Everything Nac

Dr. Candis Carraway, Stephen F. Austin State University assistant professor of agriculture, was named the 2020 Distinguished Young Educator by Non-land grant Agriculture and Renewable Resources Universities.

This national award recognizes meritorious teaching at a NARRU institution and is awarded after a rigorous application and evaluation process.

“I firmly believe Dr. Carraway is the epitome of a distinguished young educator,” said Dr. Joey Bray, chair of SFA’s Department of Agriculture. “She is a passionate educator who truly cares for each and every student she teaches and takes pride in mentoring our students and getting them to realize their true abilities.”

Carraway served as a secondary agricultural science teacher for 16 years before earning a doctoral degree in agricultural communications and education from Texas Tech University. She joined SFA in 2017 and teaches both undergraduate and graduate courses in agriculture. She also supervises all pre-service secondary agricultural science teachers.

Since joining SFA, Carraway has created two new courses to help strengthen SFA’s agriculture education curriculum and hosted SFA’s first Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education Animal Science Institute that was attended by agriculture educators from seven different states.

Carraway maintains a robust record of leadership, including, but not limited to, serving as the president for the Agricultural Consortium of Texas and membership on the board of directors for the Texas FFA Association. She also is co-chair for the SFA University Internship Strategy Committee, a member of the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture’s Undergraduate Research Committee and a member of the American Association of Agricultural Education Professional Development Committee.

This is the first time an SFA professor has received this honor. Carraway will be recognized at the NARRU annual meeting held virtually next month.

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 Percussion Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform works by Nathan Daughtrey, David Friedman, Armand Russell and other noted composers in a virtual concert at 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 2.

In its first concert of the fall semester, the ensemble, directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, associate professor of percussion at SFA, will also perform works by Joe W. Moore III, Korry Friend and Rüdiger Pawassar.

Daughtrey’s “Shock Factor,” which uses “tension-building ostinatos, hammer-like blows, and vocal contributions in which participants whisper, speak and yell,” according to John R. Raush in “Percussive Notes.” He also describes the piece as “dramatic” and “hard-driving.”

Friedman’s “Nyack” is one of his more complex works, showing the contrast between the improvised (or written) solos between the vibraphone/marimba duo, according to a description at steveweissmusic.com. Each “voice” is able to speak distinctly, while remaining within the framework of the piece.

Friend wrote “Moxie” as a master’s student at the University of North Carolina at Greensboro while studying with Dr. Eric Willie. The piece is in two sections, both primarily utilizing a minimalistic approach, according to the composer. The first section has a heavier sounding, more hip-hop based style, and the second section is more subdued and melodious. “This work was written as a gift to Dr. Eric Willie and the UNCG Percussion Ensemble, where the most valuable lesson I learned was to have ‘Moxie,'” Friend wrote.

Pawassar describes his “Sculpture 3” as “almost a classical sounding work, but resembles many harmonic structures found in ’70’s and ’80’s jazz.” The composer comments that when writing this work, it resembled to him “the making of a wood sculpture where, in drafts, many parts were cut off, added again, shifted and intertwined with one another.”

To access the live concert free of charge, go to https://youtu.be/3F3eVf9x5Qw. For additional information, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Nacogdoches community members who want to celebrate Latinx and Hispanic Heritage Month are invited to join an event hosted by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 29, outside at the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza.

Wilma Cordova, professor of social work, will deliver the keynote speech for the annual Noche de Gala.

“The event honors the Latinx and Hispanic culture through educational activities, performances, cultural cuisines, a keynote speaker and more,” said Andrea Flores, OMA student ambassador.

Cordova has taught at SFA since fall 2000 and has conducted research regarding displaced families following disaster, immigration issues, working with the elderly and HIV/AIDS in the rural context. She is a Court-Appointed Special Advocates board member and an American Red Cross mental health provider.

“Activities like Noche de Gala remind us to enjoy the diversity on our campus, within our community and in Texas,” Cordova said. “This is a night to meet, greet and unite. It is a night to look to the future and ponder how to move ahead in all aspects for the sake of creating a fair and just society for all.”

Her speech is titled “Hazlo,” a Spanish word meaning “do it.” Cordova’s message is meant to encourage listeners to take advantage of the opportunities created by the Latinx and Hispanic population and continue the momentum to advance all aspects of life such as economic, political, educational and leadership roles.

“This simple word, ‘hazlo,’ will remind us that what we do individually to improve and advance our lives should also improve and advance all humanity,” Cordova said.

Face masks and social distancing will be required throughout the event. For more information, visit www.sfasu.edu/oma.