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Dr. Tom Segady, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of sociology, will offer the commencement address during the university’s summer graduation ceremony Saturday, Aug. 13.

Segady served SFA for 27 years as a professor in the Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, where he taught a range of subjects from globalization and social psychology to sociology of religion and cultures of India. He retired in May 2015.

He was named the 2009-10 Regents Professor at SFA, which is the highest honor the university may bestow upon a faculty member. As an educator, Segady’s teaching philosophy emphasized creating a learning environment where students were active participants in their education.

“A good class breaks down the ‘dyad’ relationship of professor to students,” Segady said. “That type of classroom atmosphere allows learning to become a shared experience, and one that is ‘portable’ — it can motivate everyone to learn in different learning environments, both inside and outside the classroom.”

Segady was instrumental in the creation of SFA’s honors program. Developing from what he describes as “humble beginnings,” he began organizing the program in 1992 with 12 students and served as the program’s first director until 1995.

The program, now officially named the School of Honors, has dramatically expanded with more than 1,200 students enrolled each semester who engage in study-abroad experiences, rigorous classes and undergraduate research. Both Dr. Michael Tkacik, current School of Honors director, and Dr. Allen Richman, former director, were central figures in its remarkable growth, Segady remarked.

Dr. Bob Szafran, sociology professor in the Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, served as the department chair for many years during the time Segady taught at SFA.

“Some faculty members mark their progress by the number of articles they have published; however, for Tom, it’s the number of students whose lives he’s changed for the better,” Szafran said. “Tom is an exceptional teacher of students. Whether individually or in a group, he enables students to see their potential as human beings. I’m looking forward to his message to this graduating class. I’m sure it will be smart, heartfelt and fun.”

Segady holds both a Bachelor and Master of Arts from the University of Colorado and a doctoral degree from the University of Denver. Segady, who is fluent in German, completed his doctoral dissertation at the University of Munich, Germany, where he worked in the archives of Max Weber, a well-known sociologist of the early 20th century.

“One of my greatest accomplishments is having the honor of teaching literally thousands of SFA students and the joy of being able to hear from many of them long after they’ve graduated,” Segady said.

SFA’s summer commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Johnson Coliseum. Approximately 500 degrees are expected to be awarded, including 344 bachelor’s, 147 master’s and eight doctoral degrees. More than 60 students are expected to graduate with honors, including 19 cum laude, 24 magna cum laude and 18 summa cum laude. Additionally, one posthumous master’s degree will be awarded. Four students are anticipated to graduate with university scholar honors.

Members of Stephen F. Austin State University’s American Marketing Association chapter will sharpen their skills during the AMA Collegiate Case Competition this fall.

The yearlong competition brings together top marketing students from around the world to work on a marketing challenge submitted by a sponsoring organization, according to ama.org.

The competition’s purpose is to “provide AMA undergraduate members the opportunity to collaborate on a problem that typifies a real, working marketing situation” and “to provide the Case Competition sponsor direct contact with the very best marketing students with possible real-world solutions to its marketing problem,” according to the website. This year’s competitors will develop a comprehensive marketing campaign for eBay, an online auction and shopping website.

Corey Johnson, an SFA senior marketing major from Dallas and executive vice president of the university’s AMA chapter, has been leading the project. Once the fall semester begins, Johnson said the SFA team would begin working more in-depth and start creating an advertising and social media campaign for eBay.

“I truly feel honored every time I get to compete with our team and represent SFA,” Johnson said. “I have started conducting preliminary research for the Case Competition, which includes researching eBay and its competitors and creating strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats analyses for each entity.”

Dr. Marlene Kahla, SFA professor of management, marketing and international business and AMA co-adviser, stated the university’s chapter is again poised to compete after a several year hiatus. The group placed in the top three from 2002-06 during the international competition.

“I wanted to enter this competition because I saw an opportunity for SFA to reclaim the crown as the best marketers in the nation,” Johnson said. “Our professors work extremely hard to teach us to be successful marketers, so I feel we owe it to them and the university to compete and give it our best.”

Saying he is a people person would be an understatement. Phillip Richardson, a Stephen F. Austin State University senior hospitality administration major from Beaumont, has spent the past three months interning in Spain. Whether he is scheduling reservations, housekeeping, checking in guests, booking tours and events, or preparing breakfast, Richardson has met people from around the world while interning at Equity Point, a hostel catering to international youth travelers.

“I have met people who are from all parts of the world such as Australia, Canada, Italy, South Africa, France and so many more. They all have the most amazing stories and lives,” Richardson said. “I’ve always had a deep interest in talking with people, and that is why I cannot see myself in any other field.”

Since the age of 13, Richardson has been working in the hospitality industry in hotels and restaurants. In May, Richardson took the next step in his education by enrolling in a program through Adelante: Internships Abroad and Study Abroad. The program includes two weeks of extensive Spanish courses abroad in a language school, housing and job placement. Richardson was placed with Equity Point, which has three locations in Barcelona, Spain.

Richardson works his morning shifts at Equity Point Centric — the largest location in the city’s center — and during his scheduled evening shifts, he works at Equity Point Gothic, which is situated in an area known for its historical monuments, narrow streets and Bohemian atmosphere.

Richardson describes the experience as the biggest enrichment of his life.

“I am gaining so much knowledge every day related to the hospitality industry, culture, history, geography and even finding things out about myself,” Richardson said. “I like to explain it as if I was not living before — just existing. I woke up every day to the same routine and was not challenging myself. However, since I have been here, every day there have been moments that pushed me out of my comfort zone, which has helped me build character.”

Every semester, SFA human sciences majors have the opportunity to enroll in a field experience course, which is dedicated to internships. Dr. Mary Olle, assistant professor in SFA’s School of Human Sciences, teaches the course and said, “The objective of the internship is to give students a reality-based, experiential learning experience to augment the theoretical knowledge required in the classroom.”

Hospitality administration majors are required to complete 300 hours of hands-on experience during their internships. This summer, 36 students participated in internships around the world.

Richardson plans to graduate with a bachelor’s degree from SFA this month. He attributes his internship experience with giving him a new perspective to take forward into his career.