Everything Nac

Two outstanding Stephen F. Austin State University faculty members will be honored during the 26th annual SFA Gala on Saturday, Dec. 13, in the Grand Ballroom of the Baker Pattillo Student Center.

The faculty awards presented during the Gala recognize innovation and excellence in teaching and research. Dr. Matthew McBroom, associate professor of forest hydrology in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, is the recipient of the 2014 Faculty Achievement Award for Teaching. Dr. Kefa Onchoke, associate professor of chemistry and biochemistry in the College of Sciences and Mathematics, has earned the Faculty Achievement Award for Research.

Dr. Matthew McBroom

McBroom has been part of the SFA faculty for more than seven years, teaching a variety of courses including forest hydrology, environmental hydrology, water resources management, wood science, and harvesting and processing. He has taught more than 700 SFA students during his tenure and developed several courses for the college, including a new online course. He received the Kenneth G. Waterston Teaching Excellence Award from the College of Forestry and Agriculture in 2014.

A certified forester, McBroom is a member of the Texas Forestry Association and the Society of American Foresters, earning the latter’s national Young Forester Leadership Award in 2010. In addition, he received the Texas Forestry Association’s Research, Development and Innovation Award in 2013. He earned bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in forestry from SFA, completing his doctorate in 2005 after working as a geographic information systems forester for Temple-Inland Forest Products Corporation.

“As a teacher, the most rewarding times are when the ‘ah-ha’ moment occurs, and a student’s eyes light up with excitement of learning,” he said. “The next most rewarding time is when former students come back and tell me how they are applying concepts learned in class to problem solving in the workplace or in their graduate studies.

“Finally, it is extremely fulfilling to watch students transition from student to peer in their knowledge and ability to solve real-world problems. To facilitate students in becoming self-learners is part of what sustains my passion for teaching and learning.”

Dr. Steven Bullard, dean of the College of Forestry and Agriculture, called McBroom’s teaching style “exuberant,” adding the professor can often be found wading in chest-high water while informing his students about sedimentation, dissolved oxygen, pollution, water flow and related topics.

“Dr. McBroom never wavers in his pursuit of excellence in teaching across both our forestry and environmental science disciplines,” Bullard said. “He has the demeanor and the keen mind to align the fabric of our curriculum with the many needs of a society-ready forester, integrating climate change, endangered species, marketing, population change and communication skills into both his writing and lecturing styles.”

Dr. Kefa Onchoke

Onchoke has been at SFA since 2006 and teaches multiple courses in instrumental analysis as well as general, environmental, organic, analytical and introductory chemistry. His research emphases include plant bioremediation studies, metal speciation in composted wastewater sludges, computational chemistry of various molecules of biological interest, carcinogenicity of particulates and electronic structure calculations.

Onchoke said he is proud of the fact that the bulk of his SFA research has been conducted alongside student researchers.

“I have involved nine undergraduate students in research, and I am currently directing one undergraduate and three master’s students,” he said. “Of the 11 papers I have authored, these students are co-authors in five peer-reviewed journal papers and in many poster and oral presentations. We continue to showcase the research findings every year in local and regional meetings and conferences as opportunity arises.”

Onchoke earned a Bachelor of Science in chemistry from the University of Nairobi in Kenya and a Master of Science in chemistry from Hampton University. He completed his doctorate in analytical chemistry at Ohio State University in 2006.

A member of the American Chemical Society, Onchoke has made significant contributions to the field of computational and spectroscopic analysis of polycyclic aromatic compounds and their effect on the environment. His publications have been cited by other researchers around the world.

According to Dr. Michael Janusa, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Onchoke “combines excellence in research with complete loyalty, dedication and love for SFA.”

“Not only is Dr. Onchoke conducting quality research but he also is instilling in his students the passion for lifelong learning and discovery,” he said. “Usually professors are dedicated to either teaching or research, but Dr. Onchoke finds a way to do both effectively to complete the education of our majors through teaching students how to conduct quality research.”

The Gala cocktail reception begins at 6 p.m. and will be followed by a candlelight dinner at 7 p.m. Entertainment will be provided by In10City, featuring eight of Dallas’ most accomplished musicians. Known for its versatile repertoire, the group performs everything from dance music to rock, jazz, country and hip-hop.

