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Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies have announced the recipients of its 2021 Graduate Research Conference awards.

“We were very proud at the quality of work presented during this year’s Graduate Research Conference,” said Dr. Pauline Sampson, dean of SFA’s Office of Research and Graduate Studies. “All participants worked so hard, in especially trying times, to create thoughtful pieces that add much to their respective fields.”

Forty-eight graduate students presented during this year’s GRC, which was held virtually. The conference began in 2013 as an event sponsored by the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. In 2016, it became a university-wide conference open to all SFA graduate students.

“We aim for this event to celebrate our graduate students’ research and creative work,” said Dr. Sarah Savoy, an associate professor in SFA’s Department of Psychology and GRC co-coordinator. “Most importantly, it builds students’ confidence in public speaking and thinking on their feet.”

Best Paper

Lenora Perkins, a Corpus Christi native and student in the College of Sciences and Mathematics’ Department of Geology, won best paper for her piece, “Using Electrical Methods and Traditional Survey Techniques to Delineate Potential Karst Features Along FM 2185, Culberson County, Texas.”

The paper was an excerpt from her master’s thesis. Her Department of Geology advisors were Dr. Wesley Brown, chair; and Dr. Kevin Stafford, associate professor.

“I frequently struggle with imposter syndrome,” Perkins said, “So, all the doubts that I have about my talent as a scientist, as a researcher, and my skills as a writer are all silenced by this award.”

In her research, Perkins used electrical resistivity methods, as well as traditional survey techniques, to search for karst features that have the potential to become problematic geohazards along the proposed route of FM 2185 in Culberson County, Texas. Examples of such karst features include sinkholes, solution-widened fractures and caves. The data she collected can prove essential in geohazard mitigation along FM 2185 and the improvement of roadway design.

“I have always believed that presenting research at conferences is beneficial to students because it allows us to work on our presentation skills, provides an opportunity to grow our network and allows us to share our research with those not in our field,” Perkins said. “It is a true talent and necessary skill to be able to convey our research to other people and for them to understand us.”

Best Poster

Ashley Wahlberg, a Houston native and student in the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, won best poster for her dissertation, “Mechanisms of Establishment of the Non-Native Brown Widow Spider (Latrodectus geometricus) into a Native Spider Community.”

Her advisor was Dr. Christopher M. Schalk, assistant professor of forest wildlife management.

“Winning this award has given me satisfaction in knowing that my hard work is paying off,” Wahlberg said. “I have a full-time job on top of my research and classes, and it gets to be overwhelming at times.”

Wahlberg’s dissertation and the poster she created for it discusses how the non-native brown widow spider fits into the local spider community. Specifically, she explores the mechanisms that allowed the brown widow to establish itself in East Texas and how its presence affects native species.

“The GRC is a great place for faculty members from all across the university to see what research is being done in other departments,” Wahlberg said. “It also provides students a place to practice presenting in a formal setting and receiving feedback from students and advisors, which is very helpful when preparing to attend larger conferences.”

To view all 2021 GRC presentations, visit sfasu.edu/grc2021.

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

Chartwells Higher Education, a food-service company providing dining options to 300 higher education institutions around the country, will begin preparing and serving meals to Stephen F. Austin State University Lumberjacks July 1, replacing Aramark.

Chartwells is the food service provider for several Texas universities, including Texas State University, the University of Texas at Dallas and Texas A&M University at College Station.

The decision for SFA to transition to Chartwells came after a request for proposal and a thorough selection process that included input from students, faculty, staff and administrators.

SFA’s Board of Regents reviewed feedback submitted by the RFP evaluation committee during its quarterly meeting in April and selected Chartwells as its preferred partner. The partnership will provide added meal plan flexibility, greater menu variety and an innovative retail dining experience. SFA’s contract with Chartwells will last seven years.

“Cooked-from-scratch foods, menus developed by season, supporting farmers by sourcing locally, and offering vegan, vegetarian and allergen-friendly options are all trademarks of Chartwells,” said Carrie Charley, SFA director of auxiliary services. “The new dining program will be rebranded as Lumberjack Eats, representing a fresh, student-centric approach to campus dining. Lumberjacks can look forward to a refreshed dining experience with new dining stations in the Baker Pattillo Student Center and East College Dining Hall.”

“The G8 station will be a fresh addition to both dining halls,” Charley said. “It will offer menu selections prepared without the eight major allergens, including wheat. Throughout the dining halls, Chartwells’ menu and nutrition labeling system will help guests make safe and healthy choices.”

For fall, students can expect to see their favorite national brands, including Chick-fil-A, Starbucks and Einstein Bros. Bagels. New additions to retail dining include Jax Burger, serving burgers, tots and shakes, and Above the Board, featuring customizable, made-to-order salads and sandwiches.

All meal plans will remain the same in structure through June 2022. SFA and Chartwells will work collaboratively to develop future meal plan options that provide the best value and flexibility for SFA students, faculty and staff.

Hourly Aramark associates currently working at SFA will receive an employment offer from Chartwells that meets or exceeds their current wage, pending background check, Charley said. SFA will continue to have its own registered dietitian, whose services are free to students, and a new executive chef employed by Chartwells will work with SFA stakeholders to develop new menu items and dining options across campus.

“The SFA community can look forward to a culinary experience that emphasizes quality, made-to-order food, menu customization and value,” said Shannon Mariani, regional vice president for Texas, Chartwells Higher Education. “With ongoing feedback from students and the SFA community, our chefs will create menus Lumberjacks will crave. Diverse and authentic flavors will be infused into stations, and scratch cooking will define the foundation of the dining program. Beyond the plate, we look forward to engaging guests with culinary education through our Teaching Kitchen program and creating memorable experiences through innovative dining events.”

Students are encouraged to apply for campus dining positions. Additionally, Chartwells will launch a Student Success internship program, which provides student access to hands-on work in community health and wellness, hospitality management, marketing, social responsibility and sustainability.

Chartwells also will explore partnerships with departments across campus to build greater opportunities for career exploration with Chartwells and Compass Group, Chartwells’ parent company.

Questions regarding SFA’s transition to Chartwells can be emailed to LumberjackEats@sfasu.edu or to Charley at carrie.charley@sfasu.edu.