymoon was cut short because of that. Little did I know how Homecoming would affect my life for the next 21 years. This year’s Homecoming was bittersweet because it was my last time to coordinate the events for the Alumni Association. However, I looked forward every year to seeing all the alumni, especially those former members of Student Foundation Association. Serving as co-adviser of the foundation has been one of the highlights of my career. During my attempt at college, I never joined a student organization, so I was absolutely clueless about advising one. My first coadviser, who was a staff member with another department on campus, took me under her wing and guided me through the intricacies of leading a student organization without being too bossy or just doing everything myself Winter 2011

instead of delegating. I grew very fond of many of the members over the years, so much so that when they got married and started families, their children began calling me “Aunt Mitzi.” Several years later, I made the mistake of telling them that my nieces call me “Mimi.” Well, guess what the members call me now! I will always cherish the precious memories I have made with this group, like the time I got an e-mail from a former member who later turned co-adviser. The e-mail had an attached photo of the engagement ring that would soon be on the finger of another former foundation member. It’s not unusual for me to have at least one wedding invitation on my refrigerator from former members. Just recently, I had five invitations! When I meet alumni at association events, I am often asked if I have children. I get a big smile on my face and announce that I have 50 children, and they are all members of Student Foundation Association! My career at SFA has been filled with other amazing moments, such as the time I was surprised with an SFA ring at a Big Dip ring ceremony and the year I was chosen by Omicron Delta Kappa as adviser of the year. Another time, they made me an honorary member. Recently, I was selected as the outstanding adviser by Student Foundation’s District Conference committee. Last, but definitely not least, I was named Woman of the Year by the University Professional Women’s Club. The past 28 years have been amazing! I wouldn’t change a thing! It’s time for me to move on to another adventure…retirement! I’m sure it will be as wonderful as my career at SFA has been. Mitzi Blackburn director, alumni activities

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Great & Grand By Kayli Steger

PROFESSIONAL ARTIST AND jeweler Kristi Rae Wilson ’06 has made a career of breathing new life into simple objects, transforming them into wearable works of art and telling their stories in the process. Interesting textiles, family heirlooms and vintage collectibles are among the vehicles Wilson uses to create a unique narrative about familial roles of women, among other subjects. She recently completed a yearlong stint as an Artist in Residence at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, where she had the opportunity to experiment with and exhibit unconventional wearable art. A recent feature story in the Houston Chronicle celebrated her craftsmanship and timeliness, calling her pieces “right on trend.” Her work is now housed in the hip Winter Street Studios, home to one of the largest groups of fine artists in the Houston area. The Houston native changed her major from psychology and began to analyze a new medium in art metals/jewelry after seeing a unique necklace on a fellow SFA student. In addition to her artwork, Wilson now teaches 3D Design at Houston Community College. Winter 2011

From a young age, Wilson was interested in making things. Her grandmother, Viola, influenced her sewing craft, and days in the crafting room at an aunt’s farm cultivated her creativity. Her first job as a signmaking assistant led her to a love of machinery, discovering how things work and the tactile components that would inspire future work. She later inherited a sewing machine while working as a caretaker for a grandmother in Nacogdoches, and she always felt a connection to her legacy as she created new works of art. Wilson has called herself a storyteller, materialsmith, jeweler and, most recently, a hospice for things. Wilson’s inspiration stems from a wide range of sources, from her grandmother’s quilting blocks to watching her father fix cars. This later led to her deconstruction of a car—screw by screw—an art piece that she successfully completed in graduate school. “I was very much invested in understanding why people are attached to things, and it fascinated me that the things we own require maintenance, just like a body.” Wilson said her part-time job at Buffalo Exchange, a secondhand

retail store, not only provided a treasure trove of vintage materials, but also connected her to the people and stories associated with the castoff clothing. Her latest collection, “Homage to the Greats and Grands,” showcases homespun crafts from Houstonarea grandmothers who introduced the art forms of quilting, embroidering and tatting to their families. She transformed the heirlooms into large-scale jewelry, and guests can listen to interviews of family members who describe the woman behind the craft. The work is part of the exhibit Beyond Beautiful: Rethinking Domestic Craft, which is on view at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft until January. “For me, the fabric is a way to tap into a time when women lived to work rather than today when we work to live,” Wilson explained. “To use these fabrics in jewelry only makes sense. It is such an intimate experience to get to wear these materials on the body—to be a part of the hands that worked so labor intensively on a hand-crafted object.”

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ON THE AIR The university recently unveiled a $450,000 renovation of the SFA TV2 studio and KSAU radio station inside the Boynton Building. The modern, interactive sets provide media students the opportunity to operate state-ofthe-art equipment in a contemporary real-world setting, said Dr. John Hendricks, director of the Division of Communication and Contemporary Culture. “The SFA Regents and administration have provided our students with a tremendous opportunity to work in a new, state-of-the-art facility with 21st-century equipment,” he said. “This type of hands-on education experience is a great advantage to our students, who will leave SFA extremely well prepared to compete for jobs in the media.” The Division of Communication and Contemporary Culture collaborated with the School of Theatre to renovate the sets, which were designed by Assistant Professor of Theatre Dana Gloege who formerly designed sets for ESPN. The new spaces were introduced to the campus and community at a ribbon-cutting ceremony and reception in September.

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Work Space

What you’ll find in. . . Dr. Tom Segady’s office

1 Wall hanging of a printed African fabric given to him by a friend from Liberia. 2 Church fan depicting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. posing with a portrait of his mother. Segady found the fan, which reads “Together at Last,” stored with hundreds just like it in an upstairs room of the historic Zion Hill Baptist Church in Nacogdoches before the renovation began. 3 A collection of mementos given to him by students, including a small elephant statue, a hand-welded armadillo figurine, a clock and a snow globe with a camel inside. 4 The Royal manual typewriter Segady typed his master’s thesis on in 1978. He purchased it for $5 at a Salvation Army thrift store, and it was once used in an SFA performance of the “Typewriter Concerto” by Leroy Anderson. 5 The largest in a collection of photos taken on various trips to New Mexico with his wife, Gayle. He once entered this picture of birds gathered on a rustic ranch entrance framed by storm clouds in an art contest, but it didn’t win. 6 A metal book rest repurposed to hold a colorful assortment of reading glasses. “I lose as many pairs as I find,” he said. “I just happen to be at the high water mark right now.” 7 A souvenir mug from the Negro League Baseball Museum located in Kansas City, Mo. 8 A CD by Latif Bolat, a Turkish singer, composer, and scholar of Turkish music and folklore, who performed recently at SFA. 9 An oddly shaped piece of wood Segady found on campus and mounted on a wooden base. He says he was drawn to the piece because of its “strange face,” which changes throughout the day as light from the window creates shadows on the wood. 10 Orphaned pots of cacti and other plants – all given to him by people leaving town – lining the window sill. 11 A 1912 Remington typewriter, the same model used to type Mein Kampf as dictated by Adolf Hitler in prison. The keys retract for easy portability – “it had to be the first laptop!” – and it has been restored to perfect working condition. 12 A large rock Segady found on campus and took back to his office, unable to resist the smiling face that had seemingly been carved in it. “I want it noted that I bought a replacement rock and put it right where I found this one,” he said. 13 A meditation shawl given to Segady by a colleague in India. 14 Small Tibetan prayer flags hanging from the ceiling tiles. A member of the sociology faculty at SFA for more than two decades, Dr. Tom Segady was promoted to full professor in 2001 and teaches numerous courses, including social psychology, sociology of comparative religions, cultures of India, social class in America and urban sociology. He also received a Fulbright Award to teach for a year in India. Segady was the first director of SFA’s honors program and was named Regents Professor for the 2009-10 academic year. Other honors include 1993 Wisely Hall Teaching Fellow, 1995 SFA Student Adviser of the Year and 1999 College of Liberal Arts Teacher of the Year. “I am also widely recognized to be the absolute worst violinist in this entire region, although I love playing, and I am obviously a collector of found art and stray animals,” he said. “I think that I work alongside the best colleagues anywhere, and I love teaching at SFA.”