Tickets are $175 for orchestra seating and $125 for ballroom seating. Proceeds from the Gala help build a permanent endowment created by the SFASU Foundation to honor faculty achievement. For more information or to purchase tickets, call April Smith at (936) 468-5406.

The application process for the prestigious George and Peggy Schmidbauer Young Artist Competition at Stephen F. Austin State University has begun, and among the first contestants accepted for the 2015 event is a talented cellist from New York studying in the pre-college division at Juilliard.

Celebrating its eighth year, the Schmidbauer Competition holds the highest standards in artistry and performance. It is designed to attract young high school musicians ages 15 to 18 who are beginning to plan their future careers and are looking at schools that may be best suited toward helping them reach their goals. It is SFA’s goal to be that institution, according to Dr. Gene Moon, director of orchestral studies at SFA and of the competition.

This year’s strings and piano competition is slated for Jan. 31 in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus and is open to any high school violinists, violists, cellists, double bassists and pianists. Applications are accepted worldwide. Past competitions have brought young musicians from South Korea, Russia, Finland and locations across the United States to Nacogdoches to compete.

A valuable recruiting tool for SFA, the Schmidbauer Competition offers a unique performance opportunity for young musicians, offering prizes that include cash awards, scholarship incentives from the SFA School of Music and performance opportunities with orchestras.

“Concerto performances with orchestras are very rare for a musician at any stage of their professional career, let alone a budding high school student,” Moon said. “Our hope is that eager young students will be attracted to such lucrative opportunities.”

Cash awards are $750 for first, $500 for second and $250 for third. The remaining prize money will be awarded in the form of scholarships contingent upon successful admission to SFA’s School of Music. First prize also includes an appearance as a guest soloist with SFA’s prestigious Orchestra of the Pines.

Several years ago, George and Peggy Schmidbauer, California residents who founded Cal-Tex Lumber Company in Nacogdoches more than 25 years ago, wanted to give a donation to SFA to foster and promote classical music. As a result, Moon was asked to formulate a competition.

“The School of Music is forever indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Schmidbauer for their generosity and artistic leadership offered through our Schmidbauer Competition,” said Dr. Manny Brand, director of the School of Music. “Our music faculty is devoted to identifying and cultivating musically talented students, and the Schmidbauer Competition extends SFA’s role as one of the premier schools of music in Texas and the nation.”

The Schmidbauer Competition continues to serve as one of the highest benchmarks in the competition circuit and is a catalyst for launching successful careers. Past winners have continued their careers to perform with professional artists and orchestras all over the world. As evidence to the caliber of musician the Schmidbauer Competition attracts, the 2011 winner, Ying Fu, won a position in the first violin section with the Cleveland Orchestra while studying at Rice University. Last year, Ying took a new position as associate concertmaster with the Philadelphia Orchestra, an orchestra regarded as one of the top five in the world, according to Moon.

“Ying’s accomplishments are reflective of his personal hard work as well as the time he spent with master teachers throughout his career thus far,” Moon said. “Competitions such as the Schmidbauer have served as a catalyst to help further his career. Past winners of the Schmidbauer Competition have made similar strides and thus show a proven track record that those involved with it move on to greater career changes.

“The Schmidbauer Competition attracts hard-working, charismatic musicians who remain on the forefront of the classical music industry, and it serves as a stimulus for continued growth in the field,” he said.

Deadline for application is Jan. 2. For more information or to apply to the competition, contact Moon at (936) 468-3885 or moongh@sfasu.edu or visit www.schmidbauercompetition.org.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and the Children’s Performing Arts Series will present “The Monster Who Ate My Peas” in two performances at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

This musical, based on the book written by Danny Schnitzlein and illustrated by Matthew Faulkner, tells the funny story of a young boy who doesn’t want to eat his peas, according to Diane Peterson, SFA Fine Arts Box Office manager and coordinator of the children’s series.

“When a monster appears underneath his kitchen table, the boy is ready to make a deal with the monster,” Peterson said. “If the monster eats his peas, the boy will give the monster any of his possessions. When the monster raises the stakes, will the boy face his own fears?”

