Sawdust Winter 2012 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

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RELIEVING STRESS | ALUMNI AWARDS | HOMECOMING

Dr. Stephen Lias ’91 artist-in-residence Gates of the Arctic National Park

HARDY’S PIC AXE ’EM SPLASH Willie Jefferson, a senior defensive end from Beaumont, takes part in a wet postgame celebration at Homer Bryce Stadium following the Lumberjacks’ 42-37 victory over Central Arkansas Sept. 29. The ’Jacks finished the season 5-6, including a win against Northwestern State the last game of the season to maintain possession of the Chief Caddo trophy.

“Covering the Lumberjack football games every fall is one of my favorite parts of the job. I have photographed the team in all kinds of weather, from blazing heat and humidity at home to single-digit wind chills in Montana to ferocious wind in Abilene. This season’s game against Central Arkansas will go down as one of the wettest in my 17 years at SFA.” – University Photographer Hardy Meredith

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Winter 2012 • Volume 39, No. 4 EXECUTIVE EDITOR Jeff Davis ’02 Executive Director of Alumni Affairs EDITOR Amy Roquemore ’93 & ’12 Editorial Coordinator, SFA Public Affairs ARTISTIC 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 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. 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 ON THE COVER Dr. Stephen Lias ’91 backpacks near the headwaters of the Killik River in Gates of the Arctic National Park. Photo courtesy of Zachary Richter

FEATURES 6 Dr. Archie McDonald

Colleagues and friends remember late historian

13 Composing Alaska

Professor’s music pays homage to national parks

’Jacks of All Trades Married grads find underwater niche in British Virgin Islands

18 Q&A

Alumnus leads Medical Ministry International

CAMPUS NEWS 2 3 4 8 11 12

SFA Traditions Faculty Advising Enrollment Study Abroad Vista Viewpoint ’Jack Talk

ALUMNI NEWS 22 Homecoming 25 From the Association 30 Scholarships 31 Alumni Networks 32 Class Notes 35 In Memoriam 40 From the Archives

CAMPUS NEWS

SFA Traditions Take Charge SFA ALUMNI IN attendance at any of the Lumberjacks’ home football games this fall bore witness to the birth of a brand-new university tradition: Jacks’ Charge. The new tradition gives students the opportunity to lead the Lumberjack football team onto the field before each game at Homer Bryce Stadium. Spearheaded by student leaders who organized and led each charge, hundreds of screaming, spirit-filled SFA students clad in purple and white and pumping their decorated axe handles in the air made for a memorable start to every home gridiron contest this season. More than 1,000 freshmen participated in the inaugural charge at the Aug. 31 game against Southwestern Oklahoma State, despite the game being delayed 24 hours due to inclement weather.

“With it being the Friday of Labor Day weekend, we were a little concerned about what the turnout would be for the first-ever Jacks’ Charge,” said Dr. Adam Peck, dean of students. “But we needn’t have been worried. The freshmen came out in force, and they made the first-ever Jacks’ Charge an unforgettable historical event on our campus.” SFA students of all classifications participated in the Jacks’ Charges that preceded other SFA home games, and the students were led onto the field by a different student organization each time. This schedule will continue in future years with only freshmen participating at the first home game, while other charges will be open to all currently enrolled students wearing purple and waving an axe handle. Melody Gunnoe, a Rowlett freshman

majoring in biology, participated in the first-ever Jacks’ Charge and said, “It signified the beginning of something great – a transition into a new stage of my life. “Running across the football field with the class of 2016 was amazing. It represented that we will impact others and leave our mark on this campus. This was the perfect way to start our SFA journey with a bang.” While decorated and personalized axe handles have been a part of the Lumberjack culture at SFA for some time, the axe handle tradition has taken on added meaning this school year. For the first time ever, an unpainted wooden axe handle was given to every incoming SFA freshman who wanted one. SFA students painstakingly painted, beribboned and bedazzled their “battle axes” in dorm rooms, on the campus

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Stress isn’t all bad – it often provides needed motivation to get things done – but too much can cause mental and physical harm. Dr. Wendy Killam, licensed professional counselor and SFA associate professor of human services, offers these pointers for managing stress in our lives. Take a Time Out: It is important to set aside time for yourself to do something fun. Whether it’s going to a movie, eating out or just spending time with a friend, a short break can help you get more enjoyment out of life and refocus your priorities. Set Boundaries: Most of us enjoy helping others, but often these outside commitments take over the calendar and lead to unnecessary stress. It is important to observe the limits of how much you can realistically get done. Learning to say “no” more often can reduce stress and help you find more time for the things that are important to you.

left Matt Adkins ’06, winner of the recent #BattleAxe competition, chops the log on the field at Reliant Stadium in Houston at the start of the Battle of the Piney Woods game against Sam Houston.

lawn and at several special events organized solely for this purpose. The SFA athletics department encouraged participation by sponsoring a #BattleAxe social media campaign in which students and alumni posted pictures of their decorated axe handles to Facebook and Twitter. A picture submitted by Matt Adkins ’06 received the most likes, shares and re-tweets. He was rewarded with the honor of chopping the log on the field at Reliant Stadium at the start of the Battle of the Piney Woods game against Sam Houston State University. “To be down on the field in front of 28,000 people for a rivalry game like that was surreal,” Adkins said. “Taking the axe from (defensive end) Willie Jefferson and slamming it into the log as the team ran out was something I will always remember. It was an honor to be

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a part of such a great SFA tradition.” Jacks’ Charge and related activities have brought new excitement to SFA football games, and the increased involvement and support means a great deal to the student athletes, according to John Branch, assistant athletic director for external affairs. “Our student leaders have done an amazing job of immediately getting our freshmen involved in our football tradition at SFA by creating Jacks’ Charge and encouraging them to decorate axe handles, bring them to the games and cheer on the Lumberjacks from the Purple Haze section. We look forward to these traditions growing, not only surrounding football, but also with our other athletic programs.” –AMY ROQUEMORE

Get Organized: Chaos and disorder often lead to stress. Keeping things organized can help you maintain a calming sense of order. Making a to-do list and crossing off tasks as they are accomplished also can lead to a greater sense of accomplishment at the end of a busy day. Eat Right: There is truth in the old saying “you are what you eat.” Without proper nutrients, your body cannot function at its optimal level. When you are stressed, it is tempting to go for junk food; however, good nutrition provides your body with the energy needed to handle all of life’s demands. Get Enough Sleep: The average person needs eight to 10 hours of sleep a night, but many settle for much less and find themselves relying on caffeine to stay alert throughout the day. With adequate rest, we are better able to cope with life’s challenges. And the energy boost from extra sleep helps us fight off illness, as well.

James Campbell Plaza AN SFA PLAZA created to surround a sign that welcomed visitors to campus for almost 50 years has been named for an alumnus known for his success in, ironically, the portable building business. The sign, replaced in 2010 when the front entrance of the university was restructured to improve traffic flow, was moved to an area at Homer Bryce Stadium near the athletic field house. In April 2012, the SFA Board of Regents named the plaza in honor of James Campbell’s dedication to SFA. According to SFA President Baker Pattillo, Campbell has provided valuable support to the SFA Alumni Association and SFA athletics throughout his lifetime. “Thousands of alums had their pictures made in front of that SFA sign,” Pattillo said. “Incoming freshmen, fraternities, sororities and student organizations – literally thousands of Lumberjacks – have been photographed there. And now that it has been moved to Homer Bryce Stadium, it only made sense that this area should be named in James’ honor.” Campbell, a graduate of the class of 1948, founded businesses including Campbell’s Portable Buildings, General Shelters of Texas and Center Auction Company. At SFA, he endowed the James and Mona Campbell Scholarship for Shelby County residents majoring in agriculture, forestry or education and has served as a board member and president of the SFA Alumni Foundation and the Alumni Association.

In addition to serving on the Sabine River Authority and on the board of Shelby Savings Bank, Campbell has been honored with the Silver Sprig Award from Ducks Unlimited, was named 1995 East Texan of the Year by the Deep East Texas Council of Governments and is a Rotary International Paul Harris Fellow. Campbell received the Alumni Association’s 1985 Distinguished Alumnus Award and recently was honored as the 13th recipient of SFA’s Hall of Fame Award for his continuous service to SFA, the community and the state of Texas.

–SHIRLEY LUNA

Enrollment: 13,000 (minus 1) DESPITE PREDICTIONS OF lower enrollment as a result of stricter admission requirements this fall, SFA recorded its highest enrollment in history during the fall semester. Enrollment was 12,999, up .7 percent from 12,903 in fall 2011. Although the number of freshmen at SFA was down 5 percent, from 3,747 to 3,558, the number of graduate students increased 10.8 percent, from 1,535 to 1,701. Additionally, increases in the number of students were recorded for other classifications: sophomore numbers increased from 2,273 to 2,293; juniors grew from 2,395 to 2,475; and seniors rose from 2,953 to 2,972. “We appreciate the diligent work of faculty and staff members across campus who have assisted in university recruiting efforts and contributed to the educational environment at

SFA that leads to student learning,” said Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president. “The fact that our overall enrollment increased during a year in which we increased admission requirements confirms our belief that we should continue to emphasize faculty involvement with our students, small class sizes and a variety of campus-involvement opportunities for our students.” The number of students transferring from other colleges and universities increased 10.5 percent, from 920 last fall to 1,017 this year. “This is particularly good news for SFA,” said Dr. Richard Berry, SFA provost and vice president for academic affairs. “Students who transfer to a university from another higher education institution tend to have been successful at their prior institutions and are likely to have adjusted to the academic rigors of college-level coursework. Statistically, it is more likely that these students will persist to graduation.” SFA has achieved record-high enrollments in three of the past four years. Enrollment in fall 2009 was 12,845, and fall 2010 enrollment was 12,954. The university is discussing plans for another increase in academic standards for admission to be implemented in 2015.

–SHIRLEY LUNA

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PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

S THE START of a brand-new year approaches, it is a fitting time to reflect on the accomplishments of the recent past and look ahead to new opportunities. Thankfully, at SFA, we don’t have to look far to find either. For the past several years, SFA has been flirting with an enrollment figure of 13,000. This fall, we finally reached it – almost. Our official enrollment recorded on the 12th class day was 12,999, the highest in the university’s 89-year-history. The record enrollment is the result of diligent work by our faculty and staff members who contribute to ongoing recruitment efforts in big and small ways each and every day. I also want to thank our SFA alumni who support and encourage our students through scholarships and other special events throughout the year. This most recent enrollment milestone was accomplished despite the implementation of higher admission standards that required first-year students entering SFA this fall to meet a higher academic threshold than any previously admitted students. The average standardized test scores of SFA freshmen also are on the rise, surpassing the state average on the SAT and exceeding both the state and national averages on the ACT. Raising academic standards remains a priority for our faculty, staff, administration and alumni, and in the coming months, we will be discussing plans for another increase to be implemented in 2015. The university is committed to enrolling students who are well prepared for the challenges of higher education and committed to long-term academic success. In addition, SFA is seeing significant gains in the graduation rate of Hispanic students. Our university is one of the “top 25 gainers” among the studied American public institutions of higher learning in the area of Hispanic graduation rates, according to a September report by The Education Trust. This increase reflects the university’s efforts to meet the goals of the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board’s Closing the Gaps initiatives. The SFA campus itself also continues to evolve. We will soon break ground on a new conservation education facility located in the beautiful setting of the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. An extensive renovation of the recital hall inside the Wright Music Building also is under way. Both of these projects are being funded in large part by private donations and serve as excellent examples of what the university can accomplish with help from loyal alumni and friends. I hope you will make plans to visit SFA in the coming year and see for yourself the progress that is being made at your alma mater. Thank you for your continued support of the university and its students. Axe ’em, Jacks!

