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Stephen F. Austin State University students are managing an investment portfolio valued at approximately $2.73 million following a recent contribution from The University of Texas/Texas A&M Investment Management Company to the Mast Student Investment Roundtable Fund in the Nelson Rusche College of Business.

UTIMCO, the first external investment corporation established by a public university system, manages assets for both The University of Texas and Texas A&M University systems. The increase in funds — made possible through SFA’s 2023 affiliation with the UT System — has nearly tripled the amount of capital available to students enrolled in the Mast Student Investment Roundtable course.

“More funds mean more opportunities for our students to gain hands-on experience managing real investments — the kind of experience that prepares them to responsibly invest client money in their future careers,” said Dr. Kyle Jones, associate professor of finance and instructor for the course.

SFA is one of several institutions in the UT and Texas A&M University systems that have received seed money from UTIMCO for their student-managed funds. The money remains UT System money, but it is handled by the students overseeing each university’s student-managed investment fund.

“This is set up to be a long-term relationship,” Jones said. “Over time, the balance is expected to grow considerably, increasing the funds managed, the associated learning opportunities and the prestige that it will bring.”

Students managing the funds must follow the guidelines of UTIMCO’s formal investment policy statement, and UTIMCO has the right to withdraw some or all the funds at any time.

“Basically, this is no different than the relationship between an investment firm and a client who has entrusted the firm to manage the client’s money,” Jones said. “This fiduciary responsibility is a critical piece of the course that students learn: invest within the guidelines laid out by the client since it is their money.”

The Mast Student Investment Roundtable course is open to students who have completed the prerequisite course, “Introduction to Investments,” ensuring that participants have a solid foundation in financial concepts and modern portfolio theory before managing real funds.

The student managers aim to outperform the S&P 500 index by strategically allocating assets and selecting stocks across multiple sectors. They increase holdings in high-performing sectors, reduce exposure to weaker ones and identify top-performing companies within each area.

“This experiential learning opportunity goes far beyond a typical classroom experience,” Jones said. “Students devote significantly more time to research and analysis than they would for a traditional course, and they gain skills that are immediately applicable in professional investment settings.”

Students work in teams covering sectors such as energy, financials and utilities. Each group researches market trends, evaluates individual companies and presents formal stock recommendations to the class. After written and oral presentations, the class votes on each proposal before making investment decisions.

To maintain continuity, student analysts also prepare executive summaries explaining their buy and sell decisions, which are passed along to students managing the portfolio the next semester.

Throughout the semester, students receive guidance from investment professionals who share insights on market conditions and portfolio management strategies.

For more information about the Mast Student Investment Roundtable course and SFA’s Department of Economics and Finance, visit sfasu.edu/ecofin.

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 40 academic facilities, 11 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 over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

Stephen F. Austin State University is relaunching its “Lumberjacks make great …” campaign to boost brand awareness, celebrate alumni success and connect with a new generation of students across Texas.

Stephen F. Austin State University has relaunched its signature “Lumberjacks make great …” campaign to strengthen statewide awareness of the SFA brand and connect with a new generation of students.

The refreshed campaign highlights the success and character of SFA students, alumni and faculty — showing that Lumberjacks make great nurses, educators, innovators, entrepreneurs, leaders and so much more.

“This campaign and updated design are about strengthening recognition of the SFA brand across Texas,” said Dr. Neal Weaver, SFA president. “It’s a way to build pride, celebrate success and tell the SFA story to audiences who may not yet know us.”

Research conducted last year by Hanover Research revealed that while SFA enjoys a strong reputation among alumni and East Texans, brand awareness among prospective college students outside the region lags behind that of other universities. The campaign responds to that finding through bold new visuals and storytelling that highlight SFA’s impact and alumni success.

New billboards are now active in Houston, Dallas and East Texas, with additional signage debuting this week inside William P. Hobby and Dallas Love Field airports. The campaign will also extend into digital spaces with a complete redesign of SFA’s official website, sfasu.edu, launching in spring 2026. The new site will feature a modern look, interactive tools and a more engaging experience for prospective students and families.

