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Dr. Treba Marsh, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of accounting, will offer the commencement address during the university’s two fall graduation ceremonies Saturday, Dec. 15.

Marsh served SFA from 1991 through 2018 in various roles, including as the interim director and director of the Schlief School of Accountancy and as the Temple Inland Endowed Professor. Her close relationship with SFA accounting alumni and accounting firm partners has resulted in the contribution of thousands of scholarship dollars for accounting students, as well as a growing number of internship placements and job offers.

Dr. Kelly Noe, associate professor and director of SFA’s Schlief School of Accountancy, said Marsh has been a major influence within the Rusche College of Business and the Schlief School of Accountancy.

“Dr. Marsh not only changed my life, but also changed the lives of many students. She was like my work mom,” Noe said. “She was and still is an amazing mentor, and her work in the Schlief School of Accountancy has helped make our program what it is today.”

Marsh is a two-time SFA alumna, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and a Master of Business Administration in management. She received her doctoral degree from Louisiana Tech University.

She has served as president of the Southwest Region of the American Accounting Association, Chapter Advocate for the Southwest Region of Beta Alpha Psi, chair of the Texas Society of Public Accountants Educators’ Conference, Historian of the Federation of Business Disciplines, and in other positions with national and regional organizations.

“Dr. Marsh has had a profound impact on students. There are many certified public accountants out there today because Dr. Marsh identified their potential and gave them guidance to change their career path for the better,” Noe said. “She was the most student-friendly professor I know. She always did what was the best for students. Nobody will be able to fill her shoes.”

Marsh was named an outstanding accounting educator by the Texas Society of Certified Public Accountants and the Southwestern American Accounting Association, and she was awarded outstanding faculty advisor for Beta Alpha Psi numerous times. She received the 2013 National Author Award from the Association of Government Accountants.

Marsh has published more than 70 research papers and presented at professional meetings, including the American Accounting Association, Decision Science Institute, Clute Institute, and other regional and national conferences.

SFA’s fall commencement ceremonies will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Johnson Coliseum with candidates from the James I. Perkins College of Education and the College of Fine Arts. Candidates from the colleges of business, liberal and applied arts, forestry and agriculture, and sciences and mathematics will participate in a 2 p.m. ceremony.

Approximately 1,070 degrees are expected to be awarded, including 864 bachelor’s, 200 master’s and six doctoral degrees. Almost 270 students are expected to graduate with honors, including 87 cum laude, 74 magna cum laude, 103 summa cum laude and 60 university scholars.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Rockin’ Axes at Stephen F. Austin State University will present a concert of rock subgenres ranging from classic rock to metal when the student ensemble performs at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 7, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus.

An ensemble within the Sound Recording Technology program in the SFA School of Music, the Rockin’ Axes will perform works by The Strokes, White Stripes, Fit for a King, The Doors, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and a protest song by Rage Against the Machine, which contains some explicit lyrics.

Rockin’ Axes Director Nick Lambson, instructor in the Sound Recording Technology program, chose works based on the student performers’ abilities and interests and that “provided the most opportunity for growth,” he said.

“In addition to enabling students to pursue what inspires them and work on their favorite styles of rock, many songs were selected to expose them to new music and develop particular technical and musical skills,” Lambson said.

The students will use music technology to recreate some works, including songs from The Doors and Pink Floyd, and the students did most of that work themselves, Lambson said.

“We are a technology and music degree path, so I have been encouraging students to use all of our resources, where appropriate, and they did a great job, he said. “‘Hey Jude,’ played on our concert Steinway and featuring every member of the Rockin’ Axes, will end the program.

The concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Admission is free. For more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Two outstanding Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members will be honored during the 30th annual SFA Gala Saturday, Dec. 8, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

Faculty achievement awards presented during the Gala recognize innovation and excellence in teaching and research. Dr. Sheryll Jerez, associate professor of environmental science in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, is the recipient of the 2018 Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. Dr. Kevin W. Stafford, associate professor in SFA’s Department of Geology in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, is the recipient of the 2018 Faculty Achievement Award for Research.

Dr. Sheryll Jerez

Jerez received her doctoral degree in agricultural engineering in 2007 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and began teaching at SFA as an assistant professor of environmental science. She was awarded Faculty Mentor of the Year in 2014, the Kenneth Watterston Teaching Excellence Award in 2016 and was a finalist for the SFASU Foundation Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching in 2016 and 2017.

“SFA’s environmental science program is rated among the top 50 in the nation,” said Dr. Hans Williams, dean of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. “Our philosophy is to produce graduates who are problem-solvers. Dr. Jerez’s quality teaching and breadth of course offerings are solid contributors to the success of our program.”

In her courses, Jerez designs and implements student projects based on real-world environmental issues that are presented during the Undergraduate Research Conference at SFA and at professional meetings throughout the United States.

One student shared the following about Jerez in a course evaluation, “Dr. Jerez was by far the most prepared, organized, knowledgeable and enthusiastic professor. She is excellent in sharing her knowledge and helping her students understand the principles.”

