Everything Nac

The Stephen F. Austin State University Board of Regents unanimously confirmed Dr. Scott Gordon as the ninth president of the university during a specially called meeting today.

A native of Malone, New York, Gordon was a first-generation college student and received his bachelor’s degree in biology from the State University of New York at Cortland. He earned a master’s degree and doctorate in botany and mycology from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and holds certifications from the Harvard University Graduate School of Education in educational management and leadership.

Currently serving as Eastern Washington University provost, Gordon has overseen more than 500 faculty members in six academic colleges, with responsibility for academic policy and planning, distance education, international programs and institutional research.

Gordon led a complete reorganization of EWU’s Academic Affairs unit, led the development and implementation of the university’s strategic plan in 2018 and developed partnerships with community colleges, business and industry, as well as government entities. This work was highlighted by a unique partnership with Microsoft and collaboration with multiple businesses on The Catalyst, a 140,000-square-foot facility in downtown Spokane.

Previously, Gordon spent 22 years at the University of Southern Indiana, where he served as dean of the Pott College of Science, Engineering and Education. In addition, Gordon served for 10 years as the Faculty Athletics Representative, was named a NCAA Faculty Athletic Representative Fellow, and was vice president and treasurer of the Great Lakes Valley Conference, which includes 14 NCAA Division II institutions.

Gordon succeeds Dr. Baker Pattillo, who was SFA president from 2006 until his death in December 2018. Dr. Steve Westbrook, SFA vice president for university affairs, served as interim president of the university.

Members of the SFA Board of Regents worked with an executive search firm, R. William Funk & Associates of Dallas, to solicit and review applications for the president’s position. Brigettee Henderson of Lufkin, chair of the board, said the pool of education leaders interested in SFA’s presidential post included many highly qualified candidates.

“Dr. Gordon has a track record of success in higher education, and with his energy, integrity and compassion, we look forward to the new ideas that he will bring as the next president of SFA,” Henderson said. “We believe he will be a thoughtful leader who will work tirelessly alongside faculty, staff, students and alumni, as well as the broader SFA community, to strengthen the university and ensure the brightest possible future as we embark on SFA’s second century of educational excellence, growth and innovation.”

While Gordon is expected to officially begin his duties at SFA on Sept. 16, he is scheduled to speak at the meeting for SFA faculty and staff at 8:30 a.m. Aug. 22. The meeting will be livestreamed, and a link to the broadcast will be accessible at sfasu.edu.

Gordon is also expected to speak on Friday, Aug. 23, at the Nacogdoches County Chamber of Commerce’s Fourth Friday Luncheon at The Fredonia Hotel and Convention Center. For ticket information, call (936) 560-5533.

For more information about SFA’s presidential search process, visit http://www.sfasu.edu/about-sfa/presidential-search.

The Music Preparatory Division of the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music has provided a strong foundation in music education for generations of young East Texas musicians. That tradition will continue as a “changing-of-the-guard” takes place at the end of August.

Longtime director Pat Barnett retires Aug. 31, and succeeding her is Melissa Nabb, who is currently an adjunct instructor of music theory, viola and violin in the School of Music. Nabb is eager to get started in her new role with SFA and its music education outreach.

“I have wanted to run a community music school since I observed Suzuki group violin classes at the Music Institute of Chicago when I was earning my master’s degree,” Nabb said. “I was immediately taken with the cooperation between teachers and the enthusiasm of the students and parents, and I wanted to be part of a program like that. So, I jumped at the opportunity to apply for this position.”

Barnett has served as director of the Music Prep program for 20 years, succeeding a list of “Who’s Who” directors that included Shirley Watterston, Linda Parr, Bobbie Ann Anderson and interim director Brenda Josephsen. The program was established in 1980 by Dr. Robert Blocker, who was then-chair of the SFA Department of Music, and Watterston, a longtime music faculty member.

When Barnett became director of Music Prep, the office was located inside Wright Music Building, and she worked only 10 hours a week. She recalled those early days with gratitude to those who helped her learn and grow as director.

“Ten hours a week was adequate, because the student workers in the music office wrote receipts for Prep and recorded the enrollment, and Dr. Ron Anderson, the chair of the music department at that time, loaned Prep his computer,” she said. “He would come in and help me learn to navigate the mysterious computer. Finally, I got the hang of it! The program was quite a challenge for me, and I did my best to move it forward. Many people helped! I have seen many, many changes – in the program and the university. I wish Melissa best wishes as she continues to move the program forward.”

