Everything Nac

The Stone Fort Museum on the campus of Stephen F. Austin State University will host an evening of poetry, food and traditional crafts during “Esperanza’s Night Out” beginning at 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 22.

The event is in being held in collaboration with the Nacogdoches Public Library’s Big Read grant and is an exploration of Sandra Cisneros’ novel, “A House on Mango Street,” and the novel’s heroine and narrator, Esperanza Cordero.

Following popular themes from the book, participants will try the refreshing beverage agua fresca de mango, learn to use mango skins to dye textiles and try their hand at calligraphy. They also will get a chance to find Esperanza’s office in the temporary installation, “Click, Clack, Interact,” to write their own vignette on a vintage typewriter.

Attendees can enjoy a poetry slam or participate in a competition to speak out like Esperanza. Register as a contestant for the poetry slam at the museum on the day of the event. For more information on cash prizes and guidelines, call the museum at (936) 468-2408 or visit https://bit.ly/PoetrySlamSFM.

SFA students in the School of Human Sciences’ hospitality administration program, led by faculty members Drs. Donna Fickes and Gina Fe Causin, will provide refreshments.

The Big Read is a program of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with Arts Midwest and is designed to broaden our understanding of the world, communities and ourselves through the joy of sharing a good book. The program’s goal is to inspire conversation and discovery among community members and revitalize the role of reading in American culture.

The event is free and will be held inside the museum and underneath a tent on the north lawn. For more information or to volunteer to help with the event, contact stonefort@sfasu.edu.

By Nathan Wicker, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Arthur Temple

College of Forestry and Agriculture will host its sixth annual NacogdoTREES

competition, a free communitywide contest celebrating the natural beauty of

Nacogdoches, from Oct. 8 through Nov. 30.

“The goal of NacogdoTREES is to highlight the importance of urban and community

trees, raise awareness of their ecological benefits, introduce the community to the field

of forestry and encourage citizens to spend time outdoors,” said Sarah Fuller, outreach

coordinator for SFA’s Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture.

The competition includes categories for largest tree circumference, largest crown, tallest

tree, best shade tree and best overall tree. Prizes will be awarded for each category.

Faculty members developed videos to teach some basic forestry measurements,

including tree height and crown spread. The videos are available on the competition’s

webpage to guide participants through the process.

“Keep in mind that it’s not just all about numbers and measurements,” Fuller said. “The

best overall tree may be the tree with the best story, the most fans or simply just the

most beautiful. We really hope NacogdoTREES encourages people to visit some of our

amazing city parks and the SFA campus.”

Trees eligible for submission must be located on the SFA campus, properties managed

by Nacogdoches Parks and Recreation or on the entrant’s personal property.

For competition guidelines, an entry form, area maps and resources, visit sfasu.edu/nacogdotrees. For more information, contact Fuller at

fullersa@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-1185.

Dr. Raymond J. Jones III, Stephen F. Austin State University assistant professor of entrepreneurship in the Rusche College of Business, will serve as the interviewer for the third installment of the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series, featuring “Shark Tank” star, entrepreneur and FUBU founder Daymond John.

Jones has a PhD in management from the University of North Texas, an MBA from St. Bonaventure University, and a BA in political science from Mercyhurst College. Before arriving at SFA in 2019, Jones was a professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Jones also has extensive experience in the private sector, including starting his own businesses, serving as a board member and consultant for entrepreneurial companies, and several years working in the finance sector. He currently teaches courses in entrepreneurship, business policy and strategic management.

The lecture takes place at 7:30 p.m., Oct. 28 in Kennedy Auditorium. After a private VIP reception, Jones will sit with John for a Q&A, primarily focused on John’s core of expertise – building companies and brands.

“Daymond is an authentic American entrepreneur,” Jones said. “He found his passion, followed it relentlessly, and convinced other people that his vision was worthy of their support. Having now been successful for three decades, Daymond has what it takes to deliver a compelling lecture that should inspire both students and faculty. I look forward to hearing what he has to say and consider it an honor to share the stage with him.”

John established streetwear brand FUBU in the early 1990s and has been on an upswing ever since. He is celebrating his 12th season as an original cast member on ABC’s Emmy Award-winning business reality show “Shark Tank.” John is also an author of five bestselling books, including New York Times’ bestsellers “The Power of Broke” and “Rise and Grind,” and recently released the Audible Original, “Founding FUBU.”

The Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series is free and open to the public. Tickets are available at Nacogdoches’ Charles Bright Visitor Center, 200 E. Main St., or on campus at the Baker Pattillo Student Center information desk. For more information about the lecture series, visit sfasu.edu/rusche.

By Richard Massey, Senior Marketing Communications Specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs will host an event celebrating one of the most life-changing moments for individuals in the LGBTQ+ community as part of its National Coming Out Day celebration.

“National Coming Out Day is an annual awareness day to support members of the LGBTQ+ community who have publicly come out,” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “By supporting and encouraging those within the community to share their story, our hope is that others in the community will feel they are able to live their lives openly and safely.”

The come-and-go event will feature giveaways and snacks provided by the OMA. Members of SFA’s LGBTQ+ Equality Caucus also will be present with informational resources.

“Celebrating National Coming Out Day is important not only in upholding our mission to create a welcoming campus, but also so that our students within the LGBTQ+ community know they are supported and see that support in action,” Beavers added.

The national event began Oct. 11, 1988, exactly one year after half a million people participated in the March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights, according to the Human Rights Campaign website.

The National Coming Out Day celebration will be from noon to 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 11, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza. The event is free, and the public is invited to attend.

For more information on OMA events, visit sfasu.edu/oma.

By Christine Broussard, marketing communications coordinator at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The Stephen F. Austin State University College of Sciences and Mathematics recognized Dr. Harry Downing, professor and former chair of the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy, for the generous gift of support he made to the college in honor of his late wife.

The Harry and Carolyn Downing Physics Resource Commons and the Harry and Carolyn Downing Engineering Resource Commons were unveiled during a ceremony celebrating the legacy his support will leave for students in the college. The rooms offer students a workplace to use between and after classes, as well as lounging areas complete with refrigerator and microwave access. His gift will also be used to support scholarships for students in physics and engineering.

“For many years, spaces like this have proven very valuable academically to our students, and because of the proximity to the department’s faculty offices, more academic bonding has occurred between our students and faculty,” Downing said. “I am very thankful many of the upper administration and the Board of Regents attended the dedication, and I was touched by their presence and words.”

Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA president; David Alders, SFA regent from Nacogdoches; and Dr. Kimberly Childs, dean of the College of Sciences and Mathematics, spoke at the ceremony.

“Together, Harry and Carolyn have made a tremendous impact on the lives of our students through their generosity,” Childs said. “By naming the Harry and Carolyn Downing PRC and the Harry and Carolyn Downing ERC, it provides our students with a memorable space for them to gather together, study and enjoy.”

Visit sfasu.edu/physics to learn more about the Department of Physics, Engineering and Astronomy.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University