Everything Nac

The award-winning works of students participating in the Nacogdoches Boys & Girls Club’s ImageMakers photography program will be displayed in an exhibition that runs through June 11 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

The exhibit was organized by the Nacogdoches Photographic Association and funded through a Community Outdoor Program grant provided by Texas Parks and Wildlife and administered by the gardens education staff at Stephen F. Austin State University, according to Elton Scifres, NPA member.

ImageMakers is a national program sponsored by the Boys and Girls Clubs of America to encourage members to learn and practice various photography methods, Scifres explained.

“The ultimate purpose is to provide children the opportunity to express themselves creatively, build confidence and learn new skills,” he said.

Winners in various categories in the local show will advance to competitions at the regional and national levels. The photographs in this exhibit are the result of six photo outing/training sessions. Thirteen Boys and Girls Club members participated and were mentored by members of NPA. William Nieberding, assistant professor in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art, juried the show.

Categories and winners included: Nature and Surroundings – Malaya Jackson, first place; Shatrya King, second place; Storm Mackenzie, third place. Portraits – Ironeshia Jackson, first place; Ja’Christopher Benton, second place; Lakiyah Page, third place. Culture – Jade Vivas, first place; Aniya Jackson, second place; Shatrya King, third place. Malaya Jackson’s entry was also named “Best in Show.”

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. Gallery hours are 12:30 to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. The exhibition can be seen during the Texas Blueberry Festival. For more information about this exhibition and others, call (936) 468-1131.

Staring at the computer screen, her pulse quickens, and her nerves jolt with anxious excitement. The countdown has begun, and in a matter of seconds, she will know her results. Three … two … one—numbers appear on the screen, and she’s in disbelief—she passed.

Stephen F. Austin State University graduate student Tiffany Craven is the first student in the Gerald W. Schlief School of Accountancy’s Master of Professional Accountancy program to pass all four sections of the Certified Public Accountant licensing exam while still an SFA student. The School of Accountancy is housed in SFA’s Nelson Rusche College of Business.

“Passing all sections of the CPA exam is a major accomplishment. However, Tiffany passing all sections prior to graduation is phenomenal,” said Dr. Treba Marsh, interim director of the School of Accountancy. “Tiffany can begin her professional career with this major goal accomplished. She sets a new standard of excellence for our current and future accounting students.”

Craven, a native of Santa Fe, Texas, participated in SFA’s five-year accounting program, which awards the Bachelor of Business Administration and Master of Professional Accountancy simultaneously. She said waiting a month for her test results was a nerve-wracking experience, but seeing her passing scores made it worthwhile.

“When I saw my results, I really didn’t believe it, especially since I wasn’t sure about one of the sections,” Craven said. “I had to double-check the numbers for my test score.”

The Texas State Board of Public Accountancy oversees the CPA exam. The exam is divided into four sections: financial accounting and reporting; regulation; auditing and attestation; and business environment and concepts.

“Tiffany is a rare jewel of a student who will experience great success in life,” said Dr. Kelly Noe, assistant professor in the School of Accountancy.

In order to be an exam candidate, one must have completed 150 college hours, including 30 advanced hours in accounting. After passing all exam sections, candidates also must take and pass an exam on the TSBPA rules of professional conduct followed by a TSBPA-approved ethics continuing education course.

Additionally, candidates must have worked under the supervision of a licensed CPA for a period of one year with a 2,000-hour minimum. After all the requirements are met, candidates take the oath of office.

Craven has worked as a graduate assistant for SFA’s audit services since August 2014 under the supervision of Gina Oglesbee, SFA’s chief audit executive.

“Tiffany has a strong work ethic. She comes to work every day with the intention to add value to our department,” Oglesbee said. “Her dedication and diligence is inspirational and evidenced by her passing all parts of the Certified Public Accountant exam as an SFA student.”

During her time working with Oglesbee, Craven assisted with and performed compliance, financial, operational and other audits.

“Tiffany was held to the same high standard as other SFA audit staff members for performing work in compliance with auditing standards,” Oglesbee said. “She will leave us as a fully trained staff auditor.”

Craven already has a job waiting for her as a tax associate with Weaver, an assurance, tax and advisory firm in Houston.

Eight cadets within Stephen F. Austin State University’s Reserve Officer Training Corps were commissioned as officers into the U.S. Army during a ceremony Friday, May 13. Pictured, from left, are Benjamin Hickman of The Woodlands, Seisha Gaines of New Orleans, Louisiana, Gwendolyn Carmichael of Houston, Colby Seamster of El Paso, Lori Farris of Big Sandy, Colten Garcia of Burleson, Christopher Locklier of Dallas and Joshua Lopez of Kennedale. Brig. Gen. Tracy R. Norris, interim executive director for the Texas Military Department, served as the ceremony’s guest speaker.

SFA’s Department of Military Science and Lumberjack Battalion were established in November 1968 and have provided 620 college-trained officers for the U.S. Army, National Guard and Army Reserve.