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Alumni News

Scorecard 2009-2011

Quick facts about select SFA Alumni Association programs and services

DATA

FY11

FY10

FY09

Living Graduates

94,174

92,476

90,483

Percent Addressable

88.64%

86.51%

86.19%

Percent w/ E-mail

37.12%

34.63%

25.36%

ENGAGEMENT

FY 11

FY 10

FY 09

Affiliated Chapters

Regional Chapters

Special Interest Chapters

Number Events & Activities

109

100

Chapter Events

Total Attendance

34,798

32,000

26,000

Chapter Event Attendance

1,846

1,499

1,194

Participants in the SFA Ring Tradition

596

426

349

Full-Time Staff

8.5

MEMBERSHIP

FY 11

FY 10

FY 09

Membership Total

7,730

7,626

7,452

Penetration

9.35%

9.53%

9.56%

Member Recruitment/Retention •

Renewed Annual

321

287

227

•

Retention Rate

43.38%

39.05%

51.95%

•

New Annual Members

435

453

508

•

New Life Members

103

By Category •

Annual

756

740

735

•

Life

6,675

6,644

6,629

•

TAG

299

242

ALUMNI SCHOLARSHIPS

FY 11

FY 10

FY 09

Scholarship Dollars Awarded

$385,000.00

$469,619.44

$674,656.00

Total Endowed Scholarships

489

480

473

Newly Endowed Scholarships

COMMUNICATIONS

FY 11

FY 10

FY 09

E-mail Newsletter Circulation

337,267

104,398

13,437

SFAAA Website Community

2,801

2,158

1,288

SFAAA Facebook Fans

2,275

718

N/A

SFAAA Twitter Followers

599

419

103

SFAAA LinkedIn Group Members

2,631

2075

515

Sawdust •

Circulation

205,000

112,000

81,000

•

Average Page Count per issue

FUNDRAISING

FY 11

FY 10

FY 09

Advertising Revenue

$12,300.00

$9,420.00

$11,900.00

Membership Revenue

$63,150.00

$72,728.00

$78,016.00

General Revenue

$40,719.00

$49,839.00

$45,087.00

Affinity Revenue

$137,478.00

$123,831.00

$114,160.00

Scholarship Revenue

$649,624.00

$830,196.50

$639,513.00

Total Revenue

$890,971.00

$1,097,310.50

$896,601.00

From the Association

hat a fun ride the last two years serving as your alumni president have been. I have enjoyed attending all of the SFA events. When you love SFA like I do, it is easy to find much joy in promoting this great university. We have seen many improvements on campus, including new academic buildings, residence halls and parking garages. A new main entrance and Birdwell Plaza now welcomes visitors to the most beautiful campus in Texas. By looking at our enrollment, which has been on the rise, it is obvious that the secret is out – SFA is the best university from which to earn a degree! And Nacogdoches’ one-of-a-kind atmosphere truly is the best place in which to experience college. Chuck Tomberlain ’84 Beginning Jan. 1, I will move from my President, SFA Alumni position as alumni president to chairman of Association the SFA Alumni Foundation. I hope you will continue making generous donations to the scholarship accounts, so we can continue to provide scholarships to all the deserving students. Scholarships are the only way many students are able to get a college education. Knowing you have had a positive influence on the life of a young adult should put a smile on your face. I know it sure puts one on mine. If you have not yet started a scholarship fund, I hope you will do so soon. As federal tax dollars continue to be cut from higher education, it is more important than ever to have scholarship dollars available to students. Don’t waste time; start one today! If you aren’t able to give financially, there are many other ways to help your university. Just call the SFA Alumni Office, and they will find the best way to get you involved so your purple pride can start showing today! I want to thank the SFA Alumni staff for continuing to do a great job of meeting our needs as alumni. We are blessed to have this talented group working every day to ensure the SFA legacy lives on. Your new alumni president, Curtis Sparks, will provide great leadership for the SFA Alumni Board. With that team in place, the best is yet to come! My family and I wish you the best, and may God bless you and yours for many years to come.

Axe ’Em, Jacks!

SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - president Curtis Sparks ’85 - president-elect Mike Harbordt ’63 - past president ASSOCIATION BOARD Wendy Buchanan ’85 Don Cox ’71 & ’76 Robin Dawley ’77 Ryan Emmons ’03 Karen Gantt ’95 Doris Havard James Hawkins ’83 Kent Hutchison ’92 David Madrid ’02 Justin McFaul ’04 Susan Roberds ’75 Roger Robinson ’92 Phillip Scherrer ’99 Steve Whitbeck ’75 Chris Woelfel ’95 Student Foundation Association Josh Perry ’12 SFA ALUMNI FOUNDATION GOVERNORS Mike Harbordt ’63 - chairman Brad Bays ’91 Lewie Byers ’68 Ford Cartwright ’69 Shirley Crawford ’58 & ’70 James Hamilton ’77 Andy Mills ’91 Bill Roberds ’75 Chuck Tomberlain ’84 SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Jeff Davis ’02 executive director of alumni affairs (fund-raising) Mitzi Blackburn director of alumni activities (activities & events) Katy Crawford assistant to the executive director of alumni affairs (operations) Rhonda Crim-Tumelson director of alumni publications Dale Green ’99 director of marketing & membership Emily Payne ’99 & ’01 chapter coordinator

Chuck Tomberlain ’84

Beverly Smith ’96 accountant (finance) Alicia Roland Chatman gifts & records specialist Mo Davis Williams ’09 scholarship coordinator