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

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

OFFICE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS Shirley Luna executive director of marketing and public affairs Hardy Meredith university photographer

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

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Amy Roquemore editorial coordinator

A Legacy to Remember “Archie McDonald lived his life exceptionally well with grace, intelligence and integrity; above all, with humor, generosity, kindness and compassion.” – Dr. Elizabeth Deanne Malpass, SFA professor of history “Dr. McDonald loved to teach. Even after officially retiring, he continued to teach a class of more than 100 students each semester.” – Dr. John Dahmus, SFA professor of history “What I’ll remember most about Archie McDonald is his generosity regarding the work of fellow historians. Far from seeing others as competitors, he was always glad to share sources, reference materials and, most importantly, his own vast knowledge.” – Jeff Guinn, author “Texas has lost one of our best historians. Archie’s knowledge of Texas history was unsurpassed. Living in Texas’ oldest town and teaching at SFA, he specialized in East Texas history and lore. His research was prodigious. He will be missed by all who knew him.” – Kay Bailey Hutchison, U.S. senator “I never ceased to admire Archie’s vision, energy and commitment to his discipline. He was a true scholar, and he searched for knowledge to share, never to hoard.” – Dr. Francis Abernethy, SFA professor emeritus “Archie was a loyal friend and church member who was always aware of people who were hurting, worn-out, beaten-down or on the margins of life.” – The Rev. Kyle Childress, pastor of Austin Heights Baptist Church “Archie’s legacy as a role model for the highest standards of both history and personal life continues on. There is perhaps no more fitting tribute for a historian than to be such an integral part of the past he spent a lifetime pursuing.” – Dan K. Utley, former chief historian of the Texas Historical Commission and past president of the East Texas Historical Association. “I am honored to remember Dr. Archie McDonald not only as a longtime friend, but also an extraordinary educator, prolific author, force for good and fellow musician. He is one of the most important history students ever to graduate from Lamar University, as evidenced by his books and other writings and his impact on generations of students.” – Dr. James M. Simmons, president of Lamar University “With the passing of Dr. Archie McDonald, SFA has lost one of its greatest ambassadors. A lifelong student of American history and culture, he leaves behind his own rich legacy of scholarship, service, humor and friendship.” – Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president

Dr. Archie P. McDonald, distinguished scholar, historian and beloved history professor at SFA where he taught for 48 years, passed away in August. As a tribute to McDonald’s legacy of scholarship, service and humor, Sawdust has chosen to reprint one of the last essays he penned for his popular weekly commentary on Red River Radio, an NPR affiliate.

FUNERALS By Dr. Archie P. McDonald

ERE WE GO again with funerals – probably because I am attending way too many of them these days. Part of this won’t resonate with you today, I hope, because the funeral which prompts this lament occurred last August, with 105-degree heat bearing down on a 30-minute graveside service. Blamed preacher said “in conclusion” three times before he let the departed go on his way. That ain’t gonna happen when I kick the bucket. I’ve made plans and filed them with the preacher. Here’s what will happen: Cremation is OK. I don’t relish lying in the ground for eternity. Just make sure I’m good and gone before you light the fire, or I’ll think the devil got me after all; The service MUST be at Austin Heights Baptist Church, the one that has let me be its Designated Sinner for four and a half decades. I’ve never been comfortable anywhere else since we started Austin Heights. Judy said helping start that church is going to be her ticket to heaven, and I’m counting on her grace spilling over on me a little; Most flowers make me sneeze, but I’ve always liked roses so have one of those, and give anything left over to the Benevolence Fund; The preacher MUST be the current pastor of Austin Heights, but if the Revs. Jerry Self, Roger Paynter, Jim Denham or Kyle Childress show up, make ’em say something nice about me for a change. I know I’ve been the congregation’s resident cusser and all-around sinner, but, hey, tell ’em not to

speak as ill of the departed as they did when I was their greatest challenge; Sadness, well, I want SOME of it, so make sure a choir sings “Amazing Grace,” but do leave on a happy note. How about “When the Saints Go Marching In” because some folks will enjoy the irony. Pallbearers – I’m not sure any are needed, but if used, make sure one of them is a gal. Judy says I’ve always been partial to women anyway, and besides, I’ve never seen a woman pallbearer; Make sure it is raining, the way it always is in the movies; Tell my brother John, administrator of whatever I haven’t spent, to take everyone somewhere for a send-off toast with the beverages of their choice; Scripture – use that one when Jesus said he wasn’t lying about salvation. Lord knows I sinned aplenty, not as much as I could have because I wanted to at least be a little worthy of His sacrifice, and because I didn’t want to disappoint Mother and Aunt Venie. I didn’t mention Judy because she has been well aware of my actual and potential sins and loved me anyway; Tell everyone I regret my shortcomings and thank them for their kindness; Finally, read this testimony to whomever shows up, so they won’t blame anyone else, and tell them I left pretty much without my consent. And when you say “in conclusion”. . ., MEAN it, for heaven’s sake!

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Work Space

What you’ll find in. . . the office of Dr. Richard Berry, provost

1. Venetian jester mask that one of Berry’s former students purchased for him in Italy. 2. Framed certificate recognizing his service as chairman of the SFA Faculty Senate during the 1995-96 academic year. 3. An array of SFA coffee cups and travel mugs lining the sill of his office window overlooking Vista Drive. 4. A stash of New York Yankees memorabilia paying homage to his favorite team. A colleague and fellow fan gifted him the book Driving Mr. Yogi, autographed by Yogi Berra and the book’s author, former Yankees player and coach Ron Guidry. 5. Berry’s office piano, which he still occasionally finds time to play to the delight of co-workers and visitors to the Austin Building’s third floor. 6. A troubadour harp made for the provost by his father-in-law, a talented woodworker. 7. Printouts of 2012-13 holiday schedule, a couple of funny poems and the university’s newly adopted honor code, The SFA Way. 8. Berry’s guitar. (He also plays cello.) 9. Red noses purchased in England for Red Nose Day, a fundraiser benefitting the British charity Comic Relief. The inexpensive noses are enthusiastically worn by the citizenry to raise awareness for the campaign. “I’ll never forget the first time I saw a businessman riding a bicycle, carrying his briefcase and wearing a red nose – I immediately bought some for myself.” 10. A single link from one of the glass chains that formed a chandelier that graced the foyer of the Wright Music Building for many years. 11. A 57-millimeter shell manufactured at a Longview factory where Berry worked on the production line in 1972. He later kept the shell – a factory reject – in his dorm room. “When I wasn’t motivated to study, I would look at that shell, and it reminded me why I wanted a college degree.” 12. A framed photo of the music building where Berry officed for more than a decade. 13. A stuffed Angry Bird. 14. A realistic-looking plush dog napping in its bed. A gift from Berry’s wife, it actually appears to be breathing when the batteries aren’t dead. 15. A herd of fanciful ceramic cattle the provost began collecting after the 2001 CowParade Houston during which hundreds of life-size cows were painted and sculpted by local artists to benefit charity. 16. A framed poster of the Beatles’ Abbey Road album. Berry is an avid fan of the Fab Four, and Beatles-themed gifts and memorabilia are sprinkled throughout his office. 17. A portrait of the provost’s mother, the late Betty Jean Berry, who earned her teacher’s certification and master’s degree at SFA and taught history in Longview for many years. Dr. Richard Berry ’75 & ’76 was appointed provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2008. He earned a Bachelor of Music and a Master of Arts from SFA, as well as a Doctor of Musical Arts in voice performance from the Conservatory of Music at the University of Missouri at Kansas City. After teaching at Wayland University, the University of Kansas, the University of Denver and the University of Texas-San Antonio, he joined SFA in 1987 as an assistant professor of music. He was promoted to full professor in 1997 and named dean of the College of Fine Arts in 1999, holding the position until his appointment as associate provost and vice president for academic affairs in 2006.

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He has taught voice and voice pedagogy, vocal literature, and diction for singers at SFA, and he directed the SFA Opera Theatre for 10 years. His many solo performances include appearances with the Kansas City Chamber Players, Orchestra of Santa Fe, Denver Chamber Orchestra, San Antonio Symphony, San Antonio Chamber Orchestra and the Dallas Symphony Orchestra. Recent performances include the tenor solos in Rutter’s The Falcon, Beethoven’s Choral Fantasy and Haydn’s Lord Nelson Mass. He also can be heard leading the school song at the close of each SFA commencement ceremony.

Study Abroad

FA STUDENTS STUDYING in the James I. Perkins College of Education doctoral program in educational leadership recently participated in a study-abroad program in China. The group visited elementary and intermediate schools associated with Beijing Normal University, Beijing Forestry University, the Xi’an University of Science and Technology, and Shaanxi Normal University. In addition to meeting with university administrators and school teachers, the group toured the British School of Beijing and visited with students at the Meixian County Middle School in Shaanxi Province. Developed by SFA’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, the 12-day course was led by SFA faculty members Dr. Karen Embry Jenlink, professor of doctoral studies in educational leadership, and Dr. Yanli Zhang, assistant professor of water and spatial sciences in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Embry Jenlink received her doctorate in education from Texas A&M University at Commerce. She joined the SFA faculty in 1998 and is the author of three books and more than 30 peer-refereed articles. Embry Jenlink is associate editor of Teacher Education

and Practice and is co-principal investigator of Talented Teachers for Training in Texas, a $1.5 million scholarship program funded by the National Science Foundation through SFA’s College of Sciences and Mathematics. Zhang is a native of Xi’an, an area the group visited during the trip, and he holds a bachelor’s degree from Beijing Forestry University and a doctorate in forestry from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. He joined the SFA faculty in January 2009 and is the primary investigator for ongoing research funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture regarding the impact of forest change on water resources in East Texas. The course was developed in response to student interest that resulted from Embry Jenlink’s first trip to China in 2010. “The relationship between China and the United States is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the 21st century,” Embry Jenlink said. “As a result of this course, we were able to develop relationships with faculty and students in schools and universities in China and experience firsthand its culture and diverse educational systems and processes.”

