Everything Nac

Stephen F. Austin State University students traveled to England, Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands for a behind-the-scenes look at international media.

Students enrolled in SFA’s Department of Mass Communication’s Meet the Media course toured media organizations while abroad, including TV stations, public relations and advertising agencies, and magazine headquarters.

Dr. John Hendricks, chair of the Department of Mass Communication, expressed the benefits this experience afforded students.

“Students are exposed to vastly different cultures and experiences, which significantly broadens their understanding of and place in a global society,” Hendricks said. “Experiential learning such as an international study abroad trip motivates students to establish larger professional goals.”

During the first week, students explored London, England, and met with industry professionals from diverse media. Students toured VCCP, a creative marketing company; Chime Communications Limited, a marketing services company; Political Lobbying and Media Relations, one of Britain’s fastest-growing communications companies; Leo Burnett Company, an American globally active advertising company that is one of the largest agency networks; and Chartered Institute of Public Relations, one of the largest member organizations for public relations practitioners outside of North America.

For Sarah Fontenot, SFA senior public relations major from China, Texas, touring PLMR and the Leo Burnett Company introduced her to career opportunities.

“This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. At Leo Burnett Company, professionals discussed advertising campaigns they have worked on such as McDonald’s. It was impressive and made me excited for the future because this is what I want to do in my career,” Fontenot said.

Additionally, students visited Time Out magazine, a leading global media and entertainment business that inspires and enables people to experience the best of cities, according to the magazine’s website. SFA students toured the magazine’s editorial and advertising process and engaged in a question-and-answer session with employees.

Although he is a radio/TV major, Bobby Mauro, a senior from The Woodlands, said he enjoyed learning about different media outlets.

“It was interesting to see Time Out magazine and other media options. We learned how staff members create a cover and social media content,” Mauro said.

Broadcast media also was on the agenda. Students had a behind-the-scenes look at Sky News, a 24-hour international multimedia news company based in the United Kingdom that provides news on TV, online and mobile devices.

“Sky News, the equivalent of America’s Fox News or CNN, was most impressive, and our students were able to see firsthand how an international television news network covered the queen’s speech on the opening day of Parliament,” Hendricks said.

No visit to London is complete without sightseeing. In London’s West End, students participated in a walking tour on Fleet Street and viewed the Bride’s Church, known as the journalist’s church, and the Daily Express and the Daily Telegraph buildings. Also, students saw Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, Saint Paul’s Cathedral, the Tower of London and Kensington Palace.

“The trip was exciting and intriguing,” Mauro said. “I have German and English heritage, so it was cool to walk where my ancestors walked. I was really excited about the historical aspects of the trip.”

During their second week abroad, students traveled to Belgium, Germany and Amsterdam. In Belgium, students took a walking tour of Brussels, the country’s capital and administrative center of the European Union, and Bruges, a historic location known for its architecture and arts.

Students walked Cologne, Germany, where they viewed Kölner Dom, Germany’s largest cathedral, as well as other historical buildings and picturesque locations. Here, the group also toured the German TV station n-tv, where SFA junior radio/TV major Daniel Mireles from Kingwood said the station’s use of automated cameras impressed him.

“This station is taking TV to the next level; it’s the future of TV,” Mireles said. “This visit made me realize it’s going to take hard work for me to achieve my goals, but it got me excited to move forward with my career.”

“Ivy + Bean the Musical,” with book, music and lyrics by Scott Elmegreen and based on books by Annie Barrows, will conclude its SummerStage Festival run at Stephen F. Austin State University with two final shows this week. The children’s show, featuring Mesquite junior Zaria Harp (left) as Ivy and Chandler senior Jessica Benson as Bean, is at 2 p.m. Thursday, July 13, and at 6:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus. General admission tickets are $7.50. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

The Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre will present the final shows this week of William Gibson’s “The Miracle Worker” as part of its SummerStage Festival. The play, featuring Frisco sophomore Aubrey Moore (left) as Anne Sullivan and Plano senior Cecily Maucieri as Helen Keller, is at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, July 11, 12 and 13, and at 2 p.m. Saturday, July 15, in the Downstage Theatre on the SFA campus. General admission tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students/youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.

