Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University awarded the 2015 Edna Wilkin Teagarden Award for Exemplary Service in Human Sciences to an SFA alumna with 40 years experience as an educator.

Jeannie Summers, who is the director of career and technical education at Nacogdoches ISD, accepted the award during the School of Human Sciences Honors Convocation. The annual award recognizes an SFA human sciences graduate who exemplifies extraordinary professional achievement in the human sciences field.

Summers earned her bachelor’s degree in vocational home economics from SFA in 1975. She continued her education at SFA and earned a master’s degree in 1979.

The honor is among numerous awards Summers has received during her career as an educator. Other awards include: Texas Association of Family and Consumer Sciences Teacher of the Year award, Nacogdoches ISD Secondary Teacher of the Year award and the Outstanding Leadership Award from the East Texas Technology Students Association.

“Jeannie has received almost every award possible for her work during the past 39 years,” said Dr. Lynda Martin, director of SFA’s School of Sciences. “We are honored to add the Edna Wilkin Teagarden Award to her impressive list of accomplishments and are proud to have Jeannie as an SFA alumna.”

Summers began her career in 1975 as the student relations coordinator at the Community Education Center in Nacogdoches. She taught family and consumer sciences at Laneville High School from 1976-82 and at Nacogdoches High School from 1982-2006. She has worked in her present role at the district since 2006. She was an adjunct faculty member at SFA from 2005-07.

She has held numerous other titles, including president of the Family and Consumer Science Teachers Association of Texas and president of the Area 3 Association for Career and Technical Education

New dean among appointments approved by SFA Board of Regents

Dr. Timothy Bisping was officially appointed dean of the Nelson Rusche College of Business during the Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents meeting Tuesday. Bisping, currently interim dean of the College of Business at Louisiana Tech University, is expected to begin his duties as dean and professor of economics at SFA in July.

Bisping received his doctorate in economics from Oklahoma State University and his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in economics from Wichita State University. Prior to his appointment at Louisiana Tech University, Bisping served as associate dean of graduate programs and research and associate professor of economics at Louisiana Tech University.

Bisping also has served as the chair of the Department of Economics, Finance, Insurance and Risk Management for the University of Central Arkansas, as well as the director of institutional research and assistant professor of economics for Concordia University. He has served as a consultant and has 21 refereed articles in numerous academic journals.

Dr. Ray Darville, sociology, was named Regents Professor for the 2015-16 academic year. Regents also honored two long-term faculty members who have recently retired with the title professor emeritus: Ronald Anderson, music, and Heinz Gaylord, psychology.

The following SFA faculty members were granted tenure by the board: Timothy Bisping, economics and finance; Joey Bray, agriculture; David Cook, computer science; Ben Dixon, multidisciplinary programs; Paula Griffin, elementary education; Robert Henderson, mathematics; Janice Hensarling and Karen Migl, nursing; Lora Jacobi, psychology; Ginger Kelso, Frank Mullins and Terry Overton, human services; Stephen Mullin, biology; Jessica Sams, English; Paul Sandul, history; Jeremy Stovall and Yanli Zhang, forestry; and Todd Whitehead, kinesiology.

Regents approved the following faculty promotions:

To professor: Bea Clack and Donald Pratt, biology; Christopher Comer, forestry; David Cook, computer science; Sam Copeland, social work; Mitchell Crocker and Marlene Kahla, management, marketing and international business; Keith Hubbard, mathematics; Scott LaGraff, music; John McDermott, English; and Anne Smith and Owen Smith, multidisciplinary programs.

To associate professor: Joey Bray, agriculture; Ben Dixon, multidisciplinary programs; Mark Faries, Christina Sinclair and Todd Whitehead, kinesiology; Robert Henderson, mathematics; Janice Hensarling and Karen Migl, nursing; Lora Jacobi, psychology; Ginger Kelso, human services; Jorge Davi Salas, music; Jessica Sams, English; Paul Sandul, history; and Jeremy Stovall and Yanli Zhang, forestry.

Promotions from the Steen Library include Erica Chapman and Marlinda Karo, librarian II; Kyle Ainsworth, librarian III; and Susan Clarke and Linda Reynolds, librarian IV.