The study-abroad participants enrolled in SFA’s doctoral program in educational leadership included Nacogdoches residents Paula Griffin, Shirley Luna, Denice McCormick Myers and Monique Nunn; Holly McCanlies of Mansfield; Michelle Reed of Waco; and Amanda Smith of Lufkin. Huntington native Amy Williams, a student in the educational leadership master’s degree program, also participated in the study, along with recent SFA graduates Dr. Cathy Amonett of O’Donnell; Dr. Cindy Lindley of Kilgore and Dr. Donna Porter of Carthage. Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of the college of education, accompanied the group. The group also visited Tiananmen Square, the Summer Palace, the Great Wall, Olympic Park in Beijing and the exhibit of the Terra Cotta Warriors, a UNESCO World Heritage site that dates back more than 2,000 years to the Qin Dynasty. For more information about studyabroad opportunities at SFA, visit sfasu.edu/oip. –SHIRLEY LUNA

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The U.S. and Middle East: The Future Relationship GLOBAL LEADERSHIP opinion page editor for CHANGES and their poMaariv, a Hebrew language tential impacts on the Texas daily newspaper published in economy were the topics of a Israel. recent conference titled “The Speakers for a session U.S. and Middle East: The titled “The Political ConFuture Relationship.” text: Governance, Regional The October event was Cooperation and Demographheld in Houston and hosted ics” included Nader Hashemi, by SFA’s College of Liberal professor and director of and Applied Arts, the SFA the Center for Middle East Office of International Studies, University of DenPrograms, the Center for ver; Alan G. Misenheimer, International Studies at the director of the U.S. State University of St. Thomas, Department’s Office of Near the Egyptian Consulate of East and South Asia Affairs “This is a historic moment in which Americans need a new Houston and the Consulin the Bureau of Intelligence ate General of Israel to and Research; and Thomas understanding of the Middle East, an understanding that is the Southwest. Attendees W. Lippman, Middle East free from ideological bias and past perceptions.” included representatives from Institute scholar. business, government and Discussing “The Security higher education, as well as SFA students. Context: National Defense, Regional Threats and Social WellDr. Brian Murphy, dean of SFA’s College of Liberal and Being” were Roby Barrett, president of Stratplan International Applied Arts and one of the conference organizers, said the and a senior fellow with the Strategic Studies Department, importance of the Middle East to Texas and the United States Joint Special Operations University at MacDill Air Force is beyond dispute. In addition to more than half of the known Base in Florida; Marvin Weinbaum, scholar-in-residence at reserves of oil, the area holds more than 30 percent of the the Middle East Institute; and Michael Ryan, senior fellow known reserves of natural gas, and Morocco alone has up to with the Jamestown Foundation, a network of former govern80 percent of the known reserves of phosphates. ment officials and military officers, political scientists, and “These resources make the region a strategic cog of ecoeconomists that provides research and analysis regarding nomic development for the world,” Murphy said. conflict and instability in Eurasia. Although the Middle East’s deep cultural and scientific “The Economic Context: Resources, Globalization and contributions have shaped knowledge for centuries, political Prosperity,” featured Hisham Foad, director of the Center for relationships within and among nations have frustrated the Islamic and Arabic Studies at San Diego State University; movement toward regional harmony. Augustus Richard Norton, director of the Institute for Iraqi “Recent events, however, are changing the dynamics Studies at Boston Univerof how the Middle East operates as a partner to the United sity; and Riza Demirer, States,” Murphy said. “This is a historic moment in which associate professor at Americans need a new understanding of the Middle East, Southern Illinois University an understanding that is free from ideological bias and past Edwardsville. perceptions.” A panel discussion of A noon luncheon featured a roundtable discussion with policy recommendations participating consuls general from Egypt and Israel. The conwas held at the close of the ference also included a session titled “The New Agenda in the conference. The findings Middle East,” featuring Chase Untermeyer, an international will be published in early business consultant and former U.S. ambassador to Qatar; 2013. Alaa Issa, consul general of Egypt; and Ben-Dror Yemini, Photos by Terri Thompson

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ATHLETICS Soccer

The Ladyjack soccer team’s season was one for the ages. Led by backto-back Southland Conference Coach of the Year Tony Amato, SFA won a school-record 17 games en route to the school’s seventh conference regular season title and the third SLC Tournament championship. SFA (17-3-0) advanced to the NCAA Tournament to face the No. 16 Texas A&M Aggies, marking the second time in school history the Ladyjacks faced the Aggies in postseason play. The Ladyjacks had a school and conference record eight players named to the all-conference teams, including senior midfielder Kylie Louw, who also was named the SLC Player of the Year for a third consecutive season. Louw became the first athlete in school history to be named a conference Player of the Year three times. Louw also became the school’s all-time points leader in an Oct. 19 victory over Sam Houston State with an assist in the 38th minute, giving Louw her 92nd career point to surpass the previous record (91) set by Amanda Alders. As a team, the Ladyjacks moved up as high as No. 28 in the NCAA RPI Rankings, which also was a school record.

Volleyball

The SFA volleyball team has been a juggernaut on the court over the history of the Southland Conference, winning seven conference titles, holding the longest conference win streak in league history at 62 consecutive matches and picking up the league’s only win in NCAA Tournament play in 2006. At the head of all of it is head coach Debbie Humphreys who has been SFA’s only head coach since the program moved to Division I going into the 1988 season. This year, she is on the sidelines again, celebrating her 25th year at the controls of the Ladyjacks, and has already led them to their 17th 20-win season in the history of the program. She is among the top 10 percent of coaches in wins, with more than 500 in her career. Following this season’s match with Southeastern Louisiana, more than 75 of her friends, family members and former players gathered after attending the match. Humphreys was honored with a banquet that included speeches from former players, pictures and a forum for each of the Ladyjack alumnae to express her gratitude for the coach’s impact on her life.

Football

Senior receiver Cordell Roberson has been added to the 2012 Walter Payton Award Watch List announced by the Sports Network in October. The Walter Payton Award is the NCAA FCS version of the Heisman Trophy. Roberson is one of only 20 players in the nation and only three Southland Conference players on the list. Among the 20 players currently on the watch list, only three are receivers. Roberson will be looking to follow in the footsteps of former SFA quarterback Jeremy Moses, who won the award following the 2010 campaign, becoming the first player in school and conference history to do so. A two-time first-team All-Southland Conference selection, Roberson garnered All-America honors in 2010 after leading the nation in touchdown receptions. Roberson is among the nation’s top five in receptions and receiving yards per game. Earlier this season, he became the school’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards and owns the school and conference record in touchdown receptions (37). Only the fourth player in conference history to record 200 career receptions, Roberson is on pace to become the conference’s all-time leader in receptions and receiving yards, and he ranks among the FCS’ all-time top 20 in touchdown receptions.

Cross Country

The Ladyjack cross country team claimed its seventh Southland Conference title in late October, doing so in exciting fashion as it edged Piney Woods rival Sam Houston State by just two points in the closest race at the conference meet since 1994. Senior Lauren Smith led the charge, winning the league’s individual title for the second consecutive season and becoming just the third Ladyjack in history to register multiple individual conference crowns. Senior Randi Plentl was not far behind, finishing third overall for her second top-five finish in as many years. And Laurie Byrd was the third SFA scorer, placing 13th. However, the title looks to have hinged on SFA’s next runner, as Danielle Burchett made a late kick and crossed for a 15th-place finish, less than a second ahead of Sam Houston’s Nicole Aponte. Freshman Shelby Pesek rounded out SFA’s scoring, finishing 24th. Following the meet, the Ladyjacks racked in the awards again as Smith claimed her second straight Athlete of the Year honor, while Burchett was named the league’s Newcomer of the Year, making her the first Ladyjack ever to take that award. Cody Clark also was named the Women’s Coach of the Year – the first time he has won that award – in just his second year at the helm.

Sawdust

VISTA VIEWPOINT by Susan Scheumack Roberds

SFA memories shape alumna’s lifetime of service I FIRST CAME to the SFA campus as a student in 1971. My anxiety soon gave way to complete immersion into college life – academics, Greek life, student government, football and basketball games, and more. College for me was a wonderful experience – “the best time of my life,” as they say – with no responsibilities other than to graduate. SFA also gave me lifelong friendships. I met my husband, Bill, and so many others with whom I remain in contact today. Even when I haven’t seen my college friends for some time, we pick up our conversations like we never left campus. My college experience also gave me opportunities to learn leadership skills and the value of teamwork. These experiences remained my foundation while I pursued my graduate degree, as well as in my work and community involvement. I was fortunate to have an extremely rewarding college experience. It is something I will always treasure and would not trade for the world. After graduation, I continued to keep in touch with SFA. Homecoming weekend always was a good opportunity to go back to Nacogdoches to see my friends. I realized that the traditions at SFA – Homecoming, Chief Caddo, axe handles, Greek life, etc. – are what all students and alumni have in common and what bond us together. I became involved with the SFA Alumni Association in 1988, and my work there further expanded my understanding of and appreciation for my alma mater. I also gained great respect for other alumni who remained involved with the university, and, most notably, I learned the importance of expressing thanks to all those who have helped to make SFA the strong and vibrant institution it is today. My involvement reinforced the value of giving back to SFA to help ensure that those who come after me will have the same opportunities. In 1997, I was asked to serve on the Board of Regents. This experience gave me a big-picture view of higher education. I learned how our university is impacted by the state legislature and state demographics. Most importantly, I saw the

extremely valuable role SFA plays in our state and the East Texas region. And I continued to strengthen my friendships and grow my appreciation for all those who work to support the university and its students. Later, I turned my attention back to the Alumni Association where I met new alumni and friends who shared my goal of giving back to our university. Most recently, my pride and respect for SFA and the work of the faculty and administration reached an even higher level as I was given the opportunity to serve as a field supervisor to SFA students working to complete their teacher certification in North Texas. I was given a firsthand opportunity to see the exceptional work of these soon-to-be graduates. The outstanding compliments and reports of these students’ work have left me beaming with pride. Once again, I am reminded of the importance of a good education and training and the value of hard work – ideals SFA passes on to its students. As I reflect on my association with SFA, well over two thirds of my life, I fully appreciate what the university offers to those who choose to be a part of it. SFA has always pushed me to look beyond myself. I have been given opportunities for lifelong friendships, for serving others and, most importantly, for showing my appreciation to those who have helped make SFA such a vital institution. The university has given me so very much personally, and I am extremely grateful. I have been so many places over the past four decades, yet I really never left home. I am happy to say the words Susan Scheumack Roberds of the SFA school song hold Former SFA regent, former true: “As years unfold, happy president of the SFA Alumni memories we’ll hold – All Hail Association Board of Directors to SFA!” and current Alumni Association board member

Winter 2012

“AXES UP to freshmen getting the

opportunity to participate in the historic first-ever Jacks’ Charge. It’s an experience you’ll never forget.” The Pine Log – The Chopping Block “I love SFA because the networking opportunities are incredible; getting involved on campus, making connections and building leadership skills benefit me as an individual and help me network with the faculty members.” Matt Logan The Pine Log – What I love about SFA “Congrats to the SFA Bass Team for winning back-to-back FLW College Fishing Southern Conference Championships!” (SFA Facebook) “Homecoming was a blast! The Hotel Fredonia had fun with the SFA Alumni!” Erica Estrada Alumni Association Facebook “Full turnout for a post-match ceremony

honoring Debbie Humphreys’ 25 years of coaching SFA volleyball.”

SFA Athletics Facebook

“The SFA band rocked the alumni tailgate today! Yay Lumberjack band! Axe ’em, Jacks!” Nacogdoches CVB Facebook “Just accepted today! Class of 2017! Child development major!” Ellie McKelroy SFA Facebook “Axes up to the official opening of the AARC for the fall semester. Lots of good tutoring, academic help available for free. Call or go by the AARC in Steen Library.” The Pine Log – The Chopping Block

Jack Track SFA ALUMNI WHO remember parking in the commuter lot and waiting for the campus shuttle or schlepping their backpacks across campus in the blazing heat, frigid cold or the random rainstorms for which Nacogdoches is notorious – eat your hearts out! This fall, the university introduced an expanded shuttle system that transports students along a circular route between six popular on-campus destinations. The new Jack Track system employs four new climate-controlled buses wrapped in school colors and emblazoned with the SFA logo. The buses seat 24 passengers each and run continuously from 7:20 a.m. to 5:20 p.m. Monday through Friday. An evening shuttle service also is available. The shuttles are equipped with NextBus technology, which allows students to use a smart phone to determine when the next bus will arrive.

