Dr. Bob Szafran, former department chair and professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, will offer the commencement address during the university’s two graduation ceremonies, Saturday, Aug. 7.
Szafran received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Joining the SFA faculty in 1983, he has served in a variety of roles, including assistant dean and interim dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. Szafran also served as a Regents Professor of Sociology.
Graduates and their guests must present tickets to enter Johnson Coliseum for commencement. Tickets are free but will help university officials ensure the venue is not overcrowded and adequate spacing can be maintained during the event. Each graduate will be allotted one ticket for themselves and a maximum of 15 guest tickets.
Candidates from the James I. Perkins College of Education and 2020 May and August graduates will participate in a 9:30 a.m. ceremony.
Candidates from the Rusche College of Business, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in a 12:30 p.m. ceremony.
Degrees to be awarded include 328 bachelor’s, 134 master’s and six doctoral degrees. Approximately 61 students will graduate with honors, including 31 cum laude, nine magna cum laude and 21 summa cum laude. Four will graduate with the university scholar designation.
The ceremony will be livestreamed on the SFA Facebook page, facebook.com/sfasu. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/commencement.
