Everything Nac

Anticipation builds as the stage lights dim. Backstage, actors shake out their nerves, take a deep breath and move to their opening spots. A hush falls over the audience. It’s show time.

Stephen F. Austin State University alumnus and Crandall High School theatre teacher and director Daniel Gambill blends into the crowd at Round Rock ISD’s Performing Arts Center as he takes his seat. It is the second time a One-Act Play he has directed has made it to the University Interscholastic League’s state competition. For now, his work is done. All he can do is sit back, try to relax and enjoy the show.

Hours after his students’ performance of “The Book of Everything,” Gambill and the cast and crew anxiously await the awards presentation. Tension builds as the third- and second-place winners are announced. Screams and applause suddenly erupt as Crandall High School is named the 4-A Conference One-Act Play champions.

“For years I have dreamed about what that moment would feel like, but I really can’t describe it,” Gambill said. “I looked at my students and they were all crying, clapping and hugging. It was magical. I’ll never forget what they looked like as they reveled in our success.”

Gambill remembers being in a state of disbelief when accepting the championship trophy.

“When I walked across the stage to the contest director to shake his hand, I verified with him that he had actually called our name,” Gambill laughed. “I walked to Luis Muñoz, the UIL director of theatre, who asked me if I was OK, and I said something like, ‘I don’t know, but I think so.’ He then handed me the trophy and said, ‘Welcome to the club.’”

As a high school theatre teacher and state champion, life has gone full circle for Gambill, who as a high school student was heavily involved in UIL academics and One-Act play.

Gambill always knew he wanted to be a teacher but said he didn’t realize he wanted to teach theatre until high school. He credits his involvement in UIL and theatre with leading him to his calling.

“This is my dream job,” Gambill said. “I love building relationships with my students. So often there are children who don’t hear any positive words at home, and it is a goal of mine to be the positivity they need.”

A third-generation Lumberjack, Gambill attended SFA to study secondary education and received his Bachelor of Arts in theatre education in 2010. Even though he is a direct descendant of Sam Houston, Gambill said attending SFA is somewhat of a family legacy.

“Our family has deep roots in Nacogdoches,” he said. “I went to SFA because it already felt like home when I stepped on campus.”

Since graduating, Gambill has brought his knowledge and love of theatre to Pine Tree ISD and later to Crandall ISD, where he has taught for the past seven years.

“The College of Education prepared me for teaching so well. I refer to my notes in my textbooks for solutions to problems on a weekly basis,” Gambill said.

While he admits thousands of moments from college stick with him, one particular moment that changed him was when Dr. Kenneth Austin, professor in SFA’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, taught Plato’s “The Allegory of the Cave.”

“This essentially explains what happens when a student’s mind opens up to the possibilities of learning,” Gambill said. “I believe Dr. Austin’s teaching of this story truly made me a better teacher and human.”

During his teaching career, Gambill has directed more than 30 plays, including dramas and musicals. Much like this year’s one-act, Gambill said the cast and crew had their fair share of obstacles to overcome, like rehearsing in a cafetorium that was under construction.

“We persisted, and we persevered. Watching our performance at state was very emotional for me,” Gambill said. “The weight of all the hours of work, struggles, triumphs and the power of the play itself caused a very visceral reaction. I am completely overwhelmed by all of the emotions and thoughts. I’m truly blessed.”

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

A graduate student’s investigation into attitudes and perceptions regarding handguns being allowed on college campuses has been named a winner of the Best Paper Award at the Stephen F. Austin State University 2018 Graduate Research Conference.

Longview native Hayden Holmes presented research he has conducted regarding Texas Senate Bill 11, which allowed for campus carry of licensed handguns for permit holders over age 21. Holmes wanted to better understand how the perception of handguns on campus affects daily interactions and classrooms.

Working alongside Dr. Lauren Brewer, assistant professor of psychology, and graduate student Stacey Kerr in Brewer’s research lab, Holmes found that although many people hold an unfavorable attitude toward campus carry, there is no difference in perceived campus safety.

Holmes began his research as an undergraduate at SFA and continued to work with Brewer when he joined the psychology graduate program.

“Dr. Brewer has helped mold and guide me to become the researcher and student I am today,” Holmes said. “She is a great inspiration, and she and Stacey both helped me become a much stronger writer.”

The annual conference serves as encouragement to SFA students to conduct research and present and communicate their findings to others, either through paper or poster presentations. Professors often work with students to help guide the research and give advice throughout the process.

“Research opens up many opportunities for students that otherwise may have not been there,” Holmes said. “Because of this research I’ve conducted, I have an award that is a large stepping stone toward my eventual goal of obtaining my doctoral degree.”

For more information on SFA’s Graduate Research Conference, visit grc.sfasu.edu.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The artwork of the late John Daniel will be exhibited May 10 through June 16 in Reavley Gallery in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.[/caption]The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Art will present an exhibition of work by former SFA art professor John Daniel showing May 10 through June 16 in Reavley Gallery in The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

A reception is planned for 5 to 7 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at The Cole Art Center.

Daniel, who died in 2015, began teaching at SFA in 1967. In 1997, the John and Doris Daniel Scholarship in Art was established and is ongoing. In December of 2005, Daniel became professor emeritus and retired after 38 years of teaching sculpture, design and drawing. In 2007-2008, a retrospective show of his work had venues at both The Cole Art Center in Nacogdoches and at the Museum of East Texas in Lufkin. Daniel’s artwork is in collections in Nacogdoches and across Texas, as well as in other states.

The exhibition and reception are sponsored in part by the SFA Friends of the Visual Arts, Nacogdoches Junior Forum and The Flower Shop.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

SFA to graduate largest class in university history

As Stephen F. Austin State University prepares to celebrate its 95th anniversary, it will graduate the largest class in university history with more than 1,500 candidates. Approximately 1,190 students will receive their bachelor’s degrees, and 335 students will receive their graduate degrees during this historic occasion.

Two ceremonies are scheduled for Saturday, May 12, in Johnson Coliseum with U.S. Sen. John Cornyn offering the commencement address.

Cornyn has served the people of Texas for the past three decades, first as a district judge and later as a member of the Texas Supreme Court before being elected as Texas attorney general. He received his undergraduate degree from Trinity University, his law degree from St. Mary’s University School of Law and his Master of Laws from the University of Virginia School of Law.

In 2014, Cornyn was re-elected for his third term in the U.S. Senate. Since he was first elected in 2002, Cornyn has earned a national reputation as a powerful voice for Texas and conservative values in Washington. A San Antonio native, he has been an advocate for Texas military personnel, veterans and their families, and he has fought to provide them with the best possible support, care and benefits. He also has been a consistent leader in promoting innovation, research and education initiatives at all levels.

In addition to serving on the Senate Finance, Intelligence and Judiciary Committees, Cornyn serves as the majority whip, a position that gives Texas a powerful seat at Congress’ leadership table. In this role, he serves as an assistant to the floor leaders and as chief vote counter for Senate Republicans.

Candidates from SFA’s James I. Perkins College of Education and the College of Fine Arts will participate in a 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Candidates from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the Rusche College of Business, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in a 2 p.m. ceremony.

An estimated 1,528 degrees will be awarded, including 1,193 bachelor’s, 328 master’s and seven doctoral degrees. Almost 400 students will graduate with honors, including 139 cum laude, 135 magna cum laude and 109 summa cum laude. Sixty-three students will graduate with the university scholar designation. One degree will be awarded posthumously.

Master’s and doctoral candidates will graduate with their respective colleges.

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