Everything Nac

The Sylvans team, comprising 17 SFA students, competed in seven different physical

events against the University of Arkansas at Monticello and Louisiana Tech University.

The Sylvans placed first in the women’s bowsaw and Jack and Jill crosscut; second in

the single buck crosscut, axe throw and men’s bowsaw; and third in the double-buck

crosscut and underhand chop.

Additionally, Tyler Jones, Sylvans team member and current holder of the Southern

Forestry Conclave axe-throwing record, took fifth place in the professional division of the axe-throwing competition.

Ken Bragg, SFA alumnus, past Sylvans president and member of the Arkansas State

House of Representatives, officiated the competition. The event also was organized by

SFA alumnus Karl Hansen, among others.

Story by Sarah Fuller, outreach coordinator for Stephen F. Austin State University’s

Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture. Contact information: (936) 468-1185

or fullersa@sfasu.edu.

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