According to colleague Dr. David Kulhavy, Laurence C. Walker Distinguished Professor, Jerez’s ability to translate the academic material into everyday life prepares the students she mentors for the rigorous environmental science profession.

“Dr. Jerez is known as ‘the professor with the cool toys’ because she uses them not only for demonstrations but also, and more importantly, to help her students understand science,” Kulhavy said. “Students leave her courses with the skills they will use in their careers.”

Jerez is an effective researcher, as well, conducting externally funded research on improving air quality in the poultry industry. Much of her research has been published in peer-reviewed journals. Additionally, she has supervised dozens of Master of Science thesis projects, including several completed by university scholars, and she has served on numerous graduate committees. In 2016, one of her graduate students received the Best Graduate Student Presentation Award at the SFA Bright Ideas Conference.

“Dr. Jerez is extremely active in professional societies, especially the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers, where she served in many capacities, including associate editor and reviewer for publications,” said Dr. Kenneth W. Farrish, director of SFA’s Division of Environmental Science.

“I firmly believe her contributions to SFA’s environmental science program have been major factors in achieving the great reputation our programs have with employers, which has led to a nearly 100-percent employment rate for our graduates,” Farrish said.

Colleagues recognize her as one of the most innovative faculty members in the college.

“Dr. Jerez is constantly staying ahead of industry changes and improving the environmental science program curriculum to stay current and relevant in this rapidly evolving field,” said Dr. Matthew McBroom, associate dean and professor of forestry. “She effectively trains her students both academically and professionally. Her remarkable enthusiasm, diligence and pursuit of academic excellence have helped to grow SFA’s environmental science program to national recognition.”

Dr. Kevin W. Stafford

Stafford began teaching geology at SFA in 2008, after receiving his doctoral degree from New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology. According to Dr. Wesley Brown, chair of SFA’s Department of Geology, Stafford is recognized as the foremost authority on evaporite karst hydrogeology within West Texas and Eastern New Mexico, and he is one of the lead authorities on hypogene karst development within the Western hemisphere.

“Dr. Stafford is routinely invited to prepare scholarly papers and book chapters related to these topics at both the national and international levels. He also is often requested to give presentations at regional, national and international meetings,” Brown said.

Stafford is an accomplished researcher with approximately 66 publications and 114 conference abstracts. He has advised 17 thesis students through their respective research experiences to completion. Stafford has been the recipient of 14 research grant awards totaling approximately $950,000.

Currently, Stafford is working with the Texas Department of Transportation on a new grant proposal that is expected to total between $850,000 and $1.4 million in additional funding.

Furthermore, Stafford has authored 20 and co-authored 13 peer-reviewed scholarly journals and book chapters. He has written one book on karst resources of Central Texas and edited three additional books related to karst hydrogeology. He also has authored or co-authored more than 50 conference presentations while affiliated with SFA and four technical reports. In the past academic year alone, Stafford was senior author on five peer-reviewed articles and senior editor for a scholarly book titled “Hypogene Karst of Texas,” which was published by the Texas Speleological Survey.

“Dr. Stafford masterfully combines his broad-based understanding of geology with his research interests, engaging students in the discipline and supporting their research interests while maintaining a stellar research agenda himself,” said Dr. Kimberly Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics at SFA. “He has been an important catalyst and defining voice within the Department of Geology and the College of Sciences and Mathematics in the area of research. He consistently maintains strong ethical standards.”

Stafford shares his love for research with his students, pushing them to stretch and advance beyond what they thought they could. He has effectively mentored his students by encouraging them to be lead author on his publications and presentations.

“Dr. Stafford is convinced that his reputation as an educator-researcher is enhanced when his students are able to not only get the job done in the field but also are able to analyze and write these results for technical audiences,” said McBroom, who has worked alongside Stafford on numerous research projects and graduate student theses.

“His excellence in research is demonstrated by the fact that he was awarded SFA’s Senior Faculty Research Distinguished Grant Award in 2017 in addition to the Silver Level Distinguished Grant Award that same year. He also has been recognized outside SFA by the National Cave and Karst Research Institute with a Meritorious Service Award in 2011,” McBroom said.

The Gala cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by Hot Sauce of Austin, featuring music from the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, and ranging from pop and rock to rhythm and blues.

Tickets are $175 for orchestra seating and $125 for ballroom seating. Proceeds from the Gala help build a permanent endowment created by the SFASU Foundation to honor faculty member achievement. For more information or to purchase tickets, call April Smith, associate director of development, at (936) 468-5406.

The award-winning multi-Grammy nominated duo Dailey & Vincent will ring in the holiday season with “A Springer Mountain Farms Christmas” performed at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 11, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus.

The performance, sponsored in part by Commercial Bank of Texas, is a presentation of the College of Fine Arts and the University Series.

Dailey & Vincent are celebrating early this year as their first-ever Christmas record, “Dailey & Vincent: The Sounds of Christmas” debuted at No. 8 on the Billboard Holiday Albums chart, landing right behind Michael Bublé and Pentatonix as the only country, bluegrass and gospel act in the top 10. The critically acclaimed project, released through BMG, also landed at No. 1 on the Billboard Bluegrass Albums chart.

