SFA to host second-annual Giving Day Sept. 15

Lumberjacks near and far as well as friends of Stephen F. Austin State University are encouraged to participate in the university’s second-annual Giving Day scheduled for Sept. 15.

The fundraising event falls three days before the university’s 99th anniversary — SFA welcomed its inaugural class of students on Sept. 18, 1923. Therefore, the theme #LogYourLegacy encourages Lumberjacks to celebrate that nearly century-long legacy by giving in support of the university’s future.

“Coinciding with the university’s anniversary, Giving Day provides a perfect opportunity to celebrate SFA while simultaneously investing in its future,” said Trey Turner, executive director of SFA’s Office of Development. “The donated funds received on Giving Day will be directed to immediate projects and initiatives, as well as help fund endowments that will serve future students for years to come.”

Some areas donors may consider helping include colleges or departments from which they graduated, student organizations of which they were a part, athletics, scholarships and more.

“As we look back at everything that has made SFA a leader in higher education, we know our alumni, friends, faculty, staff and students are who make this institution so incredible,” said Kathleen Thompson, coordinator for annual giving.

A Facebook event page will go live in the upcoming weeks, and everyone interested can follow Giving Day announcements and updates on SFASU Foundation’s Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts. Campaign progress will be actively updated for the @SFASUfoundation on these pages. Athletics will also be sharing content, as will SFA’s main social media accounts.

The goal for Giving Day is to raise $125,000. Donations can be made online during the day through Giving Day platforms, and links will be provided through emails and shared on social media. All donations are tax deductible.

For more information about SFA’s Giving Day, contact Turner at turnertrey@sfasu.edu.

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August 23, 2022: NPD Crime Report

NPD Crime Report

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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August 23, 2022: Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Crime Log

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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August 23, 2022: Nacogdoches County Booking Report

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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Nacogdoches County Burn Ban Terminated

Nacogdoches County Burn Ban Terminated

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August 22, 2022: NPD Crime Report

NPD Crime Report

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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August 22, 2022: Nacogdoches Sheriff’s Crime Log

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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August 22, 2022: Nacogdoches County Booking Report

This is the report from the Nacogdoches County Jail that lists the arrests made from 6 a.m. of the previous day to 6 a.m. of the listed day.

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SFA’s Griffith Fine Arts Building construction progressing as planned

 Construction continues at Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus with an estimated move-in phase during summer 2023 and classes underway in fall 2023.

Construction continues at Griffith Fine Arts Building on the SFA campus with an estimated move-in phase during summer 2023 and classes underway in fall 2023.

Progress continues on the much-anticipated renovation and expansion of the Griffith Fine Arts Building on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus with an estimated mid-2023 completion date just under a year away.

University and construction officials remain optimistic that current deadlines can be met, and that the building will be ready for occupancy prior to the start of the 2023-24 academic year, as planned.

As the project moves forward, spaces within the outwardly visible exterior walls are becoming more defined as the state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, offices, studios and theatres that designers and fine arts faculty and staff had envisioned, according to Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of the Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts.

“Not that long ago, I would look out my window at the deep, muddy pool that had been placed between the Griffith Fine Arts Building and College Street, and all I could think was ‘what a mess,'” Wurtz said. “Now, I walk through the building, and the progress is stunning. Most of the spaces are framed out, and you get a true perspective of the scope of the project, and you realize that SFA is fully committed to supporting the fine arts and fine arts education. That is a spectacular feeling.”

The Fine Arts Expansion Initiative is extending the Griffith building along North Street. The project includes renovations to W.M. Turner Auditorium, and the building will also feature two dance studios, two new theatres, recording studio, sound stage, audio and video editing rooms, an art gallery, multiple classrooms, rehearsal facilities, faculty offices and the offices of the College of Fine Arts dean. The facilities will house the ECFA’s sound recording technology, filmmaking, theatre, dance and musical theatre programs.

Jessica DeWitt, assistant director of construction for the SFA Physical Plant and Griffith project manager, said that despite initial delays pertaining to weather and supply chain issues, the project remains on course.

“To everyone’s credit, the project is still on track for its original completion dates and is expected to deliver all of the exciting new spaces as originally intended,” DeWitt said. “We are looking at a March 2023 construction completion date followed by an extensive move-in period. Following a summer move-in, the building is expected to open for classes in Fall 2023.”

DeWitt credited project management teams – KDW, Kirksey Architecture, Project Control, Physical Plant, SFA Design Center and ECFA staff – for working tirelessly over the last year to stay on top of schedule milestones and ahead of potential risks to maintain momentum.

“However, I believe the toughest challenges are in front of us,” she said. “Last year was about specifications and selections that avoided hard-to-get materials. This year, there are pieces of equipment that are not available or manufacturers simply will not commit to making available by building opening. We are leaning hard on the flexibility I referenced last year, putting our heads together, reaching out to our sources, and tackling these issues every day.”

Over the next year, the project management team will be “busy as ever,” but the results will be hard to see from the outside, DeWitt said.

“Passersby now see an almost fully constructed new building and exterior improvements underway,” she said. “The visual presence of large equipment and workers onsite is waning. However, this is not cause for concern, because more work than ever is ongoing inside the building.”

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SFA announces Hays Consolidated Independent School District as Distinguished High School Program partner

Stephen F. Austin State University's interim president Dr. Steve Westbrook and Hays Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright, both seated, sign an agreement naming Hays CISD as a partner in the university's Distinguished High School Program.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s interim president Dr. Steve Westbrook and Hays Consolidated Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Eric Wright, both seated, sign an agreement naming Hays CISD as a partner in the university’s Distinguished High School Program.

Stephen F. Austin State University announced its naming of Hays Consolidated Independent School District as a partner chosen for inclusion in the university’s Distinguished High School Program during a recent signing event.

This partnership means that top-ranking graduates from high schools in the district will be automatically eligible for scholarships worth up to $20,000. Inclusion in the program also means all Hays students may waive the $50 application fee, and seniors ranking in the top 30% of their class are guaranteed admission to SFA.

“I’m proud of how many barriers our Distinguished High School Program is able to break down for students wishing to continue their educational journey,” said interim SFA President Dr. Steve Westbrook. “It’s one more layer in SFA’s expansive approach to making higher education affordable and accessible, and we’re thrilled to welcome Hays CISD as a partner excited to join us in that pursuit.”

Students from partner schools automatically receive scholarship money for up to four years based on their class rank. Of those who apply to SFA from distinguished program schools, students ranking in the top 10% of their class will receive $5,000 per year, and students ranking in the 11-25% of their class with a 3.0 GPA or higher will receive $3,000 per year. Submission of a scholarship application is not required.

“I am proud that our district is partnering with SFA and that all of our high schools have been designated as SFA Distinguished High School campuses. The opportunity this will create for our students is extraordinary,” said Dr. Eric Wright, Hays CISD superintendent of schools and three-time SFA graduate. “Our students will have access to a world-class university, and they’ll benefit from the specialized attention and assistance provided to them. As an alumnus, I can personally attest to the outstanding caliber of SFA. Go Lumberjacks!”

Benefits also include additional financial aid assistance to students with high financial need; a special, tailored campus visit; and an assigned admissions counselor to serve students throughout the college-enrollment process.

For more information about applying to SFA, visit sfasu.edu/apply or call (936) 468-2504.

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