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What a

SFA alumni help launch website for traveling sports fans

TRIP By Amy Roquemore

TWO FORMER SPORTS writers for SFA’s student newspaper, The Pine Log, have teamed up with a colleague and fellow aficionado of football fandom to produce RoadTripSports.com – a one-stop cyber shop for everything traveling sports fans need to know to support their favorite teams on the road. The website is designed to help sports travelers plan their road trips by providing complete game schedules, scores, photo galleries, commentary, side-trip information and first-hand coverage of a surprising number of sporting events across the country each week. Recently, the trio behind the site – Chuck Cox ’94, Matthew Postins ’94 and UT-Austin grad Kendall Webb – stopped by SFA to take in a Lumberjack football game, catch up with alumni and friends, and talk about their sports travels and their burgeoning online venture. “The three of us have been traveling to college games for years, and we kept running into people who would tell us we needed to have a website for fans to follow us and get information on their favorite teams,” said Cox, who is an associate publisher of the site. “We finally just decided – let’s do it.” RoadTripSports.com is now the only site on the Internet that features team pages and schedules for every college football team in the United States and Canada, from the Football Bowl Subdivision to the National Junior College Athletic Association. More than 900 col-

lege football teams are represented on the site, along with information on college baseball and basketball teams and selected professional sporting events. RoadTripSports.com was launched in August 2010 and has since welcomed more than 35,000 visitors and supported more than 130,000 page views. Last fall, it debuted College Football America, a 234-page online college football preview magazine that is the first of its kind. Webb, RoadTripSports.com founder and publisher, said he hopes the site continues to gain support as more and more sports fans use it to help them get the most enjoyment out of their road trips. “We know there are a lot of fans out there who like to do what we do – get in the car with some buddies and drive somewhere to enjoy a football game on a fall weekend,” he said. “We hope the site helps them plan their trip, and we also want to use our photo galleries to show our followers what the gameday atmosphere is like in different places around the country.” The site remains a work in progress, with plans for greatly expanding the travel-related content to include tips on places to stay, eat and

From left, Matthew Postins ’94, Chuck Cox ’94 and their friend Kendall Webb covered an SFA football game last fall for their website, RoadTripSports.com, “the Internet’s premier sports travel portal.”

visit on sports road trips around the country. The two SFA alumni live and work in Dallas, Cox as a sportswriter and Postins as an employee of an online education service provider. Webb works in human resources in Nashville, Tenn. They all three contribute to the website in their spare time, filing stories from the road. Postins, an associate publisher of the site, said, while there is no shortage of online resources for the fans of the Bowl Championship Series teams, RoadTripSports has found its niche in covering the smaller athletic divisions, whose fans are just as enthusiastic but are often underserved. “That college road-game experience – from the driving to the tailgating to the game itself – is exciting and important to fans whether the game is nationally televised or not,” Postins said. “We want to provide everything the traveling sports fan needs to get the most out of that uniquely American experience.”

Several other contributors to RoadTripSports. com have SFA ties, including Rich Van Noord ’93, Andrea Thompson ’94 and Chris Chancellor ’95. Like Cox and Postins, Thompson and Chancellor worked for The Pine Log student newspaper while attending SFA.

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Axes up to our Homecoming sponsors! Thank you for supporting the SFA Alumni Association. Alumni Corner Sponsors: Austin Bank Citizens 1st Bank Classic Fare Catering Liberty Mutual LumberjackFans.com MyPlates.com Nacogdoches CVB R&K Distributers SFA Lettermen’s Association ShopSFA.com Sign-A-Rama North Dallas University Rental Duck Dash Donations: Boatman Tire and Service Brookshire Brothers Chili’s Cotton Patch KFC Sonic Walmart

Winter 2011

Silent Auction Donations: Dr. Dorothy Allen Balfour Class Rings Worth Barham Laura M. Basinger ’92 Mitzi Blackburn Philip Blackburn ’86 & ’93 Jake ’01 and Captain Larry Bolton Shelley Brophy ’95 & ’02 Wendy Buchanan ’85 Anita Burns Johnny Cardenas Becky Nee Watson Carrol ’69 Tod Chambers Don Cox ’71 & ’76 Heath Clement Jeff ’02 and Jenny ’03 Davis Diamond Jacks Casino Emmeline I. Dodd ’61 & ’65 Jim Elder ’98 William Fajardo Dennis Ford Michael “Rajun Cajun” Granger ’85 Mike ’63 & ’96 and Jackie Harbordt J.C. Harper Karen Harris Jim and Doris Havard Craig ’88 and Robin Brigham

Mangham ’86 Craig Herman ’82 Gene Hollier Houston Texans Griff Hubbard ’74 Debbie Humphreys Jack Backers College Bookstore Barry ’91 & ’93 and Elsa Jordan Danny Kaspar ’85 Don ’61 & Gail ’63 Keasler Jane Ann Kendrick ’56 & ’75 Dr. Carl Kight Karen Klein Amy Lewandowski Landry ’02 M & S Pharmacy David Madrid Craig ’88 and Robin Brigham Mangham ’86 Jeff ’99 and Casey ’00 McNutt Mary Milligan ’78 & ’97 Jimmy Mize ’84 Colin Murasko Nacogdoches Clearing House Jeremy Niuman Mary Olle Dr. Baker Pattillo ’65 & ’66 William Perkins Dr. Dale Perritt Quality RV Sales & Service Raising Cane’s Chicken Fingers George Ray Susan Pack-Reents Mike Riley ’73 Roger Robinson ’92 Dr. Melanie G. Rushing ’97 San Antonio SFA Alumni Chapter Phillip Scherrer ’99 Brandon Schneider School of Human Sciences Bob Sitton ’60 Ron and Kathy Springfield ’98 Student Foundation Association Erika Tolar ’02 Morgan Tomberlain ’05 Rhonda Crim-Tumelson Dr. Rachel Underwood Julie Walker Sherry Ward Robert Weiss Rebecca Welch ’89 Shannon White ’87 19

A longtime environmental advocate for the Texas Gulf Coast, Jim Morrison ’69 of Freeport recently received a 2011 Gulf Guardian Award from the Environmental Protection Agency’s Gulf of Mexico Program for his work with the State of Texas’ Artificial Reef Program. He played a vital role in the passing of the Texas Artificial Reef Bill in 1989, and his efforts have since resulted in more than $13 million in donations to the program.

Sawdust recently visited with Morrison about his time at SFA and his quarter-century-long commitment to creating and protecting offshore underwater habitats for future generations of divers, fishermen and others who share his love of the ocean.