Two of Music Prep’s “call to music” lie in the slogans of “A growing awareness of beauty in sound” and “Bringing music to the community!” Barnett said the SFA music faculty and music students join together to epitomize these ideals.

“I have been fortunate to work with the best teachers and students anywhere – bar none,” she said. “I salute them – both present and past. Some of my best memories are of our scholarship fundraisers, ‘Musical Time Machine,’ ‘We’ve Got Rhythm,’ ‘Piney Woods Home Companion,’ and the sequel, ‘Piney Woods Home Companion – Pine-ier and Woodier,’ and the Middle School All Region Choir Camp – to name a few. We have great community support that is greatly appreciated. The Music Prep Advisory Board deserves recognition for its great contributions to the program. Thank you all. A special note: Mr. Ed Cole purchased harps for Prep, and we have taught harp for 20 years. Thank you, Ed!”

Nabb hopes to expand program offerings that will inspire the next generation of musicians to participate in Music Prep. Beginning this fall, Music Prep will offer new classes to reach more children and adults in the Piney Woods. In addition to traditional lessons, the program will offer group classes for beginning violin and viola, cello and guitar, with these classes costing just $10 each week.

“We are also expanding our lesson offerings to include all strings, winds, percussion and voice,” Nabb said. “Things to look for at Music Prep in the future are Kindermusik classes as well as a training program to prepare our SFA music education majors.”

“I am most looking forward to collaborating with teachers and parents to build a community where students can not only learn music but meet friends and create memories for a lifetime,” Nabb said. “The Music Preparatory program at SFA is a special place, and there are tremendous opportunities to build on the tradition of excellence there and move forward with new and exciting offerings.”

For more information about the Music Preparatory Division and its fall lesson lineup, call (936) 468-1291 or visit www.music.sfasu.edu/prep.

Fans of comedy geniuses John Belushi, Bill Murray and Steve Carell or Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert and Amy Poehler will not want to miss a Nacogdoches performance of the newest improv stars of The Second City, Chicago’s renowned comedy club.

The College of Fine Arts at Stephen F. Austin State University will open its 2019-20 University Series with a performance by The Second City at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 6, in W.M. Turner Auditorium on the SFA campus.

Since opening in Chicago in 1959, this small cabaret theatre as grown to become the most influential and prolific comedy empire in the world, developing an entirely unique way of creating art and fostering a generation of superstars. Local fans will now have the opportunity to enjoy their improvisational approach to comedy in a live performance on Turner stage featuring comedy’s newest, up-and-coming celebrities, according to Scott Shattuck, associate dean of the College of Fine Arts and director of the University Series.

“The Second City is truly the epicenter of the comedy world,” Shattuck said, “having given us most of the casts of ‘Saturday Night Live,’ ‘SCTV,’ ‘The Daily Show’ and more. It has been too long since their national tour visited the SFA campus in Nacogdoches.”

The Second City began as an unconventional approach to both theater and comedy. Immediately, its alumni, which included soon-to-be superstars Alan Arkin, Joan Rivers, Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, Fred Willard and Belushi, launched the theatre into the international spotlight. The Second City also launched the careers of Chris Farley, Martin Short, John Candy, Mike Myers, Rick Moranis and other comedic actors.

Today, The Second City is a world-class entertainment company, continuing to produce premier talent in all three of its locations – Chicago, Toronto and Hollywood – and entertaining more than one million audience members a year. In addition to its own stages, Second City Touring Companies perform electrifying revues and original productions across North America and abroad.

“A recent showcase of their touring cast’s performance had us rolling in the aisles,” Shattuck recalled. “Only a small part of their act is political satire, and they poked fun at all sides with equal glee. Their ability to turn every aspect of modern life into hilarity is truly delightful.”

This performance is recommended for mature audiences.

Prior to the SFA performance, Jackie Rosenfeld, lecturer in the SFA School of Theatre, will present an informative talk at 7 p.m. in Griffith Gallery. The gallery is located across the hall from Turner Auditorium, which is inside the Griffith Fine Arts Building, 2222 Alumni Drive. The audience is invited back to the gallery for a post-performance reception to meet the performers.

Single event ticket prices for the University Series are $30 for adults, $24 for seniors, $15 for SFA faculty and staff and $12 for non-SFA students/youth. Tickets for SFA students are $3. Season tickets are still available and offer consistent seating throughout the season as well as additional discounts.

For more information or to purchase tickets, visit finearts.sfasu.edu, stop by the Box Office in Room 211 of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.