In addition, regents approved the following faculty appointments: James Ewing and Mark Montgomery, assistant professors of elementary education in the James I. Perkins College of Education; Daniel Anguiano, assistant professor of art in the College of Fine Arts; Stephen Mullin, professor and chair of biology in the College of Sciences and Mathematics; and in the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, Megan Condis, assistant professor of English; George Day, assistant professor of government; and Paulo Dutra, assistant professor or languages, cultures and communications.

Regents approved the appointment of Rachel Jumper as assistant director of university assessment and Michaelle Coker as equine supervisor for the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

The following changes of status in the Perkins College of Education were approved: Adam Akerson, from assistant professor of elementary education to assistant professor and early childhood to grade 6 coordinator; Susan Casey, from assistant professor of elementary education to assistant professor and early childhood master of education coordinator; Erica Dillard, from lecturer of elementary education to lecturer and elementary education resource room director; Gloria Gresham, from professor of elementary education to professor and master of elementary education coordinator; Paula Griffin, from assistant professor of elementary education to assistant professor and early childhood to grade 6 online coordinator; Robert Patterson, from coordinator of human services to coordinator and student supervisor; Kimberly Welsh, from associate professor of elementary education to associate professor and reading specialist coordinator; Claudia Whitley, from associate professor of elementary education to associate professor and middle-level grades program coordinator; and Dawn Williams, from associate professor of elementary education to associate professor and middle-level grades online coordinator.

Other changes of status include: Tim King, from professor of music to professor and director of choral activities in the College of Fine Arts; John Wyatt, from senior human resources representative to senior human resources representative and team lead for training software implementation; and Amy Roquemore, from assistant director of University Marketing Communications to director of Student Publications and Divisional Media.

Lauren Selden of the School of Art and Troy Davis of the Department of History were granted faculty development leave for the fall 2015 semester. Faculty development leave for the spring 2016 semester was granted to Fred Allen, music; Court Carney, history; and Thomas Judson, mathematics. Leave of absence without pay for one academic year was approved for Dr. George Franks, government.

The Board of Regents approved the following retirements: Greta Haidinyak, associate professor of nursing; Carl Pfaffenberg, associate professor of human sciences; Marie Saracino, professor of human sciences; and Tom Segady, professor of social and cultural analysis.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents heard a report from the agency in charge of the university’s marketing campaign and approved an extension of the campaign for the next fiscal year.

During the board’s annual spring meeting, the Richards/Carlberg agency reported that a variety of metrics show the campaign is having the desired effect – attendance at Showcase Saturday events has increased, applications are up 8 percent as compared to this time last year, and both admitted students and housing applications are up 14 percent.

“While these numbers look great, we know that we have to wait until the 12th class day this fall to be able to call this a success with certainty,” said Chuck Carlberg, principal of the Richards/Carlberg agency.

The current goal for the campaign is an increase of 300 new students for fall 2015.

Digital advertisements on more than 400 desktop and mobile websites such as Facebook, Pandora and YouTube have provided viewers with more than 8 million impressions of SFA advertising this spring. “These ads have garnered 50,592 clicks to the landing page, and thousands of viewers have gone on to visit another SFA page, such as ‘areas of study,’ ‘become a student,’ or ‘apply now,’” Carlberg said.

Impressions resulting from the combined spring and fall campaign exceed 27 million views.

The campaign recently received numerous awards from the Higher Education Marketing Report’s 30th annual Educational Advertising Awards, including four gold awards: total integrated marketing campaign, total digital marketing program, social media and outdoor transit/billboard.

Regents approved extending the campaign through the 2015-2016 academic year, including fall and spring branding and enrollment campaigns and continued work on the SFA website redesign project, at a cost not to exceed $1.6 million.

Regents approved increases in room and board rates, as well as designated tuition and student service fees for the upcoming academic year. The designated tuition rate will increase from $171 to $185.50 per semester credit hour, and the student service fee will increase from $12 to $12.50.

“We are in the process of developing a strategic plan for the university, and certain institutional initiatives will require revenue support,” said Danny Gallant, vice president for finance and administration. “We do keep an eye on what other institutions are doing, and with these new rates, we are still in the position where we need to be relative to our peers.”