How did a boy from Pennsylvania end up majoring in forestry at SFA? When I was in high school, my guidance counselor was Mr. Cox, (then SFA) Dean Shelton’s nephew. I was applying to Northern forestry schools – Penn State, Michigan State, Syracuse – when he asked me if I had ever heard of SFA. I sent away for a catalog. SFA had built a new student union, and I found out the forestry school had a great reputation. I drove down to Houston with a football buddy of mine who had finished his freshman year at Southwest Texas State, and I took a bus to Nacogdoches with a pillow and my big red suitcase. I got off at the Fredonia Hotel and was told head to North Street, take a right and keep walking until I saw trees and Vista Drive. I only made it a block before a guy in a pickup truck stopped and asked if I was going to SFA. He told me to throw my stuff in the back and hop in, and he dropped me off at the Austin Building.

What are some of your favorite SFA memories? My dorm assignment was Unit Three, and when I walked in I met my roommate, Mack Arnold from Hallsville, who is now a Houston defense attorney. He immediately started calling me “Yank,” and the nickname stuck. I was dating a Twirl-O-Jack, so I volunteered to load and fire the Theta Chi cannon, “The Grey Ghost,” at football games. I had a blue Honda Dream Machine motorcycle my sophomore year, and Mrs. Dorothy Kent, dorm mother at North Dorm, thought I was a bad influence on her girls. Dean Samford also frowned on me riding on the sidewalk and through the campus. My junior and senior year, I had a ’61 Chevrolet convertible which was sought after during parades. I was a good dancer who knew all the latest American Bandstand dances. In 1965, during exchange parties with sororities, I was told by seniors, “No dancing on the floor, Yank!” But by 1966, everyone at SFA could “gator.” In 1965, The Sylvans Club planted loblolly pines throughout the campus. I planted two across from the Austin Building next to the entrance to the Student Union Post Office. One of those was taken down when the new alumni center was built, but the other is standing tall. And I still remember when it was a little sapling I carried in my hand.

Who were your favorite professors? Dr. Samson in forestry – I loved his dendrology course; Dr. Chamberlain in history – a great Texas historian and a true gentleman;

and Dr. Abernethy in English – He made English lit. come alive, always with a story. Tales from the Big Thicket was a masterpiece and should be required reading for all East Texans.

What was your “real job” before retiring? All of my work on the environmental front has been secondary to my real job in labor relations. I was employee relations manager for the southern United States for Gulf Western and labor relations manager for NASA - Clear Lake. I retired as vice president of the West Gulf Maritime Association in Houston.

What is an artificial reef? An artificial reef is a manmade structure placed underwater to promote marine life in areas where the ocean floor is featureless. They can be built a number of ways, including sinking oil rigs, scuttling ships or positioning construction debris. Shipwrecks also serve as artificial reefs. They provide hard surfaces for algae, barnacles, corals and other creatures to attach themselves, which in turn attracts other marine life to the area.

What are some of the environmental benefits to creating artificial reefs in the Gulf of Mexico? If you ever had the opportunity to dive the western portion of the Gulf of Mexico, you would observe a silt-covered bottom that looks a lot like the surface of the moon. There’s just not much going on down there. Artificial reefs provide the structure for a habitat that promotes a healthy and diverse ocean ecosystem. This environmental enhancement creates incredible opportunities for recreational diving and fishing off the Texas Coast that simply didn’t exist before.

What would you say to those who worry that leaving rigs in the ocean is just junking it up? Well, you have to remember, first of all, that in the case of the rigs, these habitats have already been there for many years, and the marine life around them is thriving. When you take the rig away, you destroy the habitat. Salvaging a select number of these rigs to create artificial reefs is good for the ocean. I have personally seen what can happen when we enhance the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem in this way. Thanks to the Rigs to Reefs Program, these habitats will be around long after I am gone for future generations to enjoy.

In 1995, we relocated a platform from Port Mansfield to the Padre Island Underwater Park, very close to the Mexican border. I invited the Texas Senate Committee on Natural Resources to join us on the dive boat to witness the first dive on our new artificial reef. When we got to the site and were underwater filming, I heard the twin propellers of a Mexican Navy gun boat approaching the committee. I was sure they were going to hijack the dive boat with the senators and told my team to breathe lightly because we were going to have to swim three miles back to the beach. The gun boat approached and loaded the 50 calibers with a loud “clack.” However, Sen. (Eddie) Lucio ended the incident when he thanked the captain for checking on their safety and invited him to dinner, along with the admiral of the Mexican Navy. We surfaced after the gun boat left.

What is the significance of the medallion you wear around your neck? The medallion is a silver “piece of eight” that I had made into a pendant. I was working with an undersea explorer who had rights to search for a shipwreck off the east coast of Florida and needed a few divers to help him work the site. I volunteered and worked with him for two weeks, vacuuming away sand underwater. We were somewhat successful in finding artifacts, and I was given the coin in exchange for my work.

What would someone gain from learning how to scuba dive? Diving gives you a new perspective on our environment. It’s a learning experience that keeps on giving when you dive different waters of the world. My wife, Jean, and I were diving off Belize, and we stopped on a small island where we got to witness baby hawksbill turtles hatching and walking to the sea. It’s also great exercise. When you get enough experience to relax, you are, in effect, doing deep breathing exercises in a weightless environment. Diving also teaches communication and working with a buddy. Out of more than 1,000 dives, I am very fortunate to have logged more than 500 with my wife. Diving also teaches you respect for the water, and, most of all, it’s just plain fun.

From left, Becky Walker, assistant to the commissioner of the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; Jim Morrison ’69, recipient of the Gulf Guardian Award; and Bill Honker, deputy director of the Water Quality Protection Division of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Underwater photos courtesy of American Diving

As a master scuba diver and instructor, you have spent countless hours exploring the ocean’s depths. What has been your scariest moment under water?

By Amy Roquemore

Linda Klingman ’85, portfolio manager FOR MORE THAN two decades, Linda Klingman ’85 has been working East Coast hours on the West Coast. Her job as a managing director and portfolio manager for Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. requires her to be up at 4 a.m. and manning her busy downtown San Francisco trading desk just one hour later. On a typical day, she invests close to $15 billion in assets in an economic environment that lately has been unpredictable, to say the least. “It is really, really fast-paced, and the phone rings constantly,” said Klingman, adding that she is typically on the receiving end of more than 100 phone calls a day. “It is a different lifestyle – it really is – but it is also a very fun and exciting job.” At SFA, Klingman earned a Bachelor of Business Administration with a marketing major and management minor. Her first job was with AIM Management Inc. in her hometown of Houston, where she eventually worked her way up to senior money market trader. In 1990, she was recruited by a headhunter to move out West, becoming the first portfolio manager for Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. As head of the Schwab Taxable Money Fund portfolio management group, she is responsible for managing 10 different funds totaling more than $130 billion in assets. It is an extraordinary responsibility but one Klingman has grown comfortable with over the years. “There were times in the beginning when I didn’t even want to leave for lunch because I was so afraid something would happen while I was away,” she said. But that doesn’t mean things always go smoothly. Klingman recalls dark days during the height of the country’s 2008 financial crisis, which resulted in the collapse of many large financial institutions. “I can honestly say that, during the pinnacle of the crisis, there were times when I questioned whether our industry would survive,” she said. “The resulting industry mandates and safeguards implemented following the crisis have helped make the environment safer for investors.” Klingman and her close-knit team work with a Bloomberg Terminal, the industry standard for providing real-time investment data and analysis to help managers evaluate the stock market. The same technology is used by current SFA business students who aspire to a career in investment management.

