Everything Nac

Students from Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Computer Science recently attended the Women in Cybersecurity conference in Chicago.

Dedicated to bringing together and supporting women in the field, the conference gave students the opportunity to sit in on technical presentations from major companies in the field and participate in mentoring sessions and workshops.

“In the field of computer science and technology, even in 2018, women are still underrepresented,” said Dr. Puntitra Sawadpong, visiting assistant professor in the Department of Computer Science. “When we look at the specialized field of cyber security, women are even more underrepresented.”

The conference provided women in cyber security a place to share knowledge and network, Sawadpong said.

“The ultimate goal of WiCyS, and other conferences for women, is to encourage and welcome even more women into the field, create an opportunity for building connections among female professionals and students and provide a forum to discuss issues that can potentially affect us in the male-dominated work environment,” Sawadpong said.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Clayton W. Lowery recently contributed to the C.E. “Charley” Lowery Memorial Scholarship on behalf of his father, John L. Lowery, and his grandfather, O.L. Lowery. His grandfather created the scholarship with the Stephen F. Austin State University Alumni Association in October 1983 honoring his great-grandfather, the late C.E. Lowery of Nacogdoches.

Clayton’s grandfather, O.L., was born in Smyrna and received a teaching certificate from SFA in 1925. O.L.’s father, C.E., began working for SFA in 1924 — just one year after the university opened — as the first campus security officer.

O.L.’s motive for creating the scholarship was simple: his father “was one of the hardest working men you ever saw,” he told newspaper reporter Jill Darling in 1983, and he wanted to honor his memory.

The C.E. “Charley” Lowery Memorial Scholarship is awarded every spring to an employee of SFA’s University Police Department. It has assisted dozens of students in paying for additional expenses incurred when seeking a college education, including books and other supplies not covered by regular financial assistance.

As Clayton explained, the scholarship’s benefits were a two-way street, both assisting SFA students while also bringing his grandfather, O.L., everyday joy.

“My grandfather was last at a retirement home here in Nacogdoches and one of the things he enjoyed the most were the annual visits from the scholarship recipients,” Clayton said. “He had pictures of every student on his wall, so it was very rewarding for him to give the gift and visit with the recipients.”

Clayton is the owner of FRC, recognized nationally by the National Shooting Sports Foundation as a five-star indoor safety training facility and range in Louisiana. FRC now trains security officers, which creates a perfect connection to the C.E. Lowery scholarship. FRC and the Lowery family will continue to support the scholarship and stewardship of future recipients.