Sawdust

RESEARCH

COMPOSING By Amy Roquemore

ALONE IN A tiny floating cabin in Alaska’s pristine Glacier Bay is perhaps the last place one would expect to find an SFA music professor composing a symphony. But that’s exactly how Dr. Stephen Lias ’91 spent part of last summer while serving as artist-in-residence at Glacier Bay, WrangellSt. Elias and Gates of the Arctic national parks. > > > Winter 2012

Lias’ two-month immersion in the Alaskan wilderness served as inspiration for three planned large concert works, one for band and two for orchestra, to be completed within the coming year. The compositions are the latest in a series of chamber and concert works by Lias evoking the wildlife, scenery, danger and cultural history of America’s national parks. The project also includes music inspired by Lias’ visits to Big Bend, Kings Canyon, Sequoia, Rocky Mountain, Denali and Carlsbad Caverns national parks during the past four

years. Earlier works from the series have been performed nationally and internationally, often by his fellow faculty members in the SFA School of Music. His 2011 work “Denali” for string orchestra was premiered in Texas by the Chamber Orchestra Kremlin from Moscow and later performed inside the national park by the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival Orchestra. The performance represented the first time an orchestra had been invited to perform within the boundaries of the national park. A self-described “adventurer-composer,” Lias said he hopes the project will culminate in a compilation of the works to be released in 2016, coinciding with the centennial anniversary of the National Park Service. Toward this end, the professor has logged all manner of wilderness adventures, from climbing Colorado’s 14,000-foot Long’s Peak to kayaking Santa Elena Canyon on the U.S.Mexico border to following 1,000 migrating caribou in Gates of Alaska National Park. “My process is to immerse myself in the iconic experience of a particular park –

backpacking, kayaking, rafting or whatever it may be,” explained Lias, who earned his Master of Arts in music from SFA. “Mostly, I want to capture the experience of that unfolding adventure, writing music that really reveals what happened and how it felt to be out in the wilderness.” Lias’ artist-in-residence experience in Alaska last summer was made possible through a faculty research grant awarded by the SFA Office of Research and Sponsored Programs. He also has been granted a faculty-development leave for the spring semester to work on the compositions, which he says will take up to a year to complete. Dr. Carrie Brown, director of research and sponsored programs at SFA, said research grants like the one Lias received serve both to develop faculty members and positively impact student learning. “It is essential that the faculty of a teaching institution such as SFA remain active in research and creative work, and Dr. Lias and many other members of our faculty have an extraordinary record of achievement in this area,” she said. “Not only does this work inform and strengthen our teaching, but it also raises the national and international profile of the university.” While visiting the national parks, Lias says he rarely spends time actually composing, focusing more on getting the most of his wilderness experience. Once back in Nacogdoches, he relies on his journal notes, poetry and thousands of digital photos to keep his memories fresh while working on the pieces at home or in his SFA office.

“Sometimes musical ideas do start to form in my head while I am there, but that is the exception to the rule,” he said. “Sometimes I’m journaling what my thought process is, sometimes it’s simply what I did that day and other times it’s little sketches of musical melodies or just shapes on a page to show I want a big splash of brass instruments playing something staccato followed by percussion going boom, boom, boom, boom. And I’ll just scribble things on the page to try and capture those ideas so I don’t lose them.” Rarely do the actual sounds of the park experience find their way directly into Lias’ compositions. For example, he said, he would more likely attempt to musically recreate his own feelings at seeing a migrating herd of caribou than try to replicate with instruments the noises the caribou make. “I know that when my pieces are performed, most people in the audience will not have the opportunity to visit Gates of the Arctic or Denali or Big Bend,” he said. “But through my music, I hope they get to experience the park vicariously.” DaleLynn Gardner, coordinator of the artist-in-residence program at Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve in Alaska, said artists have been helping Americans connect with the country’s wildest and most remote places for generations. “Early artists are some of the reasons why the parks were created,” she said. “Some of the paintings done in Yellowstone and Yosemite were brought into the lives of people who never would have visited these

I’m journaling what my thought process is, sometimes it’s simply what “ISometimes did that day and other times it’s little sketches of musical melodies or just shapes on a page to show I want a big splash of brass instruments playing something staccato followed by percussion going boom, boom, boom, boom. And I’ll just scribble things on the page to try and capture those ideas so I don’t lose them.

”

Sawdust

Photos courtesy of Dr. Stephen Lias

places. It inspired an awe in people that helped to foster a national appreciation for the parks. Art has the power to move people in a way that just telling them about a place doesn’t do.” Lias was the first musical artist-in-residence to serve at Denali National Park. According to Denali arts coordinator Tim Rains, composers challenge listeners to experience the national parks in a unique way. “The neat thing about musical artists-inresidence is that when someone creates a painting, they do it by themselves. But when someone composes a piece of music, other people get to play it. The music lives on as it is played by different musicians, and people listening to it in Texas or Indiana or Virginia get to feel what it’s like to be in Alaska. “For so many people, Alaska is not accessible. It is a land of mythos. We, of course, encourage people to visit, but the artist-inresidence program helps people recognize its value, even if they never have the opportunity to come here.” While in Alaska last summer, Lias also spent a week serving as instructor to nine other composers from around the world in the first-ever “Composing in the Wilderness” field seminar sponsored by Alaska Geographic, Denali National Park and the Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival. Guided by Lias, the composers spent four days in the Denali wilderness composing music that was performed live by professional musicians just a few days later. “The places we were and the music that was created just took my breath away,” said Lias, who will return to Denali to lead the seminar again this summer. “It was simply magic and totally unforgettable.”

SFA composition professor Dr. Stephen Lias looks toward Mount Fairweather from his tiny floating cabin in Glacier Bay National Park, where he spent part of last summer as an artist-in-residence.

Winter 2012

ALUMNI NEWS Legacy Awards honor longtime staff members

As part of the 2012 Homecoming festivities, the SFA Alumni Association hosted its first-ever Lumberjack Legacy Dinner honoring former staff members. Receiving recognition were Betty Ford (left), former assistant to the executive director; Bob Sitton ’60, executive director emeritus; and Mitzi Blackburn, former director of alumni activities and events. Combined, these three former staff members contributed 91 years of loyal service to the SFA Alumni Association.

Barroeta joins Association staff THE SFA ALUMNI Association recently hired Judith Barroeta ’10 as communications and marketing coordinator. She has relocated to Nacogdoches from Beaumont, and said she is glad to be back in the Piney Woods. Barroeta holds a bachelor’s degree in communication with emphases in journalism and advertising. Her interest in design, art and writing to capture memories began in seventh grade. The first time she took a journalism and yearbook class, she realized she wanted to pursue a career in writing and design. As an undergraduate at SFA, Barroeta joined the Stone Fort Yearbook staff as editor of the Student Life section and

later served as editor-in-chief for two consecutive years. She also was involved in journalism and advertising competitions. She was a member of Ad Hoc and Lambda Pi Eta. Barroeta was a presenter at the 2010 National Student Advertising Competition in Amarillo, where she and her teammates won second place. From the art of choosing fonts to color theory, Barroeta said she always has had an eye for design. Although she loves designing for print most of all, she said she is excited and ready to work with evolving digital platforms. “I am excited to be a part of the Alumni Association and the university,” she said. “It is important to communicate with the students and community that the Alumni Association is an opportunity to grow and stay connected with SFA’s past, present and future.”

Sawdust

FOR MARRIED SFA alumni Jeff ’99 and Casey McNutt ’00, work is just another day in paradise. As partners and general managers of Dive BVI, a high-end scuba diving and snorkeling operation located in the British Virgin Islands, the two are living their professional dream in one of the most spectacular tropical settings on earth. Casey and Jeff have managed the dive shop on the 8-square-mile island of Virgin Gorda for almost a decade. She is responsible for administrative functions, human resources and guest relations, while he oversees operations and educational programs. Casey describes her typical day as “insanity,” a whirlwind of scheduling, boat and equipment maintenance, sales, training, marketing, and leading dive and snorkeling tours. “Working at the local dive center and taking courses at SFA for scuba actually is what started this crazy life of ours,” said Jeff, who studied criminal justice at SFA with a minor in general business. Casey earned her degree in kinesiology with a health science minor and later received a master’s degree in biomechanics from the University of North Texas. “My SFA experience is what launched my career, just by giving me confidence and teaching me how to be comfortable meeting and talking with new people,” she said. “As it turned out, my kinesiology degree has helped me even more in my island life. This little island doesn’t have a gym or fitness classes. I run a 5K, 10K and half marathon series and teach classes a few times each week – all for local charities and schools. It’s my connection to my home in a workplace that is full of tourists!” While at SFA, Jeff helped re-establish the university’s chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon in 1997 and served as the social fraternity’s president his senior year. “We started with nothing and ended up in a great location with a house and an active alumni base. I learned that I had to take charge of a situation if I wanted it to work for me – basically to be my own boss and not wait on other people to lead.” After graduation, the couple moved to the Dallas area where Casey worked for a chain of fitness centers and at UNT while pursuing her master’s degree. Jeff worked in corporate security at a

computer firm before earning his dive instructor certification. After teaching a few classes on his own, he joined the team at International Scuba in Carrollton and eventually became the store manager. They moved to the British Virgin Islands in early 2003. The nature of the couple’s work means they spend much of their time underwater. One of their most memorable encounters was with a 13-foot hammerhead shark, Casey said. “There’s been nothing too scary, but a lot of crazy stuff – swimming with humpback whales, being circled by sharks, playing with dolphins, dodging sea turtle poo, etc.” When they aren’t working, Casey stays busy playing with the couple’s old English bulldog at the beach, participating in running club events and teaching exercise classes. And on his off hours, Jeff can usually be found in the surf on a stand-up paddle board or diving below for his ongoing free diving/breath holding training. He also is working to earn certification as a closed-circuit rebreather instructor. But this seemingly idyllic life does have its drawbacks, the couple says. Namely, there is a limited number of restaurants, no movie theater, and little access to fresh vegetables, and, alas, their favorite beer (Shiner Bock) is not available on the island. Occasionally, they do encounter fellow Lumberjacks on vacation, which always is a treat. “We’ve run into a few other alumni, especially when I am wearing my SFA hat or T-shirt,” Jeff said. “We have actually met friends in St. Thomas who we found out attended SFA the same time we did, and we even had a few classes together.” As for the future, the couple has a working plan: “Stay here five more years or so, then travel the world for about six months before settling down somewhere new with a pretty view,” Casey said. However, they admit, the views they are enjoying now will be pretty hard to top.

Photo courtesy of Dive BVI

Jeff ’99 and Casey McNutt ’00, dive shop operators

–AMY ROQUEMORE Want to meet the McNutts and dive the British Virgin Islands? Visit divebvi.com or call (800) 848-7078.