Although the emphasis of her degree was in marketing, Klingman said the broad-based business education she received at SFA prepared her well for a successful career. “I always knew I wanted to study business, but wasn’t really sure what I wanted to do until I graduated and learned more about investment management,” she said. “I was really lucky to have people willing to help me learn the industry first-hand. “Interestingly, I do think I use a lot of my marketing education background in the way that I work with my team and represent Schwab within the industry.” In her spare time, Klingman loves to travel, immersing herself in different cultures. She also enjoys hiking, kayaking and participating in other outdoor pursuits, many of which are readily available in and around the City by the Bay. “My job can be very stressful, but living in northern California and enjoying all it has to offer helps me keep everything in perspective.”

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Upcoming Events

DECEMBER 10 SFA Gala

16 An Nollaig: An Irish Christmas

Yellow House Christian Student Center Flag Football Tournament

17 Commencement

26-30 University closed for winter holidays

Nacogdoches Chapter After Work Social Gathering at Flashback Café

JANUARY 11 Women’s Basketball: SFA vs. Central Arkansas

25 Alumni Foundation Board meeting

Men’s Basketball: SFA vs. Sam Houston

Women’s Basketball: SFA at Sam Houston

21 Men’s Basketball: SFA at UT Arlington

27 Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting

FEBRUARY 3

Vienna Boys Choir, W.M. Turner Auditorium

25 Showcase Saturday

22 Men’s Basketball: SFA at Lamar

29 Women’s Basketball: SFA vs. Sam Houston

15 Women’s Basketball: SFA at UT Arlington

25 Showcase Saturday

Men’s Basketball: SFA at Sam Houston

Men’s Basketball: SFA vs. Texas A&M Corpus Christi

18 Men’s Basketball: ESPN Bracket Busters

Find chapter events online at sfaalumni.com

MARCH 6

Women’s Basketball: SLC Tournament

Career Expo, Baker Pattillo Student Center

Men’s Basketball: SLC Tournament

12-16 University closed for spring holidays

20-21 SFA Ring Sales Event 31 Showcase Saturday

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

Winter 2011

Charles and Dorothy English Memorial Scholarship The Charles and Dorothy English Memorial Scholarship was endowed by Dr. Charles K. English ’79 & ’81 of Rockville, Md., and Dr. Ken English ’76 and ’78 of Sherman. The scholarship benefits students who are graduates of Houston County high schools. Charles English graduated from Douglass High School and received his Bachelor of Business Administration from Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College in 1954, followed by his Master of Education in 1956. He began his long career in public education in 1954, teaching and coaching in Pennington ISD, and he later taught and coached in the Latexo and Crockett ISDs. In 1962, he was elected Houston County Schools superintendent. He left the position in 1968 to serve as superintendent of Lovelady ISD. He also served as assistant superintendent for Crockett ISD and as superintendent for Kennard ISD. In 1986, he was elected Houston County judge. While his wife, Dorothy English, did not attend SFA, she was a loyal supporter of the university for many years. She was employed by First National Bank in Crockett for more than 35 years. In 1982, she was elected Houston County clerk, an office she held until her retirement in 1990. Mr. and Mrs. English were married for more than 63 years. Charles English passed away on Dec. 28, 2009, followed by Dorothy English on July 2, 2011.

Peggy and Campbell Cox Scholarship Nacogdoches native Campbell Cox ’57 is the son of Navarro and Ruby Cox and is a 1953 graduate of Nacogdoches High School. He served in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and was the owner and operator of Navarro Cox Tire for 40 years. He also is a former member of the SFASU Foundation Board of Directors. The scholarship benefits general business or management majors who are residents of Nacogdoches, Shelby or San Augustine counties. Cox married his high school sweetheart, Peggy Green, in 1956. She was born in Lufkin and lived there until she moved to Nacogdoches with her parents, Dr. and Mrs. J.C. Green, and her brother, Jimmy Green. Her father had been offered a position with the SFA Department of Agriculture, a position he held from 1947 to 1980. She attended the SFA Demonstration School until it was closed and then attended junior high and graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1955. She received a Bachelor of Science from SFA in 1958 and a master’s degree in 1959. She then taught third, fourth and fifth grades at Central Heights School for several years. Mr. and Mrs. Cox have two sons, Judge Campbell Cox II and Marcus Cox. Both men have taught classes at SFA. Marcus Cox is currently attending the University of North Texas in Denton, working toward a Ph.D. in business strategy. Campbell Cox II is serving as judge in the 145th Judicial District, Nacogdoches County. He and his wife, Jennifer, have two sons. Travis is attending SFA, and Thomas is a student at Nacogdoches High School.

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

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Alumni Chapters

Stay connected. Get involved. Have fun. Join a chapter!

Congratulations to the Panola County Alumni Chapter, the newest SFA alumni network.

Happy Hours Networking Tailgating Freshman Send-Offs Service Projects Luncheons Family Picnics Golf Tournaments Visit our website to find chapter events. www.sfaalumni.com REGIONAL CHAPTERS

Panola County Chapter In addition to promoting SFA in their local communities, alumni chapters operate at various levels of activity. They sponsor events such as freshman send-off parties, family picnics, golf tournaments, networking luncheons and tailgate parties. (Below) The Southeast Texas Chapter hosted a tailgate before the SFA vs. Lamar game in November.

