Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University’s longstanding student-run radio station — now aptly named “Axe ‘Em Radio” on 90.1 FM and operated by the Department of Mass Communication — has changed its call sign from the nearly half-century-old KSAU-FM to KAXM-FM.

The change to the call sign, which identifies a radio station, was approved by the Federal Communication Commission and put into effect March 1.

According to Dr. John Hendricks, chair and professor of SFA’s Department of Mass Communication, the new call sign better affiliates and promotes 90.1 FM as SFA’s radio station.

“This change to our call sign for the radio station better promotes and embraces the Lumberjack brand and spirit that has been a fixture of the university for 100 years,” Hendricks said. “This is an exciting time for SFA, and this change enables our student media to promote our university’s rich traditions even better moving forward.”

Granted its first license from the FCC on June 17, 1975, the noncommercial radio station has established itself as a prime figure in SFA’s vast history, and a leading example of hands-on learning opportunities available to students.

Serving not only as a hub for the latest alternative rock hits, the radio station is also a classroom and lab for students who are pursuing careers in the mass media industry. The students, under the watchful eye of a faculty advisor, gain first-hand knowledge and experiences on the radio while also building a portfolio that prepares them to apply for jobs immediately upon graduation.

For the majority of its existence, the radio station was under the tutelage of Sherry Williford, who served as instructor and advisor for 31 years until her retirement in August 2023. Tom Reynolds, lecturer, now serves as the current advisor.

Originally designated for students in mass media courses, the department has opened the radio station to student volunteers in any major.

“The radio station will always remain a student-run station,” Hendricks said. “The mission of KAXM-FM, just like KSAU-FM, is for Lumberjacks to serve the broadcasting needs and interests of the East Texas media market and to gain educational experiences they couldn’t find anywhere else.”

The call sign change highlights an example of the ever-changing media landscape and the efforts taken by the department to adapt with the industry. According to Hendricks, it’s a change that he’s wanted to make since his arrival at SFA in 2009.

“The media landscape is constantly evolving, and it’s our responsibility to evolve with the industry, too,” Hendricks said. “That’s exactly how the commercial media industry —where our graduates will be employed — works. There’s constant change, and our students must be taught to be adaptive and nimble whenever change is required.”

Tune in to listen to 90.1 KAXM-FM “Axe ‘Em Radio” seven days a week, 24 hours a day. For more information about the Department of Mass Communication, visit sfasu.edu/masscomm.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

In a special called meeting March 18, The University of Texas System Board of Regents unanimously approved Neal Weaver, PhD, as the new president of Stephen F. Austin State University. Weaver, who has served as president of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) since 2017, will officially begin his new appointment in mid-May.

Weaver, chosen as the sole finalist for the position by the UT Regents on Feb. 22, will succeed Interim President Gina Oglesbee, becoming the 11th president in SFA’s 100-year history and the first as a UT institution. SFA joined the UT System last September.

The UT Regents selected Weaver from a slate of candidates presented by the presidential search advisory committee, chaired by Chancellor James B. Milliken. The committee included representation from SFA faculty, staff, students, alumni and community leaders, along with UT presidents and regents.

“Dr. Weaver’s successful leadership across multiple public university systems will be valuable in guiding SFA into its new era as a UT Institution,” said UT System Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. “We appreciate the dedication and diligence of our search advisory committee throughout this process.”

During his seven-year tenure at GSW in the University of Georgia System, Weaver drove growth in enrollment, student retention and fundraising. Milliken highlighted Weaver’s achievements there, underscoring his potential to foster similar progress at SFA within the UT System.

“Dr. Weaver’s demonstrated record of expanding the impact of a regional university is important to the regents and me, and we look forward to providing our full support as he leads SFA into its very promising future,” Milliken said.

Weaver holds a Doctor of Philosophy in organizational leadership from the University of Oklahoma, a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He and his wife, Kristi, have three sons and one granddaughter.

“From its incredible campus culture to a proud and devoted alumni base to its outstanding faculty and staff, Stephen F. Austin has all the tools necessary to be a powerful force in East Texas, within The University of Texas System, and across the entire state,” Weaver said. “Kristi and I are excited to join the Lumberjack Nation and help SFA realize its full potential and new levels of success.”

About Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 37 academic facilities, nine residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

About The University of Texas System

With 14 institutions that enroll over 256,000 students overall, the UT System is the largest university system in Texas and one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produced over 63,000 graduates last year and awarded more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as 60% of the state’s medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.6 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days in 2023. UT’s $4.3 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative, ranking No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the U.S. for federal research expenditures. With an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, UT institutions collectively employ more than 122,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and students.

The Intrepid Winds of the 323rd Army Band will perform a concert and conduct master classes with students when the ensemble visits the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University Monday, March 25.

Known as “Fort Sam’s Own,” the 323rd Army Band is a United States Army military band based at Fort Sam Houston/Joint Base San Antonio. The Intrepid Winds ensemble is a standard wind quintet plus bass clarinet. The group will conduct clinics for each of SFA’s three concerts bands, as well as master classes with applied music students.

“Their visit will be a nice opportunity for students to learn from performing professionals and to learn more about the music opportunities available through the military,” said Dr. Christina Guenther, professor of flute in the SFA School of Music.

Intrepid Winds includes Cpl. Andrew Simmons, flute; Sgt. Rebecca Cruz, oboe; Sgt. Corey White, clarinet; Sgt. David Bontemps, horn; Cpl. Rachel Braun, bassoon; and Sfc. Patrick Hanudel, bass clarinet. Their program will feature “Castle House Rag” by James Reese Europe, arranged by Hanudel; Fantasia and Fugue in A minor by Johann Sebastian Bach, arranged by Lowell E. Shaw; “Mladi” (“Youth”) by Leos Janacek; and “Sixtuor” by Jean Francaix.

The concert is at 6 p.m. in Cole Concert Hall, Wright Music Building, on the SFA campus. Admission is free. For more information, contact the SFA School of Music at (936) 468-4602.