Winter 2012

with SAM SMITH, CEO of MEDICAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL Bullard native Sam Smith ’88 spent a quarter century in brand development and marketing for some of the world’s best-known fashion corporations, including Macy’s, Tommy Hilfiger, Lord & Taylor, Dillard’s, Marshall Fields and Jack Nicklaus. After several years of leading Mercy Ships, a global charity operating hospital ships in developing nations, he recently took the helm as executive director and CEO of Medical Ministry International, a faith-based organization providing medical services to the poor in 22 countries around the world. Smith also serves on the advisory boards for SFA’s Richard and Lucille DeWitt School of Nursing and Nelson Rusche College of Business. He recently visited with Sawdust about the work of Medical Ministry International and his passion for making a difference in the world.

Sawdust

WHAT IS UNIQUE ABOUT MEDICAL MINISTRY INTERNATIONAL AS A VOLUNTEER ORGANIZATION? Medical Ministry International is an organization comprising staff members and volunteers that is located in 22 countries around the world and focused on serving the poor. We utilize our Permanent Centers and Project Teams to execute our capacitybuilding programs and make a lasting impact in the communities we serve. MMI is not about going on a quick trip, doing good work and then leaving. Our teams build upon the previous teams’ work, and our Permanent Centers provide year-round service to the poor. We also have Residency Training Programs in which we send local doctors, nurses and technicians to one of our Permanent Centers to increase their skills. These programs are as long as three years and provide increased medical expertise to locations where it doesn’t exist or is only available to the wealthy. For example, in March, we will be sending an ophthalmic retinal specialist back to his home country of Honduras after three years of training in the Permanent Center in the Dominican Republic and two additional years of a retina fellowship in our Permanent Center in Mexico. He will be the first retina specialist focused exclusively on serving the poor in Honduras. EXPLAIN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VOLUNTEERING WITH MMI AND WHAT SOME CRITICS REFER TO AS “VOLUNTEER VACATIONS?” MMI is certainly not a “volunteer vacation.” Volunteers work hard, but the reward is so worth the effort. We are serving people who have all but lost hope, and the impact that a person can make is life-changing. MMI makes sure that when someone is willing to donate time and money to serve, he or she gets a great return on the investment. If our volunteers wanted a vacation, they would go on one. This is about someone giving time and resources to help others. Now, that does not mean they won’t enjoy their time with us. Many of our teams do schedule some time to see the country and enjoy the culture, etc. Some examples of areas that we serve are the Amazon Region, Peru (Manchu Picchu and the Galapagos Islands are quite popular), Africa, Fiji, Azerbaijan, Dominican Republic, etc., so there are many great places to visit and cultures to experience outside of the work that the volunteers are there to accomplish. > > >

Winter 2012

MMI HAS A RICH HISTORY BEGINNING IN THE 1950s WHEN THE AVAILABILITY OF WORLDWIDE AIR TRAVEL BEGAN MAKING A HUGE IMPACT ON VOLUNTEERISM. WHAT MORE RECENT INNOVATIONS HAVE INFLUENCED MMI’S OPERATIONS? Obviously, technology has made it a lot easier to communicate in remote locations. I think many people would be surprised to know that cellular phones in Africa have a better system than the United States because the infrastructure is new and recently implemented. The Internet has given our teams the ability to communicate back home and share stories and experiences. This is great because our volunteers want to know what is happening back at home. It also helps us to get our message out to those who would not otherwise be aware of the tremendous need we are trying to address. Without the ability to share the message and bring the prospective volunteer/donor to the pulse of what we do, it would be hard to help these people. We are very fortunate that our story is now able to be shared almost immediately, and that people can respond in the same manner to help us do what we do. WHAT DO YOU SAY TO THOSE WHO ASK WHY YOU WORK IN THESE FARAWAY PLACES WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH NEED RIGHT HERE IN THE UNITED STATES? The truth is the poor in the United States have it a lot better than in the places our teams serve. For example, there was a young girl who tripped and fell on the way home from school. The minor scrape would have been no big deal if she lived in the western world, as she could have gone to the local store or doctor to get it cleaned up and receive a tetanus shot. But in this case, the girl developed a severe flesh-eating bacterial infection and nearly lost her life due to a lack of basic medical care. Our teams and centers are working to address these needs and save lives.

DESCRIBE A TYPICAL DAY FOR AN MMI VOLUNTEER IN THE FIELD. Our volunteers start the day with a good breakfast prepared by a team of local cooks. The food is very safe, and we work hard to ensure that it gives our teams a proper start to the day. We offer the team an optional opportunity to participate in a devotional period so that we can share the impact that our service is having on each other. Serving the poor is a very moving and rewarding experience, and it helps to share your feelings as you go through it and know that you are surrounded by others who are experiencing similar feelings. Once this time concludes, it’s time to load up for the day. We get our water bottles filled, equipment loaded and head off to the project site or Permanent Center. Usually when we arrive at a project site, there are hundreds – sometimes thousands – of people waiting in line to be seen by our team. This really all depends on the type of team that is present. If it is a surgical team, patients have been pre-screened and assigned appointment times to arrive. But usually quite a large group can be found waiting for the arrival of a primary care and dental team. In the Amazon, we had one team serve almost 6,000 patients in a two-week period. We spend some time setting up for the day and then take a moment to join the people in line to sing and celebrate the gifts that God has provided. Our programs are designed and executed using Jesus as our guide. It is really about selfless service and love extended to all people in need, regardless of their faith or beliefs. We take a moment to sing, pray and welcome everyone to try and put them at ease. Then it’s off to work! Our teams are usually multiple specialties, so we may have, for example, primary care, dental, vision and integrated health (preventative and wellness care) all happening at one time. Our volunteers are both medical and non-medical, and each has a very important role to play in the process. We will have a triage area where we determine the specific issues that need to be addressed, and then the patients are escorted to the various program specialties for care. We usually have an on-site lunch that has been prepared by our cooks, and it’s a time to rest and prepare for the remainder of the day. Some of the volunteers take the time to go play with the local kids or interact with the families waiting in line. I have had a

few kids run circles around me on the football (soccer) field. So much for the intramural preparation I received at SFA! The rest of the day continues as before, but the most difficult time is when we have to cut off the line at some point and stop seeing patients. It is so hard to look at those who we couldn’t help that day, and it is an image that I think of every day when I walk into my office. How can we do better today to help that next person in line....tough! The evening is a time to rest, have a nice meal, spend some time on the Internet, call home, play games or read. During dinner, the results of the various programs of the day are announced, including how many were served, the types of procedures, etc. Many of the volunteers are amazed by the impact the full team has made for that day, and it helps to send us all off to bed to be ready to go again tomorrow.

IN WHAT AREA OF THE WORLD DOES THE MAJORITY OF MMI’S VOLUNTEER WORK TAKE PLACE? We have operations in the Caribbean, Central and South America, Africa, Asia, India, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Fiji, and the Philippines. We continue to assess the needs of the poor and use our teams to help determine where our Permanent Centers should be located. We have 26 Permanent Centers now and are finalizing centers in Ethiopia, the Amazon and Arequipa, Peru.

Sawdust

MMI VOLUNTEERS DESCRIBE PEOPLE WITH COMMON MEDICAL ISSUES, SUCH AS VISION PROBLEMS OR DECAYING TEETH, WHOSE LIVES ARE CHANGED DRAMATICALLY AFTER THEY ARE HELPED. WHAT IS THE LONG-TERM IMPACT ON A CULTURE THAT RECEIVES BASIC MEDICAL CARE? This is a big question, but I will try to give a concise answer. Basic care is

the basis for life. You need clean water to live and quality food to sustain a healthy life. This is why we have water and agricultural programs as a part of our medical ministry. If a person cannot see, then he cannot support or help his family. A 15-minute eye surgery can totally change his life! Without teeth, we cannot eat; people who cannot smile have a tendency to close up and not interact with others. People born with correctable defects are considered cursed in many areas we serve, and they tend to hide from society. We give them a chance to come out and live.

Winter 2012

If a person is injured and not helped to heal, a family can be destroyed. A routine hernia surgery or orthopedic procedure can help many get back to taking care of their families. All that being said, MMI is about trying to provide a lasting impact and giving people the ability to support themselves and live normal lives. It’s not a quick fix, but with Project Teams supporting an overall bigger initiative led by Permanent Centers, we are building a lasting infrastructure of support. We also are training others to increase their skills to help serve in these locations, helping those we serve help themselves. In 2011, we were able to serve more than 518,000 people through our various initiatives. WHAT ARE THE BIGGEST CHALLENGES MMI WILL FACE IN THE NEXT FIVE TO 10 YEARS? We need people and support. The more who engage with us, the bigger the lasting impact can be. This is about people in need, and there is no way we can address all the needs by ourselves. But together with a focused effort and optimized strategy, we can make a huge difference. Some may be able to go and serve, others may be able to help others to go, while others may know of organizations that can help with supplies. It is all needed, and limited resources will always be the biggest barrier to broadening our impact. MMI HAS TAKEN A STRONG STANCE AGAINST VOLUNTEERS USING BRIBERY AS A MEANS OF ENCOURAGING LOCAL COOPERATION. HOW HAS THIS CONCEPT IMPACTED THE EFFECTIVENESS OF VOLUNTEER PROJECTS? Bribes are not effective, nor are they a good way to use the resources God has provided. In fact, we actually charge the poor for our services. To be clear, we charge very little, but we do it to ensure that we are not creating a “welfare” mentality. It has been proven over time that people appreciate services and items more when they are invested. It does no good to have people become solely reliant on others to live. The sheer fact that people have to invest in their care provides them an expectation for high-quality service and also a commitment to follow up with what the medical team tells them to do. We very rarely have a patient who doesn’t take prescribed medications, do recommended therapy or follow the doctor’s orders after being seen. It’s an amazing thing to watch and has eliminated a problem that others who offer free care have experienced. Many are willing to

take anything offered, but once you have had to invest in it, you appreciate it more and take care of what you worked so hard to get. HOW IS MMI ENGAGING NURSING STUDENTS AT SFA? This is a personal labor of love for me. I serve as the vice chairman of the advisory board for the Dewitt School of Nursing, and I am so impressed with the team of instructors and students there. Many people do not realize that SFA has one of the top nursing schools in the country. In fact, nursing now accounts for more than 10 percent of all declared majors at SFA. The simulation lab is loaded with state-of-the-art equipment, and our graduation rate is off the charts. One of the areas that we had hoped to address is giving these students an opportunity to experience medical issues that are not commonly seen in their home areas, so they get a full understanding of the skills that they are attaining at SFA. MMI has been working with major colleges like Holy Cross, Indiana University, the University of Kentucky and others to provide realworld experience for their students. So, why not SFA? MMI and SFA are currently working to establish three opportunities for the nursing students to serve with our teams around the world. We are planning a 2013 spring break team and then two additional opportunities in the summer of 2013. These are not vacations, but real-world application of what the nursing students are learning in the classroom. The experience will be life-changing and will be a tremendous boost to those who participate, as they will get a greater understanding of the impact they will be able to make once they graduate. It’s our hope that this becomes a long-lasting partnership that will provide SFA students an experience that few college students will ever have the opportunity to experience.

For more information about Medical Ministry International, visit mmint.org.