• • • • • • • • •

Austin Chicago Coastal Bend Dallas Denver Houston Longview Nacogdoches Nashville

• • • • • • • • •

Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Panola County San Antonio SE Texas Tarrant County Tyler Victoria

SPECIAL INTEREST CHAPTERS • AfricanAmerican • Agriculture • Chi Alpha • Chi Omega • Film School • Interior Design • Intramural/ Campus Recreation

• • • • •

Lacrosse Nursing ROTC Rugby Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity • Yellow House • Wesley Foundation

Southeast Texas Chapter

Winter 2011

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Bob Allen ’71 Bob Allen of Houston is sports director for KTRK-TV. He was raised in Houston and graduated from Westbury High School. Allen began his career in broadcasting at KRBA Radio in Lufkin while attending SFA in 1969. Soon after, he began working as a disc jokey, newscaster and sportscaster for KEEE in Nacogdoches. Allen is one of the founders of the Eta Iota chapter of Alpha Tau Omega fraternity at SFA. Allen graduated from SFA in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and began working at KPRC Radio in Houston as a newscaster, later becoming a full-time sports director. He was hired by KTRK-TV in 1974. Six months later, he was promoted to sports director. Allen has the longest tenure of any major market sports anchor in the country. He has covered the Olympics, NBA finals, Super Bowl games, World Series and many all-star baseball and basketball games. He has won many awards and honors for his work, including the Mister Sportsman Award from Interfaith Charity. In 2004, an independent poll published in the Houston Chronicle named Allen Houston’s Favorite Sportscaster. He currently travels with the Houston Texans, hosting “Houston Texans: Inside the Game” weekly. He is a member of the Sunshine Kids Board of Directors, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing quality experiences for children with cancer at no cost to their families, hospitals or other support groups. Allen has been an enthusiastic supporter of the foundation since its inception in 1982. He has attended the Foundation’s annual ski trip in Colorado, capturing the children’s experiences on video. From this, he regularly produces a five-part news series and 30-minute television special about the organization and its goal of helping children with cancer. He is a former member of the Board of Directors for the Special Olympics and was recognized with the highest honor given to a volunteer of Special Olympics, the Spirit of Special Olympics Award. Friend and fraternity brother, Dr. Robert Conkright, remembers Allen for his love of nature and living a healthy lifestyle and his appreciation of diverse cultures. “I believe that I am a better person for having known him,” Conkright said. “I believe that Houston and SFA have benefited from having Bob as a resident and student. He is an outstanding role model for the younger generation.”

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Dr. David Hyink ’71 & ’72 Dr. David Hyink of Rapid City, S.D., graduated from SFA in 1971 with a bachelor’s degree in forest management and again in 1972 with a master’s degree in forest biometrics. While an undergraduate at SFA, he was the founding active member of the Nu Xi chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. After graduation from SFA, Hyink conducted research at Auburn University prior to attending Purdue University, where he received his Ph.D. in forest biometrics in 1979. In 1980, after working as an assistant professor of forest biometrics at Virginia Polytechnic and State University, Hyink joined the Weyerhaeuser Company as a scientific adviser (biometrician.) He served as team leader for silviculture, growth and yield, forest management technical services, and technology integration. He also played a major role in the implementation of forest growth and yield forecasting in the company’s forest-management systems and estate-planning models. During his Weyerhaeuser tenure, Hyink also held the rank of affiliate full professor at the University of Washington’s College of Forest Resources and the University of Idaho’s College of Natural Resources. Prior to his retirement in 2007, he was named Weyerhaeuser’s senior scientific adviser and chief forestry scientist. Hyink currently serves on the Board of Advisers for Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at the University of South Dakota and is a member of the Board of Directors of the Black Hills Affiliate of Habitat for Humanity, the Center for Business and Economics of the Northern Plains, and the Black Hills Area Council of the Boy Scouts of America. He also serves as a member of the Board of Directors of TaxMasters Inc. in Houston and owns Deerfield Consulting in Rapid City, S.D. Beyond his distinguished scientific career, Hyink is a highly engaged Scouter and tireless advocate for youth. He received the Distinguished Eagle Scout Award in 2006 and is a recipient of the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope Awards. Hyink has returned to the SFA campus many times for fraternity reunions and is an active supporter of the university and the John Turell SFA Alumni Association Scholarship. He has also been a guest speaker at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. He and his wife, Stephanie, are life members of the SFA Alumni Association. “Dr. Hyink, a gentleman of integrity and high stature, is a persuasive and vocal proponent for SFA everywhere he goes,” said Dr. Gregory S. Powell, president of Panola College and a friend and former classmate of Hyink’s. “He always keeps the best interest of SFA in mind, and I have never seen him waver in his commitment to his alma mater.”

Winter 2011

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNUS Neal Slaten ’01 Neal Slaten of Nacogdoches graduated from SFA in 2001 with a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology. He is the owner of Tipton Ford, recently named the 2011 Large Business of the Year by the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. Slaten began working at Tipton Ford in 1994 and purchased the dealership in 2007. He is a graduate of the National Automotive Dealer Association Dealer Academy. Slaten is a member of the Nacogdoches Rotary Club and served as the youngest Rotary Club president in the United States. He was honored by the Nacogdoches Rotary Club with the Paul Harris Fellow Award. Slaten was named Citizen of the Year by the Pineywoods Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America Pineywoods Chapter 931. He is a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Slaten is completing a three-year term on the Chamber Board of Directors. He also has served the Chamber as membership services vice chair, business development vice chair, membership drive campaign chair and total resource campaign chair, and he serves as a major sponsor of many events. He also chairs the Nacogdoches Economic Development Corporation’s Technical Training Center Committee and Nominating Committee. Slaten supports SFA and the community through his generosity to athletic and cultural events, as well as his involvement with local secondary schools, youth activities and civic events. He is a major sponsor of various programs at SFA, including the athletic program, fine arts, Driving Jacks, the Catholic Student Organization and the Student Activities Association. Mike Kelly ’85 has known Slaten for many years and describes his friend as a humble community supporter. “I am hesitant to write about specific incidents where Neal has helped others, and there are many, only because Neal does not try to bring attention to himself with his generosity. For the last several years, Neal donated a very nice vehicle to his church as a fundraiser. He helped the Burmese workers who are new to our community by providing a vehicle and driver to take them to church on Sundays and is often the driver himself. Neal is very active as a leader in Boy Scouts and Venturing and is a positive influence with these programs. As an individual and a businessman, he actively supports numerous community activities that benefit us all. Often times success changes people, not always for the better. Success has not changed Neal, but has allowed him to do more for others. He does the right thing, for the right reasons, even when no one is looking.”

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DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR Dr. Kathleen Belanger Dr. Kathleen Belanger is an associate professor of social work at SFA. Belanger received her Bachelor of Arts from Catholic University, her Master of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Austin and her doctorate degree from the University of Houston. Belanger has taught social work at SFA for more than 25 years. She has published extensively, including two recent books, Cultural Competence in Rural Child Welfare with S. Brooks and Racial Disproportionality in Child Welfare: Research, Policy and Practice with D. Green, R. McRoy and L. Bullard. She is an appointed member of the National Rural Human Services Panel of the Rural Policy Research Institute in collaboration with the Office of Rural Health Policy in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; a consultant with the National Resource Center for Recruitment and Retention of Foster and Adoptive Parents at AdoptUSKids in collaboration with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and a consultant to the Child Welfare Information Gateway, a service of the Children’s Bureau, Administration for Children and Families with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. She earned the Champion for Children Award from the Child Welfare League of America for her research, scholarship and advocacy for rural children and families most at risk. She serves as chair of CWLA’s National Advisory Committee on Rural Social Services and is an appointed member of the Texas Health and Human Services Task Force on Racial Disproportionality and Disparities of Outcomes. She was instrumental in the formation of SFA’s Master’s in Social Work program and was named principle investigator for a contract with the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services totaling more than $2.5 million. She has served many organizations that help those in need, locally and regionally, including Love in the Name of Christ, the American Red Cross and the Samaritan Counseling Center. Dr. Emmerentie Oliphant, associate professor of social work at SFA, writes, “As a colleague, I have observed Kathleen’s determination to teach students to become passionate social workers. Her teaching, scholarship, civic engagement and community service all reflect her dedication to Stephen F. Austin State University and Nacogdoches.”

