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Dr. Linda Black, associate professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership, received the Billy Sills Distinguished Service Award from the Texas Council for the Social Studies, which is a nonprofit organization serving social studies educators and supporters across the state.

The award honors members who have demonstrated exemplary service to the organization and exemplify the professional social studies educator, according to the council’s website.

“This award is recognition of a lifetime of classroom experiences trying to bring the love of history, and, in my case, of world history, to students for four decades,” Black said. “The award represents the memories of friends and colleagues who have enriched my life through their wisdom and knowledge of how to bring a love of learning about history to students.”

Black was presented with the award Oct. 15 at the annual conference in Corpus Christi.

“When it was announced that I had been chosen, I was surprised and humbled because I am following in the footsteps of many outstanding social studies educators who have been honored to win this award — many who have influenced me in my career along the way,” Black said.

Black has served the organization as president and board representative for the local council in Houston; parliamentarian, vice president and president of the state organization; and she was a member of the board of directors for the National Council for Social Studies. She also was awarded Secondary Teacher of the Year for the state organization in1992, and in 1993, she was selected the national Secondary Social Studies Teacher of the Year.

“I have always wanted to become a teacher and loved history, so it was natural to become a history teacher. Even today, as I enter my 43rd year of teaching, I still enjoy working with students,” Black said. “Working with those who plan to become teachers is an exciting experience. The classroom is where I want to be, hoping to make a difference in future teachers’ lives and maybe in the lives of students they will teach.”

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business will host its inaugural Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom on the university’s campus. Former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush will serve as guest speaker.

“We are so pleased to launch the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series by featuring as our speaker such a notable and accomplished businessman and politician,” said Dr. Tim Bisping, dean of SFA’s Rusche College of Business.

Through a question-and-answer format, Bush will discuss various topics focusing on leadership and business issues.

“Mr. Bush’s business acumen combined with his extensive policy experience should yield a unique perspective attendees will find both interesting and useful,” Bisping said. “His substantial and varied leadership background will be especially beneficial to SFA students as they work toward achieving their academic and professional goals.”

Prior to the speaker series, the university will host the SFA Leadership Summit from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Theater on the SFA campus. This free event will feature a panel discussion with seven successful alumni about leadership principles and business and corporate issues.

Summit panelists include Greg Arnold, chairman and CEO of the Truman Arnold Companies; Chris Bagley, president and chief operating officer for BancorpSouth; Terry Bonno, senior vice president of marketing and contracts for Transocean; Michael Calbert, chairman of the board for Dollar General Corporation; Stacie Shirley, executive vice president, chief financial officer and treasurer of Tuesday Morning Corporation; Steve Stagner, executive chairman and chairman of the board for Mattress Firm; and Michael Taff, executive vice president and CFO for Chicago Bridge & Iron Company.

Bush was elected the 43rd governor of Florida in November 1998 and re-elected in 2002 to become the state’s first two-term Republican governor. He is the son of former U.S. President George H.W. Bush and Barbara Bush and the brother of the 43rd President of the United States George W. Bush.

Born in Midland, Texas, Bush grew up in Houston. In 1973, he graduated from the University of Texas at Austin with a degree in Latin American Studies. Bush moved to Florida in 1981, where he started a small real estate development company, which grew to become the largest, full-service commercial real estate company in South Florida.

In 1987 and 1988, Bush held his first government post, serving as Florida’s secretary of commerce under Bob Martinez, Florida’s 40th governor. As secretary of commerce, Bush promoted Florida’s business climate to the world.

Later, Bush founded the nonprofit Foundation for Florida’s Future, which joined forces with the Urban League of Greater Miami to establish one of the state’s first charter schools. He also co-authored “Profiles in Character,” a book about 14 of Florida’s civic heroes — people making a difference without making news. Additionally, he co-authored “Immigration Wars: Forging an American Solution.”

As governor, Bush focused on reforming education. Under his governance, Florida students made the greatest gains in achievement, and Florida became one of a handful of states to narrow the achievement gap. In addition, Bush cut taxes every year, and Florida led the nation in job growth seven out of eight years.

After serving as governor, Bush led his own successful consulting business, Jeb Bush and Associates. His clients ranged from small technology start-ups to well-known Fortune 500 companies. He also served as the chairman of the Foundation for Excellence in Education, a national foundation focused on education reform, and he was the co-chairman of the Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy and chair of the National Consortium Center.

He authored “Reply All,” in October 2015, which tells the story of his governorship through email exchanges with his staff members, the media and the Floridians he served.

Bush ran for the Republican presidential nomination in 2015. He currently lives in Miami with his wife Columba. The couple has three children and four grandchildren.

As part of Stephen F. Austin State University’s homecoming festivities, the Office of Multicultural Affairs will host a Step Show at 7 p.m. Nov. 2 in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

“There have been step shows in the past, however, this is the first time in a while that both the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Greek Life has hosted it during homecoming week,” said Veronica Weaver, director of the OMA. “Step shows provide entertainment and also create unity among campus organizations. There also is a history with stepping that we would like to educate the community about at this event.”

Coupled with the show will be a performance by comedian and Step Show emcee Ronnie Jordan as well as a history lesson on stepping.

“Although stepping originated within the National Panhellenic sororities and fraternities, we have seen stepping spread to other organizations and cultures,” Weaver said. “We wanted to bring back the excitement of having step shows on campus, and this show does that. It provides unity within the organizations as well as showcases our students’ talents to the community.”

Pre-sale tickets to the 2016 OMA Step Show are $5 and can be purchased at the information desk in the student center. Tickets purchased at the door will be $10.