ArtsPower presents this touring production, which targets children in pre-kindergarten through third grade.

Tickets are $6 for individuals and $5 per person for groups of 20 or more. For tickets or more information, call the Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407 or visit www.cpas.sfasu.edu.

Cutline: “The Monster Who Ate My Peas” will be presented in two performances at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 10, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus as part of the SFA Children’s Performing Arts Series.

SFA Gardens at Stephen F. Austin State University will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, in the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St. in Nacogdoches. Dr. David Creech, SFA Gardens director, will present “The True and Unabridged Story of This Past Year.”

Creech has been at SFA since 1978 and is director and founder of the SFA Mast Arboretum, Ruby Mize Azalea Garden and Gayla Mize Garden. He also co-directs the Pineywoods Native Plant Center. Creech received his bachelor’s and doctoral degrees in horticulture from Texas A&M University and his master’s degree from Colorado State. His research efforts have focused on blueberry germplasm and production studies, alternative crops and technology, crop nutrition, and evaluation of new plant materials for the South. He and his wife, Janet, both are active gardeners and love to travel.

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month at the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture’s SFA Pineywoods Native Plant Center. A rare plant raffle will be held after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series Fund always are appreciated.

Parking is available at the nearby Raguet Elementary School, 2428 Raguet St., with continual shuttle service to the Ina Brundrett Conservation Education Building. For more information, call Elyce Rodewald at (936) 468-1832 or email grantdamon@sfasu.edu.

Stephen F. Austin State University and the Family Crisis Center of East Texas will host a grand opening and ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newest outreach office, located on the university’s campus, at 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 9.

The outreach office will provide an array of confidential services and support for victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, including personal advocacy, safety planning, legal advocacy, sexual assault advocacy, counseling, child advocacy and self-sufficiency advocacy.

Located inside SFA’s University Health Services Clinic, the outreach office will operate from 8 a.m. to noon Monday, Wednesday and Friday and from 1 to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday. Victims seeking help also can call the office at (936) 468-SAFE (7233).

The Family Crisis Center of East Texas continues to advance its mission of enhancing the safety of women, children and men by providing crisis intervention and advocacy services through education and community awareness, which will hopefully reduce and prevent the occurrence of family violence and sexual assault. The agency offers numerous services, providing more than 1,100 residential and non-residential clients with more than 102,000 essential services last year alone.

The partnership with the Family Crisis Center will not only provide services to SFA students and faculty and staff members but also will expand on-campus education and prevention programs related to sexual assault and relationship violence.

For additional information or to learn how you can assist the agency, contact Heather Kartye, executive director for the Family Crisis Center of East Texas, at (936) 639-1681 or kartyewset@suddenlinkmail.com.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts and School of Music will present Gian Carlo Menotti’s “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

All ages will delight in this classic Christmas opera about a poor widow and her crippled son, Amahl, who give shelter to the Three Kings as they follow a mysterious star.

Central Heights middle school student Aidan LaGraff, son of Kimberly and Scott LaGraff, and SFA Charter School student Noble Peck, son of Michele and Adam Peck, will alternate in the title role of Amahl.

SFA student performers will include Springtown senior Sarah Jo Martin and Conroe junior Jacqueline Skinner alternating in the role of the mother; Houston senior Toby Otorubio and Greencastle, Pa., graduate student Justin Dunkle alternating in the role of Kaspar; Houston senior Cairee Mayfield and El Paso senior Juan Garza alternating in the role of Melchior; Houston senior Brenton Mattox as Balthazzar; and Baytown junior Zachary Newman as The Page. Dancers are Angela Jones and Adrian Lopez.

The 45-minute opera is performed in English and is part of the Cole Performing Arts Series. Katie Parr of the Gobel Dance Studio will serve as choreographer.

Tickets for the Thursday night performance are $8 for adults and $6 for seniors, students and youth. Tickets for the Friday morning performance are $6 for individuals and $5 each for groups of 20 or more. For tickets or information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Cutline: The SFA School of Music will present “Amahl and the Night Visitors” at 6 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 11, and 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 12, in Cole Concert Hall on the SFA campus. Performing key roles in a past performance are, from left, Garry Leonberger as King Kaspar and Cameron LaGraff as Amahl.