Course and lab fees were approved by the regents to provide instructional departments with the funds necessary to support the actual cost of consumable supplies, service and travel related to specific courses.

Regents approved a 2 percent increase in room rates and a 2.9 percent increase in board rates. A portion of the proceeds from housing will be designated for an improvement to the wireless network.

“By today’s standards, the wireless network we installed just a few years ago is becoming overwhelmed,” said Dr. Steve Westbrook, vice president for university affairs. “At that time, it was typical for there to be one wirelessly connected device between every couple of people; today that ratio has changed to almost three devices per person.”

Incoming SFA students who want to have more predictability in paying for college can make use of a fixed-rate designated tuition plan. Regents approved a rate of $213 per credit hour for first-time freshmen with no previous college enrollment entering the university during the 2015-2016 academic year. The rate applies for up to 12 semesters from the point of initial enrollment.

“We currently have more than 1,550 students enrolled in a fixed-rate plan,” Gallant said. “This is intended to provide price-increase protection and also encourages a more timely graduation rate for these students.”

Regents approved the university’s participation in the Student Success Collaborative provided by the Education Advisory Board Academic Affairs forum, a nationwide network of colleges and universities that works with research and data specialists to identify best practices and improve educational offerings and opportunities.

“The Care Coordination Platform allows us to use data to improve retention and graduation rates,” said Dr. Richard Berry, provost and vice president for academic affairs. “It’s a valuable tool for our academic advisers and other staff members who focus on student success.”

Regents authorized the university to refinance bonds to obtain a more favorable rate, when possible, and to utilize unspent tuition revenue bond proceeds for renovation projects that were initially funded with Higher Education Fund or designated funds.

Additionally, regents approved:

· Summer budget,

· Grant awards,

· Outdoor pool renovation budget increase,

· Replacement of the floor in the William R. Johnson Coliseum,

· Curriculum changes,

· Additional licensing agreements for the Purple Pride plum tree,

· Audit services report, and

· Policy revisions.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Human Sciences fashion merchandising program invites university alumni and friends to Fashion Icons: A Legacy of Style Fashion Gallery Opening and Costume Exhibition at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, April 30, in the Education Annex, 1620 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches.

Featured speaker will be Houston fashion industry insider, Roz Pactor, who will speak at 6 p.m. in the Culinary Café followed by a ribbon cutting to officially open the Fashion Gallery and viewing of the new exhibition.

Pactor, a fashion/marketing consultant and fashion lifestyle blogger based in Houston, has more than three decades experience in fashion retailing with Foley’s Department Stores, Bloomingdales NYC and Neiman Marcus. She was most recently employed as the vice president/fashion director at Foley’s before starting her own company, The Pactor Group. She currently serves as chair of the advisory board at the University of Houston for Retail Merchandising Careers.

Light refreshments will be served and guests can view displays related to program activities and interact with students. Jazz music provided by students in SFA’s School of Music will be featured, as well as a red carpet-like photo opportunity.

The Education Annex structure served as the Early Childhood Laboratory at SFA for 30 years before its conversion to a classroom and office building. Remodeling of other spaces in the building will continue as funds are available.

The School of Human Sciences Twentieth Century Costume Collection was originally established and developed by former faculty member, Janie Kenner, to enhance student learning related to fashion history. Currently, faculty members Rebecca Greer and Michelle Jones serve as co-directors of the collection. It contains more than 500 pieces of historic costumes with the earliest pieces dating back to the late 1800s.

Among its contents are apparel or accessory items by fashion designers Geoffrey Beene, Christian Dior and Elsa Schiaparelli. The collection also contains articles from a variety of fashion retailers such as Neiman Marcus, Saks and Battlesteins. The remodel of the Education Annex space for the Fashion Gallery marks the first area on campus dedicated to exhibit the collection.

The Fashion Gallery opening was funded with program-generated funds and charitable donations. Sale of licensed SFA tartan products and the annual denim drive have generated more than $1,200 for the program.

For more information, contact Greer at (936) 468-2209 or email rgreer@sfasu.edu.

