Everything Nac

Heather Samuelson and Haley Jameson, co-coordinators of Stephen F. Austin State University’s dance program, presented research at the Twelfth International Conference on the Arts in Society in Paris, France.

Samuelson’s poster presentation, “Expression of the Forbidden: Creating dance that explores eating disorders and self-mutilation,” is based on a dance she choreographed titled “M.E.,” which depicts eating disorders and self-mutilation.

The poster touched on various conference themes, including social, political and community agendas in the arts, gestures that matter, arts as activism, arts and disabilities, and arts, well-being and healing.

“The poster presentation brought to light several societal issues such as eating disorders, cutting and mental instability that affect many people,” Samuelson said. “By incorporating shared gestures with the issues presented, ‘M.E.’ promotes healing and awareness and opens the lines of expression and communication.”

Jameson’s poster, “Teaching Social Responsibility Through Dance Appreciation,” focused on her teaching practice in dance appreciation classes at SFA. Jameson uses social responsibility as the framework to look at dance through the lens of a non-discrimination statement in her dance appreciation courses.

“We look at dance and religion, politics, gender, race, nationality, ethnicity and ability,” Jameson said. “Through these lenses, we study how dance is used as an expression of these areas and how dance can be used to influence or effect social change.”

This conference was Samuelson’s first international presentation, which she describes as humbling and a great opportunity to connect with artists from around the world.

“We had the support of the university, as well as friends and family,” Samuelson said. “Having them back us, encourage our research, and know that we would well-represent SFA and the dance program made us feel proud to be Lumberjacks.”

Jameson agreed the conference was a tremendous opportunity.

“We were honored to represent SFA and the U.S. at this diverse conference for all the arts,” Jameson said. “I enjoyed participating in workshops and listening to presentations that enriched me as a professional in my field and also as a professor.”

During the conference, Samuelson and Jameson toured the Palace of Versailles and Palais Garnier, which is regarded as the birthplace of ballet.

“I can’t explain the feeling I experienced standing in the most historic building directly related to my profession,” Samuelson said. “Even now when I think about it, that feeling comes back. I can officially say, ‘I was there, and I danced … down a corridor!’”

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 10, in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St. Dr. Jennifer Cruse-Sanders, director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia, will present “The Greater Atlanta Pollinator Partnership: A Model of Urban Pollinator Conservation.”

Cruse-Sanders was made director of the State Botanical Garden of Georgia at the University of Georgia at the beginning of the year. Prior to February, she served as vice-president for science and conservation at the Atlanta Botanical Garden, where she launched the Center for Southeastern Conservation and helped to host the inaugural Southeastern Partners in Plant Conservation meeting.

Cruse-Sanders was the recipient of the 2016 Marsh Award for International Plant Conservation from Botanic Garden Conservation International, 2016 Carl N. Becker Stewardship Award from the Natural Areas Association, and the 2015 USDA Forest Service Wings Across the Americas International Award for Urban Communities in Conservation. She also has published numerous conservation articles with collaborators and students at botanical gardens and universities.

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 Pineywoods Native Plant Center and Raguet Elementary School, located at 2428 Raguet St.

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

Dr. John T. Moore, Stephen F. Austin State University professor emeritus of chemistry and biochemistry, will offer the commencement address during the university’s summer graduation ceremony Saturday, Aug. 12.

Moore served SFA for 46 years in various roles, including lab coordinator, assistant professor, associate professor, professor, and interim chair for both the chemistry and biology departments. During his tenure, he also helped establish the Teaching Excellence Center and served as its director for eight years.

Dr. Michael Janusa, professor and chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at SFA, said Moore has been a major influence within the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

“Through the years, Dr. Moore has contributed to the important mission of teacher preparation, and he has affected the overall quality of teachers in kindergarten through 12th grade and the quality of education for young minds,” Janusa said.

As a passionate educator, Moore academically challenged his students to foster critical-thinking skills.

“I tried to ensure that each of my students had the opportunity to develop the critical-thinking skills that allowed them to be successful in the area of chemistry,” Moore said. “I maintained high academic standards and tried to facilitate my students’ learning.”

While SFA students may recognize him for wearing a tie-dye lab coat, Moore also is prominently known outside the university for authoring several books, including “Chemistry for Dummies” and “Chemistry II for Dummies,” and serving as co-author of “Biochemistry for Dummies” and “Organic Chemistry II for Dummies.”

He was named the 2008-09 Regents Professor, which is the highest honor SFA may bestow upon a faculty member. Additionally, he was awarded the SFASU Foundation Faculty Excellence Award in Teaching in 2006 and the Teaching Excellence Award for the College of Sciences and Mathematics in 2002.

“Dr. Moore’s dedication to teaching and SFA is evident by the numerous teaching accomplishments he has achieved during his career at SFA, which is particularly distinguished by his work in science education,” Janusa said. “His knowledge has been shared across the world, and his achievements have brought honor to SFA, the College of Sciences and Mathematics, and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.”

Moore holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Asheville-Biltmore College (now the University of North Carolina — Asheville), a master’s degree in chemistry from Furman University and a doctoral degree from Texas A&M University.

SFA’s summer commencement ceremony will begin at 9:30 a.m. at Johnson Coliseum. Approximately 540 degrees are expected to be awarded, including 386 bachelor’s, 148 master’s and 10 doctoral degrees. More than 50 students are expected to graduate with honors, including 17 cum laude, 16 magna cum laude, 17 summa cum laude and eight university scholars.