Photos courtesy of Medical Ministry International

CAN AN INDIVIDUAL WITH NO MEDICAL BACKGROUND STILL VOLUNTEER WITH THE ORGANIZATION? Absolutely! We need many non-medical volunteers in a variety of roles. If you have a skill, we usually can find a place for you. We need carpenters, administrators, plumbers, teachers and those just willing to serve in any general role. The biggest component of what we do is to love those we serve, and there is nothing better than helping someone get through a difficult situation. It takes a team of both medical and non-medical volunteers to do what we do.

STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION

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Thanks to our sponsors for supporting the SFA Alumni Association. Lumberjack Spirit ($1000+) The Daily Sentinel Hotel Fredonia Sign-A-Rama Purple Haze ($500) Legends at SFA Lumberjack Lofts Timber ($250) America’s Self Storage Gound Chevrolet Axe ($100) Greg Patterson Photography Nacogdoches Main Street Party’N Things St. Mary’s Catholic Campus Ministry Homecoming Partners The Barn Bar and Grill Jack Backers College Bookstore Sports Shack Bar and Grill Homecoming Alumni Corner Nacogdoches CVB Liberty Mutual R & K Distributors Inc. University Rental Classic Fare Catering Suddenlink Communications Austin Bank Citizens 1st Bank SFA Lettermen’s Association Shop SFA Sign-A-Rama Duck Dash Sponsors Jack Backers College Bookstore Airport Scrap Metal Piney Woods Country Club Wells Fargo Advisors Nacogdoches Clearing House Commercial Bank of Texas Target Wal-Mart Chili’s Best Buy Bed Bath and Beyond

Winter 2012

Auction Alex Ranc Amy Lewandowski Landry Andrea Thompson, Katie’s Jar Anita Burns Auntie Pasta’s Bancorp South Beautiful You Day Salon and Spa Brick Street Antiques Carl Kight City of Nacogdoches Classic Fare Catering Clear Springs Cotton Patch Café Creative Photography Curtis Sparks Dale Perritt Danny Kaspar David Madrid Debbie Humphreys Derek Snyder Don and Gail Keasler Dorothy Allen Doug James Elizabeth “Boots” Reese Emmeline Dodd and Gene Hollier En Fuego Tobacco Shop, Lee Moore Erika Tolar Excel Car Wash Gameday Boots Gary and Beverly Yamamoto George & Amy Cole, I Fratelli

George Ray Gerry Larabee, Heart of Texas Gift Gallery Glass Castles Stained Glass Studio Griff Hubbard Harold Coats Hickory Hill Creative Holiday Inn Express and Suites Hotel Fredonia Houston Texans Jake Bolton James Hawkins Jane Ann Kendrick, House of Traditions Jeff and Casey McNutt, Dive BVI Jeff Sheehan Jeremiah Trotter Jeremy Ice Jett Covell, Independent PartyLite Consultant Jim and Doris Havard Johnny Cardenas Julia’s Salon Justin Boots Brand Karen LoStracco Kent Hutchison Lone Star Restaurants Lone Star Sports and Entertainment Lumberjack Laundry Mary Burton Mary Jean Koning Michael Granger Mike and Jackie Harbordt Morgan McLemore, M&M Leather My Plates Nacogdoches CVB Nacogdoches Main Street Nancy Yarbrough Nest Spa Boutique Oh Happy Day Lingerie Olde Towne General Store Panera Bread Phillip and Ivy Scherrer Phillip Blackburn Pine Log Piney Woods Country Club Posados Café Quarry Farmers & Ranchers Market R.A. Brookshire Rebecca Welch, Macy May Rob Debardelaben Robin Johnson Ron and Kathy Springfield Ronnie and Becky Baird Rusty and DawnElla Rust S. Michael and Jean Marie Riley Saltgrass, Warren Wiley Samantha Mora Sam’s Club Schlitterbahn Waterparks SFA AG Tech Club SFA Athletics Department SFA Alumni Association SFA Campus Rec Center SFA School of Human Sciences Shannon White Shiner Sign-A-Rama, Roger Robinson Sitton Ducks Steve Alexander Student Activities Association Student Foundation Association Suddenlink Texas Renaissance Festival Tito’s Handmade Vodka Trey Schroeder University Rental Wendy Wyatt Buchanan Wildflower Zip Nac

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SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OFFICERS

FROM THE ASSOCIATION

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

ELL, HERE WE are approaching the end of the year, and the holiday season is upon us. As we reflect on the past year, we have a lot to be thankful for. We are thankful for you, our alums, who continue to support our alma mater and the Alumni Association; we are thankful for the nearly 13,000 future alumni on campus; we are thankful for a strong and supportive university and its leadership; and we are thankful for the Alumni Association staff and its past and present leaders, all of whom work tirelessly to connect with you and to raise money for our scholarships. Additionally, we are thankful we survived Homecoming. I hope you were able to get back to Nac and enjoy the Homecoming events. The activities were non-stop, and I am proud to report it was a great weekend. Attendance at the bonfire was an all-time high. Other events also were well attended, and our Lumberjack

football team recorded a “W”. Although I don’t have the final tally for total scholarship fundraising, I do know that, thanks to your generosity and support, we surpassed our fundraising target for several events. We are thankful for all who took part in this year’s Homecoming, and we look forward to doing it again next year. Although the calendar says we are fast approaching the end of 2012, we still have more than six months to go until the end of our fiscal year. So, as you reflect on the past year and start looking forward to next year, I hope you will include us in your plans. We are forever thankful for your past, present and future support of our mission of building a strong Lumberjack network and providing scholarships to deserving students. Happy holidays, and axe ’em, Jacks!

SAVE THE DATE SFA Days at the State Capitol Feb. 20-21, 2013 Austin Chapter Social Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2013 6 p.m. Texas Chili Parlor

Curtis Sparks ’85 President, SFA Alumni Association

Wendy Buchanan ’85 Don Cox ’71 & ’76 Robin Dawley ’77 Karen Gantt ’95 Mike Harbordt ’63 Doris Havard James Hawkins ’83 Kent Hutchison ’92 David Madrid ’02 Justin McFaul ’04 Susan Roberds ’75 Phillip Scherrer ’99 Erika Tolar ’02 Steve Whitbeck ’75 Chris Woelfel ’95 Student Foundation Association Josh Perry ’12 SFA ALUMNI FOUNDATION GOVERNORS Chuck Tomberlain ’84 - chairman Brad Bays ’91 Lewie Byers ’68 Ford Cartwright ’69 Shirley Crawford ’58 & ’70 Stephen Greak ’92 James Hamilton ’77 Bill Roberds ’75 Curtis Sparks ’85 SFA ALUMNI ASSOCIATION STAFF Jeff Davis ’02 executive director of alumni affairs Katy Crawford assistant to the executive director of alumni affairs Dale Green ’99 director of marketing & membership Samantha Mora ’08 director of alumni events & engagement Alicia Roland Chatman gifts & records specialist Emily Payne ’99 & ’01 chapter coordinator Beverly Smith ’96 accountant Mo Davis Williams ’09 scholarship coordinator Judith Barroeta ’10 coordinator of marketing & communications

Winter 2012

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. SFA ALUMNI HALL OF FAME James Campbell ’48 James E. Campbell, former president of the SFA Alumni Association and graduate of the Class of 1948, received the Hall of Fame Award for his continuous service in the community. His involvement in the Rotary Club, Ducks Unlimited, Sabine River Authority and Shelby Savings Bank has established his personal responsibility and honesty in the community. He also is the chairman and partner of Campbell’s Portable Buildings Ltd., General Shelters of Texas Ltd., J-D Port-A-Cool, Cenco and GSE-RTO. Campbell endowed the James and Mona Campbell Scholarship for Agriculture, Forestry and Education majors from Shelby County. (from left) Dr. Baker Pattillo, SFA president; James Campbell; and Curtis Sparks, SFA Alumni Association president

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DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Melvin White ’86 Former SFA football player and 1986 graduate Melvin R. White received the Distinguished Alumnus Award. A four-year letterman and all-conference football player, White displayed not only athletic skills but leadership, as well. He has been committed to providing his skills, time and service to SFA. White served on the Alumni Association board for many years before being appointed to the SFA Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry, eventually serving as chairman. His successful business career has led to many opportunities to introduce college graduates into the work force.

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNUS Don Keasler ’61 Don Keasler, a business graduate of the Class of 1961, was honored as a Distinguished Alumnus. In 1961, he was elected Mr. SFA for his leadership in academics and the community. He also was vice president of his class. A longtime agent of State Farm Insurance, Keasler served on the SFA Alumni Association Board of Directors for nine years and endowed the Don and Gail Keasler Athletic Scholarship. Before Keasler completed his service on the board, he took on the chairmanship of a multimillion-dollar building project at his church in Montgomery. After a distinguished career in the insurance business, Keasler remains a dedicated leader and loyal supporter of SFA.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Dr. Hollie Gammel Smith ’00 & ’02 Dr. Hollie Gammel Smith earned the Outstanding Young Alumna Award. She earned both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in psychology at SFA in 2000 and 2002 and received her doctorate in education from Texas A&M University in 2012. Smith has worked at SFA since 2005 and currently serves as assistant dean of student affairs, dedicating much of her time to SFA’s Orientation Programs. She strives to give each SFA student a positive first-year experience so that new Lumberjacks are excited to attend SFA and consider Nacogdoches their home away from home. Her dedication to continuing education and SFA Student Affairs reflects her commitment to the university and the community.

OUTSTANDING YOUNG ALUMNA Dr. Jennifer Criss Montes ’98 Dr. Jennifer Criss Montes received the Outstanding Young Alumna Award. Her kid-focused and parent-friendly pediatric dental care is a result of the education she received from SFA and her continuing education in her field of practice. She has been recognized with honors, including being named among “America’s Top Dentists” in 2012 and Texas Monthly’s “Top Dentists” in 2009. Owner of Nacogdoches Pediatric Dentistry, Montes speaks with girls about the importance of education and reaching for their dreams. She serves the community through the Nacogdoches Boys and Girls Club, GETCAP Head Start and Early Head Start, Nacogdoches Junior Forum, and other community groups. DISTINGUISHED PROFESSOR Dr. William D. Clark Dr. William D. Clark was named Distinguished Professor. His innovative research endeavors and his commitment to service have established his position as a role model for the university and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. As founder of SFA Math Day, an outreach event, Clark developed strong relationships among students, teachers and administrators across the region. His recognized teaching methods, numerous books and scholarly articles resulted in him receiving Teaching Excellence Awards from both the SFA Department of Mathematics and Statistics and the SFA College of Sciences and Mathematics. He used the monetary award to establish a scholarship for mathematics, statistics or mathematics teaching majors. (center) Dr. William D. Clark

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Wishing you a AND A J OY O U S N E W Y E A R

from your friends at the

SAT., DEC. 15

TUES., DEC. 18

WED., JAN. 2

FRI., JAN. 25

SFA fall 2012 Commencement 9:30 a.m. William R. Johnson Coliseum

Longview Chapter Christmas Party 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tomberlainsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; home 1 Oak Forest Drive, Longview

Alumni Association offices reopen after winter holidays 8 a.m.