The Beta Phi cast of Alpha Psi Omega national theatre honors society at Stephen F. Austin State University will host a playwriting workshop with SFA’s playwright-in-residence, Jack Heifner.

The workshop is scheduled for 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday, April 26, in Room 303 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus. Cost is $25 for community members and $10 for students attending any college or university.

Led by Broadway playwright Heifner, the workshop is an introductory course designed for those who have little or no playwriting experience.

Seating is limited to 30, and payment will be taken at the door in cash or check form. Participants should rsvp to apobetaphi@gmail.com to reserve a seat.

Production to feature stage veterans Simmons, Maule

When the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre present “August: Osage County,” some familiar professional actors will be seen on stage appearing alongside SFA’s talented student performers.

Directed by Scott Shattuck and featuring Nacogdoches residents Rhonda Plymate Simmons and Brad Maule, “August: Osage County” focuses on what happens to the Weston family when their patriarch disappears and they hurriedly assemble at the rural Oklahoma home of his hilariously caustic, pill-popping wife. Their outrageous conflicts and lies collide to launch the corrosive comedy that won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and became the basis for the hit movie starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts.

“August: Osage County” by Tracy Letts will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, April 28 through May 2, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. A 2 p.m. Saturday matinee is also scheduled.

When Shattuck, who is director of the SFA School of Theatre, saw “August: Osage County” in its Broadway production, he thought it was the best new American play he had encountered in a long time.

“I knew immediately that our audiences would love the soapy story, the delightfully outrageous characters and the painfully hilarious satire of family life in today’s America,” he said.

In the ensuing years, Shattuck began talking with long-time SFA’s Friends of Theatre president Rhonda Plymate Simmons, who had a successful career as a professional actor before she moved to Nacogdoches and earned her master’s degree in theatre at SFA, about her desire to return to the stage in one last great role.

“One night as we were chatting, it all came together in both of our minds,” he said. “Rhonda had seen the play and loved it as much as I had, and I wanted to direct it. It has a great ensemble with opportunities for lots of students, including excellent roles for women, but it probably wouldn’t work well without a strong, mature female actor in a key role.

“Rhonda said, ‘What about…?’ And I said, ‘I think that’s the one,’” he said.

One problem that remained was finding an equally strong, mature male actor to play the husband of Simmons’s character.

“But I lucked out,” Shattuck said. “When I asked Brad Maule, he immediately said yes.”

Maule, best known for his 22 years on ABC’s “General Hospital” playing the role of Dr. Tony Jones, teaches acting and filmmaking at SFA and hosts a morning radio talk show and syndicated TV entertainment shows.

In the play, after Maule’s character, a distinguished but aging poet, disappears one August day, his sharp-tongued wife, who is suffering from cancer and has become addicted to her prescription pain medications, calls her three daughters, her sister and their male partners together to await word of his fate at their otherwise nearly empty house. As her drug-fueled candor becomes increasingly raw, the family’s secrets begin to crumble, and the last of the tenuous emotional bonds that had held them together come unglued, Shattuck explained.

“As wild as the story gets, what’s most unnerving about the play is how realistic it is,” Shattuck said. “These people are smart and witty, isolated and tormented, but they’re definitely three-dimensional, detailed and all-too-recognizable. For better or worse, most of us will recognize the squirm-inducing undercurrents of a picturesque family gathering.

“So I’ve asked the actors to go for a very authentic, conversational style – even those whose characters are quite flamboyant,” he said. “That seems to make the humor cut all the more deeply.”

Shattuck warns that the language and adult situations make this play unsuitable for children and those who may be sensitive to profanity, obscenity, and drug and alcohol abuse. But adults who are up for a “spectacularly entertaining roller-coaster ride into the acidic guts of 21st century life” will not be disappointed.

“I’d love for our audiences to leave with some of the same excitement I felt when I first saw the play,” he said, adding he hopes patrons experience “that amazement at the power of dramatic storytelling to involve and enthrall and shock us, even without an all-singing-all-dancing chorus or twirling laser lights.

“I hope we’ll make some jaws drop the way mine did,” he said.

“August: Osage County” is sponsored in part by Tipton Ford Lincoln. The play is recommended for mature audiences.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students. For tickets or more information, call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit theatre.sfasu.edu