Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University students in the hospitality administration program recently traveled to Las Vegas to participate in IMEX America, a worldwide exhibition for incentive travel, meetings and events.

One of the nation’s largest trade shows, IMEX America showcases various companies, including domestic suppliers, tourist offices, hotels, airlines, cruise lines, spa resorts and technology providers. Additionally, more than 180 educational and networking events take place during the show. This year more than 3,000 exhibitors representing 150 countries participated.

Dr. Gina Fe Causin, assistant professor in SFA’s hospitality administration program, attended IMEX America with five SFA students: Kaitlyn Borland, Kristan Cates, Joseph Dorgali, Jade Godoy and Mackenzie Tarter.

“These kinds of trips give students insight into their careers and help show them where they may want to work,” Causin said. “Networking is huge. Students heard from speakers who are CEOs and business owners. For example, our students met with a professional concert planner.”

During the trade show, students participated in the prestigious Future Leaders Forum, which brings industry leaders together to network, provide international and regional insights, and discuss key field-related topics.

“The forum is a great opportunity for our students, and I’m proud they were able to participate in this select discussion,” Causin said.

During the show, Causin also presented research and participated in a faculty-engagement session.

While in Las Vegas, students toured the Venetian and Palazzo resorts where they learned about the resorts’ sustainability features and artwork. Students also enjoyed an exclusive “back-of-the-house” tour at the Palazzo.

“The trip opened the students’ eyes to the industry. For example, they were able to see how a concierge has to take care of guests and always follow a high standard,” Causin said. “Students learned the importance of selling the experience to guests.”

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

As Alexis Malquist, a Stephen F. Austin State University senior dietetics major from Grapevine, enters the mock hospital room in the DeWitt School of Nursing’s Ed and Gwen Cole Simulation Lab, she begins treating her “patient,” a mannequin named Miss Hernandez.

“How are you feeling, Miss Hernandez?” Malquist asks the high-fidelity mannequin that is serving as a hospital patient for a class project. In this scenario, Malquist must counsel Hernandez on weight management.

In a control room, Sarah Drake, clinical instructor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences, gives a voice to the mannequin and begins testing Malquist. For the third time, Drake has partnered with the School of Nursing to offer students in her nutrition-counseling course a hands-on learning experience to test their counseling skills.

“This project is meant to simulate a typical session students would encounter in a hospital setting,” Drake said. “Students are able to put into practice the concepts and techniques we discuss in class such as listening and communication skills.”

Malquist said this project helped push her out of her comfort zone and learn how to apply her skills in a professional setting.

“It was interesting because we were not just reading from a textbook. I had to phrase statements in my head and make cohesive thoughts before talking to my patient,” Malquist said. “This taught me how to use motivational interview techniques and how to counsel patients in a clinical setting.”

Drake also required students to observe SFA’s registered dietitian Jill Hamilton this semester as she provided recommendations and counseling services to clients.

“This interaction with a professional in the field helped students have a better understanding of a registered dietitian’s role and how to act in a counseling session,” Drake said.

To learn more about SFA’s food, nutrition and dietetics program, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/hms/101.asp.

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

Dr. Judy Abbott, dean of Stephen F. Austin State University’s James I. Perkins College of Education, read the book “Quakers” by Liz Wong to a group of first grade students at the SFA Charter School during the annual Read for the Record Day on Oct. 19.

Read for the Record is the world’s largest shared reading experience and brings more than two million people together each year in classrooms, libraries, community centers and homes across the nation, according to the Jumpstart website.

Jumpstart, a national early education organization working to help prepare children for kindergarten, began Read for the Record more than a decade ago in an effort to highlight the importance of building early literacy and language skills for every child, according to jstart.org.

“Sharing a read-aloud experience with engaging text allows for discussion connected to the text itself, the world beyond the text, and the readers and listeners,” Abbott said. “It is this talk that helps adults know more about how children make sense of the world and allows children to see different adults, professionals and community leaders read and enjoy the story. I am always grateful for these opportunities to connect with children through literature.”

Dr. Leah Kahn, SFA assistant professor in the Department of Elementary Education, read to children in the SFA Early Childhood Lab, and Nacogdoches Mayor Shelley Brophy and Dr. Pauline Sampson, professor in SFA’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, read to students in Head Start. Nacogdoches Independent School District administrators also participated by reading at each elementary school.

