Everything Nac

The University of Texas System Board of Regents has unanimously voted to name Neal Weaver, PhD, the sole finalist to become the next president of Stephen F. Austin State University in Nacogdoches. Weaver has served as president of Georgia Southwestern State University (GSW) — a member of the University of Georgia System based in Americus, Georgia — for the past seven years.

Per state law, the UT Regents now must wait 21 days before officially naming Weaver president. Once approved, he would succeed Interim President Gina Oglesbee to become the 11th president in SFA’s 100-year history and first as a member of the UT System. SFA, which has six colleges that offer more than 80 bachelor’s degree programs, 40 master’s degree programs, and four doctoral degrees that cover more than 120 areas of study, officially became the 14th member institution of the UT System last September.

With an impressive 33-year career in higher education administration across four public university systems, Weaver has demonstrated his leadership prowess at GSW. Under his guidance, the university experienced notable growth in enrollment, student retention and fundraising. GSW’s fall 2023 enrollment of 3,300 marked a historic high for the university and included an 18.5% increase in freshman enrollment, as well as 16.8% increase in graduate enrollment. Additionally, first-year student retention rose by more than 7%, and annual giving to the GSW Foundation more than doubled.

“The Regents met with outstanding candidates, and Dr. Weaver’s ability to lead in a thriving academic environment, coupled with his commitment to innovation and strategic growth, make him an ideal appointment to serve Stephen F. Austin State University as it enters its new era as a UT institution,” said UT System Board Chairman Kevin P. Eltife. “We are grateful for the thorough work of SFA’s presidential search advisory committee and the UT System leadership whose guidance and recommendations helped us arrive at today’s final selection.”

Weaver’s candidacy was recommended to the board of regents by a presidential search advisory committee that was chaired by UT System Chancellor James B. Milliken. The search committee included representation from the SFA faculty, students, alumni and community leaders, as well as UT presidents and regents.

Milliken praised Weaver’s ability to maximize the potential of the institutions he has served throughout his career.

“Dr. Weaver’s accomplishments in fostering student success, driving enrollment growth, and spearheading successful fundraising efforts position him to guide Stephen F. Austin State University into new opportunities as a member of the University of Texas System,” Milliken said. “I am pleased with the regents’ unanimous support of his candidacy and appreciate the efforts of everyone that helped us navigate this historic search.”

Before his role at GSW, Weaver served as the vice president for university advancement and innovation at Nicholls State University in Thibodaux, Louisiana. In this capacity, he provided leadership in fundraising, enrollment management and athletics while generating new revenue and improving retention, operating efficiencies and customer service. Weaver’s previous roles include vice president for institutional advancement at West Texas A&M University and vice president for university relations at Northeastern State University in Oklahoma.

Weaver earned a doctoral degree in organizational leadership from Oklahoma University, a Master of Business Administration from Southeastern Oklahoma State University, and a bachelor’s degree from Oklahoma Panhandle State University. He is a native of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

ABOUT THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS SYSTEM

With 14 institutions that enroll over 256,000 students overall, the UT System is the largest university system in Texas and one of the largest public university systems in the United States. UT institutions produced over 63,000 graduates last year and awarded more than one-third of the undergraduate degrees in Texas, as well as 60% of the state’s medical degrees. The combined efforts of UT-owned and affiliated hospitals and clinics resulted in over 10.6 million outpatient visits and more than 2 million hospital days in 2023. UT’s $4.3 billion research enterprise is one of the nation’s most innovative, ranking No. 1 in Texas and No. 2 in the U.S. for federal research expenditures. With an operating budget of $29.1 billion for fiscal year 2024, UT institutions collectively employ more than 122,000 faculty, health care professionals, support staff and students.

Erika Bazaldua Holland, a 2014 Stephen F. Austin State University mass media graduate who anchors KLTV’s “East Texas News” at midday and 5 p.m., will serve as the interviewer for the fourth installment of the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series. The free event featuring bestselling author, entrepreneur and Sprinkles Cupcakes founder Candace Nelson is open to the public and scheduled for 7:30 p.m. March 26 in SFA’s Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom.

An Arlington native, Holland started her career in media at an early age when she worked as a “kid DJ” for ABC’s Radio Disney from ages 11 to 18. While at SFA, she was involved in the university’s TV programs and several organizations, including Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Jack Walkers. She earned SFA Alumni Association’s Lumberjack Pride Award in 2018.

Following her graduation from SFA, Holland began working at KTRE/KLTV as a reporter. She was later promoted to weekend anchor/producer and the weekday morning anchor on “Good Morning East Texas.”

In 2021, Holland married KLTV evening news anchor Blake Holland. They welcomed their daughter in summer 2023.

Outside work, Holland loves spending time with her family, cheering on the Texas Rangers and serving the community. She is a member of the Big Bend Conservancy board of directors, the main philanthropic body for the national park in Texas. In addition to her state and national park conservation efforts, Holland advocates for heart health, mental health and spreading awareness about foster children in need of forever families.

For the fourth installment of the Nelson Rusche Distinguished Lecture Series, Holland will interview Candace Nelson, a “Shark Tank” guest shark, New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, and an expert in turning one’s passion into a profitable business. Nelson revolutionized the baking industry when she left a career in finance to start Sprinkles, the world’s first cupcake bakery and Cupcake ATM.

Free tickets for the event are available at the Charles Bright Visitor Center in downtown Nacogdoches or on campus at the student center information desk and the McGee Business Building, Room 137.

To purchase tickets for the 6 p.m. private reception and book signing, contact SFA’s Office of Development at (936) 468-5406 or rsvp@sfasu.edu. Tickets cost $100.

For more information about the lecture series, visit sfasu.edu/rusche.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Stephen F. Austin State University’s SFA Gardens will host the monthly Theresa and Les Reeves Lecture Series at 7 p.m. March 14 in the Brundrett Conservation Education Building at the Pineywoods Native Plant Center, located at 2900 Raguet St.

Jordan Cunningham, SFA Gardens greenhouse and nursery manager, will present “Plant Sale Preview: Plants You Shouldn’t Live Without.”

Cunningham received a Bachelor of Science in horticulture from SFA in 2015. While attending the university, she was employed as a student worker with SFA Gardens and participated in internships with Moore Farms Botanical Garden in Lake City, South Carolina, and with Disney Horticulture in Orlando, Florida. After earning her degree, Cunningham worked as a garden supervisor at the Dallas Arboretum before returning to Nacogdoches.

Cunningham joined SFA Gardens full time in 2017 as the greenhouse technician, training under former research associate Dawn Stover. In 2022, she became the gardens greenhouse and nursery manager, with main responsibilities including supervising staff members, volunteers and student assistants to maintain the greenhouse and nursery areas. She oversees the planning and production of plants that go through the garden’s facilities, those used in research and the thousands sold at SFA Gardens’ popular biannual plant sales.

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 lecture series fund are always appreciated.

Parking is available at the PNPC, 2900 Raguet St., or Raguet Elementary School, 2708 Raguet St.

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 37 academic facilities, nine 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 more than 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

For more information, email sfagardens@sfasu.edu.