Everything Nac

The Nacogdoches County’s Opportunity for a Better Learning Experience banquet will be held at 6 p.m. Monday, March 28, in the Baker Pattillo Student Center Grand Ballroom at Stephen F. Austin State University.

A total of 172 high school seniors from across Nacogdoches County were invited to attend this year’s banquet, which will honor students for excellence in coursework, community service and good citizenship during their four years in high school.

“The economic health of our community relies upon the academic well-being of our youth,” said Erin Windham, chair of the education committee at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce. “Our area’s future workforce, community leaders and elected officials are sitting in classrooms across Nacogdoches County at this moment. The outcome of our students’ success determines the outcome of our towns’ successes.”

Students will receive a NOBLE Scholar medallion to wear at their graduation ceremony. The medallions are sponsored by NIBCO.

A reception for family members will be held in the nearby Twilight Ballroom starting at 6 p.m. with heavy hors d’oeuvres to be served. Family members will be permitted to join students during the medallion presentation and keynote address by former Nacogdoches ISD interim superintendent and 2021 Citizen of the Year, Alton Frailey, in SFA’s Grand Ballroom.

Representatives from various departments at SFA, along with junior colleges and Workforce Solutions, will be in attendance to provide information. SFA offices with staff members in attendance will include enrollment management, financial aid, Student Success Center, Center for Career and Professional Development, ROTC, Academic Assistance and Resource Center, and Orientation and Transition Programs.

Nacogdoches County NOBLE Scholars are eligible to apply for one of 17 $1,000 scholarships to SFA. The scholarships are provided by Citizens 1st Bank; Etech; Fairchild, Price, Haley & Smith; Laird Funeral Home; and Servpro of Lufkin and Nacogdoches.

NOBLE is a program offered jointly through the Chamber of Commerce’s education committee and the local business community. The education committee includes school administrators, SFA faculty and staff, and Chamber of Commerce members.

For more information about the banquet, contact the Chamber of Commerce at (936) 560-5533 or chamber@nactx.com.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s Rusche College of Business will unveil three newly renovated and named areas on the first floor of the McGee Business Building, including two in honor of SFA donors, at 1:30 p.m. April 22.

In addition to the donors who made these renovations possible, SFA President Dr. Scott Gordon, members of SFA’s Board of Regents and Rusche College of Business Dean Dr. Timothy Bisping will be present to dedicate the Gerald and Candy Schlief Lobby, Jimmy D. Berry Dean’s Suite and Rusche College of Business auditorium.

“I’m looking forward to a wonderful afternoon honoring loyal alumni and friends of the Rusche College of Business,” Bisping said. “The passion for student success demonstrated by these individuals is inspiring, and their love of SFA has been on full display in discussions leading to this day.”

The Gerald and Candy Schlief Lobby was named in honor of longtime SFA supporters Jerry and Candy Schlief. Jerry received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting from SFA in 1970 before serving as an innovative leader in the independent oil and gas industry in Houston and internationally. He has served on the SFASU Foundation Board of Trustees since 2008 and currently serves as chair.

The Schliefs were inducted into the Stephen F. Austin Society in 2006 for their generous gifts to the university, including funds supporting the Gerald W. Schlief School of Accountancy in perpetuity, as well as the Gerald and Candace Schlief Tennis Complex.

“The Schliefs’ phenomenal support of SFA truly makes a direct impact in the lives of our students,” Gordon said in July when the regents approved the naming. “Their investment in SFA helps ensure the success of our mission to advance academic excellence in a learner-centered environment.”

Regents also approved the naming of the Jimmy D. Berry Dean’s Suite. Berry is a 1985 graduate of SFA with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and has distinguished himself as a partner and vice chairman for Deloitte & Touche.

“Mr. Berry has been instrumental in creating the successful partnership between SFA and Deloitte, engaging graduates employed at the company while encouraging their lifetime support of SFA’s accounting program,” Gordon said.

Bisping added that the generosity of all of these individuals has allowed the Rusche College of Business “to offer students professional learning environments and enhanced opportunities for professional development. It’s the dedication of our alumni and friends that helps us provide truly special opportunities for our students.”

The public is invited to the dedication ceremony. For more information, email Trisha Kellogg, director of external relations for SFA’s Rusche College of Business, at kelloggtj@sfasu.edu.