Silent bidding in this year’s 12×12 scholarship fundraiser for the Friends of the Visual Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University continues through July 15 at The Cole Art Center @ The Old Opera House in downtown Nacogdoches.

The purpose of 12×12 is to raise funds for FVA scholarships and grants that that are awarded to SFA art students. Between $12,000 and $15,000 is awarded annually in scholarships to deserving students in the School of Art.

The silent auction features 12-by-12-inch pieces of art created by approximately 70 artists from Nacogdoches, Lufkin and other areas of East Texas. Initial bidding ($250 minimum) will continue until the fundraiser’s concluding party and reception at 6 p.m. Saturday. Those who attend the party will have a chance to claim a piece for a starting bid of $100, but bidding will continue for another hour.

Texas state Rep. Travis Clardy will be the evening’s master of ceremonies and will announce the winners of the art pieces. The event is open to the public, and the reception is free.

Among this year’s sponsors are The Daily Sentinel, Fredonia Brewery, Birdie’s Bakery and The Flower Shop.

The Cole Art Center is located at 329 E. Main St. For more information about 12×12 or to become a sponsor, call The Cole Art Center at (936) 468-6557.

Stephen F. Austin State University students in the School of Human Sciences recently traveled to Chicago to attend the National Restaurant Association Show.

During this four-day exhibit, students learned from industry professionals through education sessions, as well as sampled unique culinary dishes, viewed emerging field techniques and technologies, and more.

Dr. Chay Runnels, SFA hospitality administration program coordinator, graduate program co-coordinator and associate professor, led the trip with students in her field experiences in human sciences course.

“Part of our program’s core focus is to encourage students to experience things outside of SFA and Nacogdoches,” Runnels said. “This trip served a dual purpose. First, students were able to see the scope of the hospitality industry through the lens of the restaurant show, and they also experienced tourism in Chicago.”

At the National Restaurant Association Show, students witnessed more than 2,200 exhibitors representing more than 900 product categories, which provided students an opportunity to understand how such a massive event is organized.

Alyse Richards, an Arlington senior studying event planning, said this trip helped her get out of her comfort zone, learn to navigate a new city and better understand her major.

“I was amazed by how big the show was and how much food there was,” Richards said. “It also was very interesting to see all the different booths.”

Students also met celebrity chefs Duff Goldman, owner of Charm City Cakes featured on the Food Network’s show “Ace of Cakes;” Rick Bayless, winner of Bravo’s Top Chef Masters, who is known for his authentic Mexican cuisine and TV series “Mexico — One Plate at a Time;” Robert Irvine, known for various TV shows and cooking challenges such as “Restaurant: Impossible;” and Ming Tsai, a James Beard and Emmy award-winning chef, author, TV host, producer and product developer.

For Heather Gallant, an SFA graduate student studying nutrition, this experience introduced her to the many possibilities within her career.

“I am on the career path of becoming a registered dietitian, which means I am interested in all things related to food and nutrition,” Gallant said. “Attending the National Restaurant Association Show gave me the opportunity to speak with various food company representatives and learn how I can use their food products for my clients.”

Prior to landing in Chicago, SFA students researched the city’s tourism industry and reviewed attractions, nightlife and restaurants. Students had the opportunity to tailor the trip to their own interests.

“My favorite part of the trip was experiencing the culture of Chicago. When I travel somewhere new, I love to explore different places and observe how other people interact,” Gallant said. “I loved visiting various tourist attractions and eating at unique food establishments.”

The group had a behind-the-scenes tour of Eatly, a two-story food emporium with multiple restaurants and groceries.

The class culminated with a digital project dedicated to a specific aspect of tourism in Chicago or culinary issues. Project topics included transportation modes, food allergens, food presentation and technological advances.