Everything Nac

Dr. Bob Szafran, former department chair and professor in Stephen F. Austin State University’s Department of Anthropology, Geography and Sociology, will offer the commencement address during the university’s two graduation ceremonies, Saturday, Aug. 7.

Szafran received a bachelor’s degree from Loyola University of Chicago and a master’s and doctoral degree from the University of Wisconsin at Madison. Joining the SFA faculty in 1983, he has served in a variety of roles, including assistant dean and interim dean of the College of Liberal and Applied Arts. Szafran also served as a Regents Professor of Sociology.

Graduates and their guests must present tickets to enter Johnson Coliseum for commencement. Tickets are free but will help university officials ensure the venue is not overcrowded and adequate spacing can be maintained during the event. Each graduate will be allotted one ticket for themselves and a maximum of 15 guest tickets.

Candidates from the James I. Perkins College of Education and 2020 May and August graduates will participate in a 9:30 a.m. ceremony.

Candidates from the Rusche College of Business, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, the College of Fine Arts, the College of Liberal and Applied Arts, and the College of Sciences and Mathematics will participate in a 12:30 p.m. ceremony.

Degrees to be awarded include 328 bachelor’s, 134 master’s and six doctoral degrees. Approximately 61 students will graduate with honors, including 31 cum laude, nine magna cum laude and 21 summa cum laude. Four will graduate with the university scholar designation.

The ceremony will be livestreamed on the SFA Facebook page, facebook.com/sfasu. For more information, visit sfasu.edu/commencement.

Registration is underway for fall classes in the Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music, according to Alba Madrid, Music Prep director.

The fall roster for youth includes private lessons in piano, violin, cello, viola, voice, flute, trumpet and bass. Lessons may be available for other instruments upon request. Group classes will be offered in guitar, piano for adults, piano for children, Kindermusik (for students ages 0 to 5), Strings Project, youth orchestras and Raguet Strings for adult students. Lessons begin Aug. 16.

The Strings Project was piloted this past spring. The nine public school districts with in Nacogdoches County and some surrounding districts were invited to participate. Strings Project students have the opportunity to learn to play a stringed instrument at a low tuition cost as part of an after-school activity. The project is grant and community funded.

Registration for private and group instruction can be completed online at sfamusicprep.com or by calling (936) 468-1291. Prices range from $20 to $180 per month, depending on frequency, type of lesson and lesson length. Some scholarships may be available to qualifying applicants.

The Music Prep House is located at 3028 Raguet St. Office hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Madrid can also be reached via email at madrida@sfasu.edu or musicprep@sfasu.edu. Parents can also find program information on Facebook and Instagram.

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents approved the naming of two areas in the McGee Business Building during the recent quarterly meeting.

The Gerald and Candy Schlief Lobby on the first floor of the building was named in honor of longtime SFA supporters Jerry and Candy Schlief. Jerry received a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and served as an innovative leader in the independent oil and gas industry in Houston and internationally. He has served on the SFA 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,” said Dr. Scott Gordon, SFA president. “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 dean’s suite on the first floor of the McGee Business Building as the Jimmy D. Berry Dean’s Suite. Berry is an ’85 graduate of SFA with a Bachelor of Business Administration in accounting and has distinguished himself as a partner and vice chairman for Deloitte & Touche LLP.

“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.

Berry’s Deloitte colleagues – and fellow SFA alums – Jason Downing, Julie Winger, Sam Loughry, John England and Mark Layton worked with Berry to make the gifts to the Nelson Rusche College of Business in honor of his recent retirement.

The McGee Business Building serves as the home of SFA’s Nelson Rusche College of Business.

Regents approved a request from the Student Publications Office to honor the former president of SFA and assist students serving on the Stone Fort yearbook staff.

A $25,000 quasi-endowment with funds generated from the sale of yearbooks will fund awards of the Dr. Baker Pattillo Memorial Stone Fort Yearbook Scholarship to full-time students serving on the yearbook staff.

“A scholarship committee will select recipients with the approval of the vice president for student affairs and the executive vice president for academic affairs,” said Dr. Brandon Frye, SFA vice president for student affairs.

The Construction Management Advisory Committee also was established by regents. The committee serves as a bridge between the construction management program and the community and offers advice and support for the initiatives of the program.

Regents acknowledged receipt of the audit services report and also approved:

· curriculum changes

· the fall 2021 budget

· grant awards totaling $15,497,274

· policy revisions

· and the minutes of previous meetings.

Regents heard reports from President Gordon; Brian Uriegas, chair of the Faculty Senate; and Lauren Roach, the president of the Student Government Association.

For more information, visit sfasu.edu/regents.