Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University students received monetary awards — many donated by Nacogdoches-area financial institutions — during a recent ceremony.

Award recipients were chosen by faculty members from the Nelson Rusche College of Business’ Department of Economics and Finance.

“Students were selected based on their academic achievement in their coursework, engagement in research projects, participation in conferences, and pursuit of their future career goals — whether employment, entrepreneurship or graduate study,” said Dr. Mikhail Kouliavtsev, chair of the department.

Colby Keen, finance senior from Aubrey, received the Entrepreneurship Award, and Ethan Johnston, finance senior from Montgomery, received the Portfolio Management Award. Both awards were sponsored by Buchanan Wealth Management.

Other achievement award recipients included Barret Williams, economics junior from Wake Forest, North Carolina, who received the Asset Liability Management Award sponsored by Citizens 1st Bank; and Evan McDaniel, finance junior from Austin, who received the Financial Institutions Award sponsored by Cadence Bank.

The Economics Reading Group presented Williams with the Economic Pursuits Award, and Annie Johnston, business economics junior from Conroe, with the Economic Interest Award. Both awards were sponsored by the Institute for Humane Studies.

The High-Ranking Economics Major Award, sponsored by the Department of Economics and Finance, went to senior Jose Gonzalez of Lufkin. The High-Ranking Finance Junior and High-Ranking Finance Senior awards, both sponsored by Southside Bank, went to Russell Reid of Lufkin and Vivian Bivens of Granbury, respectively. Alexandria Cordero, senior from Lufkin, received the High-Ranking Banking Major Award from SFA’s Chadwick Banking Program.

Ethan Johnston received the Outstanding Economics/Finance Graduate Award sponsored by Austin Bank. Lani Berg, finance senior from The Colony; Anh Nguyen, economics senior from Vietnam; and Zola Westmoreland, accounting senior from Conroe, received the Undergraduate Scholar Award. Those awards were sponsored by the ECON 3339 Packet Fund.

The Involvement in Finance Award, sponsored by Commercial Bank of Texas, went to Alura Lovell, finance senior from Burleson.

For more information on these awards and SFA’s Department of Economics and Finance, visit sfasu.edu/ecofin.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

All six Stephen F. Austin State University colleges were represented by the students who pitched their business ideas at the fourth annual “Shark Tank”-style Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition April 25.

“I am continually amazed by the creativity, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit these students bring forward,” said Matthew Smilor, director of the Rusche College of Business’ Arnold Center for Entrepreneurship. “Each year, we see more viable, functional businesses taking shape — a true testament to the drive, talent and entrepreneurial zeal that SFA students possess.”

Contestants were judged on the market opportunities for their businesses as well as their situational awareness, pitches, business models and go-to-market strategies by three judges: Mark Quigley, principal at QHM Partners in Houston; Erika Tolar, SFA alumna and chief of staff and global director of sales at Shipcom.AI in Houston; and Hannah Willis, SFA alumna and owner and floral arranger at Both Bloom Studios in Nacogdoches.

“It was great fun and quite inspiring to see the future of Deep East Texas is in good hands with the thoughtful preparation and many viable startup businesses presented,” Quigley said.

The competition began with the lightning round, during which 12 students pitched their ideas. The judges narrowed down the contestants to five businesses for the final round.

“All ventures showcased impressive creativity and a strong entrepreneurial spirit that I know will take these contestants far,” Willis said. “I feel honored to have engaged with their bright ideas, and I hope our feedback contributes to their continued success.”

The first-place prize of $10,000 went to Banz Braiding, a hairstyling business that blends “affordability, trend-savvy technique and unmatched convenience — all from a dorm-room chair,” by Kamara Hutchins, sophomore computer information systems major from Fresno, Texas. David Lebaillif, senior electrical engineering major from Nacogdoches, earned the $5,000 second-place prize with Tilting Tiles, an innovative kinetic sculpture that “transforms any space into an immersive experience.” The $2,500 third-place prize went to Rory Price, entrepreneurship junior from Edgewood, for 2-Tier Bakery, which offers “delicious treats downstairs and baking classes, birthday parties, girls’ nights out and corporate team-building events upstairs.”

The honorable mention businesses that earned $1,250 each were Perfumes and More, by Francisco Bracho and William Thompson, entrepreneurship seniors from Houston and McKinney, respectively, and The Hydroponic Pantry, by Chloe Culver, forestry and agriculture senior from Argyle.

“The Lumberjack Entrepreneurship Competition was such a fun and inspiring experience,” Hutchins said. “It gave me the chance to share my business, connect with others and really lean into what makes my business unique. I stayed true to myself, worked hard, built on what I knew and let my passion speak — that made all the difference.”

To learn more about the competition, center and SFA’s entrepreneurship program, visit sfasu.edu/ace.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Fraternity and Sorority Life raised $11,770.88 to donate to their shared philanthropy, Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals, during Greek Week, an annual weeklong series of competitions.

“We’re proud not only of the friendly competition but of the heart our community showed this year,” said Dr. Lacey Folsom, director of Student Engagement. “Raising over $11,000 for Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals shows the power of our students when they come together for a cause greater than themselves.”

Students from 26 chapters participated in a variety of competitions that promoted unity, leadership, service and school spirit while making a meaningful impact in the community. All chapters raised a significant amount, but the top contributors were Sigma Tau Gamma and Chi Omega who raised $4,597.16 collectively, and Pi Kappa Alpha Fraternity and Alpha Chi Omega who raised $5,519.12.

For more information about SFA’s Fraternity and Sorority Life, visit gosfa.com/FSL.

ABOUT STEPHEN F. AUSTIN STATE UNIVERSITY

Stephen F. Austin State University, the newest member of The University of Texas System, began a century ago as a teachers’ college in Texas’ oldest town, Nacogdoches. Today, it has grown into a regional institution comprising six colleges — business, education, fine arts, forestry and agriculture, liberal and applied arts, and sciences and mathematics. Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, SFA enrolls approximately 11,000 students while providing the academic breadth of a state university with the personalized attention of a private school. The main campus encompasses 421 acres that include 40 academic facilities, 11 residence halls, and 68 acres of recreational trails that wind through its six gardens. The university offers more than 80 bachelor’s degrees, more than 40 master’s degrees and four doctoral degrees covering over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications