Everything Nac

“Something To Chew On” is Stephen F. Austin State University’s Office of Multicultural Affairs’ newest series, which is designed to stimulate open dialogue about current issues among the campus community.

The series’ first installment is scheduled from noon to 1:30 p.m. Sept. 19 at the Baker Pattillo Student Center Plaza, with the second event planned for Oct. 17. The series is free and open to SFA students, faculty, staff and the community.

“The idea is to introduce topics and ideas that provoke deeper thinking,” said Veronica Beavers, OMA director. “We want students to learn something from the discussions and walk away with a different point of view.”

The first event will focus on “Equality: What does it really mean?” and will feature videos to offer different perspectives on the issue. Participants also will be able to engage in interactive activities, and food and prizes will be offered.

Kristine Cross, OMA student ambassador and event coordinator, hopes “Something To Chew On” is a catalyst for open discussion and change.

“The event’s purpose is to encourage participants to learn how they can demonstrate diversity and open mindedness in their daily and professional lives,” Cross said.

For more information, contact the OMA at (936) 468-1073 or multiculturalcenter@sfasu.edu.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Military veterans, ROTC members and their guests are invited to attend a social for community veterans, sponsored by Stephen F. Austin State University’s Veterans Resource Center, from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12, at Maklemore’s Ale House and Bistro, located at 2304 North St.

Joe Cuellar, a veteran of the U.S. Army and singer/songwriter from Lufkin, will perform a medley of songs, some his original music, from genres ranging from folk to country. There is no cover charge, and free appetizers (until they are gone) will be provided.

“SFA has a large population of students who also are veterans,” John Fontenot, VRC coordinator, said. “Our community’s military men and women have a strong bond — they are like a family. Through this event, we hope to help connect those who have served our country and provide them with an opportunity to network, relax and have fun.”

For more information about the social, contact Fontenot at (936) 468-6494.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 13 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Dr. Kathryn “Kiki” Fontenot, Louisiana State University’s AgCenter vegetable extension specialist, will present, “You Say Tomato, I Say Tomahto; Let’s Cut the Whole Thing Off.”

Fontenot received her doctoral degree in horticulture from Louisiana State University in 2009. Her job assignments as extension specialist include working with school gardeners, home gardeners and commercial vegetable producers, or as she explains, “basically, helping anyone in Louisiana growing tomatoes!”

Fontenot is a regular contributor to the monthly magazine Louisiana Gardener and recently authored “The Louisiana Urban Gardener: A Beginners Guide to Growing Vegetables and Herbs.”

The Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series is held the second Thursday of each month and includes a rare-plant raffle after the program. The lecture is free and open to the public, but donations to the Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

For more information, call (936) 468-4129, or email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.