Each year Phi Delta Kappa, a professional association for educators, sponsors this event by purchasing the selected book for participating schools.

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

Members of the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts Dean’s Circle recently recognized its 2017 award recipients at the annual “Fall Festival of SFA Artists” and Winners’ Circle reception held in The Old Tobacco Warehouse in downtown Nacogdoches.

A highlight of the evening included special recognition and the reading of a city proclamation honoring former Nacogdoches Mayor Dr. Roger Van Horn and his contributions to the City of Nacogdoches, SFA, the College of Fine Arts and the Dean’s Circle. Mayor Shelley Brophy made the presentation.

“Mayor Van Horn has been with the Dean’s Circle right from our beginning in 2009. At every event, he helped convey the message of how important mutual support is between the community and the university by introducing each event’s sponsors,” said Dr. A.C. “Buddy” Himes, dean of the College of Fine Arts. “We were pleased and honored that so many people came to our event to show their appreciation for his many contributions to our community, and to support the College of Fine Arts.”

The “Fall Festival of SFA Artists” also recognized the 2017 Dean’s Awards recipients, each of whom presented some of their artistic work during the event. The students included Sarah Jentsch, recipient of the Cole Dean’s Award in Art; Tyler Thormählen, recipient of the Ledbetter Dean’s Award in Music; Arjang Abrarpour, recipient of the Sidnell Memorial Dean’s Award in Music Education; and Margaret “Maggie” Strain, recipient of the Schmidbauer Dean’s Award in Theatre.

Through the Winners’ Circle events, the Dean’s Circle has completed the college’s first professorship and is now working on a second endowment.

“This year’s event moves us one step closer to the next milestone in fulfilling our mission,” Himes said. “We greatly appreciate our membership and event sponsors. Their financial support makes possible these awards, which allow recipients to further their creative pursuits and aspire to a higher level of excellence.”

Sponsors included Cal-Tex Lumber Company, Nacogdoches Medical Center, First Bank & Trust East Texas, The Daily Sentinel, Regions Bank, Nacogdoches Film Festival, Meadow Ridge Archery and Gun and CBH Insurance Agency, Inc.

For more information about the Dean’s Circle or to become a member, contact Himes at (936) 468-2801 or at himesac@sfasu.edu.

Because of its growth in attendance and popularity, the annual Día de los Muertos Fiesta, or Day of the Dead festival, is moving to a different downtown location this year to accommodate larger crowds.

The 5th annual celebration is slated for 3 to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 4, behind the Nacogdoches Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Nacogdcohes Public Library and the Nacogdoches CVB have joined the School of Art and College of Fine Arts in sponsoring and coordinating the event.

The new location means the role of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and its art galleries has shifted, according to Lisa Steed, events coordinator for SFA art galleries.

“The event just got too big for Church Street,” Steed said, referring to the street that runs alongside The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House. Church Street and areas around Cole Art Center is where the fiesta has been held since its local beginning.

The CVB’s Pilar Street stage, equipped with sound and lighting capabilities, is more conducive as a performance venue, specifically for the popular Chikawa Aztec Dancers and other musical entertainment, Steed said.

“The Chikawa Aztec Dancers will be returning for our 5th annual event,” she said. “They will perform earlier in the evening than in the past due to requests from many parents.” The dancers will go on stage shortly after 5 p.m.

Based in Conroe, the Chikawa Aztec Dancers with their colorful costumes are always a crowd pleaser, Steed said.

Also performing will be SFA faculty members Jeana-Paul and Juan Carlos Urena at 6 p.m., followed by the internationally renowned Los Llaneros performing the energetic and haunting music of the savannas of Colombia and Venezuela at 7:15 p.m.

The Friends of the Visual Arts will sell official Día de los Muertos T-shirts, along with ceramic bowls made by SFA art students. There will be other booths, including those with children’s activities, and food booths and food trucks. The festivities will also include a Day of the Dead-themed costume contest with prizes.

Streets will be blocked off and booths and food trucks will be located around three sides of the CVB, with Main Street remaining open to traffic.

For more information, contact Steed at (936) 468-6557.