Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts Dean’s Circle will recognize former Nacogdoches Mayor Dr. Roger Van Horn for his contributions to the community at the annual Winners’ Circle reception and fundraiser planned for 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 24, in The Old Tobacco Warehouse in downtown Nacogdoches.
Van Horn will be honored for his service to the City of Nacogdoches, SFA, the College of Fine Arts and the Dean’s Circle, according to Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts.
“Former Mayor Van Horn has continually promoted and supported the activities of the Dean’s Circle and has served as emcee at our annual programs,” Himes said. “We hope the community joins us at our Winners’ Circle reception to publicly thank him for his service to Nacogdoches and SFA.”
The “Fall Festival of SFA Artists” also recognizes the 2017 Dean’s Circle student award recipients. Sarah Jentsch, art major from Etoile, received the Cole Dean’s Award in Art; Tyler Thormählen, music performance major from Kyle, received the Ledbetter Dean’s Award in Music; Arjang Abrarpour, music education major from Katy, received the Sidnell Memorial Dean’s Award in Music Education; and Margaret “Maggie” Strain, theatre major from Port Aransas, received the Schmidbauer Dean’s Award in Theatre. The students were selected by the faculty of their respective schools on the basis of their potential to further develop their artistic goals and serve as role models, according to Himes. Student award recipients will perform and exhibit their work.
The awards were established by the Dean’s Circle, an external support organization of community members founded in 2008 and “dedicated, in part, to nurturing potential young artists within the College of Fine Arts,” Himes said.
The Dean’s Circle will also recognize Dr. Charles Gavin, professor of horn and chamber music in the School of Music, and Dr. Gene H. Moon, director of orchestras at SFA, who have been awarded endowed professorships.
A faculty showcase will highlight the artistic work of Neil Cox, printmaker and photographer in the School of Art; swordsmanship and stage combat techniques of Slade Billew, assistant professor in the School of Theatre; and Moon with SFA’s Orchestra of the Pines.
An auction featuring contributed items from local businesses will raise funds for Dean’s Circle projects, including student awards and expanding endowed professorship opportunities. Among the auction items are a membership to Meadow Ridge Archery and Gun, tickets to the upcoming performance of Moscow Ballet’s Great Russian Nutcracker, and a studio recording session with the CFA’s newly renovated recording studio.
Event sponsors include Cal-Tex Lumber Company, Nacogdoches Medical Center, First Bank & Trust East Texas, The Daily Sentinel, Suzanne Warlick, Regions Bank, Nacogdoches Film Festival, Meadow Ridge Archery and Gun and CBH Insurance.
Tickets for the event, which includes entertainment and hors d’oeuvres, are $100 per person/couple. Participation includes membership in the Dean’s Circle. Responses are requested by Sept. 15. To RSVP by phone, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407. A limited number of tickets will be available at the door.