“We’ve seen record interest in SFA over the past year, even without a comprehensive campaign,” said Korbin Pate, executive director of University Marketing Communications. “This campaign builds on the momentum and buzz around our institution, expands our reach, and shares the powerful stories of our students, alumni and faculty with audiences across Texas.”

The campaign relaunch coincides with the unveiling of a modernized Lumberjack design, designed to connect more effectively with prospective students and younger audiences. The updated mark complements SFA’s classic imagery while enhancing its appeal across digital platforms, merchandise and recruiting materials, which are key areas for reaching high school and transfer students.

“The classic Lumberjack will always be part of who we are,” Pate said. “This isn’t a rebrand or a replacement. Our traditional mark remains an important part of SFA’s identity and will continue to appear across our branding and apparel. The refreshed design simply builds on that foundation to help us connect with younger audiences identified in our research and strengthen awareness of the SFA name across the state.”

A year ago, SFA partnered with Torch Creative, a Dallas-based studio specializing in sports logos, collegiate mascot illustration and athletic branding, to guide a committee of a dozen students, alumni, faculty and staff representing a wide variety of departments on campus in selecting the new design. The committee held several focus groups with student-athletes and student leaders while emphasizing the theme “It’s a great time to be a Lumberjack” throughout the process.

To commemorate the new design, students, alumni, faculty and staff and community members can pick up stickers, face tattoos and lapel pins featuring the new mascot at Homecoming events all this week. They’ll also have opportunities to take photos with the 7-foot-tall mascot cutout and see the new Lumberjack in the sky at the Homecoming drone show, bonfire and concert Friday at 8 p.m. at the Intramural Fields.

Merchandise featuring the new mascot is available at the Lumberjack Team Shop, Barnes & Noble Bookstore and Jack Backers.

For more information about this week’s Homecoming events, visit sfasu.edu/homecoming.

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 40 academic facilities, 11 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 over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications

James Adams, associate professor and director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s sound recording technology program, pictured left, was named a recipient of The University of Texas System’s 2025 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. The recognition marks the first time an SFA faculty member has received the award since the university joined the UT System.

James Adams, associate professor and director of Stephen F. Austin State University’s sound recording technology program, was named a recipient of The University of Texas System’s 2025 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award. The recognition marks the first time an SFA faculty member has received the award since the university joined the UT System.

Established in 2008, the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award is one of the most prestigious teaching honors in the nation, reflecting the UT System’s mission to recognize and reward faculty members who demonstrate excellence in classroom teaching and student engagement. Each year, recipients are selected through a rigorous process led by UT System leadership and peers to recognize faculty members whose dedication and innovation have profoundly impacted student learning and success. Awardees receive a $25,000 monetary prize, medallion and certificate.

“I am incredibly honored to have been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award,” Adams said. “Teaching and working with our passionate sound recording technology students is the most satisfying work I have ever done in my life. Being recognized for my efforts and impact with this honor is an incredible feeling and further inspires me to keep working hard for my students.”

As director of SFA’s SRT program, Adams has been instrumental in shaping one of the university’s most dynamic and hands-on areas of study as he prepares students for careers in music, audio engineering and related industries. His teaching philosophy emphasizes both technical mastery and creative exploration, providing students with a strong foundation for professional success.

“In the field of music recording, production and mixing, we creatively leverage technologies through various processes to produce music,” Adams said. “The ability to understand and command many of these processes cannot be taught in theory alone; they must be learned through hands-on experience, training and repetition over time. I hope to continue to teach and inspire students to be creatively nimble in an ever-changing field.”

Adams will be recognized during the UT System Board of Regents’ November meeting, which will include a livestreamed presentation celebrating this year’s award recipients.

“This award is a fitting tribute to James’ extraordinary teaching and leadership,” said Dr. Gary Wurtz, dean of SFA’s Micky Elliott College of Fine Arts. “He brings far more than technical instruction — he shares his professional experience, creative insight and unwavering support for his students. James is deeply invested not only in student success but also in the growth and excellence of the SRT program, and we are honored to have him as part of our college.”

For more information about SFA’s SRT program, visit sfasu.edu/srt.

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 40 academic facilities, 11 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 over 120 areas of study. Learn more at sfasu.edu.

By University Marketing Communications