SFA Alumni Association Board of Directors meeting 1:15 p.m. Tracie Pearman Alumni Center

FRI., FEB. 1

TUES., FEB. 19

WED.-THURS., FEB. 20-21

FRI., FEB. 22

Deadline to apply for alumni scholarships sfaalumni.com

SFA Legislative Day Austin Chapter Social, 6 p.m. Texas Chili Parlor 1409 Lavaca St., Austin (512) 472-2828

SFA Days at the Texas State Capitol

Alumni Member Night at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo 6 to 10 p.m.

SAT., MAR. 3-31

WED.-SAT., MARCH 13-16

TUES.-WED., MARCH 19-20

FRI., MARCH 22

Nacogdoches Azalea Trail

SLC Basketball Tournament

The SFA Ring sales event 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tracie Pearman Alumni Center

Scholarship Donor Reception 5:30 to 7 p.m. (come and go) Hotel Fredonia 200 N. Fredonia St., Nacogdoches

Leonard E. Merrell Center, Katy

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

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David and Stephanie Hyink Scholarship The David and Stephanie Hyink Scholarship provides funds for students in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture or the Department of Elementary Education at SFA. David Hyink and Stephanie Jeffords met in April of 1969 when they were students at SFA. David was studying forestry and was a member of the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity. Stephanie was an education major and a member of Sigma Kappa. After graduating from SFA, they each furthered their education at Purdue University, where Stephanie earned a master’s degree and David earned his Ph.D. in 1979. During her career, Stephanie taught in elementary schools in several states, including Texas, Alabama, Indiana, Virginia and Washington. David spent most of his career as a forest scientist with Weyerhaeuser Company. In addition, he served on the faculties of Auburn University, Purdue University, Virginia Tech, the University of Washington and the University of Idaho. Their son Jonathan and his wife Rachel live in Auburn, Ala., with their daughter Olivia. In retirement, David and Stephanie spend their time doing volunteer work, traveling and enjoying time with their family and friends. They split time between their homes in Black Hills, S.D., and Auburn, Ala., and are pleased to be able to help further the education of foresters and elementary school teachers at SFA.

Kenneth and Elouise Milton Agriculture Scholarship The Kenneth and Elouise Milton Agriculture Scholarship provides funds for football players and other student athletes studying agriculture at SFA. Kenneth and Elouise Milton both grew up in the farming and ranching lifestyle of the late 1920s, 30s and 40s. Kenneth was born in what is now Houston, and Elouise was born in Goliad. Kenneth served in World War II and went on to a career in the railroad and trucking industries, while Elouise worked in the railroad and medical industries. They both embodied a dedicated work ethic because of their upbringing in farming and ranching. Their love for animals and the outdoors stayed strong throughout their lives. They achieved their dream of retiring and moved to Goliad in 1985. Kenneth tended to cattle, building stock tanks and pasture management, while Elouise loved cooking with fresh farm eggs and vegetables. Although Kenneth and Elouise have passed on, their stories are plentiful, and memories are vivid. Their son, Larry Milton ’84, studied agriculture business and currently serves as the SFA Alumni Association financial adviser. He started this scholarship in his parents’ names to keep their memories alive.

CREATING YOUR LEGACY

As a scholarship donor through the SFA Alumni Foundation, you will ensure your name lives on through your endowed scholarship. The endowment will be held in perpetuity; only the endowment earnings will be used, securing educational opportunities for generations of future SFA students. SFA Alumni Association endowed scholarships may be created with various charitable giving vehicles, including: •Cash Gifts •Gifts of Property/Minerals •Corporate Matching Gifts •Charitable Trusts •Gifts of Stock/Bonds

•Bequests & Estate Gifts

•Life Insurance Policies

•Memorial Contributions

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 Email: alumni@sfasu.edu Website: www.sfaalumni.com

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ALUMNI NETWORKS

Be proud. Be part of it.

100%

LUMBERJACK! Happy Hours Networking Tailgating Freshman Send-Offs

VOLLEYBALL ALUMNI REUNION

Service Projects Luncheons AUSTIN A

LUMNI E

Family Picnics VENT

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

E XAS STAT

SFA @ TE

SCHOOL OF THEATRE REUNION

BATTLE OF THE PINEY WOODS

Join fellow alumni at a network event near you!

Tyler Chapter Freshman Send-Off

YELLOW HOUSE ALUMNI HOMECOMING REUNION Winter 2012

CLASS NOTES

1960

Emmeline Dodd ’61 was honored in the “50 Years, 50 Stories, 50 Faces” exhibition at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. James M. Geddie ’65 of Marshall, former band director at Kilgore High School, was inducted into the Bandmasters Association Hall of Fame. Ted Mitchell ’68 of Ben Wheeler is an eighth-grade math teacher at Grand Saline Middle School.

1970

The Washington Redskins recently named their Special Teams Award in honor of Mark Mosley ’70 of Middletown, Va. Linda Little ’74 of Rusk is the Cherokee County tax assessor/collector.

Jerry Irwin ’75 of Tyler is a member of the AgriLand Farm Credit board of directors. Allen George ’78 teaches AP and pre-AP biology at Marshall High School. Tony Bennett ’79 & ’82 of Austin is president of the Texas Association of Manufacturers.

1980

Jan Halls ’80 and ’81 of Nacogdoches is a music teacher at Carpenter Elementary in Nacogdoches. Sue Claridge ’84 of Emporia, Kan., is a graduate teaching assistant studying music performance at Emporia State University. She recently attended the National Flute Association’s convention in Las Vegas, Nev., where she performed in the Flautino Royale Flute Ensemble that opened the convention’s 40th anniversary celebration. Mark Cooper ’86 of Houston is college business administrator for the University of Houston – M.D. Anderson Library.

Estrella Munoz Noel Tovar ’08 of Flower Mound and Noel Tovar ’09 of Texas City were married Sept. 1 and reside in Lewisville.

Kim Luna Snyder ’87 and ’00 of Nacogdoches is Citizens 1st Bank senior vice president and recently was named to its board of directors.

Award-winning actor Richard Robichaux ’96 of Austin, assistant professor of acting and director of Mary Moody Northen Theatre’s community outreach at St. Edwards University, can be seen as Lloyd Hornbuckle opposite actors Jack Black, Shirley MacLaine and Matthew McConaughey in the film Bernie. nnIn March 2012, he delivered the keynote address at the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the largest theatre conference in the United States. He received the 2012 SFA Theatre Distinguished Alumni Award. He also teaches in the master’s program at the University of Northern Colorado. Robichaux has an M.F.A. from Rutgers University. He is the artistic director and founder of The Robichaux Studio, a studio for working actors in film, television and theatre. Elizabeth Wallace ’89 & ’96 of Stephenville works in the Division of Student Life at Tarleton State University. Carol Colley ’89 of Dallas is director of wellness for Ultimate Health Matters. Pattie Holecek ’89 of Spring is the principal at Mueller Elementary School of the Klein ISD.

1990

Terri Bruce ’90 is principal at WestwoodBales in Friendswood.

Jeff Foster ’90 of Mount Vernon is a regional general manager for Lowe’s Companies Inc. and a board member of Workforce Solutions of Northeast Texas. Foster was recently appointed by Gov. Rick Perry to the Rehabilitation Council of Texas. Rachel Melcher ’91 of Houston is vice chairman of

the wine competition for the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo’s Wine Events Committee. Logan Faris ’93, ’96 & ’06 of McKinney is principal of McKinney High School. U.S. Army Lt. Col. Bryan Batson ’94 of Lansing, Mich., Coalition Force Management Team chief in the International Security Assistance Force Joint Command based in Kabul, Afghanistan, is an instructor at the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Angelette and Terry Rochen ’94 of Mansfield announce the Oct. 19, 2011, birth of daughter Sarah Gaye. Todd Long ’94 of Marshall is a game warden for Gregg County. John MacFarlane ’94 of Fort Worth works at the Environmental Protection Agency in Dallas.

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Dr. Craig Stark ’94 of Selinsgrove, Pa., is an associate professor of communications at Susquehanna University. Dr. Shane ’95 & ’96 and Jennifer Clark of North Richland Hills announce the July 9 birth of daughter Sarah Ann. Shane also has been appointed to the physician leadership council of Texas Health Resources. Ray Merrill ’96 of Rockwall is the new principal at Sachse High School. Jeffrey J. Whitfield ’96 of Hudson is vice president of Commercial Bank of Texas. Melanie Rushing-Saldana ’97 of Nacogdoches and her husband, Jerry, practice optometry at Nacogdoches Eye Associates. Dr. Charles Watson ’98 of Rowlett is an assistant professor in the Department of Biology and Health Sciences at McNeese State University. .

2000

Heather Stepp Goggans ’00 & ’03 has passed her Licensed Professional Counselor Examination and is the area manager for Career and Counseling Services at Goodwill Industries in Tyler. Chad ’01 and Kelli Benoit ’00 of Bastrop announce the June 1 birth of daughter Colbie Bea.

Winter 2012

Bert Coan ’01 of Timpson is assistant principal at Joaquin Elementary School.

Amy Jordan ’03 and Raymond McCreary of Conroe were married April 28.

Dr. Matthew Parker ’01 of Nacogdoches is practicing family medicine in Nacogdoches.

Chris R. Pulley ’03 & ’10 of Bryan is director of bands and head of the fine arts department for Sam Rayburn Middle School.

Stephanie Clark Walden ’01 of Longview is employed through the Gregg County Special Education Shared Services Arrangement and is an education diagnostician for the Spring Hill Independent School District.

Dustin Lee Shrell ’04 of Huntsville and Kelsey Shannon Strong of Bryan were married Oct. 6.

Jeffrey Lyons ’02 of Palestine is director of development services for the city of Palestine.

Charles ’05 and Lindsay ’04 Vanderbilt opened Early View Ultrasound in Longview.

Brett A. Richardson ’02 of Bloomington , Ind., doctoral wind conducting student and associate instructor in the Jacobs School of Music at Indiana University, conducted the 2012 South Central Junior High All-Region Band for the Indiana Bandmasters Association and also was named associate conductor for the Southern Indiana Wind Ensemble.

Cory Blake ’06 of Magnolia is a world geography teacher for Klein Forest High School.

Kevin Swore ’02 of Elkhart is an agricultural science teacher at Diboll High School. He recently was elected to serve as president of the Vocational Agriculture Teachers Association of Texas. Chris Anderson ’03 of Harrisburg, Pa., is communications coordinator for the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency.

Rose Hegele ’06 of Richmond is a dyslexia teacher for Katy ISD. Ryane Jackson ’07 of Houston is manager of community development for The Methodist Hospital System.

Tracy Hollis ’82 of Fort Worth is director of the Natural Science Education Center in Grand Prairie ISD and recently was named winner of the Chevrolet Green Educator Award from the GM Foundation and Earth Force. She was one of only 10 educators nationwide chosen for the honor. Erin Roth ’07 of Lufkin performed the role of Meg Page in Opera Louisiane’s production of Falstaff in September. Amanda Harper ’08 and Drew McGuire of Nacogdoches announce the June 20 birth of daughter Ryker Lee. Justin Roland ’08 of Wylie is head baseball coach for Porter High School. Paul Smith ’09 of Nacogdoches is an officer of Huntington State Bank in Nacogdoches. Daniel Johnson ’09 of Chireno was named a Region 7 Outstanding Principal of the Year by the Texas Association of Secondary School Principals. Dan Kellum ’74 of Longview recently won the 2012 Next Generation Book Award in the military category for American Heroes: Grunts, Pilots & Docs, based on his experience in and research of the Vietnam War.