“What a thrill it is to have these national superstars and local favorites back for the first time since Christmas 2012, just as they’re releasing their very first holiday album,” said Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Series. “Dailey & Vincent have chosen SFA as one of only 15 locations in the country where they’re touring in support of this exciting new recording.”

Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent and their world-class band take their blend of American music across the globe and to iconic venues such as The Ryman Auditorium and Carnegie Hall. They are Grand Ole Opry members, five-time Grammy award winners individually, three-time Grammy award nominees collectively, four-time Dove Award winners, and winners of 35 IBMA awards altogether (including three IBMA Entertainer of the Year Awards and three Vocal Group of the Year Awards).

Their music, mixing bluegrass with traditional country and gospel, can be heard on their nationally broadcast television series, “The Dailey & Vincent Show” on RFD-TV. Their concoction of instinctive vocal blends, with Dailey’s tenor complemented by Vincent’s reedy harmonies, has gained them well-deserved praise for their own distinctive style and worldwide recognition as American Music gold.

“The Sounds of Christmas” experience is more than just an album release as momentum continues throughout the holiday season with a nationally broadcast television Christmas concert special, four all-new Christmas episodes of “The Dailey & Vincent Show” on RFD-TV and the 15-city “Springer Mountain Farms Christmas” tour.

“Jamie and Darrin are so popular in East Texas that we’ve already sold out our orchestra-level seating,” said Shattuck, “but personally I prefer our balcony level anyway, and fortunately we’ve got quite a few excellent seats still available up there.”

Prior to the performance, local bluegrass fan Scott Waller will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. The gallery is located across the hall from Turner Auditorium, which is inside the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the performers and to honor the corporate sponsor.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $25 for adults, $20 for seniors and $10 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3.

On the night of the concert, the College of Fine Arts will assist the Nacogdoches County Christmas Coalition’s toy drive by collecting new, unwrapped toys to help local children in need have a brighter holiday season. A collection box will be located in the Turner Auditorium lobby.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Fine Arts Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music will present a faculty saxophone and piano recital at 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 9, in Cole concert Hall on the SFA campus.

Nicholas Bissen, adjunct professor of saxophone, and Hyun Ji Oh, collaborative pianist, will present the program “La Vie Antérieure,” which is also the title of a work on the program and translates to “The Former Life.” The program oscillates between moments of reckless indulgence and nostalgic reference, but never with regret, according to Bissen.

The first two works on the program – Allemande from Partita No. 2 by Johann Sebastian Bach and “Renewing the Myth” by Marilyn Shrude – move from a simple, unaccompanied baroque melody into a contemporary realization of the baroque period myth where Niccolo Paganini sold his soul to the devil in exchange for technical prowess on his instrument, Bissen said.

The program will also feature a new work entitled “Tactile,” written by music composition faculty member Robert Coe for saxophone and electronics. “The pre-recorded electronic track involves edited sounds previously recorded by the saxophonist as well as percussion sounds from Professor Coe’s kitchen,” Bissen said. “The interaction between the soloist and the tape starts as a series of seemingly disorganized pitches with various saxophone effects and activated household appliances, developing into a stomping groove.”

Henri Duparc’s “La Vie Antérieure,” taken from Charles Baudelaire’s poem “Les Fleurs du mal (The Flowers of Evil),” portrays a man reminiscing fondly on his previous deviant nature. “If one were to experience this music without being aware of the text, one would leave hearing a beautiful romantic sonority, nostalgic melody and sweeping gestures,” Bissen explained. “The text adds another layer of complexity; as the music swells to a glorious peak, the poetry unveils the character’s abhorrent nature of his former life.”

The concert is a joint presentation of the College of Fine Arts and School of Music. Admission is free. For more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 13, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Mark Weathington, director of the JC Raulston Arboretum at North Carolina State University in Raleigh, will present, “Beyond Tire Planters: Gardening in the South.”

Weathington is passionate in his work to connect people with plants. His latest book, “Gardening in the South: The Complete Homeowner’s Guide,” takes his common sense approach — and a bit of humor — and makes gardening accessible for any level of gardener.

He travels extensively searching for new plants to diversify the American landscape and lectures on a variety of topics in horticulture to further the JC Raulston Arboretum’s vision of “Planning and Planting a Better World.” His explorations and speaking engagements have taken him to China, Taiwan, Japan, South Korea, Ecuador, Europe, Mexico, New Zealand and throughout the U.S.

Weathington has revised and updated the “Propagation Guide for Woody Plants at the JC Raulston Arboretum” and has been published in Fine Gardening, Horticulture, Carolina Gardener, American Nurseryman, VA Gardener and HortScience magazines, as well as The Mid-Altlantic Gardener’s Book of Lists.

He previously served as director of horticulture and facilities at the Norfolk Botanical Garden and as horticulturist for the Atlanta Botanical Garden. He currently lives and gardens in Raleigh, North Carolina, the city of oaks, with his wife and two boxers.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare-plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.