Everything Nac

Ali Piran, Stephen F. Austin State University lecturer of physics and astronomy, was recently awarded the inaugural Mary Beth Monroe Award for Distinguished Service to the Texas Section of the American Association of Physics Teachers.

“I am honored to be a recipient of this prestigious award,” Piran said. “This award is very important to me because Mary Beth Monroe was a true mentor to many students and colleagues and an educator who had a passion for teaching physics. She always reminded us of the importance of physics education in our society, had a great attitude and always looked at the glass as half-full. I hope that one day I achieve a small portion of what she has accomplished.”

Piran has been the Society of Physics Students adviser at SFA for more than 20 years. SFA SPS has won 16 national Outstanding Chapter Awards under his guidance. His primary teaching assignments at SFA have been teaching introductory physics.

Phoenix, Arizona, artist David Shannon-Lier won first place in the 2016 Texas National Competition and Exhibition at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Commenting on the high quality of work entered in the 22nd Texas National event, Juror Abelardo Morell selected Lier’s piece titled “Grassland Moonset, Gla National Forest, New Mexico” the top honor.

Second place went to Albuquerque, New Mexico, artist Serena Stevens for “Just Keep Swimming,” and third place went to Portland, Maine, artist Betsy Lewis for “Finale (3).”

Honorable mention entries were by Houston artist Kathy Drago for “Pre-Contact,” Hattiesburg, Mississippi, artist John Lawler for “Innocence and Violence,” and Gainesville, Virginia, artist Raphael Warshaw for “Rio Douro 18.”

The SFA School of Art’s annual juried competition and exhibition attracts entrants from across the United States, providing artists an opportunity to have their work juried by highly acclaimed artists and critics, such as Morell. The exhibition includes photography, painting, sculpture and mixed media pieces.

Texas National 2016 and an exhibition of Morell’s photographic work will show through June 11 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House, located at 329 E. Main St. in downtown Nacogdoches.

For more information, call (936) 468-1131.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s James I. Perkins College of Education recently hosted its end-of-the-semester celebration to honor teacher candidates as they reach the culmination of student teaching and their educator preparation, according to Dr. Jannah Nerren, associate dean of assessment and accountability.

During the event, representatives from the college of education’s educator preparation program presented several SFA seniors with awards for their work during the semester.

Dr. Deborah Buswell, associate professor of kinesiology at SFA, presented Yaneli Cortez with the Dr. June Irwin Outstanding Women’s Kinesiology Graduate Award.

Dr. Elizabeth Vaughan, chair of the Department of Elementary Education, presented Caryn Berkowitz with the Hilda M. Barfield Outstanding Interdisciplinary Studies Graduate Award.

Dr. Neill Armstrong, associate professor of secondary education and educational leadership, recognized Hillel Davis, who was named the Exemplary Secondary Student Teacher.

Also, Dr. Paula Griffin, assistant professor of elementary education, presented Deanna Anders with the Janice A. Pattillo Outstanding Early Education Graduate (early childhood through sixth grade completer) Award.

Dr. Michelle Williams, associate professor of elementary education, and Dr. Jannah Nerren, associate dean of assessment and accountability, presented Brooke Taylor-Johnson with the Olds Family Outstanding Elementary Student Teacher Award.