Everything Nac

Dr. Andrew Parr, professor of piano in the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, has performed in countries across the globe.

But he recently had the opportunity to perform and conduct a master class in piano for the first time before audiences in China, and some of those audience members have expressed an interest in coming to the United States, specifically SFA, to study with Parr.

Parr was among a group of SFA music educators who traveled to Hong Kong and Macau earlier this spring for the purpose of building relationships with colleagues there and opening the doors for recruiting music students to come to SFA for their graduate studies.

“This could be very beneficial for SFA in terms of attracting high-level students to study here,” Parr said. “We can no longer think regionally when it comes to recruiting students.”

Parr performed for piano students and teachers at Hong Kong Baptist University and conducted a master class before an advanced piano class of about 60 students where he listened to four students play and critiqued their performances.

“In Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University is where high-level students go for undergraduate music study,” Parr explained. “They are regularly visited by faculty from the U.S. and other countries, and the students are often looking for opportunities to study abroad. SFA would like to be among their choices.”

SFA faculty auditioned six students while in Hong Kong, and most of them have pursued discussions about applying to SFA to study and for graduate assistantships and scholarships.

“The hope is to open a conduit that will continue to produce graduate students in the future,” Parr said.

Registration has begun for the annual Summer Art Academy offered by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art for the two-week camp that will meet June 9 through 20 on the SFA campus.

Students in kindergarten through sixth grade may enroll in classes that include drawing, painting and sculpture.

“The academy offers an exciting introduction to the visual arts and an immersion into specific media,” said Gary Parker, SFA art instructor and director of the academy.

Classes will meet from 1 to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Art Building on Wilson Drive. The students’ work will be exhibited at 5 p.m. Friday, June 20, in the Art Building. Afterward, the students may take their work home.

The registration fee, which is $160 if received by Monday, May 26, includes all art supplies, refreshments and exhibition expenses. After May 26, late registration cost is $175. Registration information is available at www.art.sfasu.edu or by calling the School of Art at (936) 468-4804.

For additional information, contact the School of Art or email parker at gparker@sfasu.edu.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Stephen F. Austin State University’s Faculty Senate chair, Dr. Dana Cooper, are scheduled to offer the commencement addresses during spring graduation ceremonies Saturday, May 10, in William R. Johnson Coliseum.

Cruz was elected in 2012 as the 34th U.S. senator from Texas. The son of a Cuban immigrant, Cruz’s first-hand observation of the pursuit of freedom and opportunity in America inspired him to become a passionate fighter for limited government, economic growth and the Constitution. He graduated with honors from both Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

Cruz was the first Hispanic law clerk to serve a chief justice of the U.S. Supreme Court, aiding William Rehnquist. He also was the nation’s youngest, longest-serving and first Hispanic solicitor general of Texas. He has authored more than 80 U.S. Supreme Court briefs and made more than 40 oral arguments, including nine before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Cooper, an associate professor of history, earned her bachelor’s degree from Angelo State University, master’s degree from Texas Tech University, and doctorate and graduate certificate in women’s studies from Texas Christian University. She is a past recipient of an SFA Teaching Excellence Award and recently was elected president of the Texas Council of Faculty Senates.

Cooper’s publications include several articles and a co-edited book, “Transatlantic Relations and Modern Diplomacy.” Forthcoming works include a second co-edited work, “Motherhood and War: International Perspectives,” and “Informal Ambassadors: American Women, Transatlantic Marriages and Anglo-American Relations 1865-1945.” Cooper has presented more than a dozen papers at national and international conferences, including venues in Canada, The Netherlands, England, Germany and Austria.

Commencement exercises will be split into two ceremonies. Cooper will provide the commencement address at the 9:30 a.m. ceremony, and Cruz will speak at the 2 p.m. ceremony.

Graduates from SFA’s James I. Perkins College of Education and College of Fine Arts will participate in the 9:30 a.m. ceremony. Candidates from the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the Nelson Rusche College of Business, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in the 2 p.m. ceremony. Master’s and doctoral candidates will graduate with their respective colleges.

An estimated record-breaking 1,376 degrees will be awarded, with two being presented posthumously. Approximately, 1,062 bachelor’s degrees, 305 master’s degrees and nine doctoral degrees will be bestowed. More than 260 students will graduate with honors, including 124 cum laude, 63 magna cum laude and 77 summa cum laude.

Stephen F. Austin State University alumna ElaRuth McCullough of Nacogdoches is the recipient of the 2014 Edna Wilkin Teagarden Award for Exemplary Service in Human Sciences.

The award is given annually by the SFA School of Human Sciences and recognizes extraordinary professional achievements by graduates, including development and implementation of human sciences concepts and principles in the field. McCullough accepted the award at the School of Human Sciences convocation in April.

McCullough received her bachelor’s degree in home economics in 1966 with a major in vocational home economics. She continued her education at SFA, earning a master’s degree in administrative leadership in 1971.

After several years of teaching at the elementary and junior high levels, she agreed to the request of her high school principal to teach Family and Consumer Sciences at the junior and senior levels. It soon became obvious to her that a problem existed in the area of teenage pregnancy. She then devoted her attention and energy to helping young girls continue their education. Her successful grant writing yielded funding for a school day care, busing for participants and social work.

McCullough then moved into administration to implement the new programs, gaining credentials to direct the day care program, the school’s social work department and, ultimately, the school district’s Career and Technology Education Program. With the success of her endeavors, the Texas Education Agency invited her to visit Texas schools and monitor their programs and finances. She also served as an SFA adjunct professor, instructing graduate students on the CATE Program. Her organizational affiliations included Delta Kappa Gamma and Alpha Delta Kappa, both professional sororities for teachers.

McCullough was married to the late Dr. Jack McCullough, a past SFA Regents Professor and professor emeritus of biology. The couple has two sons and three grandchildren.