Winter 2011

Class Notes 1960

Dave Stamps ’69 of Fulshear was named STAMPS director of global support for procurement and materials management for Chicago Bridge & Iron Company and will relocate to The Hague, Netherlands.

1970

Thomas D. Hoffman ’74 of Pasadena was elected to the International Board of Governors of United Commercial Travelers. Sandra Quarles ’74 of Daingerfield is the superintendent at Daingerfield ISD. Rick Krustchinsky, ’74 of Katy is associate KRUSTCHINSKY dean of undergraduate teacher education at the Univ. of St. Thomas in Houston.

Neal Franklin ’84 of Tyler is the director of operations for the East Texas Service Area branch of Emergency Medical Services. Diane Hale Smith ’85 of Forney is a special education teacher at Forney High School. Steve Alexander ’87 of Richardson owns Private ALEXANDER Water Fishing, a members-only bass fishing club on 70 private lakes. Tangla Autry ’89 of Duncanville recently earned an AUTRY M. Ed. in Advanced Literacy from Concordia University.

1980

Stephen Waddell ’82 of Flower Mound is the superintendent of Lewisville ISD.

Kim Jones ’89 of Redwater is the chief financial officer for the Board of Trustees at Texarkana College. Hardy Dotson ’89 of Henderson is the principal at Henderson Middle School.

1990

John Yonker ’90 of Porter is the principal at McNeil High School. John McCollough ’91 of DeKalb is the superintendent at Sulpher Bluff ISD. Reginald Barnes ’91 of Diboll was promoted to Lieutenant BARNES Colonel in the Army National Guard and serves at the headquarters in Arlington, Va.

John Y. Spies ’78 of Van Alstyne is the superintendent of Van Alstyne ISD.

Leigh Porterfield ’80 of Center is an at-large member of the Center City Council.

Sgt. Robert Hulsey ’07 of Plano proudly displays the SFA flag in Helmand, Afghanistan, where he recently completed a second tour of duty with U.S. Marine Corps.

Catherine Anderson ’94 of Lacey, Wash., published her first collection of short stories, Shoe Exchange. Anderson is retired from the U.S. Army as a nurse corps officer.

Former SFA Regent Richard Boyer ’91, is BOYER mayor pro tem of The Colony.

Belinda Neal ’93 of Hideaway was elected to state NEAL office by the Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association. Daniel Huerta ’93 of Lufkin serves on the Board of Trustees for Woodland Heights Medical Center in Lufkin. Richard Cooper ’95 of Henderson is the principal COOPER of Henderson High School. Ross Sproul ’96 of Pasadena is the associate principal at Lake Travis High School. Jana Brazil ’97 of Lufkin is a board-certified women’s health nurse practitioner at Pineywoods Obstetrics and Gynecology. Natalie Oswalt ’98 of Shelbyville is director Sawdust

of the Shelby Regional Training Center at the Panola College Campus in Center.

the University of North Texas at Dallas.

2000

April Cox ’02 of Kilgore is the principal at Maude Laird Middle School in Kilgore.

Glenda Moss ’01 of Tyler has been named professor of education and chair of the Division of Teacher Education and Administration at

Chad Frost ’02 of Houston was recognized FROST by the National Safety Council with the 2011 NSC “40 Under 40” Rising Star of Safety award.

Paul Knowles ’00 of Steamboat Springs, Col., is marketing director of Prudential Steamboat Realty.

Tonia Kasper ’03 of Starkville, Miss., is social service regional director for the Mississippi State Department of Health.

Former U.S. Magistrate Judge Chad Everingham ’89 of Diana has joined Akin, Gump, Strauss, Hauer and Feld LLP as a partner in its intellectual property practice in the firm’s newly established office in Longview. Everingham has had a distinguished career in both public service and private practice. For four years, he served as a magistrate judge in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Texas, one of the busiest patent litigation courts in the federal system. Everingham will advise clients on an array of intellectual property litigation matters with a particular focus on patent litigation.

Winter 2011

Teresa Pierce ’03 and Kodie Greenburg of Lampasas PIERCE announce the birth of daughter Jordan on July 5. Kim Stanaland ’05 of Palestine is the new secondary counselor at Grapeland ISD. Anne Clark ’06 of Irving is a math and science CLARK instructional coach at Johnston Elementary School. Michael Ludlow ’06 of Beckville is the head football coach at Grand Saline ISD.

Dr. Bonita C. Jacobs ’71 of Dahlonega, Ga., was named president of North Georgia College & State University. Jacobs is the first woman to serve as president at North Georgia, and she succeeds Dr. David Potter, who served as president of North Georgia from January 2005 until his retirement June 30. “I am deeply honored to have been selected as president of North Georgia College & State University and to begin that role,” Jacobs said. “North Georgia’s mission to develop and educate leaders is important as we prepare students to work and serve in today’s global society. As a community of scholars, that mission is the catalyst for everything we do. The university has a strong record in achieving this, and I look forward to learning where we have opportunities to build upon existing efforts to enhance the educational experience at North Georgia and to highlight our mission nationally and internationally.” In addition to her role with the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students, Jacobs was a tenured professor in counseling and higher education. From 1998 to 2009, she served as vice president for student development at the University of North Texas, located in Denton. Jacobs served as an executive board member on the Commission on International Programs for the Association of Public and Land-grant Universities. Previously the executive director of the National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students at the University of North Texas, she has also served as interim vice chancellor for student development and dean of students at Western Carolina University and in numerous positions at SFA. She has received numerous awards and citations, including the Ted K. Miller Achievement of Excellence in Assessment from the Council for the Advancement of Standards, the John Jones Award from the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators, and a NASPA “Best Practice Award” in 2010 for her study-abroad work in Chile. The American College Personnel Association selected her as a “Diamond Honoree” recipient for 2010-11. Jacobs earned both a bachelor’s degree in Spanish and history and a master’s degree in counseling from SFA. She earned her doctorate in educational administration from Texas A&M University.

