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Dr. Joyce Johnston, director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s Pre-Law Academy, is one of two recipients of the Texas American Board of Trial Advocates 2018 Champion of Civil Justice Award.

Johnston received the award for her work with SFA’s Pre-Law Academy, an innovative weeklong summer program that introduces high school students to the exciting opportunities associated with a career in law.

During the academy, students interact with federal and state judges, participate in a mock trial competition, examine a simulated crime scene, meet law school admissions officers and more.

Johnston said she is humbled and honored to receive the award, and she hopes it shines light on the summer program, particularly further attracting individuals within the legal profession to share their time and expertise with participants.

State District Judge Kerry Russell of Tyler and Randi Russell, civil chief in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Texas, nominated Johnston for the award. Both Kerry and Randi have worked alongside Johnston, who has overseen the Pre-Law Academy at SFA since 2014.

“Dr. Johnston’s leadership and effort in developing the academy have resulted in a unique opportunity for students to be exposed to our justice system and gain insight into the legal profession,” Kerry Russell said. “She devotes countless hours each spring to update and refine the program to enhance the experience for students.”

For Johnston, the best part of the academy is watching students’ excitement grow throughout the week.

“It is a joy to observe high school students come to SFA and see their excitement when they encounter everything the academy has to offer,” Johnston said. “We aim to bring highly motivated teens to participate in this experience; however, many applicants lack the financial means to attend. Donors are a key element to the program. It’s through their generous donations that we are able to offer scholarships, which determine whether or not many exceptional students are able to participate.”

Although some students already are dedicated to becoming an attorney, others are just beginning to look into the legal profession.

“Whether or not they eventually pursue careers in law, students come away with essential lifelong skills, which will help them succeed in college and life,” Johnston said. “They spend a week thinking critically, reasoning and constructing arguments, and doing so with professionalism. These are all skills that go hand-in-hand with a strong liberal arts-based education.”

To learn more about SFA’s Pre-Law Academy, contact Johnston at jjohnston@sfasu.edu or (936) 468-6722.

By Emily Brown, marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The final concerts of the Chloé Trevor Music Academy summer series is underway on the Stephen F. Austin State University campus through Aug. 11.

For two weeks, the music academy has offered intensive study for more than 100 string players and pianists from across the country, offering one-on-one instruction, orchestral training and career guidance by the world’s premier soloists, teachers and conductors.

In addition to the instruction, the academy has presented public concerts by faculty and guest artists, of which the final four are this week. Featured artists have been the Aeolus Quartet, violinist Chee-Yun, pianists Christopher O’Riley and David Korevaar, and academy artistic director and founder Chloé Trevor.

This week’s final concert schedule features the Academy Fellowship Ensemble performing at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 8, and international violin soloist Chee-Yun performing works by Stravinsky, Saint-Saens and Piazzolla at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 9. The CTMA Student Chamber Music recital, with performances by all 18 chamber music ensembles at the academy, is at 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 10. This concert is free and open to the public.

The academy ends at 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 11, with an Orchestra Gala featuring all 100 participants and guest soloists, including Trevor and Chee-Yun performing works by Vivaldi, Grieg, Rimsky-Korsakov, Sarasate and Louis Prima and conducted by orchestra directors Kirk Trevor and Gene Moon.

Unless noted, tickets are $10 at the door, and students receive free admission. All concerts are held in Cole Concert Hall in the Wright Music Building on the SFA campus.

Stephen F. Austin State University Professor Dr. Linda Black received the World History Association’s Pioneers in World History Award, which annually recognizes distinguished scholars or educators.

“This is such a special honor because I began my career as a high school world history teacher and have been involved in this field for more than four decades,” said Black, who is a faculty member in the James I. Perkins College of Education’s Department of Secondary Education and Educational Leadership.

The World History Association is a professional association of scholars, teachers and students organized to promote world history by encouraging teaching, research, publications and personal interactions.

“I am so fortunate to have had the opportunity to work with outstanding university scholars and other educators who have helped develop a truly global vision for this field where students, no matter where they live, can see themselves and their cultures represented in history,” Black said.

Reflecting on her career, Black has experienced many milestones and academic achievements. She began as a high school teacher in San Antonio and later moved to Houston where she taught honors, gifted and talented, advanced placement, and English as a Second Language students.

“One of my favorite parts of teaching world history is the students’ excitement when they discover the human side of history, particularly the stories and the voices of the people involved,” Black said. “History is such a vital subject for helping understand the world around us, as well as for enabling students to develop lifelong, critical-thinking skills.”

Black has served in many capacities statewide, including the College Board Test Development committee that created the advanced placement world history course and the first two exams; and the World History Association Executive Council. Nationally, Black has been a member of the National Council for the Social Studies, National Center for History in the Schools and the Society for History Education.

As an educator, she continues to conduct research, publishing and editing articles, and serving on editorial boards. Her work has been published in myriad journals and textbooks.

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

Gathered around tables in a classroom of the Math Building, students and faculty from departments across the College of Sciences and Mathematics discussed the research – ranging from characterizing anticancer agents to investigating geologic structures – they have spent weeks conducting as part of the Summer Undergraduate Research Experience.

The results of this research will be showcased in a poster session open to the public at 2 p.m. Friday in the Math Building, Room 123.

According to Dr. Michael Janusa, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, the program helps students succeed after graduation.

“The program … will develop the critical skills needed for our students to be successful after graduation,” Janusa said.

An interdepartmental initiative, the program includes students from biology, chemistry, biochemistry, geology, physics, engineering and mathematics and funds 14 research projects for five weeks. After being paired with a faculty member, students spend 10 to 12 hours per week on research and attend weekly meetings with other participants to interact and participate in discussions.

Part of the program’s success can be attributed to its emphasis on cross-departmental learning, said SFA chemistry student Samuel Conlin.

“You get a lot of interaction with other professors in other fields,” said Conlin, a junior from Lufkin. “They have a lot of different ideas, and you get another angle on your research.”

For more information about the program, contact Janusa at janusama@sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.