Three composition students in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music are making names for themselves in the realm of professional composing and putting SFA in the spotlight in music venues around the world.

Ian Deterling, a first-year graduate student from Poplar, Wis., and student of Dr. Stephen Lias, Frank Sartain, a Houston junior and student of Dr. Charles Halka, and Kyle Henkel, Argyle sophomore and student of Dr. Alan Scott, are enjoying having their compositions performed in prestigious competitions and locations. It’s recognition that’s not only important to the students, but also to the university, as well.

“There has never been a better time to be studying composition at SFA,” said Lias, professor of composition. “We have the largest group of talented students and teachers that this university has ever seen, and each time something like this happens, it only further solidifies our growing reputation.”

“This type of recognition shows that it isn’t necessary to go somewhere like Juilliard or Curtis in order to contribute actively to the international music and composing community,” said Halka, composition faculty. “In fact, I would say that because our students don’t have the automatic advantage of being tied to a household name like those schools, they stand to learn even more about reaching out professionally, making their voice heard, and making their music the best it can possibly be.”

Henkel’s piece, “Silence in the Forest that Weeps,” was performed Oct. 26 in St. Petersburg, Fla., by the Traveling Circuits in their concert “New Music on a Sunday Afternoon.”

“This was my first-ever public performance of one of my works, so I was ecstatic,” Henkel said. “The title was inspired from the loss of my dog. After his passing, I went to a woody area, just trying to clear my mind. And it was just so quiet, so peaceful. I could hear this little melody in my head and quickly wrote it down.”

Sartain’s composition, “Epic Journey,” was inspired by one of his favorite movies, “Braveheart,” about Scottish warrior William Wallace who encourages his fellow Scotsmen to fight the English for their freedom.

“My piece focuses on his life as a rebel against the English,” Sartain said. “It’s a very rewarding and exciting privilege to have my composition performed.”

It was performed Nov. 21 at the Brand New Music for Winds concert in London, England.

Deterling’s Duet in F Minor for Bass Trombone and Violin, performed Sept. 18 in Norwich, England, is a three-movement work commissioned by friends originally as a piece for bass trombone and viola then arranged for bass trombone and violin. Deterling said his friend asked him to write the duet “reminiscent of works from the Classical and Romantic periods.” So he drew from compositional techniques from symphonies they both admired by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Ludwig von Beethoven and Franz Schubert.

“What I value even more than performances is how performers and listeners respond to my music,” Deterling said. “I’m thrilled that I’ve been contacted by people – professional musicians, music teachers and students, hobbyists – from all over the world asking about the piece … a session violist from Los Angeles, a violist from the National Taiwan Symphony Orchestra, a solo violist from South America, and various music teachers and students from England, Central Europe, Canada and the United States.”

These successes provide encouragement and inspiration to other students, their teachers agreed, and it “speaks to SFA’s commitment to prepare students solidly for competitive job markets,” Scott said.

“Composition forms a relatively small working community as the scale goes,” he said, “and meeting these successes at an early stage of a student’s career can be an indicator of future achievements, both individually and within the studio group.

“With the tendency to be very media-connected, word spreads quickly, and receiving recognition can become an encouragement for those looking toward composition as a profession,” Scott said. “Prospective students want to be involved in a studio that’s active and doing great things.”

“When we interview aspiring composers, they often don’t actually know what sorts of successes are possible for them,” Lias said. “It is really helpful for us to be able to hold up our own students, some of whom are only a year or two out of high school, as examples of what can happen.”

“We encourage all our students to get their work out there into real world as much as possible,” Halka said, “and Kyle’s, Ian’s and Frank’s success is also a success for the entire SFA composition studio.

“Dr. Lias, Dr. Scott and I work hard to challenge students, help them discover new ways of thinking about music and composing, and guide them during their entry into the professional world of composition,” he added. “But ultimately, our efforts would be in vain were it not for the talent the students already bring with them to SFA.”

SFA music composition students, from left, Kyle Henkel, Argyle sophomore, Ian Deterling, first-year graduate student from Poplar, Wis., and Frank Sartain, Houston junior, are having their works performed this fall in venues around the globe.