LIFE MEMBERS The SFA Alumni Association would like to thank the following alumni who recently became life members. We appreciate your support. 7699. Ashley L. Rose ’11 of Dallas 7700. Courtney Harvey ’10 of Dallas 7701. James Drennan ’73 of Garland Samuel and Vivian Kempt Watkins ’11 of Nacogdoches were married Aug. 13. Zach ’06 and Courtney Vodicka Carnley ’07 of Carrollton announce the birth of son Myles Clayton on Aug. 30. Kellie Jordan ’08 of Garland is the band director at Whitewright ISD. Erica Casillas ’08 of Houston has been promoted CASILLAS to an Academic Advisor II at the University of Houston. Travis Beavers ’09 of Sanger is the head track coach at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville.

2010

Aaron Friar ’10 of Austin received an internship FRIAR through a Conservation Fund grant and the Lufkin Convention and Visitors Bureau and is working to make local trails more available to communities. Sarah Hare ’10 of Mt. Pleasant is a first-grade teacher at Mt. Pleasant ISD.

We would love to hear from you.

SEND US YOUR ALUMNI NOTES AND PHOTOS

Promotions • Awards • Marriages • Births Personal Accomplishments • Retirements Email: alumni@sfasu.edu Submissions received by Feb. 1 will be considered for publication in the Spring 2012 Sawdust.

7702. Kenneth W. Sanders ’88 of Houston 7703. Katherine D. Kimbrough ’09 of Nacogdoches 7704. Rebecca M. McMorries ’03 of Nacogdoches 7705. Alexander R. Meng ’11 BS of Nacogdoches 7706. Dan E. Jackson of Lewisville 7707. Bevin Jackson ’02 of Nacogdoches 7708. David K. Marshall ’11 of El Lago 7709. Matthew D. Reynolds ’10 of Cleburne 7710. William “Bo” Miller of Nacogdoches 7711. Don C. Kennedy ’74 of Salado 7712. Terry L. Kennedy ’74 of Salado 7713. Holly L. Bittner ’10 of Plano 7714. Steven L. Milligan ’94 of Coppell 7715. Gwen M. Milligan ’92 of Coppell 7716. Collin R. McElroy ’06 of Nacogdoches 7717. Sarah A. Murray ’89 of Lufkin 7718. Rebecca A. D’Andrea ’09 of Austin 7719. Monique L. McClellan ’07 of Nacogdoches

Sawdust

In Memoriam Bert P. Appleberry of Florence, Ark., Sept. 15 L.H. Chandler ’66 of Carthage, Oct. 26 Golda Davis ’81 of Beaumont, Nov. 5 James W. Dawson ’43 of Cushing, Aug. 4 William C. Ficken ’71 of Lucas, Aug. 16 Randall E. Grimmett of Nacogdoches, Aug. 29 James G. Honeycutt ’58 of Teneha, Sept. 14 Jan E. Jones ’80 of Tyler, Sept. 6 Charles Ford Kimmey ’51 of Chapman, Aug. 19 Arthur L. Lockhart of Nacogdoches, Sept. 16 Leland A. McKneely ’81 of Carbondale, Ill., Aug. 1 John Everett Mitchell ’86 of Austin, Aug. 28 Joy Lynn Motley ’54 & ’56 of Nacogdoches, Aug. 22 Larry V. Parkerson ’58 & ’62 of White Oak, Sept. 30 E. George Perkins ’41 of New Braunfels, Jan. 5

Merlin Anthony Broussard ’50 passed away Aug. 13. Born Sept. 6, 1925, in Rayne, La., Broussard lived a fulfilling life involved in many activities. A young sailor in World War II, he was very proud of his Navy affiliation and still maintained a relationship with his comrades. After the war, he graduated from SFA to pursue a teaching and coaching profession. Even after he left coaching to work at Allied Chemical, where he retired after 36 years of employment, he continued to volunteer as a football coach at St. Mary High School in the 1970s. Despite the passing years, he still heard the familiar “Coach” from former students at church, the theater or a Mustang football game. As a former football player at SFA, he will always be a Lumberjack at heart. He and wife, Joyce, still traveled to watch the ’Jacks play, always clad in purple.

Kelly Gilkinson McLaughlin ’04 passed away Oct. 21. She was a wife, mother, daughter, sister, teacher, fighter and, most of all, a child of God. McLaughlin faced her cancer with grace and courage, and her positive attitude was inspiring and comforting to everyone whose life she touched. She was born Nov. 10, 1981, in San Antonio. McLaughlin was a first-grade teacher at Brooks Quinn Jones Elementary in Nacogdoches and attended First Baptist Church. She married the love of her life, James McLaughlin, and together they have a daughter, Allie.

O.E. Permenter ’49 & ’50 of Corsicana, Aug. 12 Charles E. Pou ’47 of Orange, Aug. 22 Glenn Earnest Roark ’53 of Austin , Oct. 23 Deborah Satterfield ’94 of Conroe, Oct. 24 Howard L. Stone ’49 & ’51 of Dayton, Sept. 25 Christopher R. Tiensch ’91 of West Lake Hills, Sept. 11 Gary Thomas ’72 & ’78 of Tyler, Oct. 28 Jeffrey A. Walker ’78 of Columbus, Ohio, Sept. 9 Brandon Warren ’98 of Queen City, Aug. 13

Winter 2011

Hubert “Butch” Almany ’65 & ’69 passed away Oct. 14. He was born June 7, 1942, in Reeves, La. Almany was an award-winning band director for Lindale High School from 1975 to 1996. He went on to teach in Crockett, Shelbyville and Overton before leaving his impression on the Lindale band program. Almany received the Texas Bandmaster of the Year award, given by the Texas Bandmaster’s Association Board, in 2009. He was inducted into the Texas Bandmaster Hall of Fame in 2008 and received the Lifetime Meritorious Achievement Award from the Texas Bandmaster Association. He was inducted into the SFA Band Director Hall of Fame in 1988 and received the SFA Distinguished Alumnus Award in 1990. Lindale High School named its band hall in his honor in 1986.

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

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Make the decision to help. Future SFA alumni need your financial assistance. Plan your contribution today.

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

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

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

The SFA Alumni Association awards scholarships through the SFA Scholarship Fund administered by the SFA Alumni Foundation.

Scholarships are endowed by cash or gifts of stocks, bonds, life insurance, memorial contributions and wills, as well as and corporate matching gifts. A minimum of $20,000 is required to endow a scholarship. This can be accomplished over a 10-year period.

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SFA alumni in all fields of study are needed as mentors for current SFA students. If you are interested in sharing your time and experience, please apply today at www.sfaalumni.com.

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Change a life. Become a mentor. Apply online at www.sfaalumni.com.

Phone: 936.468.3407 Toll Free: 800.765.1534 Fax: 936.468.1007 E-mail: alumni@sfasu.edu Website: www.sfaalumni.com

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