Everything Nac

Kay Jenkins, SFA Gardens environmental education programs coordinator, is hosting a Saturday Science Adventure beginning at 9 a.m. May 11 at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center.

Attendees will learn how botanists identify plants using characteristics such as overall size, leaf shape, flower parts and more. Participants will be encouraged to use their observation skills and build their appreciation for the biodiversity and beauty of the natural world around them as they participate in a guided tour of the gardens.

After the guided tour, attendees are invited to stay and create a card or gift for mothers with materials and suggestions offered by the SFA Gardens staff and volunteers.

“When we think of Mother’s Day, we usually think of flowers, and the SFA Gardens is all about beautiful flowers and plants,” Jenkins said. “The Botany Bliss workshop, conveniently timed for the day before Mother’s Day, provides visitors an opportunity to create memories and a botanically inspired card or gift for mom while also learning about the diversity of plants found in East Texas.”

The event is free; however, donations to support environmental education activities at the SFA Gardens are appreciated. Complete the registration survey at gosfa.com/botanybliss to help staff members make sure adequate materials and volunteers are available to conduct the activities.

Parking is available at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, 2900 Raguet St., or Raguet Elementary School, 2708 Raguet St.

For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.

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.

The Contemporary Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will stream the ensemble’s recorded works on the SFA School of Music’s YouTube Channel at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 2.

To celebrate the opening of the Sound Recording Technology program’s new recording studios in the Griffith Fine Arts Building, the Contemporary Ensemble most recently focused on producing recorded works, according the James Adams, SRT associate professor and director of the Contemporary Ensemble.

In this streamed event, the Contemporary Ensemble performs works by Winnona Oak, Daft Punk, Zach Byran, Jack Johnson and Nine Inch Nails, among others.

“These recorded works showcase the talented members of the Contemporary Ensemble and the impressive capabilities of SFA’s new sound recording studios,” Adams said.

Aiyanna Riley, graduate student from the Austin area, is assistant director of the ensemble.

For additional information about the SRT program at SFA, contact Adams at (936) 468-4435 or adamsjf@sfasu.edu.

Michael McBroom has been appointed director of athletics at Stephen F. Austin State University by Interim President Gina Oglesbee and The University of Texas System. Currently serving as director of athletics at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, McBroom will officially join the Department of Athletics on May 15.

“We are excited about the future of Lumberjack athletics under McBroom’s leadership,” Oglesbee said. “His proven ability to build championship-worthy programs — both on the playing surfaces and in the classroom — aptly matches the goals of SFA Athletics and the university.”

McBroom brings a wealth of experience and a proven track record to SFA Athletics, serving as an athletics administrator for 25 years — 18 of those as an athletics director at WTAMU Athletics. Under his tutelage, WTAMU Athletics soared to new heights and achieved an impressive list of accomplishments, including:

nine national championships and over 100 Lone Star Conference and NCAA Regional Championships
nearly $100 million invested in constructing and renovating athletics facilities
generated more than $40 million in external support, significantly enhancing scholarships, facilities and team operating budgets
spearheaded initiatives that resulted in a 37% improvement in the academic success rate and GPAs of student-athletes
and set new attendance and ticket sales records across all sports.

Under his leadership, the WTAMU athletic department also finished inside the top 10 of the NCAA Division II Directors Cup every year since 2013 and became the first LSC institution to provide full scholarship funding for all women’s teams.

“I am incredibly grateful to Interim President Oglesbee, Damon Derrick and the search committee for the opportunity to serve the Lumberjacks as director of athletics at Stephen F. Austin State University,” McBroom said. “I have been so impressed by the people I have met thus far and the genuine passion and commitment they have demonstrated for the university and the athletics program.”

McBroom’s strategic focus is building championship-caliber programs, enhancing the academic performance of student-athletes and fostering lasting relationships within the community. His previous committee roles include chair positions on both the NCAA Division II Football Committee and the NCAA Division II Men’s Basketball Committee, demonstrating his respected voice in collegiate sports.

“This is a dynamic time in college athletics, and our job is to set the stage so that we can achieve an unprecedented level of success across the board,” McBroom said. “SFA is going to carve out a niche that results in record numbers of championships, graduates and support for all teams and all student-athletes. My family and I can’t wait to get to Nacogdoches and start this exciting new chapter.”

McBroom earned a Bachelor of Arts in advertising from Southern Methodist University and a Master of Sports Science from the United States Sports Academy. His deep roots in the Texas Panhandle and his family’s longstanding connection to the region have imbued him with a strong sense of community and commitment.

SFA’s search for a new director was conducted in partnership with Cardinal Grange, a leading professional search firm. The firm, under the guidance of Jim Nichols, leveraged its extensive network and expertise to support SFA in this crucial appointment. The team at Cardinal Grange, including industry veteran Tim McMurray, provided invaluable insights throughout the selection process.

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
The University of Texas System has enhanced the lives of Texans and individuals worldwide through its commitment to education, research and health care for 140 years. With 14 institutions collectively enrolling over 254,000 students, the UT System stands as one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions annually produce over 66,000 graduates and award more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as over 60% of the state’s medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.7 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days last year. The UT System’s $3.8 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative and ranks No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the nation for federal research expenditures. The UT System has an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024 and employs more than 116,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and student workers.

By University Marketing Communications and SFA Athletics

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Art and the Friends of the Visual Arts will show a selection of short films by current SFA students as a feature of the Friday Night Film Series starting at 7 p.m. Friday, May 3, at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House.

Students whose work will be showcased are Armando Silvas Jr., graduate film student from Cleveland; Skye Davis, graduate film student from Tyler; Jacey Harwell, a December 2023 alumnus from Tool; Bella Jace-Moreno, a senior film student from Pearland; Carson Fowler, a senior film student from Tomball; J.Abbie Holt, a senior film student from Tomball; Abram Morales, a senior film student from Center; Bryce Allen, a senior film student from Spring; Nicholas Egizio, a junior film student from Plano; Harvery Fleming, a sophomore film student from Houston; Dawson Henderson, a sophomore film student from Mabank; and Elizabeth Molano, a sophomore film student from Fort Worth.

Selected films were produced in the graduate, advanced and intermediate filmmaking courses, documentary film and short film production in fall 2023 or spring 2024 semesters.

The Friday Night Film Series is made possible in part by support from the Friends of the Visual Arts and filmmaking Professor William Arscott.

The Cole Art Center, SFA’s historic downtown gallery, is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information, call (936) 468-1131.