LIFE MEMBERS The SFA Alumni Association would like to thank the following alumni who recently became life members. We appreciate your support. 7777. Morgan Tomberlain ’09 of Longview 7779. Adrienne Schoelpple ’94 of Lakeway 7780. Erik J. Belcher ’11 of Belton Grayson, son of David ’07 and Missy Gibbs ’09 of Houston, attended his first SFA football game in October. Michael Trotty ’09 works at The CW Austin, appearing in television commercials and reporting on events in the Austin area.

2010

Michelle Cargile ’10 of Cleburne is a life skills teacher at Linden-Kildare CISD. Stacy White ’10 & ’12 of Nacogdoches works for a nonprofit organization in Nacogdoches and teaches at Angelina College.

married Oct. 13.

Brittany Kimble ’11 and Jacob Elbert ’11 of Magnolia were

Donavon Sammons ’11 of Tatum opened an Edward Jones Investments office in Dallas. Christopher Strong ’11 of

Nacogdoches is a grant coordinator for the SFA School of Nursing and is enrolled in the public administration graduate program. Shaina Jordan ’11 of Hillister is a news producer at KTRE in Lufkin. Nicci Ahart ’12 of Angleton is Texas A&M Agrilife Rusk County extension agent for 4-H and youth development. Brandon Holland ’12 of Bryan is assistant principal at Llano Junior High School. Dr. Brian Nichols ’12 of Nacogdoches is superintendent at Laneville ISD.

7781. Jeffrey Cuevas of Nacogdoches 7782. James C. Harkness ’94 of Nacogdoches 7783. Lori M. Harkness ’95 & ’98 of Nacogdoches 7784. David W. Miller ’12 of Nacogdoches 7785. Leslie E. Laney ’12 of Nacogdoches 7786. Clayton M. Sullivan ’12 of Austin 7787. Robert Matthew Smith ’03 of Lufkin 7788. Joshua P. Perry ’10 & ’12 of Crockett 7789. Dan McCrary ’68 of Tomball 7790. Noe Lopez ’95 of Corpus Christi 7791. Michelle Lockhart ’82 of Apple Springs 7792. Judson B. Murry ’12 of Gilmer 7793. Christian M. Randall ’06 of Alto

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

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IN MEMORIAM W.E. “Bill” Beathard ’49 of Kirbyville, June 7. Dorothy Marie Baughman Gray ’42 & ’52 of Fort Worth, Sept. 5. Don M. Beck ’55 of Nacogdoches, Aug. 5. Edwin C. Boynton ’49 of Caddo, Okla., Aug. 11. Zaidee M. Brittain ’64 of Lufkin, Sept. 4 Helen M. Brown ’79 of Longview, July 17. Susan E. Busse ’82 of Longview, July 6. Rebecca “Becky” Watson Carroll ’69 of Arlington, Oct. 17. Ann S. Coorpender ’72 of Kingwood, Sept. 19. Eldredge Creech ’54 & ’63 of Colmesneil, Sept. 9. James W. Davis ’64 & ’79 of Jasper, June 24. James R. Elledge ’79 of Longview, Aug. 23. Tony M. Frankie ’69 & ’81 of Sugar Land, July 2. Terrell G. Franklin ’57 of Beaumont, July 29. Bonnie Neel Frost ’42 of Quitman, Sept. 4. Dorothy M. Gray ’42 & ’52 of Ft. Worth, Sept. 5. Sarah Hale ’10 of Dallas, July 27. Maureen C. Hoffman ’84 of San Antonio, May 9. Leo Honea Jr. ’74 of Longview, July 25. Darrel E. Hunt ’55 of Tyler, July 27. Robert Leon Hutchison ’49 of Nacogdoches, Aug. 25. Herman B. Jernigan ’52 of Alvin, Sept. 4. J.E. “Jim” Kingham ’47 of Nacogdoches, July 29. Karl Lindekugel, Jr. of New Braunfels, Oct. 21. Joe W. Lowe Jr. ’45 of Tyler, Sept. 20. Holly D. Manna ’91 of Plano, July 28. Ruth C. Martin ’38 & ’49 of Martinsville, Aug. 14. Billy Joe Metteauer ’47 & ’66 of Chireno, Sept. 23. Charles McGregor ’71 of Longview, Aug. 29. Harold F. McMichael ’53 of Longview, Aug. 8

Paul Gifford Pond passed away Oct. 21. He was born March 20, 1942, in Port Arthur to Mack and Lavon Pond. He was an Eagle Scout and also was awarded the Silver Palm. Pond attended Louisiana State University and received a bachelor’s degree in business, which he put to good use as an employee and later owner of the family owned and operated Greenlawn Memorial Park in Port Arthur. He served as chairman of the Texas Funeral Service Commission and was appointed as a member of the SFA Board of Regents by Gov. Rick Perry. He also was a member of the North Port Arthur Rotary Club, holding various leadership positions, and served as deacon, elder and Bible teacher at Cathedral in the Pines Christian Center from 1984 to 2002. Pond is survived by his wife of 36 years, Lila Long Pond, and his eight children, 18 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Thomas Wilson Wright passed away Oct. 22. Born in Rockbridge Baths, Va., on April 18, 1918, he moved to Nacogdoches in 1930 when his father founded Texas Farm Products Company. He graduated from Nacogdoches High School in 1934, attended Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College and spent a year at Draughan’s Business College, after which he joined his father and brothers at Texas Farm Products. Wright served his country valiantly during World War II and spent his entire working life with Texas Farm Products. In 1983, he became chairman of the board and chief executive officer. He retired in 1988 but continued as chairman of the board until 2011. He and his wife, Peggy Wedgeworth Wright, founded the prestigious Wedgeworth Lecture Series at SFA. That gift was enlarged to become the Wedgeworth-Wright Endowment for the Arts. In the couple’s honor, the SFA music building was named the Tom and Peggy Wright Music Building. A loyal SFA sports fan, he also founded a golf scholarship on campus. He is survived by his wife, two daughters, six grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.

Billy Joe Metteauer ’47 & ’96 of Chireno, Sept. 23. John R. Mills ’64 & ’67 of Carthage, June 27. Jeff Morhet ’92 of Gilbert, Ariz., July 21. Arlen D. Moye ’58 of Silsbee, July 17. Lisa Listowski O’Docharty ’95 of Houston, Sept. 16. Jack Pierce ’54 of Nacogdoches, Aug. 30. Gary N. Puckett ’69 of Irving, Sept. 5. Ross W. Smelley ’43 of San Antonio, Sept. 22. Roy Alford Spradley ’58 of Lufkin, Oct. 14. David J. Stokes ’97 of Tyler, July 30. Jack R. Vaught ’73 of Cartersville, Ga., Aug. 20 Bettye F. Wagstaff ’74 of Bronson, Aug. 26 Ben M. Wallace ’49 & ’51 of Pearl, Miss., July 15. Loy Curtis Weaver ’59 of Grand Saline, Sept. 8. John C. Whitaker ’32 of Longview, Feb. 18. Thomas Wilson Wright ’38 of Nacogdoches, Oct. 22.

Winter 2012

Henry J. Dishburger of Midland passed away Sept. 26. The son of the late Walter W. and Mabel C. McNulty Dishburger was born in Texas City Nov. 4, 1926. He attended SFA, receiving a Bachelor of Science in 1950 and was named Distinguished SFA Alumnus in 1993. He received a master’s degree in 1952 from Oklahoma State University. Dishburger served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He worked for Dow Chemical Company for 35 years, retiring in 1990. He was a 60-year member of the American Chemical Society. Dishburger was a member of Sunrise Baptist Church where he served as treasurer and a trustee. He also was a trustee of the Bay Area Baptist Association and Michigan Southern Baptist Foundation; a member of the executive committee of the Baptist State Convention of Michigan; and a trustee of the New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. Survivors include his wife of 61 years, the former E. Merle Cox, three children and five grandchildren.

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SFA Walk of Recognition We invite you to participate in the 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. 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.

Winter 2012

www.austinbank.com Local People • Local Decisions SM

Bank • Insurance Services, Inc.

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Winter 2012

FROM THE ARCHIVES

The East Texas Research Center and Sawdust would like to know more about this SFA photo. If you know more about this event, or can identify people in the photo, please contact: alumni@sfasu.edu or (800) 765-1534. The ETRC at SFA collects, preserves and provides physical and virtual access to East Texas’ unique cultural history. It also is responsible for managing SFA’s Records Management Program and caring for the university’s archives.

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

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

Winter 2012

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

SFA MENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL 12/08/12 vs. LSU-Shreveport 12/15/12 vs. Lubbock Christian 12/18/12 at Oklahoma 12/20/12 vs. Grambling 12/29/12 at A&M Corpus Christi 01/03/13 vs. Lamar 01/05/13 vs. McNeese State 01/10/13 at Central Arkansas 01/12/13 at Oral Roberts TV 01/17/13 vs. Southeastern Louisiana 01/19/13 vs. Nicholls State 01/26/13 at Northwestern State 01/30/13 at McNeese State 02/02/13 at Lamar 02/07/13 vs. Central Arkansas 02/09/13 vs. Oral Roberts 02/14/13 at Nicholls State TV 02/16/13 at Southeastern Louisiana 02/20/13 at Sam Houston State 02/23/13 ESPN Bracket Busters 03/02/13 vs. Northwestern State 03/07/13 vs. Sam Houston State TV 03/09/13 vs. A&M Corpus Christi 03/12/13 Conference Tournament

Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Norman, Okla. Nacogdoches Corpus Christi Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Conway, Ark. Tulsa, Okla. Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Natchitoches, La. Lake Charles, La. Beaumont Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Thibodaux, La. Hammond, La. Huntsville TBD Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Katy

6 p.m. 6 p.m. 7 p.m. 7 p.m. 3 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m. 3 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 6 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 7:30 p.m. TBA 6 p.m. 8 p.m. 6 p.m. TBA

SFA WOMENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S BASKETBALL 12/06/12 at Oklahoma State 12/15/12 at Rice 12/19/12 at SMU 12/30/12 vs. Tulsa 01/03/13 vs. Lamar 01/05/13 vs. McNeese State 01/07/13 at A&M Corpus Christi 01/10/13 at Central Arkansas 01/12/13 at Oral Roberts 01/17/13 vs. Southeastern Louisiana 01/19/13 vs. Nicholls State 01/26/13 at Northwestern State 01/30/13 at McNeese State 02/02/13 at Lamar 02/07/13 vs. Central Arkansas 02/09/13 vs. Oral Roberts 02/14/13 at Nicholls State 02/16/13 at Southeastern Louisiana 02/20/13 at Sam Houston State 03/02/13 vs. Northwestern State 03/07/13 vs. Sam Houston State 03/09/13 vs. A&M Corpus Christi

Stillwater, Okla. Houston Dallas Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Corpus Christi Conway, Ark. Tulsa, Okla. Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Natchitoches, La. Lake Charles, La. Beaumont Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Thibodaux, La. Hammond, La. Huntsville Nacogdoches Nacogdoches Nacogdoches

7 p.m. 2 p.m. 7 p.m. 2 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 7 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 5 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 1 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 2 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 4 p.m. 6 p.m. 4 p.m.